A Date with the Noona Who Took My Virginity (4)
“Huh? Joo-hwan oppa?”
Seo Joo-hwan turned at the sound of someone calling his name. The woman who had just brushed past him was staring at him in surprise. She had a large guitar slung over her back. Her face felt familiar yet strangely distant.
“Who might you be…?”
He tilted his head as he asked, and she furrowed her brows slightly. But then she nodded as if understanding, and spoke up.
“I’m Seol-gi. Yoon Seol-gi. You saw me with Jeong-hoon oppa, remember?”
“Ah, Jeong-hoon hyung!”
That clicked it into place. No wonder her face rang a bell but felt off—it was the girl he’d met at the club with Lee Jeong-hoon. He’d only seen her once, so it wasn’t surprising he hadn’t recognized her right away.
“I heard you’re dating Jeong-hoon hyung now. It’s been a while.”
“Hmph. Jeong-hoon oppa’s been sulking about it. Says you got discharged but won’t even meet up.”
“Huh? Hey, that’s a misunderstanding. Don’t just take your boyfriend’s word for it.”
“It’s not?”
“Well, sure, I’ve flaked a few times because I was busy, but he’s done the same. When I reached out first, he dodged me saying he was busy.”
Lee Jeong-hoon was his junior by three months and had just been discharged recently. They’d talked about grabbing a drink, but their schedules never lined up, so they hadn’t met yet.
“And the person behind you…”
Seo Joo-hwan glanced past Yoon Seol-gi. There was a blue-haired woman who’d been hiding behind her the whole time. Now that he’d placed Seol-gi, it wasn’t hard to guess who she was.
“Ga-hee, right?”
He peered over Seol-gi’s shoulder, and the blue-haired woman—presumably Min Ga-hee—ducked her head even lower as she replied.
“Y-Yeah, it’s me?”
“...What?”
He blinked in confusion, and Yoon Seol-gi scowled fiercely. She pried the hand off her shoulder and smacked Min Ga-hee on the back repeatedly.
Min Ga-hee let out a shriek. “Ow, it hurts!”
“It’s supposed to hurt, you idiot!”
“Waaah! Stop hitting meee!”
“Take more! More! ‘Yeah, it’s me’? What the hell!”
Seo Joo-hwan couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. They’d bickered like this at the club too, and nothing had changed. Min Ga-hee’s fourth-dimensional responses were as overflowing as ever.
“Ga-hee, you gonna keep playing dumb? You’ve been dying to see Joo-hwan opp—”
“Eek?! Shh, shush!”
She was yelling, covering her mouth, smacking her—it was total chaos. As Seo Joo-hwan watched with a grin, someone poked his shoulder.
He turned to find Jeong So-ra staring at him with a pout.
His face fell into an “oh crap” expression, and she narrowed her eyes at him.
“...Joo-hwan, you forgot about me just now, didn’t you?”
“N-No way. They’re just acquaintances, so I was chatting for a sec.”
“Oh? Sounds about right.”
“...Sorry, noona.”
“Hmmm. What should I do about this?”
Jeong So-ra kept her eyes squinted, arms crossed as she eyed him. She looked pissed at first glance, but the mischievous smile tugging at her lips suggested she was just plotting how to tease him.
She soon jerked her chin forward. “Finish up and come back.”
“Huh? Oh.”
He turned, and there was Min Ga-hee, now out from behind Yoon Seol-gi, fidgeting as she stared at him.
Jeong So-ra poked his back. “Go on. If it takes too long, I’ll get mad.”
“Y-Yeah. Sorry, noona. Be right back.”
He’d have to deal with the aftermath later, so best keep it short. With an awkward smile, he approached Min Ga-hee.
“Ga-hee, long time no see. You doing okay?”
“Y-Yeah. Long time no see, oppa.”
For some reason, Min Ga-hee couldn’t meet his eyes. She seemed incredibly awkward. They hadn’t met in person since then, but they’d texted pretty often. This was weird.
Oh, right. We haven’t talked lately.
It had been a little over a month since the messages tapered off. She’d stopped initiating first, so he’d followed suit. This was their first real talk in ages.
Sensing the awkward air, Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eyebrow. He’d planned a quick greeting and dip, but just leaving like that felt even weirder.
“Um.”
“……”
Min Ga-hee stayed silent, clearly not planning to speak first.
He racked his brain, then decided to start with a compliment. Old saying went that praise could make even a whale dance, right?
“Ga-hee.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Haha, why so jumpy? Still keeping the blue hair? Cobalt blue, was it?”
“...Yeah.”
“I thought so before, but it suits you great. The color’s gorgeous—like a cool ocean vibe.”
Did his enthusiastic praise land? Min Ga-hee’s awkward expression brightened. She flashed that icy smile he remembered, twirling a lock of her hair.
“Hehe. Same thing you said when we first met. I like it ’cause you complimented it. Keeping it forever now.”
