Chapter 396 – 71. Double Date (3)
.
… It’s harder than I thought.
Let’s do the same with Hayun. She seems like something a really cute little sister would do, so I can’t do it because I’m embarrassed.
Let’s just wait for Baek Ji-ho to act like Seo Woo-jin and react accordingly, he’s not that kind of guy in the first place.
Of course, if you ask me, it is true that I am one year younger than Baek Ji-ho…
Since I was young, I’ve always treated her as if she were my older sister…
Ha.
I was just trying to find out what men like.
So, I tried to resolve the slightly awkward relationship with Baek Ji-ho.
Why is something so difficult?
“Sir. Would you like to stick around a little longer?”
“Hmm… Then let’s treat my sister like this…”
“Huh? Huh? Wait…?!”
“Uh, just like that. Come on…”
Somewhere in Ihwa-dong Mural Village.
Standing in front of the mural that she often saw in her friends’ photos, Seo Woo-jin hugged Hayun from behind and smiled at the smartphone with the blank paper on it.
Of course, the top of Hayun’s head slightly covered Seo Woojin’s mouth, perhaps because of the considerable height difference between them, but I could see her smile.
I stood next to the sound of people taking pictures, click, click, and looked at the two people.
Well, Seo Woo Jin is smiling normally as always.
Hayun seemed shy at first, but before she knew it, she was being treated like a doll obediently.
In that case, now let’s replace those two people with me and Baek Ji-ho.
When Baek Ji-ho hugs me, he grumbles at first, asking what he’s doing, but then stays calm. That feeling.
So, I let my imagination run wild for a moment.
“…”
As expected, this doesn’t seem right.
Not even the opposite.
“Is it because it’s a nice day? It’s a perfect photo. I guess the rain that fell yesterday swept away the fine dust or something.”
“Really? Where… Wow. Woojin. Look at this.”
I’m right next to you. Instead, he glanced at Baek Ji-ho, who was taking a picture of the two, and let out a sigh.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it at all.
You can do it if you want to.
However, if we want to talk about whether we are a good fit for both of us…, … Isn’t that a bit much?
First things first.
The problem is that the height difference between me and Baek Ji-ho is not as big as those two people.
He and I are very similar in height.
I’m a bit tall for a girl, and Baek Ji-ho is just about the average male size.
In that case, when Baek Ji-ho hugged me from behind like that, it was obvious that he would not only cover his lips and the tip of his nose, but also cover his whole forehead.
Then, in the end, it will become completely different from the atmosphere we see now.
Secondly, personality was also an obstacle.
It’s not just me, but Baek Ji-ho too. Everything.
Of course, I could somehow reduce my usual apathy and act like an obedient girlfriend, but isn’t it Baek Ji-ho?
Because he is a guy who prefers to be like when he was in elementary school and be comfortable with her as a friend, rather than show off his cheesy affection.
The only time he touched me was when he was very drunk and in a bad mood.
As long as I don’t drink too much and get drunk like last time, I don’t think Baek Ji-ho will ever treat me like that.
“Would you two like to take a picture? I’ll do it for you.”
“Oh, no, no. I don’t like things like that between me and Davin. Furthermore, I’ll keep taking pictures.”
“…”
… So, I had to put the bar at the end of the course.
It’s a big deal because I haven’t learned anything I can use on my boyfriend yet.
A little while ago, while eating lunch, the sight of Hayoon pushing a fork at Seo Woojin, telling him to try it because it was delicious, was very cute, but when I did it, he said, ‘Hey. Eat this too.’ It is obvious that it will feel like that.
A little while ago, Hayun, who happened to make eye contact with Seo Woojin on the street, was very cute to see smiling brightly, but when I asked Baek Jiho, ‘Did you eat something wrong?’ It is obvious that the answer will be similar.
Moreover, I don’t want to do something cringy like that.
… So what can we do to create the atmosphere of a relationship rather than the atmosphere of a couple who has been married for 20 years?
Is there a way to create a lover-like atmosphere in an easy and non-cheesy way?
I’d rather just hold hands like those two right now.
It’s so hot I’m dying, but should I at least do that?
I was just looking at Baek Ji-ho’s hand holding the smartphone.
“Why?”
“… Huh?”
“No, I felt like something was staring at me a while ago.”
Baek Ji-ho probably felt the gaze and asked while tilting his head.
“Do you have something to say?”
“… No. It’s not like that.”
“What? I was eating lunch again and thought he might have asked me something, but I guess he was just watching.”
“…”
Should we hold hands too?
If you ask me why, how should I answer?
Those two people over there have been doing that since a while ago.
How can I solve this problem if I answer that they just started dating, so it’s like that?
Let’s just hold hands like we’re dating, you idiot.
If I were to say that, I would be too strong, unlike Hayun.
After holding it for about 10 minutes, it ends in a blur because my hands are sweating.
I continued thinking and said.
“Well, it doesn’t mean anything. I have something I want to ask.”
“Which one?”
“Photos. We’re not going to take any?”
If you want to take a picture, there’s nothing I can’t do.
Since I’m in front of others, I’m thinking of at least raising the corners of my mouth instead of this stiff expression.
It didn’t matter whether we held hands, hugged like those two people just did, whatever.
Baek Ji-ho, just say you like it.
When you talk like this, the intention is very obvious.
That’s why I said it.
