First Kiss, First Promise
“One last question. Do you still like me?”
Kim Taeyoung asked, carefully masking his tension. This answer would decide everything—their future, their relationship, the shape of the life they’d build together. Jo Sua lowered her head and stayed silent for a long, quiet stretch, her gaze fixed on the transparent glass wall as the movie’s opening credits began to roll.
“Yes… I do.”
The words came only after fierce, internal struggle—raw and unfiltered. There was so much she truly hated. Logically, rationally, it was unforgivable. Yet her heart had vaulted over every barrier, leapt past every warning sign, and landed squarely, irrevocably, on him.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know… I *know* I’ll get hurt, but why am I doing this? Still… Oppa? If I can satisfy *all* your sexual needs—just me—then you won’t need any other girlfriends, right?”
She blushed fiercely. It wasn’t the kind of thing a virgin who’d never even held a man’s hand properly should say aloud. But her fear—and her jealousy—ran deeper than embarrassment. He was surrounded by stunning, curvaceous women, dazzling in confidence and experience. To hold her ground among them, modesty was the least of her concerns.
“You could put it that way.”
“Okay. Then I will.”
She nodded, resolute, chin lifted with quiet determination.
“So… does that mean… *today*?”
Her face burned crimson. She’d imagined, of course—what it would be like, eventually, with him. But she hadn’t expected *today*.
“What? You already want to do it with me?”
“Ah—no! Eeep! Not at all! It’s just—you said you have a high sex drive!”
“Ahaha—gotcha. Just teasing. Seriously though—wait one week. We’ll do it at a gorgeous hotel. This place isn’t right for your first time.”
“Huh? Wait *again*?”
“You’re still a minor. If I did *that* with you now, I’d go straight to jail.”
“Tch… Always dodging like this…”
“But tonight? Let’s make our date unforgettable. That’s why I came here in the first place.”
Jo Sua pouted, lips jutting out. A date? In *this* state? Her mind was already spinning with tangled thoughts—her mood plummeting, her nerves fraying. She couldn’t imagine focusing on anything but *him*, not now.
“Sua-ya. Remember what I told you when I was your manager?”
“Don’t pick up trash?”
“Not that. The other thing—I told you not to bottle up your feelings. Same rule applies now. Set aside the bad, frustrating stuff—for now. Reach back into your chest and pull out those warm, excited feelings you had while waiting for tonight.”
Is it really that easy? she thought—but didn’t say it aloud. Because Kim Taeyoung himself lived that philosophy. After being humiliated by Jin-sang, he’d simply smiled wide the moment the customer walked out—lighting up the room, lifting everyone’s spirits like nothing had happened. That maturity—that effortless, radiant composure—was exactly what had first drawn her in.
“Haaah…”
She sighed deeply. She still didn’t fully understand what was happening—or how to navigate it. But maybe this *was* just how adult love worked. And it wasn’t an unsolvable problem. If she played her cards right, she could make Kim Taeyoung hers—completely, irrevocably. This was already better than the time he’d mistaken her for just another girlfriend.
She tried, as he’d asked—to separate her emotions. She shoved the sour, anxious ones into a mental corner and focused instead on the fluttering anticipation she’d felt earlier that day. It didn’t work perfectly. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, the shadows lifted from her expression.
“Good girl. Sua-ya.”
He watched her closely—and when he saw the softening in her eyes, he reached out and gently stroked her hair. They’d cleared the biggest hurdle. Remarkably, things were unfolding *exactly* as planned during his consultation with Hwayeon. Any other woman might have recoiled, refused, or crumbled under the weight of his honesty. But Jo Sua had absorbed it all—quietly, completely, without flinching. Now, the rest was entirely on him.
January 1st—the day she turned eighteen. All he needed to do was make it utterly, undeniably clear that no single woman could possibly handle his desires alone. Until then? His job was simple: nurture her heart until it swelled, full and certain, with nothing but him.
“Come here. Let’s watch the movie.”
He pulled her close. Her slender frame settled snugly against his side, her body fitting perfectly against his ribs.
“Ah…”
She’d forgotten—completely—until this very second. Wasn’t this just the two of them, locked in a private screening room? And hadn’t they *just* been talking about sex? Logically, it shouldn’t feel like such a big deal.
But her traitorous heart hammered wildly anyway. What happened before was before. Right now? She was pressed against Kim Taeyoung—alone, intimate, skin nearly touching—and her pulse raced with pure, unadulterated excitement. Truly, the most oblivious organ in her entire body.
“Fun, huh? Did you enjoy it too, Sua?”
“Huh? Ah—yes… yes.”
In truth, she hadn’t seen a single plot point. Well—she *had* watched. It was a steamy romantic drama, and every time a passionate kiss bloomed on screen, her eyes snapped to it, riveted. But everything else? Gone. Wiped clean from memory.
Wait—is he going to kiss me right now?
No way we’re having sex *here*, right?
Those thoughts crowded her skull, leaving zero room for anything else. So much as a slight shift of his shoulder sent her muscles locking tight with nervous anticipation.
Still—it felt wonderful to be nestled in his arms. With her tucked against his side and his arm draped protectively around her back, she finally felt like a real girlfriend. Two hours passed. And by the final credits, she’d buried every ugly, painful feeling deep—deep enough that it couldn’t surface again tonight.
“Wow. So many people.”
The theater had been packed—but outside, the crowd was even denser.
“Sua-ya. Come on—grab my arm.”
“Huh?”
“If we get separated in this mob, you’ll vanish. So hold on tight.”
“M-Missing person?! I’m not a little kid!”