“Yeah, it really suits you.”
“Ehehe. Oppa, you look way cooler now too! Oh, uh, not that you weren’t before—it’s just more cool!”
“Haha, thanks. I thought you hated me, Ga-hee. Glad I was wrong.”
“Wha—?!”
She gawked, body jolting in shock. He’d said it offhand, but she was freaking out.
Min Ga-hee flailed her hands. “Wh-Why would I hate you? I never did!”
“Huh? Just kidding. We haven’t texted much lately, so…”
“Oh, that’s ’cause you got a girlfriend… Didn’t wanna bother you by calling…”
“Ahh, that’s what it was? Thought it was something else. Nah, text whenever. No big deal.”
“...Really? Won’t get called clueless again?”
Seo Joo-hwan chuckled. As he recalled, Min Ga-hee had this weird oblivious vibe. Friends ragged on her for it sometimes. She claimed she just pretended not to notice for convenience, but he figured it was her fourth-dimensional personality.
“It’s fine, seriously.” He patted her head reassuringly.
She flinched, shrinking her neck. Realizing his mistake, he pulled back with an apology.
“Sorry, Ga-hee. Habit.”
“I-It’s okayyy.”
He yanked his hand away fast. Growing up with Seo Joo-hee and Han Su-ah—two little sisters—had ingrained it. Especially Su-ah. It had faded pre-regression but crept back with dating Jeong Ha-yeon and training his little raccoon.
“Anyway, text me again. I’m single now, so no worries.”
“Huh? Really? Th-Then the noona behind you…”
Her gaze drifted past his shoulder. He turned—and flinched.
Jeong So-ra still had her arms crossed. She met Min Ga-hee’s eyes, flashing a wide smile and a little wave that somehow looked scarier.
Instinct screamed not to drag this out. He rushed to reassure Min Ga-hee, who bowed back at So-ra’s greeting with a jolt.
“Not my girlfriend—just a close noona. Gotta go, Ga-hee. She’s waiting, and it’s been ages.”
“Oh. Y-Yeah. Bye…”
He waved to Yoon Seol-gi too and turned away. Then Min Ga-hee tugged his sleeve.
“O-Oppa, wait.”
“Huh? What’s up?”
“Um… Listen to the song I made later? Inspired by your novel.”
His eyes widened. A song from his novel?
“Whoa, really? Gotta hear it. Wait—did I tell you I write?”
“Heard from Seol-gi.”
“Right, she said Jeong-hoon hyung told her. Anyway, gotta run. Catch you later, Ga-hee.”
“Yeah! I’ll text youuu!”
“Do it. Have fun, Ga-hee. You too, Seol-gi.”
With final waves, he headed back to Jeong So-ra. She’d recrossed her arms, tilting her head sassily.
“Seo Joo-hwan, quite the popular guy?”
“Haha… Popular? Nah.”
“Bet I’ve got stories to hear today. Must be nice, never bored.”
“……”
What stories are you fishing for…?
Despite her pointed words, Jeong So-ra didn’t pry much. They just strolled around Myeongdong Station, enjoying their date. After belting out tunes at a coin karaoke bar, evening had fallen.
“Ahh, that was fun. Joo-hwan, you sing really well.”
“Thanks. You were pretty good too, noona.”
“I don’t know any new songs. Ughhh~ Ow.”
Jeong So-ra stretched languidly. Her linen shirt slipped, nearly exposing her underarm.
Seo Joo-hwan caught it and fixed it straight. “Noona, your shirt’s falling.”
“Oh, thanks. Could’ve shown a little, no biggie.”
“Nah, I’d rather not.”
“Hmm?”
She tilted her head. Then a sly grin spread as she covered her mouth playfully. That upward curl screamed teasing.
“Hehe. Joo-hwan, wanna keep noona all to yourself that bad?”
“What? Gotta think of other people. You at least shaved, right?”
“What? Of course. You think I’d wear this without?”
“Heh. Not just for me?”
His wicked grin hit back, and her brows furrowed. She stepped away, grimacing.
“Wow, zero cuteness left. That smile’s straight-up ajusshi.”
“If I’m an ajusshi, then you’re—”
He shut up. Jeong So-ra was glaring murderously.
“Go on, say it.”
“Sorry.”
“Too late. Changed my mind—no mercy.”
“Mercy for what?”
He blinked, lost. She smirked, snorting.
“Hmmm. Time for stories? Ga-hee, right? Cute girl. And Jeong-hoon’s that guy who just got out. How’d you meet?”
“Well…”
“Oh, and dating drama. I consoled you over drinks, so I earned the right, yeah?”
“……”
Seo Joo-hwan thought, Shouldn’t have pushed my luck.
When’ll I finally beat this noona?
Night raid it was.
Jeong So-ra burst out laughing. “Pfft, just teasing. Why would I dig into your personal life?”