Chapter 45: 46875, 4551

 

‘I’m truly only looking at Han-gyeol. I truly only like Han-gyeol.’

 

Eun-ha’s words kept echoing in my mind.

 

I couldn’t hear the teacher’s lecture, nor could I read the words on the blackboard.

 

I tried shaking my head to dispel the thoughts, but they only became clearer.

 

‘...I’ll make you happy in return.’

 

To promise happiness.

 

It was rare for a man to hear such words.

 

Eun-ha’s shy and delicate side was endearing, but this occasional assertive side of hers was also appealing.

 

The problem was, that my feelings for this version of Eun-ha kept growing as time went by.

 

She was so adorable that it was driving me mad.

 

So cute that I even thought of biting her out of affection.

 

‘How am I supposed to deal with these overwhelming emotions?’

 

To find an answer to that question, I sneakily glanced at Eun-ha.

 

Maybe looking at her would help me alleviate these feelings.

 

But just as she came into my view, I realized she was also looking at me.

 

Our eyes met, and we held each other’s gaze for a moment.

 

When did she start looking?

 

Why wasn’t she paying attention during class?

 

Not that I was one to talk, but it seemed Eun-ha felt the same way.

 

We couldn’t maintain eye contact forever, so I subtly turned away.

 

I tried to play it cool, resting my chin on my left hand, but it felt like someone was playfully poking the side of my head.

 

I’d bet an arm and a leg on it.

 

Eun-ha was watching me right now.

 

I felt like fooling around even before class ended.

 

Stay calm for now.

 

Eun-ha and I were seniors.

 

The last thing we needed was our grades dropping because of dating.

 

We could flirt during breaks and after school.

 

With a sigh, I stared at the words written on the blackboard.

 

Mentally reciting a mantra, I tried to regain my lost concentration.

 

I tightly gripped my pen and transcribed the writing from the board to my textbook.

 

Somehow, I managed to maintain my frail focus and endured through the 6th period.

 

“Alright, that’s it for today’s lesson. Hang in there for the last period.”

 

The moment the teacher left the classroom, Eun-ha and I immediately approached each other.

 

With a playful pinch on Eun-ha’s adorable cheek, I said,

 

“Eun-ha, you should be looking at the board during class. Why were you looking at me?”

 

“But Han-gyul, you were also sneaking glances at me instead of the board.”

 

“Ugh... I have nothing to say.”

 

“Ah- I wish we could switch seats. I’m too far from you right now.”

 

Even her longing was so endearing.

 

I tried to soothe these feelings by playfully squishing her soft cheeks.

 

“Han-gyeol... Ahh-”

 

“Sorry. Pinching your cheek just felt surprisingly good.”

 

“Well... If it makes you happy, I don’t mind.”

 

“What should we do after school? Want to go on a date instead of studying?”

 

Honestly, studying today was out of the question.

 

My mind was so full of her that there was no room for anything else.

 

“Really? Can we take a break from studying today?”

 

Upon hearing my words, Eun-ha’s eyes began to sparkle.

 

It made sense. We had been constantly studying even when we wanted to flirt.

 

“Yep. Let’s skip studying and go on a date.”

 

“Ah- what should we do? What do you want to do?”

 

“Hmm- there’s a new movie out. Want to go watch it?”

 

“No, I don’t want to watch a movie. Let’s do something else.”

 

Eun-ha declined without hesitation.

 

Honestly, it was unexpected. I hadn’t thought she would refuse.

 

I didn’t really mind, but I was curious about her reason.

 

“Why not? Not in the mood for a movie?”

 

“It’s not good value for money.”

 

“Really? Considering the time, it’s not that expensive.”

 

“Not that kind of good value for money.”

 

Seeing my puzzled look, Eun-ha subtly checked our surroundings.

 

Once she confirmed that our classmates weren’t interested in our conversation, she cautiously said,

 

“I can’t see Han-gyeol during the time we’re watching the movie.”

 

‘Man, she’s not giving me any breaks, is she?’

 

I bit my lip a little harder.

 

If I didn’t, it felt like my heart would burst.

 

‘Ah. So that’s what she meant by good value for money.’

 

‘I see.’

 

My heart pounded violently.

 

“Eun-ha.”

 

“Hmm? Don’t you think it’s not good value for money, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Yeah, I guess so. Is there something else you want to do?”

 

That was a close call just now.

 

I mustn’t let my guard down-

 

“Actually, as long as I can see you, Han-gyeol, I don’t mind.”

 

I was rendered helpless by Eun-ha’s shy upward glance.

 

I struggled to keep the rising heat from my face under control, but it was to no avail.

 

“Han-gyeol, your face is red.”

 

“It’s your fault.”

