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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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&tbsp;
Two days had passed since the trip.
While I’d been worried about Blue’s family situation after returning, her message that evening had reassured me that things were improving.
And today, while it was supposed to be duel day, the rain had forced a cancellation, and I stood outside, holding an umbrella, waiting.
To be honest, I was waiting for Blue.
She’d asked to meet, and I stood there, listening to the rhythmic patter of rain against my umbrella, unsure of her purpose.
“A!”
I turned my head at the voice and saw Blue, dressed in her usual simple t-shirt and long skirt, walking towards me, holding an umbrella.
“Don’t run.”
Seeing her hurrying, I gestured for her to slow down, worried she might slip on the wet pavement, and she, seeming to realize her carelessness, slowed her pace.
“Hello. Did you wait long?”
“I just got here. What’s up?”
While we’d become more comfortable with each other after the trip, I didn’t know her well enough to understand her intentions.
If it was about her family situation, there wasn’t much I could do, and she wasn’t the type to ask for help with personal matters. Seeing her stand before me, looking up at me expectantly, I wondered why she’d called.
“I’m planning to look at some apartments.”
“Apartments?”
I knew she was planning to move out. She’d told me about the savings account her brother had given her and that she’d be looking for a place, but I hadn’t expected her to ask for my help.
“Yes. I don’t know much about these things, and you were the only person I could think of.”
I wasn’t an expert on real estate either. I’d lived in less than three different places in my 20 years in Korea.
My current studio apartment was the place I’d lived in the longest.
While I didn’t know much about finding apartments, two sets of eyes were better than one, so I agreed to help her.
I couldn’t refuse either. It would be strange to come all the way out here and then go home without doing anything.
“Okay. Have you found any places?”
“I have a few in mind, but I’m only planning to visit two today.”
It seemed like she just wanted me to accompany her and offer some advice. While I doubted my advice would be particularly helpful,
I still searched online for tips on choosing an apartment as we walked.
I’d been looking down at my phone, and Blue, perhaps worried I’d trip, took my arm.
“?”
I looked at her, surprised by the gentle touch on my arm, and she spoke in a slightly scolding tone, like an adult admonishing a child.
“You shouldn’t look at your phone while walking.”
“Ah, sorry. I was just looking something up.”
“Is it important?”
She seemed worried she was interrupting my work.
“I was looking up information on apartments. I don’t know much about them either, so I figured it would be good to learn more.”
“Ah.” Blue nodded, seemingly understanding.
“Can I look, too?”
“Sure.”
We shared my earphones and, since holding two umbrellas was inconvenient, shared one as we walked, watching videos about apartment hunting.
“They say newer buildings often hide leaks and other problems.”
We discussed the information from the videos, confirming our understanding, and I recalled my limited experience with moving.
“You should also check the water pressure in the bathroom. It’s a real inconvenience if the water pressure is low.”
She nodded, her eyes wide, as if learning something new.
We were getting closer to the apartments Blue had found.
“It should be around here.”
While I’d lived in Seoul for a long time, this was a new neighborhood for me, lined with numerous studio apartment buildings.
“What’s your budget?”
“Let me see.”
Blue took out her phone, opened her banking app, and showed me her balance, and I nodded, impressed by the amount her brother had saved for her over the past 10 years.
“Will that be enough for the deposit and moving expenses?”
“It might be a little tight, but I’ll figure it out.”
She was optimistic, to put it nicely, or perhaps overly optimistic.
But I didn’t judge her. Seeing her positive attitude, I didn’t want to dampen her spirits with negativity.
We arrived at the first apartment Blue had chosen.
It was an officetel, slightly larger than my studio apartment, with two rooms. It was spacious and clean, but you couldn’t choose an apartment just because it looked nice.
“What do you think of the master bedroom size?”
“It’s decent.”
The real estate agent followed us around as we looked at the apartment.
It was clean and new.
“The distance to the supermarket is also reasonable.”
“It’s a good size for a single person, but it might be a bit cramped for a couple.”
Blue and I turned around at the agent’s comment. Seeing a man and a woman looking at an apartment together, it was understandable for him to assume we were a couple.
“Oh, no, we’re not a couple. We’re…”
Blue trailed off, trying to explain our relationship.
It was a complicated relationship.
We’d met as guardians of kindergarteners, but that wasn’t relevant anymore, and while we were friends, we weren’t that close.
