Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: It Seems My Childhood Friend Has Regressed
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#153
December 23rd.
It had been almost two weeks since the college entrance exam ended, and today, if I stayed still, my body shivered and the tip of my nose felt numb—it was clear winter had fully arrived.
The classroom atmosphere, which had once been so heavy, was now lively again, just like before the exam.
"Look at these guys' faces."
Beaming.
Grinning ear to ear.
I had hit the jackpot on exam day with record-breaking scores, making it almost certain I'd go to the same university as Seo-ah.
Next to me, Kim Seung-hyun, who had sworn he'd date someone before Christmas even if it killed him, had finally coupled up with a girl from another class on their fourth blind date.
"Jae-hwan, loosen up that face a bit."
"Yeah, yeah. The world's so beautiful right now."
Right~? We exchanged smiles, looking at each other.
Normally, we'd snap "What're you looking at?" if our eyes met, but right now, we both fully agreed the world was beautiful.
Of course, Jae-hwan had gone on four blind dates too...
Moment of silence.
"But how do you guys keep setting up these blind dates?"
I asked out of curiosity, wondering how they managed it without knowing many girls.
Kim Seung-hyun tsked like I was clueless, wagging his index finger. For a second, I wanted to break it, but my curiosity won out and I held back.
"Jun-woo, you've always had Han Seo-ah around, so you wouldn't get it, but what time is it right now?"
"...? The free period after the exam...?"
"Ha-! Look at this guy's answer. That's why you're Lee Jun-woo."
"What the hell, you punk."
Is he insane?
"Listen up, Lee Jun-woo. The exam doesn't matter anymore... It's right before Christmas."
"A high school senior saying the exam isn't important—what kind of crazy talk..."
But I got it instantly.
Right, Christmas.
I'd never realized because we'd always gone to Seo-ah's place or had casual parties at one of our houses every Christmas.
This year, since our relationship had changed, we'd planned to go out separately—and as I was thinking that,
"Get it now? It's a time of overflowing supply and demand. We're not the only desperate ones."
"Supply and demand, crazy..."
The phrasing was crude, but it stuck in my head, so I nodded.
I'd noticed more couples arm-in-arm or showing PDA around school lately.
I thought it was just post-exam relief, but that wasn't the only reason, huh?
"Hey, but with all that supply and demand, why's Park Jae-hwan..."
"No demand. Yeah."
"Oof..."
"You bastards..."
Kim Seung-hyun stated it so bluntly we couldn't argue, and seeing Jae-hwan's teary face, I felt... not really sorry.
As we teamed up to beat Jae-hwan black and blue,
"Jun-woo!"
Amid the noisy classroom, that lovely voice rang clearly in my ears. I turned to see Seo-ah and Ji-ah heading our way.
"You called?"
Seo-ah usually only came over when picking me up, so bringing Ji-ah made me wonder what was up. I asked with a puzzled look.
"Jun-woo, wanna hang at Ji-ah's tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah! Oh, Kim Seung-hyun, Park Jae-hwan, you guys too if you're free!"
"Huh, us too?"
What? I heard Kang Ji-ah has a boyfriend.
Why invite us on Christmas Eve? We stared blankly, and Ji-ah, looking like she wanted to die, spoke up.
"...We broke up two days ago."
"Pfft."
"Puhaha."
"Kya."
".........You guys laughing?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Our perfect comic timing left Ji-ah trembling with rage, but she soon sighed.
"Anyway, we're basically adults now. My parents said I should learn to drink from adults for my first time, so we're having a party at my place too."
"Drinking?"
—Christmas Eve's for dates, not parties~
I'd thought that inwardly, but hearing about drinking made me think it'd be fun to try booze for the first time with this group.
With Ji-ah's parents there, no worries about trouble either.
"Seo-ah, you okay with it?"
But the important thing was Seo-ah's opinion.
I lightly hugged her from behind as she sat softly on my lap. I felt killing intent from around us, but I was used to it now.
"Hmm... Sounds fun, and we're going out on the 25th anyway, so yeah?"
"True. Ji-ah, Seo-ah and I are in."
