I Like You More
The memories I gained in exchange for attendance points were incredibly sweet.
If I had chosen to attend class that day, I would never have been able to create such amazing memories with Chae-yeon.
On top of that, Mom didn’t find out about the self-study period.
How perfect was that plan? It’s hard to believe it came from someone like me who hates making plans.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the photo tucked into the back of my phone for a long time.
In college, you see more couples than in high school.
A common thing among those couples is having a photo of themselves together tucked into the back of their phones.
I had wanted to do this so badly.
And now I finally could.
I gazed endlessly at the photo visible through the clear case.
Chae-yeon is pretty. Is it even allowed for someone to be this beautiful?
“Puppy.”
“Huh?”
“What’s so funny that you’re smiling like that?”
“Life’s been fun lately. It feels like there’s nothing but reasons to smile.”
Mom smiled lightly at me and came into my room, sitting on the bed.
Most people say it feels awkward when their parents enter their room, but I actually like it.
Since Mom is busy every day, weekdays and weekends alike, we don’t get much time to talk.
“Puppy.”
“Yeah, Mom.”
“Are you dating someone these days?”
“…What?! What did you just say?”
“I asked if you’re dating someone these days.”
Since I had no intention of hiding my relationship with Chae-yeon, it wasn’t a big deal.
But it was still embarrassing.
Had I been showing it that much that Mom noticed?
After starting to date Chae-yeon, I, who used to never leave the house, started going out often.
And even when I’m stressed, just talking to Chae-yeon makes everything okay, so smiling has become my daily routine.
Thinking about it like that…
It would be weirder if she hadn’t noticed, right?
“Yeah, I’m dating.”
“Really? Who? Who are you dating?”
Mom seemed to think this was my first relationship, her eyes sparkling with interest.
She looked even more interested than when I got into college.
Without a word, I showed her the back of my phone.
“Huh…? You’re dating Chae-yeon?!”
“Yeah. I’m going out with Chae-yeon.”
“Since when?!”
“Remember when I said I was going to the amusement park with Chae-yeon? That was our first day.”
“My son’s got skills!! Dating Chae-yeon and everything!!”
“Mom, you look really happy?”
“Of course!! It’s not just anyone, it’s Chae-yeon. How often do you see a girl like Chae-yeon?”
She’s right.
In all my 23 years, I’ve never met a girl who even came close to Chae-yeon.
That’s how unique and captivating Chae-yeon is.
“Who confessed first? Who?!”
“You’re that curious?”
“Yeah!! Tell me!!”
Mom bounced on the bed like an auntie watching a morning drama, urging me to speak.
We’ve lived together for 23 years, but this is the first time I’ve seen her like this.
“We played around and rode the Ferris wheel at the end. I was about to confess then, but Chae-yeon confessed first.”
“So Chae-yeon beat you to it by a hair?”
“Yeah, that’s how it went. If I’d confessed just a bit sooner, it would’ve been me, but that’s a shame.”
“What does that matter? What’s important is that you both had feelings for each other.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Who likes the other more?”
“It’s probably similar… but I like her more.”
Mom stared at me with wide eyes, speechless.
That reaction wasn’t strange.
Since I don’t express myself well even to family, this must have caught her off guard.
“You little punk, try saying things like that to your family too.”
“Mother, you know I find that the hardest thing to do.”
“Anyway, raising kids is pointless.”
“They say people have multiple personalities.”
“I should tell Chae-yeon’s mom. She probably doesn’t know.”
Mom hummed as she left and immediately called Chae-yeon’s mom.
A few minutes after that call ended.
Chae-yeon called me.
Even without answering, I knew why she was calling.
“Hello?”
[Jung-woo!!]
“You startled me. Yeah, it’s Yeoni.”
[How does my mom know you’re dating Jung-woo?!]
Yeah, as expected, that’s why she called.
“Did your aunt call you?”
[Yeah!! She suddenly called and asked if I’m dating you!!]
“I told Mom just now that I’m dating you.”
[Ah, so Aunt told my mom.]
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything…?”
[No. I wasn’t planning to hide our relationship anyway. I was just surprised.]
