Chapter 52: The Last Days of Autumn with my Girlfriend

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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    Summer passed, and before we knew it, we were at the tail end of autumn, navigating through our leisurely routines.

    From August to October, following the vacation, the days were much like those just before the break. I studied on my own at school about two days a week and spent the other days learning through mock exams with Heenas help. Of course, we also made sure to enjoy our occasional dates. Moreover, it wasnt just the two of us anymore; sometimes we mingled with my friends.

    Technically, when meeting with friends, Heena would intrude unexpectedly, but it still happened.

    "Did you know? Yeonho had a crush on the math teacher who came for teaching practice when he was in middle school."

    "Are you nuts?! Hey! Shut your mouth..."

    "Oh? Thats very interesting. Can you tell me more?"

    "Heena, thats all nonsense. You believe me, right?"

    "I believe you. So? What kind of person were they?"

    However, my friends malicious teasing made me realize that letting them meet Heena wasnt a good choice.

    The liking I had for that math teacher wasnt romantic. Being the class president, I just had more opportunities to talk to her compared to the others, and we became somewhat friendly. Honestly, now even her name and face are becoming vague in my memory.

    Anyway, when everyone gathered, it generally felt like this. It wasn''t good enough to go out somewhere together; wed just share some stories and then part ways.

    Moreover, there were quite a few days when I met with Yoonjung noona as well.

    Noona liked Heena, and Heena also took a considerable liking to Noona, so there was absolutely no hesitation in meeting up together. So, the three of us, or sometimes including my brother, met up quite often.

    "Jeongwoo oppa. It seems like Yeonhos eyesight is getting worse. If you see him playing games after 2 in the morning, could you please contact me?"

    "If I see it, sure."

    "Thank you."

    "I told you, I wont... Ill be sleepy by then."

    "Huh? Yeonho, didnt you go on a raid with me last week?"

    "Ah, hyung!! Shh! That was just that one time!"

    "Yeonho?"

    "I did something wrong..."

    Heena didnt care about me playing games per se, but she began to regulate me playing late into the night, perhaps worried about my eyesight. Apparently, she even occasionally chats with my brother about it.

    To be honest, I did play until late on the weekends.

    Ah, Jeongwoo hyung will definitely tell her everything the moment he sees it.

    If I get caught again, instead of scolding me, saying "You shouldn''t have done that!!", she says, "If you wanted to do it that much...it can''t be helped.." and her spirit dies a little. The moment I see that, I squirm with guilt for the rest of the day.

    Eventually, with tears held back, I completely gave up playing games in the middle of the night.

    I cant know how far she''s implanted spies.

    Unless I set my status to invisible and enjoy PC games alone, theres bound to be someone among my acquaintances logged into the game, guaranteeing I''ll get caught 100%.

    Jeongwoo hyung, Yoonjung noona, and Heeseong hyung will definitely know the moment they see it, and Yoonsung and that guy Suhwang were a bit suspicious too. They also got Heenas contact just in case.

    But can I do anything about being worried?

    Anyway, we have such meetings often, and before we know it, it''s already November.

    I was quite good at studying, and thanks to consistent efforts, my grades were improving.

    I thought I might be able to aim for a university in the Seoul area, if not the same university as Heena. Not right now, but if this improvement continues until the third year.

    But while trying to create a blueprint for the future and working hard,

    I was pondering about the upcoming Pepero Day that was right around the corner.

    "Heena doesnt really like snacks like these... but its still good to get her something, right?"

    "What are you saying? Shell think were celebrating because WE want to eat Pepero!?"

    Late in the evening, as usual, Yoonjung noona, who came to play at our house, asked me what I should do tomorrow.

    "I need to ask Heeseong hyung."

    "Hell just tell you to get it. Such kids tend to remember these special occasions."

    "No, surprisingly hyung objectively gives good advice about Heena."

    "Really? He seems a bit too sitcom-like to be like that."

    "I fully acknowledge that."

    Talking behind his back, which was not really talking behind his back, I left a message for Heeseong hyung.

    "I wanna go to the amusement park too!!"

    "Amusement park? Arent you going to Jeju Island?"

    "What?!"

    Yoonjung noona, who had been thumping the floor and screaming, abruptly stood up at Hyung''s words.

    "You said you wanted to go last time. We don''t have work, and now is a good time to go."

    "Han Yeonho...!!"

    "I didnt mention it because I didnt know how the tickets would turn out, but I managed to get some canceled ones. Go back and pack your clothes. Were leaving early tomorrow."

    "Got it!! Ill go right now!! Yeonho-ya! Say hello to Heena for me!!"

    "Will do, Noona. Have fun starting from tomorrow."

    I watched Noona, who was showing a 180-degree change in attitude from 10 seconds ago, rush out of the house for a moment, and then turned my gaze back, meeting eyes with my savior.

    "Perfect timing."

    "You''re going to the amusement park?"

    "Yeah. Need to have some fun before focusing on exams again."

    "Hmm."

    He pondered my words for a moment, then took something out of his wallet and handed it to me.

    "What''s this?"

    "My card."

    "Why your card all of a sudden?"

    "There''s a big discount if you pay for the unlimited pass with it. Use it."

    "Really?"

    Is this the card discount I''d only heard about?!

    "How about the money? Should I transfer it to your account?"

    "Forget it. Even if you get two passes, its just 30,000 or 40,000 won. Go have fun with your girlfriend."

    "Insane... thank you, thank you so much..."

    "Ill be out tomorrow and then I''ll be back on Monday, so take care."

    "Thanks! Have a great time with your sister!"

    As my brother turned and walked back to his room, he exuded a coolness that was nothing short of iconic.

    My brother is the best! Not only handling my annoying sister but also lending me his card!

    Since Heena already bought the Pepero, even if I use my brothers card for the passes, it would be perfect to pay for the meals with my money.

    Id earned a bit from helping at Yoonsungs snack bar a few days ago.

    For Sunday, I need to recharge my energy by munching on snacks with Heena tomorrow.

    There was a time when I thought this.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    The next day.

    Pepero Day, November 11th, Saturday.

    I woke up leisurely and prepared in a relaxed manner, arriving at Heenas house in the afternoon.

    Entering her room, which had now become as comfortable as my own home, I couldnt believe my eyes.

    "...That''s really a lot."

    Even though Heeseong hyung said it was a lot yesterday, I thought light-heartedly - how much could she possibly buy?

    But seeing the variety of Pepero piled high on her desk, my mind seemed to blur.

    Heena, sitting on the floor, noticed my stupor from the doorway, and with a bubbly smile on her face, she tore into a box.

    Then, taking out a Pepero stick and holding it in one hand,

    "Shall we play the Pepero game?"

    Seeing her put one end in her mouth, I realized why Heeseong hyung warned me yesterday.

    She''s not planning to play until all of this is gone, is she?