TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat
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Although she was smiling, it didn't feel genuine. Both my friends and I were frozen, unable to utter a word in this situation.
I was puzzled as to why she was here, but it wasn't the right ti to ask.
Her overwhelming presence silenced the bustling atmosphere around us in an instant. Nearby patrons seed to glance our way, a faint murmur of admiration heard among them.
It's not every day you see soone as stunning as Heena.
And, I was on edge, not just because I had unintentionally ignored a ssage, but also because I thought I heard Suhwang ntion sothing about "picking up girls" earlier.
Just like at ho, I could feel cold sweat forming as Heena, still smiling, turned not to but to soone beside .
"Are these your friends, Yeonho? Hello?"
"Uh... Yes, hello."
Suhwang, seated closest to , took the lead in greeting her, while the rest of us just nodded slightly.
"Can I have a word with Yeonho for a mont?"
"Of course."
"Oh, and I wasn't eavesdropping."
Heena continued, her aura chilling enough to send shivers down one's spine. Her eyes seed to smile, but...
"You know it's not okay to 'hunt' with Yeonho, right?"
I realized she had heard! Thankfully, it seed she knew I wasn't the instigator.
"......That was just a joke. We actually planned to go to the valley."
"That's a relief."
"Heh..."
Seeing Suhwang's deflated deanor, I thought he should've held on a bit longer. I hadn't even thought of an excuse yet!
Internally cursing and feeling like a condemned criminal, I stayed still, lips sealed, until Heena's gaze shifted back to .
My mouth felt parched, but I couldn't stay silent. I had done sothing wrong, after all.
"Um, Heena?"
"Yes?"
Fortunately, or maybe not, her response wasn't as icy as when she looked at my friends.
Gathering so courage, I began to explain.
"I'm sorry. I was so focused in a ga that I forgot to check my phone..."
"Mhm."
"I usually check it once in a while, but today I was... just too focused..."
"Mhm."
"You know how it is, when you're really into sothing, it's hard to break away, right? With anything."
"Mhm."
"Gas can be so addictive... I ssed up."
It was hard to keep making excuses in the face of Heena's curt responses. Truth be told, I had an opportunity to reply earlier, but I chose to play a ga instead.
I didn't want to stir the pot any further, so I decided it's best to keep quiet.
Squeak-
"Yeonho."
She gently turns the empty gaming chair to my right and sits, softly calling my na.
I listened attentively without interrupting.
"I'm not mad, you know."
"...Yeah, I know."
Looking around, it seed like everyone in the PC room would say she was upset — but if Heena says she isn't, I chose to believe her.
"It's just... I was worried because you weren't replying. Thought sothing might've happened."
"I'm sorry. I could've replied sooner..."
"It's okay. It happens when you're out with friends."
Seeing Heena's somber expression, I felt a pang of guilt.
I spent the whole day gaming. I should've replied to Heena sooner.
I chastised my earlier self.
How could I make this wonderful girlfriend, who always defends my actions, feel this way?
Heena probably wouldn't even complain about today...
"Of course, you promised you'd ssage whenever you had ti..."
"......"
Wait, what?
"I clung onto that promise, checking my phone all day..."
"..."
"I was worried you might've gotten into an accident after your ga. But it's not because of you."
"......"
"I'm just naturally anxious. You know how I am, right?"
"...Yeah..."
"Did you talk about flirting with other girls with your friends?"
"No, I stopped them..."
"So, you didn't apply sunscreen because you were busy looking at other girls?"
"You know that's not true, right?"
"I know. Just teasing."
"...That's good."
"But you still didn't ssage."
"......"
Her words pierced my conscience, making bow my head in sha.
I had no excuses.
A tense silence enveloped us. I hung my head low, and Heena sat quietly beside .
It was so quiet around us that barely any conversations could be heard. Although the room wasn't crowded, it felt like everyone was eagerly eavesdropping.
I would've done the sa.
In this pressing silence, as my anxiety grew, I contemplated apologizing again. But then, Heena reached out, cupping my face and lifting it.
Our eyes t, and she was the first to offer words of reconciliation.
"You'll reply quickly next ti, right?"
"Yes, I promise. I'm so sorry."
I quickly acknowledged and apologized again.
Her gaze softened as she heard my swift response. In a gentler tone, she continued.
"That's settled then. But can I see your phone for a mont?"
"My phone? Uh...here."
I handed it over without much thought. There wasn't anything to hide, and since we've often shared our phones, Heena was familiar with its contents.
As soon as she took my phone, she began installing sothing. I watched without intervening, confident she wasn't installing anything suspicious.
The download was completed quickly. After a brief mont of fiddling with both her phone and mine, she handed mine back.
"What did you install?"
"A 'Couples App'."
"Couples App?"
"It lets us check each other's location. With days like today when I can't reach you, I get really worried... Is that okay?"
"Of course. If it's just that, I don't mind."
Part of still felt guilty, and frankly, my whereabouts were so predictable that there was nothing to hide from Heena.
If this app alleviates so of her worries, then I'm more than happy to have it. Plus, there's the added benefit of knowing where Heena is too.
It was only after I agreed that Heena's smile truly returned.
The re fact she worried so much after a brief lack of communication, and even felt the need to install such an app, genuinely touched .
