#10 - Movie Date (1)
After meeting Na-eun, the first place we headed to was, naturally, a restaurant. Meeting at 11:30 was all part of the buildup—grab some food, then catch the movie.
"Na-eun, anything you feel like eating?"
"Something I want?"
"Yeah, I've got a spot in mind, but who knows."
"I'll love anywhere Oppa picks!"
"There you go again."
"Hehe."
Na-eun's shy little smile felt different from her usual vibe.
How to put it? She was always bright and bubbly, full of energy. But today, there was this extra layer of aegyo mixed in.
She wasn't without charm normally, but today it was dialed up a notch, more overt.
Of course, I didn't mind one bit.
Na-eun was stunningly pretty, even by my standards. A girl like that adding some cute playfulness? No guy could resist.
"Alright, let's go with the place I checked out."
"Okay~ But where is it?"
"Where do you think?"
Dating my ex had taught me two key things about girls.
One: they eat way more than you'd expect. Two: they always love spicy food and pasta.
So where'd I pick for today?
"Whoa... This place okay?"
"Of course it's okay. Their pasta's supposed to be amazing."
A pasta restaurant.
Na-eun's eyes sparkled the moment she saw it—either thrilled about pasta or just the vibe.
As soon as we stepped inside, I headed to the counter.
"Hi, I have a reservation..."
"Reservation? Could I have the last four digits of your phone number?"
I gave them, and the staffer nodded, coming around to greet me.
"Mr. Seonwoo Lee, confirmed for two. Right this way."
I followed with Na-eun in tow to the table they led us to—a window seat. The staffer asked,
"Would you prefer somewhere else? Happy to switch."
"Nah, this is perfect."
"Enjoy your meal~"
She bowed and headed back to the counter. The second she was gone, Na-eun leaned in with a whisper.
"Oppa, you even made a reservation?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I mean... was it necessary? There are empty seats..."
Empty seats or not, reservations were a must. Absolutely.
I explained my past mishap to her.
"Once I went to eat somewhere, and it was packed—waited 30, 40 minutes. Now I always book ahead if I can."
"Ahh..."
I couldn't tell her the full story—that it'd been with my ex. Christmas Eve, I think? We'd planned to hit our usual spot, but bam, 14 teams ahead in line. A place that always had room, even on busy weekends.
Turned out a nearby company had booked it for their party.
We both froze out there shivering for half an hour.
After that, I got into the habit of reserving everywhere, weekdays included.
Obviously, no way I'd share that with Na-eun. She's a girl too—ex talk would sour the mood.
Couldn't ruin her happy menu-scanning glow.
"Order whatever you want. I'll get it all."
"For real?"
"Yeah, it's not that pricey."
"R... right, why's everything so cheap here...?"
Na-eun stared at the menu in mild shock. No surprise—this place was a cost-performance legend. Agli o olio for just 5,000 won? Insane.
Didn't mean the chef was a hack, though. He used to be head chef at a fancy hotel, now running his own pasta joint.
That rep had lines out the door back in its heyday.
Not anymore—busy on peaks, chill otherwise.
Though today felt peak. The entrance was getting rowdy already.
"Na-eun, order whatever. I'll cover everything."
"...For real? Anything at all?"
"Yep. Steak too?"
Steak wasn't bad—30,000 won a pop.
Na-eun checked and, without hesitation, picked one pasta.
The 7,000-won spicy bacon tomato.
"This'll do!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Hmm... we could get steak."
"I'm good, really...!"
"I'm not."
"Huh?"
Playful jab aside, I knew she was holding back a bit, prices notwithstanding. I'd caught her glancing at me while deciding.
Didn't want that, so I ordered a steak and my own pasta.
"Steak to share. Sound good?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Yes...! Perfect...!"
Orders in, food arrived quick.
Tempting tomato pasta, oil pasta, steak with mashed potatoes on the side.
We'd gotten drinks too—green grape ade for her, lemon ade for me.
Na-eun beamed at the spread, then twirled some pasta on her fork for a dainty bite. Her eyes lit up.
Bringing her here? Spot on.
"So good...!"
She swallowed, thumbs-up flying, raving about the place.
"Oppa, how'd you even find this spot?"
How? My ex loved it.
Felt a twinge of guilt toward Na-eun, but honestly, today's date drew heavy inspo from ex-date routes. Pasta here or mala tang—student-budget friendly and delicious.
Obviously skipped that origin story.
"It's super popular. Lines can get brutal—probably today too."
"Really?"
"Totally. Lucky I booked early."
"Hehe, thanks, Oppa."
Her sweet little laugh and thanks were pure sunshine, utterly adorable.
Couldn't help myself—I cut her a piece of steak.
"Try this."
"Oppa...?"
Fork extended. She blinked at the steak, flustered, then...
*Nom*
Her little mouth took it right off.
*Munch... munch...*
Slower than with the pasta—she was savoring it.
I watched fondly until I spotted the pink lipstick smudge on my fork. Reality hit.
She's my friend's little sister, sure—close like family, my student. But she's a woman.
And I'd just fed her steak like that.
I clammed up, realizing my slip. Na-eun did too, munching silently.
The awkward silence stretched until she broke it.
"...Steak's amazing."
"Yeah... good..."
Back to safe, mundane food talk.
At first, I was totally thrown.
Perfect restaurant vibe, mouthwatering pasta, handsome Oppa Seonwoo.
Flawless lunch—then this bombshell.
Oppa feeding me steak directly. Massive shock.
Pure, unfiltered shock.
Bread at home? Manageable. Everyday kindness, heart-flutter material.
But this? Straight-up date with Oppa.
And mid-date, he feeds me steak by hand.
Earth-shattering enough on its own.
But the happiness, the love, the pounding heart—it amplified everything.
Kept chewing, but the flavor? Lost on me.
Only one thing registered.
Just one.
My love for Oppa Seonwoo.
That gentle, smiling face as he fed me—it consumed my mind entirely.
The more time passes, the deeper this love grows.
At this rate, my heart might just stop.
From loving Oppa Seonwoo so fiercely.