Chapter 131: How a Genius Loves (6)
While Kim Si-woo was comforting the sobbing Lee Hae-soo, Arimura Noa finished her call and delivered the news.
“They both said they’re coming.”
“Then shall we meet at the old lodging?”
“Yes. I’ll text them the address.”
Arimura Noa sent the location via message, then turned to Kim Si-woo.
“Shall we head over too?”
“Yeah.”
Kim Si-woo, Lee Hae-soo, and Arimura Noa quickly made their way to the old lodging where Kim Si-woo used to stay.
They arrived faster than expected. Kim Si-woo and Arimura Noa entered as if it were familiar territory, while Lee Hae-soo looked around curiously as she stepped inside.
“So this is where Writer-nim lived while in Japan?”
“Yes. I stayed here a lot, and the other actors who are coming today used to drop by often too.”
“Ah…”
Every time Lee Hae-soo looked at Arimura Noa, scenes from the movie flashed in her mind, making her chest feel uncomfortable.
“Haha. Judging by your expression, it looks like the movie turned out well. I’m getting a vibe of disgust toward me?”
“Ah! I’m sorry.”
“Hahaha. I’m kidding. It just means the movie was that well-made.”
Arimura Noa seemed to find teasing Lee Hae-soo fun and kept poking at her playfully.
“Should we order the usual food?”
“I’m fine with that. Hae-soo-ssi, is sushi and sashimi okay with you?”
“Yes! I like it too.”
As she answered, Lee Hae-soo boldly linked arms with Kim Si-woo right in front of Arimura Noa.
‘Oh?’
One of Arimura Noa’s eyebrows arched upward at the sight.
‘So that’s how it is?’
While Arimura Noa placed the order, Lee Hae-soo asked Kim Si-woo about his ideal type.
“Writer-nim, what kind of style do you like? Is it someone like the female lead in the movie?”
“Uh… no. I like someone who puts me first. And I like wise people too. I like people I can learn a lot from.”
After hearing Kim Si-woo’s ideal type, Lee Hae-soo nodded firmly.
By then the food order was finished, and Kirishima Sumire and Honda Daisuke arrived at the lodging.
The two greeted Kim Si-woo warmly as soon as they entered.
“Writer-nim!”
“It’s been a while, Daisuke.”
“Right?”
“Looks like Sumire-ssi is doing well too.”
“Just drop the formalities with me too. You’re older than me, Writer-nim.”
“Shall I? Ah, and this is Lee Hae-soo, the lawyer who came with me on this trip. She’s the one who helps me with legal matters in Korea. A very smart person.”
After introducing everyone, Kim Si-woo presented Lee Hae-soo.
“Oh… Hello. I’m Honda Daisuke.”
“Hello. I’m Kirishima Sumire. I’m an actress.”
Seeing the main characters from the movie right in front of her, Lee Hae-soo greeted them nervously.
“Ah… Hello. I’m Attorney Lee Hae-soo. I… really enjoyed the movie.”
“Really?”
“Yes… It made me angry, and sad, and…”
“Right?”
“But… the vibes are quite different from what I imagined…”
Lee Hae-soo was flustered by how different the real people were from their movie counterparts.
The once warm and slightly naïve Kirishima Sumire had a cool, sharp impression, while Honda Daisuke came across as somewhat clueless—far from the flawless protagonist.
“Movies are movies. It just means the acting was that good, right?”
“Yes!”
Lee Hae-soo felt a slight fondness for Kirishima Sumire after she neatly wrapped things up.
“By the way, why did you call us here, Writer-nim?”
“Ah! Well… let’s talk over drinks once the food arrives.”
“Is it something serious?”
“A little?”
“Then… got it.”
Kirishima Sumire smiled and sat down, waiting for the food.
After the dishes arrived and they each had a drink, Kim Si-woo finally brought up the reason he had gathered them.
“Let’s go public with your relationship.”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
At the suggestion to reveal their relationship, Honda Daisuke and Arimura Noa both looked stunned.
Meanwhile, Kirishima Sumire watched Kim Si-woo quietly, as if she had half-expected it.
