Picking Up Unrequited Love Chapter 138

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Chapter 138: Festival (3)

I just raised the tension a bit, thinking about the festive atmosphere.

I thought it would end as a simple happening, but the reaction was more intense than expected.

The university bulletin board was filled with stories about Eun-ha and me.

[Anonymous
5 minutes ago
Business Administration, Year 1, haha. Listen up well.
You should pay taxes twice, you should serve in the military twice.

- Anonymous 1
5 minutes ago
If I serve twice, can I meet someone like that too?

     - Anonymous 2
       5 minutes ago
       LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL
       Is that possible?

    - Anonymous 1
      3 minutes ago
      If you pay taxes twice, you think you can do that?

    - Anonymous 3
      2 minutes ago
      No way. This is beyond the realm of talent. Stop dreaming.

- Anonymous 4
4 minutes ago
Just wait a little! There was a breaking point, but it got funny again. LOL

   - Anonymous 2
     3 minutes ago
    😭 The host said he has never been so jealous of one before… He asked for help because he was feeling it too much.]

Seeing Eun-ha’s beauty and behavior, everyone seemed envious of me.

Yeah, I get how you all feel. That’s why I’m serving two terms in the military, right?

“Ahhh—! It keeps going up. What should I do?!”

Of course, there were also stories about Eun-ha.

[Anonymous

15 minutes ago
Film Studies, Year 1, here. Oh ho.
Does anyone know where to meet a boyfriend like that? Asking for a friend.

- Anonymous 1
5 minutes ago
They said they met in high school?

    - Anonymous 2
      5 minutes ago
      So, did they end up going to the same university?

   - Anonymous 1
     3 minutes ago
     Yeah, I heard they did.

   - Anonymous (Military Service)
     2 minutes ago
     It’s like something straight out of a movie plot, right?]

Normally, I don’t like being the center of attention, but right now, it was a bit amusing.

There weren’t any posts criticizing me or Eun-ha, and everyone was cheering us on.

Still, things escalated so much that Eun-ha felt really sorry toward me.

“Would it be wrong to ask them to stop posting...?”

“Just let it be~. After the festival ends, people will forget about it~.”

“But if I go to college today, I’m sure my classmates will tease me a lot... I’m sorry. They’re going to ask you a lot too, Han-gyeol.”

“It’s fine~. Honestly, it was a bit fun.”

“Still...”

Eun-ha seemed worried that I might feel uncomfortable.

I gently patted her head, concerned that she was overthinking it.

“It’s really okay~. It feels kind of nice being the university’s official couple.”

“...Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine~. Now that everyone knows you have a boyfriend, no one’s going to hit on you anymore.”

“Well, it’s the same for you, right? When I think about it that way, it does feel like we did the right thing.”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t know waving my hand wrong would lead to all this.”

When I grinned at Eun-ha, she finally relaxed, her guilt fading away.

“Didn’t you have fun, Eun-ha?”

“...To be honest, I enjoyed it a little.”

“Right? Then let’s go. We’re going to be late for class.”

“Okay! But if anyone keeps teasing you, tell me! I’ll scold them for you!”

“Alright~ let’s go.”

“Okay!”

I left the house with Eun-ha, heading toward college.

Even though I could feel people’s eyes on us here and there from the college entrance, I didn’t mind since Eun-ha was with me.

After parting ways with her, I headed to my major class, and the moment I walked into the lecture hall, all eyes were on me.

“Look who it is—! Handsome! Kind! And smart! It’s Han-gyeol, isn’t it?!”

“H-Han-gyeol...?”

Jeong greeted me with a bright smile, calling me ‘Han-gyeol’.

She said it just like Eun-ha did, and hearing someone else say it made me feel a little disappointed.

“I saw everything yesterday~! You guys became the university’s official couple, huh?”

Seunghoon, who was sitting next to Jaehyun, chimed in.

“If you know who posted those, tell them to delete them.”

“Come on, you’re a star now! How does it feel?”

“Just... a little bit fun?”

“Pfft—! That’s hilarious. Your eyes were dripping with honey, man.”

“What can I do when I like my girlfriend so much?”

“Wow~ that’s a smooth line~.”

“Let’s just focus on class. This is embarrassing.”

And that ended the conversation with the guys.

But even the classmates I hadn’t spoken to before were giving me glances.

I guess I made an impression without meaning to.

Still, Eun-ha was absolutely adorable yesterday.

At first, she was flustered, but her eyes sparkled whenever she talked about me. I kept thinking of those twinkling eyes.

Even during class, Eun-ha kept popping into my mind, and I couldn’t help but smile a little.

Why is she so cute?

Eun-ha really has a talent for driving people crazy.

I think yesterday’s memories will stay crystal clear in my mind for decades to come.

Life feels good.

****

After class, Eun-ha and I wandered around the festival.

We grabbed some chicken skewers from a food truck and were enjoying desserts when Eun-ha spoke up.

“Han-gyeol, do you want to check out our department pub?”

“Won’t we attract a lot of attention if we go now? You sure it’s okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. They said they’d give us some free snacks.”

“Well, in that case, let’s go~”

“Hurry up~”

Eun-ha grabbed my hand and led me into the pub.

“We’re here~”

As soon as we entered, her classmates greeted us with big smiles.

