Chapter 22: Nice to Meet You, Mom. My Name is Heena.

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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    It''s been three weeks since I started studying with Heena.

    During this time, I''d daydreamed about our relationship and potential closeness, but as I had no immediate intentions, I maintained a structured routine.

    On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I''d meet with Heena right after school to study together. It was primarily Heena teaching me.

    However, as our sessions felt one-sided, I worried when Heena would find time for her own studies. But after seeing her June mock test scores, I realized she had things under control and didn’t mention it.

    I figured that if her grades drop after the finals, we could reassess our study schedule. I’ve learned from past experience not to unnecessarily urge her to focus on her own studies – it would only upset her.

    On Saturdays, we would meet for lunch, study until evening, and then go out for dinner followed by a casual date. Though our dates mostly involved walking hand-in-hand, searching for restaurants, and then strolling around the area after, it was Heena''s favorite time of the week. She was genuinely joyful, as if flowers were blooming all around her.

    On Fridays, when I didn''t meet Heena, I aimed to study until 8 pm. After which, I''d usually head home or to the PC cafe? to play games with friends.

    Surprisingly, over the last three weeks, we hadn''t met on a single Sunday. We didn''t see each other in person, but our chats flowed consistently throughout the day. If I mentioned I was resting at home, she’d promptly initiate a video call. It felt refreshingly different to connect in this way, almost like meeting in person.

    The three weeks flew by, and exam season was upon us.

    I wasn’t expecting a dramatic improvement. Most of our study sessions with Heena were spent on math, building a foundation and working towards application, with English only introduced last week. Although we hadn''t really focused on school curriculum studies, I hoped our emphasis on math and English would be beneficial for the exams.

    I was most anxious about math, which was the first exam. While I wasn''t expecting a perfect score, I managed to answer repetitive questions with relative ease. After the exam, I compared answers with a top-scoring peer and estimated I had scored 82, a significant jump from my previous mid-term score in the 60s. Some of my uncertain answers turned out correct, perhaps I had a bit of luck on my side.

    Elated, I immediately called Heena to share my joy, basked in her praise, and thanked her.

    I wished to meet and treat her right away. However, considering the school exams covering multiple subjects spanned over four days, we decided to dedicate this time to studying on our own.

    Though Heena''s face looked like she might cry when she said those words, one could see in her eyes the bittersweet resolve to look forward to their next date.

    Honestly, aside from math, I wasn''t really expecting good scores in any subjects this term. Still, just because of that, I couldn''t jeopardize Heena''s exam.

    After all, Heena''s grades are top-tier.

    On the second and third day, I had no big expectations. Yet, since starting high school, this was the first time I had studied outside of the exam period. Even if it felt futile, I gave it my best shot.

    Well, my self-evaluation showed my performance was similar to the previous midterm. The style of the school exams varies from teacher to teacher, making it hard for even Heena to assist.

    On the last day of exams,

    "The finals were a total disaster!"

    "Yo! Anyone up for hitting the PC room?"

    "Let''s go!"

    Jung Yoonsung, heir to a snack bar, seemingly indifferent to his exam performance, wiped the drool from his nap and grabbed his bag. In the distance, Kim Suhwang and others were rallying, screaming for a party.

    Just the previous midterm, I would have instantly joined that PC room party.

    "Hey, Han Yeonho! You coming?"

    "No, count me out."

    "Traitor! We''re leaving first!"

    "Sure thing~"

    They reacted immediately to my refusal, but didn''t push me further. Recently, knowing I''ve been focusing on studies, my friends haven''t been pressuring me to join in.

    Though I''d usually go all out when hanging out, I expected more persistence since it was the last day. Perhaps they assumed I had plans with a girlfriend.

    I did want to join in, especially as it was the last day of exams, but after weeks of study, I was drained and thought it best to rest at home.

    I left the classroom, trailing behind the early departers, and texted Heena to inform her I was done and to discuss our results.

    Today''s exams covered Korean language, World History, and Ethics, so there wasn''t much to say. I suspected my scores wouldn''t differ much from last time.

    During evening self-study sessions, I had studied a bit, though not much. However, I was confident in Ethics. The subject was more engaging than I''d anticipated, and I had paid keen attention during classes.

    I chatted with Heena via text about the exams as I headed home.

    I was so caught off guard that my brain momentarily froze.

    "Did you have sex?"

    "We haven''t!!!"

    She wasn''t shy at all, asking the same question again.

    Is this how she talked with my brother too?

    "You planning to?"

    "No!!"

    "Hmm..."

    In response to my desperate shout, she glanced oddly in the direction of my lower half... Wait, why was she looking there?

    "If you do, make sure to use protection."

    "We''re not doing it!!"

    "If you don''t, the girl is the one who usually suffers. So, be considerate."

    "We''re not doing anything, okay?"

    "Protection?"

    "No... Ah!!!! We''re not having... sex!!"

    I couldn''t believe I was having this conversation in my house, in front of my mom, especially when Heena and I hadn''t even shared a proper kiss.

    Seeing my response, she gave me a look as if to say, "What kind of guy is this?"

    Am I the weird one? We''re just students, right? I know everyone these days seems to mature quickly, but doesn''t everyone have their own pace?

    In the midst of this dizzying conversation, my mom chimed in.

    "Why don''t you bring her home then?"

    "Heena?"

    "Yes. If you two have gotten that close, we should at least meet her."

    "Mom... We really didn''t do anything. I swear."

    "Alright, alright, I''ll take your word for it."

    "Who''s the one struggling with Korean here, you or me? We''re not communicating properly."

    I wasn''t sure where the misunderstanding lay, but I had been thinking about bringing Heena over. I had met Heena''s parents, and it seemed right for her to greet mine too. Honestly, the idea felt burdensome, but considering my girlfriend, she might even like it.

    "So, should I bring her over tomorrow or the day after? Will you be home?"

    "I''m visiting your aunt tomorrow. Bring her the day after."

    "I''ll ask her when we meet tomorrow. If she agrees, I''ll text you."

    "Alright."

    "And please, don''t mention anything about sex to Heena... We really didn''t."

    "I got it."

    It''s not like she''s someone unfamiliar after all.

    I sighed at my mom''s inscrutable expression and headed to the bathroom. I could tell Heena in passing when we hang out tomorrow. Right now, I was already tired, and mom''s odd comments only added to my exhaustion.

    She wouldn''t actually bring that up in front of Heena, right?

    Author''s Note:

    This novel is for all ages.

    It doesn''t touch upon my high school days.

    To those who donated and to the readers who always support me with comments and recommendations, thank you and I love you all.