TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Mon-Thu
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"Last year, when I was studying, you said it was okay for to play gas for two or three hours to relieve stress. But now, as my friends are busy with college life, it's hard to play together, and playing alone is boring. So, I thought maybe I'd try working part-ti instead."
"......."
"Actually, I had asked my brother if he knew of any good places but then completely forgot about it. Sorry for not telling you."
Even with his apology, Heena remained silent. She didn't seem angry, but her face was an enigmatic mix of a slight frown and sadness.
In the frozen atmosphere, I couldn't bring myself to say more, just watching her for cues. Fortunately, it wasn't long before she broke the silence.
"Will you be okay with your studies?"
"Maybe? If I think of the part-ti job as a replacent for gaming, it shouldn't be a problem, right...? Of course, it might be more tiring than playing gas, but unless it's as demanding as Jung Yoonsung's snack bar, I think it should be fine..."
But if it were that demanding, I'd apologize and only work for a short period. The plan was to balance it with my studies, not let the job take over. That's why I only thought of working three days a week, for less than five hours a day.
I hadn't considered weekend jobs because it would ss up the ti I could spend with Heena. I wondered if I was trying to juggle too much while re-studying, but in this matter, I blindly trusted Heena's solution.
Everyone's different, but I wasn't the type who could just study all day long. I had to concentrate intensely during specific tis and then unwind, whether through gaming or dating, to maintain efficiency.
Heena always said that there's a limit to how long a person can focus in a day. Individual differences aside, mindlessly sitting for long hours doesn't equate to productive ti. In my case, this approach had already proven effective through improved grades.
"Where will you be working?"
"Heeseong hyung ntioned a place about a 20-minute walk from your place. It's about the sa distance from our house if I take the subway or bus..."
"Near there... is it the place where oppa worked?"
"You know it?"
"I've been there. But that place..."
After pondering for a mont, Heena's frown deepened. Then, with a look of entreaty, she hesitantly spoke.
"Do you really have to do the part-ti job...?"
"Do you dislike doing part-ti work?"
"It's not that... Well, maybe it is."
She hesitated to give a clear reason. It didn't seem like she was worried about my studies. Heena would be busy on weekdays with university life, and I was only planning to work for a short ti.
I was extrely curious about her reaction, so I hugged her gently, trying to comfort her.
"It's just for a little while, so why? Huh? Tell why."
It's not that I would always follow Heena's advice unconditionally, but her suggestions had always been helpful to . If she had a convincing reason, I was okay with not doing it. I thought I could manage it until sumr anyway. It was a light-hearted decision to start with, and afterwards, I'd focus more on studying.
But Heena continued to avoid my gaze, her lips sealed shut. Taking her cheeks in my hands, I looked her in the eyes and kissed her softly, urging her to speak.
"Tell why."
"Umm..."
As I spoke gently, coaxing her with kisses, she finally began to open up.
"It's embarrassing to say..."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Co on, tell ."
"I feel like I'm being too selfish..."
"You can be a bit selfish. Please, just tell everything you want. I'm here to listen."
"...There are a lot of gaps between classes in college, with free periods and all. It depends on how you schedule them, but..."
"Uh... I don't know much about that, just what I've picked up from comics, dramas, and what I've heard around."
"When I have free ti, I wanted to co see you, but if you're working, it'll be hard to et..."
"I'm only planning to work three days a week for about five hours each day."
"But still, if you're at ho, we can spend that ti together!"
"Are you talking about your apartnt?"
"Yes!"
"I do plan to co there often, but I'll mostly be at our house anyway."
Aren't we going to see how things go before moving in together? Why does it sound like she's assuming we're already living together? She murmured so softly it was almost inaudible.
"...Eventually, we'll end up living together anyway..."
"What? What did you say?"
"No! I an! If you have free ti, I wanted to co see you studying, but if you're working, there'll be even less ti to do that!"
"We can still see each other on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Isn't that enough?"
"It's not enough! I'm sure I'll feel lonely!"
"Wow."
I had nothing more to say since she felt that way. We had been seeing each other almost every day recently. How did she manage when I was busy studying or hanging out with friends during the last two years of school?
"So, you don't like it because we'll see each other less?"
"That's part of it..."
"Is there sothing else?"
I could understand her wanting to see every day; that was typical of Heena. But was there another reason? I was incredibly curious.
After biting her lip thoughtfully, Heena finally spoke in a small, hesitant voice.
