Chapter 34: Drunkard or Girlfriend?
After wrapping up the day's business, Chae-ah and I stepped out of the store together.
Whenever it was just the two of us inside, Chae-ah was all about the skinship—kisses, arm-linking, hugs, you name it. And outside? No different.
"Unni, what should we do for fun today?"
"Good question. Let's grab some food first. I'm starving."
"We skipped eating at the store 'cause we're having something delicious tonight—I'm so hungry!"
Normally, we'd handle lunch and dinner with delivery food at the store, but today being our first real date, we'd only eaten once to save room for a proper evening meal.
I'd already decided on a menu during work hours.
"Let's take a taxi. It's a bit far."
"Okay, Unni! What are we eating that we're even taking a cab?"
I got the excited Chae-ah into the taxi first, then slid in after her.
"Unni, Unni. Can I come to your place after our date?"
Why does she always want to come to my house?
"It's only natural to want to go to your girlfriend's place."
Those sparkling eyes of hers were invading my field of vision, seriously getting on my nerves.
"…Yeah, come over."
"Yes!"
In the end, I caved to that look again, setting up exactly the situation she wanted.
As I watched Chae-ah grinning from ear to ear, I caught the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror, sneaking peeks at us.
He must've figured we were a same-sex couple from our conversation.
It had been a while since I'd felt eyes like that.
"Can I take lots of pictures with you today, Unni?"
"Sure."
"Can I use the good ones as my profile pic?"
"Yeah."
"Then can I post them on Insta and Twitter too?"
"Yeah, go ahead. Do whatever you want, Chae-ah."
"Wheeee!"
The moment I greenlit everything, she threw both arms up high and hugged me tight.
At first, I couldn't wrap my head around reactions like this from her.
But then I realized this was her first relationship, with the person she'd been crushing on forever.
Now, all her responses made perfect sense.
"We're here."
"Thank you."
Even getting out of the taxi, she had her arm linked in mine.
She was too busy reveling in joy, her head lightly resting on my shoulder, to let go.
"Here we are."
"Whoa… here? This place looks super expensive!"
We'd arrived at a high-rise restaurant with a stunning panoramic view of Seoul's nightscape.
Reservations were impossible on the day of, so I'd nearly given up, but lucked out with one spot left.
"It's our first date. Gotta eat something good."
"Does that mean we can have wine too?"
"Of course. Can't have a date without wine."
"I should've dressed up more if I'd known."
She started scanning her outfit, a bit disappointed.
Her changed-up look had stolen my gaze the moment I saw it, so I figured she was more than fine for dining here.
"You look plenty pretty like this."
I voiced my honest thoughts.
"Really?! If Unni thinks I'm pretty, I'm happy! Unni, kiss!"
"A kiss on the street? Mmph!"
"Mmmmwah!"
I wanted to dodge a public smooch amid the bustling street, but she grabbed my face before I could.
No choice—I ended up with a deep, adorable kiss right there.
"Hehe."
"Who kisses like that?"
"Why? 'Cause I love you, Unni."
We entered the restaurant, got seated, and waited for the pre-ordered food while gazing at the night view.
Seoul's skyline was dazzling no matter how many times I saw it.
Living in the thick of it might feel like hell, but from afar? Pure artwork.
"It's so pretty. Unni, let's take a pic!"
"Okay."
She scooted right up beside me, raised her phone, and planted a kiss on my cheek just before hitting the shutter.
It was so cute, a natural smile broke across my face—and that's how we ended up in the shot.
"Hehe, it's perfect. Gonna make this my profile pic."
"Yeah, go for it."
"I told my SNS friends I finally started dating the girl I've always liked, after confessing so many times."
"Uh… they probably think I'm trash now?"
"Nah, they don't. If anyone does… I'll kill 'em."
Her face flashed with intense murderous intent for a split second as she spat those harsh words, but best to let it slide.
Back to her happy self, Chae-ah leaned on my shoulder and fiddled with her phone.
I could see everything: setting it as her profile pic, posting to SNS.
"Unni, guess what I'm thinking right now?"
"Hm… that you're happy?"
"That's right, but too vague."
