Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 42

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 42

Chapter Title: Birthday Treasures

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Yi-hae Baek forcibly moved her robot-like creaking body to chase Do-gyeom Seo away. She pretended to reluctantly give in to the hand pushing against his back, but the way he looked down at her was so profoundly tender.

'Ah, is this just my bias?'

"I'm going crazy, jumping around like this."

Even a frog wouldn't hop this much.

She muttered an unfunny dad joke to herself inwardly and let out a deep sigh.

Then she lay down on the bed where Do-gyeom had been sitting. Her heart was still pounding pleasantly.

'Stop increasing it.'

Do-gyeom Seo's favorability toward Yi-hae Baek was already at 65.

It was fine when I-heum Seo or Yeol Seo's favorability went up, but why did Do-gyeom's feel different the higher it climbed?

'What happens if I max out Do-gyeom's favorability? If I keep obsession as is and just raise favorability...'

Yi-hae Baek looked up at the ceiling. A flush of anticipation colored her cheeks, though she was unaware of it.

"Then this world might actually be worth living in..."

A sincere thought slipped out unbidden.

Yi-hae Baek imagined her future. For the first time, she seriously considered life in this world.

Dating Do-gyeom, going to college together once they were adults. If she said she hated the yakuza life, wouldn't he reluctantly look for a normal job?

Her foundations were lacking, but with steady study from now on, a good university might be possible.

A normal romance with Do-gyeom, and a future together.

That was when it happened.

The status window appeared as if snapping Yi-hae Baek out of her realistic daydreams.

"Trust!"

Yi-hae Baek bolted upright. The red status window warned her, but reading it, she broke into a radiant smile.

'So raising trust fixes it!'

His excessive obsession and jealousy toward the female lead might stem from a lack of trust in her.

The anxiety that she might leave for another man at any time. That twisted affection led to confinement.

The solution was simple. As the status window indicated, just raise trust.

'If I firmly raise trust without increasing obsession further, I won't have to fear or avoid Do-gyeom anymore!'

Somewhere along the way, the idea of linking Do-gyeom with the original female lead, Eun-seol Yeo, had vanished.

She was simply glad she didn't have to push him away out of fear for his uncertain future. It felt like confirmation that she could accept him.

'But how do I raise trust? The old man's is at 0 too.'

Yeol Seo had the highest trust among the family. Even so, it was just a small, cute 20.

Yeol's trust had risen twice.

'When he realized Cha I-ryeong was dangerous.'

That method was unusable now. Yi-hae Baek clicked her tongue and recalled the second.

'And when I promised not to abandon him while he was scared of ghosts.'

The latter had potential. But suggesting they watch a horror movie to scare him felt guilty.

'I'll think about it slowly. At least I know it's possible.'

Yi-hae Baek lay back down with a satisfied smile.

She fell into a deep, sound sleep just like that. Her first proper rest in ages.

Time flowed relentlessly onward.

Yi-hae Baek and Eun-seol Yeo, knowing each other's secrets and sharing mutual sympathy, grew close despite their bickering.

Do-gyeom's favorability would drop and obsession rise at the sight, terrifying them both.

Fortunately, telling Eun-seol made her panic and keep her distance too. Around Do-gyeom, they'd awkwardly pretend otherwise.

Besides that, Do-gyeom's grades noticeably improved from Yi-hae Baek's steady tutoring.

Of course, his baseline was abysmal. Their homeroom teacher seemed ready to bow to her in gratitude, leaving her flustered.

Another time, admiring cherry blossoms on the way home, Do-gyeom gifted her a small bouquet that evening.

Yeol Seo, who witnessed it by chance, was stunned at the unexpected event, but Yi-hae Baek shyly smiled.

The pink mist flower bouquet was far more beautiful than cherry blossoms.

Time passed again, ushering in summer.

June 2nd.

Yi-hae Baek's birthday. They hadn't celebrated together last year, so it was her first in this house.

Yeol Seo cutely asked if she needed anything, pretending nonchalance. I-heum Seo was expressionless but more proactive than anyone in party prep.

Under I-heum's orders, O Seo-bang bustled about busiest of all. The rough underlings followed suit.

Some grumbled about the hassle for Yi-hae Baek.

At her request to avoid a big gathering, only the Seo family including her assembled.

With a large cake in the center, I-heum handed over a gift. A simple heart pendant necklace.

"It has a tracker. Better safe than sorry."

The White Blossom Gang kidnapping lingered badly for I-heum too.

Stroking her head, his gaze held worry as he looked down. Yi-hae Baek understood.

He saw her as family, kept her close, but that exposed her to danger.

"Thank you. I'll wear it always."

No thoughts of refusing now; Yi-hae Baek just smiled gratefully. Sensing her intent, I-heum smiled back.

Yeol prepared cute, age-appropriate gifts.

Hair ties and a headband.

He'd braved embarrassment to buy them. Blushing, he mumbled they'd suit her long hair.

She tried to hug him for the cuteness but Do-gyeom blocked her. Still, a very satisfying gift.

"Can't check your phone during exams."

Do-gyeom's was a wristwatch.

Always watching her time herself with a stopwatch, solving problems on cue. It matched him: black band with a gold second hand.

"...Thank you. I'm really grateful to all of you."

The price didn't matter. The thought behind them did.

Yi-hae Baek teared up with emotion. Their smiles mirrored her joy.

Thus, Yi-hae Baek's treasures piled up.

The gifts, the time with them—all precious as jewels.

From spring to summer, the status window stayed hidden. Except occasional updates on Do-gyeom's favorability or obsession.

Jang Seol-gi, nearly a villainous side character, seemed to give up once Do-gyeom openly showed affection to Yi-hae Baek.

Perhaps part of the main quest reward.

For reference, days later, Eun-seol Yeo, learning of the birthday by chance, gifted a bracelet.

Pretty and pricey-looking; Yi-hae Baek fiddled with it all day.

Next day, left aside while washing, it vanished completely.

'I knew it was him seeing Do-gyeom's obsession rise.'

But what wrong had innocent Eun-seol done?

Explaining apologetically,

-Yes! That's a real man! Ha, I believed in you. Classic Do-gyeom!

"..."

-Keep that steadfast heart forever! Throw out my gifts, ignore me outright—whatever! Just please!

Eun-seol, hearing via phone, cheered ecstatically instead.

What a damn annoying guy.