Dopamine Addiction - Chapter 82

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

82.
***
The Korean restaurant had grown quiet after the dinner rush. Hee-ju gazed absently at the passersby beyond the floor-to-ceiling window.
Her eyes drifted toward the plaza. A towering Christmas tree seized her attention at once.
Right—I’d forgotten about Christmas.
Only now did the reality of her return to ordinary life sink in. People strolling past with serene expressions, the imposing tree reaching toward the sky, the familiar scent of home cooking.
Then she spotted a familiar silhouette through the glass. Noel stood outside the door, visibly tense, pacing back and forth before drawing a sharp breath through his nose.
His expression was solemn, as if a general were stepping onto the battlefield. Instead of drawing a sword, he pushed open the restaurant door.
“Welcome in.”
“!”
The staff member’s courteous greeting startled Noel, and his already tense shoulders shrank further. His wandering gaze found nowhere to land and dropped to the floor.
“At this rate, he’ll disappear soon enough.”
At Liam’s quip, Hee-ju shot him a glance before quickly raising her hand.
“Noel!”
Relief washed over Noel’s face as he spotted her. He then approached the table cautiously, watching the staff member’s expression.
Once seated across from her, Noel let out the breath he’d been holding and spoke quietly.
“This is my first time coming to a restaurant like this.”
“A restaurant like this?”
“One where you sit at a table and eat. I’ve picked up takeout plenty of times, but this is different.”
Noel looked around, his eyes reflecting equal parts curiosity and apprehension. Hee-ju spoke in a gentle voice.
“How did you get here? Did you have trouble finding it?”
“Not at all. Lucas drove me.”
“Lucas did?”
Noel nodded while unwinding his red scarf.
“He had errands nearby. Lucky timing, really—I wouldn’t have had the courage to come to a crowded place alone. When I’m ready to leave, I just have to call and he’ll pick me up. Seems like his business will be finished around the same time.”
“I’d bet a hundred dollars he’s killing time nearby.”
Liam muttered under his breath. Hee-ju spoke in a deliberately light tone.
“I already ordered. It’s Korean barbecue—is that all right?”
“Perfect. I’ve been wanting to try it.”
A server approached the table, arranging side dishes and heating the grill. At the sizzle of the griddle, Noel—who had shrunk back in his chair—opened his eyes wide.
Noel watched mesmerized as the staff member grilled the meat. His jaw nearly dropped.
“Enjoy your meal.”
The server finished cutting the meat to size, set down the tongs and scissors, and turned to leave.
Only after she disappeared did Noel lean forward.
“Until yesterday, I was thinking about becoming a car racer, but now I’m wondering if I should switch to this instead. Wasn’t that just incredibly cool?”
“Eat,” Hee-ju said, then paused, turning a particular word over in her mind. “Car racer?”

