Chapter 152: First Date (2)

Despite the Seahorse faction’s terrorist attack just a few days ago, the area around Namba Station in Osaka was bustling with people.

“Damn, it’s crazy crowded. This place was a disaster just a few days ago,” Song Ha-Eun said.

“Well, the attack did happen a bit further away from Namba Station,” Kwon Oh-Jin replied.

“Still, people are just walking around like nothing happened after all that.”

“Well... maybe they’re just used to it?”

Given how often monsters attacked Japanese cities, people had likely grown used to these kinds of situations.

Song Ha-Eun’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she cleared her throat awkwardly, “

Ahem

. Well, it’s our first official date after all. I guess this is better than some deserted ghost town.”

Today was her first date with Kwon Oh-Jin since they officially became a couple. Unlike before, when they just hung out, their dynamic and relationship had changed.

‘First trip abroad! First date!

Unable to contain her excitement, Song Ha-Eun puffed and pulled Kwon Oh-Jin forward. “Dotonbori, right? I heard there’s a ton of food there! Let’s go already, Oh-Jin!”

“Slow down, Ha-Eun. We have plenty of time today.”

“Plenty of time, my ass! We need to make the most of it while we’re here!”

With an excited grin, she urged Kwon Oh-Jin to pick up the pace.

He chuckled as he watched her enthusiasm. Well, it was understandable.

Just a year ago, this would’ve been unthinkable.

In the cramped, moldy room with no hot water, they were forced to shower in the freezing cold. Kwon Oh-Jin had struggled to get by while taking care of Song Ha-Eun, who was blind. Back then, not only was traveling abroad impossible, but even stepping outside without any worries felt like a luxury.

Neither of them could have ever imagined that they’d be out here one day, laughing and chatting on a date in another country.

Kwon Oh-Jin felt the crisp autumn breeze and faintly smiled.

“Now that I think about it, it’s almost winter already.”

So much had already happened. It felt like the year had just begun, but winter was already approaching.

“Why? Are you feeling cold?” Song Ha-Eun asked.

“No, not really.”

“If you’re cold, I’ll hold your hand. Here.” Song Ha-Eun smiled and stretched out her hand.

The way she treated him felt oddly ticklish like he was a little puppy.

Kwon Oh-Jin took her hand. It felt warm like a pocket heater.

“It’s warm, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It’ll be even warmer like this.”

She interlocked her fingers with his.

A soft warmth spread through his palms. Her gentle, smooth skin also made his face heat up.

“How does it feel? Holding hands with me?”

“I won’t have to worry about the heating bills this winter.”

“You little shit.” Song Ha-Eun frowned, annoyed at him for ruining the moment.

She kicked a random can lying on the sidewalk and shot him a glare.

Just when the mood was nice...

Wasn’t this basically the same as before they started dating?

“So we’ll just have to keep holding hands like this all winter,” Kwon Oh-Jin continued.

“

Ah.

”

Caught off guard by Kwon Oh-Jin’s unexpected follow-up, her eyes widened like a startled rabbit.

“

A-Ahem!

W-What’s with you? Saying cringy stuff all of a sudden?”

“What do you mean? You’re the one who started it.”

“

Hmph

. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Song Ha-Eun shrugged and pulled him along.

“Alright, let’s get going! Time to drain that black cow’s wallet!”

“Yep. He told us to spend freely, so we better make the most of it.”

Giggling, they made their way toward Dotonbori.

What could be more thrilling than a food tour on someone else’s dime?

Following the northern exit of Namba Station, they walked through a long street market lined with people and packed with shops selling all sorts of random goods. Eventually, they reached a river.

A massive sign featuring a giant crab caught their eyes first after entering Dotonbori. From there, an endless row of food stalls sold all kinds of street food.

“

Whoa!

This place looks like it should be selling tteokbokki and soondae.”

“The atmosphere really does give off that vibe.”

“Anything you wanna try, Oh-Jin? I don’t know a lot about Japanese food.”

“

Hmm...

hard to say. It’s not like I’ve had much of it either.”

Before awakening the Black Heaven, Kwon Oh-Jin’s diet consisted solely of protein bars to barely survive. Song Ha-Eun also mostly relied on frozen burgers and sandwiches. Neither of them ever tried Japanese cuisine, which was relatively more expensive.

“Let’s just walk around and see what looks good.”

“Sounds good.”

After all, food wasn’t the main reason why they were there. It was to enjoy a date together.

The two strolled leisurely through the bustling streets, taking in their surroundings. Noodles sizzled on a hot iron plate at one shop, and another was grilling skewered teriyaki chicken. Just the aroma alone made their mouths water.

“Oh-Jin, how about that one?”

Her eyes were drawn to a shop where batter was being poured into round molds and rolled around. A quick glance at the translation app revealed that the sign above read, “Takoyaki.”

“It smells good. Want to give it a try?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“Let’s gooo!”