“Ahaha—right, right. Arm-in-arm, then. Quick.”
“Tch.”
She pouted—but looped her arm through his without hesitation. Her lips trembled faintly, like tiny vibrations humming beneath her skin. She wanted to protest being treated like a child—but the warmth flooding her chest betrayed her. She *loved* holding his arm.
“Hehe…”
She lost the battle against instinct. A soft, breathy laugh escaped her—giddy, unguarded, utterly genuine. These were the things she’d only ever imagined doing with a boyfriend. Now? She wasn’t sure what was real anymore. Maybe the only sane choice was to follow Kim Taeyoung’s lead—and just *live* in this moment.
And as the date unfolded, her smile deepened, widened, softened—until it lit up her whole face. Every second with him was pure joy: walking arm-in-arm, sharing a meal, playing arcade games, strolling down city streets, splitting a warm, crispy fish-shaped pastry. She understood the risk—the danger of getting hurt. But her heart kept growing, swelling, reaching for him. She couldn’t let him go. Not ever.
“Oppa. I wasn’t planning to give this to you… but since today was so wonderful, I’ll give it to you now.”
It was nearly midnight. Before a towering Christmas tree glittering with thousands of lights, thrumming with couples and laughter, she reached into her handbag and pulled out a gift—something she’d prepared for him, something she’d originally intended to take home untouched. But her mind had changed.
“What’s this?”
“Open it at home later. And there’s one more thing—I need to borrow your ear for a second.”
“My ear?”
He tilted his head toward her, curious but trusting. In that instant, Jo Sua cupped both hands around his jaw—and kissed him. Not softly. Not gently. She pressed her lips firmly, boldly, directly onto his.
It wasn’t a kiss—it was a lip-bump. A declaration. And yet, there was no sting, no pain—only the startling, overwhelming softness of her lips brushing against his, lingering just long enough to sear the sensation into his nerves. His eyes flew wide open.
“I will *never* give up on you. You’re mine—I claimed you. So get ready. Clear out all your other girlfriends.”
Their lips parted. She still held his face in both hands, cheeks blazing scarlet, voice steady and fierce—a young woman making her first, unshakable vow.
After dropping her off, Kim Taeyoung returned home and opened her gift. Inside the neatly wrapped paper lay a single sheet of stationery—and a tube of hand cream. A thoughtful, carefully considered present. For a man like him—financially limitless, materially saturated—choosing a meaningful gift must have taken serious deliberation. So she’d gone practical: something useful, something gentle, something she knew he’d actually use.
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips as he unfolded the note.
Hi, Oppa.
If you’re reading this, then we’re officially dating, right? My heart is pounding just writing this—thump-thump-thump!
I don’t know what it’ll be like *after* we start dating. Maybe it’ll explode right out of my chest—hahaha.
I want to do so many things with you. I haven’t experienced much yet, so I want to make tons of memories with you. Let’s go everywhere together—explore, play, laugh.
And Oppa—I like you. I don’t quite say “I love you” yet. But if we keep dating… I know that day will come.
To Kim Taeyoung,
From Sua—who likes Kim Taeyoung *so, so much*.
The short letter was dense with sincerity—every word pressed tight with affection, hope, and quiet devotion. As he read, Kim Taeyoung’s smile never wavered. She was *adorable*. Absolutely, devastatingly cute. And with every passing hour, the feeling of being *in love* bloomed inside him—stronger, warmer, more real than ever before.
He’d just dropped her off—but already, he missed her. Without hesitation, he unlocked his phone and dialed.
“Did you get home okay?”
“Yes! You drove me, remember? Did you open the gift?”
“Mm. I’ll use the hand cream. And I read the letter—all of it.”
“Eeep! So embarrassing!”
“I think it’s sweet. And lovely. Since I got a gift, I should return the favor. Oh—but do you have another part-time shift tomorrow?”
“Yeah… I worked a part-time shift today, so tomorrow’s full-time.”
The words “Why don’t you quit?” nearly slipped from his lips. Supporting her alone wouldn’t even register as work. But he caught himself—just in time. She’d be happier, freer, more herself if she kept working. Independence mattered.
“That sounds exhausting. When’s your next day off? I want to buy you something.”
“I *could* take the 26th off… but I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m taking New Year’s Day off.”
He chuckled softly. Her resolve struck him—sharp and bright. And suddenly, he imagined the soft, velvety press of lips against his own.
“Got it. I’ll look forward to it. Let’s go to the department store together that day. Think about what you want—I’ll buy it. Oh—and I’ll get you a new bag. You said the one you wore today was borrowed from Youngji, right? I’ll get you something better. Start thinking about what you’d like.”
“Really? B-But it’ll be expensive—sure you’re okay with that?”
“Oppa’s loaded. Don’t worry—just pick what you love.”
“KYAAAAA—!”
Even at her age, she was still, unmistakably, a girl. At the words *“I’ll buy you a bag,”* Jo Sua let out a dolphin-like squeal—pure, unfiltered delight. Which immediately earned her a sharp reprimand from her mother, standing nearby. Living with her parents meant moments like this were inevitable.
“Eeep! Oppa, I’m so sorry—I’ve got to hang up. Mom’s yelling again… MOM! I’m an adult now! I’m allowed to date! Oppa, I’m sorry—I’ll call you back!”
And just like that—the call ended.
They hadn’t formally declared it aloud—but both knew, deep in their bones, that today was *Day One*. Kim Taeyoung had wanted to talk all night. But reality intervened. And strangely, even *that* felt fresh, thrilling—like falling in love with someone impossibly, wonderfully young.