Chapter 16: Date with Rumy
To be honest, I didn\'t even know who they were and what they were about. I never had any interest in them.
Still, I should do my background research before meeting Rumy. This was the least that I could do.
I googled \'Idol Party\' into the search bar.
"Idol Party….what the?"
The story is about the students of a school in danger of going bankrupt, who create their own idol unit, become famous, and finally save the school.
This was a shitty plot.
From this, I was able to find out the meanings of Hanjung and Gacha.
Otakus know every little detail about the anime they like.
So that I wouldn\'t get caught lying, I chose a random character and made them my bias.
I went into their personal page and memorized everything from their profile, dances, hairstyles etc.
"I\'m a true Otaku now."
I was able to transform into a perfect otaku.
When I looked at the time, it was time to go.
I had gotten ready already, so I just grabbed my jacket and headed outside.
The theater that I was going to meet her was closeby, so I arrived quickly. When I looked around, I saw that she hadn\'t arrived yet.
———————-
[A memorable first date!]
Your first date is Rumi!
Rumi is very much looking forward to her first private appointment with her friend!
Give Rumi unforgettable memories!
– Reward: Random abilities +2
———————-
Ooh, a quest.
An unforgettable memory? That sounded difficult.
I was zoning out on a bench nearby, thinking about the quest, then was reminded of a fact.
How long had it been since I had been on a date with a girl?
I was suddenly nervous. I wasn\'t thinking about anything, but after getting conscious I got nervous.
Badump. Badump.
My heart was beating pretty fast, too.
"I guess the time to use this has come."
I grabbed the calming medicine that the pharmacist had given me. I drank water with it.
"What are you eating?"
"Couugh! Cough! Kkhhhp!"
"Are you okay? Sorry, it\'s my fault!"
"No, no, you are fine."
Rumy was wearing a bright dress, and her long, black hair was tied into a ponytail with a bow. I was a little excited, since I had never seen her outside of her uniform.
Her innocent charm was flowing, and her cute tiny frame along with a voluptuous curve that could not be hidden made her look as if she had given her best to dress up that day.
"What were you eating? Candy?"
"Oh, it was a calming medicine ball. I was a little nervous."
"What\'s that?"
"Well, it helps you relax and brings your overall body temperature down. I took one because I got nervous to go on a date with you, Rumy."
Rumy\'s face turned bright red then she sank her head.
"Uh, date? Well, I think …it\'s best if we take it slow as friends…of course I am not saying that I don\'t like you, I rather like you actually, but…"
The gesture with her fingers crossing each other appeared adorable.
"I\'m just joking. Do you actually want to make this a date?"
"Huh? No…ugh….stop fooling around with me."
Rumy saw my expression and found that I was teasing her. I should have held my laugh longer.
"Let\'s head in. Even if we have enough seats, we should get some popcorn, too."
"Ah, let\'s go!"
We entered the theater.
I tried to buy a ticket at the unmanned ticket machine, but there was a poster attached next to the ticket vending machine.
[Couples using the couple seats will receive an additional image board and photo card!]
Rumy\'s eyes fell onto the poster as well.
"Ah!"
She was making a weird moan then looked back and forth the poster and then the machine.
Then she slightly turned her head and made eye contact. From her sparkly eyes, I knew what she wanted without her saying anything.
I should let her slide this time, since I was acting as an otaku as well.
"Hey, Rumy? Do you want to get the couple\'s seat? They give you an image board and poster."
"Ah, yes! Let\'s get it!"
From just choosing the couple seat, her atmosphere was much more cheerful than before.
Were those merch really that great?
Anyways, we got the couple\'s seat and entered the movie theater after grabbing popcorn.
"Uh…we are the only man and woman couple."
"…that is true."
Surprisingly, around 10 tables for couples were filled with men.
They were also holding neon sticks. Why were they holding them in a movie theater?
And why was Rumy\'s eyes sparkling at the sight of them?
*
"Heuk… heuk."
"…Don\'t cry."
Rumy was very sincere about her feelings to the Idol Party.
She was saying how this was the last movie for them and was still crying ever since the last 10 minutes of the movie.
"Here, you can have my card. Now, stop the tears."
I handed to her the card and poster I got for sitting in a couple\'s seat, and the coupons that you could use in the game.
"Hoyeon! You shouldn\'t be giving these precious things out so easily!"
"Just take it when I offer to. I won\'t repeat myself."
"Sorry…I want to refuse, but I really want them."
Rumy, although in tears, still grabbed what she wanted. She looked like a puppy. I would have bought her more if I had more funds, but I was broke after donating to the foster care.
"We should go have lunch instead. I\'m hungry."
"Okay! The spicy rice cakes are on me! I know a place!"
More rice cakes. I didn\'t hate them, so I should just follow along.
"Over here! Come on!"
Rumy ran over to the place and pointed towards the sign that read \'Reverse Grandpa Soju\'
"Rumy, isn\'t that a bar?"
"I heard that their spicy rice cakes are the best. It\'s all over Everyday!"
"If you say so."
We walked into the shop. Ring ring.
"Welcome, a table for two?"
"Yes, please."
"Follow me to your seat."
We were led to a 2-seater in a dark corner.
