Chapter 7: For Real?

 

Both Eun-ha and her older cousin were visibly taken aback by my firm response.

 

Given my original age of twenty-seven, I clearly had a few more years under my belt compared to Eun-ha’s older cousin. While it might seem an old-fashioned thought, the value of life’s experiences shouldn’t be downplayed.

 

“You answered right away? You must really like her.”

 

“Yes. I really do. Very much so.”

 

Eun-ha’s cousin appeared slightly taken aback.

 

She probably expected me to be embarrassed, but I wasn’t going to fall for that.

 

“That was quite...unexpected. Your immediate response caught me off guard.”

 

“Did it? One should always be honest with adults, right? Haha.”

 

“So, what about our Eun-ha?”

 

“He-hey! Why would you ask something like that?”

 

Eun-ha exclaimed, clearly flustered.

 

Pondering on how to respond, I came up with the wisest answer I could think of. Perhaps, the most apt response.

 

“It might be just like what you’re thinking?”

 

“Wow~ Dodging the question like a pro, huh? You have pretty good skills for a high school student.”

 

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Just mimicking adults, you know. Haha.”

 

Wait, did that sound weird just now?

 

Ah, I really don’t understand the slang these young kids use these days.

 

“Eun-ha, shouldn’t you avoid sly guys like him?”

 

“He-hey! We’re just friends! Nothing more!”

 

Eun-ha’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

 

Seeing her like that made me want to tease her a bit more.

 

“Eun-ha, if you deny it too vehemently, even I might get hurt.”

 

“No, no! It’s not that Han-gyeol is bad as a guy! It’s just... it’s...!”

 

“Just what? I’ll wait, so tell me everything.”

 

I stared directly into Eun-ha’s eyes, waiting for her to answer.

 

Eun-ha, still with a flushed face, whispered.

 

“I just said it because I was embarrassed...”

 

“Oh, so that means I’m not bad as a ‘guy’?”

 

“No! That’s not what I meant! Why would you twist it like that?!”

 

“Hehe, teasing Eun-ha is so much fun.”

 

“Hey-!”

 

Eun-ha smacked my arm in frustration.

 

But she hit harder than I expected...

 

“You’re quite skilled at teasing, aren’t you?”

 

“Huh? Is that a compliment?”

 

“Be honest. How many relationships have you been in?”

 

“None, actually.”

 

In Lee Han-gyeol’s life, that was true.

 

“You seem quite crafty for someone without experience.”

 

Before entering this novel’s world, I had only ever been in one relationship. My first relationship as an adult, and it wasn’t particularly fond in my memories. It was less about love and more of a relationship based on impulse and curiosity, ending in a bitter split. For the first time in my life, I made a girl cry, and it wasn’t a memory I cherished.

 

“Eun-ha, do you have a boyfriend? or anyone you like?”

 

I already knew the answer, but I wanted to ask. I was curious about how Eun-ha would react to the question.

 

“I don’t. As for someone I like... I don’t think there’s anyone.”

 

The word ‘think’ probably meant she hadn’t completely sorted out her feelings for Kang Seo-ha.

 

It made sense; feelings cultivated over a long time wouldn’t fade in just a few months. Knowing this, I decided to be patient and wait.

 

My plan was to slowly and subtly take over her heart, to establish a place for myself without her even realizing it. After all, many times, we humans don’t truly understand our own emotions.

 

Subsequently, our chat veered away from the topic of romance, and we lost ourselves in idle chatter over pizza and pasta.

 

As soon as we left the store, I grabbed Eun-ha’s bag with one hand.

 

It was much heavier than I expected.

 

“Ah, you don’t have to. I can carry it.”

 

“C’mon, you treated me the pizza. I can’t just leave it be. Let’s get going.”

 

It was a bit heavy, but I couldn’t show that now.

 

It was an opportunity to naturally showcase my manly side.

 

Did she carry this all the way to the pizzeria without batting an eye?

 

“Then, make sure to safely escort my Eun-ha home. See you tomorrow Eun-ah?”

 

“Ah, yeah. Take care on your way home.”

 

“Make sure to get home safely.”

 

“Sure will. It was great seeing you. Let’s meet up again if we get the chance?”

 

“Yes, I’ll see you next time.”

 

Once Eun-ha’s cousin left for the subway station, it was just the two of us.

 

“I feel like my sister asked some tricky questions today... Sorry about that.”

 

“Huh? Not at all. I actually found it fun. We should get going.”

 

“Ah, yes. But should we split the load? Isn’t it heavy?”

 

“Not at all. It’s super light.”

 

It was actually really heavy.

 

How much did she buy?

