Chapter 35: Luna's Date (1)
TL/Editor: Raei
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Song Soo-yeon returned to the bathroom once again.
She was overwhelmed by a realization she had only just come to.
Suppressing her cries, she vomited once more.
Her throat felt as if it were burning up.
"...Haah...ugh.."
After emptying her stomach until she felt better, she wiped her mouth with tissue.
Then, she sat on the bathroom floor, clutching her head.
The nausea was nothing compared to the immense turmoil that had found her.
What was she supposed to do now?
She had realized she was in love, but that was all.
She didn't know what she wanted to do.
It was her first time experiencing love, a strange and unknown emotion.
...Did she want to get closer to him?
Become his lover?
Share physical affection with him?
Become the most important person to him?
Her mind was in such chaos that she couldn't be sure of anything.
One thing was clear: she had said too many things in the past.
She had been too harsh with him.
Their relationship had become fixed, and it seemed unlikely to change easily.
She covered her face with her palms.
For now, she just wanted to go back to bed.
.....To lie down and watch Jung-gyeom a little longer.
She got up from the bathroom floor.
Rinsing her mouth and washing her hands. After splashing her face with cold water, she looked up into the mirror.
"...........Ah.."
And her heart sank.
The Song Soo-yeon in the mirror wore the same expression she had always found revolting in men.
Flushed cheeks.
Half-closed eyes.
Slightly rough breathing.
Eyes filled with lust.
"...Ugh..!"
Once again, she vomited into the toilet.
Tears streamed down her face.
Despair set in.
This couldn't go on.
With such an expression...
Just as she had felt about other men, Jung-gyeom would surely find her repulsive.
She was at a loss.
Should she not express these feelings?
Should she hide her love?
For Song Soo-yeon, who had always hidden her true feelings, love seemed like an emotion to be concealed.
The moment she expressed it, he would wear such a disgusting expression.
Besides, if she, who had built walls and labeled him a pervert, showed this face...
It wasn't hard to imagine how absurd he would find it.
But it seemed impossible not to do anything about it.
Otherwise, she would live like this forever.
He wouldn't love her, and he would grow closer to Solace.
Whether she wanted it or not, someone would become Jung-gyeom's partner, and it wouldn't be her.
She imagined Jung-gyeom, showing no interest in her.
Her hero, the first person she could trust, her first friend, her first love, with another woman.
She shook her head.
Everything was just too difficult.
---
---
I open my eyes.
"...Hmm?"
The blue dawn light streams through the window.
At first, I was confused.
I couldn't quite place the time.
As the sun set, I closed my eyes, intending to sleep for just an hour or two, but when I awoke, the world had changed.
I checked my phone.
It was 6 AM.
"......Had a good sleep."
I let out a wry laugh, feeling stiff all over.
It seemed I had been sitting in this position for too long.
Perhaps it was the alcohol after a long time, or maybe it was because I had finally let go of the burdens in my heart.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I thought of Song Soo-yeon.
She wasn't in bed.
"....What?"
I wondered where she had gone, expecting her to be suffering from a hangover.
Could she have collapsed in the bathroom?
I tried to get up.
But then I felt something tangled at my feet.
Looking down, I saw Song Soo-yeon curled up like a cat, asleep at my feet.
".........."
Did she fall off the bed?
Why was she lying there like that?
Her expression, seemingly cold, wasnt good.
"....Soo-yeon, wake up."
I shook her gently.
"Wake up. You should sleep in the bed."
"....Mmm....."
She moved slightly.
I hadn't realized before, but she might be weak to sleep.
I hadn't seen her sleeping much, so I wasn't sure.
"...Soo-yeon, wake up."
I tapped her shoulder again.
She muttered something as if barely conscious.
"......Mister......"
"Yes. Wake up and lie down in bed."
"......I... feel sick...."
"........."
I had suspected as much.
She drank too much yesterday.
Three bottles of the red cap soju....
I pushed my chair back.
Then, standing up, I spoke to Song Soo-yeon.
