#80. Sanitary Pad
#80. Sanitary Pad
Reason for the irrationality.
After entrusting my body to the bus and quite some time passing, I finally understood why Na-eun had spoken to me so harshly.
Dude. She's on her period!
For a dating newbie like Lee Min-ho, it was harder to figure out than expected, but I eventually succeeded in my deduction.
Unless she's on her period, there's no way a perfectly fine girl would suddenly cry, then laugh, then kick me out of the house.
Of course, calling her "perfectly fine" felt a bit off too, but anyway, having discovered the right answer, I grinned from ear to ear and texted Na-eun.
[You're on your period.]
Ah~ If you'd just told me beforehand, I wouldn't have agonized like this.
I knew well enough that women get sensitive on those days.
If you'd given me even a slight hint, I'd have tucked my tail between my legs and not provoked you.
But even after the 1-check mark disappeared, no reply came from Na-eun.
...What? Did I screw up again?
Is that something you're not supposed to ask?
But that didn't make sense—we'd talked about Fleshlights and dildos and all sorts of even more vulgar stuff.
I didn't think the language level was too extreme.
[Buy me some pads.]
See? I knew it.
But pads...? At home? Does she need pads at home?
I really don't get it.
[Don't you have any at home?]
[...Would I ask you to buy them if I did?]
Fair point.
But how is that possible? A girl's house without pads?
[You really don't have any?]
[I'm sensitive right now.]
...Tsk. What do I do? Should I get off and buy some?
Yeah. My first girlfriend.
Before meeting Na-eun, I'd thought that if the miracle of me ever getting a girlfriend happened, I'd do anything for her—even pluck stars from the sky.
It wasn't even that late at night yet. Could I really not buy her some pads?
[OK. It'll take about 30 mins from here.]
[...Hurry.]
Sounds urgent.
After getting off the bus, I crossed the crosswalk to the opposite stop.
Turns out you can't transfer on the same route.
Even with all the money I make, I hate wasting it on stuff like this.
I was earning way more than a typical college student deserved, but I still couldn't shake the habits from my allowance days.
Frugality isn't a bad thing, though.
As soon as I got off in front of Na-eun's place, I ducked into the convenience store, hesitated for a moment, then pulled my phone out of my pocket again.
The connecting call tone followed.
[Hey. Na-eun.]
[What.]
[What kind should I get?]
I had no idea what pads Na-eun used.
With no memory of ever lurking around this section, I stuck my tongue out at the overwhelming variety.
[Oppa, just get whatever looks good for me.]
[No. Hey. I really don't know shit about these. Just tell me the brand and size.]
[I'll trust Oppa's sense.]
Click.
Is she on her period or what?
Otherwise, how could she be this irresponsible?
Hmm... I scanned the entire display and picked up a pack of pads.
No clue.
I grabbed one labeled medium size and handed over my card at the counter.
"1,900 won."
The male part-timer's puzzled gaze.
You're thinking I'm a pad errand boy right now, aren't you.
Actually, spot on.
I snatched my card back and bolted out of the store, speed-walking to Na-eun's.
Ding-dong.
"Hey. I'm here."
Na-eun slowly opened the door.
Without even taking off my shoes in the entryway, I shoved the black bag at her.
"Here."
"...Thanks."
Na-eun bowed her head, looking embarrassed, and took the bag.
"I'm heading out now."
She clearly looked in a bad mood, so I figured I'd leave her alone tonight.
"Don't go."
Na-eun grabbed my wrist.
"...Stay with me."
"That might be better?"
"...Yeah."
At Na-eun's words, I turned back around and stepped into her Officetel.
Hadn't finished cleaning up yet? The dining table was still plopped in the middle of the living room.
"Want me to move this back over there?"
Na-eun nodded.
It was the perfect size for two people, so I returned it to its spot by the kitchen.
Once I'd moved all the chairs too, Na-eun patted the spot next to her on the sofa with her palm. Pat pat.
We sat side by side naturally.
"...Sorry for saying such harsh things earlier."
"Nah, nah. I had no idea."
"And sorry for lying."