 

“Well, I’ll leave it to you then, hehe.”

 

“But you did buy a lot. How many books in total?”

 

“Including the novel, six. Weren’t you going to buy some reference books too? Is it okay to leave empty-handed?”

 

“I did think about it, but I was more in the mood to browse. So it’s fine.”

 

“Oh, okay. I carefully chose what I bought today. Want me to show you?”

 

“I’d appreciate that!”

 

If we used the same reference books, I could ask her questions pretending not to know the answers, right?

 

“I’ll take pictures and send them to you when I get home. It’s inconvenient to pull them out now.”

 

“Thanks. I saved some effort in choosing reference books thanks to you.”

 

“It’s just a recommendation for a friend. What’s the big deal?”

 

As we walked, the word “friend” slightly tugged at my heart.

 

Have we completely moved beyond being mere acquaintances?

 

Man, I’m glad I decided to step out today.

 

“Oh right, did you watch the movie you mentioned for this weekend? You said you’d watch it.”

 

“Oh, that? Haven’t seen it yet. Planning to go tomorrow afternoon.”

 

“Can you let me know if it’s good? If you like it, I might watch it too.”

 

I really want to watch it with her.

 

I really, really do.

 

But wouldn’t it be too obvious if I asked?

 

“Hmm? Why don’t we just go watch it together?”

 

I halted in my steps and stared intently at Eun-ha.

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“Hm? Why would it be a problem?”

 

“I thought you preferred watching movies alone.”

 

“Hey, it’s not always like that. I enjoy watching with others too.”

 

“Great! So, what time shall we watch tomorrow? When does your tutoring session end?”

 

“It ends around lunchtime. Want to catch the movie right after?”

 

Everything was progressing so smoothly that it felt almost unsettling. It seemed like we were rapidly closing the distance between us faster than I had anticipated.

 

“I’m free all day, so anytime is good. Let’s choose a time that suits you.”

 

“Ha! Okay. I’ll book the tickets and let you know the time.”

 

“Sounds good. What popcorn flavor do you want?”

 

“You think you can guess again? Ready to take a shot?”

 

“Caramel.”

 

I answered without hesitation. Eun-ha looked up at me, her eyes wide with surprise.

 

“Can you really read minds? That shocked me.”

 

“I told you, didn’t I? Want another quiz?”

 

“No. I was genuinely startled just now. Let’s stop.”

 

“It’s easy to read your face. That’s all.”

 

“What about now? What’s my expression?”

 

“An angry one.”

 

“That’s it. We’re done here.”

 

“Ha! Why? Want another quiz?”

 

“Nope!”

 

There seemed to be nothing I didn’t know about Eun-ha. I mean, from Eun-ha’s perspective, this might be a bit creepy, but I genuinely wanted to know everything about someone I cared about.

 

What food she liked.

 

Her favorite movies.

 

The life she had led.

 

But for now, I would be content with what I knew. I felt gratified being in the same time and space as the person I had only known through words. I was given a chance to live out the youth I had dreamt of. Today’s happiness seemed more significant than any distant future.

 

“Well, my house is just up ahead. I can carry the rest.”

 

“Okay, It’s heavy, so take it with care.”

 

“It’s just up front. Thanks for helping, though. It was heavy, right?”

 

“Not really. Take care.”

 

I carefully handed over the bag of reference books to Eun-ha. Holding the bag close, Eun-ha smiled brightly and headed home. I watched Eun-ha enter her apartment complex before turning to go home myself.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Why did you come back empty-handed after saying you’d buy reference books?”

 

“Ah, I met a friend on the way. I’ll go buy them tomorrow.”

 

“Goodness! You look so happy. What fun thing did you do today?”

 

“Yes, I had a fantastic time today, Mother.”

 

Returning to my room, I flopped down on my bed. Checking my phone, I saw a message from Eun-ha.

 

[Here are the reference books I bought today!]

 

[Oh, thanks.]

 

[How about around 3 PM for the movie tomorrow?]

 

[That’s fine with me. How much is it? I’ll send you the money.]

 

[Don’t worry about it. You can buy the popcorn tomorrow, right?]

 

I grinned as I read the messages from Eun-ha, rolling around in bed.

 

Life couldn’t possibly be this sweet, could it? It felt like compensation for the hard times I had been through.

 

[Okay. Let’s meet in front of the cinema by 2:40 PM tomorrow.]

 

[Alright, see you tomorrow. Thanks for carrying the reference books today.]

 

After our chat, I immediately opened my closet.

 

I wonder what I should wear tomorrow.

 

Maybe I should just go with something neat and casual.

 

--- End OF The Chapter ---

 

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