#75 - Long Time No See
After having a blast of a day out with Na-eun for the first time in ages, studying together every day, and finally wrapping up that note test that came after...
"Finaaaally... I can have some fuuuun...."
I could finally play around.
...Or so I said, but aside from sprawling out like this, there wasn't much else I could do.
"Na-eun, how'd the note test go?"
At my question, Na-eun, who had been face-down on the cafe table, looked up at me and nodded slightly.
"Yeah, I think I did okay somehow."
"Good job."
I started stroking her hair like I was tidying it up, and Na-eun burst into giggles as she gazed up at me.
"Hehe, what about you, oppa?"
"Me? I did alright."
In truth, neither of us felt like we'd aced it. No one really did.
Right before the test started, the professor had said, 'Whoever solves even one problem gets top score for the semester.'
In other words, they threw problems way beyond our level at us just to see how we'd approach them.
The moment I heard that, I cursed up a storm in my head.
It felt like the professor just wanted to watch us monkeys perform in the zoo, pure malice with no end in sight.
I gritted my teeth and tried to tackle it amid that malice, but in the end, I knelt before the infinite evil and moved on to other problems.
Which I couldn't solve either, of course.
What the hell are professors, anyway? Do they even have hearts?
You meet the rare sensible ones, and they're so respectable. But ones like this professor, acting without a shred of humanity? They make you rebellious even if you weren't before.
At the same time, I think: That's probably why they become professors.
Isn't it? Professors are basically all elite grads. They slog through that insane TA slave life to climb the ranks—think any of them kept a normal mindset?
Excluding the occasional external lecturer, I'd bet no.
"Huuuuh..."
"Oppa? You okay?"
Na-eun looked at me with worried eyes, and I shook my head while stroking her.
"It's nothing."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
It really was nothing. Who knows what results today's note test would bring, but for now, nothing had happened yet.
As I petted Na-eun, I casually asked her,
"Na-eun, we should start getting ready soon."
"For what?"
"Summer trip."
—Flinch.
Na-eun startled a bit and looked at me.
"...Already?"
"Na-eun, if we're going during peak summer season, we need at least two months to prep."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. So... you said you'd pay this time, right?"
Na-eun immediately started gauging my reaction, like a puppy who'd done something wrong.
Lately, I'd been comparing her to a dog so much that she actually felt like one. How is she this cute?
I ruffled her hair wildly and asked again.
"Got the money ready?"
Na-eun rolled her eyes, pondering what to say. Looked like she was struggling.
Of course, I'd seen it coming.
"Oppa, about that..."
"Na-eun, I'll cover this trip."
She looked flustered and stared at me.
"Oppa, what do you—"
"I figured as much. That you wouldn't have the cash."
"No, but still, you paying for me..."
"It's fine. I expected it from the start."
I really had.
She said she'd get a part-time job, but I knew it wouldn't happen right away.
Part-time gigs only stick if both sides are happy. I figured she'd get rejected once, and sure enough, she did.
She only started working last month.
Even if we went end of June to dodge peak season, costs would be high. Half a month's pay from mid-April wouldn't cut it.
How could I tell her, 'You pay too!'? The older one sets the example here.
"How could I let you..."
Na-eun slumped completely, confidence gone—like a sulky golden retriever.
I petted that golden retriever to my heart's content and soothed her.
"It's okay. You're only twenty now."
"Still... I could break my savings..."
At that, I karate-chopped her forehead—not too hard, but firm.
—Thwack!
"Ow!"
"That was light."
"Hng... it hurts..."
I hadn't gone easy exactly, but seeing her wince made me feel bad.
I rubbed her forehead and comforted her.
"You don't have to pay. I'll handle it. And don't break savings for stuff like this. Savings are for real emergencies."
"This is a real emergency..."
"No, you can't use it for this. Even if you chipped in, it'd be like 40-50 bucks tops. Breaking savings for that? No way."
Her saying she'd break savings actually scared me. For a trip? Way too extreme.
"It's really fine. I'll cover this one, you get the winter one. Got it?"
"Yeees..."
Even saying that, Na-eun still looked upset. Was it the chop, or me paying again?
Either way, I didn't want her bummed.
With that in mind, I made her a solid offer.
"Na-eun."
"Yeah..."
"Later, when you're raking it in... you pay for everything. This trip, the last one—all at once."
Maybe it comforted her; she nodded and smiled faintly.
"I definitely will."
"Good, I'm counting on it."
I lightly stroked her cheek, and she grabbed my hand with both of hers, rubbing it against her face.
Such a stimulating sight—but even more, a happy one.
"Na-eun."
"Yeah."
"You're the younger one. Just turned twenty. Don't try buying me stuff yet."
"I'm your girlfriend first—before younger or twenty."
"Still, there's reality to consider. Your feelings are enough for now."
I really meant it.
Right now, she wants to give back, to repay me—that's plenty. I could live happily with just that.
So I hoped she wouldn't feel burdened.
If she kept mooching forever, sure, it'd be an issue. But I was certain.
Na-eun would never do that.
With that certainty, I petted her again.
Ever since thinking she resembled a golden retriever, she really did.
Why is she so cute? Our Na-eun.
*
After showering Na-eun with affection, I stood up and reached out my hand.
"Na-eun, let's head home."
"Okay, oppa."
She took my hand, jumped up, and trotted after me.
Leading her, I strolled slowly through the university district, entered the subway station, and sat her down.
A seat next to her opened up, so I sat beside her, heading home side by side.
Yeah, up to that point, it was great.
Up to that point, anyway.
"Hey, Seonwoo. Long time no see?"
A voice calling me.
Bright yet seductive. One that stirred a mess of emotions just hearing it.
I turned toward the voice—and there she was.
Short bob haircut, dressed all prettied up—far from sporty.
A bit heavier makeup than I remembered, smiling seductively at me.
Just seeing her made my head throb, thoughts tangling.
"......Suhyun Kang."
"Been well?"
Suhyun Kang. There she was.
Na-eun beside me looked confused, glancing between us after hearing the name.
Ignoring that, Suhyun grinned and sauntered over.
"I said, been well?"
"......Thanks to you."
"Thanks to me, huh?"
What should I say? What could I say?
I'd imagined this a few times. Always the same question burning inside.
Why'd you do it?
Why leave me for another guy?
But now, facing her, the words wouldn't come. I didn't even want to say them.
Maybe because lately, I hadn't thought of Suhyun at all. Only if she came up, a fleeting memory—nothing more.
Because of that? I checked the station announcement.
Our stop was next, so I stood, pulling Na-eun up.
"Na-eun, let's go."
"Y-yeah... okay."
Na-eun dazedly followed my lead, and Suhyun smirked, plopping lightly into my vacated seat.
Ignoring her completely, I just got off the subway with Na-eun.