Second Date 2: Teasing and the Eel Mix-Up
Jung Taeyang and I walked together. I had no idea where we were headed. Even when I glanced sideways at him, he looked lost in thought—or rather, like he had no thoughts at all. It seemed like we were just going wherever our feet took us. But I didn't mind. Come to think of it, wasn't I wandering aimlessly too? No set destination, just the two of us strolling along. The realization made my heart tickle in a pleasant way.
Still, we couldn't just keep walking forever. Sure, suggesting food was an excuse on my part, but seeing him like this, he probably wouldn't notice even if we looped the same street for hours. And walking nonstop would make my legs ache anyway. I poked his side.
The moment he turned to look at me, I nearly lost myself in his gaze, but I quickly stepped back and spoke. "What do you wanna eat?"
Jung Taeyang blinked like he didn't get it at first, then seemed to remember he'd been the one to suggest grabbing a bite. "Uh, what do you wanna eat?"
Of course, he might've just been being considerate, but I hated the "anything's fine" cop-out. Even if he'd happily go along with whatever I picked, I didn't want that. "Don't do that. Tell me what you want."
I said it a bit coldly on purpose. It was fun watching him squirm, probably because of that earlier memory.
He glanced at me nervously, then started listing foods he thought girls liked. "Pasta?"
"I don't like noodles."
"S-steak?"
"Meat for lunch?"
"Uh, w-well then..."
His girl-knowledge maxed out there, apparently. Mine wasn't much better—I only knew pasta and steak too. But watching him fluster was kinda cute. So dominant during those times, yet fumbling over this.
He was still racking his brain. I stared at him, then couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
His blank face made it worse—he'd just realized I was teasing. "Pfft... pffft-haha!"
I tried to stifle it, but the laughter wouldn't stop. I'd always wondered why he grinned so much when I laughed, but now I got it.
I looked at him, smile unhidden. "Jeez, were you that desperate to please me?"
I wanted to pat his head like he did to me. Standing on tiptoes, I strained to reach—and he kindly bent his knees a bit. He didn't seem to hate it.
"D-don't tease..."
"You've teased me way more."
He went quiet, ears turning bright red. As I stroked his hair, I touched his ear with my free hand. It was hot.
"W-why are you touching?!"
He jolted up in panic. He hadn't expected that.
But I had plenty to say back. "You've touched me too. Even when I hated it."
"Th-that was..."
He faltered again. Savoring the rare victory, I giggled.
But his next words threw me off. "So... you don't hate it anymore?"
"Huh?"
"If you hated it when I touched you, that means there were times you didn't, right?"
"Ah?"
I froze. It was an easy comeback, but my mind blanked. Because lately, it was true—I really didn't mind sometimes.
Now it was my turn to blush. My face and ears burned just like his, and I stepped back a couple paces.
He pounced on the opening. "Aww, you used to hate my touch, but now you like it?"
"N-no, that's not..."
Even as I denied it, he closed in and patted my head. Instinctively, I tilted my chin up, waiting for the rest. He caught the cue and stroked my chin with his other hand.
"You're so cute. Wanna be my puppy?"
"...You're such a jerk."
I glared, eyes narrowed, but he just chuckled like it was adorable. At this point, with him petting me, I was already losing.
I grabbed his hand and made an excuse. "L-let's eat... I'm hungry."
"Okay?"
He let go obediently. A little longer would've been nice... No, stop. I shoved the thought away and kept walking.
"So, what're we really eating?"
I pondered his question. Chicken was yesterday; pizza or jjajangmyeon didn't appeal. No sushi spots nearby. As I mulled options, a shop caught my eye.
"Eel?"
"Eel?"
There was an eel restaurant ahead. Eel was delicious. And I hadn't had it in ages. Pricey, but one of my favorite fish—with sauce, of course.
I turned to him, but his face looked deflated. "Why the long face?"
"Uh, eel... you wanna eat that?"
"...?"
He glanced between the shop and me. I stared blankly, trying to figure it out—then it hit me. Eel's effects.
"...Oh."
"W-well, if that's what you want..."
"N-no! Not like that!"
I flushed. I'd just thought it looked tasty. Now he probably saw me as some sex-crazed monster.
I tried correcting the misunderstanding, but he mumbled he got it and avoided my eyes.
...It's really not.
"...I'm not eating."
"Huh?"
"I'm going home. Don't follow."
Honestly, even I knew I was sulking. I hated admitting it, but yeah, a bit. Guess I really was a girl now.
As I turned to leave, he grabbed my arm, face nearly tearful. "...Why?"
"S-sorry, I..."
Truth be told, the moment he grabbed me, most of the sulk vanished. But he was still annoying. I decided to try that internet trick.
"What're you sorry for?"
"Huh?"
"What? Say it."
"Uh, uh..."
He paled, scrambling for his mistake. Laughter bubbled up, but I held it in, crossing my arms sternly. He fidgeted before me.
"T-teasing you?"
"Do I seem that petty?"
It was the teasing, but I wasn't ending the fun yet. I scowled harder, demanding more.
"Uh, petting your head too much...?"
"You really think that's it?"
Petting was nice, though. If he stopped thinking that, I'd be sad.
"Uh, then..." He scratched his head. "Because of what I said yesterday...?"
"...Huh?"
What'd he say yesterday? My memory was fuzzy—just me moaning under him. But I kept a poker face.
"..."
He squirmed anxiously. Deciding that was enough, I stepped beside him with a grin.
"Pfft... dummy."
"Huh?"
"Let's get eel. Hurry up."
"...Wha?"
He mumbled blankly, not getting it. I dashed past toward the shop.
Eel is tasty. Right?
"He'll... pay, yeah."
He suggested eating, so he'd cover it? With that thought, I sat at the eel place. He arrived quite a while later.