Chapter 5: Beer... No, Cola!

“No, it’s better to always go for dual RAM. I’ve heard that stock coolers these days are pretty decent, but air coolers aren’t that expensive, so it might be a good investment. Personally, I tend to spend a little more money when assembling a computer. You might want to upgrade the graphics card later. But this is just my subjective opinion. It would be good to ask others as well. Oh, and I’ve heard that there are some good deals on complete PC sets these days, so check them out!”

After ending the call, I handed the phone back to Eun-ha.

“I’m sorry. Did my brother make it difficult for you? I’ll give him a good talking to when I get home.”

“Huh? No! I actually enjoy making PC related estimations.”

The awkwardness from yesterday seemed to have disappeared now. Eun-ha, receiving her phone back, had a slight smile on her face.

“Huh...? My brother sent a gift-card for us to eat together.”

“Really? He didn’t have to do that.”

Oh- nice. He’s quite considerate.

“So... when are we going to eat?”

“Huh? I’m free anytime.”

“You don’t have any after-school classes?”

“Huh?”

Come to think of it... she doesn’t attend any after-school classes? Hopefully, I didn’t miss that.

“If you’re busy, can you let me know later?”

“No! I’m free! How about after school today?”

“Today?”

“Yes, today.”

The fact that I had made a dinner plan with Eun-ha made me so happy that I giggled throughout the class.

Youth is such a delightful experience.

It was quite different from my youth, filled only with studies I didn’t like. Perhaps I was finally living the high school life I always dreamed of.

-Sigh

High school life at the age of twenty-seven... I should enjoy it while I can.

“Alright, sit down. I’ll distribute the night self-study application forms. Submit them by tomorrow.”

“Yes~”

What I received during the morning assembly was a document, an application form for night self-study.

“Do you do night studies, Eun-ha?”

“I’m still considering. I’m thinking of doing it, but I don’t like the idea of eating dinner alone.”

In the 1st and 2nd grade, Eun-ha always ate with Kang Seo-ha and Dolphin. So, now could she eat with me? Actually, I would like that.

“Really? If you’re okay with it, want to eat with me?”

“Huh? Are you doing night studies, Han-gyeol?”

“I’m not sure about night studies, but I can have dinner. If you do night studies, maybe I should too?”

“Then I’d be grateful... but I only do night studies on Thursdays and Fridays. Are you up for it?”

“Why not on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday?”

“I just want to go home early on those days, and since Thursday and Friday are right before the weekend so...”

What a cute way of reasoning. But it does make sense. I used to work late only on the days right before the weekend.

“Then I should apply for night studies on Thursdays and Fridays.”

“Oh- You don’t have to do that just because of me.”

“Huh? No, I need to study too.”

Oh- Did I push it too hard?

I quickly observed Eun-ha’s expression, but she didn’t seem to have any odd reaction.

“That’s great.”

Seeing Eun-ha smile made my heart race.

I never imagined I would be this happy to apply for night self-study.

I casually signed in the signature section.

“Do you have a signature, Han-gyeol?”

“Uh..?! Oh, it just happened over time?”

“Incredible...! It looks like from a working professional!”

Hard to believe, but it’s the real truth.

Still, I should be more careful next time.

“You are cool.”

Hearing Eun-ha say that I’m cool, I felt my face turning red. Eun-ha’s eyes widened, perhaps surprised by her own comment. After a few seconds of silence, she frantically waved her hand in the air, trying to explain.

“No- I mean! It’s just that signature! I mean... Most high school students don’t have one like that, so I thought it looked cool!”

I wonder... Am I getting closer to Eun-ha the right way?

Yet, seeing her flustered like this, I felt like things were okay.

Little by little, step by step, if I kept approaching her, would she stay by my side?

****

After school ended, we headed straight to the chicken center.

It was an early evening, but I had a light lunch, so I was good.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Hmm? Obviously b...! I’ll have a cola!”

Whew- I almost said beer for a moment.

Would I be kicked out if I mentioned beer while in a school uniform?

That was close.

It could’ve been a real mess.

The image I had built up till now would’ve been shattered.

I need to calm down.

I’m a high school student.

I’m a high school student.

“Pfft! Good thing you didn’t order normal soda, that would’ve been something.”

“Oh, no, I like normal soda too. But for chicken, it’s always cola... cola!”

“Right. I prefer cola over normal soda too.”

“Really? We have a lot in common.”

“I guess? We haven’t known each other long, but you seem very familiar to me.”

A feeling of thrill ran down my body at being called ‘familiar,’ which made me a bit embarrassed.

But with the way she said it, anyone would’ve felt the same thrill.

Ugh- I was a little worried my feelings might spill out.

“Sorry for the weird question yesterday.”

“Hmm? Which one?”

“The one asking if you knew about the relationship between me, Seo-ha, and Jung-yeon.”

“Oh-”

It wasn’t ‘that’ weird.

