Chapter 80: Opportunity Knocks

 

I was living a very peaceful life after completing the college entrance exam and entering the golden phase of my life.

 

However, as Christmas with Eun-ha approached, I was troubled about what gift to give her.

 

I wanted to give her a special gift this time, something I had never done before...

 

I didn’t want to use my allowance for the gift.

 

I wanted to buy it with the money I had earned myself.

 

“Han-gyeol~ What are you doing~?”

 

Lately, whenever I sat in the living room, Eun-ha would suddenly hug me from behind and wouldn’t let go.

 

Both Eun-ha and I had smoothly gotten into college on our first try, so there wasn’t much to worry about anymore.

 

After morning classes, I would invariably hang out at Eun-ha’s place.

 

“Huh? I was looking for a part-time job.”

 

“A part-time job? It’s only been a month since the exams ended! Can’t you look for it later and spend more time with me? You’ve been glued to that laptop.”

 

“I was also wondering what gift to give you for Christmas.”

 

“You don’t need to worry about a gift for me~ Han-gyeol is my gift. So, stop worrying and come hang out with me.”

 

Since the exams ended, Eun-ha had become inseparable from me.

 

Dressed in a sky-blue knit, Eun-ha suddenly grabbed my cheeks and showered me with kisses.

 

It seemed like there was no limit to her affection lately... there was no brake on physical intimacy.

 

“Eun-ha, is there something you want?”

 

“I want Han-gyeol. I really want you. I want you right now.”

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

 

“But you already have me.”

 

“That’s right. So, I don’t need any gifts. Just having Han-gyeol is gift enough for me.”

 

“Come on, be honest for once. What do you really want?”

 

“I want more moments like this.”

 

After moving away from me, Eun-ha lay down on my lap.

 

“Spending time like this with Han-gyeol is a gift for me.”

 

“Can’t you suggest something material? It’s kind of hard to decide.”

 

“Hmm~ I can’t think of anything right now. Anything from Han-gyeol would be wonderful.”

 

“Alright. I’ll make sure to pick something out with care. Looking forward to it?”

 

“Yes, yes! What about you, Han-gyeol? What do you want?”

 

“Me? I want Eun-ha, too.”

 

Eun-ha sat up with a bright smile at my words.

 

“But you already have me, don’t you?”

 

“That’s the response I expected.”

 

Looks like I’ll have to take up a part-time job over the weekend.

 

For short-term work, loading and unloading it is... Well, it can’t be helped.

 

“Han-gyeol. Han-gyeol.”

 

“Yes. What is it?”

 

“Just wanted to call you. Ah, Han-gyeol, your name is so pretty.”

 

“You like it that much?”

 

“Of course~”

 

Eun-ha leaped into my arms, causing us both to tumble to the living room floor.

 

Let’s just say, if it’s not on the bed, it’s barely safe.

 

“Han-gyeol~”

 

“Why, Eun-ha~”

 

“Come closer.”

 

“I’m already close.”

 

“Closer~”

 

As I moved my face closer, Eun-ha gently caressed my cheek.

 

“Why is your skin so nice, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Is it? I don’t really take care of it.”

 

“It’s soft and white... I’m a bit jealous. Your eyes are beautiful, your nose is sharp, your lips are soft... Even your ears are pretty.”

 

Eun-ha was touching each feature of my face.

 

It was slightly embarrassing and ticklish, and I wanted to ask her to stop, but she looked so happy.

 

I couldn’t bring myself to say anything to stop her.

 

“You’re handsome...! And you have such a nice personality... Is it even possible for someone to be like this?”

 

“I’m not that handsome. Just average~ You’re the one who’s really beautiful and kind.”

 

“I’m not kind at all~ You’re just seeing me too positively.”

 

“If Eun-ha isn’t kind, then the rest of the world must be filled with bad people.”

 

“You even speak beautifully...! I really can’t stand it.”

 

“Thanks for the complime-mpf.”

 

Eun-ha pressed her lips against mine.

 

The peck was short but continued repeatedly.

 

She didn’t stop until her tint smeared onto my lips and cheeks.

 

“Such a fervent display of affection?”

 

“If I don’t do this, I can’t calm my heart.”

 

“Is that so? Do as much as you want, then”

 

I said it in jest, but Eun-ha’s expression turned seriously earnest.

 

Huh? This is quite different from the reaction I was expecting.

 

“Really?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Can I really do as much as I want?”

 

“Well, I mean, I really like it when Eun-ha shows affection, so of course...”

 

I’m definitely happy about it, but why does saying it out loud feel like it might backfire?

 

Is it some kind of animal instinct? But what could possibly go wrong?

 

“Okay.”

 

“...”

 

“Han-gyeol definitely said it. I can do as much as I want.”

 

“Yeah... Did I say that?”

 

“Right? Then, Han-gyeol, you’re partly responsible now~”

 

Eun-ha then engulfed my lips with hers.

 

Was I being devoured? Sucked in? The kiss was so intense it felt like one of those two.

 

I was slightly taken aback, but I also wrapped my arms around Eun-ha’s waist.

