Christmas: A Truly Sweet Day (1)
Christmas is truly a sweet day. At least, that's how I felt a year ago.
Back when I was dating Suhyun Kang, that woman.
I was such an idiot back then. What was so great about a girl who wore her rubber shoes backwards that I giggled like a fool?
Even after more than ten months, it still pisses me off. I could say I'm furious to the tips of my hair.
Lost in those thoughts as I stared at the calendar, I grabbed the innocent thing and slammed it to the floor.
Then I decided to shake off the gloom. I couldn't let that mood rub off on the person I was meeting today.
I pulled some clothes from the closet and tried them on.
Since I'd picked them out in advance yesterday, I didn't waste much time choosing or getting dressed.
Once I was fully dressed and styled, I called out to my sister, who'd been sleeping like a log since she'd pulled an all-nighter working until dawn.
"Sis, I'm heading out."
No reply, but that was fine. Mom and Dad had gone to church early in the morning, so she was the only one home.
If there's even one person around, it's polite to say goodbye, so I did.
After my farewell, I stepped out the front door. Even inside the apartment, the biting cold was closing in, so I started shaking the hot pack I'd prepared in advance.
It was warming up a bit from the shaking, but not enough yet, so I had to figure out how to thaw my chilly hands somehow.
In the end, the hot pack was my only lifeline, so I shook it vigorously as I rode the elevator down to the first floor.
Outside the apartment, the cold hit even harder. They'd called it a record-breaking cold snap this year, and it wasn't an exaggeration.
"Haaa…."
A soft sigh escaped me, my breath forming a white cloud that rose into the sky.
Gazing at it, I slowly made my way to our meeting spot at the bus stop.
There was a waiting shelter, so I planned to wait inside.
...By the way, our appointment was at 10, and it was 9:30 now. It takes five minutes to walk there, so I'd have to wait at least 20 minutes.
Still, I'd come early because... well, it might sound lame, but I was excited.
It had been so long since I'd hung out with a girl for such a purely innocent reason.
Thinking about it, the most recent time I'd gone out with a girl was with Na-eun, and now it was with her again.
I should thank her—maybe buy her lunch?
Shaking the hot pack with those thoughts, I arrived at the bus stop before I knew it.
To thaw my already freezing body, I ducked into the passenger waiting area.
Naturally, there were only a few people inside. But...
...they were all couples.
Four pairs, each one unique in their own way.
The common thread? They were all glowing. Immersed in their moments of love, they looked far happier than me.
That stung a little and made me envious, so I sat alone by the entrance and pulled out my phone.
I started wondering what Na-eun had planned—excited and a bit worried—so I began surfing the web.
Just in case, to find some new spots to take her if needed.
As I scrolled...
"Seonwoo oppa...?"
Na-eun had snuck up beside me and was looking down at me.
Her outfit screamed cute high school girl.
A white winter coat a size too big for her, matched with a small white scarf; below, a black checkered skirt peeking out and black winter tights.
It perfectly captured her cuteness, her bubbly energy, and that fresh, youthful bounce only a high school girl could have.
"Na-eun, you're here?"
"Yeah, oppa. Sorry, did I keep you waiting long?"
"Nah, we've still got ten minutes till the meeting time."
I showed her my phone to reassure her.
Na-eun pouted a little, like she wasn't satisfied with the comfort.
"Sorry... I went to bed too late last night... I meant to come even earlier..."
"Hey, you're not late at all."
"I wanted to get here first and wait for you."
Her grumbling was so adorable.
Feeling her sweet intentions, I couldn't help but smile.
"I'll take your feelings to heart."
"Tch...."
She gave this ambiguous reaction—pouting or smiling, I couldn't tell—but utterly cute—then plopped down beside me with light steps.
She started telling me about the itinerary.
"Oppa, so first, where we're going today~"
Her slightly excited voice described a spot that wasn't far off from what I'd guessed—super cute.
I nodded as I listened.
Na-eun watched me with a hint of tension, then asked in a slightly trembling voice,
"...What do you think?"
"Sounds fun."
"Really?"
Her eyes widened a bit as she looked at me.
It felt like she was fishing for praise, so I smiled and nodded.
"Of course. It sounds like a blast."
"Phew... good."
"But to get there, don't we need that bus?"
"Ah...!"
I stood up with the flustered Na-eun and headed out to the bus that had just arrived.
We tapped our cards and went to the back seats together.
Noticing her fare was the discounted youth rate, it hit me again that she was still a minor.
Youth. Honestly, I wasn't eager to become an adult. Watching my sister had shown me a glimpse of the responsibilities that came with it.
Yet here I was, an adult, sitting next to Na-eun, who was on the cusp.
Maybe that's why I teased her a bit mischievously.
"Next week, you'll be an adult, huh?"
"Yeah..."
"How's it feel?"
"...Kinda weird."
"Weird how?"
"Just... everything."
Exactly like me back then.
A week from now, I'd be the same as today, but that future me would be an adult.
Just that fact felt strangely wondrous and off.
"Enjoy it while you can. This time won't come back."
"Obviously."
Na-eun knew it too, beaming with that cute smile.
Hard to believe that grin would belong to an adult next year.
Riding the bus with Na-eun, still flashing that fresh, adorable smile, we headed to...
The botanical garden, her top pick.
The first place I'd chosen to go with Seonwoo oppa was none other than the botanical garden.
I'd racked my brain over good date spots, but nothing great came to mind.
Then I remembered a place my friends had mentioned going with their boyfriends recently.
The botanical garden—seems ordinary for a date at first, but according to them, it's super romantic.
A greenhouse, so it's warm even in winter; strolling among pretty flowers and exotic plants lifts your mood instantly.
Plus, even in winter, sunlight pours in, making it even better.
Being there alone with Seonwoo oppa? Pure bliss.
That's what I thought when we arrived, but...
"Lots of people."
"Yeah..."
Maybe because it's Christmas, or the cheap entry fee—crowds everywhere.
Adults, students, couples, families... all kinds.
Not crushingly packed, but a bit much for an intimate date.
Disappointing, but okay. Livelier than I'd imagined, but still fine. Because Seonwoo oppa was with me.
Still, a little dissatisfied. This was my first date with him as a girl, not a student cramming for exams—and I planned the course. It veering from expectations irked me.
But as if sensing it, Seonwoo oppa smiled softly and soothed me.
"Isn't the buzz fun too?"
The buzz is fun. It felt like he meant we could enjoy any vibe together, melting away my bad mood from moments ago.
"...Yeah, the lively atmosphere sounds fun too."
I nodded and sidled up to him; he walked beside me, matching my pace.
Every little thing about him— so cool, so lovable.