episode_0048

Episode 47: Date, Date (2)

“That looks delicious.”

“Mm-hmm. It sure does.”

The food was quickly prepared.

Had Han Se-in sensed Joeng Ah-young’s feelings?

Han Se-in smiled as he looked at the food and reacted.

Even a momentary look of apology crossed her face.

“Let’s eat quickly.”

“Yeah!”

Seeing his smile, Joeng Ah-young felt relieved and started eating right away.

Han Se-in picked up his utensils first and took a bite of the salmon poke.

“Mmm, it’s delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Is this sesame sauce? It goes well.”

Fortunately, the discomfort that had been weighing on their minds disappeared.

The joy of the meal took its place.

Han Se-in’s words were not false.

The rose pasta and salmon poke – while a bit insufficient for two people, they were definitely not bad.

Just a bit pricey.

“Mmm, it’s tasty.”

“Eat more.”

“Mm… Oops.”

“Just stay still.”

A hand reached towards Joeng Ah-young’s lips.

It wiped her lips with a tissue.

Was it because she didn’t often eat pasta?

Or was it just her clumsy style that led to sauce on Joeng Ah-young’s lips?

Joeng Ah-young’s cheeks gradually reddened.

Her ears also turned red as time passed.

“Thank you.”

“It’s fine.”

Joeng Ah-young’s gaze fell awkwardly.

Eyes that seemed to scrutinize the food.

Memories of embarrassment before shame flashed through her mind.

[Those damn PongPong girls]

Always asking for meals and coffee on dates.

Damn idiots.

This kind of post was vaguely remembered.

A theory that swept through South Korea.

At a time when dishwashing was a hot topic.

Gender conflicts within the community were escalating.

Joeng Ah-young, who had been a ghost in the community, also sympathized.

Back when she was still a high school student.

She vowed never to be taken advantage of by a boyfriend.

Even if she had money, she wouldn’t spend it recklessly on gifts or pay for all the date expenses.

That mindset had once taken root in her values.

And that mindset ingrained in her values…

“Oh.”

“Oh…”

“Mm-hmm. Eat plenty of meat.”

“Uh… okay.”

It was thoroughly breaking down.

A spoonful of meat and pasta was offered.

The hand that gently fed her held love.

Sincerity and care.

Han Se-in’s gaze was solely focused on Joeng Ah-young.

He didn’t look away until she chewed properly.

“You don’t have to feed me…”

“I want to.”

Her face seemed to flush, almost as if burning.

To have such a loving and caring boyfriend.

Would she even buy a meal for another passing man?

But then, why hesitate to spend money on a man like him?

Her values were wavering.

After feeding each other, she would take a bite herself.

Only a small portion, not even a full spoonful.

“Make sure you eat a lot too.”

“Okay, okay.”

Though she said she understood, she once again piled pasta and meat onto Joeng Ah-young’s plate.

She had no choice but to accept silently.

Given that she had pretended to be in pain.

“I’m full.”

“…Already?”

When she came back to her senses, the food was nearly gone.

It seemed like she had eaten it all herself.

Joeng Ah-young looked at Han Se-in, who appeared full, and asked.

“Should we order more?”

“Nah, I’m full.”

“I’ll pay.”

“It’s fine. We’re classmates, how can I let you pay?”

Joeng Ah-young was full.

Considering she had eaten about two-thirds of it alone, it was natural.

Was it a matter of a woman’s pride?

Or was it guilt?

I wanted to somehow ease the awkward atmosphere.

[Split by a period]

[Split by a period]

“[It’s fair to split the bill for food and the date.]”

“I’ll pay.”

“Are you sure?”

“…Alright.”

Digging through his wallet, he stood up with the bill in hand.

I rose belatedly to follow him to settle the bill first.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“I’ll send you the money later.”

“Okay…”

“If I send more, will you get mad?”

“Oh, okay…”

How did he know?

With a guilty conscience suppressing her emotions, Jung Ah-young held her breath.

The more she saw the loving gaze in her smile.

The more her heart seemed to ache.

***

After having their meal,

Jung Ah-young and Han Se-in headed straight to a karaoke room.

Opting for a casual coin karaoke experience rather than hourly rates.

Considering it was their first date and they had just shared an intimate meal.

They chose relatively light-hearted songs next.

It wasn’t too far away.

