3. Noona's First Solo Apartment – Somehow Full of My Stuff...?
Time flew by in the blink of an eye. For me, Thursday and Friday had dragged on like a decade each, but before I knew it, Friday night had arrived. The day before I was set to move into Harang noona's place.
I was overflowing with genuine excitement. It was the first time in my life I'd ever be stepping into a room belonging to a woman who wasn't family.
Sure, I'd had a few girl friends over the years, but never close enough to visit their homes. I hadn't even been to Seobin's house, so no chance to peek into Seoin's room. Even if I had gone, I wouldn't have snooped around.
These days, my closest girl friend was Sena, but obviously I wasn't dropping by my buddy's girlfriend's place. Besides, who gathers at each other's houses anymore? Unless you're one of those kids living solo. It's all PC bangs or hanging out near school.
Finally, aside from friends and family, the woman I was closest to in the world—Harang noona's house—I knew where it was, but I'd never even gone near it. She didn't like her place much, so she'd never invited me. My sister had only been there less than ten times in seven years.
Her family seemed fine; she just didn't like being home. If I asked why, she'd probably tell me, but I figured there was no need to pry, so I still didn't know.
Anyway, that was why I was buzzing with anticipation, waiting for tomorrow. Late Friday night.
"So, around 9 should be good?"
─Yeah. I'll call in the morning.
"Nah, no need for an alarm... Wait, actually, wake-up call tomorrow, please."
─Okay. Night.
"You too~ Goodnight!"
I wrapped up the short call with noona. It was the kind of chat that could've been a text, but Harang noona preferred calls. If she had something to say, she'd just dial.
I set my phone down on the desk, plopped into my swivel chair in front of the computer, and spun around, trying to tamp down the endorphins surging through me. Part of me wanted to bolt outside and run laps around the neighborhood.
Being alone with noona was nothing new, but tomorrow felt different. I couldn't quite put my finger on why my head was such a mess, but it was different. Maybe because it was Harang noona's room—way above any girl friend's—or the thrill of just the two of us in that tiny one-room tomorrow.
All sorts of imaginings bubbled up, cluttering my brain, and sleep was the last thing on my mind. I was a bit tired, but no way I could drift off.
So I thought...
"Phew... Alright. Unification with Liu Bei it is."
I grabbed the mouse, planning to game until I passed out. I personally favored Cao Cao, but figuring I'd lose midway anyway, I cranked the difficulty and picked the tougher Liu Bei for Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
"......"
But damn, everything went too smoothly today. With my mind all scattered and no sleep coming, before I knew it...
-Tweet tweet
"Shit."
I'd pulled an all-nighter without realizing.
Some nights are like that. You stay up without ever getting properly sleepy, then bam—around morning, when it's time to start the day, that sweet exhaustion hits.
The kind where you'd crash into the deepest sleep ever if you just hit the bed right then.
But no can do.
─You up?
"...Yeah. Just got up. Showering and heading out."
─See you soon. Be careful.
"Yep."
I had to meet Harang noona. Time to rally. No matter how wiped I was, one look at her face would wake me right up. Her face was my stimulant, my cure-all.
Right after her wake-up call, I showered and changed. Midway through dressing, yesterday's group chat flashed in my mind, but I shook it off and threw on jeans and a hoodie. No cardigan—it might get in the way if we were moving boxes.
I shot a quick text to my still-sleeping sister saying I'd be back later and headed out. Half-dazed from fatigue but heart still pounding with excitement.
Bus from the nearby stop—about 40 minutes. I stood the whole way, scared I'd conk out if I sat, but even standing nearly did me in. I'm dying here, for real.
I barely fought off the sleep demon and got off the bus into unfamiliar surroundings. I'd figured it was pretty far from the map, but damn, it was even farther than I thought. Never been to this neighborhood.
Okay, bus stop, then a bit down the alley behind, right? Recalling noona's directions, I pulled out my phone and called while casually scanning around. Decent width for an alley, plenty of foot traffic—seemed safe enough. And the buildings? All shiny and new. Upscale area?
