#55 - A Holiday of Mutual Longing
Over the two weeks we'd been dating during the Lunar New Year break—spending our time on dates at the PC bang and manga cafe—I thought our relationship had grown even closer. But then one incident suddenly put some distance between us.
What was it?
"Oppa... I don't wanna go...."
"You still have to."
"Nooo...."
Na-eun had to head back to her family home for the holiday.
"Three days, two nights at your parents'?"
"Yeah...."
"You'll get tons of praise anyway, now that you're at Jinhan University."
"You think so...?"
"Of course~ No doubt about it~"
She'd earned that "of course." Na-eun's scores were basically a guaranteed admission to Jinhan University—truly impressive.
With entrance exam rankings that'd likely put her at number one, she could strut around proudly wherever she went.
"But my family has so many amazing people already..."
"True, your family does have a lot of impressive folks."
"What about your family, oppa?"
Who in my family stood out as amazing...? There were several, but the first one that came to mind was...
"My sister."
"Seong unnie?"
"Yeah, she's probably the most impressive one in our family."
I really, truly meant that.
My sister had become hugely famous through freelance work even before graduating college. She made more money freelancing than most people do with stable office jobs.
And what university? One of Korea's top art schools.
Damn, thinking about it like this, Seong really is a monster. It was almost infuriating.
"Aren't you impressive too, oppa?"
"Impressive? Jinhan University is just decently good."
"Then doesn't that make me just decently good too...?"
"You could've gone to a top school but chose Jinhan. This is my max level."
Na-eun puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy with my words.
"Oppa is impressive. You're definitely not unimpressive."
"Thanks."
I was genuinely grateful.
No one else in the world could make a nobody like me feel so impressive and worthy. How could I not be thankful?
As I gently stroked her head, Na-eun purred and rubbed her cheek against my hand.
She was so full of aegyo, my utterly lovable girlfriend.
"You'll come back for the weekend, right?"
"Yeah, of course I'll be back for the weekend."
"Good. Then... let's meet up over the weekend and plan."
"Huh? Plan what?"
As a question mark floated over her head, I gave her the words she'd been waiting for.
"What else? Planning our trip next month."
Her eyes blinked, then sparkled brightly.
"For real...? We're really going on a trip together?"
"Yeah, thinking something light like a one-night, two-day trip..."
I glanced at her as I spoke.
Na-eun's eyes were glittering like stars were shining in them. Insanely bright.
Was going on a trip with me that exciting? It was almost baffling.
"I'll cover all the lodging and transportation, so don't worry—just pick what you like."
"Huh? How could you? We're going together."
"I'm not so broke that I'd take money from a just-turned-twenty girl."
"Liar. You're a college student too, oppa."
...She must not know how much her parents gave me.
Seriously, between that and my stock investments, I had a solid amount saved. Enough to cover tuition and more—especially since scholarships paid for over half.
"I'll handle this trip, but starting next one, we'll split it. Got it?"
"Okay...."
She looked a bit upset, head hanging low, but this was non-negotiable for me.
I wanted to treat Na-eun. I wanted to give her the best experiences.
That was my wish—and my greed—as her boyfriend.
Of course, next time I'd actually take her share. Dutch pay all the way.
"Na-eun-ah, we'll talk trip details when you get back."
"Yeah, sounds good. But what are you doing for the holiday, oppa?"
What was I doing?
"Nothing. Staying home."
"Huh? Why?"
"We haven't gone to our grandparents' for ten years."
"What?"
"They told us not to bother. They find ancestral rites a hassle, so just send greetings and bring souvenirs from our trips."
"...Whoa."
Na-eun was purely impressed, and honestly, so was I. It wasn't an easy choice.
Part of it came from our family's closeness—we saw extended family every couple months anyway—but I wouldn't mention that. It might pressure her.
"So yeah, I'm totally free."
"Lucky...."
"Jealous? Don't be. I haven't gotten sebaetdon in ten years."
"Oh...."
Indeed, no New Year's money since elementary school. How could I, when I never saw the givers?
I got some from my parents, but Mom took it back. "I'll give it when you're older."
I'm already grown—still waiting.
I knew she wouldn't. That money was long gone.
As those foolish thoughts swirled, a soft finger poked my cheek.
"Na-eun-ah?"
"Yeah?"
"Why poke my cheek?"
"Just 'cause~"
Her giggling cleared my complicated thoughts in an instant.
Yeah, just pretend that money doesn't exist. It wasn't even on my radar until now. Gone and forgotten.
"Get lots of sebaetdon for me."
"Okay~"
Watching her bright smile was healing enough.
"Get tons of sebaetdon and save it for our trip!"
"Hey, use it on what you need. College starts soon—expenses everywhere."
"That many?"
"Just club meetings at a cafe could run you nearly ten thousand won."
"Eeeek...."
We spent the rest of the time chatting happily like that.
By the way, when it ended, Na-eun clung to me like glue, refusing to let go. She wouldn't see me again until after the third day of the holiday.
I didn't want to separate either—what could we do? Time to play Romeo and Juliet, if only briefly.
On the first morning of the holiday, our family of four piled into the car and headed to the grandparents'.
We arrived at the apartment building where Grandma and Grandpa had moved a few years back.
Inside, we greeted them and the relatives, did our sebae bows, and got our New Year's money.
As Seonwoo oppa predicted, everyone praised me—"You're amazing for getting into Jinhan University!"—and slipped me double the usual sebaetdon.
It felt great, but I missed Seonwoo oppa so much it was driving me crazy.
Without thinking, I slipped into a corner of the room and called him.
*Ring ring ring*
*Ring ring ring*
*Click!*
"Hello?"
His sweet voice hit me the second he picked up—barely any rings—and I burst into a grin.
"Oppa, whatcha doing?"
"Working out."
"This early?"
"It's morning—that's why. Wakes me up too. Feels great."
"You're so diligent."
"Diligent is good~"
Our usual banter felt extra special. Probably because I hadn't seen him in two days.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"I miss you."
I poured my heart into it. He responded right away.
"I miss you tons too."
He had no idea how perfect that made me feel.
"Heeheehee... Oppa, I got tons of sebaetdon."
"How much?"
"Hehe~ Guess the first digit?"
"Two?"
"Three, nyah~"
"Ooooh~ Nice! Save it, okay?"
"Yeah~"
His praise felt amazing. He was just purely happy for me.
How did I end up dating someone like this? Must've saved a country in a past life.
"Eat lots of good food with family and have fun."
"Okay. But oppa, what if I gain weight from all the eating?"
It was playful teasing.
As if waiting for it, he chuckled and gave the most heartwarming reply.
"Even if you gain weight, I'll still love you. Don't worry."
How could anyone not love a guy like this?
With a smile spreading across my face, I replied.
"I love you, Seonwoo oppa."
"Yeah, I love you too. So much."
He was the kindest, warmest person imaginable.
So warm that even now, miles away, my heart felt toasty.