To Be a Good Boyfriend (3)
After eating lunch and returning to the classroom, the afternoon classes began shortly afterward. The subjects scheduled for the afternoon were all far too easy for Jihyeok and Yoona, so they spent the time secretly messing around in the back. It was mostly Yoona who would tickle Jihyeok or lure him closer by asking him to explain a difficult part, then steal a quick kiss on his cheek. Of course, all these pranks were far too stimulating for Jihyeok. There were several moments when he worried they might get caught, but he somehow managed to hold it together.
“...You’re too much.”
“Sorry, sorry~ Hehe. Did I scare you?”
“It’s a good thing we sit in the very back. Otherwise we definitely would’ve been busted.”
“Okay~ I’ll hold back from now on~”
When he saw Yoona’s enchanting smile, Jihyeok wondered whether he could actually believe her promise to restrain herself. Sure enough, though the pranks were milder than before, she kept teasing her boyfriend with little things. She would secretly hold his hand or press his palm against her own cheek—harmless little tricks that wouldn’t get them caught.
Time passed in a blur of happiness for Yoona and heart-pounding tension for Jihyeok, who never knew when they might be discovered. Before long, the end-of-day homeroom approached. Students who had dozed off from the rote-style lessons began to stir one by one. Once everyone had finished preparing to head home, their homeroom teacher entered through the front door.
“Look at you all, completely obsessed with getting out of here! You’ve already packed up everything!”
“You’re not planning to sleep at school either, are you, sir?”
“That’s true! I’ve got a lot to do at home!”
“Are you going somewhere with your family?”
“Of course! It’s been a while, so we decided to make time during the holiday and go out together!”
“So you’re not exactly in a position to lecture us, huh?”
“Hey! Watch it!”
Although he was their teacher, he usually treated the students almost like friends unless the situation was serious. That was why Jihyeok and Yoona’s homeroom teacher was quite popular at school.
“Alright! Since tomorrow’s the start of the holiday, make sure you all rest well. See you next Monday!”
“Thank you for your hard work—!”
All the students except Jihyeok, Yoona, and the two girls on cleaning duty left the classroom. As everyone focused on cleaning their assigned areas, Yoona approached Jihyeok.
“After we finish cleaning, can you stay behind for a bit?”
“Hm? I don’t mind. Why?”
“I have something important to tell you!”
“Something important?”
Curious about what Yoona meant by “important,” Jihyeok moved as quickly as possible to finish cleaning. Once even the floor mopping was done, Yoona spoke up.
“Oh. I’ll lock the classroom door on my way out. You two can go ahead.”
“Huh? You will? Thanks!”
“Okay! Thanks, Yoona!”
The two girls hurried out of the classroom. Yoona closed both doors, then drew the curtains over the windows to block any view from outside.
“Wait… if you lock it from the inside, how are we supposed to get out?”
“Did you really think I’d lock it from the inside?”
“Then why did you close them?”
“For this.”
The moment she finished speaking, Yoona moved with graceful speed, closing the distance until she stood right in front of Jihyeok and pushed him back against the wall.
“Ow… Yoona?”
Yoona placed both hands on Jihyeok’s shoulders and pressed firmly, as if to prevent any chance of escape. Completely trapped, Jihyeok looked a little frightened as he asked,
“Um… my shoulders kind of hurt. Could you let go and just tell me?”
“I’ll let go if you agree to my request.”
“What kind of request needs you to be this aggressive about it?”
“You’ll understand once you hear it.”
Seeing Jihyeok’s flustered expression, Yoona let out a small snort of laughter.
“What’s wrong~ Why are you so scared? Anyone watching would think I’m about to devour you.”
“It’s because you surprised me too much… and honestly, it really does feel like you might eat me alive…”
“Reeeally~?”
Yoona opened her mouth exaggeratedly wide and brought it close to Jihyeok’s lips.
“Y-Yoona? Maybe you should calm down first? This is school! School! We’re not at home!”
The mouth that had looked ready to take a bite suddenly closed.
“So if we were at home, you’d let me?”
“…Let you what?”
“Kiss you.”
The moment the word “kiss” left Yoona’s lips, Jihyeok’s face flushed bright red. Seeing his reaction, Yoona licked her lips like a lion that had spotted a herbivore on the plains and said,
“What should I do? Seeing my boyfriend look so shy makes me want to kiss him even more.”
“…Ugh. S-so, stuff like that should be done at home…”
“You want to do it at home?”
“…Y-yeah.”
When she saw the tears making Jihyeok’s eyes glisten, Yoona seemed to realize she had pushed him too far. She released his shoulders and said,
“Hehe. Okay. You promise?”
“…Haaah.”
Jihyeok’s legs gave out and he started to slump to the floor. Yoona quickly caught him and helped him sit in a nearby chair. She stroked his still-crimson face and said,
“Sorry. I guess I got too excited because we were alone together.”
“…Aren’t you trusting me a little too much?”
“I told you already. I know your personality. I know that even if I push you like this, you won’t hate me for it.”
Jihyeok had wanted to argue, but Yoona had instantly understood that he couldn’t possibly reject a girlfriend who wanted him this badly. In that moment, she seemed truly impressive to him.
Jihyeok, still seated, took Yoona’s hand.
“You’re holding my hand more naturally now.”
“Don’t you think this is better?”
“You’re right, but I prefer this way.”
As she spoke, Yoona opened their clasped hands and interlaced their fingers instead.
“Doesn’t this let you feel the warmth of your girlfriend’s hand better?”
“It does… I don’t know, it makes my heart race even more.”
