Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Hand-Holding Strategy
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Short, dark skinny jeans paired with a casual short-sleeve tee, a thin jacket thrown over top, and a cap.
The small handbag slung over one shoulder pulled the whole look together in a striking way.
Even the brand-new shoes—not a speck of dirt on them—shone brightly, drawing the eye.
As I gave her a quick once-over, Han Heejin spoke up again.
"Doesn't your place have a station just one stop away? Didn't expect to see you here."
"It does, but this way I can ride straight through without transfers. Getting on and off is a hassle, so I came here."
"Fair enough. Good thing you're not running late for our plans, at least."
Han Heejin nodded, then scanned me from head to toe just like I'd done to her.
Her eyes widened in admiration.
"Hmm... you actually dressed nice for once? Totally different from that convenience store slob look."
"You spent all day nagging me to dress properly."
"So you're saying if I hadn't nagged, you'd have rolled out looking like a total mess?"
"Why do you always twist things like that...? Anyway, this should pass muster, right?"
"Fair. You clean up nice."
It was the exact same outfit I'd worn on my date with Chae-ah noona yesterday, but since I'd taken good care of it, she bought it without question.
Looking satisfied, Han Heejin stepped in front of me in line. A pleasant scent wafted from her freshly styled blonde hair.
I rested the ends on my palm, fiddling with them. They'd been brushed meticulously—smooth without a single tangle.
"What do you think? Pretty, right? Bet you can't stop touching it."
"I'm just messing with it 'cause I've got nothing better to do."
"Tch, what's so hard about a compliment?"
A furrow creased her brow in the screen door's reflection. Not pleased, she tapped her heel impatiently and crossed her arms.
Sure, I'd compliment any other girl, but something about Han Heejin made me hold back.
To put it precisely, she got cocky way too fast—I wanted to keep her in check.
Carrot or stick? The stick worked best, and only rarely at that.
She was a masochist anyway; deep down, she probably craved it.
If not, oh well.
"So, what's at XX Station that you wanted to meet there?"
"You'll see when we get there. I know this amazing spot."
No way she'd spill more if I pressed.
We were out here for a third-round fap-off bet, but her vibe was anything but—made it even harder to guess.
She seemed like a kid heading on a field trip, buzzing with excitement from head to toe.
Whatever, wherever. I was curious what she'd planned, and it sounded fun, so I decided to play along.
The announcement chimed, and we boarded the arriving subway, vanishing into the crowd.
We snagged seats side by side, and Han Heejin launched into chatter.
"Oh, right—unnie had her first sleepover last night? She just texted that she's home."
"Sleepover?"
"Yeah. Said she was meeting college friends, but forgot she drove and drank, so she crashed there."
Everything was true except the college friends part. Close enough if you figured "friends who are college students."
"Must've been someone the manager's really close to for her first overnight."
"Yeah. She drank, too."
"Not a guy, I hope?"
I tossed it out casually, playing dumb. Han Heejin snorted and shut it down.
"As if. I've been glued to her side for months—no vibes like that at all."
"Huh. If I were the manager, I'd be out charming guys left and right."
"Sigh, so typical of a guy juggling two girlfriends at once."
"Just saying. She's got the looks, the figure, the money—everything—and she's so diligent. Impressive."
"When the right person comes along, she'll start dating naturally."
Good to hear it landed well. I relaxed.
Ten more bumpy minutes on the subway, and we reached our stop.
"Here we are. Exit 3."
Her sudden childlike energy pulled me along.
What'd she smear honey on her feet? I quickened my pace to follow.
And we ended up somewhere totally out of left field.
"...We at the right place?"
"Duh. Spot on."
An amusement park. Huge letters on the ticket booth read "OO Land."
I let out a dry laugh, staring up at the sky. Roller coaster cars zipped along rails overhead; a massive spinning disk plunged toward the ground.
Each drop pierced the air with shrieking screams.
Seeing my dumbfounded look, Han Heejin pulled her wallet from her handbag.
"Don't worry, oppa. My treat since I dragged you here."
"No, today... whatever. Let's go."
I was thrown by the curveball, but not hating it.
She had her reasons for picking this spot. No clue what, though.
Clop clop.
Monday during break meant crowds, but nothing like weekends—most lines under ten minutes.
Wandering wherever, Han Heejin tugged my collar.
"Oppa, you good with scary rides?"
"Nothing here I can't handle."
"Ooh... then let's start with that one as a taste."
She pointed to the Viking ship swinging side to side. Child's play.
"Sure. You got any you can't do?"
"Nope. None."
"Hope that's not bluff."
"You too."
We jumped in the Viking line. Next group went without us; after that, we snagged prime spots at the back center.
Belts on, I glanced over—Han Heejin beaming like crazy.
First time seeing her smile that bright.
"Gonna see who screams first."
"Do your worst."
Same here. I swallowed that thought as the ride revved up.
Vrrr... clunk.
Long safety spiel ended, vibrations kicked in. The ship swung upward. Hit the peak quick.
It froze at the top amid rising screams—then Han Heejin threw her arms up.
No way I'd lose.
"KyaAAAAH!!"
Wind whipped my bangs back. We plummeted, swung past bottom, up the other side.
Brief pause—she yelled.
"Oppa! You looked scared up there...!?"
"That's you!"
Eyes met for a second before the drop. A few more swings, then feet hit ground.
"Haa... that was fun. Right, oppa?"
"Been a while—yeah, fun."
"Your face up top was priceless. Didn't puke, did you?"
"That's my line."
We smoothed our windswept bangs and exited. Spotting her next target: the Giant Drop.
Her eager face made it impossible to say no. I turned willingly; a smile crept on her lips.
Seeing that sparked a thought.
'Is she just here to hang out with me?'
Recalled something Chae-ah noona mentioned once. Her exotic looks made her defensive; she skipped college for the conbini job, no friends from what I'd seen—so probably never did stuff like this.
Meant I was the only one she could chill and talk casually with.
'Kinda cute all of a sudden.'
Like taking a cousin to the park.
We both knew the real goal, so evening was anyone's guess—but for now, fun times.
I softened up and stood by her side.
"No rush—we can hit everything if we take it slow."
"...What? What's with the corny face?"
"That's just how adults look playing with kids."
"Kid? How old you think I am?"
She waved me off with a grossed-out grimace, then grinned slyly and pressed against me.
"Oppa... wanna hold hands the whole time?"
"Scared you'll get lost?"
"Idiot. It's strategy."
"What strategy? Anti-lost-kid strategy?"
She tsked and wagged her finger like revealing a grand secret.
"Listen up. They say guys get hard and leak precum just holding hands with a pretty girl, right? Tease you all day, and my odds go way up later!"
"Wow... genius level. Professor material. Why not head home and write a paper?"
My deadpan killed her hype. She'd clearly picked up some weird tip somewhere.
Flustered, she tried explaining more.
"No, I mean..."
"Here."
I offered my hand first. To this affection-starved girl who'd used our bet as a date excuse.
My sudden shift creeped her out—she stared, trying to read me.
"What, don't wanna play?"
"Nah. C'mon."
Our hands intertwined—hers way smaller and softer than mine.
Despite initiating, a faint tremble betrayed her.
"Holding hands like this teases me, huh?"
"Y... yeah?"
"You better keep your pussy from getting wet today."
She shivered briefly—I tugged her toward the park's heart.