The Nerves That Wouldn't Calm Down
I felt a bit scared when I first received that text, more than anything else.
When I thought about my relationship with Han Si-a, it was obvious that this couldn't be some exciting date invitation.
...Was it the dueling arena?
Was he trying to demand a life-or-death fight starting from this weekend?
I couldn't help but think that.
[Yeah, it works for the weekend. But why?]
[I'll buy you dinner. Meet me at the square in front of the historical site. Is afternoon okay tomorrow?]
[Yeah, it's fine.]
[Then if there are a lot of people it sucks, so let's do it around two to three in the afternoon.]
With that, the explanation ended.
Why was he calling me out? What was the reason for buying me dinner?
He had just told me to come out without giving any explanation at all.
...What the hell was this.
Was it a bet? Had he used up his loans?
No way. Han Si-a's parents weren't the type.
I couldn't think of any reason she would buy me dinner and spent a lot of time worrying.
With the guess that she might be trying to ask for a favor, I waited for the weekend.
And on the day of the appointment.
I stood in front of the mirror for a moment, considering what to wear.
"...Still, since I'm meeting a girl, I should probably dress up a bit, right?"
I wouldn't have cared if it was someone like Yoon Tae-jun meeting.
But the person was Han Si-a, so she was a girl.
Even though our relationship would never develop into love feelings.
At least I shouldn't make it embarrassing to walk together.
I took out the shirt I hadn't worn in a while, ironed it, and put it on.
'It's coming out of the closet for real.'
That's why guys like their shoulders and height.
Even though it wasn't a ridiculously handsome face, with a neat outfit and good proportions.
It had a slightly exaggerated feel like a fashion magazine model.
"Oppa, where are you going?"
"Huh? Ah~ There's a promise with a friend."
I wasn't entirely sure if it was really a promise, but anyway.
The little girl around elementary-school age came running up to me.
The cute one who tied her hair into a ponytail was Seon Woo-hyun's younger sister, Seon A-hyeon.
And right now, the little brother Seon Min-hyun who was at the daycare.
Those were the siblings of the Seon Woo-hyun family.
"Woah. You said you'd play with me on the weekend."
"Sorry. A sudden promise came up so I have to go and play with you later."
"Ara-ssu... you have to come and play with me no matter what?"
"Yeah. Promise."
I held my pinky with A-hyeon's little finger and made the promise.
As the older brother who grew up alone and took on my parents' responsibilities, having siblings made me quite happy.
The kids were cute and lovable just by looking at them.
Plus, the age gap was huge, so at my mental age of almost thirty, it felt more like treating kids rather than little siblings.
In fact, Seon Woo-hyun was in the position of often taking care of the kids while his parents worked.
"Then I'll go out, oppa?"
"Yeah. Bye-bye."
Receiving my little brother's wave goodbye, I left the house.
Since the house wasn't that close to the station, I had to walk for a long time.
...That's why places with good station access are great.
Thinking like an old person about real estate location in my head.
As I hurried my steps, the square had arrived sooner than I thought.
...Was I too early?
Looking around, I couldn't see Han Si-a.
Because as a working adult, it was my habit to arrive early at the meeting place.
Unknowingly, I had already started out about ten minutes early.
"Maybe I should just sit inside somewhere. That's how office workers are."
I was shaking my head at myself and muttering when my phone rang.
[Are you here?]
[Yeah. I'm at the square right now. You?]
[Behind you.]
Behind?
After checking the message from Han Si-a, I was startled and turned around.
I didn't know when, but Han Si-a was standing right behind me.
"What? When did you get here?"
"Just arrived."
Her hair was swaying a little because of the wind.
The gold earring softly shook from her ear.
...She really was pretty.
I ended up looking at her without realizing it and admiring her.
Cargo pants and a white crop top.
And over that, a lightly worn cardigan, street but hip fashion.
To keep her skin from tanning, she wore a light cap, and a small black bag hung by her side.
It had to be the essence of off-the-rack.
It wasn't overly put together, but the fashion sense she carried on her just flowed out.
"W-what? That look."
When I stared at her and admired her, Han Si-a avoided my gaze as if embarrassed.
But what could I do. It was the first time I had met a girl like this privately in real life.
"Ah, no. I just thought you really were an idol trainee."
"Isn't that a compliment?"
That was, in a way, one of Han Si-a's biggest charms.
Even in the original story, Yoon Tae-jun always praised her for her aesthetic fashion sense and her ability to make herself attractive and dressed up.
"Wouldn't it be a waste then? Even if you're pretty, what can I say."
"...What?"
"Never mind. Let's eat. So what do you want to eat?"
