Chapter 14: The day before planting (8)
Part 14
[Why I’ve Been Religiously Watching Cheungjeokun’s Streams Lately] – Anonymous
– Because of Sis’s voice ; Cheungjeokun kept refusing to upgrade his cam, saying his crusty dude face in HD was pointless, so I let it slide… but lately, it’s been bugging me… Sis’s soft, pale skin, ughhh
┕ Anonymous: ? Isn’t Cheungjeokun a pure gaming stream? Since when did he collab with a female streamer?
┕ Anonymous (OP): Nah, not a collab with a female streamer. He just mentioned he has an older sister who moved back home recently and pops into his streams sometimes.
┕ Comment deleted
┕ Anonymous: Chill, weeb, lol.
┕ Anonymous: Yo, Cheungjeokun lurks this forum sometimes, so don’t post stuff like that. With his personality, he’ll flip out if he sees it.
┕ Anonymous: If Sis stops showing up, you taking responsibility, lol?
┕ Anonymous: Mods, delete this post!!!!!
┕ Anonymous (OP): ;;; Deleted the comment.
┕ Anonymous: ???? What’s going on?
┕ Anonymous: Seriously, what’s up?
Part 15
“Just in case, if anything happens, call us right away.”
Right before heading out, Dad’s voice, heavy with concern, came as he stood at the door.
I gave a wry smile.
Even though my friends, who I hadn’t seen in a while, were just coming over, his reaction was so different from before.
It hit me again that I’d become someone new.
I’d decided not to dwell on it too much, but…
“Don’t make her worry unnecessarily!”
“I mean, they’re all guys, aren’t they?”
“They’re not bad kids, like she said. And Sanghyeon’s home, even if he’s not reliable.”
“…By the time Sanghyeon wakes up, they’ll probably be gone.”
Mom’s scolding made Dad grumble as he stepped out.
I couldn’t see his face, but his reluctance was palpable, and I instinctively grabbed his arm.
“…Uh, Dad?”
“What? Got more to say?”
The brief, heavy silence felt oppressive.
They weren’t so pressed for time that this would delay work, but we couldn’t stand here forever.
Embarrassment followed my childish impulse.
I knew I should say something, but the spontaneous action left me grasping for words.
“…I’m okay now. I wanted to say you don’t have to worry anymore.”
“What’s this now? You’ve been saying you’re fine from the start. Did you think I didn’t believe you?”
“Well, I’m your daughter now.”
“Always catching the tail end of words, just like your mom. Let go, I’ll be late.”
His scattered words and warm smile lightened my heart.
I tucked away last night’s litany of worries for now.
“Alright, I’m off?”
“Take care, both of you.”
Ending the long send-off, I released Dad’s arm.
The door closed with a click and the sound of the lock engaging.
I stood there, listening to their fading footsteps.
These past few days, maybe it was my imagination, but my mood kept trending upward.
“…Maybe next time I visit, I’ll bring a gift.”
Looking back, it started with that nonchalant doctor’s words: accept yourself as you are, gender and all.
Thanks to that, I doubted I’d ever feel disgust toward my appearance again.
Whether I’d keep wearing neutral clothes and live single, or if my feelings would shift, I didn’t know yet.
“They’re coming around noon…”
I turned from the door and headed to the living room.
My phone showed 7:40 a.m.—plenty of time until the meetup.
Since the guys were bringing food for a “discharge celebration,” I didn’t need to prepare anything.
Maybe some snacks?
“…Young-jin’s family owns a bakery, so bread or pastries are out.”
It wasn’t warm enough for ice cream either…
“Is there anything safe to buy ahead?”
Heading to the sink, I ran through menu options, but nothing felt right for dessert.
No cold stuff… tteokbokki’s too heavy after a meal?
Same with chicken or pizza…
“Ugh…”
“…Maybe I’ll go look around.”
Scrolling through delivery apps, nothing screamed “snack.”
Young-jin’s bakery background ruled out pastries.
I decided to wander downtown and find something that’d hold up if left out.
“There’s still time.”
Wiping my hands on a dry cloth, I headed to my room.
Opening the closet, I picked clothes suitable for guests but comfy at home: jeans, a white long-sleeve shirt, and a navy long coat Mom and Dad miraculously found in my petite size.
I slipped on socks and glanced in the mirror.
“…Looks decent enough, right?”
My proportions made it passable.
Not thrilled, but good enough.
I left my room for the door, shoving my feet into dark canvas shoes.
They were old but barely worn since I rarely went out, still stiff like new.
“…Come to think of it, this is my first time leaving the house for something other than a checkup.”
For hospital visits, I’d been nonchalant, thinking, No choice.
Now?
Was it okay to step out so casually for something trivial, just ignoring a slight pang of guilt?
“I feel like I should be more anxious or scared…”
I paused, feeling uneasy.
I wasn’t terrified, but walking the streets as a woman amid crowds felt oddly calm.
Was I used to attention from streaming?
“…Whatever.”
The door lock’s beep sounded unusually cheerful today.
Part 16
The man often thought how odd it was to work at a fish cake shop in this day and age.
He’d tasted society’s bitterness as a young adult, but still—fish cakes?
Wasn’t it reasonable to hope for a spark of youthful romance during a part-time job?
“…No vibe at all.”
But fish cakes?
Rising steam, the faint smell of broth, a few simple seats, and skewers soaking in broth might stir hunger, not romance.
Plus, his shift partner was a guy.
The relief staff? Guys.
The customers? Mostly elderly folks or couples who didn’t care about ambiance.
“…Haa.”
“Hyung, if there’s no customers, help clean the floor.”
“Someone’s gotta watch the counter.”
“Who’s coming at this hour?”
Fair point, but the man’s expression stayed glum.
His junior, wiping tables without complaint, accepted the role split by a perfectly rational rock-paper-scissors match.
“I need to quit this job to have a shot at dating.”
“It’s not the job, is it?”
“I’m pretty good-looking, no?”
“People who say that are never actually good-looking.”
“You little…”
As they bantered, the bell at the entrance chimed brightly, signaling a customer.
At this early hour?
The man shot his junior a “you’re lucky this time” glare before turning to the door.
“Welco…”
He froze.
“…Huh?”
“…Oh, no. Welcome!”
Honey-colored hair that didn’t look dyed.
Big eyes that stood out on a small face.
A petite frame, yet long legs that made her seem taller than she was.
The gaze meeting his was almost blindingly radiant, he thought.