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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Strange Feelings
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...Jeez.
Mysterious. Unfamiliar.
This feeling... I've vaguely had it ever since the first moment I laid eyes on you.
It's gotta be because of that gap between celebrity and childhood friend.
Idol world's living legend.
Acting world's rising star.
Variety show's box office guarantee.
Han's Chaewon, the celebrity who wears every flattering label like it was made for her.
Playful tomboy full of mischief.
Role-play addict.
Princess complex in its terminal stage, fully aware of her own charms.
Han Chaewon, the childhood friend I want to keep hanging out with just like this, unchanged forever.
Familiar yet enigmatic.
That's why, even though I spotted you right away from afar, grinning behind that camera, it still felt oddly strange and unfamiliar.
Still, once we chat a bit, these half-baked emotions will probably fade into forgettable memory.
"Feels kinda different seeing you after three years. Like I'm actually looking at a celebrity."
"You crushing on me or what?"
"Does that mean you want me to head to the other side?"
"Sorry. I won't say anything weird, promise—cut me some slack."
As expected, deep down, my childhood friend Chaewon still overshadowed everything else.
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"What're you staring at like that?"
"Nothing. Just... feels unfamiliar."
"My stunning beauty hitting you after all this time?"
"That joke's getting old, friend."
"Sorry~."
The restaurant we ducked into for a late lunch.
You chuckled and started setting up the camera.
Suddenly curious how I looked on it, I peeked my face into the frame.
"You filming this?"
"What kinda question is that? Of course I am."
"Dunno. Just doesn't feel real that you're filming me eating."
"You've always been like that. Treats your own stuff like it's someone else's business, all nonchalant. It's always fascinating."
"Is it?"
"See? You're doing it right now. Is that why you weren't nervous for the college entrance exam?"
"Why get nervous? I've taken tests my whole life—what makes this one special?"
"Fine, fine. What am I even chatting with you about? Sorry, Forever fans? You'll watch this vlog to the end even if it's boring, right~?"
You winked one eyebrow up in that infuriating expression.
Is there a pro academy for faces like that or what?
Totally cringe.
I was tempted to fire back at that punchable look, but I couldn't exactly make enemies out of your 100 million Forever fans...
"Nike, Adidas, Puma, Apple, Samsung..."
"H-Hey, isn't that insane?!"
I unleashed the dignified "name every brand under the sun" attack.
The effect was tremendous.
...Anyway, after our childish back-and-forth—questionable if it'll even make the broadcast—the food we'd been waiting for finally arrived.
Soba, veggie tempura, grilled duck loin, and even some tofu dishes the owner tossed in out of fandom filled the table.
While you kindly chatted with the owner and staff in your earnest but clumsy Korean, I discreetly portioned out the food.
You finished up, tied on your apron, and smiled.
"What? Putting on manners 'cause the camera's rolling?"
"You're buying, so this much is the least I can do."
"Ahem. Then let's see if our Min has any sense~?"
You gazed at me warmly, beaming innocently.
Still staring like that when you're in a good mood, huh.
I smiled back, handing over the bowl of soba I'd served.
"Still can't do shrimp?"
"What? You remember I can't eat shrimp?"
Shocked face, like how'd you know.
I glanced at it, then kept slicing the tempura.
"How could I forget? You were singing about grilled hairtail on the way to Gimpo, but turned pale after two bites."
"Gimpo?"
Elementary school days. Here, eat up. The sauce is tangy—you'll love it.
"Whoa, this is so good! Amazing. Min-ah, you gotta try this!"
You waved your chopsticks wildly in the air.
Your classic reaction to tasty food.
"This place is a real gem."
Seeing you unchanged even after so long, I'd long forgotten about the camera.
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"Lucky the weather's nice. Forever watching okay?"
A temple in Kamakura.
Even though it's pretty famous, there were way more locals than tourists.
Plus, being a weekday afternoon, it was mostly elderly folks from the neighborhood.
No one here recognized Chaewon.
I'd even pulled off my "Chaewon isn't world-class" act...
"Actually, I like it better this way."
Number one celebrity with steel nerves I wanna emulate.
The rising Positive Queen, rivaling Noh Hong-chul—her poise was on another level.
"I'm Han Chaewoooon~. Waaah~."
Sorry. Please don't—that's embarrassing.
You ran zigzag down the empty path, arms outstretched wide.
You did the same in elementary school, and here you are at twenty-three, still the same steadfast you. Couldn't help but chuckle.
"What to do with you."
Even after fifteen years, unchanged.
I wouldn't call myself unchanged either, but seeing your little habits intact somehow put my mind at ease.
"...You'll stay the same, and so will I, from here on out."
I pulled out my phone, switched to video mode, and filmed.
That through spring, summer, fall, winter—we stayed the same, unchanged, steadfast.
Capturing this moment from afar, for the nostalgic far future.
"Min-ah, come here! Squirrels over here!"
You crouched in the corner, urgently calling me over.
Your big eyes wide, gesturing frantically—I pocketed my phone.
"Squirrels might be around, sure. Why the fuss... Cute, huh?"
As always, you led me by the hand.
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Sunset came in a flash.
Nearby beach.
The crunch of sand underfoot.
Waves crashing.
Chatter from people around...
We walked endlessly along the harmonious white sands.
"Think we looked like a couple to those people?"
You said it out of nowhere, waving cheerfully at a kid.
"Don't hit me with couple talk before dinner—that's too heavy."