“It’s okay. It’s a hassle to take pictures. The sun is hot. Besides, what kind of picture is that between you and me? It’s cringy.”
“… Ah. Okay.”
“Why? You want to take pictures? You said before that you don’t understand people who take pictures like this?”
“I know. I’m too cringy and don’t like it… I just asked. Furthermore, I was just wondering.”
… Since I was young, I have seen a man with no tact whatsoever named Baek Ji-ho.
Rather than realizing it, you will get an obvious answer like this.
Although I knew it very well.
*****
A board game café that Hayun actively insisted that she must go to.
After enjoying some of the famous board games there, I sighed in relief because I was fortunate to have beaten that couple here.
I was a little shocked by Hayun’s words, “It was really fun with her sister and Seo Woo-jin,” But luckily, I guess she didn’t mean anything strange.
From the famous Da Vinci Code, Rummikub, and Splendor.
After Baek Ji-ho and I won everything, I was motivated to go to the bathroom and do just one thing again.
It looks like you really enjoyed it.
I think we should have done something like this together on a regular basis.
“Okay… Actually, I just got lucky this time and won…”
“Luck is luck, but you also have to use your brain appropriately. I think that’s why my sister is having fun.”
“… Does this mean you’re having fun because you don’t notice that you’re lucky?”
“It would be difficult if you interpreted it that way.”
Baek Ji-ho also went to the bathroom for a moment, and the only people left at the table were me and Seo Woo-jin.
After observing his gaze, I rested my chin comfortably and looked at him, moistening my lips with a drink.
While everyone has left for the bathroom, I can see them neatly organizing the chips they used while playing the game.
Is it because we shared some secrets that only we two knew in the health room the other day?
To be honest, I felt more comfortable this way than when the four of us were together.
This is obvious, but it only means that it is comfortable.
When I look at Hayoon, I’m busy watching how she’ll behave in front of Seo Woojin, and when I look at Baek Jiho, I feel a strange sense of frustration, so there’s nothing I can do about it.
Moreover, Seo Woo Jin knows the real reason why I suggested a double date…
In short, we have a relationship that we can talk about openly.
To put it to the extreme, we can poke and prod Hayoon and Jiyoon, asking if it was good to eat together.
I never thought I would be with that man and think like this.
After sipping a little more drink, he glanced in the direction of the door and continued.
“… I’m asking because everyone went to the bathroom. What does it look like there? Me and Baek Ji-ho.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If you know, why are you asking? I meant to ask if there was something strange about us as a couple.”
“Uhm…”
Although he expected it, Seo Woo-jin touches the corner of his mouth as if it is a question that is not easy to answer.
Eventually, he adjusted his posture and calmly spoke.
“They literally looked like a married couple. In a negative sense.”
“I told you. It’s a similar feeling, like boredom.”
“When I suggested the photo earlier, I suggested it as a slight pushback, but he didn’t like it.”
“I mean. After that, he even asked me if I wanted to take a separate picture…!”
“Oh, so the two of you were whispering about something before taking the picture.”
“… I’m okay with the feeling between you and Hayoon, even if it’s half that good.”
Was he remembering the sight he saw a moment ago? Seo Woo-jin picks up a cookie and eats it with a vague smile.
Because of the crunching sound I heard at the same time, I reached out my hand, and he gently pushed the plate towards me.
Even if you don’t have to do this, it’s within reach.
Maybe kindness is ingrained in me because my job is a health teacher.
I expressed my gratitude with a quick look and shoved a cookie into my mouth.
“…”
“…”
A not-so-sweet, somewhat bitter taste slowly spreads along the tongue.
Seo Woo-jin, who was silent for a moment, quietly spoke out.
“Hey, maybe it’s presumptuous to meddle…”
“I don’t care, so please intervene. What do you think is the problem?”
“It’s not a problem…”
“So what is it?”
It would be more accurate to see it through the eyes of a third party than through the eyes of the person involved.
Therefore, right after being urged to answer, Seo Woo Jin answered with an awkward smile.
“I think being too close may actually be poisonous. You even said that we were childhood friends.”
“I know. Even so… I can’t just cut away the memories of being close friends now.”
Since heroes and villains who manipulate memories have not yet appeared, this is completely the realm of fantasy.
So, with a calm expression on his face, he tapped the table and spoke.
“I didn’t mean to say that we should erase our close memories. Um…”
“…”
“How about going back to the outside a little bit? For example, after it rains, the ground hardens… Have you ever heard of it?”
“It’s a proverb. You go through trials and become stronger. Something like this.”
Since it is one of the famous proverbs, there is no way you don’t know it.
“There’s no need for an ordeal, so why not try to distance yourself for a while? Let’s make each other realize the importance of each other.”
“… Um…”
“For example, don’t stick around too much and stay a little apart.”
I roughly understand the gist of what you are saying.
If you’re going to be in a hurry like I am right now, it would be better to change the daily life that you’ve been living too closely.
But it wasn’t something I really liked.
If you try to keep your distance, won’t the relationship get worse?
Isn’t this especially true in the relationship between men and women?
As I continued to worry, I finally shook my head calmly.
“It’s okay. I guess I’ll just wait a little while and feed her a lot of soju…”
“Puh… That’s a perfect method. It’s also very realistic.”
… Now that I think about it, I think I received counseling for my concerns.
If this is the case, do I have to have two consultations later?
I pretended not to notice the sudden thought and erased it with an eraser.
