Paranoid Love Affair - Chapter 34

“How about we go to the shopping mall near Ji-eun’s house? And, there’s a way to get there. But, it would take quite a while though… … . Then, shall we go on the weekend? … … .”

I can’t do that. To bring this matter to the weekend is not what I wanted.

Today is Tuesday. So, the weekend is still far away.

If I follow Hye-rim’s suggestion, I will have to keep thinking about this for the time being.

And, even worse, when I have my peaceful conversations with Hye-eun, I will still be thinking about this problem until the weekend comes.

The shopping mall near Ji-eun’s house is the place I have known since we went to see a movie together last time.

It is a large shopping mall with a movie theater on the top floor.

It has 15 floors above the ground and 2 floors below the ground.

She wants to go there?

On the weekend, people will be swarming around, right?

Besides, it’s not just walking in that wide space.

While following her like her servant, I have to constantly keep an eye on her to see the things that she wants to watch.

I may have to ask questions like ‘Do you like that?’ or ‘Should we buy that?’ for dozens of times.

What’s more, the last time at the shopping mall, while we were waiting for Ji-eun, she kept wandering around the shops.

So if that happens, I’ll never know how many hours her shopping will take.

I will also feel embarrassed that I will have to talk to the clerk at the store about buying a gift for her.

No matter what it is, it was too difficult for me to have to go around the shopping mall on the weekend with Hye-rim until she was satisfied. It would definitely be a problem for me since the mall would be crowded and her figure would obviously attract people’s attention to us.

So, in order to not to do that, I need to present an alternative method right away.

Is there a place where you can finish shopping quickly in an hour and a half, and sell stylish things that someone like Hye-rim would like?

But, why didn’t I think of this from the start?

It sounds like I have only studied the 1st subject for the exam where I also have to study and prepare 2nd, and 3rd subjects to pass the test.

If making a proposal to Hye-rim was the first subject, the second subject would be to choose a place that Hye-rim would like, and the third subject would be for Hye-rim to choose her favorite thing.

However, I was focused only on the fact that I would fail the 1st subject immediately, so I forgot the existence of the 2nd and 3rd.

It was very pathetic.

However, in his head, one such stylish shop came to mind.

If you walk a little from the front of Yoon-woo’s dorm, you will find Anam Five-way Intersection, and there is a ‘UST’ store in the alley on the left which leads to the residential area.

‘UST’ store is an accessory store that deals with low-priced necklaces and rings for young people.

Earlier this year, I passed by when I was wandering around looking for a place to live near the university.

And even after I found a room for myself at the beginning of the semester, when I saw the expensive prices of vegetables from the grocery store in front of my dorm, I had to find another grocery store around my house and buy vegetables from that. And, I passed by the store again.

The second time I passed the store, I peek inside the store through the glass wall out of curiosity.

It was written that a collaboration event with anime was in progress, but I was curious about how the accessory store collaborates with animation.

Because it was the beginning of the school year and the store was in a remote location, there weren’t many people in the shop. And, the clerks were playing on their cell phones, so I was able to look inside without noticing.

Looking at the products on the shelves which were behind the glass walls, most of them cost less than 50,000 won, but their sophisticated design stood out.

So Yoon-woo thought that young students would be the main customers of this store.

And, an animation collaboration event in such a shop?

The animation was familiar to everyone, it was an animation for children.

They wouldn’t draw characters directly on products like children’s products, would they? … … .

Did they develop a product for children because the economy was not good?

I thought about it for a moment, but the collab display stand was not clearly visible from outside the glass wall.

After all, the accessory shop was a place that had absolutely nothing to do with my life, so I immediately cut off my interest and passed by.

But, in this situation, it seemed like a pretty bad place.

Of course, Hyerim may be financially able to afford to wear gold or silver-studded jewelry, but wouldn’t a college freshman be interested in that?

Even if Yoon-woo doesn’t have a good eye, the fact that such a store exists means that there is a clear demand from young people, right? And, Hye-rim is the one who chooses the items anyway, so wouldn’t it be okay?

Despite such thoughts, my mouth did not say the words that he wanted easily.

It was because I thought giving the accessory gift had a special meaning.

Lovers give things like couple rings…

Does the ring have some meaning? If so, are there any accessories other than rings?

The necklace is also worn around the neck, so it seems to have some meaning… … .

If so, wouldn’t the suggestion to go to an accessory shop together itself be a problem?

Those things were Yoon-woo’s concerns.

