It Seems Like My Childhood Friend Has Returned

#78

12:30 PM.

I was supposed to meet Han Seo-ah by 1 PM, but I ended up arriving way too early in my attempt not to be late.

Today… it’s a date, right?

I’ve hung out with Seo-ah outside countless times, but given the vibe between us lately, I couldn’t help but feel this was more than just friends hanging out. My heart was racing.

In one corner of my mind, I could hear my studious side, Lee Joonu, scolding me for what I was doing during exam season, but the other Joonus quickly silenced him.

—Shut up, sometimes there are things more important than exams.

We live right next to each other, so I had planned to leave together. However, Seo-ah said she had somewhere to stop by this morning, so we agreed to meet separately.

—Why isn’t she here? (12:40 PM)

This isn’t just another meeting with my childhood friend of 13 years. Thinking of it as a date made me so nervous that I broke into a sweat, pondering what to say when she arrived, where to go, what to eat, and more.

Ah, I should’ve at least looked up some date spots.

I ended up spending all night looking at women’s swimwear instead of planning our date course.

‘Joonu, where are we going now?’
‘I don’t know. Want to just go home?’
‘….’

Just imagining Seo-ah giving me a cold, disappointed look squeezed my heart.

Quickly searching for nearby date spots on my phone, a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Joonu!”

—Crap.

Tears welled up inside me as I thought, why did she have to come so early? Turning around, there stood Han Seo-ah, looking more stunning than ever, greeting me with a cheerful smile and a wave.

Her usual pretty self was amplified today, with lightly done makeup and hair styled in a way that caught my eye.

She even wore a necklace, which she usually finds uncomfortable. Completing her look with a white sweater accentuating her curves, a black tennis skirt emphasizing her lovely waist and wide hips, and a brown coat thrown over it.

I couldn’t help but doubt if this perfect blend of beauty was really the same childhood friend I’ve known for 13 years.

—So it’s really a date.

I felt foolish for doubting just a moment ago.

The fact that I was about to go on a date with someone so beautiful that everyone passing by couldn’t help but look made my heart race.

“Why did you come out so early? Did you wait long?”

Seeing Seo-ah act all apologetic despite arriving early herself only made me smile wider.

“I just got here.”
“Really?”
“Why would I lie? It’s true.”

The foolish Joonu from earlier was dead and gone. A new version of me had been born to go on a date with Seo-ah, so I didn’t lie.

“Phew, that’s a relief. I thought maybe Joonu would show up 30 minutes late and be waiting.”

“… No way.”

Her eerily accurate guess made a slight cold sweat break out.

“Well, that’s a relief. By the way…”

“Yeah?”
“Don’t you have something to say to me, Joonu?”

As if she was urging me to speak up, Seo-ah looked up at me with shy, expectant eyes that shone brightly.

She was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

It wasn’t hard to tell her those words that bubbled up to my lips.

Anyone who saw her would think the same.

However, mere words wouldn’t suffice to convey the adorableness of Seo-ah, who had gone out of her way to dress up for me.

At this moment, I had never resented my lack of vocabulary more.

—If I can’t express it in words, then by actions.

Gingerly, I reached out my hand and intertwined my fingers with her delicate, soft ones, holding them tightly as if I would never let go.

I wanted to hold on a little longer than before, when I used to feel nervous about sweaty palms.

“… You look so pretty today, Seo-ah.”

Her skin, already flawless and white as snow, looked smooth and inviting. Her long eyelashes were perfectly gentle, and revealing her cute ear from behind her hair only enhanced her charm.

Her soft, slightly pink dew-kissed lips caught the light too, making it hard to resist deciphering all her beautiful features.

If someone asked me what was beautiful about her, I could easily rattle off a list on the spot.

But ultimately, all those compliments led back to one conclusion.

As I conveyed that conclusion to her, I just hoped that even a fraction of my overflowing feelings would get through.

Hearing my words, her cheeks flushed a rosy pink, whether from her makeup or something else, I couldn’t tell.

“How much?”
“I don’t know because I have no one to compare it to.”
“What’s that supposed to mean…”

You silly— she muttered playfully, lightly poking my side with her other small hand.

But seeing her smile as if she was genuinely happy made me chuckle.

“Joonu.”
“Yeah?”

