NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
The plan to grab a cup of coffee has changed slightly, and it was decided that we would have lunch together.
I also skipped lunch before my meeting because I was a bit nervous, and Seo-ha noona hadn’t eaten either, thinking she would eat with a friend.
“This place looks pretty fancy.”
“I come here sometimes when I have business nearby. It’s nice, right?”
The Italian restaurant we visited was clearly not an ordinary eatery, as the entrance seemed to scream, “We’re expensive here.”
But since I’ve been making decent money lately and there aren’t any major expenses, I thought I should treat noona to a proper meal regardless of the cost, so I followed her in.
Once we found a suitable spot and sat down, the waiter brought us water and the menu, and we quickly finished our order.
“By the way, how was the meeting?”
“It went well. They viewed me more positively than I expected.”
As I gulped down a glass of cold water, noona propped her chin on her crossed hands and asked with a faint smile, making me return her smile in response.
Her lips curved into a more pronounced smile as she brushed her chest, seeming to reveal her inner worries about my meeting.
“Really? That’s a relief. I was worried that there wouldn’t be anyone with good judgment…”
“…Huh?”
Good judgment?
Startled by her suddenly elevated tone, I let out a confused noise, and realizing her slip, noona hurriedly corrected herself.
“Oh, no. I was just worried they might not recognize Mr. Cosmo’s talents.”
“Talent? I’m not really all that special.”
I was grateful that noona defended me as a fan, but it was also a bit embarrassing. I’d never thought of myself as someone deserving special treatment.
“Honestly, I think you’re pretty special. So don’t say stuff like that anymore, okay?”
“Got it, I’ll be careful with my words from now on.”
“Good to hear, good to hear.”
Noona pouted slightly, looking a tad annoyed, but she quickly returned to her usual self. This was a new side of her that I found quite refreshing.
When I first saw her, I just thought she was a calm and mature-looking pretty noona, but apparently, she has many different facets. It’s true you only get to know someone’s true character the longer you know them.
In the midst of all this, I felt a warmth in my chest, realizing that she really cherishes me. It might be hard to find another fan like her in my life.
“Oh, by the way, haven’t you heard anything about the partnership contract? I’ve seen other streamers mention it in their broadcasts…”
“Actually, I was surprised about that. I didn’t expect to receive a partnership contract offer.”
Not many people talk about partnership contracts in their broadcasts. Usually, it’s only the big-name corporate streamers.
I was first shocked to receive such an offer and then surprised again when they mentioned specific expectations about me. I never thought someone would take note of an insignificant streamer like me.
“Really? I thought for sure Mr. Cosmo would definitely get it.”
“Me?”
But noona had a completely opposite perspective, showing a reaction that indicated she wasn’t surprised at all and smiling contentedly.
Her words caught me off guard, and I stared wide-eyed at myself, while noona nodded as if to say, “What’s so obvious about it?”
“Of course. You’re my favorite streamer, after all.”
“…Isn’t that a bit biased?”
“So what if it is? I think you’re great.”
This noona has quite the audacity, doesn’t she?
She knew I didn’t mean to imply anything by asking, but she casually shrugged, as if she naturally expected I could snag a partnership contract since I’m her favorite.
I would gladly raise both my hands and feet in surrender.
“Your order has arrived.”
“Ah, thank you.”
As we were laughing and chatting, our food was soon served at the table.
We ordered linguine pasta and aglio e olio for each of us, along with ravioli topped with tomato sauce to share.
Ravioli is like Italian dumplings, and my first experience with them was last year when noona visited Korea. They were quite tasty.
“If I hadn’t brought a car, I would have paired this with some wine, but it’s a shame. You can drink without worrying about me, though…”
“No way, if you’re not drinking, how can I drink alone? We’ll have the opportunity next time.”
Drinking alone with a girl was a bit of a challenge for me, so I mentioned it casually.
But then, noona’s eyes sparkled and she looked at me as if she were ready to pounce, saying,
“Really?”
“Huh?”
