* Please note that this article is a fabrication based on a creative work. *
Fortunately, no seniors came to visit during break time, so when school was over, I saw Seungcheol standing in front of our class, playing on his phone. Next to him, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, was Kim Min-gyu. As soon as he saw me, he ran towards me.
"What the heck is that?"
"How would I know..?"
"Oh, my lady!"
I glanced at Seungcheol, who was waving brightly, then turned around and left the school. The sight of them standing on either side of me, just like on my way to school, made my head spin, and I wondered if I'd have to do this again tomorrow.
Arriving at the house and about to head straight inside, Kim Min-gyu followed me, as expected. I was so used to it that I assumed it was just that, but then I heard Seung-cheol's voice from behind.
"Why is Kim Min-gyu going in?"
"..because I have something to do."
"...Okay. Just reply when I contact you. I'll be waiting."
The senior grabbed Kim Min-gyu's wrist, and as I looked down, he awkwardly released his grip. I skipped a response and went into the house, tossing my bag aside and lying down on the sofa.
"Hey, Choi Seung-cheol is quite sincere."
"Don't be like that to me-"
"..Are you a little excited?"
" ShitOkay. Okay, go home. "
"Why, you said you had something to do with me."
".. That was just a remark. Okay, get out!"
I threw a cushion at Kim Min-gyu, who was standing in the hallway, and yelled at him. He grumbled and left the house, the front door creaking. I sighed as the house became quiet for a moment, and closed my eyes, my head pounding.
I must have fallen asleep right away, but when I opened my eyes, it was dawn and everyone was asleep. I had received calls from my parents and Kim Min-gyu on my phone.
mom
- I can't go home with dad today, so I'm staying with Min-gyu~
Kim Min-gyu
- Hey. Are you going?
- Are you sleeping?
I replied to the text I hadn't seen, left a text to Kim Min-gyu saying it was okay, and changed my clothes. I went to the bathroom and took a shower, but I felt completely awake. The sun would rise soon, and I was debating whether I should go to bed or not.
I thought it would be too late to go to bed now, but as soon as I lay down on the bed, I fell asleep.
"Crazy,"
I woke to the bright chirping of birds and the hot sunlight. When I checked the time, it was already well past school time. I woke up with a start, but after seeing my mom's text, I sighed in relief and fell back into bed.
mom
- Daughter, are you sick? Don't go to school.
- I just heard from Min-gyu that you're sick. I already told the teacher, so rest.
Kim Min-gyu, why did you do such a pretty thing?
Thanks to that, I made up for the lack of sleep by thinking about just rolling around today.
When I opened my eyes, it was midday, the sun at its brightest. Feeling hungry, I rummaged through the fridge. No matter how hard I searched, I couldn't find anything suitable to eat, so I pulled my hat down and headed to the supermarket in front of my house. After picking out some ramen and other snacks, paying, and returning home, I couldn't believe my eyes.
" ... senior? "
"Hey, you're sick! Are you okay?"
Seeing his restless back, unable to enter the house, I knew immediately who he was. The moment he saw me, Seungcheol ran over to me, grabbed my shoulder as if he didn't care how loud his voice was, and spoke to me without a moment's hesitation.
"Let's go home and talk first. It's noisy."
"Oh... okay."
When I entered the house, my senior cautiously stepped inside and told me to sit on the sofa. He then put away the things he'd bought at the supermarket. He poured me a cup of water and placed it in front of me, and we sat facing each other.
"You said you were sick. Are you okay?"
"I'm not sick. I just overslept and was just being sarcastic."
"Ah... that's a relief. I thought you were in a lot of pain."
"How did you know I was sick?"
"I went to your class but it wasn't there, so I asked Suah..."
Ah, I'm really going to kill Lee Soo-ah...
I chewed on the light-hearted Suah in my heart, even though my mouth was light.
"Aren't you just finishing school? I'm fine, so you can go now."
"No one will say anything to me anyway, it's okay."
"...So today is just one chance?"
"Right now? This isn't formal, is it?"
"We're watching it outside of school, and it's just the two of us at home."
When I thought about it, I realized this might be one of those three opportunities. When I spoke, my senior was startled and waved his hand. But after poking his lips for a moment at my words, he nodded, saying he understood.
Ah, secretly cute, crazy. What are you saying, Yeoju? Come to your senses, Yeoju.
"Then shall we go out?"
".. Wait. I'll get ready and come out soon."
My senior carefully told me to leave, and I nodded in agreement.
This was my first date with him.
"Hey, lady! How about that?"
"What is this?"
"This is okay too!"
Is this how dating is supposed to be?
He'd go into every store, whether it was a clothing store or something else, and hand-pick the best items. He'd show them off to me, and sometimes he'd give me everything he'd bought.
"Senior... this is a bit much."
"Hmm... is that a bit much..? Haha."
" ... Then you can have this too, senior, since there are two of them."
I gave my senior a keychain I'd bought earlier for a one-plus-one deal. The color was different, but the shape and pattern were the same, so anyone could tell they were a couple item. My senior smiled and said thank you.
He's a pretty good guy. I think maybe I was just prejudiced against him.
After watching a movie, eating, and doing a lot of other things, time flew by and it was almost dinnertime. I got a call from Kim Min-gyu, asking if he'd come to my house, so I decided it was time to go.
Senior Seungcheol, who walked me to the front of the house, called out to me before going in.
"My lady."
" yes? "
"How was your day today?"
" ...It was better than I thought, it was comfortable."
"That's good haha. I knew you wouldn't like it."
The expression on the senior's face, waiting for an answer after asking a question, was clearly one of anxiety. At my words, the senior's face brightened even more than anyone else's, and he thanked me and told me to go.
I stared intently at my senior's back as he turned and walked back to his house for a long time, then made up my mind and ran towards him. I hugged him tightly, squeezed my eyes shut, and muttered.
"Maybe I can like you too, senior. Thank you for today, senior."
I want to try love too.