"Soo-yeon, you should sleep in bed, okay?"
".....I can't move..."
"....Thats why I told you to control your drinking."
".........."
I scratched my head and asked her one last time.
"......Should I carry you then?"
Her eyes fluttered open drowsily.
I couldnt help but think this, at the most random times....
She really was beautiful.
"........."
Song Soo-yeon's eyes widened gradually, showing a spark of life.
But I just felt frustrated with her silence.
"......Just answer me. Should I carry you? Its not good to sleep like this."
After looking at me for a while, she nodded with difficulty.
Without hesitation, I slid my arms behind her back and under her knees.
I carried her and laid her on the bed.
Immediately, Song Soo-yeon brought her hands to her chest and turned away from me, curling up.
Her movements seemed almost shy.
I covered her with a blanket.
"Sleep more. Youll feel better from the hangover if you rest."
---
---
Song Soo-yeon woke up to the smell of something delicious.
As she opened her eyes, the world was already bright, and her hangover had somewhat subsided.
She naturally turned over and caught sight of Jung-gyeom.
"Ah, you're awake?"
Was it because she was now conscious of her feelings?
Even his simple call made her heart flutter.
The fact that he was cooking in the same room made her tremble.
She had fallen into a deep sleep without realizing it.
Now she worried if she had been snoring.
"....What... are you doing?"
Song Soo-yeon asked with a slightly hoarse voice.
Jung-gyeom put down the ladle he was holding and clicked his tongue.
"....Your throat is affected too."
He looked genuinely concerned.
Soo-yeon gingerly touched her own throat.
Even though Jung-gyeom hadn't said anything, she felt like she was being scolded.
Then, he shrugged his shoulders and asked lightly.
"Can you get up? I've made some porridge, come and eat."
".....Porridge...?"
Jung-gyeom didn't answer but ladled some food into a bowl.
Soo-yeon's heart fluttered again.
She felt a thrill at his casual, continual care.
Why am I like this....
Soo-yeon clutched her erratic heart.
Then, suddenly, she remembered her disgusting expression in the mirror the day before.
Not yet sure how to act, Song Soo-yeon calmed her expression.
For now, it seemed best to treat him as usual.
She walked over to the table, shuffling her feet, and sat down.
Soon, a bowl of porridge was placed in front of her.
He also set a bowl down in front of himself and began to eat with a spoon.
"....Aren't you eating?"
He asked while chewing his food.
Song Soo-yeon picked up a spoon with an awkward movement.
"....I'll... eat well."
Though she hid her expression, she resolved to be more sincere with these kinds of greetings.
Soon, she began to soothe her stomach with the porridge Jung-gyeom had made.
The porridge was warm.
Just like him.
"....Well, now that we know your limit, you can be more careful next time."
He commented.
"........"
Song Soo-yeon realized how precious such everyday concerns were.
No one but Jung-gyeom had ever worried about her like this.
He was the only one to care for her in tough times.
......The thought that he might one day find a lover and disappear made her heartache again.
This pain was something she could never get used to.
Sensing her darkening expression, Jung-gyeom asked.
".....Can't eat? Are you feeling very unwell?"
Song Soo-yeon looked at him.
His kindness was making her heart tighten.
All she could do was shake her head.
Their meal continued in silence.
Song Soo-yeon was still trying to sort out her tangled thoughts.
Then, Jung-gyeom cleared his throat and said.
".....Um.... Soo-yeon."
".....Yes?"
"....Um...."
He hesitated and bit his lip.
Song Soo-yeon was curious about why he was acting this way.
"....Go ahead, say it."
Jung-gyeom nodded at her words.
He cautiously opened his mouth.
".....Well.... Yesterday, Solace-"
"-No."
Her response came in less than a few seconds, a reflexive reaction of her body.
From the moment she became aware of her feelings, Solace had become an object of intense caution.
Solace shouldn't come to the restaurant.
She shouldn't be near Jung-gyeom.
"......Really?"