With an excited stride, she approached the shop. The closer they got, the more the savory aroma filled the air. Kwon Oh-Jin placed their order with the worker, who expertly flipped the takoyaki with precise movements like a machine.

“Two orders of takoyaki, please.”

“What toppings would you like?”

“All of them.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t exactly cheap for street food, but they didn’t hold back with Sakaki’s card as their ultimate weapon.

“Please wait a moment.”

The worker poured the batter into the round molds. It sizzled the moment it hit the pan, and a mouthwatering aroma spread through the air. Using long chopsticks, the worker added generous chunks of octopus and cheese before flipping them over once the bottoms were cooked.

When the takoyaki were cooked to the size of ping-pong balls, he placed them on a plate and drizzled them with teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. Finally, he added sweetened poached eggs on top, a second layer of cheese to finish it off, and sprinkled some chopped green onions.

Gulp.

Kwon Oh-Jin could see Song Ha-Eul visibly swallowing.

This street food was cheap and unrefined compared to the luxurious meals they had with the Kuroushi, but that was exactly the charm. The bold street flavors had a unique appeal. For the two of them, who spent most of their lives eating frozen burgers and sandwiches, this was far more familiar and enticing.

“This looks fucking bomb.”

Song Ha-Eun grabbed a takoyaki with a long toothpick and popped it into her mouth.

“

Ah

, hot—hot!”

The steaming batter burned her tongue, forcing her to purse her lips and exhale quickly to cool it down. After about ten seconds, she chewed carefully, letting the flavors spread across her tongue. The sweet and salty sauces, the creamy cheese, the sweet egg, and the finely chopped green onions all blended harmoniously.

“

Hoooo!

”

With a pleased moan, she swallowed the takoyaki.

“Oh-Jin! This is so fucking good!”

“I knew it. There’s nothing better than street food for us.”

Their original plan to milk Sakaki’s credit card dry had gone off track, but who cared? As long as it tasted delicious, that was all that mattered.

“Oh-Jin.”

“

Hmm?

”

Song Ha-Eun picked up another takoyaki, blew on it, and extended it toward him.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Is this the classic romantic comedy ‘Say ahhh’ moment?

“Here, eat my ball.”

What the hell is she saying?

“You don’t have one, though.”

“If you look carefully, I do have one.”

That unexpected answer completely threw him off. His mind went blank for a moment before he simply opened his mouth and ate a mouthful of takoyaki.

“

Hehe

, tasty. Right?”

“It is, but I feel like I shouldn’t admit it.”

Somebody, please stop this woman.

“All right! If you’re done eating, let’s go find something else to eat!”

After finishing the plate of takoyaki, she grabbed his hand and tugged him forward. Still recovering from their bizarre conversation, he let himself get dragged along with a dazed expression.

“Let’s try that next, Oh-Jin!”

Watching her bounce ahead with excitement, he let out a small chuckle.

Man, sometimes she really catches me off guard.

Seriously, whoever she took after, one thing was clear. Her way with words was unmatched.

***

It was already five in the afternoon after stuffing themselves with all sorts of delicious street food in Dotonbori, stopping by a cafe for coffee, and playing around at a nearby arcade.

As they strolled along the river and watched the sun slowly set, Song Ha-Eun said, “It’ll be a waste to just stay here. Let’s check out another spot.”

“Sounds good. Where do you want to go?”

“

Hmm...

I saw online that there's a place called Denden Town. Apparently, it's really famous.”

“Denden Town?”

He looked it up and saw that it was considered the Akihabara of Kansai, a holy land for weebs.

He wasn’t really into anime or manga, but...

“Let’s check it out.”

After eating so much, having a proper dinner felt unnecessary anyway.

As they walked toward Denden Town, more and more shops with anime and manga posters appeared.

“I don’t recognize a single thing here.”

“Well, you don’t really watch anime in the first place, Ha-Eun.”

“I used to a little, but I couldn’t after everything that happened.”

“

Ah.

”

Kwon Oh-Jin frowned, recalling when she lost her eyesight due to the curse.

“Want to go in and browse?” Kwon Oh-Jin asked.

“What’s the point? I can’t read any of it.”

Song Ha-Eun shrugged and glanced around until something caught her attention.

“Oh-Jin, what’s that bowling pin looking thing?”

“

Hmm

? No idea. Never seen it before.”

She pointed to a store with a giant red and white striped bowling pin displayed outside.

“Tenga? What’s that?”

The two both cocked their heads in confusion.

“Wanna check it out?”

“Sure. I wonder what they sell.”

Nodding, Song Ha-Eun pushed open the door.

A small chime rang as they stepped inside.

“

Hwaaang!

Sweet red bean paste! Zingiberaceae tree!”

Incomprehensible Japanese phrases were translated as if the translation app broke. Even if they couldn’t understand, it wasn’t hard to figure out what kind of place they just walked into.

“

Oh

, shit.”

After all, posters featuring an unhealthy amount of exposed skin covered the walls.

“This is... an adult shop, isn’t it?”

Song Ha-Eun’s jaw dropped in disbelief.