A Date with the Noona Who Took My Virginity (3)
"Hng. Joo-hwan's pretty impressive, huh?"
Jeong So-ra said with a sly smile, then took a step back. Her hand, which had been patting his shoulder, naturally returned to her side.
"Noona...?"
Seo Joo-hwan looked at her, feeling a bit dazed.
She's like a different person.
When he'd first heard her voice, he'd thought he'd walked in on something awkward, but seeing her now blew that idea away completely.
They said makeup could turn a woman into someone else entirely. Properly made up, Jeong So-ra looked worlds apart from the version he'd seen at the base.
Was So-ra noona always this beautiful?
He'd seen her dressed up once before—back during that overnight pass when they'd first been intimate. She'd been in an all-black outfit close to a business suit for a blind date. Pretty, sure, but it gave off a super formal vibe.
Now, though? She was rocking an ivory-based sleeveless top and skirt, topped with a sky-blue linen shirt that was almost white. The light outfit and bright tones perfectly captured that fresh May vibe.
As Seo Joo-hwan stared blankly, Jeong So-ra let out a giggle and pretended to scowl.
"Oh-ho? No salute? Think you can get a girl's number and start slacking off on your company commander?"
Seo Joo-hwan let out a small chuckle. A playful smile tugged at her lips. Any momentary self-consciousness he'd felt evaporated in an instant.
He snapped out of it and shot back in mock exasperation.
"Salute? What era do you think this is, company commander?"
"Tsk. You've lost all your discipline."
"Discipline? Where'd that person go who apologized for being late?"
As he pretended to look around like he couldn't find her, Jeong So-ra flinched—clearly guilty—and burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha!"
"Trying to laugh it off?"
"Private. Sorry for being late, Sergeant Seo Joo-hwan."
"Mm. Long time no see, Captain Jeong So-ra."
"...You cheeky little—!"
Jeong So-ra reached for his neck with her arm, going for a headlock. But her posture felt off. His height had changed so much since then that her 165cm frame couldn't quite hook him properly.
She dropped back with a dissatisfied pout and glared at him like he was a pain.
"You've gotten way more annoying since I last saw you."
"Hey, isn't picking on my height a bit much?"
"Tch. Five months ago, you were all 'I love you, noona' and super cute..."
"Wait, why bring that up now?!"
Seo Joo-hwan quickly reached to cover her mouth. That day—his first time, when he'd confessed his "first love" in a mindless haze—was one of his most intense black histories.
But her hand snapped up and grabbed his wrist with a thwack.
She squinted slightly and said,
"Be careful—my makeup today."
"Oh, uh, sorry."
"No need to apologize."
Grinning, she released his wrist and hooked her arm lightly around his. The soft sensation against his arm made Seo Joo-hwan's eyes widen a bit.
"Huh?"
He let out a surprised noise, and she giggled.
"Service for being late. So, you forgive me?"
"...Couldn't not forgive you."
"Right?"
Her winking smile was adorable.
She's a total vixen.
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled. No winning against this noona. A true company commander. If the base folks saw this side of her, they'd flip.
The thought that it was his alone made him feel oddly good.
The two left the station and strolled along the street. Jeong So-ra rubbed her stomach with one hand.
"Where to? I'm hungry—let's eat first."
"Hm. Food's fine, but... not sure if my planned spot works."
"Why?"
"Your outfit's kinda..."
"My outfit?"
Jeong So-ra blinked, confused. What did her clothes have to do with anything? She hadn't picked them out herself, but she thought they looked nice.
Wondering if he disliked them, she checked herself over and said,
"Doesn't suit me? I'm used to uniforms, so it feels weird..."
"What're you talking about? It suits you perfectly. You looked so stunning I zoned out the second I saw you—like a celebrity."
Seo Joo-hwan waved his hands emphatically. She looked up at him with narrowed eyes.
"...You're not Joo-hwan."
"Suddenly?"
"Hmmm. Thought it was just your looks that changed, but your personality too?"
"Yeah?"
"You're kinda sleazy now."
"Eww."
Seo Joo-hwan grimaced like that was impossible. Sleazy for complimenting her? So unfair.
Jeong So-ra laughed like it was a joke and said,
"You seem more relaxed now. Used to have that cute charm—now you're reliable."
"Heh. Want me to act cute again?"
