11. The Start of Our Tingling Date with Harang Noona
I couldn't focus on school lessons at all these days. Whenever I had a spare moment, my mind wandered to Harang noona, and as if to soothe my longing, she called me every night late into the evening. Our conversations weren't anything special—just chatting at length about the day's mundane events, like whether anything noteworthy happened or what I'd been up to.
I never imagined that not seeing Langi noona for so long because of her schoolwork would weigh on me this heavily. We'd usually met up a couple times during the weekdays, but this week, I hadn't laid eyes on her once. Still, those days of aching anticipation were finally over.
Saturday morning arrived after enduring that torturous wait. The night before, excitement had kept me tossing and turning until I woke up at the crack of dawn, steeling myself as I got ready to head out. I wasn't tired at all. My whole body just trembled like aspen leaves from sheer nervousness.
Watching me all the while was Yeoreum noona.
"I loaded some money onto your debit card."
"For real?"
"It's your entire allowance for the month advanced, so no need to thank me."
"……."
It was a mix of good and bittersweet news. I'd saved a little pocket money myself, so I wasn't too worried, but having extra certainly didn't hurt. At the very least, today I wanted to treat Harang noona, not the other way around. I'd always given in to her pressure before, but things were different now.
Noona followed up with a grumpy expression, inspecting my outfit down to the last detail. She seemed dissatisfied, yet still helped out—that was the epitome of a tsundere. I still wasn't sure exactly what she disliked, but I left home grateful for the allowance and her assistance.
For my date with Harang noona.
It was around 8:40 now. Near the station where we'd agreed to meet, I waited anxiously for noona. Since I'd arrived ridiculously early, even after thirty minutes, it was still before the appointed time. I checked my hairstyle in the reflection of nearby building windows, fidgeted from nerves, and replied to the encouraging messages from my friends one by one.
Another fifteen minutes ticked by like that. Just as the meeting time approached, I spotted a figure walking from the bus stop a short distance away.
Harang noona—the one I'd met hundreds of times before, committed to memory, shared countless stories with.
"……."
Aside from last week, she'd always shown up dolled up, so I'd thought there couldn't be anyone more beautiful or lovely than that. But here she was, surpassing even those expectations.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the moment I saw her approaching from afar.
Everything felt fresh and new. Her wavy hair, her face with its subtle makeup—it seemed no different from usual, yet there was a world of difference. Sparkling accessories at her ears and neck, a crisp white blouse shirt paired with a black skirt that ended above the knee, a small bag that gave off a cute vibe. Heeled shoes I'd never seen her wear before.
What else could I call it but a perfect date look? It was obvious she'd put tremendous thought into meeting me today.
I'd coordinated my shirt, black slacks, and shoes meticulously too—for me, it was a real standout outfit that suited me well. It even matched her style pretty nicely. But compared to her now, mine looked somehow immature and awkward.
Harang noona, on the other hand, exuded mature elegance and breathtaking beauty.
For a split second, my self-esteem plummeted, but I quickly shoved those thoughts aside. I'd already acknowledged my shortcomings compared to her a thousand times over. That's why I'd given up on her in the first place.
But now, with the certainty that she liked me—and my resolve to stop pretending otherwise about my own feelings—there was no need to dwell on such pointless emotions.
Besides, noona seemed fidgety too. The woman who always met my gaze head-on was averting her eyes, glancing this way and that.
After a week apart that had left me utterly drained, I'd reached a strangely calm state. Swallowing my tension, I extended my hand to her.
"Noona."
"…Yeah."
She took it shyly. That small gesture—lowering her eyes just a bit as she reached out—was so pretty and endearing, I felt like launching into a grand speech right there in front of her.
Clack, clack.
As we started walking hand in hand, my mind had long gone blank. All the advice and tips from my friends? Completely forgotten.
But in this moment of heavy, awkward silence, I knew exactly what I needed to say first.
"Noona."
"Yeah."
"You look stunning today. I was shocked the second I saw you. For real."
"……."
Unable to respond right away to my sincere, unadorned praise, she finally said,
"…Thanks. You look handsome too."
"Phew, good thing. I put in some effort, but you were on another level—I almost lost all confidence."
"No, you suit it perfectly. Really."
She returned the compliment. It wasn't empty flattery; noona wasn't one for idle words despite her quiet nature.
Feeling my confidence surge, I turned my head slightly to look at her. There, at eye level just a bit lower than mine,
"…Heehee."
was Harang noona's face, smiling with unbelievable brightness.