“Is it because of the movie’s ending?”
“Yeah.”
“I figured as much. It’s a bit out of touch with current trends. Maybe it’s fortunate that it’s in Japan.”
In Japan, pure love stories still held more popularity than in Korea.
Even if the story felt a little frustrating, the “pure love” label alone was enough to earn forgiveness.
As Kirishima Sumire said, if this had been in Korea, some people might have ended up with high blood pressure from the frustration.
“And revealing our relationship is supposed to resolve that frustration, right?”
“You catch on quick.”
The plan was simple: announce in real life that Kirishima Sumire and Honda Daisuke were dating, thereby resolving the frustrating element of the movie.
“But what about the fallout? Once we go public, we might not get as many casting offers anymore…”
That was a valid concern.
For celebrities, dating was still a fatal blow—something everyone tried to hide.
But to Kim Si-woo, it wasn’t a big problem.
“That’s why I’ve been thinking… How about I cast you? At least one project every two years. Drama or film. What do you say?”
“Huh?”
At Kim Si-woo’s proposal, Arimura Noa, Kirishima Sumire, and Honda Daisuke all shot up from their chairs.
“Deal!”
“Wait, why… me too?”
“Great! Daisuke, let’s call your agency right now.”
Kirishima Sumire and Honda Daisuke were jumping around excitedly, already reaching for their phones to make calls, while Arimura Noa’s expression darkened.
“Wait, hold on—calm down! Just sit down for a second!”
Only after Kim Si-woo raised his voice did everyone finally return to their seats.
“I mean, there’s still a chance you’ll get good casting offers.”
“Well… yeah, that’s true.”
Seeing Kirishima Sumire make a very displeased face at the idea of potentially getting good roles, Kim Si-woo shook his head.
“Anyway, you’re okay with going public?”
“Well, if Writer-nim is willing to go this far and take care of us… And since we have a lawyer right here, we can even draft a contract.”
“Huh? Uh… should we?”
And so, while drinking, they began drafting a contract on the side with Lee Hae-soo’s help.
Of course, since Lee Hae-soo wasn’t licensed to practice law in Japan, she could only offer advice on the content.
Once the contract was completed, they started drinking properly again and talked about the movie.
“Seriously, watching the movie made me so frustrated… Even now, just looking at this guy’s face reminds me of the film…”
Kirishima Sumire glared at Honda Daisuke while clenching her fist.
“No, it’s not like that… It’s only you, Sumire.”
Honda Daisuke shrank back dramatically.
“Seeing it in person like this, they really do suit each other.”
Watching the couple—half lovers, half friends—Kim Si-woo smiled.
Maybe these two were the real protagonists?
“Look at Sumire—she really does feel like the female lead of the movie… Daisuke even learned Korean and acted just because he liked her.”
“But still, I’m the one dating him. The problem was that he never confessed…”
“So you confessed this time?”
“Yeah. I got fed up and just told him, ‘Let’s date.’ By the way, is that lady over there your girlfriend, Writer-nim?”
“Huh? Uh… no.”
Kirishima Sumire glanced back and forth between Arimura Noa and Lee Hae-soo before continuing to press Kim Si-woo.
“Really not? Not even a little bit interested?”
“Huh?”
“I’m asking if you’re really not interested.”
At Kirishima Sumire’s persistent questioning, Kim Si-woo looked flustered, while Lee Hae-soo swallowed nervously, waiting for his answer.
“Stop it! You’re making Writer-nim uncomfortable.”
“Tch.”
Thanks to Arimura Noa’s intervention, Kim Si-woo narrowly escaped having to answer.
In truth, Arimura Noa had desperately wanted to hear the answer too—but she had stopped Kirishima Sumire out of fear that it might not be the one she hoped for.
After that, they spent the rest of the time talking about everything that had happened in Japan, and the night passed quickly.
The next morning, amid the group of heavily hungover people, Kim Si-woo got up and headed to the kitchen.
“The ingredients are still here…”
Confirming that the ingredients for dried pollock soup he used to make during his stay in Japan were still there, Kim Si-woo quickly started boiling the soup and cooking rice.
