Date (1)
Last Friday, my dorm had felt noticeably more lively than before.
After all, it had gone from being a space occupied by just one guy to suddenly having a temporary roommate.
Simply having Seo Ahyeon around had warmed the entire atmosphere.
I liked it too—having someone to chat with about everyday nonsense.
Of course, that included the nights that naturally came with our shared routine. Those moments had been more than satisfying for both body and mind.
“……Pfft.”
Still, that time couldn’t last forever.
Not for any dramatic reason.
Both Seo Ahyeon and I were still students at the academy. While everyone was an adult and the atmosphere wasn’t overly strict, living in the dorms meant we had to accept a minimum level of supervision.
That supervision had caught up with us two days ago.
Our temporary cohabitation had ended on the sixth day.
Simply put, the dorm supervisor had discovered we were living together, and per the academy rules, we were forcibly separated.
Cheongun Academy students were all adults and generally free to date as they pleased, but actually moving in together crossed a line that gave the supervisor the authority to intervene.
Seo Ahyeon and I had been sent back to our respective dorms.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel the emptiness after nearly a week under the same roof.
But—
“Heh.”
In the end, there was no point in rebelling or moping about it.
The original reason I’d kept Seo Ahyeon in my dorm was simple: I’d been worried Kim Minjun might barge into hers.
They used to share the dorm password, after all.
‘Back then, keeping them from meeting alone had seemed like the top priority.’
But now? Did I still worry about Kim Minjun going after her?
Well, I wouldn’t say the possibility was zero.
Still, even if he did show up, I doubted it would cause any real problems anymore.
‘From his perspective, what could he even do if he went looking for her……’
Think about it. If this were a game, it would be like the SSR version of Seo Ahyeon who had broken out of her shell being approached by the N-rank ex-boyfriend Kim Minjun.
What could that guy possibly accomplish? He’d be lucky not to get punched again for acting up.
After watching Seo Ahyeon for nearly a week, I could tell she had already reached the point where she could handle him calmly if he came around.
In short, she no longer needed my overprotective hovering.
I leaned against a bus stop pole downtown and typed another message.
“……Hmm.”
I paused before Seo Ahyeon could reply, frowning slightly.
The situation suddenly struck me as pretty shameless.
Here I was, waiting for another girl, while texting Seo Ahyeon to cheer her up. What a stellar playboy.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling that familiar prick of conscience.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one feeling it.
Seo Ahyeon’s reply came right away.
Ding!
“Ahem.”
Seo Ahyeon shot back immediately, clearly enjoying catching me off guard.
I couldn’t see her face since it wasn’t a video call, but I could picture the cold smile.
No matter how I answered, it felt like a blade at my throat. A brutal either-or.
Thankfully, my quick surrender seemed to earn me a pass.
Her reminder to focus on the date must have been sincere, because she sent a cute puffed-cheek emoji and ended the chat.
……The timing was almost too perfect. Just as I slipped my phone back into my pocket—
“Y-you were already here……. Han Taeyang.”
“Ah.”
A familiar voice came from the side. I turned toward it and froze.
It was the kind of clichéd moment where my gaze simply got stolen away.
Her usually ash-tinged white hair caught the sunlight, shifting between silver and pure white. The faint blush on her pale skin contrasted with her shy golden eyes.
She wore a choker that emphasized her slender neck, a daring crop top, and a sheer lace cardigan draped over her bare shoulders. Below, slim jeans hugged her hips and thighs all the way to her ankles.
“……What are you staring at like that, you pervert?”
“……”
She glared at me with her usual displeased expression, but something felt different.
The slight waves in her hair told me everything I needed to know.
She had put real effort into getting ready for our date today.
A natural, helpless laugh escaped me.
“No, it’s just…… the jeans suit you more than I expected. Maybe because I only ever see you in your school skirt.”
“!”
“You look pretty, Baek Seolah.”
I stepped closer and reached out, gently running my fingers through her hair. Her face turned red in stages.
“……W-what. You only call me Baekselgi when you’re teasing me. So sneaky……”
“I’m being honest when I compliment you. It really does suit you.”
“Eut……”
I glanced at her reaction and thought for a moment.
Before today, I’d half-suspected this date might be happening because of Lee Hyeonseong’s influence.
‘Guess that’s not the case after all.’
Baek Seolah’s current reaction made it clear my guess had been wrong.
If Lee Hyeonseong had forced this, she would’ve been bristling with irritation.
She wouldn’t have dressed up so prettily either. Even if she was weak to his requests, Baek Seolah was honest with her own feelings.
The fact that she wasn’t snapping at me or showing genuine displeasure meant this date was her own choice.
‘……Why?’
The question only made me more curious.
Why go out of her way to date me?
I was about to tilt my head when I decided not to dwell on it too long.
There was no way to know right now anyway.
I simply brushed her bangs aside and—
Chu—
“……!”
I pressed a short kiss to her pale forehead, letting a bit of personal desire slip in.
Baek Seolah didn’t push me away. She only ducked her head shyly.
No complaints like “What are you doing?” Just a face that had turned bright red.
Testing the waters, I let my hand drift lower, aiming for the exposed stomach beneath her crop top.
“……You’re seriously dead. Don’t cross the line in public.”
“Eung.”
Apparently that was where the line was drawn. She snatched my wrist with uncanny speed and growled under her breath.
So forehead kisses and hugs—the kind of embarrassing couple behavior you see on the street—were acceptable, but anything more wasn’t.
I obediently pulled my hand back with a small laugh. Baek Seolah shot me a sharp glare.
Her usual prickly reaction had returned, but I didn’t mind.
Still wearing my teasing smile, I held out my hand to her.
“Shall we go? You said there was a restaurant you really wanted to try.”
“……”
“I made the reservation like you mentioned yesterday. Let’s head over.”
Baek Seolah hesitated, staring at my outstretched hand for a long moment.
Eventually, she seemed to push aside whatever thoughts had crossed her mind.
“……Yeah, okay.”
She swallowed once, visibly nervous, and reached out.
Only after her hand settled on top of mine could I finally smile in satisfaction.