Streaming Life After Paying Off Debt - Chapter 16
“Are you saying you were trying to get a loan?”
“Yeah…”
I had been explaining my situation to Jihye, who visited my house, for about ten minutes, and soon enough, I found myself kneeling and getting scolded.
“No, what were you planning to do after borrowing and spending it?”
“Money will come in two days… so I was going to pay it back right away.”
With my response, I heard a sigh that sounded frustrated.
“Unnie… with loans like that, your credit drops the moment you use them, and later on, it becomes impossible to do transactions with the bank.”
“I didn’t know… I’m sorry…”
Just a moment ago, I realized the reason for my last hesitation. I didn’t know this fact, but my intuition had sensed the warning signs and sent red flags my way.
“Why on earth were you even thinking about a loan when you have some cash?”
“Well… 2,000 won…?”
The amount I mentioned was ridiculous. I tried to brush off the situation with a nervous laugh, but Jihye’s burning gaze showed no signs of letting me off the hook.
“No! What did you spend that on that you only have that left?”
My past flashed through my mind like a panorama. Liquidation, liquidation, and more liquidation. However, the moment I began to talk about this, it was clear that the time I would be scolded would double.
“At some point, I noticed I ran out of money…”
Ultimately, what came out of my mouth were excuses again.
Suddenly, I recalled my first meeting with Jihye. The memory of asking for help because I didn’t have money to buy cola. I realized I had been showing that I was struggling with money ever since.
“Ha… I’ll lend you some money.”
“Really?!”
As I avoided eye contact and reflected on the past, I heard an angelic voice, just like back then.
“But instead, let’s go out together today.”
It was a proposal I couldn’t refuse. However, since it wasn’t just a meeting for me, I needed the opinions of others. While I was in the middle of explaining this situation, the doorbell rang.
-Ding Dong
“I’ll go check.”
Jihye, who was closer to the door, decided to go out first. I moved to follow her.
“Wait! I want to come too… Aah!”
When I tried to get up, a jolt shot through my legs. Startled by the sudden sensation, I screamed and fell over. My legs, which had been kneeling from all the lecturing, decided to go on strike.
-Creak
“Excuse me…?”
At that moment, Mari walked into the house.
A woman I had never met before opened the door, and there I was, sprawled on the floor. I could feel Mari’s sense of confusion at this bizarre situation. Yet, my legs refused to move as I awkwardly greeted her while still lying on the floor.
“Welcome! Thank you for coming all the way here!”
“No, it’s fine. I live nearby… But why are you on the floor…?”
In response to her perplexed question, it was Jihye who answered, not me.
“Unnie isn’t feeling well, so I’ll handle the dinner today.”
“Really?”
Mari’s shock at the sudden declaration was evident. Slowly getting up, she corrected herself.
“No, no. My legs just went numb… I’ll get ready right away!”
– Tsk
I thought I heard a clicking sound from somewhere.
“Then, the three of us will go together. My sister’s movements are unstable… so it’s fine if I tag along, right?”
“Yes, I don’t mind.”
With Jihye having received consent, she began to lead us with great enthusiasm.
“I’ve already made a reservation at the restaurant, so just follow me!”
Following Jihye’s lead, we got into the car, and after about ten minutes, I realized I still didn’t know our destination.
“By the way, Jihye, where are we going?”
“We’ll arrive soon. Just a little longer, please wait.”
Her request for patience instead of an answer filled me with an ominous feeling. I was starting to fear what kind of restaurant our landlord had reserved.
“We have arrived.”
Before long, the vehicle stopped. As we got out with the driver’s escort, we found ourselves in front of the most famous hotel in the country.
“Wait, is this where we’re going?”
I stuttered with trembling lips, at a place I never thought I would visit, neither in the past nor the future.
“Yes, that’s right. Let’s go in, Unnie.”
Hoping for an answer that was “no,” the reply I received was merciless. A meal in a restaurant known for being expensive. The thought of how much I would owe started to make me feel dizzy.
“I made a reservation in a room.”
“Yes, I will guide you.”
Unaware of my turmoil, Jihye confidently requested guidance. I felt like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse as I was dragged along.
Following the hotel staff’s guidance, the path was filled with an array of dishes.
From basic foods like bread and salad to dishes made with high-end ingredients like abalone and king crab. The feast of delicacies stimulated my appetite.
‘Well, money will come in anyway… since we’re here, I might as well enjoy it…!’
Finally succumbing to my hunger, I began my self-justification. It felt like this meal was a reward for all the hardship I had faced in broadcasting.
“You can take as much as you want from the buffet outside.”
As Jihye finished speaking, I jumped up from my seat. The first menu I decided to get was the evenly grilled meat.
“Then I’ll be back!”
“Oh, Mari, please stay for a moment.”
As I walked out, I overheard her saying something behind me.
————-Mari’s Perspective—————-
With Miju gone, only awkward silence remained in the space. Particularly, the atmosphere grew heavier as the other party began to openly express the hostility they had hinted at before.
“Do you have something to say?”
The person before me fixed their gaze on me, seemingly waiting for me to speak. Their eyes were filled with a sticky malice.
“Ms. Mari… what is the reason for meeting my sister today?”
“I contacted her because I wanted to interact in terms of broadcasting.”
“So, you set up an appointment within the bounds of work?”
It could be a misunderstanding, but I felt a strong accent on the word “work.” Also, her words had a similar malice as what I saw in her eyes.
Before I could even respond, her words continued as if she had no interest in hearing my answer.
“I’m sorry, but please act only within the scope of work. Don’t even think about receiving a meal.”
I never expected to be offered a meal in the first place. I was even going to say I intended to pay, but her next words left my mind blank.
“Isn’t it true that you came here for different reasons?”
Her tone suggested she knew all the truths, penetrating my heart. I tried to open my dry mouth, but all that came out were ragged breaths. The truth that I had received a waiver on the interest took away any chance for me to make excuses.
“I’ll let it slide this time, but please don’t approach my sister again.”
She seemed to interpret my silence as agreement, finishing her words with a smile. I had a strong feeling that the moment the conversation ended, I would never see Miju again.
“I’m sorry. But that would be a bit difficult.”
I forced my voice out by tightening my throat.
“What?”
Her expression showed clear surprise as she hadn’t expected such an answer from me.
“That’s right. In fact, I had a substantial debt, and I intentionally approached Miju to reduce the burden of that debt.”
I began to confess my shortcomings to her.
“However, being with Miju made me realize something. She is a person who emits a very bright light but is like fragile glass that can break easily.”
At the same time, I confessed feelings within me that I hadn’t even recognized myself.
“That’s why I want to protect her. So that she can always live with a bright smile.”
So that she wouldn’t go through the misfortunes my own sister had faced.
“Although our meeting was originally based on debt, the feelings I have now will not change.”
As I finished my words, I felt confident in my feelings.
“How could you say that after meeting only twice? I’ve known my sister for over ten years!!”
The other party erupted in anger, evidently displeased with my attitude. However, my resolution had already solidified and would not waver.
“Yes. I realize this may be hard to believe given we have only met twice. That’s why I plan to continue meeting her.”
As I fell silent after saying that, the other party began to glare at me. An uncomfortable standoff with her continued.
“Wow everyone, they even sprinkle gold dust on the food here! So amazing.”
This stalemate was broken by the return of Miju.
“But what have you all been doing?”
“Nothing much. Your sister really loves you a lot.”
“Jihye is indeed like an angel!”
The other person’s face began to melt in disbelief at how they could get angry about that.
“I just thought I also wanted a relationship like that.”
Those were my unspoken dark thoughts on behalf of that person.