Chapter 10: Café Confrontation

“I’ll pay for the drinks.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. Let me—”

“You said you don’t have money, right?”

Yoo Ji-eun smiled as she took out her card from her wallet.

Following her suggestion, I decided to talk with her at the café. As her name suggests, her in-game nickname was ‘Yoo Ji-eun Ji-eun Ji-eun Ji-yu.’

Indeed, it was true that I had crossed the line when I was on my period.

I found myself resenting the heavens for suddenly turning me into a woman once again.

I stared blankly at her.

She looked to be in the 160 cm range.

Even she was a few centimeters taller than me.

That fact made me feel a bit small.

There was no one I could look down upon now.

“Is an Americano okay with you?”

Yoo Ji-eun had a warm and gentle voice, just as her sweet in-game chats suggested.

“Oh, yes.”

I nodded repeatedly to avoid leaving a bad impression.

…

Honestly, I didn’t like bitter drinks.

This tendency had become even stronger since I had become this body.

I couldn’t even drink the canned coffee I used to enjoy for caffeine anymore, and now I had switched to energy drinks.

But I knew I had no choice in the matter.

“I really love it…”

“Got it. I’ll place the order.”

“Oh, I—”

“It’s fine.”

I tried to insist on paying again, but Yoo Ji-eun’s rejection felt firm, contrasting her gentle appearance, so I could only watch her walk to the order counter.

She returned shortly after completing the payment.

“Okay, the order is done, so let’s sit.”

Yoo Ji-eun said as she pointed to a single table tucked away in a corner, with chairs placed in front and back.

“Oh, yes!”

I replied and hurried over to pull out the chair for her, forcing a smile.

“Please, sit down. Hehe…”

I had to win her favor somehow.

“Oh my, thank you. You didn’t have to do this.”

Yoo Ji-eun giggled while covering her mouth for a moment, then sat down in the chair I had pulled out for her.

Only then did I take my seat across from her.

“Um, what did you say your name was? Moon Hyun?”

“41, 41.”

“Just to confirm, is this really you?”

“What do you mean…?”

Is it really me?

At those words, Yoo Ji-eun said with a serious expression.

“Please tell me you’re not here because someone threatened you or anything like that…”

“… No.”

“Honestly, you can tell me. If this is about bullying or threats among students, I can help you.”

Yoo Ji-eun seemed to think I was here at someone’s request or under threat.

Well, she probably couldn’t imagine that someone who wrote such chats would look like me.

But I wasn’t a student.

No, I did this myself…”

I said with my head down.

“Huh…”

Yoo Ji-eun stared blankly at my face. Her slightly droopy eyes were fixed on me. I felt my shoulders shrink a bit.

I could understand how someone might faint in surprise if the person who had been harassing them turned out to be a woman.

Yoo Ji-eun looked at me and suddenly made a sad expression.

“I’m hurt.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“I was just spinning with a friend I’ve known for a long time, and now they’re talking about a threesome and wanting to join in.”

“Y-yes… I’m sorry. But could you lower your voice a bit—”

“What? You say you like it? You say it’s big there too?”

“Please…”

The sexual words echoed particularly loudly.

I wondered if everyone inside the café could hear it.

Does this person have no shame?

Hearing those words from someone else made me incredibly embarrassed.

As they ignored my request to tone it down and continued speaking, I found my head lowering, my ears and cheeks burning.

Yoo Ji-eun covered her mouth slightly, falling silent for a moment.

A brief silence hung in the air.

Then, Yoo Ji-eun looked at me with a sorrowful expression and said, “I really got hurt, and I mustered up the courage to file a complaint.”

“I’m sorry… I’m truly reflecting on my actions…”

“Well, I appreciate that. But, Moon Hyun?”

“Yes…”

“You’re quite famous on Bell, aren’t you?”

They wouldn’t know I’m a streamer. It’s probably just talk within the Bell community.

I have a reputation for being a troublemaker.

“Especially the bad side…”

“Yes, I used to meet you often too. Since we’re in the same tier.”

Yoo Ji-eun said this while smiling.

Her laughter was also quite gentle.

I felt like I’d heard that voice before.

Thinking back, there were other female streamers besides me.

While laughing, she suddenly seemed to recall something and spoke up.

“But why did you lie?”

“Huh?”

“You said you were blonde, had tattoos… and all that. You said it like that.”

“Well, that…”

It was true back in the day, but now I’m a woman, so…

I couldn’t say that.

Unless I planned to get a reduced sentence by claiming to be mentally ill, I shouldn’t say such things.

“Uh, um…”

“Yes?”

“I wanted to seem more… masculine…”

As I spoke, my shoulders shrank gradually.

Since becoming this body, I often find myself shrinking back in reality when asserting myself.

Can I say that I lack confidence in my words?

When I was a man, I could at least engage in normal conversations.

It feels as though the fear that I’m weaker than my opponents is instilled in me, just like when I was overpowered by the staff or Song Chae-hyun.

Yoo Ji-eun listened to my words, seeming momentarily taken aback before covering her mouth.

“Why are you acting like that?”

“Nothing.”

Yoo Ji-eun replied and closed her mouth with a smile.

At that moment, the buzzer rang.

“Wait a moment, I’ll go get the drinks.”

“Oh, I…”

But this time too, Yoo Ji-eun showed her palm at an angle with a smile in front of me.

Once again, I had no choice but to sit quietly.

