Chapter 57: Weight Class Difference (1)
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/week, Mon-Fri
Illustrations: Here
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"...Whats this all of a sudden?"
Song Soo-yeon couldn't hold back and interrupted.
She restrained her voice to avoid repeating the same mistake as before, but her heart was racing fiercely.
Jung-gyeom had said that he was tired of her and Solace fighting.
Song Soo-yeon didn't want to fight with Solace anymore in front of him.
But she had to say what needed to be said.
To avoid escalating into a fight, Song Soo-yeon tried her best to hide her anxiety and anger as she asked.
Min-Bom looked at her, her expression apologetic.
"Sorry, Soo-yeon. Its not that Im excluding you... I just wanted to thank oppa for something, and thought of repaying him."
"...What did you do behind my back, mister?"
Song Soo-yeon asked Jung-gyeom, but it was Min-Bom who answered.
"Behind your back, Soo-yeon? Oppa doesnt have to report everything to you."
"..."
For the first time, Song Soo-yeon sensed a thread of malice in Min-Boms words.
It was subtle enough for Jung-gyeom not to notice.
Along with anger, her anxiety grew.
"..."
Despite trying not to care, she felt a heavy pressure in her chest.
Min-Bom continued, still smiling.
"You know, I fought with Gigant yesterday. Before that, oppa gave me courage."
Song Soo-yeon frowned.
Behind her, Jung-gyeom scratched his head awkwardly.
"It wasn't that big of a deal, just..."
Song Soo-yeon didn't miss the opportunity.
"...If that's the case, Unni, you dont really need to repay him."
"I want to because I'm grateful. I want to do this."
As Min-Bom insisted, Jung-gyeom's lips began to quiver.
His agitation and happiness were obvious.
It was inevitable.
Being the loner that he is.
Just like how he jumped for joy over a simple gift like a wish bracelet.
He couldn't help but be happy about such a repayment.
"..."
If it were just a repayment, Song Soo-yeon wouldn't have been this anxious.
The way the repayment was suggested and her attitude were shaking Song Soo-yeon too much.
Wasnt this just a date invitation wrapped in the guise of repayment?
Song Soo-yeon was about to say something again, but Min-Bom was quicker.
"So? Oppa, your answer? You couldn't possibly dislike it... right?"
Min-Bom, acting coy and pitiful.
Song Soo-yeon felt a wave of disgust at her act.
But Jung-gyeom just laughed lightly, as if he found her cute.
And then, he waved his hand and said,
"How could I dislike it? Sure, let's go watch a movie."
"...Mister...!"
A voice choked with frustration seeped through Song Soo-yeon's teeth.
It was infuriating to see him fall for such an act like a fool.
Jung-gyeom just patted Song Soo-yeons shoulder.
"Sorry, Soo-yeon. Dont be too upset. Next time, you and I will go."
"....."
At his suggestion, Song Soo-yeon held her breath.
It was like putting a lid on her anger.
Though the thought of Jung-gyeom and Min-Bom spending time in the cinema was still infuriating, she managed to calm down to a bearable level.
However, her expression did not relax.
She remained cold and refused to make eye contact with anyone.
Then, Jung-gyeom playfully pinched her cheek.
Song Soo-yeon, startled, looked up at him.
"Come on, cheer up. There's no need to be that upset."
His light-hearted jest and touch melted her anger once again.
She couldnt stay mad at him.
It was as if she were being controlled by some sort of superpower.
Song Soo-yeon started to rationalize to herself.
Yes, its just Min-Boms way of repaying.
Just this once.
Jung-gyeom can't always just be with her.
He too needs to build his own relationships.
Song Soo-yeon resolved to be more open-minded.
...Otherwise, it would be too hard to endure.
"Bom, when should we go watch it?"
Jung-gyeom, having let go of Song Soo-yeon's cheek, asked.
...
But Min-Bom, standing still, stared hard at Song Soo-yeons cheek.
"...Bom?"
"Ah, yes, oppa. What did you say?"
"When are we going to watch the movie? Youre busy, so I should adjust to your schedule."
"Oh, that? Im actually free anytime."
"Why?"
"I got a few days off for this recent achievement. I can use them whenever I want."
"Oh, really? How about tomorrow? After I close the restaurant, in the evening?"
Song Soo-yeon's suppressed anger stirred again.
"...In the evening?"
"Movies are more fun at night."
But fortunately, Min-Bom also waved her hand dismissively.
"Ah, oppa... meeting in the evening is..."
"..."
Song Soo-yeon was inwardly surprised.
She thought that fox would welcome it with open arms.
But unexpectedly, she seemed to dislike the idea of meeting at night.
Jung-gyeom swallowed his words.
"Is evening not good?"
Min-Bom nodded.
"Yeah. Rather than tomorrow night..."
She tapped her chin, pondering.
After a short pause, Min-Bom clapped her hands as if she had a great idea.
"Oppa. How about we go on the weekend instead? When Soo-yeon is at her part-time job."
Song Soo-yeon defensively asked.
"...How do you know when Im working my part-time job?"
"Oppa told me. Weve been talking a lot lately. Do you know how much he praises you?"
"..."
Song Soo-yeon closed her mouth at the mention of Jung-gyeom praising her.
