A Date with the Noona Who Took My Virginity
Jeong So-ra's vacation started on a Saturday. Thanks to that, she was in a foul mood. It might be a eagerly awaited break for some, but for her, it was nothing but a hassle.
'I don't really need a vacation or anything.'
There wasn't much to do outside anyway, and it was obvious it'd just bring more annoyances. But vacations weren't something she could use however she pleased.
'If I say I want to work, why force me to take time off!'
Some black-hearted companies didn't even guarantee proper leave, but for soldiers, vacations were something you had to use by force, whether you liked it or not, for the allotted days. She'd already gone five months without taking any, so in the end, she was half-coerced into using it by orders from above.
'I'd rather stay in the BOQ.'*
*BOQ: Bachelor Officers' Quarters (single officers' dormitory).
In truth, taking vacation didn't mean she had to leave base. As long as it didn't violate military law, she could do whatever she wanted during the period—it was up to her discretion. And Jeong So-ra enjoyed her alone time anyway. But when did life ever go as planned?
Every time she took leave, phone calls haunted her like ghosts, leading to arguments. This time was no different.
"Come home once."
"I'll go later. I'm busy."
"Busy with what? It's been years since you had a boyfriend."
"Why bring that up!"
"Aigoo, my ears. Can't your mom just see your face? You act like it's the end of the world. I might forget what you look like, kid."
"Forget? We saw each other at Seollal."
"Did we?"
"Don't play dumb."
"Guess I'm getting dementia with age."
"Pfft. If it were real dementia, you wouldn't be calling."
"...Tsk. Who'd you get that sharp tongue from? My one and only daughter, so stubborn. I can't live like this."
"Who else would I take after? And Mom, your stubbornness is at least eighty percent of mine."
"Whatever. Come down this time. Last Seollal was a public holiday, not real vacation. Dad misses you too."
"Holiday or vacation, you still saw my fa—"
"Mom'll count on our girl. Hanging up. Love you, daughter."
"Ah, Mom!"
In the end, Jeong So-ra had no choice but to head to Daegu, where her family home was. Seeing her mom dig in this hard, she knew ignoring it would just make things worse next time. As she'd said herself, her mother's stubbornness was no joke.
'Dad probably egged her on.'
He might even be the one who'd sweet-talked her mom into it. He never said anything outright unpleasant, but honestly, he was even more overzealous than her mom. Still treating her like a kid with all the kisses, bragging to everyone he met—total daughter fanatic.
'Sigh. I was gonna leave tomorrow.'
Her appointment was on Sunday. She'd planned to laze around the dorm until then before heading out, but before she knew it, she'd arrived home.
*
Dinner time was pleasantly lively. Unlike their phone spat, Jeong So-ra chatted amiably with her parents over the meal. How could she not be happy to see them after so long?
"Glad you're doing well, kid. When you first said you wanted to be an officer, I was so worried."
"Yet you supported me anyway."
"Because you wanted it. How could I stop my child? If it was half-hearted, maybe, but you were so set on it—stopping you would've been pointless."
"Ahem. I knew So-ra would nail it from the start. Of course—who's her dad?"
"Oh, listen to him. Don't you remember how hard you opposed it? 'You don't need to do anything, just stay healthy'—you were bawling..."
"Ahem! When did I bawl? I was just worried it'd be tough."
"Uh-huh, sure, if you say so."
"It's not 'if'..."
Jeong So-ra smiled faintly at her parents. Her father, Jeong Gi-hoon, held the rank of Army Chief of Staff—a top brass in the Ministry of National Defense. Growing up watching him had made him her idol, naturally sparking her dream of becoming a soldier.
That very father had opposed her dream, but luckily, her mom—more like a friend—had taken her side. Under the subtle pressure and charm offensive from wife and daughter, Dad had surrendered. That's how Jeong So-ra entered the Korea Army Academy, became an officer, and now commanded a company.
But about two years ago, one problem had cropped up.
Mid-conversation, her mother, Park Seon-yeong, slipped in slyly, "So-ra, no guy you're seeing these days?"
Her father, sitting beside her, twitched an eyebrow. Jeong So-ra sighed inwardly—here it comes.
"No plans for dating right now."
"Doesn't have to be serious. You kids call it 'talking' or something these days."
"Where'd you even hear that?"
"On a drama. Some My Way or whatever—pretty fun."
"Oh, that one's good too—no, anyway. No one like that."
"No one you're interested in?"
"I said no."
Park Seon-yeong clicked her tongue at the firm reply. "Plenty of guys at your base, and look at you... I went through hell to make you pretty."
"Sigh. Drop it."
"Kid, you're twenty-eight already. Twenty-nine next year, thirty the year after. A woman's thirty is..."
Jeong So-ra slammed down her chopsticks. "Mom!"
"Eek, you scared me. Why yell?"
"This is why I hate coming home. I said no interest in guys—why keep pushing?"
"Gasp. You like girls? That's no good. Biologically impossible between women. And Mom wants grandkids..."
"Please, Mom!"
"Aish, my ears hurt. Scared of my own daughter, can't even joke."