"Okay. Lately, kids just seem so cute and pretty."
"You've always liked kids."
"I like 'em even more now. Someday, I wanna get married, have a daughter who looks like me."
You smiled brightly, lost in pleasant daydreams.
Hearing "marriage" and "lifelong promise to one person" from you—the free spirit who gets bored of everything easily—felt strangely novel.
'Chaewon getting married...'
My imagination's weak on stuff like this. And your image didn't quite fit, so I gave up picturing it quick...
"Her husband's got it rough. Chaewon and mini-Chaewon... Oof."
Whoever he is, I'd wanna ask if he still loves her.
"You talk all loose now that the camera's off?"
"Bench over there—let's rest. Sigh, already this tired... what about later?"
I played dumb and bolted to the bench.
You followed with a grumpy face, sat down, and we spaced out or traded silly banter, etching the time into memory our way.
"Looks tasty?"
Then I noticed you eyeing my drink.
That one-bite tenacity of yours is still going strong.
"...What, learn mind-reading in the army?"
"Wipe your drool first. How could I miss you staring?"
"I'm a big eater, but I don't drool..."
You brought your hand to your mouth anyway.
I chuckled and handed over the drink.
"Fine, one sip—drink up."
Half-finished milk tea.
You eyed the straw, popped it in, and sipped slowly... for a long time.
...Hold up?
"One sip, you said...?"
Today's slurp was extra hollow.
I shot you a look demanding an explanation, dazed...
"It was so good, I lost track. Hehe."
Your reply: the full bratty aegyo combo, cheeky and shameless.
...Are you nuts?
"The ways of the world have truly hit rock bottom..."
Speechless, I just glared.
You bought the milk tea, even if it was mine.
Besides, no matter what I say, this brat won't reflect at all.
She'll just play it off with jokes.
We've had so many of these moments that I could already picture our dozen back-and-forth lines.
'Tiresome, so tiresome.'
But isn't this tedious banter the loyalty, the bond, the fun we secretly crave as childhood friends?
I prepped my line on the tip of my tongue, waiting for yours.
"..."
Something's off. That look in your eyes.
Why no mischief at all?
'She rehearsed?'
You're a role-play addict who cycles new routines.
Figured this was a fresh tactic, so I stared blankly.
1 second. 2. 3...
This is weird. Why isn't she saying anything...?
Chaewon, this isn't you.
You'd improvise nonsense lines and drag out the skit.
'Why's she doing this...?'
The plot veered off-script—I swallowed hard without thinking.
4. 5. 6 seconds.
Every second shifted the mood; I felt it all over, but couldn't break away.
Gotta snap out. I repeated it inwardly, yet stared blankly into those eyes—
"Huh?"
A gasp, and you turned away.
Trembling eyes, unsteady breath.
Disbelieving expression, flushed cheeks.
Taking it all in, I finally managed a word.
"Well, well. You know you messed up, huh?"
Ha. New trick failed—totally flustered.
'I've known you fifteen years, remember?'
I quickly scowled, keeping the scolding vibe.
"...Y-Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to drink it all."
"Don't pull that next time. Even after years, it drives me nuts."
I grumbled and turned away casually.
"...Unbelievable."
You muttered something, but I couldn't look.
I know. I'm not some fool who can't tell joke from real.
I'd noticed all along.
It wasn't like you.
Wasn't the childhood friend I know.
I let out a quiet sigh.
"...Jeez."
Thank goodness the sunset was a dazzling orange.
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Secretly relieved when you said izakaya.
One drink would wash away these half-baked feelings.
Planned a light few rounds, but what the hell.
"If you weren't a celebrity..."
"Whoaaa~, the room's huge~."
One Ms. Han (age 21), solo storm-drinking into human disqualification.
I thought the bear-to-human myth was legend, but human-to-dog? Maybe not so mythical.
...Jeez. What kinda dumb thought is that.
"Ugh..."
Can she be so carefree while turning my stomach?
I dropped the half-human, half-dog childhood friend at the inn and headed to the convenience store alone to sort my thoughts.
Empty streets.
The profound silence drowned out nothing, focusing me on the heart's reluctant whispers.
Still those lingering, unwelcome emotions.
Annoying static.
"Shoulda had a light one even if buzzed..."
How'd I get over this before?
Muttering, I grabbed snacks at the store...
"...What. When did I buy this?"
Looking at the bag: hangover remedies and all your faves stuffed in.
Damn these habits.
Ten-plus years of "get me this too" wherever we go—must've grabbed 'em subconsciously.
Hand it over quick, crash—knocked on the door.
"Wait, hold on?!"
Thud—
In a blink, I was sprawled on the bed.
'Ugh, noticed it ages ago—what're you doing, Kang Yumin.'
Dangerous. This is.
"You crazy?!"
"Crazy...? I'm not crazy...?"
Tried yelling big. You didn't flinch.
Doomed. She ain't getting it.
Situation spiraling unwanted—I resisted somehow.
"Cuter than handsome face-wise..."
"...Huh?"
"Whoa, your face went all pouty. Yumin, you hear that?"
Useless resistance just piled up; you gripped my shaky feelings and shook harder.
"But it's true, so no biggie~?"
You crept closer.
I backed away.
"See? More handsome than cute, right...?"
You caught me fully.
I hunted escape corners, refusing to quit.
"Hey. Bored—wanna kiss?"
This distance was no longer "childhood friend."