“From now on, let’s hold hands like this. Holding hands is something even newly dating couples do. Got it?”
“Yeah. Holding hands isn’t… that hard anyway.”
Jihyeok and Yoona savored the sensation of each other’s touch through their intertwined fingers. Feeling a bit awkward sitting while she stood, Jihyeok rose from the chair.
“Hm? You could’ve stayed seated longer.”
“I can’t just sit comfortably while my girlfriend is standing.”
“Aww~ You don’t have to worry about that.”
“I do. I’d rather stand with you.”
“Hmm… alright then.”
They remained holding hands, quietly feeling each other’s warmth. A peaceful silence filled the classroom. Jihyeok was the first to break it.
“By the way, didn’t you say you had a request?”
“Oh! That’s right. I did, didn’t I?”
Yoona wrapped her other hand around their interlaced fingers and spoke with a very happy expression.
“Tomorrow’s a holiday, right?”
“Yeah. Saturday, March twelfth.”
“Want to go on our first date that day?”
Date. The word referred to a man and woman in love spending time together, wandering around and creating joyful memories. The outcome could vary wildly depending on each person’s attitude. It could bring them closer, or one side might grow tired and the date could end before either felt satisfied.
Jihyeok, of course, fell into the former category. When his girlfriend asked him out with such a bright, joyful face, there was no way he could refuse.
“Sure. Where are we going?”
“I’ve already planned the whole destination! Boyfriend, you just need to trust me and follow along!”
“So you’re taking the lead on this date?”
“Yep! Since I’m the one who suggested it, I should be the one leading!”
The only dates Jihyeok had ever seen were the ones he occasionally tagged along on with his older brother Jiuk, so the only data in his head involved the guy taking charge. This would be his first time experiencing a girlfriend-led date. The fresh, exciting feeling made him happily agree.
“Alright. Let’s do it. Our first date.”
At Jihyeok’s acceptance, Yoona’s eyes sparkled with so much joy it looked like hearts might appear in them. She had worried he might refuse after how aggressively she had pushed him earlier, but those concerns proved unnecessary. Jihyeok had accepted with clear anticipation for the date she would lead.
Overcome with happiness, Yoona instinctively pulled him into a hug.
“What do I do~ I’m already so happy I feel like I might die~!”
“…Is it that big a deal?”
“Yes! I was so worried you’d reject me because I kept pushing earlier~ But you said yes!”
“What kind of boyfriend would refuse when his girlfriend asks him on a date? …I’m actually looking forward to it too.”
Jihyeok gently stroked Yoona’s back as she hugged him.
“I’ll dress up nicely tomorrow.”
“Good! I’ll dress up as prettily as I can too, so look forward to it!”
“I will.”
Having made their date plans for the next day, Jihyeok and Yoona headed home in even higher spirits.
“See you tomorrow for our date~”
“Yeah. Can you tell me what time and where to meet before you go in?”
“I’ll call you before I go to sleep!”
“Oh. That works too. Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“Yep! Get home safe~ Boyfriend♡!”
“You too. Good work today, Yoona.”
After confirming Yoona had gone inside, Jihyeok returned to his own house. The moment he stepped through the door, the one who greeted him was none other than Jina.
“Oppa, welcome home!”
“Yeah. Oppa’s back.”
Because of their height difference, when they hugged Jina only reached his solar plexus. He gently stroked her hair.
“Jina will be graduating soon too… When that day comes, Jihyeok will feel really lonely.”
“Then I just need to cherish her until that day arrives. It’s not difficult at all.”
“I’m going to stay with Oppa forever!”
“Oh my. Jina, you can’t do that~ Oppa will have his own private life, you know. That won’t work~”
“Hng… Then I guess I have no choice…”
Seeing how disappointed Jina looked, and because Jihyeok himself loved having a little sister who adored him this much, he added,
“Well… as long as it’s not something personal, I’ll teach you until you’re okay on your own. In two years you’ll be a middle schooler, and then we’ll both be too busy studying to spend much time together anyway.”
“That’s true. I suppose so. Aigoo… our Jina will already be a middle schooler in two years?”
“Yeah! Then I can wear a school uniform just like Oppa!”
“I’d like to see you in a uniform too.”
“So would Mom.”
It was decided that Jihyeok would take charge of helping Jina with her schoolwork until her middle school debut arrived soon. Jiuk was smart too, but studying was a battle of memory and comprehension, so Jihyeok had the upper hand there.
Jihyeok told his mother about his plans to go out the next day.
“Oh. I’m going out with a friend tomorrow.”
“Really? Then you’ll probably be home late?”
“Probably.”
“Have fun then. And don’t come back hurt.”
“I’ll be careful. I’m just going out with friends. I don’t want to make you worry by getting injured.”
“Oppa, where are you going to play?”
“Yeah. I’m going out with friends tomorrow.”
“Okaaay~ Have fun~!”
“Got it. I’ll have fun just like Jina said.”
After the conversation ended, Jihyeok went to his room.
“Haa…”
It was his very first date with a girlfriend, so he worried whether he would be able to enjoy it properly or if he might make a mistake. Lying on his bed, he began recalling everything that had happened that day. As he thought about the skinship Yoona had initiated, the cheek kiss she had given him seemed to be burned deeply into his mind.
“Haaah… that was way too stimulating…”
Having never experienced that kind of skinship from anyone except family, Jihyeok wondered if he would even be able to sleep properly tonight.
-Ding.
“Hm? Oh. It’s Yoona.”
Reading the message from his girlfriend and replying to it completely erased those worries, though.
“…I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s date.”
With those words, Jihyeok began preparing early for the next day.