#45 - Na-eun's First Drink
After Christmas ends, what’s the very first event that comes along? There’s only one. It’s none other than the New Year.
New Year's Eve, the last day of the year. I was gaming with my friends that day too.
Just before midnight, I stepped away from the computer and headed to my family.
“Happy New Year, lots of good fortune!”
“Yeah, son. Happy New Year to you too.”
“Happy New Year~”
I greeted my parents first, who were chuckling together in the master bedroom watching a drama, then headed to my sister’s room.
Knock knock knock.
I knocked, and my sister came out.
She looked a bit worn out from pulling an all-nighter on work the night before, which made me feel a little sorry for her, but I still had to say it.
“Sis, Happy New Year.”
“Uh… oh, right, New Year. Thanks, you too.”
She patted my head lightly, then went straight to the master bedroom to greet Mom and Dad.
She came back to her room and waved at me.
“Good night…”
“Yeah, night.”
Normally she’d tease me or pick a fight, but she looked so purely exhausted that I couldn’t even joke around.
Joking’s something you do when people have the energy for it—teasing someone that wiped out is basically forbidden.
I went back to my room and messaged my friends right away.
“Happy New Year, everyone.”
“Thanks~”
“HNY.”
“Happy NY~”
We exchanged light New Year's greetings, and I opened up KakaoTalk on my computer.
As soon as I did, a ton of New Year's messages poured in, like they’d been waiting.
There were notes from classmates I’d gotten to know at university, army juniors I still kept in touch with, even the army buddy who’d comforted me after my breakup, plus a few high school friends.
And…
Na-eun’s bubbly message was there too.
Last year around this time, the only woman who’d sent me New Year's wishes was that bitch Suhyun Kang. Now Na-eun had taken her place.
I replied to Na-eun with genuine gratitude.
Na-eun must’ve been in a great mood—she sent a flood of hahas.
What’s got her so happy? Is turning 20 that exciting?
I didn’t feel that thrilled when I hit 20.
Becoming an adult means breaking free from the teenage label.
You get more freedom, sure—but even heavier responsibilities come with it.
I hated that responsibility. I knew indirectly just how crushing it could be, so I didn’t want to grow up.
But Na-eun seemed to love the freedom that came with adulthood more.
Yeah, fair enough. Especially for an extrovert like her, surrounded by friends—adulthood probably feels like a party.
I nodded to myself, satisfied with that logic, and kept gaming with the guys…
“Hey, Seonwoo.”
Seung-min Jeong called out to me suddenly.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Check KakaoTalk, man.”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Ooh, what’s that? Why the secret convo?”
“Ignore ’em, they’re dating.”
“Shut up, you punks.”
“You crossed the line—apologize to me.”
“Why apologize to you? Apologize to me.”
We did our usual WWE bit, then I checked KakaoTalk like Seung-min said.
A somewhat urgent message had come in.
Ah, so Na-eun had her first drinks tonight.
That explained her extra pep a minute ago—her hyper energy had me scratching my head, but now it clicked.
But was that something to KakaoTalk me about privately?
As the questions piled up and my head started spinning, Seung-min sent a warning.
Ohhh, got it.
Na-eun’s gonna call me drunk. That’s the warning.
…Yeah! I don’t get it! And I don’t even wanna!
Drinking herself silly and calling someone? Na-eun pulling that kind of nuisance stunt?
The Na-eun I know would never.
She’s not some perfect lady or anything. If I had to pin it, she’s more of a tomboy.
But she’s the type who’s super polite and proper with me, especially.
That kind of girl calling me wasted? No way.
I trust Na-eun. Our sweet, well-mannered Na-eun.
…That was three minutes ago.
Riiiing riiiing riiiing.
My phone was buzzing with an incoming call, and the screen read “Na-eun Jeong.”
Looks like my read on Na-eun still can’t top Seung-min’s.
Too bad.
A call’s a call, so I muted my mic and picked up.
“Hello?”
“Oppa~aaaaa~”
Na-eun’s voice came through all slurred and drawn out, screaming I’m totally wasted~.
Hearing her that drunk threw me for a loop, but honestly? Kinda cute.
What can I say—she always seemed a little tense around me.
Seeing her all loosened up like this? Irresistibly adorable. She was cute before, but this was double—no, way more.
“Yeah, Na-eun?”
“Oppa~aaaaa~ Seonwoo oppa~aaaaa~”
Yep, smashed. She just kept calling my name, nothing else.
“Yeah, Na-eun.”
I kept my cool and patience, responding anyway.
Then she finally got to the point, tongue all thick.
“I’m boooored~”
“I’m, gaming.”
I actually was, multitasking the call and the game.
She grumbled at my answer, like it was the worst thing ever.
“Don’t game~ talk to meee~ okay…?”
Her demand, laced with aegyo, would’ve melted me any other time. Not tonight.
“No.”
“Huh…?”
“You’re drunk right now, Na-eun. Time for bed.”
I was firmer than usual. Part of me wanted to lecture her, but I’d save that for sober Na-eun tomorrow.
Right now, just get her to sleep.
But…
“Why…?”
She asked why, voice all watery.
“Why…? Don’t wanna talk to me…?”
“No, it’s not that I don’t wanna talk…”
“I… I wanna talk to oppa… right nooow… nooow…”
Na-eun started whining. The girl who’d tease playfully but never throw a fit like this? Total blindside.
“…Na-eun.”
“Oppa, oppa~ just a little… a tiiiny bit, talk to meee~ pleeease…”
She was properly hammered. No choice—I’d play along a bit.
At this level, she’d crash on her own in about an hour anyway.
“Na-eun, what’d you have for your first drinks?”
“Mmm… soju!”
“Just soju?”
“Beer too!”
Somaek, probably.
“How much?”
“So muuuch~ hehe…”
From what I knew, Seung-min could handle about three bottles of soju.
If Na-eun took after him, she’d done at least four. If not, her parents—overly proud of their girl turning legal—must’ve pushed it on her.
Either way, no more outside drinks for her.
“Oppa~aaaaa~”
“Yeah, Na-eun.”
“I’m sleeepy~”
“Got it. Ready to sleep now?”
“Yeees~”
“Good night, then.”
Finally, I thought. Nope, not yet.
“Oppa~”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t… hang up~”
That aegyo-laced plea made it impossible.
“…Okay.”
“Hehe… thanks~”
With that, Na-eun went quiet.
About an hour later, confirming no sound, I finally hung up.
I vowed to myself: tomorrow, when she’s up, I’d give her an earful. Calling someone drunk is straight-up rude.
That was the plan…
By the time I wrapped up late-night gaming and woke up the next day, Na-eun had already sent her apology KakaoTalks.
She even said Seung-min had already chewed her out once.
What’s left to get mad about? Plus…
…Honestly, drunk Na-eun with her massive aegyo boost was cuteness overload compared to normal.
She was cute sober, but wasted? Lethal dose levels.
So yeah, I kinda liked it. Deep down… you know.