Romance is the Last Thing on a Transmigrated Extra’s Mind chapter 46

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Where is the line between goodwill and romantic interest?

“No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t feel like just friendly concern…”

He had spent five years struggling to bring together a hopelessly dense main couple.

That wasn’t a short time. Wookyung had witnessed firsthand how Alphas flirted with Omegas they were interested in.

So he knew exactly what Choi was doing.

“And? What are you gonna do about it?”

Muttering grumpily, he glared at his phone.

Just five minutes ago, he had answered the hotel phone, only to hear this:

[Hello, sir. The meal you requested is ready. When would you like it delivered?]

Wookyung had been bewildered and told them he hadn’t ordered anything.

The employee had then politely explained that Director Choi had placed the order and even paid for it in advance.

Still dumbfounded, Wookyung had listened as the staff reassured him that if he didn’t like the menu, he could change it freely.

But as it turned out, the meal was made up entirely of things he liked.

“Haa… Just say thanks. Just thank him and hang up.”

This was why he felt suspicious.

This was beyond what a boss would normally do for a subordinate.

If it were just that, Director Choi wouldn’t have taken him to that expensive restaurant for lunch, wouldn’t have arranged for him to stay in such a luxurious suite, and definitely wouldn’t have timed the meal delivery for right after Wookyung finished showering.

‘This is overwhelming. Way too overwhelming!’

Who would believe he was doing all this just to be friends?

“Haaah…”

He didn’t even want to be thinking about this.

Why was he being tested like this?

Couldn’t they just maintain a proper distance?

‘No. I guess not.’

Sighing again, Wookyung ran a hand down his face and then tapped the name on the screen.

—Yes, Wookyung.

The dull ringing tone cut off, replaced by a deep, gentle voice.

A voice perfectly suited for the night… No, focus!

“You pre-ordered a meal for me. I called to say thank you.”

He tried to sound calm, but he felt like his words came out slightly tangled.

“But please don’t do this next time. I can take care of my own meals.”

Anyone could tell that what he really meant was: ‘You’re making me very uncomfortable with this.’

—I contacted them in advance because you seemed exhausted.

He had to have understood the meaning behind Wookyung’s words.

Then how could he sound so unbothered?

That just made it even more nerve-wracking.

—So…

“Director Choi.”

No, this wouldn’t do.

He couldn’t just pretend nothing was happening.

He had to address it head-on before it got out of control.

So before he knew it, he called out Director Choi’s name, cutting him off mid-sentence.

But somehow, he was sure Director Choi wouldn’t be upset about it.

—Yes, Wookyung.

His name, spoken in that same familiar voice.

This was why it didn’t feel like simple workplace kindness.

“If I’m mistaken, you can just laugh it off. But… are you interested in me? I mean, in that way…”

But now that he had started asking, he didn’t know how to finish the question.

What kind of interest should he call it?

It wasn’t like they were a man and a woman, nor an Alpha and an Omega.

Of course, love wasn’t bound by nationality, gender, or secondary gender, but—

“Like… emotionally… wanting something to change… I mean, growing closer—”

The more he spoke, the more tangled his words became.

Wookyung covered his face with his palm.

He shouldn’t have made this call without thinking it through.

He should’ve planned what to say.

But no, he always acted recklessly first and regretted it later.

—Yes.

Unlike Wookyung, who was floundering, Director Choi answered smoothly.

—As you guessed, I want our relationship to change. Ideally, I’d like us to date.

He even clearly defined what Wookyung had been struggling to put into words.

“Wow…”

So it really was that simple.

Why had the words gotten stuck in his throat when it was this easy to say?

The exclamation held both admiration and relief.

He finally had an answer to the question that had been weighing on him.

But at the same time, his thoughts spiraled into chaos.

‘For real? Really? Director Choi? With me?’

A storm of question marks filled his mind.

“Why?”

The question slipped out before he could stop it.

“I mean, how did this even happen?”

On the other end, he heard a faint sigh.

—Wookyung, this isn’t really a conversation for the phone. If you’re okay with it, I can come to you. Or you can come to me.

Reflexively, Wookyung glanced at his door.

Just beyond it was Director Choi’s suite.

A few steps were all it would take to see him face to face.

“No. No need to meet. Just tell me now. Right this moment.”

For some reason, the thought of talking to him in person made him uneasy.

Whether it was nerves, discomfort, or even a flicker of fear, he wasn’t sure.

—I’m just saying… I like you, Wookyung. I wanted to do something nice for you. But don’t overthink it—for now.

It was uncharacteristic of Director Choi to take a step back.

Even if he added a condition at the end.

“But you already brought it up! How can I just ignore it now?”

—Then… will you accept?

“No way. Absolutely not. I never date within the company. Never.”

He emphasized “never” three times.

A quiet chuckle, like air leaking out, followed as if he’d expected that answer.

The sound sent a strange ticklish sensation through Wookyung’s ears, making him shrink his shoulders.

— I apologize. This wasn’t how I intended for you to find out.

“I just happened to be quick on the uptake.”

— Indeed. More than I expected.

“Haah… Anyway, thank you for everything today, from the meal to the room.”

— Of course, Wookyung.

“Ugh, seriously. That title!”

Yeah, that was the real issue.

Wookyung must have given him the wrong impression at some point.

Realizing it too late, Wookyung bit his lip hard.

“Director Choi, let me make this clear again. I have no intention of dating anyone in the same company. So, to be honest, your actions are making me uncomfortable.”

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he’d been too blunt.

But he didn’t take it back.

Some things needed to be stated clearly.

Otherwise, someone like him would get hurt, and memories, or worse, things he couldn’t even anticipate, would—

— I apologize again. I’m sorry, Wookyung. I’ll be more mindful from now on.

His drifting thoughts were interrupted by Director Choi’s words.

But wait.

Was it just him, or did that sound like he wasn’t giving up?

Ding-dong.

— That must be your food arriving. Enjoy your meal, Wookyung.

He even had sharp hearing.

He could hear the doorbell ringing over the phone?

That aside, was he doing this on purpose?

He kept adding “Wookyung” at the end of every sentence, and it even sounded like he was smiling.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

Since he didn’t answer right away, the doorbell rang again, as if urging him.

— You should get that.

“Yes. I’ll eat well.”

— Good. Rest well, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

The gentle voice, perfectly matching his soft tone, lingered in Wookyung’s ears before the call ended.

Why did it feel like his ears were itching?

“Did he just curse at me?”

If anyone was going to swear, it should be him.

Why was the other guy acting like he was the one wronged?

Muttering to himself, Wookyung rubbed his itching ear and stood up.

He couldn’t just leave the hotel staff waiting.

Opening the door, he found an employee who politely greeted him.

In their hands was a large tray.

“Excuse me, sir. I’ve brought your meal. May I come in for a moment?”

“Please, come in.”

Wookyung stepped aside to let them in, glancing across the hall as he did.

The room across from his was close—just two, maybe three steps away.

If not for the phone call earlier, he might have invited him to eat together, out of politeness.

‘No way.’

His own mind rejected the thought immediately.

Having dinner with a superior who made him uncomfortable?

Just thinking about it was…

Then why, of all times, did an image of him eating alone at a café pop into his head?

“Haah…”

Looking at the lavish spread on the table only deepened his internal conflict.

Wookyung squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them again.

‘This isn’t right. I shouldn’t…’

But despite his thoughts, his hands moved on their own.

[Me: Director Choi, the food has arrived.

Me: Let’s eat together.]

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