But we weren’t just casual acquaintances either, having gone on a trip together and shared personal stories…
It was difficult to define.
“Not married yet?”
The agent, seeing Blue hesitate, seemed to have misunderstood us as an engaged couple. I couldn’t think of a good explanation either.
While we didn’t have to explain ourselves, it felt awkward to just let it go.
“Yes, not yet.”
I decided to just let him misunderstand.
Blue looked at me, surprised, and I winked apologetically.
We left the apartment, the air between us slightly awkward.
“There wasn’t a good way to explain…”
“I know, but I didn’t expect you to actually agree…”
I felt bad for putting her in that situation, and she blushed, remembering the awkwardness.
“What did you think of the apartment?”
“It’s a decent size for a single person, but I didn’t really like it.”
Even with beautiful, well-designed apartments, there was a moment of clarity, a feeling of “this is it.”
And usually, those apartments were expensive.
“Let’s look at a few more places. We have time, and looking doesn’t cost anything.”
“Can we look at a few more then?”
She’d probably only chosen two places because she didn’t want to impose on me. While looking at apartments didn’t cost money, it was still tiring.
While I couldn’t tell her, I also had enhanced physical abilities, far beyond that of ordinary Earthlings. I had plenty of time today, since there was no duel, so I decided to help her as much as I could.
“Sure, let’s even look at places that are over budget.”
My joking suggestion made her smile, and we walked towards the next apartment, sharing an umbrella.
We saw several more places, and a few seemed decent.
At some point, I started looking at the apartments from a resident’s perspective and even considered moving myself.
And with a man and a woman of similar age looking at apartments together, most agents assumed we were newlyweds or an engaged couple. While I’d initially just gone along with it, Blue, perhaps tired of explaining, eventually started playing along as well.
And surprisingly, we learned each other’s age for the first time.
“We’re not that far apart in age.”
While my age was just a number I’d chosen for my Earth identity, judging by Yu-bin and Yu-ra’s reactions, I seemed to look the part.
My Earth age was 25, and Blue was 28. I was a little surprised; she looked much younger. While 28 wasn’t old, there were people who looked younger than their age.
Blue, who’d also assumed I was in my early twenties, seemed surprised by the small age gap.
“You can speak comfortably since I’m older.”
“No, I couldn’t…”
She seemed more comfortable with formal language, and I couldn’t imagine her speaking informally, especially after knowing her for only ten days.
If she’d intended to speak informally, she would have asked my age and confirmed our seniority earlier.
“Should I call you ‘noona’ then?”
The word “noona” felt unfamiliar. The older women I’d known weren’t the type you’d call “noona.” Not because they were too old, but because they were my superiors.
Esmeralda, Team Leader 1, Angelica, Team Leader 2… I hadn’t really had any other relationships with older women. There had been a few, but not the kind you’d call “noona.”
“You can call me whatever you like. Just speak comfortably.”
We both encouraged each other to drop the formalities, but comfortable with the current dynamic, we decided to maintain the status quo for now.
After looking at several apartments, it was almost evening.
While I couldn’t see the sunset because of the dark clouds, the dimming light was noticeable.
“Is that the last apartment?”
“There’s one more, but…”
“But?”
I didn’t miss her hesitation, and she continued,
“It’s over budget.”
“…Let’s go see it. Looking doesn’t cost anything.”
I’d jokingly suggested looking at places over budget, and she’d actually found one. While she probably hadn’t intended to visit it, she seemed to have changed her mind.
So, we went to see the apartment. It was on the top floor of a high-rise building, spacious, with high ceilings. The design was modern, the colors pleasing, and the view spectacular. I understood why she’d chosen it, despite being over budget.
“How much is this one?”
She whispered the price, perhaps embarrassed to admit she couldn’t afford it in front of the agent.
It was definitely beyond her budget.
“I just wanted to see what kind of place I could live in if money wasn’t an issue, so it’s okay.”
While she clearly liked it, she seemed to be trying to manage her expectations. Even I, with my limited knowledge of real estate, could tell it was a great apartment.
If I were to buy a place like this…
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
I remembered a conversation I’d had with Ruche about two months ago, when Yu-bin and I had just started dating.
I smiled, stopped Blue, who was about to leave, and whispered in her ear,
“You might actually be able to afford this place.”
“Huh?”
Blue stared at me, puzzled, not understanding what I meant.
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