 

“Ah- Han-gyeol, let’s go to a karaoke then. We can sing, grab some food, have dessert, and then head home.”

 

“Karaoke?”

 

“Yes. Karaoke.”

 

This was a problem.

 

I didn’t even know what songs to sing.

 

“Eun-ha, just to let you know, I’m a terrible singer.”

 

“Why worry about that? Just sing comfortably.”

 

To be honest, I wanted to hear Eun-ha sing.

 

‘Hmm- even if it’s embarrassing, I want to hear her voice.’

 

“Alright. Let’s go.”

 

“Yes!”

 

***

 

As soon as school ended, we went straight to the karaoke.

 

It was a coin-operated karaoke room, big enough for three, maybe four people at most.

 

It was nicer than I expected.

 

“Do you want to pick the first song, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Hmm- I’m not confident. How about you sing first?”

 

“I’m nervous too...! But you have to sing after me.”

 

“You won’t laugh when you hear me sing?”

 

“That goes for you too. I’ll start, okay?”

 

Eun-ha, with a cheerful smile, reserved a song.

 

Even for someone like me who didn’t know many songs, it was familiar.

 

“Ah- I’m looking forward to hearing you sing, Eun-ha.”

 

“Singing in front of Han-gyeol makes me a bit shy. Do you know this song?”

 

“Yes, I do. It seems like a song everyone has heard at least once.”

 

“Really? Then you can do the rap part.”

 

“What?”

 

“Will you sing it?”

 

Seeing Eun-ha’s expectant eyes, I couldn’t refuse.

 

“Okay. I’ll take the rap part. It wasn’t very long anyway.”

 

“Great!”

 

When Eun-ha pressed the start button, the karaoke room darkened.

 

A mirror ball on the ceiling spun as the accompaniment to Eun-ha’s chosen song began to play.

 

The bright and calm melody suited Eun-ha perfectly.

 

Eun-ha, gripping the microphone with both hands, looked incredibly cute.

 

As the instrumental break ended, beautiful lyrics flowed from Eun-ha’s mouth.

 

“Coffee, I’ve had too much-”

 

The moment Eun-ha’s tender voice slipped out, I was taken aback. Even though it was the same voice I’d been hearing, it sounded strikingly different.

 

‘What? Why does she sing so well?’

 

Her clear and pure voice filled the karaoke room. Still holding the microphone with both hands, Eun-ha seemed to be having fun, gently swaying her head from side to side.

 

When she sang the chorus, she would occasionally glance at me to gauge my reaction. When our eyes met, she shyly avoided my gaze.

 

Before I knew it, I was humming along to Eun-ha’s song. The first verse was gradually coming to an end, approaching the rap part. Eun-ha began to subtly look at me, and as promised, I picked up the microphone.

 

“Like star-”

 

Singing in front of my girlfriend was more embarrassing than I had anticipated.

 

Eun-ha, sensing my discomfort, held her microphone and joined in for bits of the rap part.

 

Though the rap portion was only about 25 seconds long throughout the song, it felt much longer than I’d expected.

 

As soon as the rap ended, Eun-ha seamlessly continued with the song.

 

I clapped to the beat, enjoying Eun-ha’s singing.

 

Once the song finished, she, seemingly embarrassed, darted to a corner of the room. She covered her face with both hands, sneaking glances at me.

 

“Eun-ha, where are you going? Why are you hiding?”

 

“I’m a bit embarrassed... I messed up some parts.”

 

“Did you? I didn’t notice at all. You sounded amazing.”

 

“No, don’t compliment me right now because I’m too embarrassed...!”

 

Her bashfulness was utterly adorable.

 

It felt such a waste to just let this moment with Eun-ha pass.

 

“You sang so well. I think I’ve fallen for you all over again.”

 

“Ahh-! I told you not to tease me right now... I’m really embarrassed!”

 

“Your expression says otherwise. You look so happy. You did great. You sang incredibly well.”

 

Eun-ha finally came back to my side and picked up the remote.

 

“Now it’s your turn, Han-gyeol. What will you sing?”

 

“Ah- I just want to keep listening to you sing.”

 

“So, you want a full solo concert?”

 

“Would you? How much is the ticket?”

 

“Nope. Hurry up and choose a song.”

 

Since Eun-ha sang for me first, I couldn’t refuse.

 

I hadn’t sung much before, but for Eun-ha, what couldn’t I do?

 

“Eun-ha, which song should I sing for you?”

 

“Ah- there’s a song I want to hear. But I’m not sure if you know it?”

 

“Hmm- which one?”

 

Eun-ha searched for the song using the remote.

 

It was a slightly older song, but it matched my taste.

 

“Do you know this one?!”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Sing this for me!”

 

“Alright!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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