TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat
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Lost in thought and unable to find an answer, I was soon pulled from my contemplation by my older brother's call to join him for fried rice in the living room.
"What is this?"
"Soy sauce, kimchi, and egg fried rice?"
Regardless, it tasted good.
We three reminisced about the online RPG ga we once played together as we finished our al. After that, I conscientiously wrapped up the dishwashing.
"I'm going out!"
"Huh?"
"Yeonho's ditching !"
"Alright."
I headed to the PC cafe to see my not-so-good-looking friends. To be honest, these were guys I used to ga and hang out with daily. But I had sort of abandoned them last week when I suddenly spent ti with Heena.
Though we all live in different places, when we decide to go to the PC cafe, we typically et sowhere midway between school and my house.
Many people in our vicinity hang out there. Every ti we visit, we're bound to see a familiar face, almost making it our unofficial hideout. Not just us, but also others from different classes who we're not super close with but still recognize. So, there's never a dull mont.
After a 10-minute walk, I reached the spot.
"Damn, he plays just like Yeonho."
"Hey, cut it out. If you play like that, you'll never rank up. You're as lucky as Yeonho."
"That dude keeps dying! Damn it, Yeonho!"
"???"
My so-called friends were mocking 'Yeonho'.
Why are they mispronouncing my na like that?
For a mont, I just silently watched from behind. These jerks kept dragging my na into every sentence. Observing this, I wondered if I had done sothing terribly wrong or if they were just being idiots.
I felt like I was losing my mind listening to them, so I tapped one on the shoulder. Instantly, the chatter shifted.
"Hey, the big guy's here."
"You really have the luck of Yeon... Oh? He's here!"
"Ah, has Lord Yeonho finally graced us with his presence? We've missed seeing you around!"
"Bet you've been with your girlfriend since this morning."
"I didn't see her today, idiots. We had lunch at my place."
"So, you're going to see her now? We'll just keep playing our ga then."
"That's the plan. Oh! Did you guys feel sorry for single losers like us and ca to check on us?"
"Haha, we're deeply honored!"
"......"
I felt exasperated with their sarcastic comnts and banter.
Are you guys my girlfriend?
I managed to ignore their jabs, choosing a seat at the far end and turning on the computer. As soon as I logged in,
"Alright, shall we get so food?"
"Want cheese rice?"
"Is it open now?"
All my friends got up.
"...Go eat."
I didn't even have the energy to say anything more. No point in starting a conversation just to hear them spout more nonsense. I knew that when they returned, we'd just ga and the tension would fade. However, one guy, with horn-rimd glasses and black hair, didn't leave with the others and stayed seated next to .
"Jung Yoonsung, aren't you coming?"
"I had a hot dog earlier and didn't really feel like it."
"Is that so... Ugh."
"Why the sigh? Just hang out with your girlfriend and co play the ga."
"What? I haven't been around for only 4 days. Is it my fault?"
"We can't form a team of five without you, damn it."
"Why not include Uihyun?"
"He's attending his academy on the weekends."
"Oh right."
So because I'm absent, they can't form a team of five! I guess I did make a mistake.
There are nearly 10 mbers in this chat room made for gaming. Yet, since not everyone plays the sa ga, situations like this do arise occasionally. Still, I've grown so accustod to playing with the 8 PM team that I tend to forget.
After a brief silence, Yoonsung broke the ice.
"How is she?"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend. She seems alright?"
"Well, she's kind of too good for ."
"Because she's beautiful?"
"That, and she treats really well."
"It's only been a few days, hasn't it?"
"It's felt like this every day, even though it hasn't even been that long."
"Hmm... well, that's good then."
"Yeah."
Usually, we'd goof off with the other guys, but when it's just the two of us, our conversations beco more serious. We've been close since middle school and throughout high school, so he's now my best friend.
Perhaps avoiding the others was a way to bring up such intimate topics.
"Why, do you want to et her?"
"No, please. If you invite on your date, I'll seriously be choked."
"You're still so painfully shy. How does your mom deal with you?"
"Dealing with custors and socializing are two different things."
That's a fair point.
Yoonsung lives with his mother who runs a snack bar. Since the business is doing well, he occasionally helps out. I've helped a few tis too.
"How's your tech resale business?"
"It tanked..."
"You didn't lose that much. Can't you just sell it at a slightly reduced price?"
"It's more about the lost ti."
"For soone who does nothing..."
"Screw off. So, are you studying hard suddenly because of your girlfriend?"
Is he referring to what I said during the self-study session?
"Yes. She seems to study a lot."
"Trying to keep up?"
"I'm already falling behind."
"So, self-study tomorrow and then eting your girlfriend?"
"Probably."
"Hmm, okay."
What's with his vague tone? I briefly wondered if he had a favor to ask when I rembered the frequent incidents at his house.
"Did your part-tir run off again?"
"Ugh, yeah. She suddenly didn't show up on Friday."
"On a weekday evening?"
"When else, given our part-tirs change so frequently?"
"It's a tough job."
"But the hourly wage is good."
"I know it's not my place to say, but it seems harder than the wage justifies..."
