#73 - Part-Time Na-eun Whines "Hweeeeng... Oppa..."
Na-eun came clinging to me, pulling out every ounce of aegyo in her arsenal.
I stroked her hair, soothing her as best I could.
"Too busy, huh? But it'll get better once midterms are over."
"Yeah... you think so...?"
"Definitely."
She kept nuzzling her head against my hand, grinning ear to ear like she was in heaven.
Na-eun was enduring hellish days with exams and assignments piling up, but even that might've been manageable on its own.
But that wasn't the end of it—that's why she was whining like this now.
"I have to go to my part-time job too..."
Yeah, because she was working a part-time gig.
The bakery we'd found before ended up hiring someone else instead, leaving Na-eun to job-hunt for about a month.
But places matching her conditions were scarce, and it was only recently that an opening popped up at a bakery near the subway station.
"Part-time... sob... I don't wanna go... I should've just tutored kids like you, oppa..."
"Do that after your bakery shift ends."
"If I don't get fired or quit, I'll stick it out to the end."
"True, but if you say you're quitting after a year, they'll let you go no problem."
That's just how college student part-timers are. If they show up for a month, bosses are grateful. A year? That's lifelong friendship material. Anything more? You're family for life.
Expectations for student workers are rock-bottom.
And if one actually sticks around a full year and says, "I'm out"? You'll stay in touch, laughing and chatting now and then. At least, that's how I see it.
"Buuuuuh..."
Na-eun puffed out her cheeks like a chipmunk, then deflated with a long pfffffft—all on her own, without me even poking.
"...I really, really don't wanna go."
"Why, is it tough?"
She nodded vigorously at my question.
"Yeah, super tough."
"But you're good with people."
"Dealing with customers is easy, but making the bread... ughhh..."
She shuddered all over.
Surprising? Kinda. Makes sense? Totally.
It's unexpected that Na-eun—who loves baking cookies and cakes—hates making bread at work. But given her outgoing E-type personality, it tracks that customer service is a breeze.
She's got so many layers. That's my Na-eun for you.
I pinched her cheeks and rubbed them gently, then whispered in her ear.
"How about I swing by your workplace today?"
She shook her head no so fast it blurred.
"Absolutely not...!"
"Why not?"
"Why do you think...? It'll be awkward...!"
Awkward, huh...
Honestly, I'd feel the same if our roles were reversed.
Na-eun showing up at my café as a customer? Peak awkwardness.
But something inside me—a little kid, maybe—was screaming.
Go! Go! Go!
They call it FOMO or whatever... wait, no, that's not it. Point is, my prankster side was fully activated.
Whatever. It was time for her to head out anyway.
"Siiiigh... Oppa, I'm off..."
"Alright, guess I should get moving too."
We got up from her room together and slipped on our shoes at the entryway.
"I really... don't wanna gooo..."
I fought to keep my mischief hidden as she lamented.
No smiling now. She'll catch on.
Hold it in, save it for the perfect moment.
So she can scream her head off.
Oh man, I can't wait.
*
Back home, I kept studying.
Some of it clicked, but other times I wondered, What the hell am I even reading?
Juggling those thoughts, I glanced at the clock, packed my papers and reports into my bag, and stood.
"Sis, I'm heading out."
"Where to?"
"The bakery. Gonna study there."
"...A bakery?"
Come to think of it, she doesn't know Na-eun works at one.
Keep it zipped. This was just a harmless prank, but if that busybody found out, it'd blow up.
"Gonna order coffee and bread, study there."
"Why not a café?"
"Café bread sucks."
"Fancy ones are good."
"Broke."
We bickered, but she let me go easier than expected.
Was hoping for pocket money. Bummer.
With those predictable thoughts, I headed out and walked about twenty minutes to the subway station.
Bus would've been five, but I felt like walking.
Anyway, I arrived at Na-eun's bakery...
-Creak~
"Welcome..."
Na-eun froze mid-greeting.
"Yo...!"
She choked out a response, her eyes a perfect storm of rage and shock.
Perfect. I'm loving this.
Nodding smugly, I went in and bought a castella—my favorite with coffee—and a ddukkokku she couldn't resist.
Handing them over, I added,
"One tall iced Americano too, please."
"...Yes, one ddukkokku, one castella, one tall iced Americano. Total 9,900 won."
I could practically hear her thoughts as she smiled through gritted teeth.
You're dead after my shift.
It's fine. She'll spare my life.
Grinning brightly, I shot my shot.
"Any chance I could get your number? You're my type."
"I have a boyfriend. Enjoy your coffee."
I nodded as she fired back with a smile.
"Too bad. You really are."
Her face twisting was hilarious.
I could get addicted to this.
* * *
I'd suspected it when oppa mentioned bakeries, but I never thought he'd actually show up.
Okay, fine, him coming is nice—super nice, even...
But why ask if I have a boyfriend? When you're my boyfriend?
For the first time, Seonwoo oppa was annoying. Not hateful, just straight-up irritating.
I just wanted to flick his forehead once. Once.
A dream I'd never fulfill, obviously.
"Haaaah..."
As I sighed deeply, the shop owner— a sweet lady in her early fifties—came over.
"Whoa, Na-eun, what's with the heavy sigh?"
"Well..."
"That guy earlier even hit on you for your number?"
She'd seen the fresh twenty-something drama and was chuckling.
"Handsome guy, huh? Your boyfriend must be even hotter?"
I dropped the bombshell.
"...That handsome guy is my boyfriend."
"No way! Your man's a total prankster."
"I knew he was playful, but not this much."
Yeah, I really didn't. Maybe he'd been holding back all this time.
Because I'm younger. Because I want him to take the lead.
Truth is, the prank caught me off guard, but I wasn't mad at him.
The owner seemed to get it, speaking softly.
"Still, he kept stealing glances at you while studying. Your boyfriend really likes you~"
Yeah. No matter what, Seonwoo oppa adores me. And I him.
...Doesn't mean I'm forgiving him, though.
*
"Hmph!"
"Sorry~ Couldn't stay away from you."
"Hmph!!"
I pouted hard at Seonwoo oppa, and he kneaded my shoulders.
Sorry, forgive me, missed you too much.
It softened my anger a bit, but I kept up the sulk.
"Whatever, I'm not talking to you."
"...Even with ddukkokku ready?"
I glanced over, and he handed me the ddukkokku from earlier.
They come in such tiny batches from the factory—employees can't even snag one.
"...Is this for me?"
"You think I'd prank you empty-handed?"
"Then... um... thanks, I'll dig in...?"
I took it with both hands.
And just like that, grins exploded across my face.
Partly 'cause ddukkokku's amazing, but mostly because I realized he hadn't pranked me thoughtlessly.
He'd thought of me, prepared a peace offering for my inevitable pout.
So sweet, so kind. That's why I love him.
...Side note: The ddukkokku was insanely good.
Too pricey to beg for more, though.