Save It Up Until We Meet Again
Save it up until we meet again. It's nice that he's a hardcore otaku like me, since our hobbies match up perfectly. Plus, for girls who aren't into that stuff, being an otaku isn't exactly a plus, which works in my favor. He's not the type who smoothly picks up women, and that puts my mind at ease for similar reasons. He doesn't approach girls first either, so it eases any lingering worries. Of course, maybe because he has a little sister, he's not awkward around women. He just treats them pretty much the same as guys. It's not burdensome at all, which I love.
"...Then name just one thing you see as a flaw."
"Hmm..."
Sia's expression is oddly nuanced. My earlier answer must've shocked her—there's a hint of suspicion mixed with that look people get when they see a lovey-dovey couple. We're not that sugary, though. We just went on our first real date yesterday and fooled around a bit...?
"...That he doesn't initiate physical contact?"
"Ah..."
Yesterday, I was the one who linked arms first, and honestly, even the one who pounced was me. Thinking back, we've had sex three times now, and all three were me seducing him first. What happened yesterday afternoon was triggered by me barging in at dawn.
...Was I really the one coming on too strong?
But we're fresh twenty-somethings—sexual desire is just human nature, so I'm normal. If anything, Baek Sion is the weird one. There's zero chance I'd turn him down if he initiated. Hell, he doesn't even need to set the mood much. Like some doujin protagonist in rut, he could just say, "Hey, spread 'em," and it'd be fine...
...Actually, sometimes that might not be so bad...?
"Unnie? You okay...?"
"Huh? Yeah? What's up?"
"You just spaced out all of a sudden."
Am I losing my mind these days? What kind of thoughts am I having with his sister right here...?
"Oh, no. I just didn't sleep great last night..."
"You need to sleep well... They say good sleep is super important for your body."
"Yeah... I usually do, just last night was a bit..."
Guilt washes over me toward Sia. She's so sweet, worrying about me like this, while I slept like a baby yesterday and my mind's wandering to dirty places. Please stop with the lewd thoughts, Yoo Seol-ah...
"But unnie, so... how far have things progressed?"
"......"
Just as I try to shut down those thoughts, this question hits. Is this fate messing with me?
"Since you said he doesn't do skinship... if you're thinking marriage, that's important, right?"
"...Yeah."
"I've heard lack of marital relations can even be grounds for divorce these days."
"......"
...High schoolers are so open nowadays. It's been over three years since I was in high school, so my memories are fuzzy, but yeah, girls did talk about naughty stuff among themselves. How do I dodge this gracefully...? Something not embarrassing for me but reassures Sia she's got nothing to worry about.
I pondered, but nothing perfect came to mind. I couldn't stay silent forever, so I went with what popped up.
"Baek Sion doesn't initiate skinship... but when he does, he does it really well..."
"......"
I didn't spell out what kind of skinship, but Sia got it—her mouth dropped open for a second before clamping shut. Her cheeks flushed just a little. Mine were probably way worse...
"...S-So, no need to worry."
"...Got it."
Embarrassment levels were sky-high, but at least I felt us getting closer, which was some comfort.
"Thank you."
"Enjoy~"
As the three of us grab our drinks and cakes and head upstairs, Baek Sia and Yoo Seol-ah are deep in conversation. They really do seem to have hit it off—puts my mind at ease. I wasn't too worried since it was their first meeting with the family, but still. Sia always said it'd be nice to have a big sis, so they'll both be thrilled. Though from here, Seol-ah looks more like the little sister.
I set the drinks down one by one and chime in.
"What're you two talking about?"
"None of your business...!"
"Just girl talk for a bit..."
Seol-ah snaps it so sharply, like she'll never tell, piquing my curiosity. But hearing "girl talk" shuts down any digging. Sia glances at me with eyes full of... something. Layers of thoughts? Like seeing an unexpected side from someone you had zero expectations for? I wonder what they said, but she'll never spill, so I give up and sip my coffee.
Sia and I got coffee; Seol-ah's solo with a milkshake. After one sip, she grabs her forehead, head buzzing a bit. From afar she seems cool, but up close, her ditzy side is irresistibly cute.
Soon, she points at my coffee.
"What's that?"
"Just Americano. Hot."
"...Isn't it bitter?"
"It is, but it pairs better with cake."
Seol-ah has a bit of a kid's palate—loves sweets, hates bitter stuff and veggies.
"...Lemme try a sip."
"Won't suit your elementary school taste buds."
"I don't have elementary school tastes! I'm a college student now, so it's fine. Gimme."
"......"
Ignoring Sia giggling at us, I hand over the cup, doubting she'll like it. Seol-ah sips super cautiously. Her face scrunches gradually as the taste hits.
"...Guess coffee and I don't mix."
She hands back the Americano, sips her milkshake, and beams contentedly. Totally kid tastes.
"Unnie, this one's barely bitter. Super sweet, so you'll probably like it?"
"Then just a sip..."
Sia ordered a dolce latte, which should suit Seol-ah—milk and sweetened condensed milk kill any bitterness.
Seol-ah pops the lid off Sia's cup and sips. She downed my Americano right away, but...
Whenever Seol-ah has ulterior motives, her face flushes at least a little, so this must've been pure instinct. She probably doesn't even realize she drinks different coffees differently. Guess she really is comfy around me.
"This is good. What was it? Dolce latte?"
"Yeah. Has sweetened condensed milk."
"Definitely sweet and nice..."
The cake's a overload of Oreos, cream, and brownie—sweetness central—and pairing it with milkshake is next-level. Her eyes crinkling softly shows she loves it... How does she not gain weight?
"But seriously, I never get tired of looking. You're stunning, unnie."
"...Thanks...?"
Seol-ah's thanks sounds off. Sia's compliment is sincere, but beyond her beauty, it probably includes never tiring of her ditziness.
"Kinda jealous of oppa... Getting to see you every day."
"Not every day. Semester hasn't really started."
"Different majors, right? Lots of classes together?"
"Yeah. Synced our schedules last registration."
"...I'll definitely pass next year and come visit unnie."
Seol-ah gazes at Sia all warm and fuzzy. Finally got the little sis she always wanted—must feel great.
"Oh yeah, when're you telling your parents?"
I figured this'd come up. Curious what she'll say.
"Hmm... We could now, but they might need prep time. We should get our ducks in a row first."
"Our mom and dad won't fret much. They've always said sooner the better for marriage."
"For real...? So when did they tie the knot?"
"Both at 25. Super young, right?"
"Whoa..."
Our folks are pretty open-minded—no big worries. Never nagging, but back home they'd always say, "Bring a pretty girlfriend once you're in college."
The two keep chattering, fully bonded now.
"Unnie... Please tutor me for real."
"Sure. Hit me up anytime. Even just when you're bored."
Time to split due to Sia's schedule—she looks bummed.
"Should we two meet up sometime, unnie?"
"Sounds good. Let's hang out then."
"Deal. I'm coming for real? See you weekend, oppa."
"Yeah. Head in."
Sia's prioritizing unnie over oppa now. We weren't super clingy anyway, so no hard feelings.
We bus home soon after. Walking Seol-ah to her door like last time, she speaks first.
"I've got backlog art to finish, and semester start means even less time, so I gotta grind drawings for a bit..."
"Yeah, me too—gotta wrap up my stuff."
"See you first lecture then. Proper entrance ceremony...?"
"March 2nd—ceremony and classes start. Catch you then."
She pouts a tad disappointed, steps closer, and slips into my arms. We share warmth a moment, then she looks up.
"...Bend down a sec."
I know what she wants—no refusing. I lean, and she presses in quick. More peck than kiss, lips lingering without parting fully.
Then her breath tickles my ear instead. Voice shaky with shyness.
"...No solo stuff till we meet. Save it up until then..."
She shoves me away almost, flings open the door, and vanishes inside.
...Gonna drive me insane.