Chapter 38: In Shades of Pink

 

“Ah, what should I wear? This is such a tough decision.”

 

Debating whether to wear a high-schooler-like blue jacket or opt for a slightly casual cardigan was a dilemma.

 

For pants, wearing straightforward black slacks seemed like a safe bet.

 

I wondered if Eun-ha was facing the same worries as me.

 

“Let’s just go with the blue jacket.”

 

After some consideration, I decided on the blue jacket.

 

Then, after stepping out, I asked my mother, who was sitting on the sofa.

 

“Mom, do you think this blue jacket suits me?”

 

“Just wear anything and head out. You were born looking just fine.”

 

“I always keep that in mind.”

 

“By the way, where are you off to?”

 

“To look at the cherry blossom.”

 

“Be careful out there.”

 

“I will.”

 

I put on my canvas shoes and opened the front door.

 

I was already curious about what Eun-ha would wear.

 

Perhaps a dress that matches well with spring?

 

But I hoped it wouldn’t be too pretty.

 

I didn’t want her catching the eyes of passing men.

 

We had planned to meet at the subway station and head to the festival together, but Eun-ha suggested meeting at the mountain entrance where the festival was taking place instead.

 

I boarded the subway, passed one station, then two, then three, and got off.

 

Upon exiting, I saw many couples heading towards the mountain where the festival was being held.

 

“I’m not even envious.”

 

The distant view of cherry blossom trees bathed in pink hues caught my eye as I decided to wait for Eun-ha at the entrance.

 

With approximately 20 minutes left until our scheduled meet-up time, I casually sat on a bench, observing the passersby.

 

Each person strolled by, their faces illuminated with bright smiles, reveling in the sight of the blossoms.

 

I too glanced at the cherry blossoms, but shifted my gaze to my phone, wanting to enjoy the view with Eun-ha.

 

About 10 minutes passed this way when someone stood before me, repeating my name in a soft voice.

 

“Han-gyeol.”

 

“Ah-Eun-ha you are here...!”

 

The instant I saw Eun-ha, my smartphone slipped from my grasp.

 

With a thud, it hit the ground, but I couldn’t even think about picking it up.

 

The sight of Eun-ha standing before me was utterly entrancing, causing my soul to momentarily depart.

 

A white sweater paired with a skirt the color of cherry blossoms and hair tied in a ponytail - from head to toe, Eun-ha was... breathtaking.

 

I wanted to tell her she looked beautiful, but the word ‘beautiful’ was woefully inadequate to capture her allure.

 

“An angel…”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“I mean, I can’t find the right words to describe…”

 

At my words, a shy smile danced across Eun-ha’s face.

 

“Does it... suit me?”

 

“Yes. Extremely well.”

 

Nodding repeatedly, I responded.

 

“I’m elated…”

 

Only then did I pick up the smartphone that had fallen.

 

As I rose from the bench, Eun-ha spoke, her voice laced with shy embarrassment.

 

“Han-gyeol, you look great too.”

 

“Thanks for saying that. I did put some thought into what I wore, though not as much as you did. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

 

“No! You really look cool! From afar, I could only see you.”

 

“You now effortlessly say things that can make one blush.”

 

“I learned it from you.”

 

“You’re becoming like me.”

 

“They say you start to resemble someone you like.”

 

Today, of all days, Eun-ha kept uttering words that sent my heart pounding. Feeling my face heating up, I averted my gaze here and there.

 

“Han-gyeol, why aren’t you looking at me?”

 

“You’re so beautiful it’s hard to look at you directly. It feels strenuous to my heart.”

 

“I wore these clothes to show you. I wish you would look at me more.”

 

As Eun-ha wished, I stole a glance at her. The instant I saw her beaming smile, my face flushed furiously.

 

“Han-gyeol, your face turned really red.”

 

“It’s because of you, Eun-ha.”

 

“Hey, Han-gyeol.”

 

“Yeah. What?”

 

“Can you... say it properly?”

 

“Say what?”

 

“I like hearing that I look like an angel and that I’m so pretty it’s hard to look at me... but can you say it properly?”

 

Wow— a critical hit.

 

“Eun-ha, you’re incredibly beautiful.”

 

Upon hearing my words, Eun-ha’s face turned red.

 

“Now, let’s start our official cherry blossoms viewing.”

 

“Great…! Where shall we start?”

 

“Let’s admire the cherry blossoms for a bit, then grab some food nearby.”

 

“Okay! Sounds good. Can we hold hands before that? It is not uncomfortable?”

 

“Why would it be? Come on, let’s go.”

 

As I reached out my hand, Eun-ha softly grasped it.

 

“Okay. Let’s go.”

 

As we passed the festival entrance, rows of cherry blossom trees bathed in pink hues stood side by side.

 

“Wow—the cherry blossoms are so beautiful.”

 

“Indeed. Pretty.”

 

“Are you talking about the cherry blossoms?”

 

“It was a double entendre.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

Eun-ha smiled brightly, evidently delighted.

 

“Will we come to see the cherry blossom festival next year too?”

 

“Yes. I’d like to attend the cherry blossom festival with Han-gyeol every year.”

 

“Should we go to Yeouido* next year?”

 

“If I’m going with Han-gyeol, any place is good.”

 

“Let’s go to many other places next year.”

