Chapter 175

Chapter 18 – The Girl Has Now Become an Adult.

1

Christmas. The most important day for lovers. What if, on such a day, the other person suddenly stops contacting you? Of course, you’d be furious, going crazy and jumping around. It might feel like being stood up. But on the other hand, you’d also be worried. If the person you love suddenly goes silent, there’s nothing more worrying than that. And right now, Si-ho was in the latter situation.

Given her history of causing trouble, Si-ho immediately went to the World Returner Association when she couldn’t reach me. Thanks to Seolhyang quickly informing the association beforehand, Si-ho at least knew about our situation. But upon hearing that I had gone to the Tower of Apocalypse, Si-ho was constantly on edge.

Then, when I finally appeared on Christmas night, Si-ho was greatly relieved but ended up sulking. To what extent? Well, “Hey, Si-ho?” “……” Si-ho hadn’t responded to me for days. She was clearly upset that I hadn’t contacted her and had gone to the Tower of Apocalypse without a word. Sitting next to me, she sipped her drink through a straw, her cheeks puffed out. Seeing her like that, I had no idea what to do. Heuksan, watching from the side, gave me a pitiful look.

“Why is this guy stronger than me?” Well, that’s thanks to future you. But I didn’t have time to pay attention to Heuksan right now.

“Si-ho, I’m sorry. Okay? I’ll make sure to contact you properly next time.” I desperately said to Si-ho. This was a side of Si-ho I had never seen before, leaving me even more clueless about what to do.

Regardless, Si-ho finished her drink, down to the last drop, and stood up. “I don’t care.” With those words, Si-ho left, and I rubbed my forehead. What to do. Si-ho seemed really upset.

“Haa, Kang Ha-chan, you’re really in deep trouble.” As I was pondering how to appease Si-ho, Yoo Woo-jung, who had been watching from the side like Heuksan, spoke to me. When I asked what she meant, she glanced at Si-ho and clicked her tongue.

“I wasn’t going to say anything because I was annoyed, but seeing you like this, I feel a bit sorry for you.” “What do you mean?” “Si-ho, that little lady, has already cooled down.” Hearing that, I tilted my head. Si-ho looked really angry, so how could she have cooled down?

I couldn’t understand it at all.

“Women calm down just seeing the person they love return safely. The worry was because they care so much.” “But that doesn’t mean the anger is gone, right?” “That’s why men just don’t get it. Listen carefully. The anger is gone, but that doesn’t mean the feelings are resolved. Sometimes, they want to show that they were upset.” “Why show that?” “Usually, it’s because they want something.”

Saying that, Yoo Woo-jung rested her chin on her hand. “What do you think that little lady wants?” “What Si-ho wants?” I blinked. Well, if it’s something Si-ho wants, it’s probably me. Embarrassing, but nothing else comes to mind. Si-ho always put me first.

“Idiot? It’s simple. Sex…” “Unnie, stop talking.” At that moment, Ji-eun covered Yoo Woo-jung’s mouth with her hand and sighed. Then she looked at me and puffed her cheeks slightly.

“Ha-chan oppa, I was actually upset too. I like you, so it hurt when you left without a word.” “…I’m sorry.” “But Si-ho has built up more with you than I have. She must have been hurt even more.” Saying that, Ji-eun smiled faintly.

“So, properly ask Si-ho out on a date this time.” Hearing the word “date,” I remembered the promise I made for December 31st.

“Si-ho is probably just waiting for that.” Would that be enough? I was a bit worried, but it was Ji-eun, who was closest to Si-ho.

I slowly nodded.

“Honestly, I also really want to go on a date with Ha-chan oppa.” Saying that, Ji-eun let out a small sigh. “But it was Si-ho who helped me keep liking you. I’ll let her have this one.” Ji-eun smiled awkwardly.

“Kyaa!” Then, Yoo Woo-jung licked the hand covering her mouth, causing Ji-eun to scream and pull away. Meanwhile, Yoo Woo-jung licked her lips and looked at me.

“I don’t want to give up. Ha-chan, want to go with me first? I’ll teach you everything intimately.” I looked at Yoo Woo-jung sucking her finger and then turned away. It wasn’t worth responding to.

And sorry, but I’ve come too far to listen to such things now.

‘A date, huh.’ Yoo Woo-jung aside, Ji-eun’s words were definitely worth considering. Since December 31st was tomorrow, I needed to talk to Si-ho first.

I wandered around the company looking for Si-ho. Luckily, I found her not too far away.

In the empty training room. Si-ho was sitting alone in the training room. It seemed like she was training, as the space around her was fluctuating. I decided to wait for a while.

