The Worst Date in History

“We’ll look around inside the building in the morning.
In the afternoon, we’ll go outside.”

After that brief explanation, Lee Jaehun immediately took Garum to a brunch café on the first floor.

“It’s a space for employees.”

He probably chose this place because it was crowded.

People enjoying their morning tea glanced at them with meaningful eyes.

“So even the Guild Leader has a lover now?”

That was the overall vibe.

That’s NOT true!

Garum wanted to scream it, but he was powerless.

He sat quietly and drank the tea Jaehun ordered.

It was bitter yet sweet.

Later, Garum learned that the tea was expensive, the kind only wealthy people usually drank.

Haechi Guild offered it cheaply to its staff.

Jaehun even bought him pancakes.

Flour-based desserts were extremely pricey.

And incredibly delicious.

Garum fell in love with the sweetness, moving his fork nonstop.

He could eat this every day.

“Come to think of it… am I registered as an employee here?”

He asked while chewing.

Mainly because he wanted a salary.

He heard Park Deokpal and Kang Jungbae were getting paid, so he wondered if he was too.

“That’s not the case.”

“I see…”

Garum instantly deflated.

“Do you need money?”

“Well… having it would be nice?”

After the world changed, regular currency lost most of its value.

Gold—dropped by monsters inside the Tower—became the main currency.

Silver coins were created as the lower-tier currency for non-awakened citizens.

That meant the gold Garum had earned selling carrots was actually absurdly valuable.

“Then I’ll give you money.”

“…What?”

“You question everything I say.
We’re lovers.
Sharing wealth is normal.”

“…Is it?”

“If you need money, tell me.
I’ll give it.”

He definitely misunderstood what “lovers” do… but since he was offering money, Garum didn’t refuse.

After finishing every last bite of pancake and tea, Garum followed Jaehun around the building.

He met blacksmiths, visited the research lab, and saw people deeply engrossed in experiments he didn’t understand.

Before long, morning was over.

Lunch was in the cafeteria.

The menu was simple: meat and some sort of stew.

Despite being called “vegetable stew,” Garum couldn’t spot a single vegetable.

Probably dipped in briefly, then removed.

After eating, they really went outside.

Despite being tired from walking all morning, Garum felt excited.

He had never actually explored the city before.

“Where are we going now?”

“We will visit the crowded areas first.”

Judging by his confident tone, Jaehun must have been pretty well-known.

Rumors only spread if people recognized the person involved.

Well, he was a handsome ranker carrying a potted plant.

Hard not to notice.

There was one problem though.

Because he carried the plant with one arm, there was zero “couple-like” contact.

And Garum wasn’t going to initiate anything.

He hadn’t asked for any of this.

Would anyone even believe they’re lovers?

Probably not.

To others, they probably looked like a commander with his subordinate.

Their first stop outdoors was a department store.

Not as glamorous as old-world malls, but filled with lots of goods.

Lower floors for normal citizens, upper floors for awakened.

Jaehun started from the lower floors and moved up.

“There seems to be a problem.”

“What problem?”

“The way people look at us…
It’s not the gaze one gives a harmonious couple.”

When were we ever harmonious??

Garum narrowed his eyes at Jaehun.

They were clearly feeling different things walking side by side.

“We need to go further.”

Jaehun extended his free hand.

“Hold it.”

The tone was a command.

Garum made a pained face.

“Do I really have to hold it?”

“Is there a fake way to hold hands?”

“…No.”

After hesitating for a long moment, Garum placed his hand over Jaehun’s.

A large, rough, strong hand.

Garum considered himself someone who’d worked hard, but Jaehun’s hands were on another level.

He really lived through intense battles…

They walked through the upper floors holding hands.

The stares embarrassed Garum, but Jaehun was utterly calm.

He must not know the meaning of embarrassment.

And that wasn’t all.

Whenever Jaehun saw a nice-looking store, he went in and bought things.

“Here. A gift.”

“Thank you…”

All of them were expensive, so Garum didn’t refuse.

But then came a problem—payment.

“Shouldn’t we let go of hands while you pay?”

“No.”

“Then how will you pay?”

“My wallet is inside my jacket.”

A bad feeling crept in.

“So…?”

“It means the only one with a free hand is you.
No—‘my darling,’ you.”

Who says “darling” in that emotionless tone?!

Garum rubbed his face with his free hand.

“So you can take it out and pay.”

With one hand?!

Garum tried to persuade him otherwise, but Jaehun wouldn’t budge.

So Garum had to reach into his jacket.

Of all places, the wallet was deep inside the inner pocket.

Meaning he had to slide his hand across Jaehun’s firm chest.

His fingertips brushed against something round.

What’s this?

He poked it with his nail.

Jaehun looked down at him.

“That’s not the wallet.”

I KNOW THAT.

He was just curious.

Garum pouted, but then—

“I didn’t know you were so interested in my nipple.”

The employee standing in front of them widened their eyes.

“This is a misunderstanding!!”

Garum shouted.

The employee gave him a weird smile.

Not convinced at all.

“Customers, please save such physical affection for after payment.
This is a wholesome establishment.”

This was NOT affection!!!

Garum wanted to disappear.

“The wallet is on the left side of the jacket.”

Now he says!

Sniffling, Garum reached again, grabbed the wallet, and somehow managed to pay.

The strange stares eased immediately.

Money solved everything.

“Have a wonderful day!”

After leaving the store, Garum wildly shook his hand, trying to escape Jaehun’s grip.

Unfortunately, the employee mistook that gesture for a friendly wave and waved back.

“Why do we have to go this far?!”

Garum asked miserably.

“It keeps you safe.”

I’ll die of humiliation before danger kills me…

“I’m not doing this anymore.”

“You must.”

“This is weird!
No one’s going to believe we’re lovers just because we hold hands!”

Their behavior was too stiff.

While they argued, a familiar voice called out:

“Isn’t that Mr. Lee Jaehun?”

They turned.

Someone who had visited them before stood there.

What was his name again?

“What was your name again?”

For a moment, Garum thought he spoke his inner thoughts aloud.

But no—it was Jaehun who had said it.

“Choi Geon-woo.
I’d appreciate it if you remembered me by now.”

“Yes.
I remember.”

Good enough.

“It’s surprising to see you at a department store at this hour.”

“I’m on a date with my darling.”

Stop saying darling!!!

Garum covered his face with his free hand and leaned back.

But because his other hand was trapped, he couldn’t escape.

“Darling?
Ah, this is the person I saw last time.”

“We’re dating.”

“Congratulations.
You suit each other well.”

Do you really think that???
Your eyes aren’t smiling.

Garum wanted to crawl into a hole.

“Right, Seonyeong?”

Choi Geon-woo asked, and the woman behind him nodded.

“Yes, you two look good together.”

“I don’t think so.”

The short guy who had been there last time voiced disagreement, but was ignored by the flow of the conversation.

“Well then, we’ll be on our way.”

“Are you busy?”

“We still have our date.”

Garum nodded weakly.

Somebody please save me…