I wish she could give me a chance to search on my cell phone or call Hye-eun for 5 minutes…

Yoon-woo was thinking like a quiz show participant, but Hye-rim did not give Yoon-woo a chance to do that.

“Then, we are going to do that, right? If we meet after lunch and walk around… … No, I will ask Ji-eun unnie for forgiveness later. So, shall we eat lunch there? See you in the morning… … .”

It seemed like Hye-rim was planning on going around the mall for a very long time.

If he tells her to go to ‘UST’ store right now, he has many advantages if Hye-rim accepts the offer.

If you go to a small accessory store rather than a large shopping mall, the time required will be much shorter.

Because there aren’t many things that she can choose.

Hye-rim chooses the one she likes, and he pays the money.

He won’t even need to ask what she likes.

Just being a living ATM for a while.

She didn’t choose while considering him anyway, so after leaving the shop, he doesn’t have to care at all whether Hye-rim likes the accessory or not.

Then, this problem will be over tomorrow morning, and he will be able to spend the day while waiting for a comfortable conversation with Hye-eun again.

However, the risk of making such a proposal is also great.

What if Hye-rim said, ‘What? You want to go there with me? Do you think I’m so cheap?’. There is a possibility of reacting like that.

And, Yoon-woo remembered Hye-eun’s words to go with Hye-rim to pick a gift.

Yoon-woo had thought that he was someone he didn’t care about except for Hye-eun, but he was still concerned about the reactions of others.

Come to think of it, if Hye-rim curses me and if I’m isolated, Hye-eun will definitely lend her hand to me

Then, I will have more time to spend with Hye-eun, so it is a rather advantageous situation for me.

But at the same time, if I fear that my relationship will be cut off with Hye-rim and go to the shopping mall on the weekend with her, then my thoughts that only Hye-eun is important to me will contradict with this behavior.

If I think about it rationally, yes.The first choice is right. However, my heart always seems like a 5 years old child.

I can’t figure out what the hell is right and what is wrong.

Even if the reason in my head tries hard to persuade with appropriate logical words, I cannot understand it.

The first choice is definitely the right one, but the fear of receiving contempt from Hye-rim is making me tremble with fear.

I cannot help it. Before my mind can control my emotions, I have no choice but to spit out the words I thought of carefully…

With that thought in the end, Yoon-woo opened his mouth.

“You know, Hye-rim, let’s not do that… ”

“Huh? Don’t do that? Why? Do you have any plans for the weekend?”

“No, because there is a ‘UST’ store near my house I wondered if you want to go there. ”

“Uh?…Are you, perhaps, talking about the accessories store?”

“Hmm.”

“…So, what are you trying to give? Maybe a ring or a necklace or… something like that?”

“Anything that you like.”

“Um… Then, do you want me to wear something like that? Like a ring or a bracelet…”

Yoon-woo had no thoughts about that.
Because Hye-rim will be pretty no matter what she wears and what she does.

Maybe even if Hye-rim puts a tack in her ear or wears her apartment’s bathroom key on her wrist, people will think of it as a fashion.

And, Yoon-woo thought of an accessory store because it was the only place that came to mind quickly and also easy for prices and things to arrange.

“Me? I… … Well… … . It’s more important whether you want to wear it or not than what I think.”

“No, this is also important. So, tell me. Do you think it would be better for me to wear an accessory?”

“Uh… … . Well…. I don’t know… … .”

“What! Why is your answer like that? Weren’t you going to give me an accessory gift?”

“That… … . I think it will suit you no matter what the thing is. Even if you go without wearing anything like now, you’ll be pretty. So, shouldn’t you just care about what you like?”

“Uh… … . Am I pretty? Do I look pretty in Yoon-woo’s eyes?”

I don’t know why she is asking this.

Even if she did not receive confirmation from him again, she would have lived her life receiving all kinds of praise from people, but it seems like she wants to hear praise from him.

“Yes, you’re pretty. ”

“I… … . I just wanted to know if i somehow look ugly in Yoon-woo’s eyes “

“No way.”

“… …Then, why don’t you tell me that sooner? ”

“Uh… … . didn’t I say last time at the restaurant… … .”

I’m sure you’ve only said, ‘Which man in the world hates you?’.

“You only spoke vaguely with ambiguous words! You never said that I was pretty!”

“Ah… … . I’m sorry. It’s hard to say… … .”

Compliments are not always good.

Sometimes it can be a flirtation from a boy disguised as a compliment, or a sexual harassment to a girl.

‘Hye-rim. You are so pretty.’ Will she think it’s a compliment?, or will she think it’s sexual harassment?