Seo-ah seemed to think the same, her excited voice tinged with anticipation, so I confirmed right away.
"Lee Jun-woo and Seo-ah are good... What about you guys?"
"I'm in. Got nothing that day..."
"...You too?"
The mood sank a bit at Jae-hwan and Ji-ah's exchange, but Kim Seung-hyun clapped to lighten it.
"I'd love to join, but can my. girl.friend. come too?"
"Kim Seung-hyun, you have a girlfriend?"
"Just got one~"
Stop, please...
Why do we have to feel the embarrassment...
He emphasized "girlfriend" so proudly I wanted to kill him, and his smug shoulder shrug made killing intent flash across Ji-ah's face.
"...Who's that?"
"Lee Soo-jin from Class 1. Know her?"
"Kinda heard the name, but... If she's cool with it, sure."
"Okay~"
Who was coming was set.
We settled the time, then dove into what snacks to bring and drinks, ideas flying nonstop.
"Seo-ah."
"Yeah?"
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun, right?"
I didn't need to ask—her soft butt on my lap was wiggling like an excited puppy's tail.
Still, I wanted to share this moment's feeling with you.
And,
"Yeah! I'm so excited."
I asked because I wanted to see your sparkling eyes and beaming smile looking at me.
Good call asking.
Too bad we couldn't kiss right then with everyone around.
#154
"Jun-woo, isn't it heavy?"
Ji-ah's parents were handling the drinks, and we each drew a food to bring.
Seo-ah and I got meat, so my hands were full. She asked worriedly from the side.
Seo-ah wanted to help carry, but.
"Absolutely not, never—it's not heavy at all."
Thanks to six months of consistent workouts.
Back when we went to the beach, I'd only gained a bit of muscle, but by month six, the results showed even over my clothes.
"Still..."
"Seo-ah."
"Y-Yeah...?"
I didn't want her carrying what I could handle alone, and it really wasn't heavy.
But telling her "it's fine" when she kept looking guilty pricked at me.
We preferred "I love you" over "sorry" anyway.
Tap tap—
I smirked, raising one arm to point at my lips. She got the hint.
Her worried face vanished like a lie, replaced by a dazzlingly bright smile.
Smack—
She leaned in, starting at my lips.
Smack-smack—
Cheeks to nose, forehead to eyes.
Holding my cheeks so I couldn't move, she slowly kissed every spot with her soft lips, determined not to miss any. I couldn't help laughing.
"I only pointed to my lips, though?"
"Mwah, mm, nooo... How can you be so lovable, dummy..."
"Only for you."
"Yeah, just for me..."
After marking my whole face, her excited hot breaths returned her to my lips.
I welcomed the shy, soft intruder tapping at my mouth.
I set down the meat, freeing my hands to hug her tight, squishing her chest against me.
Even in the cold winter, our body heat made us sweat before we finally parted.
#155
Ding-dong—
"Who is it~?"
"It's us. Seo-ah and me."
"Oh, coming right out~"
Click—the lock disengaged, and the door opened.
Ji-ah peeked out and flinched at my face—well, ours, but mostly mine—freezing mid-swing.
"...? Why?"
I asked, confused. She just blushed silently, pointing at my face with a finger.
What? I checked my face in my phone camera, and there it was:
"......Seo-ah."
"Yeah~?"
She grinned like a kid who'd pulled off a prank, hands behind her back. I laughed in disbelief.
My face in the phone was covered in cute pink lipstick marks—clearly Seo-ah's—like territorial markings.
"...You came all the way here like that?"
"...Hey, I didn't know. For real."
"Me neither~"
"Han Seo-ah, as if you didn't know. Ugh, you two are insane. Go wash up in the bathroom quick."
"Do I have to wipe it off?"
"Jun-woo..."
It was kinda... Seo-ah's hard work?
If she didn't mind, did I really need to?
Just then, Seo-ah gazed at me with teary, touched eyes, and I decided not to wipe it—
"If you don't wipe it off, you're not coming in."
"Yes, ma'am..."
She glared like she wanted us dead, eyes blazing without fire.
We had no choice but to cave.