Neurolink System in the Modern World

Chapter 89  Adorable Girl

"Let's dig in," I said with a warm smile, giving her head a gentle pat. I could tell that she was famished, and the thought of going to a restaurant right now would be a bit of a hassle, especially considering her well-being.

With that in mind, I eagerly opened the bento box. I was greeted by an array of once-warm Japanese dishes, now slightly chilled but still enticing.  I could tell that she still had a strong preference for food from her home country.

First, I noticed a generous portion of white rice that had lost its steamy allure but retained its fluffy texture. The grains were now cool to the touch, and their once-aromatic fragrance had faded.

Next to the rice, there were several slices of marinated beef that had lost their heat but still looked tender and flavorful. The glistening juices had congealed slightly, but the rich, caramelized color remained.

Beside the beef, a small mound of stir-fried vegetables had lost their previous crispness, yet their vibrant colors hinted at their former freshness. "Sun-seng-nim, say 'ah,'" Ayumi said as she started feeding me.

"Ah," I playfully opened my mouth, pretending to be the protagonist of a rom-comedy anime .

As the first bite of the chilled food touched my lips, I felt a shiver of coldness. Yet, as I chewed, the flavors slowly awakened on my palate. The marinated beef, though no longer warm, retained its savory charm. The rice, while not steaming, offered a comforting familiarity. The cool,  vegetables provided a refreshing contrast.

But what truly made the meal delightful was Ayumi's adorable smile. It transformed the simple act of eating into a heartwarming experience. With each bite, I savored not just the flavors of the bento but the warmth of her care.

Is this how it felt to have someone genuinely take care of you? The answer, I realized, was a resounding yes.

"It tastes good," I complimented her.

"Thank you," she replied with a warm smile, her eyes lighting up with happiness at my compliment. "Where did you learn how to cook?" I asked her, trying to strike up a conversation.

"I always do the cooking at our place. I make sure to cook for my sister since she's constantly busy," she explained, emphasizing her role as the family's chef. "You have a sister?" "That's right, she's a genius, unlike me," she replied with a proud expression, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. I sensed that there might be some family issues beneath the surface, but I didn't want to pry into her personal matters.

"You're pretty smart yourself, I mean, you did manage to get me," I teased her, trying to lighten the mood and make her smile. "You're right, I am really smart to chase you," she replied with a slight blush. "I really like you, Sun-seng-nim. I hope we can stay together like this," she added, leaning into my shoulder with a contented smile. "I like you too," I whispered affectionately, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

With a smile, I reciprocated by starting to feed her as well, savoring the warmth of the moment and the connection we shared. Ayumi is a wonderful girl. In a way, I can consider her my first real girlfriend, and I couldn't be happier about it. I may not be a good person, and I recognize that I've done some questionable things, perhaps even bordering on being cruel or manipulative. However, I've made a promise to myself to take care of Ayumi. While I may have manipulated, harmed, or even took extreme actions toward others in the past, I want to make it clear that I will never betray her, as long as she doesn't do anything wrong. She will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will do my best to protect and care for her in the future Would I change because of her? Not really. I can't change who I am, but I can choose how I treat her. — Nôv(el)B\\jnn

—

After our meal, Ayumi and I decided to go to the mall. I made sure to change my clothing, donning a hat and glasses to help avoid anyone recognizing me. It felt nice to blend in and enjoy a casual outing without drawing attention. I had also added a touch of style to my disguise, wearing a luxurious black jacket adorned with golden sakura patterns along the sides. It was worth a whopping 200,000 won. I might have seemed like I was splurging, but my perception of money had taken a turn after I saw my account balance.

After my uncle's passing, I had managed to reclaim not only the money my parents had borrowed but also his substantial savings, all thanks to Alyssa. It had been a straightforward process since she was my uncle's sole inheritor, which essentially made her wealth mine as well. This financial windfall had definitely skewed my perspective on spending.

And with Alyssa no longer needing to spend on clothing, gadgets , items or indulge in expensive meals, I found myself with the freedom to allocate this  wealth to my own desires. Moreover, my passive earnings had started to pique my interest.

I'd discovered that my parents owned a significant number of shares from different companies. Just contemplating the potential figures was enough to realize that I was financially set for life. It occurred to me that the reason we had remained in that house before was likely because my uncle couldn't make substantial purchases while I was still alive. He had been saving up these resources, anticipating that he could claim them all for himself in the future. Sadly, he died before getting to enjoy the money. I hope he's found peace wherever he is now. Maybe he's getting special treatment in hell, who knows? "Hey Ayumi, come with me to the Green Apple store. I heard the new Iphone 15 was just released," I exclaimed, excitement in my voice as I grabbed her hand and headed to the store.  Right now, I just want to pretend to be a normal person and enjoy my time shopping with my adorable girlfriend.