“You said we’d have the chance to drink together next time. You weren’t just saying that out of politeness, were you?”
Her piercing gaze made me nervous, so I reflexively looked away.
Honestly, I had casually said it like, “Let’s have a meal sometime,” but I didn’t expect her to leap at the chance.
If it had just been a meal, I might have been genuine about it. But alcohol is different, you know? Especially since we’re not even close friends.
Truthfully, I’ve never had a meal alone with a girl before today, excluding noona and mom, of course.
“Uh… then, sure.”
However, realizing how that could completely change the atmosphere, I nodded vigorously instead.
“Ah good… then that’s a relief.”
Noona’s fierce stare finally softened into a satisfied smile, and she started eating.
Whoa, that was nerve-wracking.
I never thought Seo-ha noona would be such a hidden drinker! I had no idea she’d be so excited about the idea of wine. She might belong to a different species than me, who can’t handle alcohol.
“This food is great, right? The chef is originally from Italy.”
“Oh, really? That explains why it tastes different from other Italian restaurants.”
I’m no food critic, so I couldn’t precisely say what was different, but there was indeed a distinct flavor, and hearing this gave some clarity.
It’s an authentic restaurant run by locals, got it.
“Right? That’s why I like it. It tastes similar to what I had in Italy.”
“You’ve traveled abroad a lot, huh?”
“Yeah? Oh, um, kind of. I’ve taken a few trips like others do.”
Noona responded almost defensively, as if slightly flustered.
Seeing her spin a cute denial made me a bit envious of her boyfriend.
I haven’t heard anything about her having one, but considering she’s such an attractive person, it’s safe to assume there has to be someone keeping an eye on her.
“By the way, Mr. Cosmo, you eat quite well. Should we order more? There are so many other dishes…”
“No, I’m fine. I’m already pretty full.”
It was only because of the nerves of eating with a girl that I gulped my food down hastily, so there was no more room left. Besides, the portion was bigger than I had expected.
“Pfft…”
“Huh? What’s so funny, noona?”
As I stuffed the last ravioli in my mouth and chewed, noona suddenly burst out laughing.
I wondered if something amusing had caught her eye, so I asked, intending to join her laughter, only to see her reach for a napkin and lean closer to me.
Wait, what?
Shh. Shh.
“Was it that delicious? You’ve even got sauce all over your face…”
My mind went blank as I suddenly saw noona’s face right in front of mine.
With a tender smile, like a mother seeing her mischievous child, Seo-ha noona wiped the sauce from the corner of my mouth, and my face instantly heated up.
“Well, I guess it’s tasty. I mean, you recommended this place.”
“Glad to hear that. I was worried it might not suit your taste…”
“Alright, we’ve finished our meal, so shall we get going?” Noona stood up first, gathering her bag and heading towards the counter.
I reached for my wallet from my pocket, but before I could even pull it out, noona shot me a look and gently pushed my arm away.
“Ah, remember? I said I’d treat you today.”
“But I already had coffee from you not long ago, so it’s not fair.”
“You already paid that debt off, remember? So I’ll cover this one.”
She showed me her phone with my number saved, smiling sweetly as she gently refused my offer and took out her card.
Oh, this is not right. I mean, come on, there’s got to be some decency here. How could I let her treat me twice?
“Um, noona. Can’t you just let me pay this time…?”
Since we were just about to settle the bill, I hesitantly resisted while offering my card, but Seo-ha noona tapped her chin with a finger, uttering a teasing, “Hmm.”
That exaggerated gesture felt like she was asking, “What will you do?”
“How about this…?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Startled by her sudden close proximity, I instinctively took a step back, questioning her.
Meanwhile, Seo-ha noona, with her hands behind her back, chuckled softly, then received the receipt for the payment, her sweet voice chiming,
“Since it’s unfortunate to part ways now, just buy me a cup of coffee. At the place you like, of course.”
I wondered if she had planned this all along with such flawless buildup.
All I could do was nod, completely at a loss for words.
“Hehe.”
Looking at me with a satisfied smile, noona gracefully exited the restaurant.