People Recalling Their Dreams (2)
"Uju-mong!"
"Huh?"
Thinking I'd been caught staring straight at her chest, I quickly lifted my gaze.
"Are you even listening to me? I asked what you think about Min Deulle."
"What do I think...? I just see her as your little sister."
"No."
Min Ari slowly closed her eyes and opened them again before continuing.
"I mean, what do you think of her rationally. You're not into her too, are you? That's not why you're doing all these favors for her, right?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure."
"Huh?"
"No one's ever said they like me this much before."
Normally, I would've shot back with, 'Nah, it's not like that.' I would've tailored my response to match Ari's mood, piling on excuses. How could I date your little sister? We're so many years apart—there's no way I'd feel that way rationally. What if I push too hard and she gets upset again? You're overthinking it. Something like that.
But right now, I'm not in the mood.
I'd committed a small sin against Min Deulle this time. In the dream, I'd teased her with lines like, 'If we can't go all the way in the dream, ask me to finish it in reality.' While holding her, I'd even said, 'If your mom takes the creampie for you, I'll pull out.' In the end, I didn't creampie her—I pulled my dick out.
I hurt her feelings that much in the dream; I can't do the same in reality.
I'm keeping my voice low, but Min Deulle might overhear. If I outright reject her here, Ari could go back and tell her something like, 'Jumong says he's not interested. Just focus on studying.'
I know what it's like when the person you love doesn't love you back.
Besides, Min Ari had just finished a call with her boyfriend. Between talking to me and talking to him, she chose him. The topic was probably travel—Ari was the one suggesting they stay overnight.
It's natural for couples to want to connect, but hearing that as an unrequited lover twists your guts.
Min Deulle had been hesitant even to suggest a walk. Whether to walk or not—the initiative was mine. When I gave permission, her voice lit up like she'd conquered the world. The girl I love grills me relentlessly. When my answer doesn't please her, she sighs and lowers her tone, as if she's the one in control.
"Hey, you're eight years older than Min Deulle. When you were drinking, she was still in elementary school. Dating her would be a crime."
"Ari, what kind of talk is that?"
"Wh-what?"
My voice came out heavier than even I expected. Not as hostile as in the dream, of course.
"I'm not saying I'm gonna do anything to Min Deulle. I just said I don't know because my thoughts aren't sorted out yet."
"......"
"I'm human too. When someone says they like me, it complicates things."
"Still, this is too much. How could you and my little sister...?"
I shrugged and handed her the iced Americano.
"Here, take it."
As I set the coffee in front of Min Ari, she straightened up. I tossed a casual line her way.
"Frankly, what's so impossible about it?"
"......"
"You're both adults. If your feelings match, you could make it work."
"Min Deulle's still too young."
"Doesn't seem that way to me."
Min Deulle isn't a little kid. And no one knows that better than I do.
"In some ways, she's more mature than me. I've got a lot to learn from her."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard all year. You've known her two days? Three? And she's acting like this because she fell for you that fast—the answer's obvious."
I couldn't agree with that. In my eyes, that kind of Min Deulle seemed impressive. Expressing your feelings for someone isn't easy. Showing it through actions is even harder.
"I don't get what you saw in that short time to say stuff like that. Anyway, Min Deulle probably doesn't really like you. It's just a kid's crush. Or maybe she's just trying to piss me off..."
"Ari."
I cut her off sharply. Listening any longer, I might actually snap.
"Ari, I'll talk to Min Deulle about that part myself."
"......"
"And to begin with, is it really such a big deal that she likes me?"
I stopped there. I had more to say. Is it because you don't like my affection going elsewhere? Does it bug you that the guy who's head over heels for you is eyeing another girl? You want your boyfriend to stay your boyfriend and your friend to stay your friend—both just staring at you. Something like that?
But I couldn't say it out loud. On the surface, I'm Min Ari's best friend. Just a friend, no romantic feelings. It'd be weird for me to ask that.
"I don't know."
"What?"
"I don't know either. It just pisses me off. But I can't explain why it pisses me off so much."
A brief silence. I broke it.
"I see. Well, think it over. You might need time to sort out your feelings, just like me."
"Yeah......"
Min Ari nodded with a sullen expression. Seeing her like this softened my heart—I guess I still love her after all.
