Sixteen
Sixteen
Chapter 16
Waiting for Se-na to finish picking out clothes required considerable patience.
The paper bag containing the dress I bought to give her just happened to add to the patience requirement.
I'm women's clothing!
It was practically screaming that it wasn't the kind of thing that should be held in the hands of a shabby-looking guy.
"Sigh."
After wandering aimlessly, I arrived at a franchise cafe located on the first floor.
I ordered an Americano in the crowded place and grabbed a seat.
To kill time, I chose a novel.
As expected, there's nothing better than this for burning time outside without a computer.
I was just engrossed in the fantasy novel I've been reading lately.
"Oppa."
What the.
When did you get here?
"How fun is that thing that you didn't even know I arrived?"
"Ah, you're here?"
......It is fun, though.
Four attractive female characters are surrounding one male character and are in the middle of a fierce catfight, so how could it not be fun?
It's just that I haven't been able to feel it lately because a girl has been clinging to my side, but I've been single for quite a long time, you know.
It's so fun when pretty girls battle over me.
"Hmph. So, how many heroines do you like, Oppa?"
"Me? I've never thought about-."
"So you like harems, Oppa."
Damn, what a seductive bitch.
I answered her natural question without thinking, and Se-na's eyes narrowed.
What is she trying to tease me with this time?
"Let's see, let's see. A harem has to be at least three or more, so there's me and that Ye-seo eonni? Since that person is there, if there's one more, it's a harem, right?"
"What kind of bullshit is that? Is this an academy?"
She's talking nonsense.
And you know full well I'm not dating Ye-seo noona.
So what's with all this talk about one more person?
"Ugh, but you're reading that novel because you have a fantasy about harems, right?"
"Are fantasy and reality the same?"
More importantly, how do you even know the plot of the novel I'm reading right now?
You've never even seen the title of what I'm reading.
No.
Maybe you have seen it.
"If you're done shopping, let's get up."
"Aang, I'm tired. Let's rest a bit before we go."
"Did you order something to drink? Should I buy it for you?"
"Oh! I haven't bought anything yet, so I'd be totally thankful! Can I order something really expensive?"
I was about to get up since it was about time to go home, but Se-na started acting cute.
I fumbled in my wallet, took out my card, and held it out.
I think the most expensive thing was around 6,000 won or so.
Se-na happily got up from her seat and ran straight to the counter.
Watching her back, I turned my gaze to the chair.
The number of paper bags is smaller than I thought.
'Guess she couldn't buy much..'
It's not like one bag only holds one piece of clothing, so I can't say for sure, but I recall my ex-girlfriend and my mother always buying armfuls of stuff whenever they went shopping.
Compared to that, the number of Se-na's paper bags and how puffed up they are clearly show that she only bought a very small amount of clothes.
I turned my gaze to the bag containing the dress I bought.
Maybe it's a relief that at least I have this.
"Thanks, Oppa! I'll enjoy it!"
Contrary to her big talk, Se-na's choice was an Americano.
Seeing the brown drink in her hand, my heart felt complicated.
I wouldn't have said anything even if she'd ordered something really expensive.
"Here."
Let's stop feeling bad about Se-na's choice and try giving her the gift I bought.
"What is this, Oppa?"
"Come to think of it, I've never properly repaid you for helping me with that blind date the other day."
The Bossam we ordered for dinner the other day was also for passing the part-time job interview.
I still haven't repaid her for helping with the blind date.
Even though that evening, she gave me incredible service so I could sleep with a woman for the first time in a long while.
"It's the dress you were looking at the day we went clothes shopping."
"Oh, really?"
"It's a bit pricey, but come to think of it, you gave me a full-course dress-up service that day."
"Aigoo, why are you repaying me for something like this? I just did it because I like you, Oppa."
I had worried about what to do if she didn't want something like this.
Seeing Se-na so happy, I'm glad my worries were unfounded.
"Oppa, could you wait a moment?"
"Why?"
"I'm going to go to the bathroom for a second."
Se-na stood up from her seat, carrying the paper bag with the dress.
Is she really going to the bathroom to change into the dress I bought her?
The wait wasn't long.
As I thought, Se-na's outfit had changed as she approached the cafe.
It's the same dress, but where did the white dress with pretty flowers embroidered on it that she was originally wearing go?
"How is it, Oppa?"
Bright blonde hair and a sky-blue dress.
Should I say it feels flashy yet adds the vitality of spring?
I don't know what kind of bullshit I'm saying.
One thing is for sure, it suits her well.
"It's pretty."
I flinched at the words I just uttered.
I thought I was just stating an objective fact, but Se-na covered her mouth with her hand and laughed, as if it were funny.
"Puhuhu, he said it's pretty. Ah, aren't you too cute, Oppa?"
The girl who usually just laughs......
A smile is constantly hanging on her face as she sits in front of me drinking her beverage.
She doesn't seem to mind being called pretty.
"I'm just curious, doesn't Ye-seo eonni call you cute too, Oppa?"
