Chapter 68: Blind Date (3)

Chapter 68: Blind Date (3)

“Aaargh! I lost again!”

In the slightly dim, cramped room for two, Byeol’s lament from losing the game echoed.

That made it four wins in a row.

“Just you wait.”

With her cheeks puffed out, Byeol took off her headset and downed the penalty drink beside her. Her delicate throat bobbed a few times.

“Phew!”

With slightly glazed eyes from the alcohol, she kept drinking her penalty shots every time she lost. Despite appearing sleepy, Byeol was consumed by her competitive spirit, grasping her mouse and diving back into the game.

[You lose!]

Being this intoxicated, her aim in the game was obviously off. Losing the game, Byeol, with her lips pouting like a duck’s beak, once again reached out for the penalty drink.

“Stop drinking.”

“Why? I lost.”

I held her wrist, thinking she might harm herself if she drank anymore. Byeol whined in a playful tone.

“I’ll drink just one more. Okay?”

“Did you forget we’re on a blind date?”

“Oh right, we’re on a date. Right, we’re on a date. A blind date? Yes, a blind date. Hehe, I’m happy.”

It seemed she was totally out of it. Should I just call it a day? Watching Byeol’s blond hair sway to a rhythm in an attempt to be cute, she pinched my shoulder.

“It’s our blind date, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“If things go well, we become a couple.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So, will you take me home?”

Her lighthearted tone made my heart race.

Byeol’s cheeks reddened, and the corners of her lips, filled with joy, twitched several times.

“I was always busy, never had a boyfriend. Whenever I see a man personally, I get nervous, and so... I mean... so...”

“Yes.”

“So, I’m inexperienced. Should I say it like that? Anyway, I feel that way. It’s different with Seyeong. Seyeong speaks well in front of guys.”

“But you spoke well to me last time.”

“That was different. We met for work... I had to wear a mask even if I was dying.”

Byeol looked up at the ceiling with a distant expression. Soon, her eyes shimmered with the beginnings of tears.

“I’m just a nerdy gamer. Somehow, my abilities brought me here. All the guys see me as a challenge. How can I approach...”

Her story was frustrating in a way but also sincere. The raw emotions directly resonated with me.

“Shiheon.”

“Yes.”

“You and Seyeong, is there something?”

I remained silent. I could have simply said no, maintaining a poker face, but after hearing Byeol’s words, I couldn’t.

“Must be true, then. Hehe.”

“Since when did you know?”

“At first, I didn’t suspect it, but as I drank and thought about it, it seemed odd... I don’t know what happened, but I think it hurt Seyeong.”

Looking at Byeol, who caressed the rim of her beer glass with her index finger, she continued.

“I thought Seyeong... she would kneel down for someone like you. I felt there was no way you two are just normal friends.”

I owed Seyeong a lot. If it weren’t for her, perhaps I would have gone insane or even died by now.

“Hey.”

Byeol looked at me.

“Do you not like me?”

I sat up and gently pulled Byeol into a hug. She rested her chin on my shoulder without any resistance.

“You’re so pretty. How can I not like you?”

“...”

“It’s just that my current situation is complicated. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I had fun today. But... if we stay any longer, I might get the wrong idea. Can you leave graciously?”

I was about to have one more thing to apologize for.

“Ugh!”

I pressed down on Byeol, and she naturally slid off the chair, laying beneath me on the floor. Byeol’s startled eyes trembled.

“Hey, seriously... Are you trying to make me angry? I feel like crying.”

Our lips met.

“Ah...!”

The soft touch of her lips. I could feel her breath halt. Lightly exploring with my lips, I trailed my tongue over her lower lip, causing a slight shiver from her.

“Shiheon...”

As she opened her mouth to call my name, I deeply slipped my tongue inside.

“...!!?...!?!”

The sweet sensation of taking her first kiss. I explore the moist and warm inside with my tongue. She accepted my exploring tongue without resistance, although her thighs pressed against my legs in defiance.