The official reason for our meetup today was to watch a movie, so we'd rendezvous near the theater station. But honestly, this time holding hands and walking with her felt far more enjoyable than any film, so I took deliberately slow steps toward the cinema.
Inside the bustling weekend theater, I led noona to the kiosk and picked a romantic comedy showing soon—not Enderman, obviously. With her looking this gorgeous, what kind of date would involve a kids' movie? Not that it mattered what we saw; I doubted I'd remember anyway.
Noona didn't object to my choice, but as I casually slid in my card to pay,
"I'll cover it, noona."
"Let me treat today."
"Gyeol, I said I'll pay."
She grabbed not just our joined hands but my other one too, trying to stop me. Normally, I'd back down here—Langi noona could be pretty stubborn, and I didn't want an argument.
But not today. I tugged her hand gently, pulling her half a step closer, and met her eyes.
"Let me pay. Because today… this is our date. Okay, noona?"
"……."
"Sound good?"
I put a name to it for the first time: not just hanging out, but a date. My serious tone, my unwavering gaze,
"…Okay. Please do."
"You got it~"
She nodded, looking away. A hint of red peeked from behind her hair at her earlobe.
"Hmm… we'll get the smallest popcorn. You want juice, right, noona?"
"Yeah."
After booking tickets, we headed to the concession kiosk, paying for popcorn and drinks in a flash. She didn't protest this time, probably figuring the theater stuff was fine. We waited briefly at pickup, grabbed the popcorn, cola, and juice, then entered the auditorium.
Having chosen a screening about to start, we got right in. The lights dimmed as ads began, so I led the way, escorting her despite the floor lights making it safe enough. Just felt right.
We sat side by side in the aisle seats of an upper-middle row. The movie wasn't popular—plenty of empty seats during booking—so I'd picked these on purpose. In case noona needed the bathroom midway, she wouldn't bump into strangers. The thought of some random guy touching her irritated me. Plus, in this smaller theater, aisle seats didn't feel too peripheral.
"Seat okay?"
"It's fine."
Once she was settled demurely, I slotted the cola into the aisle armrest and placed the popcorn on the middle one between us, thinking,
This thing is such a nuisance.
I always ordered popcorn out of habit at theaters, and yeah, I liked it—but right now, it was just in the way. I'd already regretted letting go of her hand upon sitting, and now grabbing it again felt awkward with the bucket there.
Glancing at her, I pretended to grab a few kernels, then set it aside low. She didn't eat much anyway.
Then, to noona—who was placing her bag on the next seat and smoothing her hair—
Tap, tap.
I signaled by tapping the middle armrest with my fingers. Her eyes fixed on my hand; I spread mine wide, and she gently overlaid hers.
Her hand, warmed slightly from our earlier hold by my body heat.
"Your hand's nice and warm, noona."
"It's cold, though."
"Nah, pretty toasty. Must be from me holding it so long."
"…Maybe?"
"Yeah. Though I liked the cool feel too… Should I hold your other hand later? Warm that one up."
"…If you want to, sure."
"O~ Right hand reserved!"
Satisfied with her shy reaction to my blunt skinship request, I savored the moment briefly. Then the movie started.
I'd booked it on a whim, so I had no idea what it was about and didn't care much, but I watched attentively enough. Chatting after it began would annoy others, and just holding hands achieved my goal.
The plot was nothing special: a guy back from military service starts dating the girl-next-door he's known since childhood, leading to various comedic mishaps. Decent gags, some melodrama, sweet romance. Light and fun, I thought—right as the leads shared a kiss.
I turned my head subtly toward her. There she was, gazing my way as if by prior agreement. Our eyes tangled in the air, just like that Saturday night last week, locking onto each other.
If we'd already kissed, I'd have leaned in without hesitation. But this was our first date—no confession, no kiss yet. Swallowing my regret, I settled for this emotional connection.
Then—
Her hand in mine began to wriggle slightly.
Thinking she wanted to let go momentarily, I loosened my grip.
Slide.
Her fingers started gently scratching from my palm up to my knuckles. That ticklish, somehow sensual motion drew all my focus away from the screen.
Every nerve attuned to her movements, moments later her fingers pried open the gaps between mine.
Squeeze.
She gripped my hand again—but not simply. Her slender fingers slipped slyly between mine.
Ten fingers interlaced, crossed perfectly.
Finger-locked.
"……."
"……."
And her face, turned toward me, was expressionless no longer—heat rising within.