A High School Girl After So Long?
March had arrived.
March was here, but my daily life hadn't changed much.
I was just lounging around the house, working out a bit, playing games, studying lightly, sleeping... living the true life of a freeloader.
"Hey, little bro, you never going out?"
"Nah, no reason to."
Sometimes Seong Lee would come poking around like this, but I didn't pay it any mind.
Why? Because even if she tried to pick a fight, she was still just my sister. She couldn't do anything to me.
...Okay, that's not it. It was just the usual WWE between siblings.
"You at least went out a little when you were dating, but now you're totally..."
"…."
"...Sorry, forget I said that."
My sister must've realized it still stung a bit, because she backed off quick. Seeing her act sharp for once softened me up too.
"If you get it, get out of my room."
"Nah, don't wanna."
"What?"
At my question, she suddenly shoved a bill at me.
"Go get me a Subway sandwich."
Subway, the customizable kind.
"Subway?"
"Buy yours with the change."
"Out of nowhere?"
"Too lazy to go myself."
"Order delivery."
"Delivery has a minimum order."
"If I buy mine too, doesn't that cover it?"
"Nope. They raised the minimum here."
We argued it out, but it went nowhere, and the second-lowest in the family hierarchy had no choice but to get dressed and head out.
"Tch, fine. I'll go."
"Okay~ Thanks~"
She waved me off as she left my room, and I sighed heavily while throwing on some clothes to get ready.
*
It was evening, so the place was surprisingly crowded.
I bought the sandwich my sister ordered, grabbed one for myself too, headed home, and tossed it to her. She looked thrilled.
"Good?"
"Obviously~ Oh, right. You heading out again today?"
"Huh?"
"What else? Tutoring."
It was Wednesday—if it were last week, it'd be tutoring day.
And yeah, I was going today too.
"Gotta go. Why wouldn't I?"
"Okay, have a good time~ No funny business~"
Her waving was annoying as hell, but since she'd bought me a sandwich, I kept my mouth shut.
With dinner sorta handled via sandwich, I grabbed my phone and messaged Na-eun Jeong.
Na-eun replied in seconds, which was cute and sweet. I quickened my pace more than usual toward her house.
A few minutes later, I arrived at Na-eun's family home...
"Oppa, hi~!"
She greeted me with a bright smile.
But her outfit was different from usual.
Normally, Na-eun wore revealing loungewear at home.
Like dolphin shorts or short shorts.
But today? A school uniform. High school uniform.
"You didn't change out of your uniform?"
"Yeah, I just got back!"
Just got back? It was almost 7 p.m. Even if high school ends late, isn't it over by 5:30?
A question popped into my head, but I brushed it off and went inside.
"Excuse me..."
"Oh, parents and oppa are all out, so come on in comfy!"
"Uh... okay..."
No idea why Seung-min Jeong or her parents being out meant I could just waltz in, but whatever. I took it at face value.
A girl just past puberty might find family around awkward, sure.
Brushing it off like that, I headed to her room as usual.
Nothing different about her room. Except her bag sitting neatly by the desk.
"Bag's here today."
"Just got back, remember!"
She said it proudly, pulling out her books. CSAT prep workbooks she'd bought.
"Did these all through lunch~ Finished my homework!"
She explained in detail how she'd powered through, like she was begging for praise.
"Good job."
I gave her what she wanted.
No reason not to if she craved praise. A few words aren't hard.
Plus, she had done great. I wouldn't scold her for unfinished work—in fact, I'd cut it down to make sure she finished.
A student this diligent fired me up too. Grateful for her.
"Let's grade first?"
"Yes!"
She plopped down energetically, humming a tune.
So relaxed, I couldn't help sliding her the English vocab book.
"...Oppa?"
"Study words at least."
"Ehhh... Can't I rest a bit...?"
"You rested till I got here."
"Ughhh..."
No comeback, so she sighed and cracked open the vocab book.
So earnest and cute—I smiled.
No hiding it, I started grading her problems.
As expected, full detailed solutions.
Na-eun Jeong was diligent all around.
*
Two hours later, tutoring wrapped. Na-eun flopped face-first onto her desk.
"Ughhh... So tiring..."
"Good work."
Routine words said, I started packing books.
Looking up at me, she pouted and grumbled.
"Oppa, just go...?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Can't we chat like usual before you leave?"
"Nope."
Absolutely not. Fine at 3 or 4 p.m., but it's 9 p.m. now. She has school tomorrow, maybe homework.
Chatting now? Risky on all fronts.
Plus, she's a 19-year-old high school girl. Adult guy lingering late in her room? Super risky.
"Tch..."
Disappointed look, then she smiled and asked,
"Oppa, one question. Super curious. Answer it?"
"What?"
One's fine, I thought, prompting her. She grinned, stood, and asked,
"How's the uniform?"
"Uniform?"
"Su~per cute, right?"
I glanced at her uniform.
Na-eun's school uniform was way prettier than ones I knew. But something felt off.
"...This isn't our school, right?"
"No, it is! The one you graduated from."
What? Why's the uniform different?
Head spinning, she laughed and explained.
"They changed it right after you graduated."
"Ah..."
Great news. And terrible news.
"...You should've suffered the ratty gray one too."
"Oppa, too much? So pretty, and you want me in that ugly thing?"
Her grumbling was cute but a tad annoying. If we were closer, like real siblings, I'd pinch those squishy cheeks.
"Fine, fine. Jealous."
"Heehee... So, impressions?"
"Said it's pretty."
"No, like, seeing a high school girl in uniform after forever."
She struck a pose highlighting her killer figure, eyes on me.
Feeling that gaze, I checked her outfit and replied casually.
"...Nothing special."
"Boring."
"Boring or not, just saw a high school girl. What's the issue?"
"Doesn't 'high school girl' feel kinda special?"
"Not. At. All."
Ignoring her hard, I grabbed my bag. Seeing her a bit let down, I tossed her a bone.
"Still, suits you well. The uniform."
"Really...!?"
"I don't say empty words."
"I know! Heeheehee."
Beaming like she'd won the lottery.
Sensing her weird satisfaction, I headed out, dropping a bonus.
"If you're bored, chat Saturday. Got it?"
"Ah... Yes! Got it!"
She nodded vigorously. I waved and dragged my tired self out.
* * *
"Auntie, I'll head out."
"Okay~ Be safe~"
-Ding-a-ling~
The second Seonwoo Lee stepped out, I dove onto my bed.
-Fluff~
Sinking into the soft mattress, first thing I did...
-Thump thump thump thump
...Was kick my legs wildly against it.
It felt so good. Thrash-around good.
He said I was pretty. Seonwoo oppa called me pretty. Said the uniform suited me.
Could be casual praise, but to me? Huge. A sign I could look hot to him.
Too happy—grinning ear to ear. Made me wanna fantasize about Seonwoo oppa.
Hugs, his warmth...
But reality crashed in.
"Na-eun Jeong! Change out of that uniform!"
"Mommm...!"
Mom's interruption.
Grumpy at her, but knowing she was right, I let her help me change.
Into pajamas, back on the bed, I replayed his praise.
Pretty. Hoping someday it'd hold affection, I hugged my doll tight.