-Rrring, rrring, beep!
─Hello?
"Hey, noona. Just got off the bus, heading into the alley now."
─Coming down. Across from the CS convenience store.
"Convenience store... Oh, there it is."
─Hang on a sec.
Hearing her voice, I strolled a bit farther and spotted the store. Right across was a sleek high-rise officetel. Whoa, this place looks amazing.
I hustled over, admiring the stylish exterior, when Harang noona emerged from the entrance. Mid-tidying, hair tied back, jeans and a muted gray long-sleeve tee. The casual getup was insanely cute compared to her usual polish.
My heart, dead from exhaustion moments ago, flooded back to life. That ponytail suits her so well. How is she this pretty?
"Gyeol."
"Noona~ Good morning~"
"Tough trip? Let's head in."
The place was new to me, but the greeting was the same as always. My energy spiked the second I saw her, but I kept my cool on the outside, same as ever.
But noona? She was different.
She walked right up to me and, instead of leading the way, held out her hand.
I blinked inwardly. What? Housewarming gift? Shit, I didn't bring— Nah, no way she'd expect that from me.
Staring blankly at her outstretched hand, she finally explained.
"Give me your hand."
"...Hand? Here."
I offered mine, still clueless why. Sudden hand-holding? What's up? But trusting she wouldn't do anything weird, I went with it.
-Squeeze
"......?!"
She grabbed it firm and started leading me along. Just like when we were kids. First time since elementary school graduation we'd held hands on purpose like this. Accidental brushes, sure, but not this.
My brain short-circuited from the soft warmth of her hand. I trailed silently behind, screaming internally the whole way. What the—? Why this all of a sudden?! Hidden cam prank?!
Finally, in the elevator, I managed to speak.
"...Noona."
"Yeah?"
"Wh-what's this? Why the sudden hand...?"
"Wanted to."
"Ah."
Duh, obvious answer. But I couldn't push with Why'd you wanna? The elevator mirror showed my face beet red.
Speechless, I just followed. Quietly all the way to the door marked 1102.
But it didn't end there.
At the door, still holding my hand, she pulled me close and pointed to the keypad.
"Gyeol."
"Huh?"
"Password."
She punched in the numbers slowly, like she was showing me: 1... 2... 2... 6... #?
Hold up, that sequence looked familiar. Racking my brain—December 26th. My birthday.
"...My birthday?"
"Yeah."
"Why this one...?"
"Easy to remember."
"Gotcha... Wait, but it's cool telling me the password?"
"Yeah."
"......"
Her using my birthday? Kinda made sense security-wise—better than her own, maybe. (Why not Yeoreum noona's? Whatever.)
But showing it outright? With hands still linked? My imagination ran wild.
"Phew..."
Head spinning from the hype, I took a deep breath, vowing not to overthink. Inviting me to her solo pad, hand-holding, sharing the code—it was all stuff you could do for a close little-bro type. Totally plausible. I wouldn't, but Harang noona might.
Convincing myself, I followed her inside.
Shoes off at the entry, one step in, and I couldn't help gasping.
"Whoa..."
This place? Solo living would be a blast. The building looked nice outside, wide stairs and elevator screamed quality, but inside? Spotless and gorgeous. No decor yet, but the base interior was top-tier.
Spacious living room doubling as bedroom. Bigger kitchen than expected. One whole wall of balcony doors with unobstructed high-floor views.
Like something from a TV home show. And the floors, walls—even inside—marble?
"Gyeol, come here."
"Oh, yeah."
She tugged my country-boy gawking self along and opened a door by the entry: bathroom. Hotel-suite vibes.
Another wow as I looked around, then she pointed to the sink.
"That's the hand soap—wash up."
Ah, that's why the hand grab? Made sense; noona was big on hygiene.
"Got it."
"This white cup and toothbrush are yours—remember. I'll leave 'em here."
"Okay... Huh?"
Wait, noona. Why is my toothbrush and cup already here...?