My Cohabiting Girlfriend Prepared an Event
Han Haru. Twenty years old, male. Hobbies: writing novels and playing games. I have no standout special talents, and my face is perfectly average.
If asked to introduce myself, that's all I could manage to say. I'm an ordinary person with nothing particularly remarkable about me.
Like any other college student, I drag myself to school for classes, rack my brain over the avalanche of assignments from professors who seem convinced I only take their courses, and sometimes pull all-nighters drinking without a second thought only to stagger into first period the next day still half-drunk.
I was a perfectly ordinary college student, no different from anyone else. But there was one thing I could proudly boast about to others: the fact that I'd been in a relationship for over a year with someone I found utterly lovable and wonderful.
“Haru~. Class over?”
It was that pleasant stretch of time after Thursday's final lecture. The moment I stepped out of the hall, Jisu was waiting right at the entrance. When I gave her a light wave, she broke into a radiant smile and waved back.
“Huh? Jisu… your class is already finished?” “Yep! The professor wrapped up early, so I've been waiting for you here~.” “Really? How long?” “Hmm, about thirty minutes?” “Thirty minutes?! That's a long time… You could've just gone home first.” “It's fine~. Even if I headed back thirty minutes early, there's nothing for me to do alone at home anyway.”
She slipped her arm through mine as naturally as breathing. I could feel the envious stares of my classmates boring into my back, but I was used to it by now. Shrugging the looks off lightly, I left the building with Jisu.
“Haru, how was class today?” “Same as always—boring. I just wanted it to end so I could see your face.” “What~? Hehe, me too!” “Really?” “Yeah! Honestly I wanted to barge straight into your lecture hall, but I held back because it would've been too obvious.” “I see. Good call.”
What was so great about seeing my face that she'd even consider storming into my classroom? I gave my ridiculously cute and lovable girlfriend's cheek a gentle pinch. Apparently my reaction came across like I was doting on a child, because Jisu puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. As if to say she wasn't a little kid. That expression was adorable too, so I pinched the other cheek for good measure.
“Hey~! Why are you pinching my cheeks like that?” “Because you're too cute?” “Cute? Hmm, is it because I seem like a baby?” “You know it. Wait, no—that's not what I—” “What??”
My light teasing earned me a flurry of playful smacks on the arm from an indignant Jisu. I knew she wasn't really angry, so I simply let her vent. The name of my impossibly cute girlfriend is Lee Jisu. She might look like an ordinary twenty-year-old woman, but the truth is she's extraordinary. A talented illustrator who made a name for herself before she even turned twenty, and a study monster who has never earned anything below an A since her first semester. On top of that, her stunning looks and bright, cheerful personality draw admiration and envy from countless people. Unlike an average guy like me, her life sparkles. The fact that someone so special became my girlfriend began with a chance encounter at school over a year ago.
The new semester had only just started that March when I sprinted into the classroom. Luckily, there were still about three minutes left before lunch ended. I'd run all the way from the library and was out of breath, so I decided to use those three minutes to steady my breathing. That's when it happened.
“Huh? Where did it go? I know I had it with me. Did I drop it in the library?” “What? What's wrong?” “I think… I lost your notebook…”
The friend I'd left my notebook with for a moment delivered news that hit like a thunderbolt. “What? How could you lose it? Go find it right now.” “Dude, there's less than three minutes until class. If I go look now, I'll be late for sure.” “Then what am I supposed to do?” “I'll look during the next break. I'm so sorry…” “Sigh… Fine.”
I let out a heavy sigh and nodded. My friend was right—it was too late to go searching now. There was nothing I could do. Still, I was worried. My novel was written inside that notebook. If someone read it, I'd be in serious trouble….
Right then, the classroom door suddenly opened and someone walked in, holding out my notebook.
“Is this yours?” “Yeah, it is. Thanks—”
I started to thank the person, then froze. The girl known as the goddess of our university, Lee Jisu, was standing right in front of me. Why did Jisu have my notebook…?
“Did you write the novel in here?” “Huh?” “I'm asking if this novel is yours.”
