My Boyfriend's Birthday: Yuna's Heart (2)
Two days still remained until Jihyeok's birthday, but the conversation in their homeroom had already shifted to how the class should celebrate it.
"It's his birthday, so I obviously want to go all out, but Jihyeok hates that kind of thing... Ugh, should we just ignore what he wants this once?"
"That would turn the birthday party into one where we completely disregard the birthday boy's opinion. You think you can handle that? You know how good his memory is."
"This is the only birthday we can celebrate for him this year. Even if he said that, don't you think he's secretly hoping for something?"
"It does seem like it, but knowing Jihyeok's personality, that won't happen."
"How would you know?"
"Just look at Han Yuna. If that were true, there's no way she'd be sitting there so quietly. She'd have spat out at least ten different ideas by now."
"You think...?"
"Right? I'm correct, aren't I?"
"Yeah. He says he's happy with just a simple 'happy birthday' and a present."
"...Is that even a birthday party?"
"That's because you only ever think about throwing huge ones."
Jihyeok's parents were too busy to properly celebrate his birthdays, and there was nothing they could do about it. With three children in the house, it was bound to be difficult. On top of that, all three of them—including his parents—were working, which made it even harder.
The wish Jihyeok had shared with her on the way to school that morning had seeped perfectly into Yuna's mind. The part where he said he would be satisfied with any gift she chose while thinking of him. But Yuna had absolutely no intention of letting this birthday pass by quietly.
Besides the birthday party the teachers and classmates would throw at school, she had something else planned. A small, low-pressure birthday party that her boyfriend would actually enjoy.
"Ta-da! Your teacher has arrived!"
"You're late, teach."
"There's still three seconds left. Where do you get off lying like that?"
"Aw, darn."
"You'll need a lot more practice if you want to fool me. Go study harder and come back."
"Does fooling people require studying too?"
"Huiyeon, there's a bug on your shoulder."
"Waaaaah! Get it off me quick!"
When Jihyeok mentioned a nonexistent bug, Huiyeon shot up from his seat and started jumping around frantically.
"You fall for it so easily."
"Someone get it off... wait, what?"
"You got tricked by Jihyeok."
"There was no bug?"
"Nope."
When Jihyeok answered in his usual dry tone, Huiyeon looked at him with an incredulous expression.
"Whoa. Yoon Jihyeok! You tricked your friend? Just wait, I'm totally getting you back for this!"
"April 4th, 8:00:47 AM. Shin Huiyeon dreams of revenge against Yoon Jihyeok. I'll remember that."
"...I lose."
"Nice. One win secured."
Watching Jihyeok like this, Yuna smiled at the thought that she was seeing a new side of her boyfriend she hadn't known before.
"So he can act like that too?"
"Well... yeah. It's not something he shows often."
"Why not? It's fun."
"It usually only comes out when he's teasing someone. Like right now."
"Pfft... really?"
"Hey, you two over there! Stop flirting!"
"We were just talking. Is that a crime?"
"Wow... Han Yuna is really taking her boyfriend's side."
"Don't mess with my girlfriend. I'll hold a grudge forever."
The moment the words my girlfriend left Jihyeok's mouth, Yuna's heart fluttered wildly. It was a declaration that let everyone know she was his girlfriend, while also showing his determination to protect her.
Even the teacher, who had been holding it in, finally burst out laughing.
"Huiyeon... haha! You really picked the wrong opponent. Haha!"
"Look at me, no one's on my side! That's so mean, teach!"
"Now, now. I'm on every student's side."
Everyone in class, including the teacher, knew that Huiyeon wasn't actually hurt. His dramatic reactions were just his way of playing along with the mood.
After settling the class down, the teacher stood at the front of the room and spoke.
"It looks like you've all been worrying about how to celebrate Jihyeok's birthday. This morning, Jihyeok sent me a text. He told me exactly how he'd like his birthday to be handled."
"Really?"
"Neither Jihyeok nor I would lie about something like this. Listen carefully. This is a request from the star of the show in two days."
What the teacher said was exactly what Yuna already knew. It was no different from the request Jihyeok had made to her on the way to school that morning.
The classmates who heard Jihyeok's request through the teacher wore expressions of disbelief.
"...He really says he's fine with just that?"
"Apparently. If you don't believe it, ask him yourself."
"I know you all want to celebrate my birthday in a big way since it's a special day, but I've never really had my birthdays celebrated before. Birthdays come every year anyway, so there's nothing to feel disappointed about. Maybe it's because of my memory, but if you make a big deal out of it this year, I'll end up expecting the same next year. And if nothing happens then, I think I'd feel a little sad."
When Jihyeok explained why he didn't want a big celebration, his classmates nodded in partial understanding.
"Alright. I'll take care of the cake and a separate gift, so you all prepare your own presents for Jihyeok!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Now, let's begin morning assembly!"
April 4th. Another day of school life had begun.
Until dismissal time, the classmates swarmed Jihyeok with questions, trying to figure out what present he wanted. The result, of course, was a complete failure. Instead of giving any specific answers about what he wanted, he only offered the vague reply, "I'll happily accept anything you give me." The classmates were now struggling to choose gifts.
