Chapter 104: By fountain (2)

Part 3

“Wanna grab drinks?”

• Yeah, you, Juyoung, and Seongyoon all start school the week after next, right?

“…Guess I won’t have much time once school starts,” Yoonseo replied.

• Yeah. Also thought it’d be good to have an open talk with Sihyun-ssi.

Hearing Sihyun’s name, Yoonseo caught the caution in Youngjin’s voice but didn’t hold back a sigh. It wasn’t about Sihyun specifically—more the pressure of drinking with the changed Yoonseo.

“You guys must’ve gotten close, looking out for her like that,” Yoonseo said.

• Less looking out, more coincidence. Sihyun mentioned wanting to meet our other friends, and next week, the other three are free.

“Tuesday’s no good for me,” Yoonseo said.

“…Guess it worked out that way,” Youngjin said.

The four friends knew about the promotional photos for that game. They were more clued into the industry than Yoonseo and knew the photos had a bigger impact than expected.

• Life must be wild with your face on the green search engine’s homepage.

“That was so embarrassing I wanted to die,” Yoonseo admitted.

• You struck gold out of nowhere. Sweet deal.

Youngjin’s cackling laughter drew a weak “haha” from Yoonseo. It was a sensation only experience could teach. Opening the internet to see your face glowing with a CG golden aura? Not something most people would get.

• Thanks to that, the closed beta got so much hype it made up for its flop. No bonus pay for that?

“I signed a contract for a set amount. No bonuses. But the gigs I’ve been offered since? The pay’s unreal,” Yoonseo said.

• From streamer to model, huh?

“No plans to go full-time with either. Cosplay was just for extra cash during break,” Yoonseo clarified.

• Still set on being a slave voluntarily?

“Slave? I’m an intellectual,” Yoonseo retorted.

With a sigh and a wry tone, Yoonseo pushed back. Slave? It’s a path of honor and pride.

• So, Wednesday or Thursday next week?

“Why not Monday?”

• Binge-drinking from Monday? How’d you survive the week?

“Fair point.”

Friday evenings were for personal downtime, making it an awkward day to suggest.

“Thursday then. Wednesday, I’ll probably need to rest,” Yoonseo decided.

• Whining about a few photos?

“You’ve never stood in one pose for 20 minutes. A few shots feel like standing for hours,” Yoonseo countered.

• And you didn’t touch exercise all break.

“…I don’t gain weight easily, so it’s fine,” Yoonseo said.

Instinctively, Yoonseo’s free hand checked for belly fat. Despite a reckless lifestyle, no extra flab clung to her sides or stomach—just soft skin, tight but not pudgy.

• But, if it’s that tough, can you keep up with weekend bakery shifts?

“I’ll quit cosplay after break, so it’s fine,” Yoonseo said.

• Your priorities are weird. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

“Your bakery’s great. Overflowing with warmth, tasty bread, and they’re flexible,” Yoonseo argued.

• Using my parents’ kindness? Ungrateful jerk.

“You should be thankful to work with a beauty like me,” Yoonseo teased.

• Getting way too comfortable saying that.

“I realized after a few gigs: I’m really something,” Yoonseo said.

Ignoring Youngjin’s mock-retching over the phone, Yoonseo checked the mirror, then stepped out of the room. The fake gagging stopped as her foot crossed the threshold.

• Hospital today?

“Yeah,” Yoonseo confirmed.

• Your fame’s made peak hours crazy, so don’t be late.

“No special incidents, no delays,” Yoonseo promised.

• You’re a walking incident factory.

“Pfft.”

Guess I am.

Part 4

“I was worried you’d show up with wings, but I’m relieved you look normal,” Dr. Kang said.

“…I thought you’d be flipping through textbooks or encyclopedias, not surfing the internet,” Yoonseo replied.

“In the internet age, that’s not grit—it’s stubbornness,” he said.

“Doesn’t suit you,” Yoonseo teased.

“I’m confident I don’t look that old,” he shot back.

How many visits was this? Ten? More? Yoonseo wasn’t sure. With weekend bakery shifts starting again, she’d come early for a quick checkup. As expected, Dr. Kang’s coffee cup sat nearly full, like he had a set coffee-drinking time.

“You’re still not exactly healthy,” he said.

“So, no issues,” Yoonseo translated.

“I’m saying this late, but please exercise. Eating well helps immunity, but you’re still frail enough to be called a patient,” he urged.

“I am a patient,” Yoonseo pointed out.

Dr. Kang rubbed his forehead, exasperated, as Yoonseo grinned cheekily. He wanted to monitor her for another year, but once checkups ended, would this connection fade?

“I’ve got enough to worry about besides you,” he said.

“…One person’s worth?” Yoonseo guessed.

A heavy sigh was his only reply. Clearly, he was still dealing with others like Sihyun, maintaining his usual demeanor.

“You seem fine with the part-time job…” he started.

“Does it only work if we meet in person?” Yoonseo asked.

“You talk like you’re a walking tranquilizer,” he remarked.

“Kinda am, right?” she grinned.

Since Sihyun started her weekday job, vocal training continued—mostly Yoonseo singing, with Sihyun giving feedback via calls or texts. Singing daily on stream became routine, and Yoonseo didn’t mind it.

“…Treating yourself like a tool out of duty? I asked for that, but it doesn’t look good,” Dr. Kang said.

“Still feeling guilty?” Yoonseo asked.

No answer, just a sulky glare at her smiling face. He’s embarrassed.

“I said before, I’m doing it because I care,” Yoonseo said.

“…Sihyun-related stuff is really…” he trailed off.

“No need for apologies. If you want to repay me…” Yoonseo paused playfully.

Besides family, he’s the only one I can joke with like this. Her friends were cautious, making her cautious too.

“Even after checkups end, buy me a meal sometime,” she suggested.

“…Huh?”

“A doctor friend? Pretty cool, right?”

Didn’t I use that line before? Tapping the table to snap him out of his daze, Dr. Kang flinched slightly, then let out a muffled “hehe” laugh.

“…Alright, I can do that,” he agreed.

“That’s enough,” Yoonseo said.

“Then I’ll brag about being friends with the saintess,” he teased.

“Hey! Why’d you say that when you’re the one apologizing?!” Yoonseo protested.

“It’s not an insult—it’s high praise. Be happy,” he smirked.

Not as doctor and patient, but as acquaintances, they bantered lightly, passing the time.

I might not have seen him smile like that before, Yoonseo thought as she left the consultation room.