You have to be really careful about complimenting someone’s appearance.

In high school textbooks, there was a scene in which the parents from old times were suspicious of the suitor’s family to their daughter since they have been flattering them. So, they even mock them by saying ‘People should not be praised for their virtues’.

Even if the times are different from back then, there may be some people who do not want to receive compliments from anyone.

And, there is a set of people who want to praise you and the one who wants to be praised.

But, Yoon-woo, who could not understand it, always kept his mouth shut.

If I just stay quiet, I won’t have to praise anyone and no one will praise me either.

“Well…based on your personality… … . Never mind. Don’t worry about it. We can go after my class, that’s okay, right? So, where is it? I guess I didn’t see it before?”

“It’s near the Anam Five way intersection, not far from my dorm.You can wait in front of my room after your class. ”

“Okay, then I’ll go to your room after the class.”

“Okay.”

Done. Everything worked out.

I can liquidate all debts with Hye-rim after a few hours.

Yoon-woo was so relieved that he even said goodbye to Hye-rim when they parted at crossroads.

However, because there is a reliable lifeline called Hye-eun, Yoon-woo was vigilant again.

I forgot for a moment that things in the world don’t always go the way I want.

Especially when I met Hye-rim, things never went the way I thought they would.

Yoon-woo came home and studied the lessons with a relaxed and cautious mind, but at 10:22, he received a call from Hye-rim and left the house.

The ‘UST’ store wasn’t too far away.

If Hye-rim just picks up quickly or if the store has Hye-rim’s favorite which will also catch her eyes, can’t I return to my own room within 20 minutes?

Yoon-woo thought so.

It was only after he entered the store that he realized that he thought too easily.

For some reason, Hye-rim didn’t even think about looking at the products and stood still.

“… Hyerim? Don’t you choose?”

“Huh. I won’t choose.”

“Uh? … … why? Are the accessories too bad?”

“No, not that… … . I wish Yoon-woo would pick it for me. I want to go with what you chose.”

“But, I don’t have eyes like this… … .”

“It’s okay. You were originally supposed to choose a gift for me, weren’t you?”

“But wouldn’t it be better for you to choose by yourself? Because you know better what suits you. And, if I pick something weird… … .”

“Is there anything weird here? Everything is pretty. And, earlier, didn’t you just say that I’d look good in anything?”

“No, it’s not that… … . Still, it would be better… … .”

“Don’t worry, I will wear whatever you choose. Think about it yourself and choose.”

“…Do I really have to do that? My eyes are really… … .”

“Don’t talk, hurry up.”

When did his words work with Hye-rim?

There’s no point in saying that anymore.

I have no choice but to follow Hye-rim’s words.

‘Is she gonna wear the thing that I picked?’

It was incredibly burdensome. He felt the same pressure as when he entered the entrance exam hall and turned the first page of his exam paper for the first subject.

If Hye-rim, who won’t dress up and wear casual clothes someday, wears this accessory that I’ve chosen for her, someone will definitely ask.

‘Oh, Hye-rim? What is that?’

Then Hye-rim will answer her.

‘This was a gift from a boy named Lee Yoon-woo… … .’

However, the continuation of the conversation will be completely different depending on what Yoon-woo is choosing now.

‘Oh, Hyerim? What is that? Why are you wearing that? It doesn’t suit you at all… … .’

‘Yeah, isn’t it funny? This was given to me by a kid named Yoon-woo Lee. But, he’s fun, so I’m going to try and play with him for a while.’

‘Wow, he’s a really weird guy… … .’

This exam is too difficult, and there are too many options here.

It seemed difficult to choose one category among watches, necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets.

And, there were too many items in one category. You can exclude rings because they can give misunderstandings and also watches because they are too expensive.

So, what is the correct answer?

Yoon-woo looked around the store slowly and realized that this store is also holding another animation collaboration event.

I don’t know what cartoon it is, but there was a girl in a loose dress holding a magic wand.

It looked like an anime for girls.

How the heck did the accessory store have that animation collaboration?

Do college girls wear earrings or watches with that character on them?

Yoon-woo, thinking that he had to solve the question while he was here, approached the collaboration product display stand.

I have to look around anyway, but as time goes on, Hyerim may say, ‘Oh, I’m tired. Don’t choose anymore.’ There was another expectation that she might say, ‘I’ll just choose.’

However, contrary to Yoon-woo’s thoughts, the collaboration product was not an accessory with an animated character, nor was it a product for children.

It just borrowed the design and color that became the motif of the animation.