Jung-gyeom, sensing the timing was off from Song Soo-yeon's reaction, backed off too easily.
It was clear that he hadn't given up yet.
Song Soo-yeon tried to calm her racing heart and continued to eat with her spoon.
Another moment of silence passed.
Jung-gyeom, while continuing to eat his porridge, said lightly.
".....You should rest at home today. I'll take care of the restaurant."
".....Huh?"
"It's your first time with a hangover. It's okay."
Song Soo-yeon didn't want to rest, but she was afraid that in her absence, Solace might approach Jung-gyeom.
So she shook her head.
".....I'll go too. I'm fine with the hangover."
"Soo-yeon-"
"-You don't have to pay me. It's okay... I'll come and help. We didn't finish cleaning up yesterday."
"......So you do remember."
"........"
"Okay. Then we'll do that today. Ah, I won't be there tomorrow. You take a break tomorrow."
"....Huh?"
"Why, there are times when I leave the restaurant, right? Tomorrow is one of those days."
After becoming aware of her feelings, Song Soo-yeon disliked the idea of being apart from Jung-gyeom.
Even if it wasn't Solace, the thought that he could form a connection with someone she didn't know made her heart feel tight.
She impulsively asked.
"Where are you going?"
"For work."
"What work?"
".......Why?"
Seeing Jung-gyeom's defensive reaction, her curiosity only grew.
She didn't want him to keep secrets from her.
She wanted to know everything about him.
".....I told you I would help you with anything."
"........."
"I'll learn anything. I want to repay your kindness."
Hearing this, Jung-gyeom let out a long sigh.
At times like this, Song Soo-yeon wished her ability could be activated whenever she wanted.
If it were possible, she wouldn't need to press him like this.
He made an uncomfortable face and waved his hand.
".....Ah. No, it's not necessary. You don't need to know."
Song Soo-yeon suddenly caught his hand.
"Hey."
"Mister."
She looked at Jung-gyeom straight in the eye.
"......Tell me."
"........."
He started to ponder again.
Song Soo-yeon didn't let go of his hand.
Finally, Jung-gyeom, realizing she wouldnt give up, spoke.
".......I'm going to a part-time job. Just for a day."
".........Huh?"
It was something Song Soo-yeon had not expected at all.
In her ignorance, she had thought Jung-gyeom was leaving for something related to the restaurant's supplies or operation.
"...Ah... a part-time job? Where...?"
"At a logistics company... doing loading and unloading."
"You're doing loading and unloading?"
"Yes."
".............Why...?"
Song Soo-yeon asked with difficulty.
She somewhat anticipated the answer, but didn't want to believe it.
Jung-gyeom laughed, as if embarrassed.
"......I told you the restaurant is struggling."
"............"
Song Soo-yeon felt her strength drain away.
-Thud.
The hand that was holding Jung-gyeom dropped onto the table.
She knew the restaurant was in trouble, but she had no idea it was to this extent.
His 'work' away from the restaurant wasn't just a day or two.
It meant he had been doing this loading job for quite some time.
Even in such circumstances, he had fed her, given her a place to sleep, and paid her for her part-time work.
Ignorant of his situation, she had been angry with him, demanding to stay at his place and refusing to leave.
The more she knew about him, the more she realized how terrible she had been.
Had he been enduring all this for her, someone he didn't even love?
Even then, Jung-gyeom, looking at her arm that had fallen lifelessly onto the table, said,
"What are you so surprised about? It's okay. I'm doing it because I want to."
Song Soo-yeon was once again struck by how mature he was as a person, realizing just how good of a person he was.
She let out a bitter laugh.
She thought about all the walls she had put up against him.
Pushing away someone like him.
What had she done?
If he ever got tired of her and left, she would have no words to say.
.......And that thought instilled an unprecedented fear in her.
".......Mister."
"....Hmm?"
".....I'll go with you tomorrow."
"Huh?"
Jung-gyeom was startled.
He frowned and shook his head.