By the time the food was nearly ready, Lee Hae-soo—drawn by the smell—came out first.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Did you sleep well too, Hae-soo-ssi?”
“Yeah… haaam…”
Lee Hae-soo let out a small yawn and stood side by side with Kim Si-woo.
“Writer-nim.”
“Yeah?”
“You really have no interest in me at all?”
“Huh?”
“No interest? Because I do…”
Perhaps because she was still half-asleep—or maybe it was all part of her plan—Lee Hae-soo went straight for it without hesitation.
“It’s not that I have none…”
For most men, it would be impossible not to be interested in Lee Hae-soo.
Not the exhausted, worn-out version she usually showed at the office, but the one who had dressed up to look good for a man—she displayed stunning beauty.
Petite frame, cute face.
A lawyer at such a young age.
And her personality was kind—she was rarely seen getting angry.
She could be a bit quirky at times, but that was only momentary.
When it came to what she had studied and experienced, she was more reliable than anyone.
“Then… would you like to date me? I’ll treat you really well. I may not be on your level, but I make good money too. I’m smart… and… and… I can put you first.”
At Lee Hae-soo’s confession, Kim Si-woo decided to postpone his answer.
Answering while making dried pollock soup in Japan during a trip just didn’t feel right.
“Can I give you my answer after we get back to Korea?”
“Yes.”
And Arimura Noa, who had witnessed the scene from behind, instinctively hid herself.
‘What do I do… She confessed. What now?’
Her mind was spinning from the shocking sight.
‘Sigh… If I’d known this would happen, maybe I should’ve confessed before we left…’
As Arimura Noa paced nervously in front of the door, Kirishima Sumire, now awake, looked at her strangely.
“What are you doing? You look like a puppy that needs to poop.”
“W-Well…”
Realizing that Kirishima Sumire was the only person she could consult right now, Arimura Noa told her everything she had just seen.
“What…? Mmph!”
When Kirishima Sumire reacted loudly in shock, Arimura Noa quickly covered her mouth.
“Shh… they’ll hear.”
Kirishima Sumire nodded quietly, and Arimura Noa removed her hand.
“No way, is that for real? Wow… this is completely messed up. From what I saw yesterday, she’s smart, kind, a lawyer, and even pretty… If I were a guy, I’d want to date her too…”
“Sigh…”
At Kirishima Sumire’s confirmation, Arimura Noa let out a deep sigh.
“Still, why don’t you hold onto some hope? Maybe she’s not Writer Kim Si-woo’s type. If she’s the cute type, then you can go for pure and innocent… or sexy.”
“Really? Then I’ll do my makeup real quick.”
Arimura Noa took out her cosmetics and started her morning dewy makeup.
“Ooh… makeup first thing in the morning… I’m heading out first? I suddenly really want to try Writer-nim’s dried pollock soup.”
“I’ll be out soon too.”
“Okay~ I’ll lay some groundwork for you in the meantime.”
“Huh?”
Before Arimura Noa could react to the mention of “groundwork,” Kirishima Sumire had already left the room.
While Arimura Noa was putting on makeup, Kirishima Sumire stood beside Kim Si-woo and spoke.
“Writer-nim. I really wanted to try your dried pollock soup.”
“I already told that guy over there the recipe. I heard you like it, so I asked him to make it.”
Kim Si-woo pointed to Honda Daisuke sitting at one end of the table.
“That… idiot.”
Kirishima Sumire blushed, embarrassed.
Seeing a rare sight, Kim Si-woo smiled warmly.
Then Kirishima Sumire quickly delivered the message she had come to give before running back to Honda Daisuke.
“Oh, and good luck. You’re super popular… even Noa-sunbae likes you, Writer-nim.”
“What?”
Kirishima Sumire hadn’t just laid groundwork—she had finished the entire job.
**************
TL Note:
This novel is now translated and finished at Chapter 176
If you’d like to continue right away, the remaining chapters are available on My Patreon Premium tier and Plus Tier, but if you want to read my other 5 translated novels, join the Premium Tier
Link: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Vritratls
For this novel specifically, check the collection under “Genius Writer”
**************