episode_0031

The matchmaking process has concluded.

The limited number of possible matches, which was only two, has now returned to five, and I have once again obtained a one-month grace period.

Now, within that time frame, I can either engage in a suitable new match or…

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[Name: Ju Hwa-ryeon] [Age: 37 (23)] [Species: Human] [Hometown: – (S-33 Earth)] [Occupation: (Former) Sapa/Cheonha Jeil-in] [Combat Grade: C(S)]

– Betrayed by those I once considered comrades. It seems like they wish for my demise now.

– Life is a journey walked alone, and it seems like I will continue to live alone.

– Recently encountered a strange and suspicious man. He helped me prolong my life, but there seems to be something fishy he’s hiding, which doesn’t sit well with me.

– Relationship with App User: Strange person, someone with hidden intentions.

– Compatibility with App User: 52%

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Now that she seems like a viable opponent for strategy, I should try matching with her.

Of course, unlike with Alia, it seems like a long road ahead to truly deepen my connection with her, but compared to the complete lack of communication before, this was a much better situation.

After all, communication is key to building any kind of rapport, right?

Before the previous match, having a conversation with her was completely impossible.

As I stared at my phone, Alia tugged at my sleeve and spoke.

“…Husband, what’s so interesting on your phone?”

“Oh, just checking something real quick…”

“Ugh… when you’re with me, don’t look elsewhere and focus on me.”

As much as I wanted to…

I briefly averted my gaze from Alia and looked around. Even though it was late at night and people were scarce, there were still a few passing by.

Anyway, public displays of affection were out of the question, and there wasn’t much to do until the movie started, right?

“I’m a bit bored…”

“…Not good, husband. Didn’t I say that today’s outing was a reward for teaching me swordsmanship? But you can’t even spare a moment to spend time with me and instead look elsewhere during our date…”

Since the Han River Park date, her interest in my world had increased significantly, and she once again wanted to go on a date outside.

Of course, there were many things to consider to go out with her, but I also felt a bit guilty for using her help to meet other women.

Thanks to her, the successful match with Ju Hwa-ryeon in the martial arts world was all thanks to her, so I left the house to go on a date with her.

This time, the date location was a late-night movie theater.

An empty movie theater, especially a late-night one, would have fewer people, and her hooded appearance wouldn’t attract much attention.

Anyway, to appease her grumbling about not focusing on her for a moment, I put my phone back in my pocket and said.

“Okay, I won’t use my phone now.”

“Hmph… no, do as you please, husband. If playing with that rectangular artifact is more fun for you than playing with me, then go ahead.”

…So, does that puffed-up cheeky comment mean she’s annoyed with me to this extent and wants me to console her quickly?

Even if I pretend not to understand her words and continue using my phone, she probably won’t get too angry due to her nature, but it seemed like I really needed to restrain myself now if this moment was meant to express gratitude to her.

I hugged her waist and said.

“I won’t do it anymore. Don’t be upset.”

“Hmph. I’m not upset, husband. I’m just curious. What is that rectangular artifact that people in your world can’t seem to take their eyes off? I’ve seen countless people passing by who are diligently operating it just like you.”

Despite my attempts to calm her down, she continued to question the meaning behind using a cellphone, raising fundamental doubts.

From her perspective, it was only natural for her to wonder about the significance of using a cellphone.

Walking down the street as if possessed, unable to take her eyes off her phone, it was clear to even the most modern observer that such behavior was unseemly.

There’s no need to elaborate on how such a sight would appear in her eyes.

“Would you like to try using it, Alia? Should I buy you one later?”

“Are you serious about this? Um… if you give it to me, I’ll graciously accept it. Honestly, I’ve been curious about what people in your world do with this. But shouldn’t you just tell me what it is?”

“I’ll show you how to use it later. It’s easier to understand by trying it yourself than just listening.”

Using a cellphone… it’s a very broad question to explain in words.

Anyway, as we chatted and made our way to the theater, we quickly bought some snacks before entering.

