#38 - Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve
Last year around this time, I was dating that bitch Suhyun Kang, and I somehow managed to sneak out for the night and hang out downtown. Thinking back on it just pisses me off even more. Turns out she was already cheating on me back then.
And yet she had the gall to hang out with me like that? There's a limit to shamelessness. My blood pressure's spiking just thinking about it—I find myself absently rubbing my neck.
But that's all in the past now. Why? Because...
"Hey, you pepper bastards. Everyone here?"
"Yeah, let's go~"
"Full five-man squad after so long."
"This is it~"
"Finally-back-to-single-life Seonwoo Lee will carry us, right?"
I've got my bros in this pepper patch, and we're having a blast. That's all that matters.
Screw couples and girlfriends. Just chilling with the guys is fine, right?
That's what I thought, at least until an hour before Christmas.
Ding! Ding!
A notification popped up from KakaoTalk on my computer.
I have most group chats muted, but there are a few people I keep alerts on for—my parents, my sister, and...
It's my Na-eun.
What a sweet girl. Even after her CSATs are over, she's checking in on her old tutor—me.
Checking in? More like keeping me company. You think I'm the one entertaining her? Not during exam season, sure, but now? No way.
Post-CSAT high school seniors have endless fun—especially with friends. Just hanging out is a riot.
And a fresh-faced high school girl choosing to hang with an army vet uncle like me? Who's entertaining who here—it's obvious.
I replied to Na-eun oh-so-kindly.
Na-eun went quiet for a bit, then replied.
The flow of the convo was obvious. She wants to hang out.
What a grateful girl. Willing to spend her Christmas Eve with a lonely uncle like me—how sweet is that?
She sent cute emoticons, thrilled. But I bet she knew I wouldn't say no. C'mon, single guy like me—what else would I be doing on Christmas Eve? Sleeping at home or gaming with the bros, that's it.
She's already planning something fun—super thoughtful. Probably remembers me saying I was running out of date spots. I can trust her with this.
That's when...
"Hey, hey! Seonwoo Lee! Gang! Gang's coming!"
...I totally trolled.
Got too focused on Na-eun's texts and lost track of the game.
"Ah, Seonwoo!"
"Get outta here and die, we called you how many times?"
"Shut up, you guys carry then."
"Did you see this freeloading villain?"
"Just die already."
Trash talk and curses flying everywhere. Yeah, this is guys' gaming—raw, no politeness or manners like with Na-eun's fresh vibes. Pure, unfiltered banter.
After the hilarious game session wrapped up with that raw chat, the guys started talking.
"Guys, BBQ tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? I'm down."
"Count me in."
"Obviously."
They were suddenly booking meat without me.
"Don't leave Seonwoo out."
Jisoo Kim must've sensed something, warning them not to ditch me.
Don't leave me out?
"Got prior plans already."
What can ya do? I'm ditching.
"Whoa, that asshole."
"Another girl?"
"Again? Dude broke up after getting cheated on like what, months ago...!"
As the three vented fury at me, an unexpected savior stepped in.
"Let him go, he's ditching us for a girl anyway."
Seung-min Jeong.
But his "save" was savage. This is a friend?
"The one-and-only playboy Seonwoo Lee is blinded by girls and betrays his bros! Get lost!"
He hurled every insult in the book, telling me to scram.
Thank him or not? Dunno, but one thing's clear...
"Cool, I'm out~"
He tossed me the perfect setup—time to spike it. Thanks, Seung-min. Took some heat off, so now I can keep my date with Na-eun.
...What to wear, though?
After logging off, I stood in front of my closet.
I picked something semi-formal, nothing that'd embarrass Na-eun while we hung out. Luckily, I've got decent options—found a solid combo quick.
Just hope she likes it.
"Hmm... this work?"
Tried it on, checked the full-length mirror. Not 100% perfect, maybe 70% satisfied.
Go with this? Pondered it, but no clear answer without knowing her exact taste.
Nothing for it.
"This'll do."
Stuck with it and hoped she'd approve.
While chatting KakaoTalk with Na-eun late into the night, we set our meetup for 10 a.m., so no rush. But it was so fun, we kept going way too late—crashed super late.
Couldn't help it. Totally different vibe from bro banter—cute, adorable fun.
The second Oppa Seonwoo said he was gaming with my bro, I bolted to my brother's room.
Subtly asked him to mute his mic, then hit him with it.
"Oppa, I wanna go on a date with Oppa Seonwoo tomorrow."
"...Do whatever."
"......Oppa, I was gonna hang with him tomorrow."
"If no plans, yeah?"
"That's why I'm booking it now."
He looked dumbfounded but shooed me out with a hand wave.
Figuring he'd back me up-ish, I headed to my room and messaged Oppa Seonwoo.
Let's hang tomorrow—date time!
Total success.
Oppa Seonwoo accepted, and my bro said the other four (minus him) were doing BBQ.
Thrilled, but worried too. What to wear on a date with Oppa Seonwoo?
Cute? Elegant? Mature?
I don't really know his style.
But confident in my looks, I battled for two hours to find a good outfit. Nothing clicked—maybe shop together tomorrow?
Nah, guys hate being dragged clothes shopping. He'd be tired, even if he hid it.
Can't do that to him, so for his sake, I kept hunting.
Went cute: white winter coat, plaid skirt, warm black sweater inside, cute scarf for flair. Casual-pretty combo. This'll score cute points for sure.
After, we KakaoTalked forever.
Snapped out of it at 3 a.m.—worried I'd oversleep and miss our date.
Can't be late... can't keep Oppa Seonwoo waiting...
Panicking a bit, I set 12 alarms every 10 minutes. Insane, but whatever—as long as I don't miss it.
...But my efforts were wasted. I slept through them all, and Mom, woken by the noise, shook me awake.
Mom, sorry...!