Chapter 67. absolute stability (4)
how did it get to this point
When I came to my senses, I was lying on a bench, receiving a lap pillow from a customer before I knew it.
You shouldn’t lie down in a public place like this. As I tried to stand up with such logic, the guest retorted, saying, “What does it matter if there is no one around?”
‘Can I really do this? For some reason, it looks like Rental Friend employees are watching nearby.’
No matter how much I am a proven careerist, there is no way I will leave the part-time job I urgently found that day to a big customer and leave it alone.
Didn’t I tell you to contact me if you need support? Since it was a customer who gave an advance payment that sounded like a billion, there was a high probability that an employee was waiting nearby.
In a word, it is the sound of being noticed.
I tried to get out of this noose somehow.
“that’s right. Come to think of it, I didn’t know your name. I’m not sure how to call it… . Can you tell me your name?”
[Dorim]
After picking up the dropped writing implement, the customer handed me a notebook.
“Dorim… . Is this your name?”
Nod.
“okay. Then I’ll call you Dorim from now on. I have something important to say to you first, so can I stand up?”
nod
It was only after Do-rim expressed his positive intention that he was able to escape from the noose of the knee pillow.
I got up and cleared my throat once, then looked at Dorim with a rather serious expression on my face.
“Dorim, you said you wanted to practice making friends. Then I’d like to give you some advice on that. Are you fine?”
nod
“Certainly, judging from his behavior, it seems like he hasn’t made many friends. Especially, don’t you have many friends of the opposite s*x like me?”
nod… .
“I don’t know if it’s with people of the same s*x, but with friends of the opposite s*x, you have to be careful about things like physical contact.”
tilt?
“You were just trying to get me to kneel. It’s not something you do casually in the first place. Most men are wolves. Even with such a trivial physical contact, the opponent will say, ‘Huh? “Isn’t this a green light?”
square square.
[What if I get it wrong?]
how is it Isn’t this a very innocent question?
“Yeah, I wonder if he’s interested in me, so there could be a situation where he crosses the line on his own. There are stories just like that. Weren’t you interested in me? Men who argue with red flags, saying why they mislead people. Why does that sound come out so often?”
[What happens if you cross the line?]
My mind was dizzy.
‘There are such innocent girls in the world these days? really? In this desolate country called Korea?’
nonsense. Unless she suffered an accident and lost her memory, there was no way there could be such a ignorant woman in the world.
Are you testing me? Maybe he’s trying to find out if I’m really a good friend to practice with, or if I’m a guy who pretends to be kind on the outside but is actually notorious as the rumors say.
‘I’d rather have a higher chance of thinking that way.’
If I wanted to come out like this, I would just go to the standard.
“What happens if you cross the line? You could be dragged to a dark place, and even though that person doesn’t like you, you might just feel your body here and there. So it’s better to be careful about physical contact with men. Of course, that includes me.”
Tricky, fidgety.
He told me directly, and now it seemed like he was listening. Dorim gestured as if he was embarrassed for a while, then scribbled on his notebook.
[Did you have the same heart for me?]
You’re making a big noise.
“Of course not. Because I have common sense.”
what. It felt like the atmosphere was gradually changing to the suspense genre. I’ll take a look when I get caught. This is a terrible guest.
[all right. I’ll be careful next time.]
Fortunately, it seemed that this ideal was not to be tested.
[however.]
huh?
[Are you okay in front of the person you like?]
aha. After a little bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of a bit of
sorry but it doesn’t work
“Wouldn’t it be different depending on what standard it is to be a person you like? If you really want to marry this person and live together for the rest of your life. If you’re like that, you won’t even notice.”
square square.
[Perhaps you should be careful when dealing with men. Is there any useful information like that?]
This was a question that needed to be pondered. If she wants to make a boyfriend, I thought I should carefully inform her.
‘Because it might look like I’m managing the fishery to others if I’m not informed.’
According to my intuition, if Do-rim is the owner of an outstanding appearance, it could be even more dangerous.
“First of all, it is important to make sure that no matter what you do, you will not be mistaken. If there’s a guy you just want to be friends with, draw the line in advance. If you don’t know the trick, just say you have a boyfriend.”
Even after that, I had unintentional sermon time in front of Dorim.
Is it because I planted an image of a person I can trust? She listened intently to my story.
“I think the story should be told like this. If you keep listening to it, it will get boring, so this time I will go around and teach you in real life.”
As I said that, I tried to get up off the bench.
Kwak.
Dorim grabbed my wrist, so I had to sit down again, hesitating.
“what’s the matter?”
square square.
[I have questions.]
That’s right, question. Yes, it is a very important process. It’s not good to talk one-sidedly.
“good. What question is it?”
square square.
[Then what should I do in front of a guy I have a crush on?]
I hesitated whether I should answer this or not.
‘It’s not particularly difficult to tell… … .’
Isn’t this question asking how to date a lover, not an exercise in making friends? Or maybe he forgot to put a man in front of the word friend.
Currently I have been sitting on a bench preaching for almost an hour. Talking about interpersonal topics is my specialty, so it’s possible to talk all day if you decide.
