Chapter 7: Is This Love? (2)

TL: looloo

Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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"Name."

"Argh! Damn it! Seriously, it hurts like hell!"

"Name."

"This damn..."

"Name."

"It's Heena! Damn you all!"

"Age."

"Same age! Same age!"

"Confirmed."

The emotionless nod from this guy is genuinely terrifying. His comrades beside him look just as threatening.

"How much farther do we have?"

"I seriously want to kill you right now."

"Hey, hold on a little longer."

What did I do so wrong?

A confession from a high school girl, which might happen only once in a lifetime?

The fact that this high school girl became my incredibly pretty girlfriend?

Proudly displaying our couple photo as my profile picture?

These narrow-minded jerks.

Shouldn't friends genuinely wish each other happiness?

If it were others like Jung Yoonsung or Kim Suhwang going through the same situation...

Hmm.

Well...

Let me endure a little more.

"So, what's with the Shincheonji thing? You're not just calling it Shincheonji like a dumbass, are you?"

"They came again yesterday. They said it's not that."

"So, they're just saying that but they're actually from Shincheonji?"

"After a deep conversation of nearly 2 hours, I found out it wasn't."

"You could have been proselytized for nearly 2 hours."

"Would Shincheonji really use high school students in that manner? Our assumptions were just baseless."

"They could have become more malicious."

"You really want to steer this toward that, don't you?"

We're not getting anywhere.

The guy who was spouting nonsense left, and in comes Kim Suhwang, a tall guy with a physique you might mistake for a gangster if you bumped into him on the street.

"What's going on?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You weren't online for the game yesterday, and your profile picture changed to a couple's photo."

"Right, that happened."

"Is our rank important, or is your love life more important?"

Love life? Damn it.

"Of course, our rank is important. I was late because I was clearing up a misunderstanding yesterday."

"You start off with a lie without even blinking."

"No, what the hell... Ah! Don't shake me! Damn it! The Lego hurts like hell!"

Who brought this thing, anyway? fre𝚎w𝐞bn𝗼v𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝗼𝚖

Someone who plays with Lego...

"Hey! The Lego went that way."

"Thanks. I'll go pick it up."

That bastard Jung Yoonsung.

He was bragging about buying tech with his allowance, and now he probably picked up the unsold pieces.

"You can't be distracted now."

"What now?"

"Your girlfriend."

"What about Heena?"

"...Is she pretty?"

"Didn't you see the photo?"

Why do I need to repeat it?

"Could have been edited."

"We just took a casual selfie and uploaded it immediately. It was even just a single shot. And"

"And?"

"Heena doesn't look as good in photos. She's even more beautiful in person."

"Damn you!"

These narrow-minded, lonely jerks...!

---

Raei Translations

---

The painful morning hours finally ended after breaks in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th periods.

My ankle was so red that I thought the aftereffects would last until tomorrow.

At least after lunch and dinner, there was a brief basketball time, a respite. These guys would shut up and blabber about teamwork when it was basketball time. I could barely hold back my urge to throw something at them.

Then came the self-study evening hours.

Usually, I'd just browse the web or read novels on my phone.

But today, I kept looking at the chats I'd shared sporadically with Heena.

[ Heena: We have self-study hours too, but they're not mandatory. Only the library is open, so I prefer to study at home! ]

[ Heena: Are you late in replying because you're out with friends? I've seen you a few times after school. You seem really close with your friends. ]

[ Heena: It's okay! I sometimes forget the textbook content too and review during breaks~ ]

[ Heena: It's self-study time, right? Study hard! I'll message you again later~ (emoji of a puppy in a fighting pose) ]

From just today's chat, I could sense that Heena was quite diligent. From our previous conversations, I gathered she's likely among the top students.

In comparison, I...

Was my last mock test average a 4?

While I'm not bad academically, I typically score around 3.5 to 4 when I focus and study intensively during the exam period. I've never scored lower.

But I've never really cared much about grades.

My parents, as long as there weren't significant issues, didn't emphasize grades either. To be honest, hanging out with friends and gaming was just too fun.

Perhaps in my senior year, I'd think about studying seriously. For this year, I never thought I'd study.

But that changed.

The shocking encounters over the last two days, the brief chats with Heena... My mindset shifted overnight.

Of course, I don't assume that everything Heena said, or the way I perceived her, is exactly as I imagine.

Yet, discounting the vague memories of middle school, my first-ever girlfriend seemed so perfect.

Not doing anything and just relying on her would bruise my pride. I might even get anxious.

Clearly, she confessed to me, and she's being so generous. But objectively, I'm lacking.

Wouldn't it be better to put in some effort, even if it's just to avoid unnecessary hurt?

Whether it's a fleeting resolution or a genuine change in me, I decided to start today at least.

With that determination, just as I was about to open my textbook after a long time, the tech junkie sitting next to me, Jung Yoonsung, peeked over from the next seat.

"What do you want?"

"Did you finish this week's essay assignment?"

"That one? I wrapped it up during the evening study session."

"Damn, I haven't even touched it. Can you help?"

"Do it over the weekend. It's due on Monday."

"Why would I work on it at home over the weekend?"

"Then do it now. It would probably take you two hours."