After a while, the fluctuations around Si-ho stopped. Then, she turned her head towards me. As if asking what I wanted.

Seeing Si-ho staring at me, I scratched my head and then approached her.

“Si-ho, can we talk for a bit?” Si-ho stared at me for a moment, then nodded. Seeing that, I felt a bit relieved and spoke to her.

“I think you probably don’t want any more apologies, so I want to say something else.” Si-ho remained silent, looking up at me.

“Tomorrow is December 31st.” Seeing that, I smiled apologetically and said, “I want to go on a date with you tomorrow, Si-ho. Can you forgive me?” Hearing that, Si-ho remained silent for a moment. Then, she slowly walked up to me and looked up at me.

Si-ho’s small face came into view. Standing just below my chest, she looked up at me for a while, then finally spoke.

“Are you serious about what you said earlier?” It had been a while since I heard Si-ho’s voice. I knew what she meant, so I smiled back.

“Yeah, I want to go on a date with you.” As soon as I said that, Si-ho hugged my waist. Seeing her in my arms, I raised my hand and gently stroked her head.

“…Si-ho, I really held back a lot.” “I’m sorry. I didn’t notice.” “That’s why Si-ho wanted to be greedy too.” I lowered my hand and gently hugged Si-ho’s shoulders. Then, Si-ho smiled happily.

“Si-ho, I’ll dress up really nicely tomorrow.” “I’ll be looking forward to it.” “Right. You can look forward to it. The Manager will fall for Si-ho first.” Si-ho was already beautiful, but hearing her say that made me smile.

“So, really look forward to it. Si-ho will look forward to it too.” Confirming Ji-eun’s words, I nodded. It seemed like I needed to prepare thoroughly for tomorrow.

2

After making up with Si-ho, the next day came quickly. The streets, which had been filled with Christmas spirit, were now preparing for the New Year.

With today being the last day of the year, many people were out on the streets to welcome the New Year. Wearing a scarf, I took a deep breath. Baeksan had left again, just like when Seolhyang and Ayu were around.

Where does this guy keep going? I don’t know, but I have a feeling he’s watching over Heuksan.

“Manager.” At that moment, I looked up upon hearing a voice while checking my phone. There stood a petite girl.

Dressed in a pretty white coat and black stockings, she had tied up her dark blue hair. Her eyes, slightly upturned, looked sharp, but the way she looked at me was incredibly soft. And I knew those eyes were only for me.

“Si-ho.” When I called her, Si-ho, holding a small crossbody bag, approached me.

“Did you wait long?” “No, I didn’t wait at all.” Si-ho had done light makeup today, enhancing her already stunning features. Her natural beauty made the makeup stand out even more.

So, I couldn’t help but keep looking at her.

“Si-ho, how do I look?” Seeing Si-ho’s expectant gaze, I coughed awkwardly.

“You look pretty.” When I awkwardly complimented her, Si-ho slightly raised the corners of her mouth, clearly pleased.

“Manager, you look handsome too.” “I didn’t really dress up.” Compared to Si-ho, I probably looked like a street squid.

“No, you look the most handsome to Si-ho. Because you’re Si-ho’s favorite person.” Gratefully saying that, Si-ho came closer to me.

“Si-ho, can I hold your hand?” Hearing that, I took my hand out of my pocket. Then, Si-ho took my hand with her small one.

“Manager, your hand is really warm.” “It was in my pocket.” “And it’s much bigger than Si-ho’s.” Well, there’s quite a size difference between us. The difference was almost suspicious.

‘Well, it is suspicious.’ Even if she becomes an adult tomorrow, today Si-ho is still a minor. Just one day doesn’t make much difference, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

Whether she knew my feelings or not, Si-ho seemed really happy holding my hand, glancing at it repeatedly. Seeing her so happy naturally warmed my heart.

“Shall we go?” “Yes.” Si-ho and I started walking down the street in silence. Since this was my first proper date, I was a bit nervous.

As an adult, I should say something, but I didn’t know what to talk about.

‘What do kids talk about these days?’ Feeling a bit lost, I turned to look at Si-ho, who smiled back at me. Well, what do kids have to do with it? This is Si-ho we’re talking about.

“Si-ho, let’s go to the place I reserved.” “Okay, got it.” I had reserved a nice place for the year-end. So, Si-ho and I started moving.

Si-ho could have used Space Movement to get there instantly, but we didn’t do something so mood-killing. Just walking down the street holding hands was meaningful enough.

But then, we encountered an unexpected problem. The restaurant I had reserved was closed.

What the…