‘It’s said that the advance payment is an amount that sounds like a billion, but it’s not a bit much to end up just talking about it… ?’
Dorim told me not to worry, but it’s a problem because I care.
He would give me an answer, but I decided to try to get out of this place somehow.
“I’m thirsty from talking all the time. If you don’t mind, shall we go to the cafe in the department store and talk?”
Nod.
Let’s give trust to the staff who will be watching somewhere by showing them even if they are moving. With that mindset, Dorim and I arrived at the department store.
I said I would go to a cafe, but the variety was quite diverse. Starting with a famous franchise cafe, there was also a cafe run by Signal Circle.
“Is there a cafe or something you want to go to?”
dory dory.
“If you don’t mind, there’s a cafe run by someone I know here. Would you like to go there?”
Nod.
While I was here, there was a person I wanted to meet.
“Do-yoon Kim?”
“hi.”
It was Min Seo-eun.
Her nature is ‘patissier’. A special blessing to the dishes you make. An adult with the so-called enchantment power.
As you can see, Min Seo-eun was running a cafe at Signal Department Store.
‘Even though I’m a first-year student, the fact that I entered the department store here means that my skills and achievements were recognized.’
Since the number of seats in the department store is limited, it is impossible to enter the department store unless certain results are guaranteed through general circle activities.
In that sense, Min Seo-eun was recognized as the main heroine of Psychic Age within a short period of time.
“Did you know that I run a cafe here?”
“I have no other intentions. I came here to drink tea normally.”
The current Min Seo-eun had a feeling of floating.
While in the original work there was a link between Yuseong and childhood friend, there is no such thing now, so the relationship has become ambiguous.
‘Even because of the unfair fabrication of history, it became more difficult to deal with him because I became accused of molesting him.’
We met once during a joint class, and once when we saved something that was in danger in the backyard of the school. After that, when I created the trouble counseling department circle, she came to me once.
These three exchanges with Min Seo-eun ended.
It’s better to be friends with the main heroines of Psychic Age. Even for natural interference in future main episodes.
Eom Na-yeon and Seol Chae-hwa’s relationship became stronger through the raid on the Septagram Lab. Now, it was safe to say that only Min Seo-eun was left.
‘Besides, Min Seo-eun’s hidden ending route is also a problem to consider… … .’
In the game, the episode was carried out simply to give the heroine he attacked a happier ending. There is no problem in clearing the main episode even if you do not proceed, but the reality is that it is not a game right now.
“By the way, who is the masked person next to you?”
At Min Seo-eun’s question, he wakes up from his thoughts.
“Oh, there it is. There are some circumstances… … !”
Back and forth!
I had to stop what I was saying because Dorim suddenly pulled my arm. Fortunately, this time I wasn’t dragged along, but no matter how I looked at it, I looked like I was about to leave the cafe.
“what’s the matter? Do you not like this place?”
Nod!
It was Dorim who expressed a very strong positive intention.
Is there anything special about not liking guests? Being close to Min Seo-eun didn’t matter even if we promised the next one. The main episode centering on her is still far away.
“Whoops. The person accompanying you must be very jealous. I don’t know who it is, but please come and drink coffee next time. I’ll give you a delicious ride~”
I must have been offended, but Min Seo-eun waved a hand at us as we left. I lightly bowed my head to her. Hesitantly, he went out of the cafe by Dorim.
Tak-tak!
Dorim kicked the soles of his feet down on the floor and crossed his arms proudly. Looking at the small inflated cheeks under the uncovered mask, it seemed that he was very angry.
square square!
The enraged pen ran across the notebook without hesitation.
[Please do not look away and focus on me.]
Only then did I realize why Dorim was angry.
‘I must have made a mistake.’
Conversely, it is easy to understand.
I applied for a rental friend to practice making friends, but a female employee came out. However, the female employee met a handsome man on the way and laughed hahahahahoho.
‘This is not a lover’s proxy, but a friend’s proxy.’
Whether it’s lovers or friends. I am alone, but when I see other friends beside me, I have no choice but to feel uncomfortable.
“sorry. It’s my fault. I wanted to introduce you to this place because it is run by someone I know. What he makes is really delicious.”
Where can I just taste it? Among the café menus, you can even order enchanted dishes with the power of the ‘patissier’ nature by paying an additional fee.
‘If you’re lucky with an extreme chance, you’ll eat enchanted dishes and your stats will rise a little bit permanently.’
It could be said that Min Seo-eun, who boasts a growth advantage, is the true face of her colleagues, like Na-yeon Eom of Advantage and Chae-hwa Seol of Economic Advantage.
square square!
[I’m not interested in that.]
It came out so resolutely that I had nothing to say.
I had no choice but to visit a famous franchise cafe nearby.
“What would you like to drink?”
square.
[please recommend.]
You ask for the hardest spell in the world.
“Do you like sweet things?”
nod
all right Who doesn’t like sweet things? However, there were cases where it was too sweet, so I ordered a sweet drink that was less burdensome.
