We decided not to cross the line.

Episode 79. Flirting

After finishing a tiring walk and coming home,

I got hungry.




"Julian, aren’t you hungry?

I’m a little peckish... I’ll see if there’s anything to eat."




When I opened the kitchen cabinet,

there were still a few packs of unopened Korean instant noodles left.

I took out two of them and asked Julian,




"Want to come over and eat ramen?"




Julian brightened and said,




"Huh? That’s Korean-style flirting, isn’t it?

Doesn’t it mean you’re not just asking me to eat ramen?"




"Where did you learn that?

You know Korean culture pretty well for someone living in France?"





"I’m right, aren’t I?

I think I saw it on YouTube...

Or maybe a Korean friend told me...

Anyway, I heard that after it appeared in a Korean movie a while back,

it became Korean-style flirting."





"Flirting..."


"...That’s right."


"I’m flirting with you right now, Julian."





I said, looking into Julian’s eyes.

Julian looked away shyly.





"Come over here and relax.

I’ll make it.

I cook it myself at home sometimes, too,

so I know how to make it."





While Julian was filling the pot with water,

I sat at the table, silently watching his back.




"What Korean food do you like best, Julian?

Since your mother isn’t here,

if it’s not too difficult to make,
 
I’ll make it for you.

But don’t get your hopes up."





"Wow... do you realize how incredibly touching that is?"





"Why?

Because I’m cooking for you?"





"This is the first question Jung-a has ever asked me.

You didn’t know that, did you?"





"Really?

The first question I ever asked you?

No way...

We’ve been dating for months already..."






"Do you know how many months it’s been?"






"About... three months?"





Julian laughed a little, then shook his head.





"Ah... that really hurts.

When I see Korean couples around me, they even celebrate their 100-day anniversary,

and their one-year anniversary, too,

so are you just the type who doesn’t really care about that stuff?

Or are you not interested in me?"





"I’m sorry...

I’ll reflect on it.

I really have been such an inattentive girlfriend all this time."





I went behind him

and wrapped my arms around his waist.





"Eat the ramen,

and stay here tonight.

Don’t go to the hotel..."




.
After hesitating for a long time, he answered.





"Today... I’ll hold back on that flirting."





He transferred the ramen into bowls.





"Why?"




It was an unexpected answer,

but I thought he was joking.





He casually set the two bowls of ramen

down on the table and said,




"The day you can accept all of me,

I’ll stay with you that day."




"What do you mean?"




"When it feels like it’s just you and me, completely.

When it’s only the two of us, not three.

At that time..."




"Juli..."




Because I understood

exactly what he meant,

I couldn’t make any excuse.





As I thought of the loneliness he must have felt all this time,

even saying I was sorry didn’t feel like enough.




While I ate ramen with him,

the thought that I might be hurting another person

made my heart heavy.




I wanted to be more considerate of him,

and match his feelings.




"How should I dress next weekend?

What kind of style do your parents like?"




"Just go with your usual style.

You don’t need to dress up on purpose.

My parents...

will like you just as you are now."






"Really?

I... actually..

This is my first time meeting my boyfriend’s parents,

so I’m really nervous and anxious.

If I freeze up too much,

hold my hand gently.

I’ll trust Juli and try to be brave."





"If it feels like too much, you don’t have to push yourself.

I want you to be honest with me."





"Juli...

Why are you saying it like that?

Do I seem like I don’t want to meet your parents?

Did I seem that way?"





"I’m not sure.

That’s why I said you could be honest."





"I am a little flustered.

We’ve only been dating for a short while, and...

Since they’re coming all the way from Korea,

if I don’t make a good impression on both of them,

it might not work out..."





"Should we say we’ll meet them next time, when there’s another chance?"





"Don’t you want me to meet your parents, Juli?"






"I mean... yes, that’s true.

But this is...

not something that should make the other person feel pressured."





"If Juli wants to, I’ll meet them."





As I said that,

I suddenly remembered the day I met Hoon-ji’s older sister.

I recalled how nervous I had been that day.




Still, now...

Unlike back then, it didn’t feel like

I was somehow doing something wrong.

So this time, I was a little less afraid.




"I’m starting to lose confidence..."