 

Right. There’s no need for either of us to hold back.

 

Why restrain myself?

 

Today, too, I silently sang the national anthem in my heart to control myself.

 

***

 

For Eun-ha’s Christmas gift, I decided to buy her a wallet.

 

A nice wallet seemed fitting to commemorate her turning twenty.

 

I didn’t want to use my allowance for the gift, so I worked in loading and unloading for a couple of days.

 

Dragging my tired body, I went to the department store to pick out a wallet.

 

But then, I was overwhelmed trying to figure out Eun-ha’s taste.

 

Honestly, they all looked the same to me...

 

Still, I painstakingly chose a wallet with a pretty design, but then the color became an issue.

 

“Excuse me, may I ask you something?”

 

“Of course, go ahead.”

 

I wanted to take the female clerk’s opinion into consideration as well.

 

“Between this white and black, which one is better? The white looks pretty, but I’m a bit worried about it getting dirty, while the black seems safer from stains, but it feels somewhat heavy. For a twenty-year-old university student, the bright and cheerful vibe of white would be better, right?”

 

The clerk seemed a bit flustered by my question before responding.

 

“It seems like you’ve already analyzed it perfectly? Since you’ve thought about it so much, wouldn’t she be happy with anything you choose?”

 

“I suppose so...? Then, I’ll go with the white color. Do you offer gift wrapping as well?”

 

“Yes, we do. Would you like it prepared that way?”

 

“Yes, please. Thank you.”

 

I wonder if she’ll be happy to receive the gift. I’m eager to see her smile.

 

Sitting on a chair in the store, I turned on my phone.

 

The day after tomorrow is finally Christmas. And soon, we’ll both be turning twenty.

 

I should start planning a trip with Eun-ha. But it looks like I’ll need to find a part-time job too.

 

I wonder if there are any good ones out there. I’d prefer to avoid loading and unloading work.

 

Lost in thought, the clerk approached me.

 

“Here’s the item you ordered.”

 

“Ah, thank you!”

 

“Have a great Christmas.”

 

“You too, have a wonderful Christmas.”

 

I took the gift box from the clerk and left the store.

 

After returning home, I showered and changed my clothes.

 

“I wonder what Eun-ha is doing.”

 

Lying on the bed, I immediately called Eun-ha.

 

Her cheerful voice answered before the phone even rang a few times.

 

-Han-gyeol! Did you come back from your part-time job? Aren’t you tired?

 

I had told her I needed to go to work today to pick out a gift.

 

“I’m not tired~ What were you up to?”

 

-I was thinking about Han-gyeol~ I miss you so much.

 

“I miss you too. We’ll see each other tomorrow, so let’s just hang in there a bit longer.”

 

-Okay. Ah, Han-gyeol. I’m in the middle of something, so I’ll call you back- Oh?

 

Eun-ha’s voice hesitated mid-conversation.

 

“What’s up? Is something wrong?”

 

-No, it’s nothing. I ordered a package, but it seems like something went wrong.

 

“Is it important?”

 

-No~ I need to check with the delivery service, so I’ll call you back later~

 

“If it’s something serious, I can help. Where do you need to inquire?”

 

-It’s really okay-! I’ll call you back in 10 minutes, Han-gyeol~

 

“Alright, get in touch.”

 

-Yes, yes-!

 

“It’s a shame. I wanted to talk more.”

 

To soothe my longing, I was browsing through the photos I had taken with Eun-ha.

 

Suddenly, my mother’s voice boomed from the living room.

 

“Son! Come to the living room, we need to talk!”

 

Prompted by the resounding call, I immediately opened my room door and stepped out.

 

“Yes? What’s it about?”

 

“Sit down first. It’s an important matter.”

 

A wave of anxiety washed over me... I’ve already been accepted into college, what kind of ordeal is this now?

 

Hesitantly, I sat down on the living room floor as my mother began.

 

“Son, do you think you can live on your own?”

 

“Suddenly? Why?”

 

“Your mom... I’m planning to live where your dad is.”

 

“What? You’ve never mentioned that before.”

 

“Your dad was transferred, and we were planning to move, but I didn’t bring it up since you were taking your exams. Is that okay?”

 

For a moment, I thought I had misheard. Does this mean I can live by myself in Seoul?

 

“So, you mean you’ll be staying in Busan?”

 

“Yes. We can’t leave your dad to live alone forever. But I’m worried about leaving you alone...?”

 

“I’m fine with it. But if I live alone, what about rent and living expenses?”

 

“Of course, your mom and dad will take care of that. But it feels wrong, almost like abandoning our son who’s just turned twenty. If you’re not okay with it, I’ll stay here.”

 

Living alone at twenty?

 

And with financial support from my parents?

 

This is an opportunity I absolutely cannot miss!

 

Gently, I grasped my mother’s hand.

 

“Mom...!”

 

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

 

“Twenty years is enough, isn’t it? Why try to raise me more? I can manage on my own.”

 

Though I said this, only one thought was spinning in my head.

 

Please, let me live on my own.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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