"Nah, nah. Everyone lies sometimes... Huh? Lying?"
What lie?
"...I'm not on my period today."
"...Then why'd you send me for pads?"
"Just 'cause?"
Suddenly, I'm pissed.
"Hey! I came all the way back here because you said you were!"
"Well... if you look closely... I never said I was on it right now?"
"Ah. Cut the bullshit. You definitely—"
To prove it, I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen with a flatfish expression.
Buy me pads. No pads at home. I'm sensitive right now.
Nowhere did it confirm her period was actively happening.
No. But this is ridiculous.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
"Then why'd you call me back?"
"...Wanted to see you."
"That makes sense right n—"
...Wanted to see me?
Na-eun called me here because she wanted to see me?
At this overly normal girlfriend statement, I felt my pupils dilate.
"...Say it again."
I grabbed her shoulders with both hands.
"...Eung?"
Startled by my sudden move, Na-eun let out a dumb sound.
"Say it again. What you just said."
"...Wanted to see you?"
I couldn't hold back and jumped up from my seat.
So cuuuute!!!
Fucking adorable!!!
Na-eun-ah. I'll buy 'em. Pads.
I'll buy 100 of every size.
Na-eun, not seeing my expression, thought my sudden stand-up meant I was mad and was still gauging my mood.
"...You really mad?"
If I didn't show how happy I was, maybe I'd get extra rewards, so I deliberately hid my joy.
"If it were you, wouldn't you be pissed if someone kicked you out and then called you back for some bullshit reason."
Please call me for this reason next time too, Illustrator-nim.
"Yeah... I shouldn't have done that..."
Na-eun, who had stood up after me, leaned her body slyly against mine.
Na-eun's embarrassed face.
My instincts were screaming.
Big one's coming.
This is definitely a big one.
"Can you lower your head a bit?"
I swallowed hard and obediently tilted my upper body down as she instructed.
"...Close your eyes."
Thump thump.
I could feel my heart racing.
More nerve-wracking than when she pulled down my pants.
Come to think of it, we'd never properly kissed even once.
Her lips had touched my dick plenty of times, but a real kiss? Never.
Smack.
"Ah..."
A sigh of disappointment leaked from my mouth.
Because she'd kissed my cheek, not my lips.
"C... Can you settle for this?"
Disappointing, sure, but how could I not forgive her looking like that?
Honestly, the forgiveness was already sealed the moment she said she wanted to see me.
She turned away, not wanting to show her face, but her flushed ears looked ready to steam.
Thinking she was too lovable like that, I wrapped both arms around Na-eun's waist.
"...You think that'll make me forgive you?"
Laughter failed.
A happy smile bloomed across my face.
"Just forgive me, Oppa. I was wrong."
"Hey. If you wanna see me, just say so. Why make me run errands."
"Because..."
Na-eun lightly scratched my arm with her nails.
"It sounds like a psycho. How long ago did I kick you out, and now calling you back like nothing happened."
...Even without that, I've felt like you're a psycho plenty of times.
"Next time, just be honest. That'd be nice."
I subtly voiced my lewd opinion.
"...That's cringey."
"Couples are supposed to be a little cringey, Na-eun-ah."
"Ugh..."
Na-eun reacted like a picky kid offered veggies.
"Oppa."
Na-eun unwrapped my arms and slipped out of my embrace.
"What."
"Sleep over."
"You only meet me to sleep with me?"
I teased her with a grin.
I think she said something similar at the bookstore before.
"The guy who made me do Irama on our first meeting, and now you're playing innocent?"
Na-eun smirked, facing me.
Ah. First meeting callback.
Saying it like that makes my head spin.
If anyone ever asks how our first meeting went, I'd 100% lose my cool and babble incoherently.
But I couldn't just get knocked down like this.
"Be honest. You were super pissed that day 'cause I didn't fuck you."
"Thought the world ended."
She answered refreshingly, like "I can say it now."
With that, Na-eun grabbed the drawstring of my pants.
"So, what about tonight, Oppa."
I knew what she was asking without a subject.
"What're you waiting for, slut."
"...Heeung♥"
It was Friday night.