"Why would you go? It will be tough for you, Soo-yeon."
"No. I'm going too."
"........."
"I'll also help... support the restaurant."
Jung-gyeom had a reluctant expression, but Song Soo-yeon ignored it this time.
If she just listened to him, he would take all the burden upon himself.
"....And..."
Song Soo-yeon spoke again, with difficulty.
She didn't like it.
She didn't want to do this.
But there was no other way.
She couldn't let Jung-gyeom sacrifice more for her.
"......Is it true... that if Solace stays with you, we get sponsorship?"
".........If Solace said so.... it must be true."
She bit her lip.
".....Then let it be...."
".....You mean it's okay for Solace to come to the restaurant?"
Song Soo-yeonnodded with difficulty.
The situation was now reversed.
Jung-gyeom began to worry.
"....Are you sure it's okay?"
"......I didn't know... you were struggling like this.....!"
".........."
"......Mister, I haven't spent almost any of the part-time pay you gave me. I'll give it back to you."
"What are you talking about? It's already given. I want to see you stand on your own as an adult."
"............"
"I want you to find your own place first. Keep it until you save up enough for a deposit."
Song Soo-yeon didn't respond to that.
She glanced at Jung-gyeom and asked.
".....Are you hiding anything else from me?"
".....No. That's everything."
".........Really?"
"Really."
Song Soo-yeon nodded.
Only then did she feel a bit relieved.
She still felt a strong aversion to Solace coming, but the fact that he would have an easier time and that there were no more secrets gave her some relief.
How many people would go to such lengths for someone they didnt even like?
And how much more would he do for someone he loved?
Song Soo-yeon shook her head.
Each time these thoughts continued, her heart ached.
She asked.
"....But how will you tell Solace about this? Do you have her contact?"
"I dont have her contact, but theres a way to get in touch."
"....Huh?"
"Solace is a hero."
Jung-gyeom stood up.
He opened the small window in the apartment.
Then, he began to shout.
"Solace!!"
Song Soo-yeon watched him from behind.
Her heart ached again at the sight of Jung-gyeom calling another woman's name with a strong smile.
"Solaaaace!!"
There was a flash of light outside the window.
Someone appeared in the sky in an instant, floating.
It was Solace, in her hero costume, her hair and eyes shining.
"Need help? Gyeom oppa?"
"Hi, Bom. Did you sleep well?"
"You surprised me. I slept well. How about you, oppa?"
They exchanged light greetings.
Jung-gyeom spoke.
"Are you working? I wont take up much of your time. Actually, Soo-yeon said shes okay with it."
"....Soo-yeon?"
Solace looked inside the house through the window.
"Oh, Soo-yeon is here too.....?"
"......."
"Did you sleep well?"
"....Yes."
Jung-gyeom smiled slightly.
"Shes struggling with a hangover."
"I see. So? What is Soo-yeon okay with... Ah! Teaching?"
"Yes. Though Im not sure what I can teach you."
Song Soo-yeon also stood up.
She moved close to Solaces side.
"....Unni. The sponsorship is confirmed, right?"
".....Huh?"
"....Im accepting you here despite disliking heroes... because of the sponsorship. I hope youre aware of that."
Solaces eyes darted back and forth between Soo-yeon and Jung-gyeom.
Then, she exaggeratedly nodded.
"Ah, of course, of course! Naturally...! It's a restaurant doing good deeds, so sponsorship should come...! Even if it doesn't, Ill sponsor out of my own pocket!
Dont worry. Okay?"
"......."
Song Soo-yeon nodded.
Solace's eyes then fixed on Jung-gyeom.
She seemed to have realized that she had achieved her goal.
Her eyes curved into half-moons.
...So, Gyeom oppa, please take care of me!
Solace stretched out her hand.
Alright, take care of me too, Bom.
Jung-gyeom also reached out and held Solaces hand.
Song Soo-yeons eyes fixed on their clasped hands.
She silently waited for the handshake to end.
Suppressing the urge to tear their hands apart.
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