Min-Bom continued.
"And its a pity to leave Soo-yeon alone, right? So, wouldnt it be better to go out when shes busy with work? Otherwise, shed be lonely by herself."
Jung-gyeom tilted his head in thought.
"...Is that so?"
Min-Bom was carefully planning each step.
"Personally, I prefer the weekend. Hmm... Saturday sounds good. Saturday morning."
Song Soo-yeon looked up in surprise, her expression slowly turning into a frown.
"...In the morning?"
"Why? Is it weird?"
"...Why meet so early if you're just going to watch a movie?"
"Huh? I never said that. I said I wanted to repay oppa."
"..."
Song Soo-yeon was at a loss for words.
She was too taken aback.
As her eyes wandered between Jung-gyeom and Min-Bom, Min-Bom asked again.
"Oppa, is that okay?"
"It's fine. Sounds like a good idea."
With him saying it was a good idea, Song Soo-yeon could no longer argue.
She just moved her lips without making a sound.
Min-Bom laughed, then winked at Jung-gyeom.
Song Soo-yeon could only silently watch her sly act.
"Oppa, look forward to it. I'll make Saturday fun. You trust me, right?"
But again, Jung-gyeom only looked at her as if he found her adorable.
He answered.
"Of course, I trust you."
---
---
Despite always being tired on early Saturday mornings, Song Soo-yeon wasnt sleepy at all.
From the moment she woke up, the thought of Jung-gyeom and Min-Bom on a date kept sleep at bay.
Anxiety bred various impulses.
Should I skip work?
Should I tail Jung-gyeom?
Should I call him, saying I'm sick, asking him to take care of me?
Countless thoughts chased each other in her mind.
But she couldnt muster the courage to act on any of them.
They all seemed foolish and meaningless.
She couldnt overturn an already set plan.
Even if she did, the two would simply meet the next day.
Today was just a day to endure.
It would be okay.
Nothing would happen.
Jung-gyeom had already experienced several dates with her.
Theyd been to amusement parks, baseball games, and recently they even held hands on walks.
Throughout all this, she hadnt made any significant progress.
So, it seemed unlikely that anything would happen just because Solace was going to the cinema with him.
Before she knew it, Song Soo-yeon found herself on the bus to the warehouse.
She admitted to herself that she was overthinking.
Eventually, to clear her head a little, and to satisfy some curiosity, she contacted Jung-gyeom.
[Mister. When are you meeting unni?]
The reply came quickly.
[Already met her.]
Her heart sank at that response.
She checked the time.
It was only 7:30 AM.
Isnt that too early?
...But soon, she bit her lip and suppressed various complaints.
She took a deep breath.
There was nothing she could do.
Song Soo-yeon typed.
[Next time, youre going with me.]
[Of course.]
[Mister. Contact me a lot today. I want to know how youre spending the day.]
[Alright. Got it.]
[Ill call you, so make sure to answer.]
Even with her somewhat demanding request, Jung-gyeom didnt complain.
[Okay, Soo-yeon. Take care of yourself too.]
Then the conversation ended.
Song Soo-yeon stared at their brief exchange for a long time.
She read and reread it.
She knew the reason for her anxiety.
It was an absurdly low probability, but she feared that Solace might take Jung-gyeom away from her.
Jung-gyeom was all she had.
Thats why she was feeling this way.
Being unseen and unheard, her anxious imagination ran wild.
What could they be doing?
What might they be talking about?
Whats the atmosphere like?
What expressions are they wearing?
She resolved not to think about it, but it wasn't as easy as saying it.
The anxiety wouldn't fade.
Someone sat down beside her.
Song Soo-yeon tightly closed her eyes.
Again today.
It's happening again today.
Despite how rare it is for a woman to load and unload cargo, how does a different person always sit next to her each time?
Even though she was wearing a hat and a mask.
She felt a surge of emotion.
While Min-Bom would be with Jung-gyeom, she was stuck dealing with these guys.
The man who sat next to her this time, even without looking, made her feel disgusted.
It was because his thoughts reached her first.
...Song Soo-yeon was gradually understanding the pattern of her mind-reading ability.
It seemed to activate better when she was in a bad mood.
It had been quiet recently since she was with Jung-gyeom.
'I'll definitely get you in bed.'
Song Soo-yeon clenched her teeth at that thought.
Excuse me-
And the moment he cleared his throat, Song Soo-yeon activated her ability.
Especially annoyed today, she wanted to issue a more vicious command.
She muttered quietly,
...Buzz off and drink toilet water when you get off.
Song Soo-yeon didnt even look at him.
Yet, the response came immediately.
...Yes.
The man returned to his place.
In this respect, her ability was too convenient.
Song Soo-yeon looked out the window.
-Buuzz.
At that moment, a message arrived.
Startled, Song Soo-yeon hurriedly checked her phone.
It was from Jung-gyeom.
[But it's going to be less fun today without you.]
Though it was clearly just a word of consolation, Song Soo-yeon felt her mood lighten.
"...Tch."
The fog of imagination gradually lifted.
Her heart felt a bit lighter.
Song Soo-yeon pondered over the text.
Out of pride, she refused to smile until the end.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