“Do you eat at the store? Or would you like me to wrap it for you?”
“packaging… … .”
square square!
[I want to drink at the store.]
Dorim’s notebook blocked my view.
‘I’ve been on the bench for over an hour, and you’re going to sit here again?’
this guest. Do you really want to practice making friends? Conversation is good, but it would be nice to have various experiences while walking around.
But what can I do? It was the customer’s request, and the customer is the king. What can I do?
I spent another hour with Dorim at the cafe. I wondered if she wanted to talk so much, but she didn’t ask too many questions. I was in a position where I was talking one-sidedly and she was listening.
square square.
After somehow leaving the cafe, just when I wanted to do something more active this time, Do-rim held out my notebook.
[We’re going over there.]
He pointed to something and looked towards it.
＜Hologram Room＞
hologram room. It was a room where you could watch the movie you wanted to see realistically by playing it back with 3D hologram technology.
It was smaller than a movie theater, like a DVD room in the old days.
I checked the time.
‘No matter how short a movie is, I’d do it for 2 hours.’
4 hours in total after watching a movie. Since you said you were renting for 5 hours, you only have 1 hour left.
Can I really eat this raw? There was no reason to say no, so I entered the hologram room with Dorim.
When I asked what kind of movie he would like to see, the answer came back, again asking for a recommendation.
Even though I feel awkward, it’s the most acceptable genre in this situation. I chose a light melodrama with an appropriate amount of comedy.
It’s a popular movie that I picked with Dorim’s attention, but honestly, if you ask me if it’s my taste, it wasn’t at all. I liked blockbusters like the famous Molvengers.
‘It was a big deal. Bench and cafe. I’m so sleepy from just sitting still, but this… … .’
In addition, the calm atmosphere unique to a melodrama was added to it, which made me go crazy. This is why I considered a schedule where I kept moving my body.
nod nod
My head and eyelids kept moving out of control. I quickly shook my head and tried to catch my spirit.
square square.
[If you are tired, you can close your eyes for a while.]
On the contrary, when a guest said that, my spirit flashed.
How dare you sleep in front of a customer who gave you an advance payment of 100 million for a 5-hour rental? There has never been a catastrophe like that in the world.
“no. are you okay. Not sleepy.”
… … square square.
[Then, this is a request as a guest.]
what. I’ve been feeling strangely since before, but this guest. As expected, the practice of making friends didn’t seem to matter at all.
‘Maybe I was wrong. It was just an excuse to practice with friends, and in fact, I was lonely and needed someone to be by my side.’
There are cases like that. I don’t like to notice others, but I don’t want to be alone again, so I want to have someone next to me.
There was a point where it was difficult to endure sleepiness, and since it was impossible to ignore the demands of a big customer, I leaned comfortably on the back of the chair saying I would understand.
There was a bed next to me, but I couldn’t tolerate myself falling asleep. I was thinking of just keeping my head down and closing my eyes.
However, at the moment when the tight string of tension loosened, an indescribable soma swallowed my body at once.
“ah… !”
I ended up leaning on Dorim’s shoulder.
A small audible sigh. She must have been surprised, and her shoulders trembled.
‘I have to get up soon… . My body doesn’t listen… … .’
The string of tension that I let go like that, pulled my mind down to the swamp of consciousness.
***
Breathing changes regularly.
Do-rim confirms that Kim Do-yoon is asleep. No, Pyo Yu-rim smiled triumphantly at him as he fell asleep leaning on her shoulder.
‘Sleep well.’
To be able to feel his body temperature, smell his scent, and even hear his soft breathing from so close. I couldn’t be so grateful for the piece of paper called money, which I always felt was useless.
‘If only this time would last forever.’
We walked hand in hand before, so it’ll be fine now. After hesitating for a while, Pyo Yoo-rim held the hand of Kim Do-yoon, who was sleeping. between the fingers. Without missing a single place, with the pods on.
So as not to wake him from his sweet sleep. I lowered the volume of the movie and settled down so that he could lean more comfortably.
‘Practice making friends… … Did you say that?’
Looking back, it was just one of a series of processes.
If I could make a friend and be acknowledged by Kim Do-yoon, I could get closer. That moment when you’re sure it’s going to happen. Actually, the most important practice that Pyo Yu-rim had to prepare for was a separate one.
‘I’m sure he’s really asleep, right?’
Every time I was swung around by Kim Do-yoon. So, you might as well play a prank like this once in a while.
She picked up Kim Do-yoon’s other hand and saw the part he had reacted so sensitively to. He placed his hand on his chest.
‘There is no slight movement. He must have really fallen asleep.’
then. It will be fine.
Pyo Yoo-rim practiced in a soft voice while examining Kim Do-yoon’s expression with a more flushed face.
Her sincere heart, the expression of her love that she harbored.
The atmosphere was so lovely that the melodrama played through the hologram was overshadowed.
***
Puppet Dawn.
It was so strangely comfortable that when I opened my eyes, it was my accommodation.
How did I get moved here? That fact was good.
‘Did you fall asleep in that situation?’
it’s X
Only that reality mattered.