Chapter 53: I Laughed

 

The midterms will be over by tomorrow.

 

Studying after such a long time had been quite enjoyable.

 

The exams on the first day and yesterday went well, but not all subjects yielded good results.

 

I was able to score well in the elective courses without much trouble, but the Korean language was a different story.

 

Contrary to what I had expected, the passages didn’t read smoothly, and the choices didn’t seem clear. I kept going back and forth between the given text and the options, which made me feel pressed for time.

 

Somehow, I managed to answer all the questions, but expecting a high score seemed unrealistic.

 

But, what can I do?

 

It was my lack of preparation, after all. Who else was there to blame?

 

The bell signaling the end of the exam rang just as I finished marking the answer sheet.

 

“Okay, everyone, hands on your heads!”

 

Following the teacher’s instructions, everyone placed their hands on their heads. From behind, the OMR answer sheets and essay answer sheets were collected. The teacher checked the sheets and acknowledged everyone’s hard work.

 

“Alright, hang in there, everyone. Tomorrow is the last day of midterms. That’s it.”

 

The moment the teacher left, there was an audible collective relief among the students.

 

“Hey, wasn’t this paper super tough?”

 

“Yup. I feel it was harder than the mock exam in March.”

 

“With this, the top-tier cut-off might be below 90, right?”

 

“Yeah, they really made this exam challenging.”

 

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who found it difficult.

 

But in order to attend the same university as Eun-ha, it was best to achieve high scores in all subjects. While there were other admission methods, if the basic grades were solid, one didn’t even need to consider them.

 

Maybe I should really start looking for tutoring or a private academy... I was lost in thought for a moment.

 

“Han-gyeol, what are you thinking about?”

 

Suddenly, I heard Eun-ha’s voice from behind.

 

“Huh! When did you come next to me?”

 

“As soon as the teacher left. Anyway, were you lost in thought? How was your exam?”

 

“Yeah, the time was a bit tight for me. I don’t think I scored very high.”

 

Eun-ha looked genuinely surprised, her eyes widening.

 

“Oh...! I see. Don’t be too disheartened, you know? Korean language is a subject where grades don’t just suddenly shoot up.”

 

“I’m not that upset, really. Planning to check your answers? Let’s go have lunch afterward.”

 

“How about we skip that and grab your favorite pork cutlet instead?”

 

Was she trying to cheer me up? But I wasn’t even that upset in the first place.

 

“Eun-ha, you don’t have to worry. I’m really fine.”

 

“I just felt like having pork cutlet, that’s all.”

 

“Hmm, what’s for lunch today?”

 

“Mini rice balls and udon.”

 

‘Not particularly enticing.’

 

“Let’s go for the pork cutlet.”

 

“Let’s check our answers first since the class president will bring the answer key. Then we can head out.”

 

“Sounds good. See you in a bit.”

 

“Sure.”

 

As soon as Eun-ha returned to her spot, the class president brought the answer sheet.

 

“Hey guys, I’ll stick the answers on the blackboard. Check yours out~”

 

Glancing at the paper pinned to the board, I was curious about my scores, but anticipated that they wouldn’t be great, so I looked away. If I did worse than expected, the disappointment might affect tomorrow’s test too.

 

-Ugh, I totally messed up.

 

-Wait, this is the answer for number 3? Why?

 

-Yeah, that’s right for number 3. But the choices were so confusing.

 

-Wow, this was seriously the hardest test ever...

 

But as sighs and exasperated comments filled the room, my anxiety grew. Eventually, unable to resist my curiosity, I pulled out my test paper from my bag and started marking.

 

Since everyone said it was tough, the grade cutoffs might be a bit lenient.

 

Taking that into account, I marked my answers. To my dismay, I got two more questions wrong than I’d thought. Based on my score, third grade seemed close enough.

 

“This is not good. It’s lower than I thought.”

 

I shouldn’t have marked it. I should’ve just ignored it. Seemed like humans were bound to repeat their mistakes.

 

“Han-gyeol, did you finish checking your answers?”

 

“Yeah... but I think it was a mistake.”

 

“Why...?! Did you get a lot wrong?”

 

“I think I got one or two more questions wrong than I thought. This is tricky... but I hope I at least get a third grade...”

 

Ah, that was careless of me.

 

I inadvertently let out a defeated sigh in front of Eun-ha.

 

Seeing my dejection, Eun-ha looked utterly baffled. While her concerned glances were endearing, I felt bad for making her worry.

 

“Han-gyeol! Let’s just go eat that pork cutlet!”

 

“I’m not really upset, so don’t worry about it, Eun-ha. It was just a passing comment.”

 

“Alright, let’s go, hurry.”

 

I felt like I’d made Eun-ha unnecessarily anxious. There was another test tomorrow, and here I was, making a verbal blunder.

 

I decided to show her a more spirited side before she went home.

 

***

 

Upon reaching the pork cutlet restaurant near the school, we ordered two servings of large pork cutlets.