I nearly fainted on the spot. Jisu had read my novel? It wasn't anything I could proudly show off to people, so my face burned with embarrassment. Still, I couldn't lie, so I gave a careful nod. This was a total disaster. I waited, heart pounding with equal parts dread and anticipation, to see how she would react.
“I see. Got it.”
Her response was far calmer than I'd expected. I was about to ask why she was reacting that way when the class bell rang.
“Ah, I have to go. See you later, Haru.” “Uh… yeah…”
I stared blankly as Jisu hurried out of the room. At the time, I had no idea. That this was our fateful first meeting. Or that the two of us would one day love each other more than anyone else in the world.
“By the way, Haru, did you finish the manuscript you're uploading today?” “Huh? Oh, not yet. I was going to wrap it up at home.” “Hmm, really? I had something to show you once we got back… Too bad.” “What? Something to show me?” “Just something. I'll show you after you finish writing~.” “Really? Now I'm curious.” “Hehe, you'll love it when you see it~?”
Jisu gazed at me with a bright, sunny smile. That look told me she'd prepared another event. Cosplay was her hobby, so she often showed me her outfits. Usually it was just to get my opinion on what she'd wear to events, but sometimes she prepared special surprises while in costume. Judging by her expression, today was one of those times. I couldn't wait to find out what cosplay she'd chosen. With anticipation bubbling inside me, I headed home with Jisu. A short walk from the main gate of Seohan University took us to a slightly run-down apartment complex. The building, which looked at least fifteen years old, was our little nest.
“Haa~, home at last…” “Yeah. It feels good to be back.”
We dropped our bags and collapsed onto the bed in the master bedroom. A spacious master bedroom, a small room turned into a PC bang with a computer, and another set up like a study. A normal family home complete with a large living room, kitchen, and three bedrooms—that was our shared off-campus apartment. How could two twenty-year-olds afford an apartment instead of a studio? It was all thanks to Jisu's father, who had given us the place as a celebration gift when we both started college. I still couldn't believe a girlfriend's dad would do something so generous.
“Time to finish that manuscript.” “Okay! I'll get what I want to show you ready while you work~.” “So what exactly are you showing me?” “Umm~. A special cosplay just for you?” “Special cosplay? What is it?” “That's a secret~. I'll show you myself once you're done writing.”
Jisu stuck her tongue out playfully when she called it a secret. Seeing her tease me like that always made me both exasperated and utterly charmed. I had no idea what kind of special cosplay she'd prepared this time. She'd done so many different ones that I couldn't even guess. A game character? Or maybe a classic like a nun or police officer? Lost in thought, I let Jisu pull me into the study and sit me down at the desk.
“Anyway, get writing, Haru~. When you're finished, message me and come out. Okay?” “Got it. I'll let you know as soon as I'm done, so take your time getting ready.”
When I nodded, Jisu smiled and closed the study door behind her. I let out a small sigh, then settled into the chair in front of the desk. This study was my personal workspace. As both a college student and a web novel writer who submitted stories online, I always worked here. It had been over six months since I'd started the daily routine of waking up, drinking coffee to shake off the morning fog, turning on the laptop, and filling the blank white screen with words. At first I'd done it because I wanted to look cool in front of Jisu, but before I knew it the habit had taken root. Thanks to it, I'd developed a regular daily rhythm, so I supposed it was a good thing. Writing after school like this only happened when I hadn't managed to finish the manuscript in the morning. Usually I wrapped everything up before class, so these situations were rare. Of all days, Jisu had prepared something special on one of the few days I needed to work late. Eager to see what she had in store, I let my fingers fly across the keyboard.
“Phew… all done.”
After finishing the final touches, I closed the laptop and leaned the chair all the way back. Because I'd written faster than usual, the wave of exhaustion that hit me was stronger than normal. I closed my eyes for a moment to catch my breath, then turned my phone back on and sent Jisu a message.
What exactly had she prepared that she wanted me to stay put in the study? Curiosity swirling, I sat exactly as she'd asked and waited.
— Knock knock.
“Jisu?”
— Knock knock knock.
There was no one else in the house who would knock, so it had to be her. But why wasn't she answering? Still puzzled, I opened the door—and froze on the spot. Standing right outside was…
“Master, have you finished your work for today~?”
Jisu, fully transformed into a maid.