#29 - You Over the Trip
It was the end of July. Na-eun was studying hard, and I was right there beside her, gazing at her pretty face while helping with her work. That routine just kept repeating, day after day.
In the midst of that endless loop, today was the day Seung-min Jeong was heading off on his trip.
With Jisoo Kim and some other high school friends, no less.
Of course, I wasn't included.
Just four days earlier, we'd even had this conversation.
"Just come along already! It's not too late. Add 20,000 won, and there's room for one more at the lodging."
"I told you no. I've gotta tutor Na-eun."
"Take three days off."
"I already took time off when Na-eun was sick before."
"You think I don't know she studied even then?"
Seung-min has this subtly thoughtful side. Knowing his sick little sister had buckled down to study proved it.
Of course, the way he was teasing me now made it seem like his actions didn't quite match that thoughtfulness.
"I said no."
"Wait, you don't have some crush on my sister or anything, do you?"
To his playful question, I shut it down flat.
"Nothing like that, man."
"Nothing? For real?"
"Yeah, nothing."
Yeah, nothing. At least, not right now.
I'm 23, Na-eun's 19. A four-year gap isn't huge, but I'm an adult, and she's still a minor.
Taking that into account, I can't have those kinds of feelings. Even trying would be a crime.
Someday down the line... honestly, I don't know. But for now, I'm doing everything I can to keep those thoughts at bay.
"You really not coming?"
"Nope."
"You've got the money."
"Still no."
"Ugh, fine. Do what you want. No souvenir for you."
"Wasn't expecting one."
After that chat, Seung-min never brought up the trip again, leaving me alone at home with Na-eun today.
Honestly, even with him around normally, I never paid it much mind. His presence didn't change what I had to do anyway.
But thinking about it now—just me and Na-eun alone in this house without Seung-min—it was impossible not to feel a little on edge.
"Oppa, it's just us two today, huh."
Maybe it was her seductive smile as she said that.
Being alone with a minor girl was a problem in itself, no matter how you sliced it.
Still, nothing would happen. Why? One reason we ended up alone like this was because everyone else in this house trusted me.
They trusted me to treat their youngest, cutest, prettiest, most precious Na-eun right.
They had rock-solid faith that I wouldn't do anything untoward to her.
Betray that trust? I'd be a devil. Worse than the devil himself.
So, no matter what, nothing would happen. It had to be that way.
...That was about an hour ago.
"Oppa... can we wrap up early today...?"
It was exactly the same as always.
Na-eun, so comfortable around me she was even throwing in some aegyo, and me...
"Solve more problems instead of saying weird stuff."
"Okayyy...."
...just prodding her along like normal.
Yeah, this was right. This was how it should be.
"Oppa... let's finish earlyyy...."
"If you've got a good reason."
I figured her "good reason" would be something mundane like "I wanna sleep more" or "I wanna play" or "I need a break."
But Na-eun wasn't asking to slack off for something that ordinary.
"...It's 'cause I wanna hang out with you, oppa?"
She wanted to hang out with me. That bombshell of a reason.
Was hanging out with me actually fun? Honestly, it probably wasn't.
When Na-eun said she wanted to "hang out," it included just chatting idly. And that's what she wanted now.
But I'm not the type who makes empty talk entertaining. Even in the army, no one asked me to spin funny stories.
The closest I got to fun with the guys was gaming, soccer, or heading out somewhere.
The only people who sought fun in conversation with me were the higher-ups I rarely saw, our commanding officer who loved dad jokes, or the random supply sergeant who popped up like an encounter mob somewhere on base.
Put another way, I'm definitely not kid-friendly.
What could she possibly find fun about chatting with me? I didn't get it.
With pure curiosity—and zero ulterior motives—I asked her straight up.
"Na-eun, is talking to me fun?"
"With you, oppa? Of course!"
"Why?"
"'Cause it's fun?"
......Na-eun must be into dad jokes and that whole vibe. That's what I decided to believe.
*
That day's session ended right on time.
On-time meaning 3 p.m., but still.
"Good work...."
As I graded, Na-eun stretched with a big yawn. I glanced her way.
Today's Na-eun was dressed like usual: white t-shirt and pink dolphin pants.
Just switching up the pants' color made her look even more vibrant somehow. Was this Na-eun's magic?
"So, oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you go on the trip?"
Her question flew at me as I packed up the books. I answered without a second's hesitation.
"Why? To tutor you, obviously."
"For real?"
Dead serious. If I hadn't been tutoring her, I'd have gone with everyone.
Japan trips were cheaper lately with the exchange rates, and honestly, I'd never been in my life.
For someone like me, Japan meant new experiences and fun things to do. Skipping out felt like a loss.
"...You should've just gone and had fun."
"Why?"
"Now I feel bad."
Her sulky expression rang true.
Seeing that sincere look made me chuckle without thinking.
She really did worry about me plenty.
"No need to feel bad. It was my choice."
"Your choice...?"
"Yeah, mine. My choice to tutor you. It's my job, and it felt more important."
Yeah, this was my choice.
Over gallivanting with the guys? Helping Na-eun study, any day.
Na-eun's face lit up like she'd been deeply moved.
Was it that touching?
I was touched.
More than touched—I was over the moon with happiness.
If Seonwoo oppa weren't right there, I'd have leaped onto the bed, kicked my feet, and rolled around squealing.
How could I not be happy?
My brother must've pulled out all the stops sweet-talking Seonwoo oppa into going. I'd fallen for his silver tongue countless times growing up, so I knew how persuasive he could be.
And yet, even after all that—and hearing the destination was Japan—oppa still skipped it because of me.
How could that not make me ecstatic? How could I not be thrilled?
No doubt about it: I was happier than any girl in the world right now. That's how blissful I felt.
Gazing at Seonwoo oppa, I asked him honestly.
"Don't you regret it?"
"Regret what?"
"Not going on the trip."
He shook his head right away.
"Not even a little."
"Really?"
"Really."
Why, though? If it were me, I'd have regretted it deep down.
Seonwoo oppa smiled faintly and tossed a question back.
"Na-eun, how many times do you think I can go on a Japan trip in my life?"
"Uh... no idea...?"
"Right? No one knows. Including me. Wanna know why?"
"Hmm... 'cause you might not even feel like going?"
He nodded and kept going.
"Exactly. But one thing's for sure: if I ever feel like it, I can go. Tutoring you, though? Only this year. Only right now."
"That's why I think this matters more. It's more precious."
Calmly, so gently.
Explaining his choice like that, Seonwoo oppa was...
...just so incredibly cool.
He's always been cool. Not just his looks—his kind, wonderful heart.
But this side of him, this tender warmth, was enough to make my heart race.
Oppa, oppa, Seonwoo oppa, Seonwoo oppa.
I like you, Seonwoo oppa.
When could I say it out loud?
I didn't know when, but one thing was certain: I wouldn't let this chance slip away.
I absolutely wouldn't let anyone else steal this amazing Seonwoo oppa from me.
So, I'd seduce him somehow. Somehow, I'd make sure I stayed by his side.
That was my goal now.
"Na-eun, this bread is delicious."
"Really? I'll make it again next time!"
"No need if it's a hassle."
As if it would be.
When someone this handsome and charming praised my baking while eating it so cutely—how could it be anything but joy?