For those who know anime, let them remember the anime, and for those who don’t, make it look like a pretty ornament.

Among them, what caught Yoon-woo’s eyes was a small ring-shaped earring.

In the center of the ring, a large purple flower shape is embedded, and small colorful cubes are tightly surrounded around it, like a crown made of flowers.

‘Wow, that’s pretty. So, the collaboration was like this… … .’

It’s strange that it borrowed the animation design, but the earrings are pretty. By immersing in it for a long time, Yoon-woo forgot to choose Hye-rim’s gift.

Yoon-woo has a hobby to combine these small things to make a harmonious one.

So, he was excited in his elementary school art class when he made paper toys and crafts with colored paper.

After finishing the laundry, always folding the laundry meticulously and tidying it up in the closet was an act that reflected his taste.

“Have you found, Yoon-woo? Why do you keep looking at it? Do you think it would suit me?”

“Uh, huh? no?”

“Huh? No? Then, do you think this doesn’t suit me? You said earlier that anything would suit me… … . Then why were you just looking at this?!”

Hye-rim said in a sad tone.

Instead of pretending to be playful like before, it seemed like she was really upset.

However, it was impossible to say that I was looking around to pass the time and forgot to choose a present and was looking at it because I was curious.

Yoon-woo hesitated, thinking about what to say.

“Ah, no, it’s not that I don’t think that it doesn’t… … .…Ah… Hyerim has a more sophisticated and mature image, right? Therefore… … .”

“Uh? What? Do I look like that to Yoon-woo?”

“Sorry. It’s not that I’m talking about looks… … .”

“No! You don’t have to be sorry… … . To Yoon-woo, I look like an adult and have a sophisticated image. … right? Anyway, so?”

“So… … . I thought Hye-rim would suit with neat and clean accessories like that rather than the thing with so many decorations.”

Yoon-woo said while pointing to the horseshoe-shaped earrings that had just caught his eye.

The neat silver color and the monotonous design without decoration seemed to go well with Hye-rim’s image.

“Is that so? So, are you going to buy that for me?”

“Uh? No, I won’t… … .”

“What’s wrong? Is there anything better than this?”

“It’s just too cheap. The accessory should be at least 50,000 won. … .”

Compared to the debt he owed Hyerim, the horseshoe earrings were too cheap.

It only had a price of 20,000 won.

“You… … . Didn’t I tell you not to count the things that I bought for you like that? You think this suits me, right?”

“Yeah, it really suits you. Still, it’s too cheap… … . Oh, how about buying two with similar designs?”

“No, it’s okay. One is all I need. Do I look like I don’t know the hard work that Yoon-woo has to do while choosing? With that, the tour is over!”

“Then, one more necklace or bracelet… … .”

However, Hye-rim immediately called the clerk to prevent Yoon-woo from continuing to speak.

“Sir, I’ll do it with this. Come on, Yoon-woo, calculate it.”

“… …Huh.”

In the end, Yoon-woo’s choice was a failure.

Because he has 30,000 won left in debt.

He casually looked it up while looking at other things, so it was embarrassing to hear that it was hard work.

Of course, I honestly thought that those earrings would suit Hye-rim, but… … .

Otherwise, if I continue to treat Hye-rim without paying debt completely, I will feel uncomfortable.

It was impossible to achieve my original purpose of cutting off the buds of trouble early.

It was a mistake. I should have looked at the price, not the design. Yoon-woo thought so and finished calculating the earrings, but in fact, there was one more mistake by Yoon-woo.

“Hey, could you give me an ear piercing?”

“Yes, of course, you can. But if you drill a new one, the hole can get clogged up quickly, so you have to keep wearing it for a while.”

“It’s okay. I will.”

“Uh?!”

Basically, if you want to give earrings as a gift, you have to look at the other person’s ears first.

It is important to consider whether the other person usually wears earrings, and if so, what type of earrings they prefer.

However, Yoon-woo accidentally recommended Hye-rim, who doesn’t even wear earrings, to wear earrings at will.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Hye-rim. I didn’t even think of that. Let’s change it to something else. Getting your ears pierced because of me… … .”

“It’s okay, Yoon-woo. I want to do that because I like these earrings, so don’t say anything more, okay?”

“… … .”

Did I really pay 20,000 won out of 50,000 won in debt?

Could it be that I have a new debt that is difficult to convert into money?

After leaving the store, seeing the silver horseshoe earrings shining among Hye-rim’s hair, Yoon-woo’s heart grew heavy.

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