To the Amusement Park~ (2)
@ Lee Minho
It was a Saturday morning on the weekend, and as soon as I stepped out of the house, Sujin noona immediately opened the door, as if she had been waiting for the promise.
"Um, hello?"
"Hello, noona."
It was refreshing to be going to play with someone who lives next door. I couldn't remember the last time I had hung out with a neighbor like this, except when I was little and played with neighborhood friends.
Sujin noona seemed to be putting on a show because she was going to play with me. Normally, the Sujin noona I had seen had to go to work, so she could only wear office attire, but today she was wearing a light brown coat with a skirt that reached her knees, which looked incredibly neat.
"Noona, you look different from the clothes you usually wear. It gives off a fresh feeling?"
"Y-yeah? Does it suit me well...?"
"Yes, it suits you well."
It was a cute coordination that suited Sujin noona's somewhat small build. If I were to rank the women I've met so far—Seoyeon, Hyeji, and Sujin noona—by height and bust size, assuming they are proportional, it would be Hyeji, Seoyeon, and Sujin noona. Hyeji was probably around 167 cm, and Seoyeon was 161 cm.
Compared to that, Sujin noona is even smaller than Seoyeon... I wonder if she's under 160 cm.
Honestly, it looks like someone who could pass for a university student my age or even younger than me. It should be said that she looks the youngest despite being the oldest.
But I don't need to say that. Sujin noona might see that appearance as a complex, so I shouldn't poke at it.
So, I think it's enough to simply compliment that she looks good in her current outfit. Sujin noona also blushes slightly when she hears my words, doesn't she?
"T-thank you. It's the first time I've heard that a man finds me attractive... Come on! Let's get going quickly!"
"Okay, noona."
"Hehe... Noona, noona... hehe..."
Seeing her muttering "noona" to herself, it seems Sujin noona likes hearing me call her noona. It reminds me of how men in the original world enjoyed being called oppa by women.
I have a younger sister, so I hear oppa a lot, so it doesn't feel special.
I followed Sujin noona and got into the passenger seat.
"Sigh... Then I'll drive~"
Sujin noona also got into the car, grabbed the steering wheel, and started the engine. I never imagined I'd be riding in someone else's car to go play like this.
"It takes about an hour to get there. Probably, since it's a weekend, the traffic will be bad."
"An hour is fine. We can talk while driving."
"That's right."
Sujin noona answered my words and started driving at the same time. The navigation also showed that the estimated arrival time was about an hour, as she had said.
"But how much does the amusement park entrance ticket cost?"
"Huh? Why are you asking that?"
"Because I have to pay for my own entrance ticket."
"What? No, you don't have to. Not only the entrance ticket, but all the expenses at the amusement park today will be paid by me, so you don't have to worry about money?"
What is this? It feels like a deja vu. With Seoyeon and Hyeji too, right?
Is this the position of being a man in this world?
The scenes where women offer to pay when going out to play or eat, it seems like something men often do to women in the original world.
But feeling like I'm taking advantage too much makes my conscience a bit guilty...
"Even though you got it cheap at the company, isn't it still a bit expensive? And then getting to eat for free at the amusement park is a bit..."
"Minho, you're really kind, huh? Normally, guys would just take advantage without saying anything... But it's fine. If I ask you to pay in this situation, I'd be scolded instead. Today, I'll buy everything comfortably, so don't worry."
"Um... I'll understand. If noona says so..."
I answered reluctantly, but I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling.
The conversation between the two of us was cut off for a while. While driving quietly, staring ahead, about 10 minutes had passed when noona spoke first.
"Um... How's school life? Is it going well?"
"School? Um... I went to the military and just returned to school this year, so I'm still a bit out of it. I think I'll get used to it after some time."
"Ah, you went to the military? Then... when you were in the military, did your girlfriend wait for you while wearing rubber shoes?"
Girlfriend... I haven't even had a girlfriend, let alone dated one. In my first year of university, I went out alone often, so I never went on blind dates.
"No, I've never had a girlfriend until now. I'm still a virgin."
"What? You're a virgin? You don't look like it at all..."