With the earlier tension resolved, I was curious about one thing.
"How did you know I was here?"
"Hmm? I heard it from your mother."
"From my mom? You're in touch with her?"
"Didn't you know? I talk to her every day."
Why am I only now finding out that my girlfriend and my mother talk daily? But more importantly,
"Isn't that botherso for you?"
"Why would it be? I always check if it's okay to call her often."
"I see..."
Is it normal for a girlfriend to chat with her boyfriend's mother daily?
I don't know. If that's how Heena is, then so be it; I couldn't wrap my head around it further.
Let's drop the subject. If Heena is fine with it, then it's okay.
After hearing all this, I glanced behind . My friends, who had been discreetly observing, t my gaze.
Might as well introduce them now.
"Heena, would you be okay with greeting my friends?"
"Yes! Oh, I started with formal language since it's our first ti eting. Is it okay if I speak more casually?"
As Heena looked back at them with this question, the four guys imdiately nodded in agreent.
When I was in trouble earlier, they kept their mouths shut, but it seed they felt relieved that Heena's anger had subsided.
"Of course it's okay! I'm Kim Suhwang and..."
"No need for a lengthy introduction. This is Lee Heena. You guys have seen her in my profile pictures, right? And from my side here, it's Kim Suhwang, Shin Uihyun, Jung Yoonsung, and Lee Hyunwoo. You ntioned you t Yoonsung briefly before, right?"
I cut off the unnecessary chatter and quickly wrapped up the introductions. There's no need for a detailed background check on friends we might not see often.
Moreover, Heena probably wasn't that interested in these guys, and although my friends wouldn't necessarily bother Heena, I didn't particularly want them to engage in deep conversation.
I felt a pang of jealousy.
"Hello~"
After my brief introduction, Heena waved and greeted everyone once more. Suhwang, taken aback by my sudden stop, briefly made a face but then courteously nodded. The others responded similarly.
Despite the greetings, there was an unmistakable awkwardness in the air.
Even if they sowhat recognized each other from profile photos, this was their first real face-to-face encounter. Furthermore, dealing with a friend's girlfriend can be a nuanced relationship.
"Would you mind inviting a few of your friends to join us at the valley?"
Hoping to ease the tension, I revisited the earlier idea.
Heena, looking thoughtful, replied, "Friends?"
"Yeah. There's a valley near Uihyun's relative's place. It's quiet, not many people visit, so it's great for hanging out. I was thinking if you're okay with it, maybe you could invite so of your friends to join us."
"Oh~ I see. But I'm not sure. Most of them have classes or private lessons, so it might be challenging to coordinate."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And it might be awkward if people who aren't close go together. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. It was just a suggestion. Even if it's just an overnight trip, I thought I'd want to see you..."
"Really?"
Though it was a bit awkward saying this in front of my friends, Heena has always appreciated directness. She responded genuinely.
As expected, her eyes sparkled as she grasped my hand. Relishing the warmth of her hand, I added,
"I'm sorry I couldn't ssage you today, but I was planning to see you in the evening."
"I was thinking of visiting you too. Looks like we had the sa idea?"
"It seems so."
They exchanged warm smiles.
Who needs gas or friends when I have Heena?
With that thought, I held onto her hand more firmly. From behind, a teasing voice chid in.
"Just go on your date already..."
---
Raei Translations
---
It finally ca to this.
Heena felt sorry, thinking it might be because of her, but in reality, it was bound to happen sooner or later. It was already ti for dinner.
Not everyone has the luxury of part-ti work like Jung Yoonsung. After spending money at the PC cafe, there was hardly anything left for a al.
For the trip, we considered simply staying at Uihyun's aunt's place. Honestly, wherever we looked, that seed the most reasonable. Especially when broke guys like us are talking about paying for accommodations.
After leaving the PC cafe, as we strolled leisurely, Heena stopped .
"Yeonho."
"Yeah?"
"You'll keep our promises from now on, right?"
Wondering if our argunt wasn't over, I cautiously glanced at Heena, but she didn't seem to bla .
"If I break it again, I'll stop playing the ga."
"Really?"
"...Maybe I can stop for about a week?"
"Ugh, forget it! You know we have a date tomorrow, right? Today doesn't count because you made worry!"
Regardless, I planned to et up with her tomorrow.
"Okay, I know. But what should we do tomorrow?"
"I was thinking, want to visit the zoo?"
"The zoo? Do you want to go? I'm fine with that."
"Yes! Let's go! And, do you rember?"
"What?"
"That you'd grant my wish."
Is she talking about the promise we made when we ca back from the beach?
"I rember."
"Is anything okay?"
"I'll grant anything. I'm really, truly sorry about today."
At that, the corners of Heena's mouth lifted slightly.
"So, all day tomorrow, you'll stick to the rule I set!"
"A rule?"
"Okay, it's simple. When I touch my face with my index and middle fingers..."
She then held her index and middle fingers up to her lips.
"You have to kiss there. Anyti, anywhere. No matter who's around, you have to do it."
"Huh?"
"You said anything, right?"
With that, she gave a sowhat mischievous smile. She seed more lively than ever.
Author's Note:
Heena is such an 'innocent' child. Thank you for all the wonderful comnts! I enjoy reading all of them!
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