Na-eun's First Day Butterflies and Our Sweet Commute
Time had flown by since our first commute to school together, and now it was March. The semester was right around the corner.
For Na-eun, it felt more like her official freshman orientation than just the start of classes.
Maybe that's why she'd been extra aegyo-heavy lately.
"Oppa, what should I do?"
"About what?"
"I'm so nervous."
Her words made me burst out laughing the second I heard them.
"Come on, why are you nervous?"
"How could I not be? It's my first college class ever."
Was it, really?
"Nothing to be nervous about. It's just a bit more specialized than high school, but not that different overall."
"Still, it feels different. The vibe, you know?"
Na-eun was lightly tapping me with her tightly clenched little fist.
Her aegyo-packed "attack" had me cracking up again.
"Why are you laughing?"
"'Cause you're cute."
"You always try to get out of things like that."
She said that, but Na-eun was beaming back at me, clearly pleased deep down.
"Na-eun, Na-eun."
"Yeah?"
"You'll get used to it in like two weeks once you're there anyway."
She blinked at me, then shot me a mock glare.
"...Oppa, that was straight-up T vibes just now."
"Hey, I'm relatively F compared to most."
"Still T though, right?"
"Yeah, fair."
My admission set her off giggling uncontrollably.
Was it that funny that I agreed?
I had no idea, but it got me laughing along anyway.
For a moment, it hit me—this might be what our relationship is all about.
Just looking at each other makes us happy. That's us. That's our love.
"We'll go together tomorrow, right?"
"Obviously. Let's always commute together on overlapping days."
"You better!"
Na-eun nodded vigorously and snuggled right back up against my side.
"What time tomorrow?"
"If we're taking it easy, around 7:30 or 8 at the bus stop."
"Then 8 it is."
"Bus stop at 8?"
"Yep!"
I gazed at her enthusiastic nodding and pondered deeply.
...Na-eun, you're such a total golden retriever.
I'd held back before in case it offended her, but now felt like the right time to say it.
Glancing around the café first, I turned to her and gently pinched her cheek.
"Oppa?"
I rubbed it lightly as I spoke over her head.
"...Na-eun, you're a total golden retriever."
"Golden retriever? Like the dog?"
"Yeah, totally."
"How? I'm not that big, and I haven't dyed my hair blonde or anything."
"But you've got all that aegyo. Your hair's super fluffy too? And you're cute."
"What does fluffy hair have to do with golden retrievers?"
"They've got thick fur."
She blinked, then dissolved into peals of laughter.
"Okay, I'll take it!"
Her laughter was so endearing.
I spent the sweetest, fluffiest time flirting and bantering with my adorable Na-eun.
I'm truly happy. But knowing this bliss gets chopped up by college life starting tomorrow? College student life is just tragic like that.
*
The next day, I became a college student—for real this time.
The weather was still chilly, so I threw on my usual fall layers and headed out. No bag or anything; it was OT day anyway.
But my newbie Na-eun seemed clueless about that.
"Oppa~"
She was waving wildly, looking every bit the studious model student I'd seen back in her tutoring days.
Simple outfit, glasses on—classic Na-eun.
"Na-eun, you went casual today."
"Yeah! But oppa."
"Hm?"
"...Why'd you dress so cool?"
Her cheeks puffed out—she had all sorts of complaints, apparently.
"...Feels pretty normal to me."
"Normal? No way."
She glared, then said it with total sincerity.
"Anyone can see you're dressed to slay girls."
"...So how should I dress then?"
"I'll coord you some normie fits later. You have to wear those from now on."
"Uh... okay..."
Normie coordi? Wait, isn't this what I have on already?
Na-eun might be plotting to turn me into a fashion terrorist.
If so, I'd have to desperately convince her otherwise.
Otherwise? Hey, I'd just humbly accept whatever she picked.
*
We caught the bus with Na-eun, transferred at the subway station, and headed to Jinhan University.
Rush hour meant it was packed.
Na-eun and I stood pressed close amid the crowd, leaning on each other.
"...Oppa, sorry."
"Nah, what for?"
More precisely, she was tucked in a corner, and I was shielding her like a human barrier. Keeping other people from bumping her.
"...You could just stick close to me."
"I'm good."
"......"
Na-eun looked worried, like I was uncomfortable, but no need—she was overthinking it.
We weren't stuck like this for hours; just 20 minutes tops. No big deal.
But she wouldn't even tolerate that, reaching out to grab my arm.
"...Hug me, oppa."
"You'll be the one suffering."
"Still, just hold me. Together."
"People are watching."
"They're all on their phones."
I glanced around—yep, everyone buried in screens.
Well then...
"...'Scuse me."
I scooted closer and naturally wrapped my arms around her lightly.
Na-eun dove right into my chest, hugging back tight like she'd been waiting.
"Heehee."
"...You wanted this from the start, huh?"
"Duh. But you like it too, right, oppa?"
As if I didn't.
Just hugging her soft, warm body like this turned the whole commute into pure bliss. I meant that from the bottom of my heart.
That 20-minute ride—long if long, short if short—passed with her in my arms...
"Ughhh... my legs hurt..."
Na-eun started whining about her legs.
We'd already gotten off the subway, obviously. That's why she could complain now.
"Want a piggyback?"
"No way, absolutely not."
"Why?"
"Embarrassing."
Her firm refusal cracked me up.
God, she's so lovable. My Na-eun.
* * *
After that super warm, joyful subway ride hugging oppa tight came the sad part.
"...I wanna take classes with you."
"Maybe one elective next semester? I'm only taking one liberal arts class."
"Why?"
"Next semester's my senior year. Time to slack a bit."
I burst out laughing at his words. How was everything he said so cute and lovable?
Of course, a twinge of loneliness followed. I really wanted to sit in lectures with Seonwoo oppa.
"Today's just OT anyway—won't even take an hour."
"Really?"
"Yeah. We've got tons of time till afternoon classes. We can hang out, walk around campus."
"Yes...!"
I nodded big, buzzing with excitement inside.
I wanted to wander everywhere with Seonwoo oppa, stroll this campus together again.
At the same time, he felt a little mean.
If OT meant short classes, I didn't need to lug all this crap. Should've just come light like him.
With that in mind, I snuck up behind him.
-Squeeze
"Na-eun?"
"Hug me, quick. I'm about to pout."
He turned, wrapping me up tight just like that.
And as he did, he stroked my cheek like I was the cutest thing, even giving it a gentle squeeze.
His touch tickled so good I burst into a bright grin.
"Aigoo, why're you pouting again."
"You didn't warn me about OT."
"I totally did. You just weren't listening."
"Whatever, I'm pouting so hug me more."
"Got it~ My princess~"
Seonwoo oppa hugged me even tighter, and I went full aegyo in his arms.
Days like this from here on out. On non-school days, just meet up around the neighborhood.
I'm so happy. Overflowing with it—like I could conquer the world.
"Oppa."
"Yeah."
"Whoever finishes first messages the other."
"Sure, but I'll always come get you. You're not familiar with the buildings yet."
"Okay."
His sturdy, handsome smile melted me into happiness again.
Being with such a caring, cool guy like Seonwoo oppa forever? Definitely my life's luckiest break.
Has to be.