Chapter 82: Puberty (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 82: Puberty (1)
Let’s rewind the clock to earlier this morning.
"Yaaaawn..."
I let out a massive yawn as I stepped into the living room.
It was nearly 7:00 AM. My plans were for 8:00 AM, so if I started getting ready now and left soon, I’d arrive with time to spare.
As I was quietly rustling around in the dim living room...
Click—
The door on the opposite side opened.
"Yaaaawn..."
Lee Seung-ah stumbled out, mid-yawn.
"...What the?"
She blinked at me, her eyes questioning what I was doing up so early. I looked at her and asked softly, "What’s the occasion? You’re up early."
It was a rare sight. It was summer break, and she wasn't exactly the type to be awake at this hour.
"Yeah, just because."
Seung-ah brushed past me, pulled a water bottle out of the fridge, and started chugging.
— "Actually, I just haven't gone to sleep yet..."
Her Mini-Me muttered with a sleepy face.
"..."
I should have known. It wasn't even that surprising. Break had barely started, and Seung-ah’s sleep schedule was already flipped upside down.
She tilted her head. "...But where are you going this early?"
"Out to have some fun."
"..."
Seung-ah’s expression went flat.
— "No duh. Who doesn't know that?"
She grumbled internally with a blank face. Soon, realizing I wasn't going to offer a detailed explanation, she began to deduce it herself.
"...Wait, are you going out with Sol? Didn't you see her last week? Again?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"Huh? Then who?"
"With Shin A-young."
"Huh?"
Seung-ah let out a short sound of confusion.
— "Come to think of it... A-young did mention something like that..."
The two had grown close recently while going to the gym together. Since Seung-ah was naturally quick-witted, she must have picked up on the subtle vibe Shin A-young was giving off.
— "Wait a sec..."
The Mini-Me suddenly froze.
— "Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?"
Seung-ah narrowed her eyes as if she couldn't believe it.
What now?
"...Oppa, you went out with Sol last week."
"Yeah."
"And now you're going out with A-young?"
"Yeah."
I nodded. That was the truth.
— "Does he really not see the problem?"
The Mini-Me facepalmed. She seemed to be debating where to even start.
— "This is just... two-timing."
I searched for a rebuttal to that blunt statement, but soon shut my mouth.
...She’s right.
I had nothing to say. I had just thought of it as hanging out with them individually, but reflecting on my actions, it really did look that way.
— "Or... is he not even aware of what he's doing?"
She hit the nail on the head.
"..."
Seung-ah stared at me with a complicated gaze before letting out a deep sigh.
"Ugh." She exhaled heavily. "Just... handle it well on your own."
She tossed that out and turned back toward her room.
"Don't make them cry like before."
"...Right."
The words were easy, but the reality wasn't. To stop "two-timing," I would have to settle my relationship with one of them. The method was simple, which was exactly why it was so difficult.
"..."
To choose one of them right now... I still felt a stronger sense of friendship than romantic attraction.
"Sigh..."
I scratched my head aggressively. A sigh escaped me involuntarily. Because the depth of their feelings for me differed from the depth of my feelings for them, I found myself agonizing over what the right distance should be.
*
I arrived at the movie theater.
"..."
I stepped out of the elevator and began looking for Shin A-young. Since it was a Monday morning, there weren't many people around. However, it wasn't completely empty either, likely due to the school break.
Where is she?
I couldn't see her anywhere.
— "Ah, there's Seung-ho."
A familiar voice reached me. It was Shin A-young’s Mini-Me.
— "I wonder if he'll recognize me?"
In the direction of the voice stood a woman with a hat pulled low and sunglasses on. There she was. I immediately strode over to her.
"You're early."
"Whoa! How did you know it was me?"
Shin A-young grinned and tapped my shoulder. She tucked her mask, hat, and sunglasses into her bag.
"Why were you all covered up like that?"
"You'd be surprised how many people try to talk to me."
If anyone else had said that, it would have sounded like narcissism, but coming from Shin A-young, it carried weight. It had been the same with Lee Sol last time, so it made sense.
"Let's go get popcorn. Popcorn!"
I followed her lead to the snack bar.
"What do you want?"
"I want half-and-half. Caramel and Original. How's that?"
"Sure."
We bought the popcorn and headed straight into the screening room. Since it was an early morning showing and we had arrived just in time for the start, there was no time to stop by the game room like last time.
And so, we entered the theater...
It's a couple seat.
Noticing my silent question, Shin A-young let out a flustered cough.
"This was the only theater showing it, you know?"
"...Really?"
Listening to her inner thoughts, I realized she was telling the truth. The movie she wanted to see wasn't particularly popular, so it was only playing in this one specific hall.
— "I hope he doesn't find it uncomfortable..."