I don't know.
The only thing I remember from what Ye-seo noona said is that I'm a good person.
I did try to make it fun, though.
"That's strange? If you look cute even to my eyes, you must have just been a baby to Ye-seo noona, right?"
"I don't know, you bitch."
I avoided her gaze at Se-na's words.
She's making me feel awkward for no reason.
She came over to my side, opened the camera app on her phone, and switched to selfie mode.
Click-.
"Hey, you......"
"Ah, why. You took a picture of me too, Oppa. So we're even!"
The moment I tried to protest, Se-na covered my mouth.
I, I definitely have the photo taken that day.
Is a shameful nude photo where I completely lost it the same as a selfie?
While I felt a moment of confusion, Se-na stood up and tapped the table.
"Oppa, if you're done with your coffee, let's go out and walk a little. I looked it up on the way here, and they've set up a nice walking path on the left side of the shopping mall."
"Yeah, let's go."
I returned the cup with only ice left, left the cafe, and headed to the main entrance of the shopping mall.
It's not a quiet atmosphere since it's on the main road, but.
Just as Se-na said, the walking path was well-maintained, and once we went in a little, the sound of cars wasn't as loud as I thought.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
"Can I hold your hand?"
And once we got here, Se-na asked me, as if it were something new.
"What. We've already done everything we can and can't do."
"Puu. Is that the same as this?"
What is this girl saying, when she's no different from a succubus when she's determined to have sex?
At home, she walks around naked or in her underwear, with at least one part of her exposed.
And she's better than anyone at rubbing her chest, covered by just a single thin layer of fabric.
"Here."
Actually, it's not like this is the first time we've held hands.
"Doing this makes us look like lovers."
Still, Se-na giggles, as if she doesn't mind holding my hand.
"Lovers?"
"And I think this is the first time we've walked like normal lovers like this. The guys I used to date were always only interested in dragging me to bed."
The spring breeze wraps around my body.
It's the time when it's transitioning to late spring in just a few more days.
While I've spent time with Se-na, I've seen her active and lewd side, but I think this is the first time I've seen her acting shy.
I had felt similar emotions with Ye-seo noona before.
That it's strange for a person to have such diverse facets.
"But Oppa, I love that you don't try to drag me to bed, even if I'm the one who drags you."
Perhaps because there are people walking around like us, Se-na whispers in my ear.
Is that the reason you like me?
Looking at Se-na who whispered, she asks me, "Shall we go back now?"
"Se-na."
"Oppa, hurry."
If it were before we did the deed for the second time in bed, I might have been excited.
But now?
A girl who proudly says she has sex because it's fucking hot?
She must mean she likes me as a person, not as a man.
Because I've been very careful so far, worried that problems might arise.
And that caution still applies now.
"Yeah, let's go home."
"Right! Let's go home and hurry up and have se-!"
"Hey, are you crazy!"
I quickly covered Se-na's mouth as she was about to spout nonsense again.
Without noticing the slight blush on her face.
*
I opened my eyes. I looked at the clock.
2:30 AM.
It's the time Oppa would be fast asleep.
I carefully opened my bedroom door and came out.
The house is pitch black.
It's like looking at my past.
The fluffy sofa shines under the moonlight.
If I touch it, I remember coming home earlier today, playing around with Oppa, and connecting the laptop to the TV.
I remember seeing the screen where Oppa was playing games.
Oppa.
When will tomorrow morning come?
It's so hard waiting for Oppa to get off work in the evening.
I head toward my Oppa who allowed me to live with him.
The door is blocking us.
I carefully place my hand on it.
I'm glad the doorknob at Oppa's place works so well.
Sreuk.
I secretly open the door and go in, and I only hear Oppa's soft breathing.
......I wanted to do it today.
"Oppa."
I carefully sit next to him and look at Oppa, and my heart aches.
Does Oppa know how I feel?
I definitely wasn't like this at first.
Even when I saw Oppa, I felt nothing.
I think it was from that time.
When I helped Oppa go on a blind date and saw his cool side.
And when Oppa went off to another woman.
At that time, when I asked Oppa to have sex, I just did it because I was jealous.
I did it because I hated him going to another woman, leaving me behind.
Though the idiot Oppa wouldn't know.
"Are you sleeping?"
Even with my question, Oppa doesn't answer.
It's obvious because he's sleeping, but why do I wish he would answer?
I don't know either.
"Lovers......"
I lift my gaze and see it.
Oppa's hand, which is bigger than mine, as he sleeps.
I'll quietly place my hand on it.
Just give me a little warmth.
Actually, I was denying it.
That we were just partners.
But it's not, Oppa.
It's really not.
If I don't like someone, I don't give them my body.
Though Oppa wouldn't know.
"I love you......"
Oppa can't hear me right now, right?
But someday I'll be able to say it.
Proudly say, "I love you."
Then, sleep well.
I'll go back to my room.
Bye.
See you tomorrow.