Yuna, however, was different. Just like Jihyeok had said that morning, he would gladly accept anything his girlfriend bought him. So technically anything would pass. But Yuna had no intention of settling for something simple. Even without his extraordinary memory, she wanted to give him a gift that would linger in his mind.
After all their schedules were finished, on the way home, Jihyeok and Yuna walked hand in hand as usual, chatting away.
"The kids in class seemed really frustrated."
"I really was planning to happily accept whatever my friends gave me... Was my answer too vague?"
"Try thinking about it the other way around."
"The other way?"
"What if it was my birthday and I said, 'I'm fine with anything my boyfriend gives me~' How would that make you feel?"
"...Ah. I get it now."
"It's a happy day. It's only natural that people want to give a good present. Boyfriend, you need to practice graciously accepting things from other people."
"You're right. I should."
While talking about his birthday, they arrived home and headed to their usual secluded spot. It was the place they always went to after school for their usual skinship.
"Today, do you want to stand against the wall, boyfriend?"
"Hm? I don't mind. Why?"
"There's something I want to try!"
"Okay."
Jihyeok stood with his back to the wall as Yuna requested. Then he asked her,
"But what exactly are you—"
Before he could finish, Yuna pushed him against the wall. It was a gentle push so he wouldn't get hurt, but the suddenness left Jihyeok startled as he bumped into it. He looked at her with a surprised expression.
After pushing him against the wall, Yuna put on her best tough-looking face, stretched one hand out to brace against the wall, and blocked his escape route. People called this a wall slam, she'd heard.
"Yoon Jihyeok."
"...Y-yeah?"
Looking into her sharp eyes, Jihyeok thought how someone could change so suddenly.
"Who do you belong to?"
"...Yours."
Yuna didn't seem satisfied with the answer. She leaned her face closer and asked again.
"What? Say it again."
"...Yuna's?"
Yuna leaned in even closer. Now they were so close that one more inch would make their lips touch.
"My name isn't just Yuna. What is it? Try taking it up a notch this time?"
When Yuna stuck out her tongue and slowly licked his lips, Jihyeok looked extremely flustered as he gave the answer she wanted.
"...Ugh. H-Han Yuna's..."
"That's right... You're mine. You know that, right?"
"...Of course. Whose boyfriend would I be otherwise..."
"Good. Since my boyfriend gave the correct answer, I should give him a reward, shouldn't I?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Close your eyes. Mine."
Watching Yuna push forward so aggressively, Jihyeok looked nervous on the outside. But when she changed her usual pet name from "boyfriend" to "mine," his heart secretly fluttered. He closed his eyes as she asked.
Perhaps it was because of the way Yuna's tongue had lightly swept across his lips before the Cross Kiss began. Thanks to the taste of her saliva, Jihyeok felt her flavor more clearly than ever while they kissed.
It wasn't the usual romantic kiss. This was an aggressive one where Yuna took the lead and seduced him, and it seemed to be far too strong a stimulus for Jihyeok.
"...Haa..."
"Mmm..."
When a strange sound escaped Jihyeok's mouth, Yuna let out a small laugh.
"What was that sound? I didn't know my boyfriend could make such a cute noise."
"...How should I put it. I could feel you better than usual..."
"Really?"
"Licking my lips before the kiss was too much..."
"Pfft... If you react like this over just that, how are you going to survive on our 100th day?"
To take their Cross Kiss one step further, Jihyeok and Yuna had promised each other that their first Deep Kiss would happen on their 100th day together, with Jihyeok initiating it. Remembering that promise, Yuna had decided to start preparing him from today so he could get used to his lover's tongue. That was what the lip-licking had been about.
She thought she had grown a bit, but Jihyeok's reaction was completely unexpected. She was both flustered and found it secretly adorable.
Yuna tasted his lips once more.
After the light peck, the Bud Kiss they shared to finish felt like it made both their hearts race even more strongly.
"...What we did today was pretty stimulating... but it made my heart race that much more."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Especially when you changed the pet names."
It seemed that switching from the usual "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" to "mine" and "yours" had been a fresh new stimulus for Jihyeok.
"Then... should we change our pet names from now on?"
"Sure. When do you want to start?"
"Changing them right now feels too childish. Is it okay if I switch whenever I feel like it?"
"Of course. I'll be waiting whenever you're ready."
"Okay! Got it!"
After successfully finishing their uniquely styled Cross Kiss, Jihyeok and Yuna headed back to their respective homes.
"Get home safe~ Boyfriend!"
"You too. Oh, there was something I wanted to say."
"Yeah? What is it?"
Yuna stepped closer.
"What? What?"
Jihyeok brought his face to her ear, whispered, and hugged her at the same time.
"I love you, Yuna."
"...I love you too, Jihyeok."
The heartbeat they could feel from each other while embracing gradually grew stronger. Only after sharing ten Bud Kisses in front of the house did the two of them finally head inside.