Chapter 38: My Girlfriend is Too Cute (4)
TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat
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"You got permission?"
I stopped in my tracks, baffled by the unexpected response. I stared intently at Heena, searching for clarification, but she brushed it off casually.
"I told my parents that when I move out, we'd live together."
"And what about my mom?"
"I mentioned to her that I'd frequently be visiting to look after you."
"Ah, I see."
It makes sense, given that we're dating."I thought you told my mom we were moving in together..."
"She said it's fine as long as our parents agree."
"..."
Oh, mom...!
It dawned on me that my mom's insistence on holding onto Heena wasn’t just empty words. I was delighted, but the suddenness of the topic caught me off guard.
Still, considering we might only act on this in about two years, perhaps I'm overreacting. Our respective schools are far apart, making living together a challenge.
Recognizing Heena's intentions, I thought it best to appreciate her sentiment.
"It’s still pretty far off if it really happens, but it would be nice."
"To live with me?"
"Yeah. I'll handle all the cleaning and laundry. You just relax."
Though the conversation wasn't too serious, I was genuinely sincere. How could I let Heena lift a finger?
Yet, she playfully counters, "I'll take care of everything. You just focus on your games!"
I was taken aback, my heart skipping a beat.
Who would've thought? A girlfriend telling me to leave household chores to her and just play games!
It's a rare sentiment, even if it was just a jest. But to hear such words was genuinely touching.
Holding a hand over my heart with an exaggerated grimace, Heena whispered teasingly in my ear, "Moved, weren't you?"
"I was..."
"Do you find me cute?"
"You're the cutest in the world."
She chuckled, "Just as I thought."
A gentle tap.
"You know?"
Of course, I did.
Though we were in the middle of the street, I didn't hesitate to kiss Heena. One on the cheek, another on the forehead.
The so-called "three-second rule" felt irrelevant now. Judging by her reaction, she seemed to enjoy these gestures.
She clearly appreciated it, reciprocating with a kiss on my cheek, beaming all the while.
We exchanged smiles, and having seen most of what we set out to, and feeling a bit tired from all the walking, we decided it was time to head back.
"Shall we head back?"
"Yes!"
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Raei Translations
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I'd said as much, but it didn't mean our date was over.
The evening hadn't even started, and going back home would only mean video games; nothing particularly pressing. Plus, Heena held onto my arm so tightly, as if she didn't want me to leave.
After a long subway ride, we returned to the area near Heena’s house and went to a nearby cafe.
It was a spacious cafe with labyrinthine corridors and numerous plants and decorations. Tucked away in a corner, it was the perfect spot for uninterrupted conversation—a place Heena and I frequented.
I had entered with the light-hearted intention of some casual chat, maybe some light banter, and then leaving.
"What kind of house do you like?"
"For when we live together?"
"Yes!"
On our way here, we had been chatting about the animals we saw, so I thought that was the end of that conversation.
But as soon as we sat down with our drinks, she continued the topic as if it was the most natural thing in the world. It caught me off guard.
Should I consider this just another topic of small talk?
"Well... I haven’t really given it much thought."
"Really? Let's assume a one-room then?"
"A one-room?"
"Yeah, like a room about 35 square meters with the kitchen in the same space, and a separate bathroom."
"Oh, that kind."
I faintly recalled seeing such a room layout in a comic book.
"You know your stuff."
"Yeah, I've looked into it because I’m interested."
"Thinking of living alone?"
"Thinking of living with you, actually!"
Of course.
Turns out, my girlfriend was already considering living together sooner than I expected.
It's not that I felt inadequate, but wasn’t Heena getting a bit ahead of herself? The way she talked made it feel like she had even planned our future children.
But asking, "Heena, have you already decided if you want a boy or a girl?" even in jest felt too forward. So, I decided to move the conversation along.
"What about you, Heena?"
"A house?"
"Yeah, any preference?"
"Uh, I guess I'm fine with anything."
With that, she stood up and moved her chair next to mine.
From sitting face-to-face, she repositioned so we were side-by-side, leaning into my shoulder.
"A one-room is good, but I wouldn't mind a two-room with separate spaces. Anyway..."
"Anyway?"
"We’d only need one bed."
"......"
She whispered softly, her head resting on my shoulder.
Being a healthy young man, I've shared mature stories with friends, watched risqué content when alone, and indulged in various fantasies. With all those years of, let's call it "experience," I should be more immune to this kind of topic than Heena. Yet, it still took me by surprise.
From her lips, stories that could be rated mature slipped out unintentionally, and I just couldn't get used to it.
