A Date with the Noona Who Took My Virginity (2)
Park Seon-yeong flashed a sly, mischievous grin as she teased her daughter.
"Sora, you don't have to come home tonight, got it?"
"What do you mean, 'got it'..."
"So you're coming back tonight? If you hurry, we could even have dinner together..."
"No, why does it have to turn into that? I'm coming back tomorrow anyway."
"Go get 'em, our girl!"
"Get what!?"
Jeong So-ra bolted out the door in horror.
Once outside, she let out a deep sigh.
"What was Mom thinking with this outfit... It's so uncomfortable."
She hated the clothes her mom had practically forced on her. So-ra preferred comfy outfits as a rule, so the skirt fluttering open below her thighs felt especially awkward.
"...Not that I hate it, though."
Uncomfortable or not, the outfit was undeniably pretty, so she swallowed her complaints and strolled down the street.
Was it the uncharacteristic makeup and primping? The closer she got to the bustling downtown, the more sidelong glances she drew.
Ugh. This feels weird for no reason.
Jeong So-ra knew she was pretty. But she'd gone bare-faced and low-maintenance for so long that these stares felt like a distant memory.
She hadn't even dressed up this much for her last blind date. Maybe that's why it felt like she was heading off to meet a real boyfriend.
"Pfft. Boyfriend, my ass."
So-ra suddenly cracked up at her own silly thought. No matter how intimate they'd gotten, to her, Seo Joo-hwan was still the little brother five years her junior.
*
Seo Joo-hwan had just finished showering and was styling his hair. Thanks to Shin Ha-neul's crash-course tutorials at the salon, he could handle basic looks now. No reason not to spend the five minutes it took.
"Handcraft talent comes in handy here too."
Lucky Hand was a ridiculously versatile skill in everyday life. Lately, he'd even picked up drawing as a hobby—still just doodles, though.
As he wrapped up and headed out, his smartphone buzzed on the desk. Thinking it was Jeong So-ra, he checked the screen—and a smile spread across his face.
"Oh, Su-a. Hey."
Seo Joo-hwan greeted her warmly by name. Han Su-ah was his childhood friend from way back. In his previous life, she'd suffered horrifically at the hands of a killer and died. That trauma had scarred him deeply, pushing him to isolate himself from people.
But this time, he'd changed her fate. He'd caught the murderer himself, saving her—and nearly Choi Mi-hwa too—from a grim end.
Han Su-ah's voice came through, whiny and pouty.
"Sorry, sorry. Been busy. You're swamped with streams too, so our schedules don't line up."
Her sulky tone brimmed with hurt.
"Haha... I'll hit you up more from now on."
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his temple sheepishly. She was right—it was an excuse. He'd wrapped up The Possessed Master Is a Martial Arts Public Enemy, even the side stories, ready to upload. His hobby novel Sex Demon Returns was free-release too. Truth was, he'd just been hanging with college buddies and neglected her.
At least she reached out first. He felt a fresh pang of guilt.
"Nah. I could forget Joo-hee, but never you. I like you so much."
"Mad at your oppa? That hurts. Guess I shouldn't message till you're over it..."
"Pffthaha. Got it, I'll message more."
Seo Joo-hwan burst out laughing. Her innocent reactions were so cute, he couldn't help teasing her sometimes. He adored his blood sister Seo Joo-hee despite her sass, but Han Su-ah felt like the perfect little sis—no blood tie required.
"Huh? Yeah, now that you mention it."
"Su-a, is kimchi just an excuse to drag me on stream?"
"Miss me?"
"Haha. Being with you does pep me right up."
No empty words—her energy was infectious. Bright as she was, just having her around melted away worries. No wonder she had that rare Bright Aura talent.
Too bad he had plans today. When he explained, Han Su-ah's voice turned mopey.
"Nah. Told you we broke up."
"No way. Not dating anytime soon. Might stay single forever."
"Promise?"
Seo Joo-hwan tilted his head. Had they made one lately?
"Oh, that. Heh, yeah. Later you can take me in and feed me."
"Puhaha. Either way. I can definitely support our Su-a."
He chuckled at her playful banter.
"I know. I lurk in chat sometimes, even if I don't message."
"Yup."
"Not telling."
"Ah, Su-a, gotta head out now. Talk later."