“Here, a large popcorn and…”

I glanced at Alia, who was following me closely. She really liked Pepero last time, didn’t she?

Seems like women liking sweet things like chocolate is a universal, no, intergalactic commonality.

“I’ll have an ice chocolate and a large cider, please.”

“Sure thing. That’ll be 20,500 won.”

The drinks and popcorn we received went straight to her mouth.

“Here, Alia, try this.”

“Mmm… husband, this taste…!”

As we chatted and spent time together, the movie screening time approached, and we were able to enter the theater with our snacks.

“We need to be quiet from here on out.”

“Huh? Why is that, husband?”

“We might disturb others watching the movie. Well, I didn’t see many people other than us earlier, but…”

I roughly explained the theater to her, and she roughly understood.

“I see. So this is a theater-like place.”

“It is… a little different, though.”

“Sigh… there’s so much to know in your world. I feel like I’m the only one left in an unknown world.”

“Well, you’re still getting used to it.”

“True. Anyway, I’ll learn more about your world. That way, I can act more like a wife to you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Good job, Alia.”

As I praised Alia, she raised her head even more, seeking more praise.

“Uh-huh… hurry up and praise me more.”

As I petted her head and entered the theater, I could see her looking curiously at the oddly shaped seats in the middle row.

“Husband, why is only that seat shaped like that?”

“It’s a couple seat. Let’s go sit there.”

“Oh… it’s certainly nice to be able to sit close to you in the same seat.”

Of course, that was the intention behind purchasing those seats.

Before meeting her, I had a fantasy of cuddling with a future lover in those seats.

“Oh… looks like it’s starting now.”

Yes, that was definitely the intention behind buying those seats.

“Oh…”

The light skinship and hand-holding with her were short-lived as the screen started playing in earnest, and she was so focused on the movie that the meaning of the couple seats seemed to be lost on her.

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“Hyejeong, you have to take good care of yourself.”

“You have to come with me too!”

“Hyejeong, go and listen to Mom well. Even without Dad…”

“Dad!”

She was so engrossed in the movie that depicted a government’s incompetence in dealing with a disaster, that she couldn’t take her eyes off the screen until the end.

“Sigh…. It’s so sad, husband. Sacrificing oneself for one’s family like that…. What are those knights in that world doing? Simple soldiers going through such hardships.”

“Well…. If that happens, the movie won’t progress.”

With tears streaming down her face, she asked me what would happen if she became a parent.

“Well…. I would probably be like those parents. How about you, husband?”

“I don’t know? Maybe I would be the same if it were my child? So, let’s clean up our faces first…. Hmph! Try it, hmph!”

“Ugh!”

Anyway, the day’s date ended satisfactorily.

“But husband, why does this taste so good? I want to buy more of this.”

“Well…. That’s just a snack, it won’t fill you up much. Let’s have dinner instead of that.”

“Ugh…. It was delicious…. Promise me, husband.”

There was a brief moment of a mishap when she realized the taste of popcorn late and wanted to have it as a substitute for dinner, promising to buy it again later, but anyway.

The next day after the date, I summoned her early in the morning and handed her a spare phone with a number activated at the convenience store as promised.

“Um…. Is this my artifact now?”

“Well, it has my name on it for now…. But you should be able to do everything with it.”

“So, how do I use this thing, husband?”

“Well…. To explain roughly how to use it….”

After explaining how to use the phone, she quickly grasped it and started using it skillfully.

“Oh…. With just this, I can know almost everything, husband.”

However, one unexpected thing was that she seemed to lose interest in me as she spent the whole day playing with the phone, discovering new things with it.

After playing with the phone for a while, she approached me and said, “Um…. Husband, there are these foods in your world. I want to see them and try making them. Can you buy me these ingredients and utensils?”

“Now?”

“Yes, right now.”

Feeling a mix of relief that she was showing interest in something other than me, and a strange sense of loss like seeing a grown-up daughter, I agreed to her request and went out alone to buy what she needed.