As I looked around, contemplating whether to move, I turned at the sound of my name.

“Joonu, you look great today too.”

Her blushing face and bashful smile made me turn away again.

I could feel my face heating up without even looking in the mirror.

#79

It was time for lunch, so Han Seo-ah and I held hands and wandered around looking for a place to eat.

Street food, mala soup, pasta, pizza, and so on.

Based on my experiences, Seo-ah’s taste was pretty much like any other girl’s, regardless of her looks.

…I guess I’ll have to double my workout after going home today.

Even though I was on a diet, I had no intention of asking Seo-ah to accommodate my restrictions.

While looking around, suddenly, Seo-ah gripped my hand tighter and led me somewhere.

“Joonu, over there!”

Curious, I followed her slender finger, which pointed to a renowned steak chain restaurant.

“Steak?”

I gave her a puzzled look, wondering why she suddenly wanted steak when she had never suggested it before.

Pretty, but… no, that’s not it.

Seeing her in a different, more genuine mode from her usual self was like a spell that made it hard for me to think straight.

“Yeah, let’s have steak, Joonu.”

She pulled me along excitedly, and after a moment’s hesitation, I spoke up.

“Wouldn’t pasta be better?”

I wanted our first date to revolve around a meal she liked.

Of course, she probably felt the same way, but my pride as a guy wouldn’t let me yield.

Then Seo-ah smiled brightly at me.

“Because I like pasta?”

“… Yeah.”
“Yay, thanks! But—”

You took a step closer.

“Joonu, since you’re going to be working out for me…”

“Then it’s only fair for me to support you from the sidelines, right?”

“You can just take me to where I want to go next time.”

Isn’t that right? she asked, seeking my agreement.

What is this adorable creature? Every time I saw new sides of Seo-ah that I didn’t know for the past 13 years, I felt my feelings grow even more.

It was almost overwhelming.

“… Alright. Then let’s go to a pasta place next time. A really good one.”

We made our future plans as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yeah! Let’s do that.”

Seeing her eyes sparkle with anticipation as she looked up at me made me think I should immediately look up pasta places as soon as I got home.

#80

Though it was great to have come in for a protein-packed steak.

Looking at the menu’s prices, a bit steep for two high school students, made me sweat inside.

Seeing me look worried, she leaned in closer and whispered reassuringly.

“Joonu, I was going to keep this a secret, but…”

Seo-ah shared quietly.

“Your mom gave me a card this morning. She told me to go eat something delicious today.”

“My mom? Really?”

“Yeah!”

She pulled out the card in a “ta-da!” manner, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and relief at the same time.

“It’s real…”
“Right? So you can order anything. Let’s eat something good.”

The thought of swiping my mom’s card made my heart lighten in an instant.

Thank you, Mom…!

Then I remembered something and asked playfully with a teasing grin.

“By the way, you’re calling her ‘Mom’ already?”

Since Seo-ah had always called my mom ‘Aunt’ or ‘Sister’ because they got along so well, I found it amusing.

Her cheeks flushed as she sported a cheeky smile in response.

“I have to practice.”

Isn’t that so? she seemed to be asking.

I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing my bewildered expression made Seo-ah laugh, and as she took off her coat, her stunning figure was revealed beneath it.

I couldn’t help but think— I need to hit the gym seriously.

“Why, you ask?”

Noticing my stare, she asked in a cute tone.

If it was intentional, the effect was undeniably successful.

I handed her my cardigan, which I had been wearing.

“If you find this coat uncomfortable, you can wear this.”

—You’re too sexy right now.

I said that internally while she happily put it on.

“Wow, Joonu! Look at this, it’s so big.”

As she asked me to look, her tiny fingers barely peeked out from the oversized sleeves.

Seeing her joy in wearing my clothes made something within me flutter.

“Is it too big to wear?”

“No, I like it better this way.”

Seeing her snug against my cardigan made me feel uneasy for a moment.

“… Does it smell?”

“Yeah, it smells like you, Joonu.”

Oh no.

“Sorry, give it back—”
“Yay! I like it so much.”

Even as I tried to retrieve it, she buried her face into my sweater, clearly relishing it.

“Hmm? Joonu, what did you say?”
“… Nothing.”

What matters is that you’re happy.

I resolved then and there not to wash that cardigan today.

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