Yoonsung's mother's snack bar has quite a few seats, and there aren't many competitors nearby. Plus, it's affordable, and his mother is really kind.
It's an environnt where the business is bound to thrive.
There's a nearby university, and I've heard that this place is always touted as one of the top five must-visit eateries by the university students.
Thanks to this reputation, there's never a lack of custors regardless of the ti. In addition to the university, there are primary, middle, and high schools further out, which ans it gets particularly crowded with students in the evening.
Moreover, these evening patrons often chat, play around, and tend to spill and waste food, making it chaotic to the point it feels almost hellish.
Perhaps that's why evening part-ti workers either run away within a week or, if they don't flee, I've never seen anyone stick around for more than three months.
"Don't we have one more person?"
"That guy said he can't work next week. He ntioned it at the beginning of last week and he's on a family trip, so we can't call him."
"Ah, so can you help?"
Honestly, it's damn tough, but the owner pays the part-tirs generously. I've done it before, so helping out for a week wasn't a big deal.
Given the owner's personality, she probably waited for a call until yesterday and, receiving none, she's likely started looking for soone new today. It should take about a week, roughly.
While thinking this, Yoonsung shook his head.
"No, I'm good. I've got studies and a girlfriend to see."
"Oh, right..."
"If you help, you'll have to skip your evening self-study."
True, but...
There's probably no one else to help out. Even if I forcibly drag another friend in, if we don't sync up, it might end up being more of a hindrance.
If I don't go, she'll probably have to handle it all alone. It's incredibly challenging; there's a reason part-tirs keep running away.
However, I've decided to focus on my studies, and I want to see Heena. She probably wants to see every day, too.
Sigh.
As I grimaced in thought, soone nudged from the side.
"Hey, forget it, man. I can manage on my own."
"Don't be ridiculous. If I hadn’t experienced it, I wouldn’t be saying this."
"If the owner helps with serving..."
"The kitchen's a battleground. Good luck getting help there."
"What do you want then?"
"I said I'd help, damn it!"
Ugh, such a useless jerk!
"What about your girlfriend?"
"Is it a problem if I don't see her for a few days?"
"What about your studies?"
"I haven't been studying until now, so will a few more days make a difference?"
"Alright, got it. Haha! That's why I count on you! A true bro! A man of loyalty, as expected of Han Yeonho! Our evening business would've been dood without you!"
"You're being ridiculous."
Ugh, I really miss Heena.
---
Raei Translations
---
With sumr approaching, the evening was surprisingly light.
As always, Heena ca to see .
"But didn't you promise not to co?" I asked.
She replied, "That promise was for Monday, but today is Sunday, so it doesn't apply, right?"
I was at a loss for words, facing her flawless logic.
Anyway, as soon as we t, we held hands as if we were on a date and leisurely strolled around the neighborhood, sharing stories.
She ntioned how she felt it was a pity that we had to part so early the day before.
She also talked about how little ti was left before her older brother's military discharge.
For my part, I shared that I had decided to study even harder from now on.
Then I cautiously broached the subject, "Heena, I might not be able to et you next week in the evening. Is that okay?"
"Why?" She asked, her eyebrows and eyes drooping, making her look as if she was about to cry, staring at pitifully.
It felt like I had committed so grave mistake, and my heart ached.
"Well, I have this friend nad Yoonsung. His family runs a snack bar, and they're short on hands. I think I need to help them out."
"Do you really have to go?"
"I an, they could manage without , but they're genuinely swamped. If I don't help, the guy might just drop dead."
I was dead serious.
That's how much I felt the need to help, even if it ant not eting Heena.
Heena paused montarily, but then a smile appeared on her face. "I get it. But, can't I help too?"
I hadn't expected that.
"I appreciate the sentint, but the place is small, and the three of us might get in each other's way. Plus..."
"Plus?"
"If you're there, my friend might not work properly. He's pretty shy around new people."
"Oh, the one nad Yoonsung?"
"Yes, Jung Yoonsung."
"Well... I understand. But we'll still text, right?"
"Of course. I'll text you whenever I have ti."
I was relieved that she seed to understand. After all, it's not like I was going out for fun; I was helping a friend.
We continued chatting for another couple of hours until it was ti to part ways.
"But, Yeonho," Heena called.
"Hmm?"
"Since I won't see you next week, can I ask for sothing in return?"
"What is it? Want sothing? Just tell !"
"Not exactly. Just look over there."
Following the direction of Heena's fingertip, I turned my head, only to see a dark, empty alleyway.
Confused, I began to turn back when suddenly, I felt sothing lightly touch my cheek.
"Wha...?"
"I'll head out first today. I'll text you when I get ho! Sleep well!"
Before I could process what had happened, Heena, with a beaming smile, waved goodbye and walked away.
Staring blankly at her retreating figure, I touched the spot on my cheek where sothing had brushed against it earlier.
As I expected sothing in return, the image of Heena's face, smiling happily as she gave a gift, flashed before my eyes.
Monts later.
Joy surged up from deep within my heart.
I was happy.
Because my girlfriend was so cute, so beautiful.
At the sa ti, I deeply wished.
I hoped.
That my feelings would grow as big as hers.
That soday, we could share this happiness while standing on equal ground.
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