“Oh—! You brought your boyfriend?! Wait here a sec, we’ll bring you some delicious snacks~”

“Okay~”

Eun-ha sat down at the table with a bright smile.

“Oh? Eun-ha’s here~?”

“Yeah, yeah. Not many people today, huh?”

“Looks like everyone went to see the idol that’s coming later. Are you going to watch too, Eun-ha?”

“I’m thinking of squeezing in a little time to go~”

“They’re also doing a fireworks show later, you should check that out too.”

“Sure~”

Eun-ha seemed pretty friendly with her classmates, exchanging greetings with ease.

“You have a lot of friends, Eun-ha~”

“Thanks to you, Han-gyeol~”

“What did I do~?”

“A lot of people got closer to me because of what happened yesterday~ I bragged about you so much!”

“Could you tone it down a little? It’s embarrassing.”

“Nope~ I want to brag about you more.”

As we chatted, snacks were placed on the table.

Each time new food arrived, Eun-ha and I thanked her classmates, and they smiled as they left us to enjoy.

“Should we have just one bottle and then go watch the idol?”

“Are you sure you won’t get drunk, Eun-ha? Let’s drink moderately.”

“I’ll be fine~ I’ll pace myself.”

“Alright~”

I opened the soju bottle on the table and poured half into Eun-ha’s glass before filling my own.

“Did a lot of people ask you about us in your department?”

“Yeah, they did, but I was too shy to brag.”

“That’s understandable~ Ah~ but I loved bragging about you today. It made me feel so proud, like I was showing off something really precious.”

“You liked it that much?”

Eun-ha nodded vigorously at my question.

“Of course! It felt like I was saying ‘This is my guy!’ and I felt so proud. Some people looked at us with envy, and honestly, I didn’t mind at all. I didn’t show it, but it felt amazing.”

Eun-ha’s bright smile was incredibly endearing.

“You’re cute.”

“Every day with you is just so much fun, Han-gyeol!”

“I’m grateful too~ Should we toast?”

“Yes, yes! Cheers~”

After clinking our glasses, we both downed the soju in one go.

“Let me feed you some food, Han-gyeol. Open up~”

“Eun-ha, your friends are here, you know—”

“It’s fine. I’ve already told them how much I adore you. They understand~ Come on, hurry up~”

“Ah—”

Eun-ha fed me a bite of the egg roll, her eyes shining as she watched me.

“Is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s delicious.”

We continued to eat and drink, emptying the bottle together. Even though Eun-ha said she’d pace herself, her cheeks started to turn a little pink.

“You’re getting tipsy fast today, Eun-ha. I thought you were pacing yourself.”

“I guess I got carried away enjoying the festival with you~”

“Let’s not order another bottle. Want to go check out the festival instead?”

“Yes, yes! I’m curious about the idol too. Let’s get going.”

Eun-ha and I stood up together.

We got the snacks for free, so we only paid for the drinks.

“Thank you. The food was amazing.”

“Sure~ Come visit our department pub again next time~”

“Will do. We’re heading out now~”

“Take care~”

“Bye!”

After saying goodbye to Eun-ha’s busy friends, we made our way toward the stage.

But by the time we arrived, the place was already packed, and it was hard to see the stage.

“Wow… there are so many people.”

“Well, it’s a popular idol, so it’s expected.”

“Doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to see anything from here.”

“Nothing we can do~ In that case, I’ll just watch you, Han-gyeol.”

“Should we just head home?”

“Huh? Don’t you want to see the idol?”

Eun-ha tilted her head in curiosity.

“I was just thinking of checking it out, but seeing this crowd is kind of draining.”

“Then should we just go home? How about we watch the fireworks from the rooftop?”

“Oh— that sounds even better. Let’s grab a beer and watch from the rooftop.”

“Yes, yes! Let’s go!”

I grabbed Eun-ha’s wrist, and we made our way out of the crowd.

As we headed home, I kept glancing back, worried the fireworks might start before we got there.

When we finally arrived, we grabbed a beer from the fridge and went straight to the rooftop.

“This is much better than being in a crowded place.”

“Yes, yes! I’m so excited to watch the fireworks with just you, Han-gyeol!”

Eun-ha said that, squeezing my hand tightly, her fingers interlocking with mine, her smile full of happiness.

“I feel the same~”

“Every moment with you feels like it’s glowing, Han-gyeol.”

Eun-ha suddenly turned her head to look up at me.

“Now that I think about it, yesterday was hilarious too. It was fun showing you off in front of so many people, and when you shouted for me to wait with your hands together, that was the best! Be honest, you were embarrassed, right?”

“Of course, I was. Do you think I don’t get nervous?”

“That’s why I loved it even more. Ah~ this festival has been so much fun! I really want to be with you every single day, Han-gyeol. What should I do?! I just keep liking you more and more!”

“What do you mean ‘what should you do’? Just keep liking me more~ I feel the same way, Eun-ha. I’m falling for you more and more too.”

“I really love you so much, Han-gyeol!”

Looking at Eun-ha’s face, I could see just how much she loved me.

Her smile was the happiest one in the world.

“Eun-ha.”

“Yes?!”

“Let’s shower together tonight.”

“Yes! I’d love that!”

As soon as Eun-ha, beaming with a bashful smile, answered,

Boom!

the fireworks started.

Both of our heads turned up toward the sky at the same time.