The Freshman Welcome Party
Na-eun's first day of university classes had just wrapped up when she heard some welcome(?) news.
"Oppa, oppa! Do you know about this?"
"What?"
"Our department's throwing a freshman welcome party!"
It was news about the freshman welcome party.
Come to think of it, our department had something like that too... Guess it's already that time of year.
"You going?"
"Of course I have to! Ah, but if you tell me not to, I won't go, oppa."
I shook my head right away at Na-eun's words.
"Nah, you should go. That's how you get closer to your seniors and make friends. Especially since this is your one shot to go as a freshman."
"You're right... But are you going, oppa?"
"Huh?"
I shook my head again, and Na-eun shot me a playful glare.
"Why aren't you going?"
"If a fossil like me shows up, it'll kill the vibe."
"Your department's guy-heavy anyway, so you guys don't do stuff like that much."
My Na-eun had already gotten the full scoop on university life. Good job—major props.
"True, but I'm still not going."
"Why not?"
"'Cause I don't want you getting jealous?"
Na-eun let out a little laugh at my words, then threw herself into my arms.
-rub rub-
"Oppa, I really like you."
Every time she slipped into casual speech like that, my heart pounded like crazy—but she had no idea.
"You should come too, oppa. To the welcome party."
"No thanks."
"Why?"
"Told you, I'm skipping so you don't get jealous."
"I won't~"
Seeing her grin like that made me think maybe I should go... but nah.
There was a reason I wasn't going.
Suhyun Kang would almost certainly be there.
No point showing up at a welcome party with her and making things awkward.
Plus... honestly, I'd rather pick up a tipsy Na-eun after the party's over.
"Na-eun."
"Yeah?"
"I'll be chilling at the PC bang next door. Text me if you drink, okay?"
"You gonna come carry me home?"
"Obviously."
Yeah, it was a given. For Na-eun's sake, I had to.
"Hehe, then I'll leave it to you that day?"
"Got it."
I rubbed her cheek lightly and nodded.
*
A week flew by, and the day of the freshman welcome party arrived.
Na-eun had been a bit out of it during her early lectures, but now she was all smiles, beaming happily.
"You're gonna go drink, right?"
"Yep! Since you're coming to get me, I have to!"
"Don't overdo it, okay?"
"Yeees~"
Na-eun clung tightly to my arm, looking up at me.
Her sparkling eyes made me smile softly.
"I'm getting used to seeing you like this now."
"Like what?"
Right now, Na-eun was dressed super casually for university—like total "plain girl" vibes, in her words.
"It's still pretty cute, though."
"Yeah, cute in its own way."
"...And when you dress up?"
"That's even cuter."
Na-eun burst into giggles at that.
"Phew, good."
Her words suddenly reminded me of something from my time with Suhyun.
Back then, I'd complimented her with "You look pretty even bare-faced," thinking it was sweet. But she told me girls actually hate that.
Made 'em feel like all their effort was for nothing. Something like that.
Even though things ended badly with Suhyun, those lessons made me a better guy.
Ah, though thinking about her still soured my mood a bit.
"Na-eun, don't let anyone force you to drink."
"Of course not!"
"Half a bottle max—like three and a half shots."
"Got it, got it."
She said that, but honestly? I doubted she'd listen.
Her face screamed, I'm getting smashed tonight!
Looked like I'd be hauling a plastered girl home tonight.
Lucky me—I'd worn dark clothes on a hunch.
"Na-eun, what time's the welcome party?"
"6 PM at the street food tents by school!"
"Wanna hang till then?"
"Duh!"
Na-eun nodded wildly, gazing up at me.
Man, picturing this cutie chugging booze at the party was kinda terrifying.
I just hoped she'd pace herself.
*
We had a blast hanging out, then I walked her to the tents.
"I'll be at the PC bang next door."
"Okay, see you soon!"
"Yeah, I'll pick you up at 9."
I watched her nod eagerly, pushing down my unease as I headed to the PC bang.
Then I fired up some games with the guys.
From 5:50 straight till 9.
It was past 8 now, and with only ten minutes left on my session, I stood up.
"Alright, I'm out."
"Cool, bye."
"Get home safe."
"If Jeong Na-eun's wasted, just ditch her."
"Shut up."
Seung-min's warning cracked me up.
Those two were real siblings, alright. The realest.
Imagining Na-eun bickering with him, I headed to the tents next door.
Stepping into the rowdy spot, I spotted her...
...surrounded by girls and a few guys, laughing her head off.
The empty bottles and her goofy grin confirmed it.
Na-eun hadn't paced herself at all. She was totally sloshed, giggling like crazy.
I walked over slowly, and that's when I heard her voice.
"I have a boyfriend! A suuuper handsome boyfriend!"
"How handsome?"
"The handsomest in the wooorld! Jinhan University senior!"
She was spilling all the embarrassing stuff.
"He's right theeeere~ Ahh, later! Oppa~!"
Na-eun waved wildly, spotting me.
Even drunk, she found me. Good girl.
...I'd say that, but her state? No way.
I walked up, pinched her cheek lightly.
"Told you to drink in moderation."
"Hnggg... "
I ignored her cute whine and apologized to the group.
"Sorry, she seems really wasted. Mind if I take her?"
"Oh... yeah..."
"See ya, Na-eun."
"Get home safe!"
The guys who'd been chatting her up earlier just stared quietly. Envy in their eyes.
Kids, pro tip from a senior: Don't CC before the army if you can help it.
One rubber shoe flip and you're all doomed.
Oh, and...
...Na-eun's mine. Hands off.
* * *
By the time my tongue started slurring from all the booze, oppa came to pick me up.
I'd bragged about him nonstop before that—he must've loved it.
I followed Seonwoo oppa out, grabbing his sturdy arm and rubbing my cheek against it.
"Hehehe."
"Na-eun, how much did you drink?"
"A loooot!"
Who knows. I just drank whatever they gave me.
"Aigoo."
Seeing oppa look at me like what am I gonna do with you made me so happy.
Care about me more. Look only at me. Love me more.
I gripped his arm tighter...
-wobble!
My foot slipped.
"Whoa!?"
-whoosh! -hug!
But I didn't fall. Oppa, holding my hand, pulled me in.
Safe in his arms, I whispered my thanks.
"Oppa... thank you..."
"...You're really drunk."
His words hit me—something felt off.
"...Oppa?"
"C'mon, I'll take you home."
Was oppa mad?
I didn't want that. I hated the idea of him hating me.
Clinging to his arm, I blurted it out.
"Sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Huh? For what?"
"For not listening... drinking too much... sorry... don't hate me..."
I hugged his arm harder, begging from the heart.
Oppa stopped, then...
-hug! -kiss
He pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine.
"I'm not mad, so don't worry."
"...Okay."
His voice felt a little scary but so reassuring—I couldn't help smiling.
"Let's get you home safe."
"Yeah..."
My heart was racing as I nodded.
What had I even said...?
...
When I came to, Seonwoo oppa and I were at a motel.
Not home—a motel.