Given the excellent infrastructure in the neighborhood where the academy was located.

They could easily enter the karaoke room without much hassle.

“Shall we go in here?”

“Yes, sounds good.”

Room number 16 was written on the door.

A narrow space indeed.

Although there were larger rooms available, they decided to use this one since there were only two of them.

There were plush chairs that could accommodate about three people.

And in front of them, screens and karaoke machines were set up.

It had the typical setup of a coin karaoke room.

“Um… Wait a moment, I’ll go get some cash.”

“No, I’ll pay.”

“It’ll be quick…”

“Oh, how much could it be.”

Han Se-in took out cash from his wallet.

Since the allowance he received from his sister was all in cash.

He preferred to use cash directly instead of making deposits.

Two thousand-won bills went into the machine.

Jung Ah-young felt a pang of guilt.

Feeling like she kept making mistakes.

But she forced herself to lift her head.

She realized it was better to treat and take care of him more on their next date.

Being sulky alone would be more detrimental.

“Go ahead and pick a song, I’ll look for it.”

“Uh, what?”

Handed the karaoke remote, Jung Ah-young froze.

But her hand moved.

Although she didn’t really know many songs.

She started searching for a song she remembered from her childhood.

Meanwhile,

Han Se-in’s expression grew serious as he searched for a song on his smartphone.

Despite having listened to many songs and confidently sung along with friends in the past.

The songs in this world were entirely new to him.

Occasionally, there were only gender-reversed songs.

“My love for you… is…”

*Sigh.*

“Why, why…”

A trembling voice came through during the instrumental break.

Trot music?

The mismatch between the song and their voices brought forth laughter.

“I used to sing this to my grandma…”

“Got it. Sing it, sing it.”

This was exactly the same.

Seeing a woman’s height, it dawned on him that this was a reversed world.

Taking the remote from Han Se-in, he pressed the chart button.

A screen displayed songs by different artists with similar titles to those from his past life.

If he didn’t like the preview, he could cancel.

Gently pressing the reservation button,

Jung Ah-young’s gaze lingered on him before shifting to the screen.

It was truly a passionate performance.

As the lively trot music ended and a calm prelude began to play.

It was a song inserted into a work that resonated with women’s hearts, “Jjanggu Can’t Stop Talking,” from her childhood.

Jung Ah-young turned her head to face him.

Was it because of the emotional accompaniment?

Or was it due to the slightly different atmosphere of Han Se-in compared to usual?

His earnest, moist eyes gazing at the screen.

Jung A-young merely captured her beloved in her eyes.

“Separation seems much easier than meeting.”

A clear, immature voice was searching for someone.

It seemed to be struggling, swaying as if fragile, yet the pitch was perfectly on point.

Just calmly.

Expressing emotions through music notes.

Jung A-young’s emotions confronted him.

In a position perhaps most similar to her past life’s Han Se-in.

Different in personality and physicality, but at least sharing similar emotions.

Thus, Jung A-young could only capture him with vacant eyes.

Emotions resonate, hearts resonate.

Echoes of past anguish.

Mostly self-blame.

Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that she tormented herself.

Han Se-in’s song was soothing such feelings.

“Don’t cry, I must have loved you, unable to forget.”

“You keep coming to mind. It’s unbearable.”

I have such wounds too.

Don’t suffer too much.

His song conveyed this message.

A melody that tugs at the heartstrings.

Suddenly, Han Se-in leaned closer.

Drawing near.

Slowly leaning on Jung A-young, he continued singing while facing her.

“Once again, my heart flutters secretly. In the figure resembling you from behind.”

Not just emotions from the song, but warmth as well.

Their bodies almost stuck together. Feeling Han Se-in’s head and voice on her shoulder.

Her heart was in turmoil.

Did Han Se-in have a previous girlfriend?

His song’s impact was strong enough to suggest so.

Though she thought it was his first love.

It seemed like there was a past she didn’t know about.

Something faintly painful seemed to emerge.

Jung A-young bit her lip hard.

Jealousy?

Unfounded emotions didn’t surge.

Worry, compassion.

That might be closer to it.

Jung A-young felt maternal love.

She wanted to protect him. Make him happy.

No matter who in the world.

She wanted to turn Han Se-in into Jung Se-in.

To stay together for life until their names were etched in death.