"Hmm. How about chicken galbi? I know a good place nearby."
"Oh. You really have good taste. You know that when a guy buys you food, you have to feed him meat."
"What do you see me as. You're different from guys like you anyway."
How could I say that, kid.
But chicken galbi was a good pick.
It was so delicious you could eat it in one bite, and it wasn't embarrassing for a guy and a girl to eat together.
The right amount and good taste. Food that both guys and girls could satisfy.
"Guide me quickly."
"Yes~ Okay~ This way, please."
I stared blankly at her back as she walked ahead energetically in front of me.
***
Heart pounding.
Han Si-a walked in front of Seon Woo-hyun, walking quickly.
After all, even if she walked fast, the height difference with him meant the distance didn't open up much.
'...What is this trembling?'
But in her heart, she wanted to hide her face rather than guide.
Because when she faced him, her face suddenly felt hot.
'I wasn't like this at all before I left the house.'
She hadn't even deliberately put on makeup or chosen clothes.
She thought that if she dressed up a bit, Seon Woo-hyun might get the wrong idea.
She had dressed in her usual off-the-rack style, but why.
She couldn't understand why she was so nervous right now.
"Is this the way to go?"
"Yeah. It is, so just follow quietly."
Walking without saying anything felt awkward.
In school, there was no awkwardness with him standing silently beside me.
When she thought about the reason, Han Si-a came to the obvious conclusion.
'Wait. Not Yoon Tae-jun, but this guy who meets me like this... was he the first guy I've ever met alone like this?'
She didn't have much experience meeting guys or playing with them.
She had pushed away any guys who were trying to flirt because she didn't like them, and since she spent all her time and energy on training, she didn't have time for anything like romance.
Plus, Yoon Tae-jun was from her childhood friend perspective and way too familiar.
She had never really recognized him as a guy, so meeting a guy was no different.
But Seon Woo-hyun.
This guy was different.
They had only met since entering high school.
In fact, they weren't close enough to meet privately and do something like this.
She had called him out without thinking, but she didn't know what to talk about.
She couldn't help but feel like she was on a date.
...And why the hell was he saying things like that right after we met.
'Wouldn't it be a waste then? Even if you're pretty, what can I say.'
The words he had said kept playing on loop in her head.
Every time, it felt like heat rose to her face.
He said she was pretty. He said she was pretty.
That Seon Woo-hyun. The guy who always teased her by calling her pretty.
Along with the thought that he must be a guy, a sense of pride came, but at the same time, she felt her heart racing.
...Plus, he looked really put together. This guy.
Honestly, having good fashion sense, she hadn't expected much from Seon Woo-hyun.
Even when going to school, he acted like he didn't care about clothes at all, only as a way to cover his body.
She had thought he wouldn't come out dressed like this when meeting her today.
He had only worn a well-ironed shirt with wide pants.
Because his height and proportions were good, objectively, he looked pretty good.
'Insane. If this is how it is, it feels like I called him out to actually flirt.'
It wasn't like that at all.
She had just wanted to apologize for last time.
Han Si-a was bewildered by her own reaction.
"But don't you have training on the weekend? Is it okay to come out like this?"
"Ah. Today is a company holiday, so I can't train anyway even if I go. I get off every Saturday."
"I see."
Rather, the other person wasn't making her feel awkward.
She led the conversation naturally and comfortably, as if they were just classmates in school.
The more that happened, the more she felt psychologically shrinking.
Because it felt like she was the only one thinking strangely about him and trembling.
That's when her view of the world had narrowed because she was thinking about something else.
From up ahead, accompanied by a rumbling sound, something was coming running.
A busy street where the sidewalk and road weren't clearly divided.
Startled, when Han Si-a raised her head, an motorcycle was already right in front of her nose.
"Hey. Motorcycle."
Seeing the motorcycle speeding past her side with a whoosh, Seon Woo-hyun pulled her inward to shield her.
The moment his hand touched her arm, Han Si-a froze.
"You have to be careful. It's dangerous."
"Eh... sorry."
"Why is that guy's motorcycle running through a place with people. No concept."
Tsk, Seon Woo-hyun clicked his tongue and pushed her into the inner lane, naturally standing on the outer side himself.
She couldn't help but feel that each small action like that.
Not knowing if he sensed her thoughts, Seon Woo-hyun spoke in a calm tone, lecturing her.
"Why are you thinking like that. Looking straight ahead, you have to walk this side. You'll get hurt. Are you still thinking about eating?"
"It wasn't like that."
Han Si-a didn't have a boyfriend.
But... she just couldn't shake the feeling that his every action was like something a boyfriend would do.