Park Seon-yeong plugged her ears and shook her head. But Jeong So-ra wanted to do the shaking. She made puppy eyes at her dad—help me out.
Any dad who got called a daughter fanatic publicly would take her side. Catching her gaze, Jeong Gi-hoon set down his chopsticks with a stern face.
Clack. Silence fell. Mom usually ruled the roost, but when Dad seized the mood, even she didn't dare challenge it. Befitting an Army Chief of Staff.
He spoke. "So-ra."
"Yes, Dad."
She looked at him pleadingly. If he reined Mom in, she'd even pull out long-dormant aegyo.
Reading her eyes, he nodded gravely. Staring deeply, he said, "If no guy catches your eye, Dad'll introduce you."
"...Pardon?"
"Ahem. Dad wants grandkids ASAP too. Actually, I set something up for tomorrow. Yunsung Group's promising heir is a close buddy—his second son is..."
"Dad!"
Jeong So-ra despaired. Thinking back, her dad was a daughter fanatic, but even more a devoted husband. And he nagged about marriage just as much.
Wasn't the last blind date his doing too? 'I thought it was just for bragging!'
He really wanted her married quick. But she had zero interest in marriage, let alone dating. She barely had friends because emotions were draining—romance? She'd rather grow old alone.
"So-ra, he's a good guy. Just meet him—Dad vouches. Not pushing marriage, think of it as hanging out..."
"No!"
Blind date on vacation? Over her dead body. Even without that...
Suddenly, tomorrow's appointment flashed in her mind. Perfect excuse.
"I have plans tomorrow. Cancel it now."
"Plans?"
Jeong Gi-hoon's face clouded. He'd arranged it airtight knowing she'd refuse.
Park Seon-yeong backed him up. "Friends can wait. Give Dad a break."
"No, can't. Not a friend."
"Not a friend? Then who?"
"Well..."
Jeong So-ra trailed off, and Park Seon-yeong sighed with a knowing look—classic daughter lying to dodge.
"So-ra, hating it that much you'd lie? We'll tell you ahead next time—just this once?"
Her face crumpled. 'Next time my ass!'
Zero trust. She'd been burned plenty. Dad was her idol, Mom her understanding friend-mother, but on dating and marriage? Total headache.
Next time was next time—she had to shut this down for a peaceful tomorrow.
'Sorry, Joo-hwan.'
Apologizing inwardly, she squeezed her eyes shut and yelled, "I'm meeting a guy tomorrow!"
Silence crashed down.
"...What?"
"Say that again?"
Dad's face crumpled, Mom's lit with shock. Jeong So-ra drove it home. "I'm... going to meet a guy."
He wasn't a fling or lover, but hey—not a lie.
*
The next day, fresh from a shower and in casual clothes, Jeong So-ra caught her mom eyeing her suspiciously before piping up.
"Daughter, you're really just meeting a friend, right?"
"...I said a guy."
"Don't lie. Who meets a guy looking like that?"
"Wh-what's wrong with it?"
She stiffened defensively. White short-sleeve tee, beige cardigan, plain jeans. Her killer figure made it worlds apart from uniform—but Mom's suspicion deepened.
"Dressed so sloppy, no makeup. Going to snag a crush like that?"
"Wh-who's snagging who..."
"Hm? What? Just friends after all?"
"..."
She pondered. Say "just friends with no feelings," and it'd spark more nagging. No more drawn-out talk.
Quick math done, she scoffed cockily. "No need to snag."
"Oh? He already fell for you?"
"...Yeah."
Not a lie. She'd rejected his confession before; now they were close noona-dongsaeng. Just omitted that.
Park Seon-yeong, who'd eyed her dubiously, was now confused. 'Thought she'd make excuses.'
Seemed legit she was meeting a guy. No way she'd fool her if lying outright. If Seo Joo-hwan saw, he'd gawk at her latent S-rank Intuition talent.
"Still, doll up a bit. You'll drop his interest, kid."
"No, it's fine..."
"You're not just playing him, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Duh. Caught fish don't need primping. That's no manners to your guy."
"..."
Couldn't tell Mom, "Not a caught fish—he's a sex-buddy little bro."
"I'll do makeup then."
"Obviously. Mom bought clothes too—change. Pick one."
"...Fine."
"Shaved?"
"Mom!"
"Eek, it's important! Guys' fantasies about women are huge. Even now, your dad makes me..."
"Please! You're fifty already!"
Young for a 28-year-old's mom, but Park Seon-yeong took offense.
"Outside, they take me for early thirties!"
"Thirties? You're fifty flat! Prime hag age... Ack!"
"Quit yapping and change!"
"Why hit me! Who's yapping!"
"Honey! So-ra called me an old hag!"
"No, I didn't say that mu—"
Thud thud thud! Jeong Gi-hoon rushed in.
"Daughter."
"...I'm innocent, Dad."
"Listen to Mom."
Jeong So-ra wanted to cry. Single life sucks! Tease a fifty-year-old mom for fun? Not even mad!
'Jealous? Then marry.'
Intent obvious. She nodded sulkily, changed. Then, makeup for the first time in ages.
'...Gonna tease Joo-hwan later.'
In the end, she left fully dolled up—full outfit, full makeup.