But…

Is it really okay to just sit here like this?

Isn’t this a big deal?

Slowly, a sense of crisis began to creep in.

Until now, I hadn’t left her with a good impression or shown that I was reflecting on my actions.

I nervously chewed on my over-bitten nails.

I shouldn’t be doing this…

The time to score points was rapidly running out.

32,000 won.

At least 500,000 won.

…

My head goes completely blank.

Should I just go after her and help carry the drinks?

No. That would be weird.

She told me to sit, so if I force myself to follow her, it would be a reason for deduction.

How long will I have the chance to gain her favor?

It’s not a blind date, and we won’t be going anywhere else; it’ll just be drinks before it ends.

I don’t even know why I came to drink in the first place.

…

I can’t help it.

I’ll just do it.

Somehow, I need to show that I’m reflecting on my actions.

Right now, I’m just receiving everything, aren’t I?

Taking a deep breath, I looked far away at Yoo Ji-eun coming back with the drinks.

I stood up.

Trying to calm my slightly rough breathing, I focused on her.

Yoo Ji-eun seemed surprised that I suddenly stood up and spoke.

“Here, this is your Americano. But why are you standing? Are you going to the bathroom—”

Without letting her finish her sentence, I knelt down.

I bent forward, forming a triangle with my forehead and palms.

I spoke loudly enough to echo in the café.

“Yoo Ji-eun…! Please show mercy!”

“Why are you doing this, Moon Hyun?”

Yoo Ji-eun’s voice was filled with confusion.

Damn… This is humiliating.

But it’s not the time to care about shame.

No agreement means jail time! No compromise means jail time…!

Please!

“I have no money…! I really have only one penny in my account… I truly can’t pay the fine…!”

The murmurs and gazes of those around us began to intensify.

My stomach churned slightly, and my face flushed red.

Was it the pressure of bending down or the embarrassment?

I stayed silent, hoping to hear a reply from above, but there was only silence.

So, I decided to continue with the words I had prepared.

“I won’t do something like that again, so please let me off…”

Still, I couldn’t hear her voice.

Was this a wrong choice to make?

With the rising shame, tears began to well up.

You crybaby…

I tried to continue speaking with a trembling voice.

What should I say?

What should I say to feel the most sincerity?

Hoping for even the slightest positive reaction from her, I carefully chose my words.

“Please, I’ll do anything…”

“Oh?”

Finally!

I managed to evoke some kind of reaction.

“Hmm…”

Yoo Ji-eun repeated one of my phrases.

“Anything?”

“Y-yes… Anything except for paying… Please…”

“Hmm…”

She made a sound, seemingly deep in thought.

Is this good? Please.

Seeing her ponder something made it feel like the situation had improved a bit.

“First, please stand up.”

“Please… Just let me off…”

“I understand, so please sit back down.”

I stood up at her words. It felt like her words had a magical force that compelled me to act.

Yoo Ji-eun looked at my face, startled, and said, “Oh? Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know…”

I mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

Yoo Ji-eun watched this, briefly covered her mouth, then took out a tissue from her handbag and handed it to me.

“It hurts my heart to see you like this. Don’t cry.”

“Thank you…”

I quickly took the tissue and wiped my face.

What’s the reason she’s treating me so well after I said such harsh things?

I felt a bit of gratitude.

“I’ve decided what we should do.”

At her words, my heartbeat quickened.

Her next words and actions would determine my fate.

I swallowed hard.

“… Yes.”

“For now, I’ll delay whether to report it to the police.”

“Then…!”

A glimmer of hope shone on my tear-streaked face.

“Oh, I’m not saying I won’t proceed. I’ll decide based on what you do, Moon Hyun.”

“Oh, yes…”

What does Yoo Ji-eun want?

My rehabilitation?

Does she want to spend her time on something like that?

At least it’s not something I need to worry about right now.

I’m just grateful for the grace period she’s given me.

“Since you’re hurting others, I’ll have to discipline you, so please call that number now. I need to know your phone number too.”

“Ah, yes…”

I nodded as I spoke.

Watching her smile, Yoo Ji-eun suddenly exclaimed, raising her finger.

“By the way, if you don’t answer in a timely manner, I’ll proceed with the lawsuit again.”

“Eek…”

…

I just realized the reason I can’t speak properly.

Of course, her being taller than me plays a part, but the biggest reason is…

This person is intimidating.

A typical person whose energy is strong, regardless of their appearance.

She smiles gently, but if I were to stand up to her, I feel like I’d be crushed to pieces.

“I have an appointment now, so I’ll be going. Please understand that this meeting was arranged on short notice.”

“I’m sorry, but…”

“Oh, yes, it’s okay. Please be careful on your way back.”

She discarded her drink, having only taken a sip, and walked outside.

At that moment, I felt her gaze scanning me.

The corners of her eyes curved even more.

I paused for a moment, reflecting on the unsettling feeling of that gaze.

It felt familiar.

That gaze from just now.

And now, there’s something strange about it that I’ve started to notice recently.

An uncomfortable sensation.

The convenience store clerk, passing men.

The old man next door?

Why do I feel that kind of gaze from Yoo Ji-eun?

No, it can’t be.

She’s a woman.

It must just be a simple misunderstanding.

One shouldn’t blindly trust their instincts and senses. That’s an important piece of advice.

After a little while, when the strength returned to my legs, I stepped outside.

For some reason, I felt like I had just been released from prison.