"By that time, we'll be adults, right?"
"...I guess so."
"...Hehe."
"Hahaha..."
The previously adorable Heena seemed to have disappeared, replaced only by a fox who gave a captivating smile as if she was trying to seduce me.
And now, as Heena's arm wrapped around my waist, I quickly changed the subject before the atmosphere got any thicker.
"Speaking of which! Isn't your brother being discharged from the military soon?"
"Yeah~ He's coming back tomorrow."
"Time flies. My younger brother is due next month."
I brought up the topic to steer the conversation away, but it made me feel a bit down.
"Sigh... I'll have to go eventually..."
"To the military?"
"Yes..."
Given my robust health, there doesn't seem to be a way out, and I'm filled with a vague sense of dread.
I guess all the guys my age feel the same. Holding onto the slim hope that maybe there won't be a need if our country unifies.
I once joked with my older friends about the possibility of serving not just in our country, but even in North Korea if the unification happened and our luck was bad.
Even if there's unification, the mandatory military service won't just disappear.
No matter how much the military has improved and even if they let you use phones now, I really didn't want to go.
Seeing my distress, Heena looked upset as well.
"I'm worried too... What will I do every day when you're in the army?"
Her reaction was as if she despised the mere thought, just like I did.
Seeing her like that made me think, if I had Heena waiting for me, maybe I could endure the military life.
Receiving letters, having her visit, talking on the phone. Anticipating those might make the tough days go by faster.
But Heena, being the proactive woman she was, always seemed a step ahead of my imagination.
"So, I did some research on that..."
"On the military?"
"Yeah. There's a type of service called active duty where you can commute from home every day."
"Oh~ I think I've heard of it."
I only felt the dislike without really researching the military specifics. All I knew was that there's a daily commuting option for military service.
Still, with my physical condition, it probably isn't for me. Especially when even public service seems out of reach.
"It's not a guarantee, but there might be a way for you to opt for that."
"Really? Could I do it?"
"Yes! If we try hard together, we can make it work!"
"...It requires effort?"
I couldn't even begin to imagine, especially when she said, "we together."
Did she mean breaking my leg or enduring some pain?
Furrowing my brows in deep thought, I couldn't find an answer from what I knew.
Seeing my puzzled face, Heena wrapped an arm around my neck this time, pulling me slightly closer, and whispered the solution into my ear.
"If we have even one child... it's possible."
"Wow."
He exclaimed in astonishment. A method I could never have imagined came from my girlfriend's lips.
At the same time, this topic felt off-limits. Continuing might create an uncontrollable atmosphere.
Immediately, I turned my head and kissed Heena's lips that were close enough to feel my breath, as if asking her to be content with that.
After a brief kiss, I tried to regain my composure and said, "We can talk about this later."
"Yeah. It's still far off, but that's one way."
"I see..."
I quickly steered away from the topic. No matter what we discussed, it seemed to veer off in that direction. What should we do?
While desperately searching for a neutral topic, I remembered the silliness from this morning.
"Heena, would you like to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend, the four of us?"
"With your older brother?"
"Yes, my brother."
"I don't mind, but why all of a sudden?"
"Well, my brother didn't mention anything, but his girlfriend, Yoonjung, really wants to meet you."
She practically dragged me to the floor in excitement.
"Sounds good. When should we meet?"
"I'll ask her later and let you know. Knowing her personality, she might suggest meeting tomorrow."
"Okay~"
She nodded without hesitation.
The fact that she felt no burden meeting my family was impressive. Although she seemed nervous when meeting my mother, it was only a fleeting feeling; she was eager to meet.
Perhaps I should be more assertive with Heena?
I thought I was expressive enough, but I felt I still fell short compared to Heena.
What more can I express? The only thing that comes to mind is too explicit. And after promising to refrain from such things until graduation, turning back now feels wrong.
Especially given the atmosphere when I made that promise. My pride as a man is at stake.
Holding back due to pride is tough, especially when Heena overtly approaches me. Every time she does, I feel tested.
She appears fearless. Like, "Bring it on."
"Ever tried melon soda? It's delicious."
Switching between cuteness and cunning, I can't help but pinch Heena's cheek.
"Why~"
As if even that gesture is a form of affection, she snuggles her face against my shoulder like a puppy.
I naturally pull her close and stroke her hair, thinking: How many days until graduation?
Author's Note:
Phew... Everyone just looks for explicit content...
This is a story about high schoolers' pure love.
Going forward, Heena and Yeonho will only share innocent love scenes, just holding hands and kissing. Thank you always for reading with joy. Your comments and likes make me happy.