 

The moment the sizeable cutlets were placed on the table, Eun-ha diligently began to cut the one in front of me.

 

I found Eun-ha’s somewhat aggressive approach puzzling, but it didn’t take long for my curiosity to be satisfied.

 

Before I realized it, she had swiftly switched our plates.

 

“Huh? Were you cutting it for me?”

 

“Mhm. Enjoy. Now say ‘ah’.”

 

Eun-ha was making a genuine effort to lift my spirits.

 

I wasn’t even that upset to begin with. Fearing any refusal might be misunderstood, I opened my mouth. Watching Eun-ha gently feed me, her expression was truly endearing.

 

“How is it? Good?”

 

“Yeah. Want me to feed you?”

 

Eun-ha energetically nodded and leaned slightly forward.

 

“Say ‘ah’.”

 

“Ah~”

 

I, too, placed a piece of cutlet into Eun-ha’s mouth. Her face lit up with a contented smile as she continued to enjoy her meal.

 

Just the act of eating with Eun-ha was enough to make the corners of my mouth twitch upwards. Thinking about her gestures to cheer me up, it all felt so cute. Ultimately, I found myself chuckling.

 

“Han-gyeol laughed.”

 

Eun-ha pointedly noted the inadvertent chuckle that escaped me.

 

“Huh?”

 

“You haven’t laughed since we checked our tests earlier. This is the first time.”

 

“I did?”

 

“Yeah. Even when I suggested we eat pork cutlets, you didn’t smile.”

 

“Do I usually burst into laughter when someone suggests pork cutlets?”

 

“Not exactly. But you seemed slightly down.”

 

“I see.”

 

To be honest, I was surprised.

 

It felt like she had seen right through me.

 

“It’s a little astonishing. Quite intriguing.”

 

“Do you feel better now?”

 

In response to Eun-ha’s question, I silently nodded.

 

“Yeah, I feel better.”

 

“That’s good. Let’s eat the pork cutlet with a happy heart. Do you want more? Should I buy some cold buckwheat noodles?”

 

“No, I’m good. Thanks for cheering me up.”

 

“It’s okay. You always lift my spirits whenever I’m down.”

 

“Do I? Lately, you always seemed happy.”

 

“That’s because of you, Han-gyeol. There’s always another test, so don’t get too down. Got it?”

 

I was grateful for Eun-ha’s words of encouragement.

 

“Yeah, I can ace the test tomorrow.”

 

“Mhm. You look handsome when you smile.”

 

“You’re quite generous with compliments today, aren’t you?”

 

“It’s from the heart.”

 

“You’re pretty too, Eun-ha. So cute.”

 

At that, Eun-ha burst into bright laughter.

 

“Look how happy our Eun-ha gets when she’s complimented.”

 

“How can I not like it when it’s from Han-gyeol?”

 

“Really? Then I should do it more. You’re drop-dead gorgeous, Eun-ha. So beautiful.”

 

“Don’t do it too often...!”

 

“Why? Does it seem less genuine if I do it often?”

 

Upon hearing that, Eun-ha shook her head vigorously.

 

“It’s not that...”

 

“Then why tell me not to do it frequently?”

 

“Because if you do it too often... my face will turn red...”

 

Before Eun-ha could finish her sentence, I showered her with even more praises.

 

“You’re so beautiful. The most beautiful in the world. I could just die from how cute you are.”

 

Eun-ha’s face started to slowly turn red with my constant praise.

 

I seized the opportunity and continued to shower Eun-ha with compliments.

 

“Eun-ha is pretty, cute, kind, considerate, and always does the sweetest things.”

 

“Ah! Seriously...! Stop it, it’s embarrassing. Let’s just eat our pork cutlets. Pork cutlets!”

 

“Even eating pork cutlets is cute. Eun-ha, say ’ah~’. I’ll feed you.”

 

I picked up a piece of pork cutlet with a fork and brought it to Eun-ha’s mouth.

 

“I can eat on my own.”

 

“Your arm hurts.”

 

“Oh, come on...!”

 

Hearing my excuse, Eun-ha quickly bit into the pork cutlet. Watching her chew with a pouting expression was just too endearing.

 

“So cute.”

 

After swallowing the pork cutlet with a gulp, Eun-ha still glared at me.

 

“Just as you start to feel better, you tease me. So mischievous.”

 

“You said you like seeing me smile.”

 

“Yeah. I love seeing Han-gyeol smile.”

 

Even though she might have refuted my claims in such a situation, Eun-ha continued to honestly express her feelings.

 

“You’re seriously so adorable.”

 

“Enough with the compliments! Let’s eat our pork cutlets.”

 

“So cute.”

 

“Didn’t I say let’s eat our pork cutlets?”

 

“The cutest in the world.”

 

“Ugh...! So embarrassing...!”

 

Finally, Eun-ha put down her fork and covered her face with her hands.

 

“Even covering your face is cute.”

 

“Stop it-!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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