"You know I struggle in general, but I'm especially bad at Korean. I could use some help."

"And you're the one who brought Legos to school claiming you'd break your own leg?"

Are you for real?

"To be honest, it's the traitor's fault. I really wanted to catch up, but let's start the homework first."

"Ugh, you're such trash. Just when I felt like studying."

"Hahahaha!"

"Do you want to work on this alone?"

"No, I know my friend Yeonho wanted to study. Let's help each other out."

"I seriously want to slap you."

Let's study starting tomorrow.

He's honestly so useless.

"Log in first today."

"Ah, I decided not to watch today, so I'll go in."

"You're so damn infuriating."

"Thanks for the compliment~"

As I left, I noticed the guy flipping me off, completely oblivious to the favor I did by helping him with his homework for two hours. I headed home.

I contemplated studying tonight until 10. However, I felt that if I rushed into it, my determination might be short-lived. For now, my goal was to give my best during class and evening study sessions until 8.

The mere thought of studying was already becoming a chore. But the memory of my girlfriend, whom I started dating yesterday, gave me a burst of motivation.

Honestly, aiming for the same university as her might be ambitious. But at the very least, I should get into a reputable one, so I don't appear too inferior. If I keep leading such a carefree life, Heena might lose interest even before that.

With those thoughts, I was about to message Heena when...

"......"

"...Sorry, I'm here."

For the third day in a row, at the same place,

I ran into her.

I was taken aback, but I quickly led Heena to sit on a bench at the playground we visited yesterday.

"I'm sorry for coming so suddenly."

"No, I'm grateful you came to see me. Really."

I'm thankful and happy.

It's always better to express these feelings.

"I feel bad, with the bus fare and all... Plus, it's getting late, and I worry."

"Mm..."

I wasn't trying to blame her, but seeing her dejected look made my heart ache. Yet, she suggests we take a break today and have a date tomorrow.

"What's up? I didn’t expect you to come again since we planned to meet tomorrow."

"It's not that... I haven't been able to chat with you for hours because of your night studies..."

"Mm..."

"I just wanted to see you..."

"..."

What could I do about that?

How can I resist when she says she missed me?

"I've been coming to see you every day recently... It feels empty when I don't."

"Oh... um..."

What can I even say when my girlfriend says something like that?

"I missed you too. It's good that you came."

"Really?"

"If you miss me, just send a message. I'll come to you."

If I were to do that, our meeting time might be a bit shorter than now.

I tried to simulate it in my mind.

If I'm not taking some sort of portal at 8 pm, after wrapping up and getting on the bus, I'd probably arrive around 8:30 pm at the earliest?

Considering it takes around 45 minutes, if I chat until 10 pm, drop her off, and then return home, it should be around 10:30 pm.

Sounds doable?

But the downside might be the transportation cost, considering I haven't been going out much except for dates.

Would my mother understand if I spent a bit more on dating?

"But I still feel guilty..."

"I feel bad too, you keep taking the bus to see me. It's not an everyday thing. Just sometimes on weekdays when I really miss you..."

"But what if I miss you every day...?"

"Maybe I should get a monthly bus pass?"

Though I doubt there’s a monthly pass for the village bus.

Either way, seeing my silly remark, a smile slowly returned to Heena's face.

"Sorry, I just ended up coming today without thinking."

"Even if we don't see each other every day, if you really miss me, tell me. I'll come."

"Mm... I'll definitely let you know if I’m coming."

"Thanks. It's not a joke, I genuinely worry."

"There are still many people out and about at this hour, so it's okay."

"It's fine for others, but I worry about you."

"Why?"

"Because you're too beautiful."

"Oh, come on..."

To a blushing Heena, I spoke confidently, but I truly meant it.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were guys trying to get her number on her way here.

It's bound to happen.

And so, that day, before dropping Heena off, we engaged in endless debate on who should come over.

"Should we always go half and half? Since you came over today, should I come to your place next time?"

"Sounds good."

Deal settled.

"Should we meet at 11 am tomorrow?"

"Yeah! Let's meet in front of the fast-food place near the station."

"Anything particular you want to eat? Just to let you know, I'm a fan of pizza, pasta, and tteokbokki."

"I'm easy. As long as I'm eating with you."

"Oh... That's nice to hear. I feel the same."

"But, fancy places might be a bit much. How about we just eat where we meet?"

"Sounds good to you?"

"Well, it's more about who I'm eating with than what I'm eating..."

"Okay, okay. I get it. Let's have burgers."

"Hehe."

I interrupted, feeling a tad embarrassed.

After that, we chatted a bit more about tomorrow's plans.

"I should head out then."

"Be safe!"

"I'll message you when I arrive."

Today, just like other days, I parted ways with Heena at the bus stop.

Heena's unexpected actions today left me feeling a mix of joy and surprise.

Being liked is great, but it felt different.

Is it because we've only just started dating?

Her affection was so straightforward, and she seemed to be the most proactive person around.

I had noticed these hints since yesterday, but today she truly acted on them.

Maybe it feels this way because I've never dated before.

Is this how everyone feels at the start of a relationship?

It's like reading about the female lead in a comic, so in love she doesn't know how to act.

Am I overthinking things?

Still, I have this nagging feeling I'm forgetting something.

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