Panicking, she begged for his username. Probably embarrassed since he might've seen her aegyo missions or goofy dances. Laughing nonstop, he soothed her and promised to go for real—still not spilling the ID.
She finally gave up with a wistful sigh.
"Yeah. She looked out for me a ton back then."
"Yeah, promise."
*
Seo Joo-hwan and Han Su-ah had grown up together. From the moment she was born, he'd watched over her—and she couldn't remember a time without him. For her, he was more than just a close oppa; it was inevitable, timeless.
She stared at the now-silent phone with longing eyes, then pouted.
"Hwan oppa's a dummy."
From her reaction, she clearly took the marriage talk as a joke.
"I'm not joking, though. Hng..."
She'd always said it playfully, but she'd meant it since they were kids—never once a joke. Sure, she'd been too shy to voice it since middle school...
If I'd known it'd be like this, I wouldn't have pretended to hate it when he came home.
She regretted the shy act. She never outright said she hated it—just whined about him deciding on his own. Deep down, she'd been thrilled.
"Hng... I wanna go to college soon too. Shouldn't have started school late."
Han Su-ah was a high schooler at 20, having delayed entry with her December birthday to match Seo Joo-hee's grade. Now she regretted it. If she'd started on time, they'd be in college together. Then oppa wouldn't have dated anyone else.
"Oppa’s ex was so pretty. Does he like sexy types...?"
Recalling the woman in his Kakao profile pic soured her mood. Middle school days, she'd glimpsed curvy older sisters on his computer too. His ex seemed that type.
She eyed her reflection and sighed, on the verge of tears. At just 149cm with zero mature allure. Her body was average, she told herself, but her height and baby face killed any "sexy" vibe.
Moping at the mirror, she shook her head vigorously. She'd cried enough a month ago. No reason now.
"Why'd oppa have to get even hotter..."
Just inviting other girls. I wish I were the only one who knew how great Hwan oppa is.
She used to get mad when others overlooked his charms. Now anxiety dominated. A girlfriend after just a month of college!
But they're broken up now!
Devastated at first, she could cope now. Plus, no dating plans soon. A bit reassuring. The "lifelong single" bit shocked her, but she'd cling to the marriage promise.
First things first—study!
Her May mock exam after April's was dismal. Streaming tanked her already shaky grades. At this rate, no Da-an University next year.
Clenching her fists, she grabbed a pen at her desk. Stream later—study till then.
"Oh, first..."
She checked the fridge—no luck. "Mommm, no milk?"
"Milk?"
"Strawberry milk!"
"Girl, that won't make your boobs grow."
"Hng..."
*
At the meeting spot, Seo Joo-hwan checked the time, buzzing with excitement.
She'll be here soon.
Minutes later, a text from Jeong So-ra: running late.
"Not lost, right? Told you I'd meet you at KTX."
"No worries. Take it slow and safe, noona."
"Sure. Call if you're lost. Don't feel bad."
He killed time at a nearby café, mulling his next work. Time flew; soon, "10 mins" from So-ra. Back at Myeongdong Station platform, leaning on a pillar—someone approached.
Noona?
Didn't see her arrive—faster than expected? He turned eagerly, but it wasn't Jeong So-ra.
Blinking, he met the woman's gaze—her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Um... do you have a girlfriend?"
"Pardon?"
"Uh, if not... c-could I get your number...?"
She ducked her head shyly, voice trailing off. Realizing, Seo Joo-hwan scratched his temple awkwardly. Happened a couple times before—women with Olfactophilia drawn to his Pheromone.
Fetish again?
He brushed her outstretched hand lightly as he checked. She flinched, but no way he'd give his number.
"Sorry."
"Ah... y-yeah. B-bye!"
She fled, mortified. Watching her go, he pulled up her Status Window.
Surprisingly, no Olfactophilia—or any fetish.
What the...?
He stared puzzled at the spot.
Maybe she just thought you were her type, Master?
Huh? How'd you see that?
Your looks, obviously. You're B-rank handsome now—idol level.
Really? Doesn't feel that way...
He knew he'd gotten hotter, but that hot? Maybe he underrated himself.
Then another woman approached—in under 10 minutes, two!
Damn, I am that hot now.
Turning, his eyes widened. Jeong So-ra stood arms crossed, grinning like she'd caught him red-handed.
She sauntered over, patted his shoulder, and teased.
"Well, well. Look at you, Joo-hwan."