"...You've gotten a bit annoying too."
"Harsh."
"Hehe. Anyway, what's wrong with my outfit?"
"Oh, right. The place I had in mind is kinda... hole-in-the-wall. Doesn't match what you're wearing."
Jeong So-ra chuckled. He was worrying over nothing. Raised wealthy, but if she cared about formality, she wouldn't have joined the army.
She patted his back.
"Psh. That's it? Just go. Who cares about clothes? Tasty?"
"Taste guaranteed."
"What're we having?"
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eyebrow and said,
"Gukbap."
"......"
Jeong So-ra smiled awkwardly. Come on, even for a sorta-date, gukbap at lunch? But she'd brought it up first, so she nodded.
"If it sucks, you're dead."
"Haha..."
"That was really good. Thought it'd be weird for some random gukbap joint."
"Tasty, right?"
"Yeah. Ate two bowls."
"Knew you'd like it. Looked up spots, but this felt right."
"Would've been bummed if we skipped it."
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled and nodded. Her satisfied smile was a relief. Only spot he knew besides Anyang, and worth bringing her.
Thanks, Ji-kyeong.
This gukbap place was where Yoo Ji-kyeong had dragged him on graduation day pre-regression. So good he'd come back occasionally.
"Tasty, but mouth feels heavy. Wanna brush."
Yeah, gukbap at noon was heavy. The rich flavor lingered unpleasantly.
Seo Joo-hwan slipped a hand in his pocket and summoned an item.
"Here instead."
"Candy?"
"This'll help."
He gave her a Sweet Candy and popped one himself. One of his "dud" items, but insanely sweet—you'd roll it forever. Real perk: oral hygiene.
Not a total dud then.
Rolling it dispersed the heat, banishing the gukbap smell like he'd just brushed.
"Ooh, good. Freshens the mouth too."
Jeong So-ra grinned, rolling hers. Watching her chew was surreal—this the infamous 4th Company commander? Work mode and off-duty were night and day.
"Ah, Joo-hwan. Wanna check that out?"
"Huh?"
Her finger pointed to a shooting range. He nodded without much thought. Not thrilled, but whatever—she was enjoying her rare leave.
"Shooting on vacation?"
"Love shooting."
"Pfft. So you."
"Huh? What’s that mean?"
He shook his head without answering and headed in. She poked his side hard, frowning.
Had to be stifling hiding this side at base.
"This isn't just an arcade?"
"Nope."
"You didn't know?"
"Thought it was. But we're here—let's try."
Shooters Club. Expected a street-game spot, but it was pro-level. Archery, pistols, rifles, snipers—full lineup.
Bang!
"Whoa. BBs but loud."
Not deafening like live rounds, but way punchier than cheap BBs.
They signed up at the counter.
"I'll pay. Rifle first."
"First time? Can coach basics."
"Nah, we're good."
"Veteran?"
"Yep."
"Lady? Boyfriend teach you?"
Seo Joo-hwan glanced at Jeong So-ra and chuckled.
"Whaddya say, noona? Boyfriend give lessons?"
"...Hah. Seo Joo-hwan's grown up. Feels like yesterday you were a private."
"You met me as a private first class."
She'd arrived as commander during his PFC days—no newbie private phase for her.
Her brow furrowed.
"Anyway! I'll do it myself."
"Uh... ma'am, sorry, but these have real kick unlike outside ones. Could hurt—better have boyfriend help."
"......"
"Puhahaha!"
Seo Joo-hwan lost it. Her lips quivered—it was hilarious. Her glare shut him up quick.
"Heh. Don't worry—just let her. I'll teach like you said."
Staff nodded and guided them. At the next lane, she jabbed his side.
"Funny?"
"Sorry."
"Sorry? Bet then."
"On what?"
"Dinner?"
"Dinner's reserved—nice place."
"Huh? You got lunch too."
"I earn better than you, noona."
"...Ice cream then."
"That's it?"
Her serious finger: one.
"Vera. Biggest one."
"Puhaha. Why so cute today, noona?"
"Hey! Ignoring Vera?"
"Nah. Vera's the best."
Yeah, she'd mentioned loving sweets at base. His image of her—mature, charismatic—was blending with this cute side. Public and private merging.
> Welcome to Shooters Club.
The staff, who'd been watching, explained as the machine chimed.
