36. Shocking Confession
"I'm getting a job... at Nuna's dad's company...?"
"Probably."
"......"
We ended up having a much longer conversation than any recent skinship. Away from our everyday spots, sharing stories that delved a bit deeper than usual. We'd been close for a long time, but I'd never really heard the details of Nuna's family situation. Just that she didn't like staying home much and that they were pretty well-off. Apparently, it wasn't because of bad family relations—it was just that everyone was awkward with expressing emotions, making the house feel a bit stark. But now that seemed mostly resolved, so she visited her parents' place more often.
I knew they were well-off, but hearing that her dad could just slot her into a job at his company was new. I'd kinda guessed when he bought her a car on the spot, but still.
I'd tried not to feel any inferiority complex or debt about dating her, but now a little crept in. Nuna was a total rich girl, huh?
"Ahem..."
Suddenly at a loss for words, I cleared my throat awkwardly, and Nuna pressed her lips to my cheek to continue.
*Smack...*
"Just until you get a job."
...Huh?
"Until I get a job? Why? What are you gonna do after quitting?"
"Once we're married, I'll have to take care of the house."
"............Ah~ Oh~ Uh... yeah... right... yeah!"
I had nothing else to say. The future felt too vague; no immediate answer came to mind. I did like Nuna and had thought about that kind of thing a little myself, but this was something to consider ten years down the line.
Not that I had any plans for that with anyone else, absolutely not!
My mind went blank. I'd planned to talk about something important for us today too, but hearing something on a whole other level short-circuited me.
Sensing my fluster, Nuna—her arms wrapped around mine—tightened her grip.
"Gyeol."
"Yeah. I mean, yes."
"You don't want to marry me...?"
Her voice drooped, and I panicked even more. No way I'd hate it. I was just shocked, really.
I... I'm still in high school!
"I love it! I do! It's just... it's so far off, it caught me off guard. We've still got years to wait."
"......"
"I'm serious! How can I prove it?"
"Then."
"?!"
I frantically soothed her as she hung her head, and she looked up like she'd been waiting. That Moodir-class switch-up had me flustered for the third time.
"A little more... at night? Okay?"
"......"
I knew what she meant by 'a little more'—it wasn't about going all the way. I could tell from the nuance now. Just deeper skinship than usual.
Honestly, it was basically a test of endurance for us. Pressed together, fully aware of each other's arousal, holding back from the endgame.
But I couldn't refuse in this moment.
"...Okay."
"Then I'll believe you."
Harang Nuna snatched my agreement quick. She nuzzled back in, playfully coquettish. It was like a cat tail swishing behind her.
Beyond that marriage talk that flew by, we shared endless stories about each other. I learned more about her family, and I opened up about wanting to study harder and why. Pulling out those hidden feelings was embarrassing, but the vibe made it easy.
"So you started noticing me from the year before last? What about before?"
"Cute little brother."
"And now?"
"...Cool boyfriend."
Her shy delivery was kinda embarrassing. Cool, huh... Better than 'cute boyfriend.'
"I think I started liking you about a year after we met."
"You were scared at first, right?"
"Honestly, I thought you were a robot back then..."
"And now?"
"The hottest, coolest girlfriend ever."
"Cool, huh?"
"You're cool for handling everything while dating me and living your life so diligently. Cool for being tall and stylish. Cool with that aloof expression."
"......"
"And."
I pulled her waist into an embrace. Her small frame nestled naturally into my arms.
"Pretty... you're just pretty everywhere words fail."
*Smack!
With that, we dove into a long kiss. Skinship like this was essential between us, after all.
---
We'd shared countless stories and cuddled with kisses in the cozy tent, and before we knew it, evening had arrived. With the sun down, we sat in the chairs outside again, enjoying the breeze leisurely, then fired up the brazier for dinner.
"Not hard, huh?"
"Just gotta know how to light it right."
It was nothing fancy. No complex cooking—just sausages and skewers grilled over the fire. We even tried topping them with some extra cheese we'd bought.
Simple stuff, but eating it while camping outdoors with Nuna came with an insane buff. It was delicious.
"Next time, let's try pasta or soup."
"Sounds good~ We've got time anyway; it'd be fun making it together."
"Yeah."
Prep was too easy, so dinner vanished in a flash despite tasting great. This was more about testing limits for next time anyway.
As night deepened, we realized one more thing.
"We need lanterns too."
"Nuna, your phone battery good? I brought a power bank."
"Plenty. Or we can charge in the car."
Mountains around made it pitch black fast, even in summer. Learned the hard way that tent lanterns are a must.
For now, we used phone lights as a temp fix, hit the bathroom, brushed teeth, and headed back. Bugs swarmed the phone glow, so we zipped into the tent.
"Let's change."
"Should I change in the car?"
"Nah. Right here."
We turned backs and swapped into comfy clothes. The sounds of Nuna changing behind me were insanely stimulating. I'd seen the visuals plenty, but audio alone was just as potent.
Soon, I was in a black tee and shorts. Nuna in a black tee and...
"Whoa? Dolphin pants?"
"Yeah. You said you wanted to see me in them."
"They suit you so well! So pretty!"
She wore the gray dolphin pants I'd mentioned wanting to see. Not that the clothes were the star—her legs extending from them were. But who cares.
I fawned over her outfit for a while, then we sat side by side again. Listening to bugs buzzing outside the mesh, gazing at emerging stars for minutes.
The spot I'd imagined. The mood. Perfect timing. Everything aligned.
I felt it was time.
"Nuna."
A deep mental breath, then I called her. For something crucial to us—raw as a man and woman, hesitant to voice.
"I wanna keep the promise I made with Yeoreum Nuna."
Random start, but Harang Nuna would get it. She listened quietly as I continued softly.
"Even if we did it secretly... and no one found out... I'd feel guilty toward Yeoreum Nuna forever."
Nuna's shoulders in my arms didn't twitch. Just faint breaths reached me.
"Like you said, when we marry later... we'll still hang out with her as a trio. Breaking the promise would bring guilt every time."
I didn't want to drag it out. We'd covered it before; today was to nail it down.
"I hate the idea of you feeling that way. So... sorry as your boyfriend, no face to show, but... can you wait a bit longer?"
I pleaded to my older girlfriend, maybe enduring more than me.
Her answer started with arms around my neck.
*Rustle.* Eyes a bit misty, looking up at me. Her lips parted.
"......I'm not... lacking in charm... right?"
But what came out was absurd. She'd seen my lower half go wild from her teasing looks... or even just hand-holding.
"What are you talking about! How many times I've done it alone thinking of you—gah!"
I blurted without thinking. Cut off at the end, but too late.
Face burning, I clutched my forehead.
But in that pitch darkness, lit only by phone glow, pressed close—maybe the dam in her heart loosened too.
"...Me too."
"...Huh?"
"I... did it too..."
A shocking confession.