Noel brought the meat Hee-ju had placed before him to his mouth. His eyes widened behind his glasses.
“It’s delicious!”
“Good. Eat it with vegetables.”
Hee-ju showed him how to wrap the meat in lettuce, and Noel clumsily followed suit.
“Don’t bite down or it’ll tear! All in one bite.”
“All in one?”
Noel looked uncertain for a moment, then nodded with determination. He proceeded to cram an enormous wrap into his small mouth.
His cheeks puffed out—like a greedy squirrel hoarding acorns. Then his eyes went wide again.
“It tastes even better this way!”
“So? What’s this about being a car racer?”
Hee-ju glanced at Liam as well before saying, “Eat while it’s hot.”
“I think I have a talent for driving.”
Noel answered, eyes gleaming. Hee-ju’s brow tightened subtly. Liam, bringing meat to his mouth, let out a snort of laughter.
“I’ve heard that one before. Seems like your mental ages match.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Noel asked while skillfully wrapping another piece. Hee-ju, pressing her foot against his under the table, laughed awkwardly. “It’s nothing.”
“Didn’t you say you couldn’t drive?”
“I said I don’t drive, not that I can’t. If you knew the traffic accident statistics in San Francisco…”
“And?”
“Well, I tried it, and it turns out I enjoy it. So I’m taking driving lessons from Lucas.”
“From Lucas?”
Hee-ju’s eyes narrowed. She looked like a mother catching sight of a thief trying to charm her daughter.
Whether aware of it or not, Noel continued stuffing his mouth with wrap after wrap.
“He says I have real talent.”
“Talent?”
“Yeah. He said that just knowing the accelerator makes the car go forward and the brake makes it stop puts me above average. Apparently, there are plenty of idiots out there who get it backwards.”
“Still, a car racer? You’re not driving dangerously fast, are you?”
“I haven’t gone above eighteen miles yet. But since I have talent, I could become a car racer in no time if I set my mind to it.”
Eighteen miles? Hee-ju mentally converted the speed, her voice tinged with doubt.
“That’s about thirty kilometers?”
“Lucas said that speeding right from the start is something only idiots do. Compared to that, he said I have a naturally cautious and careful temperament, so I was born with the qualities of the best driver. That’s why I thought, why not become a car racer while I’m at it.”
Liam chuckled, clearly amused.
“That guy’s worked up a sweat trying to butter up the kid. The things he comes out with—half of it’s probably made up.”
“Liam.”
Hee-ju called his name with her teeth gritted. Liam kept a perfectly innocent expression.
Hee-ju turned back to Noel. He had picked up the tongs and scissors, mimicking the server as he cut the meat.
“Cutting meat with scissors, no less. I guess there aren’t many people as smart as me out there.”
“Whose car are you practicing in?”
“Huh? Oh, Lucas’s car. He already has his license and a vehicle, so I’m thinking of working hard this year and buying a used car myself. I haven’t asked Grandfather yet, but I’m sure he’ll say yes.”
“Do you keep the windows open while you practice driving?”
“In this season?”
Noel tilted his head, glancing at the window. People walking past exhaled white breath into the cold air.
Liam finally burst into laughter. Hee-ju shot him a look, then pressed her lips firmly together.
A scolding was on the tip of her tongue. She knew it was better left unsaid.
“…Just to be safe, it might be good to crack the window a little.”
People sometimes make mistakes even when they know better.
Liam laughed loudly.
“So the most devious person here is you, after all. What exactly are you imagining? Come on, share that thought with me.”
At Liam’s jab, Hee-ju shot him another look. Then, in a low voice, she growled into his ear.
“Don’t you know all men are wolves? You’ve used every trick in the book trying to seduce me, Liam.”
Liam tilted his head slightly, his chin resting on one hand.
“I know you didn’t fall for it, but I thought you just had no instincts at all.”
Hee-ju’s heart skipped. Liam was doing it again—this time with his charm.
She turned away abruptly and muttered, “I have no intention of throwing Noel into Lucas’s clutches.”
Noel, who had been tilting his head, answered, “Understood.” Then, as if remembering something, he spoke up.
“I’m thinking of going back to school.”
Hee-ju, setting a perfectly grilled piece of meat on Noel’s plate, paused. Noel gave a light shrug.
“Grandfather wants me to. It’s his wish.”
“I see.”
Hee-ju smiled warmly and handed him another piece of meat. Noel brought each one to his mouth as soon as she offered it.
“If anyone bullies you, call me anytime. Call me if you need help with anything. If you need me, I’ll come running, no matter what. You saved my life, after all.”
“Me?”
Noel’s eyes widened at words he hadn’t expected to hear. Hee-ju smiled tenderly.
“Yes. You’re my lifesaver, Noel. I’m truly grateful.”
“…Well, it wasn’t really much. I only helped Liam. It was Liam who went to rescue you.”
“You played a crucial role too. Without you, Liam’s plan wouldn’t have succeeded.”
“Really? Was I that important?”
Noel looked bewildered, hearing such words for the first time. Then he glanced at Liam.
Liam added casually.
“Well, somewhat.”
“Wow. I was that important? I had no idea!”
“So eat plenty. A lot. Today’s on Liam.”
“On me?”
This time it was Liam’s turn to look up as if he’d just heard something shocking. Hee-ju wore a shameless expression.
“The CIA might be tracking my card. How could I use it? Besides, I left my bag in Utah State and have no cash.”
“Your card gets tracked, but mine doesn’t?”
“Exactly.”
Hee-ju reached into her pocket, withdrew a card, and slipped it into Liam’s shirt pocket.
“What is this?”
“Grandfather’s card. Use what you need, and you can pay him back later.”
Liam, momentarily caught off guard, repeated, “Grandfather’s card?”
“I explained the situation and told him you’d repay it. He was happy to lend it. Rich people really do have a different way of spending money, don’t they?”
“Ha ha ha.”
Liam buried his face in one hand and laughed. Noel rolled his eyes and stuffed another enormous wrap into his mouth.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————