"Panel shows score. Hits auto-add. Twenty rounds per mag."
"Got it."
"Safety rules first."
Even airsoft needed protocol. Done, staff stepped back.
"Shoot safely."
> Shooting starts soon.
> Get ready.
> 3, 2, 1.
> Beep!
> Bang!
* Not live ammo, but fun after so long. They tried rifles, snipers, pistols, archery—everything—before heading out.
"Noona, shoulders okay?"
"This? Pfft. Your skills rusted—zero perfects? What'd I teach you?"
She lowered her voice threateningly. The sudden shift yanked him back to army days. Reflex made him flinch.
"Oof. Not that voice, noona. Just rusty."
"Excuses."
"Unfair! I wasn't bad—you're just pro. Could go Olympic tomorrow."
No flattery—she was gold-medal material. Waste for the army.
But she shrugged it off with a grin.
"Don't forget Vera later."
"Tch. Fine. Mint choco okay?"
"Seo Joo-hwan, you mad? Shove that head in."
"What's wrong with mint choco?"
"Look at you. Where's dinner? Weird place?"
Gonna take her somewhere weird now. He endured her teasing over nothing as they walked.
Then a passerby called.
"Huh? Joo-hwan oppa?"
*Cookie. A Woman Who Shoots Well
Forever-single Park Kang-jin felt hollow at work lately. Shooters Club had blown up as a quirky date spot.
Today, another couple: handsome guy, pretty girl, laughing away. Perfect pair.
"Vera. Biggest one."
"Puhaha. Why so cute today, noona?"
"Hey! Ignoring Vera?"
"Nah. Vera's the best."
Park Kang-jin sighed watching.
Just shoot already.
Why date at a range? Girls and guns? Street stalls fine, but Shooters was realistic recoil—near live fire.
Recent couples proved it: girls couldn't handle.
Shoulder hurt whining incoming.
Guy poses her, touches; she shoots, aegyo pains. Every. Damn. Couple.
Guns a joke?
This pair irked extra—not jealousy over looks. Dismissing advice, treating guns lightly.
> Bang! Bang! Bang!
> Bang!
> Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!
Guy shoots deliberate; girl rapid-fires wildly. No aim?
Not even sighting. Sigh.
10-year gun nut couldn't stand it. Girls shouldn't shoot. Wanted to snatch and lecture—but staff vs. customer.
Fine, warn post-shoot: "Gun damage risk."
Thoughts flipped fast. Girl finished: Perfect Shot—full bullseyes.
Machine error? Perfect rare, gender aside. Targets varied sizes; tiniest finger-width center. Moving ones in directions—pros struggled. Boss (national team) lucky once in three.
Suspected glitch...
Rifle to sniper: another perfect. Pistol: perfect. Archery: one miss.
"Tsk. Not hitting."
"Aim right? How long since discharge?"
"I am..."
"Active duty? Punishment duty!"
"Tch."
Smug girl rags on boyfriend. Park Kang-jin chuckled dryly. Guy solid too—15+ average, top-10 monthly. But she dominated.
Staring at her: pretty, chill, gun-pro. Sexy focus eyes. Heart pounding harder than assembling ultra-rare gun.
Obviously couple...
Celeb-level looks. But regret if unspoken.
Guy leaves for bathroom: "Noona, brb."
"Yeah, go."
Heaven-sent? Gulped, approached.
"Uh, ma'am?"
"Yes?"
"A-are you two a couple?"
Why ask obvious?!
She shakes head?
"No."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Y-you're pretty, shoot great, cool... C-can I get your number...?"
Ruined. Wasted chance. Stuttering idiot—even he'd think "loser."
24-year virgin gun nut. Sure enough:
"Sorry."
"N-no, my bad."
Bowed deep. Delusional...
But curiosity: called again.
"Uh!"
"Yes?"
"Shooter? Handle guns pro... Never seen you."
"Nah, not pro..."
Half-expected, but no? Olympic gold potential wasted.
She grinned brightly.
"Active army captain."
Smile infectious. She left with guy.
Alone, he mused.
Military women hot. Join up...?
Years later: late to Tri-Service Academy, miraculously to 50th Division Uljin. So-ra transferred, but met another "gun-girl," married.
Day his fate changed—from lifelong bachelor gunsmith.