Chapter 84: Twenty

 

“Does that mean we could live together?”

 

“Huh? I didn’t think that far-”

 

“It would be really great if that’s the case. Are Han-gyeol’s parents okay with it? Have they given their permission? Then, we just need my parents’ approval, right?”

 

“Huh? No, my parents are fine with it, but I doubt if Eun-ha’s parents would allow-”

 

“Don’t worry. My mom and dad are quite practical, they’ll surely agree! I’ll convince them before the graduation ceremony!”

 

Though I said this on Christmas yesterday, I was anxious about bringing it up to my mom.

 

I thought it might be best to tell her during dinner, but I just couldn’t bring myself to say it.

 

My mom isn’t exactly controlling, but she’s quite strict about certain things.

 

“Eun-ha, do you have something to say?”

 

Maybe because I kept glancing at my mom, she asked me first.

 

Right. Now that it’s come up, it’s probably best to talk about it.

 

I decided to lay the groundwork for the conversation, bit by bit.

 

“Mom, what do you think of Han-gyeol?”

 

“Oh, he’d make a perfect son-in-law. My daughter has a good eye for men~”

 

“Right? You agree that Han-gyeol is really perfect son-in-law material?”

 

“Of course. But why is my daughter asking this all of a sudden?”

 

The conversation was off to a good start.

 

“Mom, Han-gyeol’s parents are moving to Busan next month.”

 

“Oh? Really? Then Han-gyeol will have to live alone? Well, he’s responsible, he’ll manage.”

 

My mom took a bite of a strawberry on the table.

 

“He’s planning to find a place near the university.”

 

“Ah, is that so? Well, that does sound convenient.”

 

“Right? You know I go to the same university as Han-gyeol, don’t you?”

 

“Who doesn’t know that? But why does that matter?”

 

That’s when I finally spoke my mind.

 

“I want to live with Han-gyeol too.”

 

“That’s not happening.”

 

“Huh? Why? Why not?”

 

My mom was unequivocal, without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“Because you’re too young? I think it’s a bit premature for just-turned-twenty-year-olds to start living together. Cohabitation isn’t just about the excitement and good times. It comes with areas where you need to be more cautious around each other, and that can lead to friction.”

 

I responded to my mom’s concerns.

 

“I don’t think cohabitation is just about the good stuff either. But I believe if it’s with Han-gyeol, we can work things out through conversation. It’s not like Han-gyeol and I never had conflicts. Whenever we did, we would talk openly about our thoughts and resolve our issues. The concerns you have, mom, wouldn’t be an issue between me and Han-gyeol.”

 

When I countered immediately, my mom opposed cohabitation with another argument.

 

“Alright, I’ll give you that. But still, I think it’s too early for cohabitation. In my eyes, both Eun-ha and Han-gyeol are still kids. It’s not that I’m belittling you, but it seems too much to take on certain responsibilities at this stage. If you gain more knowledge and experience in society, then I’ll allow it. After you both graduate from university, I won’t say a word.”

 

I had no argument against mom’s claim that we still had a lot to learn before taking on responsibilities.

 

She’s right. I’ve never really earned money and am far too young to take on any significant responsibility.

 

I was about to give up, but it seemed like Han-gyeol would have pushed forward in this situation.

 

“Mom, that’s too abstract. ‘Seems too overwhelmed to take on responsibilities’ is your subjective opinion, not proof that I ‘can’t take responsibilities.’ I don’t start something I can’t be responsible for. I can make that judgment.”

 

Despite my words, my mom was firm.

 

“No, to be precise, it’s your mom and dad who are taking responsibilities on behalf of our daughter. What about the living expenses? Tuition? Can our daughter take responsibility for these right now? I think it’s too much. So, until you graduate from university, it’s mom and dad who will take responsibility. Once our daughter graduates and gets settled a bit, I’ll allow it without any objections.”

 

I couldn’t say anything to mom’s words.

 

Even though I’m an adult, I still can’t live without my parents’ help.

 

There was nothing more to say.

 

“I understand.”

 

“Good. Don’t take it too hard. Mom isn’t completely against it, you understand?”

 

“Yeah, I understand.”

 

***

 

It was the last night of being nineteen.

 

I wanted to welcome the New Year with Han-gyeol, so we went on a date.

 

We watched a movie, had delicious food, and were walking in the cool night air to end the evening.

 

“What happened with what you mentioned before? Did your parents agree to let us live together?”

 

“I’m sorry... I talked to mom, but it’s decided that it’s not going to happen. I thought they’d readily agree since it’s you...”