"Then… that you want to stay this happy forever?"
"Close, but no. I was wondering if I even deserve to be this happy."
That one line sent a whirlwind of thoughts through my head.
Did I deserve this happiness? Was I as happy as she was?
I couldn't answer right away.
"You deserve it, Chae-ah. You work so hard."
Instead, I answered the question she'd posed to herself.
Too serious a reply might kill the mood, so I based it on how she'd been at work.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Hiring you was the best decision. No regrets ever."
"I love you, Unni."
As she leaned back onto my shoulder, I tilted my chin and softly pressed my lips to hers.
Mwah!
"Oh…"
As expected, Chae-ah's face flushed as she touched where my lips had brushed.
"A gift for my hardworking Chae-ah."
"Unni, you're so… sneaky."
"How am I sneaky?"
"You always do it when I least expect it—how am I not supposed to love you?"
In that instant, a montage of everything I'd done to her flashed by.
Putting it all together, her shy little quip landed perfectly.
And with it came a wave of guilt.
I'd strung her along so much, only now giving her the relationship she wanted.
Good thing I'd confessed first—if it'd been the other way around, I'd have felt like trash.
"I'll do better from now on."
"You're already great, Unni."
"Thanks for thinking that."
What an incredibly sweet girlfriend.
To deserve her, I'd need to put in a lot more effort going forward.
*
We finished our lavish dinner and left the restaurant.
Chae-ah devouring every dish made opening my wallet totally worth it.
But a small problem arose.
"Unniii… I wuv yooouuu…"
She'd chugged the wine like it was the best thing ever—her first time trying it—and now she was a full-on drunk.
At least she was still somewhat coherent, but that could change any second.
"Yeah, I love you too. Can we sober up a bit?"
"Whaaat? I'm fiiiineee."
Today's events confirmed Chae-ah's drinking habits were not good.
Passing out drunk or babbling nonsense? Fine.
But denying she's drunk while ramping up the hyper energy to an unbearable level? Worst habit ever.
"Sigh… gotta hail a taxi first."
Luckily, it wasn't too late, so no trouble getting one.
I loaded her in like luggage and we made it to my place.
"Whoa… Chae-ah, try standing straight?"
"Hehehe… wanna play moooore with Unniii!"
"Me too. But you gotta stand first, right?"
"Hup!"
Suddenly powering through, she snapped her upper body upright.
"See? I'mmm… not drunk at aaaall! Watch meee…!"
She pointed at me with a finger, then spread her arms like walking a balance beam.
On flat ground, she wobbled precariously anyway.
My job was hovering around her, ready for a fall.
"Oooone, twuuu, threeee, fouuur, fiiiive, siiiiix!"
After six steps, Chae-ah flashed a proud smile and threw up a V-sign.
"I walked gooood!"
"Yeah, you did. Chae-ah Shin walks like a champ."
"Hehe, Unni praised me!"
Taking "you walk well" as high praise at 21? Impressive.
"Now we can play moooore?"
"Yep. Let's head inside?"
"Yaaay!"
I wasn't sure bringing her home in this state was wise.
But we were already at my door—no other options.
"Unni's house!"
Once inside, Chae-ah started spinning in circles on the spot.
She looked ready to topple, so I rushed over—only for her to flop naturally onto the sofa.
"Ehehe… Unni's sceeent…"
She buried her nose in the cushions, sniffing loudly right in front of me.
"Gotta take off cloooothes!"
"Why clothes all of a sudden… oh, you're already down to panties."
I'd glanced away for a second to grab water, and boom—Chae-ah rolling around the sofa in just her undies.
Stripping that fast? Gotta be a talent.
"Unniii… whaaat're we playiiing?"
"I'm gonna shower first."
"Perveeeert!"
She writhed and yelled "pervert" at the mention of a shower.
But that lewd grin didn't match the word at all.
"No, I'm sweaty. Just gonna wash up."
"You wanna do it with meee…"
"Nope."
"Don't be shy, Unniii. I looove that about youuu!"
I let out a deep sigh and flicked her forehead as she scripted her own story.
Please, someone take this drunkard away.