"A brisket and intestine spicy rice cake please!"
"Okay, on your way!"
"So this is the really famous spicy rice cake?"
"Yes! It was a craze all over everyday. I wanted to come here, but Lucy is not big into them, so…"
Ah, she didn\'t have friends to come here with. I was once in her shoes, but got used to going out alone.
But I guess it would be hard to do that where they sell alcohol.
"Rumy, is there something that you always wanted to try?"
"What are you talking about, all of the sudden?"
The intense gaze of Rumy was a bit much for me. I didn\'t want to tell her to her face that I will help her make unforgettable memories. It sounded too creepy.
"No, just things you wanted to try normally, but couldn\'t. Since we can do it together now?"
"Oh, I see what you mean. But, Hoyeon, I am having so much fun as it is now!"
Ah, nevermind. I couldn\'t say it because she was such an innocent kid.
"The spicy rice cakes are out!"
The server brought the dish over and we were able to smoothly change the topic.
"Wow wow, to put brisket and intestines in the spicy rice cake dish! It\'s revolutionary!"
Rumy grabbed the brisket, intestine and rice cake in one scoop and put it in her mouth.
"Mmmmm~"
She shook her head side to side. It was like a dog after a swim.
Why did Rumy remind me of a puppy? She didn\'t have a puppy face, but the way she acted was like a puppy.
Looking at her grin from one ear to the other, she must be having the time of her life. Wasn\'t her head aching from moving so much?
I tried some, having gotten curious.
"Woah, this is sooo good!"
"Right? It\'s amazing!"
It was a chewy and savory intestine, smokey brisket, and a tangy rice cake all at once. It was really good.
"It makes me crave some soju."
"A taste that makes you crave?"
"Yes, it would be perfect if I had a glass of soju."
"…Then should we order some soju?"
"Should we? I\'m fine, but can you drink?"
"I have actually never tried it, hehe."
Found it. An unforgettable memory. Wouldn\'t learning to drink be an unforgettable memory? I didn\'t know if I should teach such an innocent kid how to drink, but I would rather teach her the right way instead of those bastards.
"Really? Then let\'s try it together."
"Okay! I\'m down."
Ring-
"Excuse me! Can you get us two bottles of soju?"
"Got it~"
But wait, wasn\'t soju a bit too bitter for a girl trying alcohol for the first time?"
"Excuse me~ can you grab us one grapefruit flavor and one regular?"
I had heard from somewhere that girls like fruity soju. I changed the other one to a grapefruit flavor.
The drinks and glasses came out, and I poured Rumy a glass.
She also poured me a glass. It was my first time that a pretty girl poured me a glass, so I felt a little hazed.
I can\'t believe that a day came when I actually could peek at a woman\'s breasts instead of an ugly man\'s face while drinking.
"Well then. We will clink our glasses then drink up. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
Gulp gulp.
"Khhhhhh."
It was the first time that I had alcohol since getting teleported into the game. It was so bitter, since it had been so long.
Maybe because Hoyeon Lee had never tried it before.
Rumy couldn\'t even finish her glass.
"Bleh…it\'s so bitter. Yuck."
"Have some rice cakes. Try this one next. It\'s a bit on the sweeter side."
"Okay…but no more of that one."
"Give it to me, I will have it."
I grabbed her glass and finished it.
"I had…my lips on it…"
"Oh, sorry. I felt bad to waste it."
"It\'s…it\'s alright."
Yum.
Rumy picked a rice cake, blushing.
"Cough. Do you want to try grapefruit beer? It will taste okay, I promise."
For awkward moments, all you needed to do was drink some more.
"Yes, please pour me another glass."
Rumy was staring at the drink and glasses as if she was a soldier going into battle.
For just a drink, she was tense.
We each grabbed our drinks and clanked the glasses.
Cheers!
Gulp gulp
"Hmm, it\'s a bit bitter, but I can work with the slight sweetness."
"That\'s good then. I\'m glad I ordered a sweet one."
"By the way, how long does it take to get drunk?"
"Well, it depends on the person. Do you feel a little happier, or feel your face warmer?"
"Mm….I dOnt thiNk.. soOoo…"
Rumy was murmuring to herself after placing her hand on her head.
Rumy\'s tongue was already twisted.
"I think I\'m pretty good at this, let\'s gooo!!"
"Shouldn\'t you take a bit longer to…"
"Cheers!"
*
"Ehhhhh…."
"I told you to drink slower."
"Meep… my head is cracking…"
Pat pat.
After getting out of the bar, I was patting her back in the middle of the road.
I had told her to slow down, but she drank five shots in a row.
Usually, people should feel themselves getting drunk by their face temperature or headache early on..but I guess this was the fate of being a heroine.
"So sleepy…"
"No, you can\'t sleep here. Rumy? Rumy?"
"Uhhhhh.."
Plop. I placed my hands into her pits and stood her up.
She was blacked out, no matter how hard I shook her.
"Mehhhhhhh…"
"Yup, and she\'s gone."
She was done for. I couldn\'t just leave her here, what should I do?
"…."
I saw a bright sign a block ahead.
[The Grand Motel]
"I have no choice. Yup, it\'s because I don\'t have a choice."
Really, there was no other way. Really.