“We hung out together in 1st and 2nd grade. But due to some unavoidable circumstances, we had to distance ourselves. Ah-! We didn’t fight! Seo-ha and Jung-yeon are really kind and precious friends to me.”

Before the chicken arrived, Eun-ha briefly brought up the topic.

“I felt like you were considering my feelings yesterday. It seemed like you diverted my gaze in the cafeteria, and even in the hallway when I ran into them. I wondered if you knew about my situation. But that seemed unlikely. Haha.”

She spoke with a smile, but there was an undertone of bitterness. There was also no need to pry for the reason here.

All I need to do was understand her feelings and step into her emotional space.

Although, a part of me wished things would speed up. Maybe that was just me being greedy.

From now on, I decided to act more cautiously.

“I see. I didn’t intend to, but I’m glad if it felt like consideration.”

“Even if it wasn’t intended, I appreciated it. I should’ve just been upfront from the start.”

“Come on- it’s hard. How can you share such a story with someone you just met yesterday?”

I took a big sip of my cola after saying that.

“The more I see, the more mature you seem, Han-gyeol. It’s hard to believe we’re the same age.”

“Hmm? In what way did you feel that?”

“Well... not all the time. But usually, people would be curious about such stories, right? You didn’t seem like that at all.”

“Is that so? It’s not that I’m indifferent to you, Eun-ha. It just looked like you didn’t want to discuss it.”

“Wow... Han-gyeol, you’re pretty observant, huh?”

“I’ve actually mastered the art of reading people.”

“Haha-! What’s that supposed to mean!”

While Eun-ha and I laughed and chatted, the chicken was placed on the table.

I served myself some chicken on a plate and quietly focused on the food.

We didn’t really talk while eating.

I just silently ate the chicken and refilled Eun-ha’s cup with cola.

Every time I did, Eun-ha, with a mouthful of chicken, would giggle softly.

She would nod her head as a way of expressing her gratitude.

The way she munches was just too cute.

“Eun-ha, you really enjoy your food.”

“Huh? No, it just happened!”

Eun-ha hurriedly covered her mouth.

“Don’t look... I’m embarrassed.”

“Haha- Alright. Keep eating.”

Now I see why people enjoy watching mukbangs.

After we finished the chicken, we paid and left the restaurant.

The day was cold, but the sunset was beautiful.

“Where do you live, Han-gyeol?”

“Me? I live in Puleunma-eul.”

“Really? I’m from somangma-eul. Shall we walk together halfway?”

“I’m full, so let’s walk slow.”

“Okay.”

I started walking in step with Eun-ha.

Slowing my pace a little, I wanted to chat with her a bit more.

I already knew a lot about Eun-ha, but I wanted to hear it from her voice.

“What do you usually do on weekends, Eun-ha?”

“Me? I have tutoring in the mornings on weekends.”

“So you can’t sleep in even on weekends.”

“Pshh- As if. Don’t I love to sleep in too?”

“What time do you wake up on weekends?”

“Around eight? I usually get up before nine.”

“How is that considered sleeping in?”

“Haha! Well, it’s later than usual.”

She’s really a diligent one.

Waking up in the afternoon every weekend made me feel guilty.

“Han-gyeol, do you go out and hang out with friends on weekends?”

“Not really? I’m not that active. It’s hard to play basketball or soccer outside of school.”

“Is that so? Then what do you usually do? Play games?”

What did I do again?

I didn’t want to admit I just roll around while looking at my phone.

“I watch movies? I mainly watch movies.”

“What genre do you like?”

“Drama? I also like thrillers, but I won’t watch if they’re too brutal.”

“I love movies too. I was planning to watch the one premiering this week.”

“Oh, really? You’re going with your family?”

“Uh? No. I was planning to go alone.”

Would it be odd to ask her to go watch it together now?

Maybe it’s better to take it slow for a bit longer.

I’ll hold off for now. Let’s consider it after we get closer.

“Hey, Han-gyeol, don’t you need to go that way?”

“Ah-! Right!”

Although it was quite a distance, time flew faster when I was with Eun-ha.

Perhaps Einstein’s theory of relativity holds true after all.

It was a pity, but it was time to say goodbye for today.

“I’ll head this way. Be safe. And don’t follow strangers.”

“Haha! What’s that about? I’m not an eight-year-old kid.”

“But it seems like you’d follow someone if they offered you something tasty?”

“If it’s beef, maybe I’d be tempted?”

“Haha! No, no you can’t. Anyways, see you at school tomorrow?”

“Yes, take care, Han-gyeol.”

With a handshake from Eun-ha, my day came to an end.

Maybe I should go watch a movie this weekend? Which one should I watch?

I was curious about the movie that was mentioned in this novel.

“If I run into Eun-ha, it would really be fate.”

On my way home, I found myself smiling for the first time in a while.

--- End OF The Chapter ---

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