......
Finally, night had come. Luckily, no late-night customers showed up at the cafe. Thanks to that, Oppa closed up about ten minutes early.
"Hurry up and get inside. Don't wander around so late."
Unnie grumbled curtly and turned away. And I felt an inexplicable thrill watching her go.
It's a bit different from that dream, but this isn't bad either!
Unnie had been in a foul mood all day. Especially when I stuck right by Jumong Oppa—she'd scowl and hammer the keyboard aggressively. The only difference from yesterday was that she hadn't picked a fight until nightfall. And now she was heading home alone.
Like a dog tucking tail and running away!
Buzzing with petty victory, I adjusted my bag.
"Oppa, let's go too."
Once Unnie was completely out of sight, we started walking. We strolled in silence, no real conversation.
Phew... This is way more nerve-wracking than I thought. Why? Why am I so tense?
I'd planned to act casual. Slap on a poker face and grab his hand outright. Link arms like I did in front of Unnie, all nonchalant.
But it wasn't that easy. Walking beside Oppa, I fidgeted with my hands. I couldn't understand myself. In the dream, I'd done way more than this.
Holding hands is nothing. You grabbed more than his hand—you gripped Oppa's dick. And that's not all. You sandwiched it between your tits too. So why hesitate on linking arms?
No answer came no matter how I asked. I could manage at the cafe, but alone like this? Not easy.
Min Deulle, what are you doing? Grab his hand already! Just reach out! Dragging it out makes it harder!
My heart pounded. Heat rose to my face.
Get it together. You gonna waste this chance? Satisfied with dream-only progress? Stick to him in reality too!
I reached out again. Our hands were just a few centimeters apart.
M-maybe he won't shake me off? He won't push away saying it's weird, right? What do I say then? 'What's wrong with it?' and cling on? Can I play it bubbly and casual?
Thoughts piled up fast. The more they did, the slower I moved. Courage melted into the midnight air.
"Deulle-ya."
"Y-yes!?!"
I jumped, my voice pitching weirdly high—like a kid caught doing something bad. Unnatural, but realizing it didn't help.
Dark night path. Unlike that lewd dream, we had clothes on. But this moment felt ten times more embarrassing than standing naked on the path.
"Studying hard, huh? Must be tough."
"N-no... With Oppa teaching me... it's not tough."
Honestly, I barely knew what I was saying. Couldn't lift my head. Couldn't look Oppa straight in the face.
"Got some goal in mind?"
"Huh?"
"You were just pretending to study at first. I'm curious why you're suddenly so serious."
"Ah......"
"Found something you wanna do?"
I had. I wanted to learn coffee. Learn baking. How to run a shop, manage money. So I could help Oppa. Become someone useful to him. Become someone meaningful to him.
But saying that outright would freak him out. Even I'd be weirded out if an eight-years-younger kid said it.
I chose my words carefully.
"I was thinking... maybe try running a cafe myself."
"A cafe?"
"Oppa making coffee looks kinda... cool. And Mom's already baking, so maybe learn that from her too... It's just a vague idea for now."
Not a total lie. I just omitted wanting to run that cafe with Oppa.
"Then work part-time at my cafe later."
"Huh? Really?"
"You'll need a job in college anyway. Oh, if you go far away, might not work."
"No, no. Totally possible."
I'd never planned to go far. Nearby college or bust. I'd ditch studying and beg for a job tomorrow if I could.
"Alright. I'll save a spot for you."
"Promise! Even if I flunk college, I'll come work."
"Still gotta get into college though."
"Yes!"
My mood lifted. Now I could look up at Oppa. And as I did—
By pure coincidence, we were standing right there. Where my clothes had melted away in the dream. Where I'd pulled the collar from my bag and handed it to Oppa. Where the naked walk began.
How is it... exactly like the dream?
Empty path. Sounds around us. Oppa standing quietly beside me. It all evoked that naughty dream.
"O-Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"It's kinda dark... Can we hold hands while walking?"
The path wasn't that dark. Pure excuse to hold hands. But better than begging for a naked walk, right?
With that thought, I blurted it out.
"Yeah, you're right. It is pretty dark."
Oppa smiled under the faint light. Smiled and offered his hand. Trembling, I reached out and gently clasped it.