* * *
Time passed, and Saturday finally arrived—the day Yeongdeok was set to meet with the cafe members.
Since it was an occasion to meet new people, he dressed smartly in a sleek black suit, tidied his messy bangs, adjusted his tie carefully, and left the house.
Today, Yeongdeok was determined to make friends so that Jihoon would never make such remarks again.
He was also planning his revenge on PetitRolang. How perfect his plan was.
Yeongdeok boarded the bus and followed the map that Rose, the cafe president, had sent in the open chat room, arriving at a cafe.
The seating in the cafe was divided into partitions with curtains drawn around them.
[Rose: Everyone! Once you arrive, please come to partition number 8. I’m waiting here with a pounding heart.]
After reading Rose’s message, Yeongdeok headed for partition number 8.
What kind of person was Rose?
Judging by her tone, she seemed very cultured and polite.
Yeongdeok paused in front of partition 8 for a moment before decisively pulling back the curtain.
The person sitting at the table raised their head from their phone.
The first thing that caught Yeongdeok’s attention was their pitch-black eyes, as dark as the universe.
Then, he noticed the long, curly white hair and spotless, blemish-free skin. And then…
“Uh… Are you by any chance, ‘Yeongdeok Chicken’?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Rose, the cafe president, and… oh my, you’re….”
The girl, who introduced herself as Rose, flushed red and wore an embarrassed expression.
Just then, a group of middle and high school girls gathered behind Yeongdeok.
“Who’s this guy?”
“Guy? Isn’t that a bit harsh, Gwakdupal?”
“Yeah, he doesn’t look old enough to be called an old man.”
Yeongdeok glanced down at them briefly, then turned back to Rose.
“Wait, you’re a guy?” Rose stammered in shock, clearly thrown off.
Yeongdeok silently nodded.
“Yes, I am.”
“Oh my god. Is this really ‘Yeongdeok Chicken’?”
“We never expected a guy to show up to our group.”
Realizing that Yeongdeok was ‘Yeongdeok Chicken,’ the group stared at him as if they were witnessing something rare and curious.
“Well, let’s sit down and chat anyway,” said one girl with short hair and an easygoing attitude, offering Yeongdeok a seat with a smile.
As the group, including Yeongdeok, gathered around the table, Rose nervously glanced at him and then prompted the others to introduce themselves.
“Since it’s Yeongdeok Chicken’s first time meeting us, how about we all introduce ourselves?”
“I’ll go first! I’m 16, and my favorite author is Natsuyama Soseki! My dream is to be Soseki’s foot servant!”
As others applauded one by one, Yeongdeok calmly clapped along.
“Next, would you introduce yourself, Earth Destruction?”
“I… I can’t…,” said a girl who had been called ‘Earth Destruction,’ burying her face in her hands. Rose stepped in to introduce her.
“This is Earth Destruction. She’s very shy and always talks about wanting the world to end since she’s about to become a senior in high school.”
“I see,” Yeongdeok nodded.
Next was the girl who had offered him a seat.
“I’m Gwakdupal. I’ve just finished my college entrance exams and am enjoying life. This is DaerimdongFist, and we’re the same age.”
“Nice to meet you, Yeongdeok Chicken,” said the girl named DaerimdongFist.
After they finished their introductions, it was finally Rose’s turn.
“I’m Rose, the president of the Beautiful Life cafe, and I’m 15 years old.”
“Wow, your speech is so elegant for a middle schooler! I wasn’t like that when I was in middle school,” remarked Gwakdupal.
“Please, Gwakdupal, you were busy harboring a dark dragon in your right arm.”
“Shut up, DaerimdongFist.”
After Rose’s introduction, everyone turned to Yeongdeok, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Lastly, could you introduce yourself, Yeongdeok Chicken?”
“I’m Yeongdeok Chicken. I run a fried chicken shop. I’m 28 years old.”
Yeongdeok’s introduction was met with enthusiastic applause from the cafe members, followed by a barrage of questions.
“Which BL novels have you read? Any that left a strong impression?”
“Do you have a favorite author?”
Yeongdeok found it bothersome to answer but recalled his promise to be kind to kids, so he responded to each question.
“‘Our Time,’ which Rose recommended. It was quite moving. As for a favorite author… I don’t have one.”
“What keywords do you like? Omegaverse? Guide stories?”
“Keywords…” Yeongdeok frowned slightly, recalling the obsessive character trope he had been assigned.
“As long as it’s not an obsessive character, I’m fine with anything.”
“Obsessive characters are good! Why don’t you like them? Should I recommend a really good obsessive character novel?”
“Thank you for the recommendation.”
The more he read about obsessive characters, the more he could analyze them. Yeongdeok thanked Gwakdupal.
“You don’t like obsessive characters…?” Rose showed her disappointment openly.
“That’s a shame.”
“Our Rose is obsessed with obsessive characters,” Gwakdupal said, wrapping her arm around Rose’s shoulder with a bright smile.
After the flood of questions subsided, a pointless debate broke out.
“Older top or younger top? Which do you prefer?”
“Definitely older. The maturity and experience they bring… it’s great when they lead the bottom.”
“What are you talking about? Younger tops teasing older bottoms with a mix of formal and informal speech is the best!”
“You people don’t appreciate the beauty of childhood friends. Same age is the best.”
As the heated debate raged on, Yeongdeok silently sipped his drink. Rose, who had been watching him closely, asked.
“What kind of top do you prefer, Yeongdeok Chicken?”
“What kind of top…?”
Since he only read BL novels for analysis, Yeongdeok didn’t have a particular preference.
He recalled the setting of this trashy novel.
The main bottom, Lee Eungyeol, was 23 years old, making Baek Seonwoo the same age as him, while
Ha Wonjin was older.
Seo Jihoon was also the same age.
So, no younger tops.
“Younger tops are probably the best.”
“Right? I knew it! Younger tops are the ultimate truth!”
“What do you all think is better, blond tops or dark-haired tops?”
Another round of meaningless debate ensued.
Yeongdeok quietly listened to their chatter.
The debate, which seemed like it would never end, finally shifted to discussing BL works.
“Have you read Java Chip’s ‘Reincarnated as the Emperor’s Concubine’? The cross-dressing is top-tier.”
“Frappe’s ‘Possessive Desire’ is absolutely crazy.”
“Oh, I’ve read that one,” Yeongdeok mentally noted the works they mentioned, planning to read them later.
Just then, DaerimdongFist spoke up.
“But honestly… isn’t PetitRolang’s work the best?”
At that, Yeongdeok flinched. He had remained silent until then, but this comment was hard to ignore.
“Right! PetitRolang is truly the best.”
“I’ve even read PetitRolang’s non-BL works!”
“Right? How does PetitRolang come up with such brilliant ideas?”
“I just wish they’d release a new work soon. They keep recycling the same one.”
“PetitRolang is a genius!”
Everyone except Yeongdeok began to idolize PetitRolang, showering praise on his works.
Unable to hold back, Yeongdeok let out a dry laugh.
“PetitRolang? You’re all out of your minds for liking such a trashy person.”
At Yeongdeok’s sarcastic remark, the lively atmosphere immediately froze.
The smiling expressions of the members started to stiffen.
“What did you just say?”
* * *
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No I hope they can still be friends after this 😭
Plotwist
PD: Currently I prefer younger tops 🤭
PD x2: And additionally blond ones
Yikes
Thanks for the chapter
Omg what is thisss
Thanks
They wont ever understand the sheer hatred Yeongdak has for Petit haha
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks