6. What Do You Think of Me, Oppa?
Episode 6. What Do You Think of Me?
Na-eun's head throbbed as she opened her eyes.
In her alcohol-hazed mind, a pressing urge to relieve herself surged. Staggering, she opened her bedroom door and headed to the bathroom.
After finishing up at the toilet, she faced the mirror above the sink. Her reflection showed a flushed face and disheveled hair sticking out in all directions.
"Ugh..."
Na-eun groaned, pressing her forehead.
'Shouldn't have drunk so much.'
Then, like lightning, the memory of just before she passed out struck her. The moment she'd boldly pressed her lips against Jin-hyeok's, emboldened by alcohol. Even worse, she'd blurted out that it was her first kiss.
"Ahh!"
Na-eun barely stifled a scream by clapping both hands over her mouth. The vivid sensation of Jin-hyeok not pulling away but accepting her impulsive action came rushing back. Her face burned as if about to explode.
'Hehe. My first kiss.'
Though hardly romantic with her alcohol breath, just the fact she'd kissed Jin-hyeok—her longtime crush—made her heart pound. Na-eun touched her red lips in the mirror and giggled foolishly.
Exiting the bathroom, she found the living room brightly lit. Her eyes widened at the sight of her mother Eun-ju and Jin-hyeok seated across from each other at the dining table.
"You're still here, Oppa?"
"Huh? Oh, y-yeah, I was just about to leave."
Jin-hyeok stuttered, visibly flustered in an uncharacteristic way.
Na-eun tilted her head at his awkward reaction before remembering the kiss she'd initiated before passing out. So he's embarrassed because of me, she thought, as shame flooded in.
Hiding her burning face, she scurried back to her room.
After slamming the door, she cracked it open just enough to call out:
"B-be careful going home!"
"Yeah. Get some rest."
At Jin-hyeok's stiff reply, she shut the door again.
Leaning back against it, she slid down to sit, pressing both hands against her pounding chest. Closing her eyes, she imagined Jin-hyeok's reddened face.
I wonder if his heart is racing like mine right now.
As Na-eun's footsteps faded and her door closed, Jin-hyeok exhaled a long sigh of relief.
Eun-ju smiled bitterly at his slumped shoulders.
"Sorry."
"It's fine."
Eun-ju was troubled by her daughter's unusually affectionate behavior earlier.
"So... did something happen between you and Na-eun?"
"Ah..."
Jin-hyeok hesitated, lowering his gaze and fidgeting with his lips before confessing in a near-whisper:
"She kissed me earlier. Before she fell asleep."
The smile froze on Eun-ju's lips.
"...I see."
Her voice came out colder and more bitter than intended. Jin-hyeok hastily waved his hands in explanation.
"It was so sudden, I was caught off guard—"
Seeing the young man's flustered face, Eun-ju forced a light laugh.
"Take good care of Na-eun for me."
"Mrs. Park—"
The formal address was a bucket of cold water on their illicit passion. Eun-ju reached across the table and gripped Jin-hyeok's rough hand tightly.
"You're the only man I can trust her with."
"...Yes."
"Please."
A dark shadow fell over Jin-hyeok's face.
Both he and Eun-ju knew painfully well—their relationship could never see the light of day. Tonight's actions were destined to burn out as fleeting pleasure.
But couldn't they indulge just a little longer before these sweet flames turned to ash? Uncontrollable desire reared its head, strangling reason. Tightening her grip on Jin-hyeok's hand, Eun-ju unknowingly let slip her true thoughts.
"If you're with Na-eun..."
Jin-hyeok's pupils shook as she whispered:
"We can keep seeing each other."
"...Right."
Jin-hyeok replied bitterly, his head bowing under the guilt of using her daughter as a shield.
"But treat Na-eun well."
"Yes. I will."
Their passion had cooled, leaving the chill of reality in the living room. Eun-ju checked the wall clock and stood.
"Time for you to go."
"Yeah."
Jin-hyeok reluctantly gathered his bag. Eun-ju followed him to the entryway.
Before putting on his shoes, he suddenly turned and pulled her into a fierce embrace. Their lips collided roughly.
Smack, slurp, suck.
Their saliva mixed messily as hot tongues tangled. Pressed against Jin-hyeok, Eun-ju's lower abdomen burned. If she held him any longer, she wouldn't be able to let him go. With effort, she pushed against his solid chest.
"Go now."
"...See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Click.
The front door closed and locked. Alone in the empty living room, Eun-ju slowly returned to the table.
From the fridge, she grabbed a cold beer. Pop. She cracked it open and chugged. Though the cold alcohol flowed down her throat, the sticky heat deep in her belly showed no signs of cooling.
The pen hovered over the practice test.
Na-eun was reading the same question for the third time. The words slid right past her eyes. Nothing was sinking in.
'Focus.'
Gripping her pen tighter, she scolded herself. But her gaze drifted again—to Jin-hyeok's profile as he checked her answers. His straight nose, his impassively pressed lips.
Those lips.
The ones that had touched hers. That she'd pulled in for a kiss in her drunken haze.
'I want to do it again.'
Na-eun swallowed dryly. That night was blurry with alcohol. Only the sensation of lips touching remained; everything after was smudged in her memory. She regretted not being fully present. She wanted to do it properly—sober, feeling each other's breath.
"You messed up the formula here. Look at the denominator."
Jin-hyeok pointed with his pen. But Na-eun's eyes weren't on the problem—they traced his lips instead. His mouth opened and closed with each word, and her gaze locked onto each movement.
"Simplify the numerator first—"
His voice faded away.
Just one more kiss. Not like yesterday—properly this time.
Tap.
"Ow!"
A light flick struck her forehead. Na-eun covered it with both hands.
"You're really distracted today."
Jin-hyeok tapped the desk with his pen. Rubbing her forehead, Na-eun pouted.
"If you keep this up, you'll fail the mock exam."
"No, I won't."
Her voice shrank.
Grades, grades, grades.
That's all Jin-hyeok ever talked about. Not a single word about what happened. She'd kissed him. She'd pulled him in for her first kiss. To him, it must have meant nothing.
'Was our kiss that insignificant?'
A pang of disappointment stabbed her chest. A dull ache settled in her heart.
Jin-hyeok turned back to the workbook. So normally. As if nothing had happened between yesterday and today.
Seeing his composed profile became unbearable.
Without thinking, Na-eun stood up, pushing her chair back. She flopped onto her bed, turning her back to Jin-hyeok and curling up.
"Huh?"
Jin-hyeok set down his pen. Staring blankly at her back, he eventually chuckled and walked over, perching on the edge of her bed.
"What's wrong? Feeling upset?"
This was familiar territory for him.
Whenever Na-eun wanted something or felt unsatisfied, she'd do this—turn her back and pretend to sulk while sneakily gauging his reaction. A behavior he'd seen countless times since she was little. Playing upset while waiting for his response.
Jin-hyeok reached out and gently stroked her head.
Under his comforting touch, Na-eun cautiously spoke.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"What do you think of me?"
His hand paused briefly before continuing its motion.
"What do you mean? You're my precious dongsaeng."
At that, Na-eun abruptly sat up.
Disheveled hair stuck to her flushed cheeks. Her trembling eyes met Jin-hyeok's.
"Oppa. We kissed."
His hand froze mid-stroke.
Na-eun relentlessly tracked his hesitation and the delayed shake in his pupils before adding:
"I like you."
"..."
"That's why I gave you my first kiss."
No childish stubbornness or clumsy hesitation—just a firm declaration.
In Jin-hyeok's memory, Na-eun had always clung to those words since childhood. At first, he'd dismissed it as a kid's playful attachment. But as years passed, she grew bolder, and now at twenty, she was openly throwing herself at him.
Jin-hyeok knew—having such a pretty girl blindly devoted to him was more luck than he deserved.
The problem lay elsewhere. He'd become involved with none other than Na-eun's mother, Eun-ju. Imagining how those bold, clear eyes would shatter if she learned the truth was unbearable.
Eun-ju's plea from last night echoed in his ears—to take good care of Na-eun. Heavy guilt pressed against his chest.
Suppressing his turmoil, Jin-hyeok forced out a response.
"I know."
"Then how can you act so calm about it?"
Na-eun's voice quivered. Jin-hyeok managed a gentle smile.
"I want to accept your feelings too."
"..."
"But you're an exam repeater."
"...Hng."
Na-eun's shoulders slumped instantly, her lips puffing out in a pout. Jin-hyeok ruffled her hair roughly.
"I like you too."
Color flooded Na-eun's face instantly.
For the first time, the sincerity she'd always joked about had reached him. She couldn't contain the smile bursting forth.
Unable to control her beaming cheeks, Na-eun looked up at Jin-hyeok with a red face.
"S-so... can you kiss me now?"
Jin-hyeok gazed down at her—her flushed cheeks, her fluttering lashes full of expectation. After a brief silence, he spoke heavily.
"Okay."
Na-eun's heart began racing wildly.
Jin-hyeok's face slowly approached. His broad shoulders cast a shadow over her vision. Not knowing what to do, Na-eun rolled her eyes before squeezing them shut.
His masculine scent enveloped her. Then something soft and hot pressed firmly against her lips.
Her entire body stiffened; she couldn't move a finger. Jin-hyeok's arm wrapped tightly around her waist. When his large hand gripped her back through her thin shirt, electric shivers shot down her spine.
His lips pressed deeper at a gradual angle.
Something slick pushed past the seam of her lips—Jin-hyeok's tongue. The moment their moist membranes touched, Na-eun's shoulders jerked. Instinctively, she tried to pull back.
Jin-hyeok only tightened his grip on her waist, his hot tongue delving deeper into her defenseless mouth.
"Mmm... mmph."
Slurp, suck.
Jin-hyeok's tongue explored her sensitive flesh before finding hers and coiling around it fiercely. When her frightened tongue recoiled, his tangled with it slickly. Hot saliva mixed, flooding her mouth.
Her head spun from lack of air. Yet she didn't want to lose this heat. Panting through her nose, Na-eun timidly moved her tongue to meet the tip of his.
"Pah..."
Their parting lips trailed a string of saliva. Na-eun tilted her chin up, gasping for breath. Her perky chest heaved violently.
'Oppa... why are you so good at this?'
This wasn't the skill of someone who'd only been with a girl or two. The way he cupped her neck, the angle of his tongue—all too smooth. A sliver of doubt crossed her mind. But facing Jin-hyeok's smiling, damp lips, her petty suspicions melted away helplessly.
Hiding her crimson cheeks, Na-eun ducked her head. A mosquito-like voice slipped through her lips:
"O-one more time."
"Okay."
Just as Jin-hyeok wrapped his arms around her waist again to pull her close—
Knock knock.
An indifferent rap sounded through the firmly shut door.
"Jin-hyeok, Na-eun. Come have a snack."
Eun-ju's voice called.