"Really. In my first year of university, I went out alone often, and although junior high and high school were co-ed, I didn't really interact with girls."
This is, after all, my memory from the original world. I don't know how I lived in this world, but since it doesn't differ much from how I lived, it should be fine to say this.
"Really? I thought women wouldn't leave you alone..."
"Is that so? Would someone like me be liked?"
"You'd be the catch of the day!"
Suddenly, Sujin noona exclaimed loudly. Then, realizing she had said it too loudly, her face turned a little red.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to say that."
"I'm fine with it, but is that such a surprising thing?"
"Of course. Someone like you wouldn't easily meet in other places. Even saying 'let's go to the amusement park' like today wouldn't be easily accepted?"
Is that true?
Since coming to the gender-reversed world, I know that being a man makes it a bit easier to live than being a woman. But I honestly don't know how much my existence ranks in between.
It's obvious that if my face was extremely handsome, I'd be in the top tier, but I don't think it's that much.
Now I'm curious about my position.
"Then... if I ask you out, noona, will you accept?"
@ Shin Sujin
"What, what??"
"Ah, I was just curious and asked. If it's hard to answer, you don't have to."
What is this...
Did I just get confessed to? No, she confessed to me?
It was a bit roundabout confession, wasn't it?
Up until now, I've never dated anyone because I was focused on studying from middle school, high school, and university, so I have no idea what Minho's action means.
My colleagues who heard that I was going to the amusement park with Minho today all said it's because Minho has a crush on me and invited me to play together...
Is she now trying to express her feelings a little?
What am I supposed to do in this situation!!
I, at least, shouldn't answer too eagerly. If she finds out it was just my misunderstanding, it would be embarrassing.
"Um, um... If we date... I-I like... it? If it's a guy like you... I'm all for it."
Is this the right way to answer? I tried to answer casually, but my own feelings of wanting to date Minho came out directly?
I subtly moved my eyes to see how Minho reacted.
"Hmm... I see. I'm glad you said you're all for it."
Eh... is that it?
How am I supposed to take this?
Minho seemed unfazed by my words, so I maintained my composure and tried not to show any signs of embarrassment.
Why did he ask that question?
Was this also a question with some hidden intention?
Men are said to throw words with hidden feelings to women, was that what it was?
Even while driving, my mind was full of doubts, making me feel like I was going crazy. I wanted to ask Minho right now how he thinks of me and how full I was of the urge to confess today.
But I suppressed those feelings as much as possible. My colleague said not to confess right away when going out to play today.
I was told to maintain a bit of a flirty relationship and wait until Minho shows clear interest before setting up the confession angle...
Ugh... I want to ask right now but I have to hold back!
If I hold back, surely an opportunity will come!
Let's continue the conversation topic recommended by my colleagues. I remember that if a woman doesn't say anything in the same space as a man, it gets minus points.
I also heard that making the man fun is a plus point, so I recalled the list I prepared yesterday.
Let's ask about hobbies first?
"What do you usually do? I used to play games a lot in the past, but these days I'm too tired from work to play often."
"Ah, you like games too, noona? I like games too. I play games often."
I felt Minho's voice brighten a bit when he talked about playing games. It seemed like he was happy to find someone who shares the same hobby as him.
"Really? What game do you play?"
"I play Overmatch."
"Ah, that?"
Overmatch, right? It's a game released while working at the company, so I haven't played it, but I know what kind of game it is.
Since the topic of Overmatch came up and Minho was happy, it might be good to spend time talking about it until we arrive at the amusement park?
And since Minho plays Overmatch, I should try it once too?
I heard that sharing hobbies with a partner is good.
While talking about games, not realizing time was passing, we arrived at the amusement park.
Wow... there are really a lot of people. Is it because it's a weekend?
I prepared a lot to have fun with Minho today, but I don't know if the plan will go according to plan.
But I have to do my best!
And leave a good memory with Minho so that later... we become lovers!
Let's start with... the roller coaster?
The picture of an adult like me comforting Minho who's scared on the roller coaster might be quite nice?
Hehe...
Let's go right away!