 

“It’s okay. They probably want to keep their beautiful daughter at home a bit longer.”

 

Han-gyeol pulled my cheek, comforting me in my disappointment.

 

“But they said they’ll allow it after we graduate from college.”

 

“That’s good to hear. But what was the reason they said it’s not possible now?”

 

“Well... they said we’re still too young to take on many responsibilities. We’re not even a bit financially independent, so it’s hard to even bring it up... It’s disappointing, but let’s live together later, okay? It’s fine, right?”

 

At my words, Han-gyeol smiled broadly and hugged me.

 

“Ah, I also wanted to live together now; it’s a pity. But we can live even better when we do eventually live together. Or maybe...”

 

“Or maybe what?”

 

“It’s nothing. Since they’re not completely opposed, I’ll be content with this for now.”

 

“I really love how positive Han-gyeol is. Oh- Are both of Han-gyeol’s parents coming to the graduation ceremony next week?”

 

“Yeah, both of them will be there. What about Eun-ha’s parents?”

 

“My parents are coming too. I think my brother will come as well. Hyun-joo unnie has a prior engagement that day.”

 

“I see. Ah- What time is it now?”

 

“Just a moment.”

 

I took out my phone to check the time.

 

There were about 4 minutes left until I turned twenty.

 

“4 minutes left!”

 

“Soon you’ll be an adult.”

 

“Yeah! After learning about alcohol, I want to drink with Han-gyeol too.”

 

“I think Eun-ha will be a real beast when drunk.”

 

“I could be a cute little animal. Does Han-gyeol prefer a beast or a small animal?”

 

“I like beasts.”

 

“Rawr-!”

 

Han-gyeol threw back his head and laughed loudly at my roar.

 

“You’re really too cute...!”

 

“A beast is supposed to be scary.”

 

“But you’re too cute. Come here.”

 

Han-gyeol pulled me in tightly and kissed my forehead.

 

“Kiss me on the lips too. Now- Hurry.”

 

I tiptoed and puckered my lips, and Han-gyeol pecked me softly on the lips.

 

“Now kiss me on the cheek.”

 

“If I kiss your cheek, you’ll want it somewhere else next, right?”

 

“I have to get a lot in before I turn twenty. It’s the last kiss of my teens~”

 

“When you put it like that, I get a bit greedy too.”

 

“Right? Now- Hurry up. You have to keep kissing me until the New Year. Got it?”

 

“We’ll end the teens and start the twenties with a kiss.”

 

I slowly wrapped my arms around Han-gyeol’s neck as we talk.

 

“That’s what I want~ Han-gyeol. Thank you for being with me this year. I’m counting on you for next year too!”

 

“I should be the one saying that. I love you~”

 

“I love Han-gyeol very very much too~”

 

As I slowly closed my eyes, Han-gyeol gently held my face.

 

With his tender touch, Han-gyeol’s lips met mine.

 

Why is a kiss with the one you truly love so sweet?

 

My greed growing, I pulled Han-gyeol closer with more strength.

 

By now, the New Year must have arrived, right?

 

To commemorate turning twenty, I became more assertive towards Han-gyeol.

 

Though I couldn’t give him a kiss that would make his mind go blank like Han-gyeol does, I desired him more deeply.

 

“Mmm...”

 

Holding Han-gyeol’s face and standing on tiptoe, I deeply slid my tongue into his mouth.

 

Startled, Han-gyeol tried to pull his head back, but I firmly held his face and didn’t let go.

 

Now that I’m an adult...! I’m no longer a child.

 

I wanted to experience the intense kiss we first shared on Christmas once again.

 

Cute and lovely kisses are great, but I also really enjoy passionate kisses like this.

 

To feel that this person desires me to this extent.

 

To know he loves me this much.

 

That feeling was fully conveyed.

 

I wanted to communicate the same feelings to Han-gyeol.

 

I desired more of him, continuously.

 

“Eun-ha...?”

 

Startled by my aggressive kissing, Han-gyeol pulled his head back with all his might.

 

Han-gyeol, with his bewildered expression, looked incredibly adorable.

 

But I wanted more.

 

To be satisfied, I needed much more of Han-gyeol than this.

 

I looked at Han-gyeol with a content smile.

 

“Why stop~”

 

“No, I just didn’t expect such an intense deep kiss.”

 

“It doesn’t matter, come here quickly.”

 

The start of my twenties being a deep kiss with Han-gyeol…

 

My heart was already racing.

 

“Shall we keep kissing?”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

[TL: The Korean age system counts individuals as one year old at birth and adds one year to their age on January 1st each year, irrespective of their actual birth date.

 

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