Breathing became difficult.

I hugged her tightly.

She gasped and buried her nails into my back, letting out a soft moan.

“Haa...”

A droplet fell between our lips.

What had fallen was a long fruit, commonly known as starfruit, but also called Carambola.

“Did it really happen?”

“.......”

Byeol covered her blushing face with her hands.

“You... you... is this cheating?”

▶ Byeol's Starfruit (C-)

-When consumed, it greatly aids in magic growth.

Another rare delicacy.

Without thinking, I popped the starfruit into my mouth. Taking a big bite, the sweet yet tangy juice filled my mouth.

“Why... Why did you eat that!?”

Suddenly, Byeol, taken aback, grabbed my hand.

“You don’t like it?”

“...Can you take responsibility?”

“Is there something to take responsibility for? I just ate it.”

“Hmph.”

I casually devoured another one and licked the juice from my fingers. Turning to look at Byeol, she seemed to realize what she had just done and was shaking.

“...I won’t be lesser than Seyeong, right?”

“If you’re lesser, then I’m lesser too.”

“I’m the wicked one. I’m older, so I should have controlled myself better... but I got carried away.”

I sneaked behind Byeol and hugged her tightly. Her cheeks turned rosy.

“Why... did you approach me?”

Only then did she voice the lingering question.

“Why do you ask?”

“You don’t love me.”

She responded playfully yet with a hint of irritation in her voice.

“So, did you not approach me out of love?”

“Yes.”

She responded candidly.

“We haven’t known each other for long. It’s laughable to call it love. And these days, one-night stands aren’t unusual.”

“So, are we just a one-night stand?”

“Well, if you’re okay with it...?”

Silence.

“Ah.”

I realized I misspoke. Essentially, I was indirectly seeking her consent. From this perspective, I really am trash. I felt too guilty to gloss over it.

“But I’ll do whatever I can for you. If, if a child comes out of it, I’ll take responsibility.”

Scrambling to add to my previous statement, Byeol, wiping her eyes, stood up.

“Ha...”

“Noona?”

Her expression was one of resolution.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been on some forums. I know what I should say here.”

“Suddenly?”

Byeol pressed down hard on my forehead with her finger.

“One-night stand?”

She pressed harder.

“That’s not it.”

The pressure from Byeol’s finger on my forehead increased.

“No matter what happens!!!”

Tears rolled down Byeol’s cheeks.

“NEVER!!!”

I realized then,

“What happened today can’t be undone. Hey!!!”

That her switch had been turned on.

“So, can I at least be a concubine? Give me a corner of the entrance. I’m confident I can live well.”

Quickly humbling herself, Byeol tightly embraced me.

“Can I... be a concubine?”

Byeol nodded. Only then did I remember one fact I had forgotten amidst the modern setting?

This world was a hierarchical society.

That night...

After soothing an upset Byeol, I drank excessively at a nearby bar and entered the dormitory with drooping shoulders.

“Beep beep!”

“I bought our daughter walnut cookies.”

Approaching with a wiggly walk, Shiba attached herself to my leg tilted her head upon seeing the walnut cookies in my hand. Finding its reaction cute, I picked it up in a flash and kissed its cheek.

“Eat well, our daughter.”

“Beep, beep, beep!”

Shiba distanced herself, repelled by the alcohol smell on my breath. I headed to the bedroom feeling a bit sullen. Sitting on the bed, Baekdo looked somewhat weary.

“...Taking care of the kids is exhausting.”

“... Let’s just sleep.”

“Alright.”

Both of us were tired, so we silently lay down on the bed. Shiba, who had been fussing about the smell of alcohol, eventually settled down and snuggled up to me, falling asleep. My eyelids became heavy with drowsiness, and in a short while, I drifted off.

The next day that followed,

[Sub-quest completed! A reward will be provided.]

“?”

When I woke up, I noticed that the quest had been completed.