"I'm worried..."
"Worried about what? My grades?"
"That café, from the manager to the part-tirs... it's mostly won... and oppa really liked it there..."
"......."
I gained new information about a café whose na I didn't even know yet, a place I hadn't visited. Most of the employees and part-tirs were won. Personally, I'd be more comfortable around more n.
In any case, I thought her worries were unnecessary, but I could understand why Heena might feel uneasy. If she were working in a place with only n, I guess I'd feel a bit uncomfortable too.
"You know that doesn't matter to , right? You're the only one for ."
"I know... but still..."
"If it really makes you uneasy, I don't mind looking for sowhere else. Or, in fact, it's fine if I don't work at all."
I liked socializing with people, and the part-ti job was a way to earn so date money and relieve stress. But there was no need to make Heena feel anxious over it. After all, I had my allowance, and there were other ways to relieve stress.
True, relying solely on my allowance for dates would be a bit tight, but so far, we've managed just fine without spending much.
Right now, Heena was my top priority.
"Should I not do it?"
"...No."
"You're worried. I really don't have to do it. You're more important."
At my words, the corners of Heena's mouth slightly lifted, but they quickly fell again.
"Just... sorry for being so stubborn. You can take the part-ti job."
"Hmm..."
Though she verbally gave permission, it still felt a bit unresolved. What to do now.
"However..."
As I pondered how to ease her mind, Heena took my hands.
"Today may have been a bit disappointing."
"Yeah."
She must be referring to what happened earlier. I almost went too far without realizing it.
"We're going to be together on my birthday."
Heena's eyes blazed with determination.
"On that day, make sure I have no more reason to worry."
With her hands tightly holding mine, she brought up such a topic.
"Yes."
I had no other response.
And from that mont on, Heena never left my side for the rest of the day. Literally. Whether it was her linking arms with or making play gas while she sat on my lap and hugged , she still looked sowhat displeased.
But it seed her annoyance wasn't about my part-ti job, rather it seed more directed at Heeseong hyung.
"...I can't forgive him. He's always been like this. Why did he have to call at that exact mont today? It's infuriating, really..."
Her words weren't ant for to hear, just an uncontainable venting of frustration and anger. The timing was indeed infuriating. But he had called for a good reason.
"And why did he have to offer that specific job... Wait till I get ho."
"......."
It seed that Heena didn't take it as good news. I had no intention of foolishly saying sothing like 'Don't be too hard on Heeseong hyung, he called because of .'
I quietly stroked her hair, letting her anger subside a bit, as she leaned her face against my chest, accepting my touch.
Because of this, it was hard to focus on the ga, so I sent Heeseong hyung a ssage with one hand.
[ Han Yeonho: Hyung, it might be better not to co ho today. ]
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Raei Translations
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The next day, I dressed neatly in preparation for the interview. A shirt with a knit sweater, topped with a coat, I was ready to head out. My parents didn't seem too concerned about my part-ti job.
After sending Heena off yesterday, I returned ho, discussed the job's exact location and schedule with Heeseong hyung, and then talked to my parents about it.
"A part-ti job? Sure. You're twenty now, you don't need a consent form. If you want to, go ahead."
"Is it okay?"
"If you want to do it, you should. You might even discover your aptitude."
"Yeah, mom's right. Don't be too fixated on college. Of course, it would be good for you in the long run, but it's not everything in life. Even if you don't go, there's plenty you can do."
"Uh, I'm not planning not to go."
"That's good too. You're only twenty. Try what you want to do, learn what you want to learn. There's no rush."
"And grandma sent a box of Hallabong oranges. They're in the fridge, have so later."
"Really? I should have so right now!"
Their seemingly indifferent attitude always felt like neglect, but hearing this made realize they just trusted and respected our choices. My older brothers, slightly ahead of , are also living well without any major deviations.
Moreover, my parents always made sure I felt confident about my choices on the day of the college entrance exams. Now, looking back, I harbored no regrets or unease about those decisions.
Recently, on the day that uncle got married, dad sent a family photo with grandma, all of them smiling brightly. It ca with repeated expressions of gratitude.
Seeing that, how could I ever regret the choices I made that day?
My life has taken a slow step forward, but I will always be proud of myself back then.
Author's Note
An adult-rated extra chapter after the ending... It's still a bit far off, but ;ㅅ; I'll consider it! I'm so happy that you enjoy reading and show so much interest! Love you!
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