Since it couldn't be helped, I didn't pay it much mind. Besides, it was surprisingly comfortable. The seats were spacious, and I could stretch my legs out. Honestly, it was great.
— "Oh, it's starting..."
After a short wait, the movie began.
The theater was relatively empty. Aside from us, there were only about two other groups, so we could watch in peace. Unlike last Saturday, I was actually able to immerse myself in the film.
"..."
I slowly became absorbed in the movie...
"..."
Keeping my eyes fixed on the screen, I naturally reached out my hand to the side. I was looking for the popcorn Shin A-young was holding.
Touch—
At that moment, our fingertips met inside the bucket. I felt a cold sensation.
"!"
Shin A-young seemed startled too, her eyes widening for a split second.
"..."
Her eyes darted around before she suddenly, gently, grabbed my wrist. My shoulders flinched. It was an action I hadn't anticipated.
"Here."
Shin A-young whispered softly. With a foxy, eye-curving smile, she placed a handful of popcorn into my palm.
— "----------"
On the other hand... the noise coming from her was throbbing and undulating like a heartbeat.
"..."
She was trying so hard in her own way.
The emotions Shin A-young was trying to hide—the fact that she was putting in so much effort—were all laid bare to me. I saw it even if I didn't want to.
"..."
It might have been better if I didn't know. Even if I had to find out, it would have been better to learn slowly. Normally, that’s how emotions should be discovered, but because the Mini-Me told me directly without a moment's delay...
"..."
Crunch—
I chewed on a piece of the popcorn she gave me. Amidst the Mini-Mes chattering away in the theater, I quietly looked up at the screen.
"..."
Should I play along with her outward appearance? Or should I follow her inner thoughts? I didn't know how to react to her behavior.
*
Sshhhhh—
Water flowed from the restroom sink.
The movie had ended a while ago, and Shin A-young had stopped by the restroom on the way out.
"..."
As she scrubbed her hands, she checked her reflection in the mirror.
"..."
She tapped her bangs into place with her fingertips.
Mm. Looking good.
Today was a day of much effort in many ways. She had put more thought into her outfit than usual and intentionally bought one large popcorn. Just as she had hoped, their hands had touched in the middle of the movie.
W-we even held hands.
Shin A-young clasped her own hands together. Her lips pursed.
She had tried. Everything had gone according to plan so far. Just as she had initially hoped, Lee Seung-ho seemed to be enjoying himself.
But...
Aside from that, she wasn't sure if he had felt any fluttering excitement because of her. Despite her courageous actions, Lee Seung-ho hadn't shown much of a dramatic reaction.
"..."
Shin A-young scratched her forehead. She felt a slight dip in confidence, wondering if she just wasn't charming enough.
No. Let's not think negatively.
"Whew..."
She took a deep breath and immediately headed outside. She didn't want to cause any misunderstandings by taking too long in the restroom.
"...You're back?"
Lee Seung-ho, who had been waiting for her, pushed himself off the wall when he saw her.
"Shall we go eat now?"
"Yeah, let's."
The two of them walked out of the mall. While the food court wasn't a bad option, they decided to look around outside.
"Is there anything you want to eat?"
"There's a good pasta place near here."
They were chatting amiably about what to eat as they walked side by side.
"Huh?"
Plip— Plop—
She felt a cold sensation on her forehead. It was a raindrop.
"...Ah, it's raining."
Patter— Patter—
The raindrops began to fall more frequently. Shin A-young hurriedly pulled a folding umbrella out of her bag.
Thank goodness.
There had been no news of rain, but since the sky looked overcast, bringing the umbrella turned out to be a masterstroke.
"Here."
Shin A-young held the umbrella over Lee Seung-ho’s head. He didn't seem to have brought one. However, there was no time to feel the excitement of being under the same umbrella.
"Let's hurry...!"
It was a sudden downpour. The rain was getting heavier by the second. They had to move quickly to find shelter.
Patter-patter-patter!
They ran side by side under the single umbrella. Shin A-young ducked into the building where the pasta place she had mentioned was located.
"Ugh... I'm all soaked..."
Even though they had gotten inside quickly, it was true. The umbrella had clearly been too small for two people. Her clothes were damp. The moisture dripping from her shoulders had soaked the outer edges of her chest area.
...Is it see-through?
Shin A-young made a troubled face and dabbed at her clothes with a handkerchief. She was already self-conscious because she was wearing white...
"..."
Lee Seung-ho’s gaze drifted slightly to the left.
...Oh.
Shin A-young’s eyes followed his. Somewhere... the tips of his ears were faintly flushed red.
...Aha. So this is it?
How much longer until the Counseling Club trip...?
A small smile spread across Shin A-young’s lips. She decided it would definitely be better to buy a new swimsuit.
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