Final Exams and the Dawn of Summer Vacation

After starting to date Langi Nuna just before summer break—less than two months in—it felt like our progress had rocketed ahead like flooring the accelerator. For seven years, we'd held back, and now it was as if we'd unleashed it all; every time we met, Nuna and I clung to each other.

Of course, my feelings for her and hers for me probably hadn't simmered for a full seven years. But with final exams looming for me, and for Nuna, on top of that, assignments, certification studies, and her tutoring gig—she was just as swamped as I was during the summer, same as Yeoreum Nuna. Thanks to that, we barely saw each other's faces during those days, but as I'd resolved before, I kept up my own efforts.

I studied alone, pushing past Seobin's disruptions, and even mulled over jobs vaguely, thinking ahead to marrying Nuna—though it might've just been wishful thinking. I explored various interests, but it all still felt too distant. Pondering it now for the first time, I had no real sense of direction.

So one night, when Yeoreum Nuna seemed a bit less busy, I asked her for advice.

"...Phew. Alright. So you're studying to keep dating Harang well..."

"Yep."

At my words about preparing for our future together, Nuna's face twisted in some complicated mix of emotions... but she listened seriously anyway.

"It's natural to struggle since you're starting late. From the second semester, Harang said she'd help, so try handling it solo for now. Whether studying or whatever, the key is that you're motivated to do it yourself."

"Just focus on studying first?"

"You need good grades to get into the college you want. Even for a regular job, a decent school makes it smoother."

"Hmm... Engineering's supposed to have good job prospects. Should I aim for that?"

"Not necessarily, but... you're in sciences, and your math scores are solid, so leaning that way isn't bad."

Back when the Nunas tutored me, I'd built a strong foundation. Math ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠especially relies on basics, and thanks to that, my high school math grades had always been top-notch.

"Don't look too far ahead. Just focus on what's right in front of you."

"Guess I need to grind for finals then."

"Exactly."

"Keep calling Harang Nuna too... Okay. I'll do that. You're the best, Nuna... Oof!"

"Consultation's over—now scram!"

"Why so sudden!"

It didn't end great, but the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠career talk with Nuna was a huge help. Family you can rely on, as expected. Even Mom and Dad had left my stuff to her.

Thanks to that, the tangled thoughts cleared a bit, and I settled into simply grinding studies each day. Sure, I bantered with grumbling Seobin now and then, met Harang Nuna occasionally, and called her every night—but that was just stress relief. Plus, she was my main motivation.

And sometimes Harang Nuna had to hit department after-parties. Not because she wanted to, so probably no stress relief there.

Once, during one of those, we talked on the phone. We'd gotten to where we'd check in if either had plans—it was natural now.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

I even heard a voice that seemed close to Harang Nuna—someone she was buddies with. I'd never met her friends or heard stories, so I hadn't known she had any. Nuna's pretty but kinda aloof, hard to get chummy with. Anyway, the familiarity came through even over the phone, and knowing she was doing well at college eased my mind a bit. Silly to worry over something like that, though.

That sparked a question: Does Harang Nuna even drink? I'd never seen her and Yeoreum Nuna share a drink. So I asked Yeoreum Nuna.

"Harang? Booze? Nah."

"Doesn't like it much, huh."

"Yeah, but... when you're alone with her, don't let her drink if she wants to."

"Why? Bad drunk habits?"

"...Till college, keep her from drinking when you're alone."

"No, but why..."

"Argh, just do it!!"

"Okay."

I took the scolding and nodded. Didn't know the full reason, but if she basically hates it, no need to push.

Suddenly hit me: I'd never seen Yeoreum Nuna drink either.

"What about you, Nuna? Don't like it either?"

"Nope. Tastes bad, bad for you."

"~Any drunk quirks? Like, what happens?"

"A bit."

"Like what?"

"Doesn't matter."

I didn't get details on her habits. Later, I slyly asked Harang Nuna—she said they'd tried once alone. Apparently, Yeoreum Nuna gets "a little too" honest. Harang said it was adorable. Couldn't picture cute Yeoreum Nuna at all. Wondered what it'd be like, but figured no chance—at least till I was legal.

Well. Saw it sooner than expected.

Thankfully not a three-day whim, my efforts kept me busy, and time flew. My finals scores... rose a tad. Mostly memorization subjects. Key ones like Korean, math, English, social studies stayed similar to midterms.

I was bummed, but weirdly, Yeoreum Nuna praised me. Those majors improve with learning, and raising others solo was good enough. Hard to feel great about it, but her rare pep talk—normally she'd never—made me grin.

Harang Nuna, when we finally met briefly:

"Mwah... Good job. You worked hard... Smack..."

She praised me with kisses fiercer than usual, since we'd barely met. Couldn't play sulky kid after that. Probably just her wanting to kiss, though. Lately, every meetup starts with at least 30 minutes of that.

By my exam time, the Nunas were already on break, but stayed busy after. College kids supposedly party, but watching them last year taught me it's hit or miss. Daily English, certs, tutoring—packed schedules.

Harang Nuna squeezing time for me amid that? Impressive. She never neglected ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her stuff for me.

"Nuna, didn't you say you had tons to do?"

"A bit."

"Still okay meeting today? Sorry if you're swamped."

"Tomorrow looks rough, so recharge me."

"With kisses?"

"Kisses."

"Then I gotta power up."

"Hurry... Mm..."

She says kissing me recharges her—dunno about that. I believe her since she says so. Feels great, but like she's sucking my energy. Maybe 'cause they're always long. Absorbing it like a gumiho. A Harang Nuna gumiho? I'd go down smiling.

Anyway, after those days, I finally hit summer break too. And we gathered.

"Leaving at dawn—sleep in and we leave without you."

"Got it."

"Okay!"

For the long-awaited beach trip.

Yeoreum Nuna handled all trip logistics: schedule, spots, bookings. She's the type who needs to do it herself, so I left it to her. Harang Nuna isn't super assertive either, no objections.

Trip set right after my break started. Peak tourist season, but summer beach? Gotta deal.

And departure morning. Up at 5 a.m., frantic wash-up, loading the Carnival—Dad's old ride, now family van—right before leaving, Harang Nuna and I told Yeoreum Nuna our pre-planned offer.

"Oh? You'll obey me unconditionally this trip?"

"Yeah. Your birthday's soon. You worked hard planning. Tell us what you want."

"Hm... Harang, you cool with that?"

"Yeah. Sorry for leaving you to prep alone."

"I like handling it. Anyway, got it. If you two agree."

We had personal gifts too, but this was extra for her efforts: free command rights. Even driving both ways. Not like she'd order weird stuff—just chores on the trip.

"Then, before we go, something to burn into your brains."

"What?"

"Yeah?"

Nuna grinned, clearly loving the gift, and started using her rights immediately. Already?

"First, no kissing from now till we return."

"That's easy... Ah."

"...Eek."

Busted. One-night trip, so I figured I could tough it out—but not Harang Nuna. Cracks already showed in her blank face.

Yeoreum Nuna smirked wider at her reaction, then continued, pointing to shotgun.

"Kang Gyeol."

"Yeah?"

"You ride shotgun. Harang, back seat."

My eyes flicked to Harang Nuna. I'd planned not to hog front forever, maybe switch to back sometimes—but blocked outright. As expected, she refused instantly.

"...No."

"You said you'd obey? Just say it?"

"Still... Then I'll drive..."

"I'm driving. Let's roll. Hop in!"

Yeoreum Nuna cheerfully called departure, Harang Nuna trembling in frustration. Seeing them, I sensed the fun trip ahead wouldn't be smooth sailing.