 

“I don’t really care where we go. I would be happy anywhere as long as Han-gyeol is with me.”

 

Upon hearing Eun-ha’s words, I stopped walking, prompting Eun-ha to look at me with a puzzled expression.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Your words today are unusual…”

 

“Why?”

 

“Should I say, somewhat proactive? It seems like Eun-ha is always the shy one.”

 

At my words, Eun-ha stood before me, the corners of her lips slightly upturned.

 

“It’s because I really like Han-gyeol.”

 

“I know that.”

 

“I like you so much.”

 

“Could you not repeat it? It’s not good for my heart.”

 

“I like you. I like you. I like you. I like you more than anything in the world.”

 

It was genuinely perilous.

 

It felt as if something was relentlessly squeezing my heart with all its might.

 

“I like you too…”

 

Inevitably, my face turned completely red.

 

“Han-gyeol, let’s take a picture.”

 

“Not now, I need to cool down my face.”

 

“That’s why I want to take it.”

 

“Then Eun-ha should turn as red as I am.”

 

“Try me if you’re confident!”

 

Cautiously, I held both of Eun-ha’s hands. While she seemed a bit shy, her face didn’t turn as red as mine.

 

“Eun-ha, can I hug you?”

 

“Uh…?”

 

“Can I?”

 

“Well…”

 

Eun-ha seemed to avoid my gaze for a moment, then nodded her head.

 

As I gently pulled Eun-ha’s hands toward me, she snuggly fit into my embrace.

 

She also wrapped her arms around my waist, and after a brief moment, we pulled away. Immediately, I checked Eun-ha’s face, and it was as uncontrollably red as mine.

 

“Fair now. Let’s take that picture.”

 

“Wa, wait—! Let my face cool down a bit!”

 

“Look here—”

 

I opened the camera app on my phone.

 

Our faces were captured on the smartphone screen.

 

“Now— Eun-ha, smile.”

 

“Okay. Take a nice one.”

 

Believing we had achieved a good angle, I didn’t hesitate to press the shutter.

 

“Take a look.”

 

“Give me a second. Hmm, it came out well!”

 

While I thought the picture looked fine, Eun-ha seemed to think otherwise.

 

“Oh, no! What’s this? I’m completely red like a tomato! Delete it!”

 

As Eun-ha swiftly tried to snatch my smartphone, I raised my arm higher.

 

“Hey, we have to commemorate our first photo as a couple.”

 

“Oh—! We can take plenty more!”

 

“You look cute, what’s the issue~? I should use this as my profile picture.”

 

“Absolutely not!”

 

Eun-ha, raising her arm and pleading, looked unbearably cute.

 

“Can’t I keep it?”

 

“Don’t I look totally weird?”

 

“Not at all. You look extremely pretty. If you want, I’ll delete it.”

 

“Well... if you think it’s pretty... But send it to me too.”

 

“Of course. I’ll send it right away.”

 

I promptly sent the photo to Eun-ha.

 

After examining the picture for a moment, Eun-ha subtly smiled.

 

“Looking at it again, Han-gyeol, you’re also red like a tomato. I’m glad we didn’t delete it.”

 

“Right?”

 

“Still, I want to keep a proper picture too.”

 

“Sure? Shall we take it with Eun-ha’s phone?”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Look here.”

 

After taking a few photos with Eun-ha’s phone, we looked at them. Eun-ha flipped through the photos, smiling brightly.

 

“Han-gyeol looks incredibly cute.”

 

“If you’re going to compliment me, can you say I look cool or handsome?”

 

“You look both cool and cute. Ah— Can I use this as my profile picture?”

 

“I don’t mind. Should I also use the same one for my profile picture?”

 

“Ah— Wait…! I want to take one more picture.”

 

Eun-ha searched the ground for something, picking up a broken tree branch. She then plucked a single cherry blossom with a pop and placed it in my hair.

 

“Oh, how pretty.”

 

“It’s my first time having a flower in my hair.”

 

With a click, Eun-ha snapped a photo. She then showed it to me, giggling. Though I was expressionless in the picture, the flower in my hair looked ridiculously funny.

 

“It came out really humorous.”

 

“Don’t you find yourself a bit cute when you look at it?”

 

“I have some conscience, Eun-ha.”

 

“Really? You look super cute.”

 

It wasn’t a particularly good photo, but seeing Eun-ha smiling like this, I couldn’t bring myself to ask her to delete it.

 

“Keep it.”

 

“Okay. I’ll have to look at it every night.”

 

“Now it’s Eun-ha’s turn.”

 

I carefully placed a flower in Eun-ha’s hair. Smiling, she looked into the camera of my smartphone. After taking the picture with a click, I showed it to Eun-ha.

 

“Wow! It came out really well, Han-gyeol. You can use this as your profile picture!”

 

“I can’t use it. It’s hard to tell who’s the flower.”

 

“Ah, what are you really saying..! It’s embarrassing!”

 

Even as she said that, Eun-ha was smiling brightly.

 

“I’m just kidding, just kidding. Should we stop taking pictures and walk a bit more?”

 

“Yes, yes. Let’s hold hands again.”

 

“Alright.”

 

After grasping the hand Eun-ha extended, we began to walk again.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

[TL: Yeouido: Yeouido is an island in Seoul, South Korea, and here they were talking about the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, which is one of the most popular places to see the blooms each spring. 

 

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