Well, if it were me studying abroad in another city and my mom suddenly called asking if I was dating, I’d probably react the same.
Thankfully, I could let go of the thought that I’d made a mistake.
[What did you talk about with Aunt?]
“When we started dating. Who confessed first. Stuff like that.”
[Haa… I don’t want to go to Gwangju anymore.]
“Why?”
[If I go, Mom will definitely ask a ton of questions. My little sister too.]
“Hmm, a barrage of questions is waiting for Yeoni.”
[Jung-woo, next time we go to Gwangju, can’t I stay at your house?]
Excuse me, girlfriend. Your dad is the police chief. If you make that choice, what does that make me?
I quickly brushed off Chae-yeon’s tempting offer that would put me through the toughest trial imaginable.
Absolutely not, Jung Jung-woo. If you get swayed and say yes, you’re done for.
“That might be difficult? My parents are at home too.”
[Jung-woo. Do you have some money saved up?]
“Yeah, I do? Why all of a sudden?”
[Let’s send Aunt, Uncle, my mom, and dad on a trip.]
Chae-yeon seemed to be saying this because she wanted to avoid the upcoming question barrage, but…
No, I don’t want to end my life at 23, okay?
I don’t want to meet Uncle, who still has muscles even in his mid-50s.
“If it’s too hard, should I go with you? It’d be better than going alone.”
[Yeah!! Let’s go together!! I don’t want to go alone!!]
“Got it. If questions come flying at you there, I’ll answer most of them for you.”
[Thanks so much. I love you!!]
Hehe. Chae-yeon said she loves me. With just one word like that, what wouldn’t I do for her?
[Then you’re with Aunt right now?]
“Yeah, she’s leaning against my door right now, giving me a creepy stare.”
[If she’s already like this, what are we going to do later?]
“Hmm… Want to just get married?”
[What are you saying!! Why is marriage suddenly coming up!!]
“If we get married, we won’t get asked awkward questions, right?”
[You’re saying that as if it’s a reason to get married!!]
“You don’t want to marry me?”
[Th-that’s not it… We’ve only been dating for a short time.]
Whoa, look at that reaction. How can teasing someone feel this good?
After one round of teasing, I feel like I wouldn’t need to eat for the whole day.
[Jung-woo, hold on. Dad’s calling.]
“Okay, go take the call.”
After the call with Chae-yeon ended, Mom came into my room as if she’d been waiting.
Why does my mother keep making that face?
“You’re trying to marry Chae-yeon?”
“It was just something I said. I wanted to tease Chae-yeon.”
“Where did our son go who said he’d never get married and live alone?”
“I still have no thoughts of marriage, Mother.”
“What if Chae-yeon says she wants to get married later? You still won’t do it?”
“Why is Mother acting like this today? You don’t seem like the mother I know.”
“I’m just asking. Because I’m curious.”
“I’ll have to think about it when the time comes, but if Chae-yeon says something like that, I think I’d consider it.”
Seeing Mom make that unreadable expression again, I gave up on talking.
No matter what I say, she’ll make that face, so what am I supposed to say?
The biggest change since the surgery is that I don’t think about the future.
Unlike before, I’ve become someone who only thinks about the present.
Honestly, I can’t even imagine Chae-yeon saying she wants to get married.
How can I think about something like that when I don’t even know what tomorrow’s me will be like?
I don’t think I’m the only one like this.
Chae-yeon probably isn’t imagining marrying me either. It’s too far in the future.
“Is this photo taken with Chae-yeon?”
“Yeah, want to take a closer look?”
“Oh my, you two look good together. Even when you were little, you looked good together, and you still do now.”
“Really? That’s a relief then.”
“Chae-yeon is definitely pretty.”
“Yeah. Chae-yeon is pretty. Why, Mom? I still tell you you’re pretty often too.”
“Yeah. I’ll just let that slide.”
-Vrrr!!
“Yeah, Yeoni.”
[Jung-woo, there’s something I need to tell you…]
“Yeah!! What is it?”
[My dad says he wants to meet you?]
Hold on, what?!