Chapter 74: The First Mistakes of a Twenty-Year-Old (4) (feat. Heena)

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Mon-Thu

    Illustrations: Here

    Join the discord! Here

    Once again, winter had arrived. Ever since last year, whenever I saw snow falling in this season, I became incredibly sentimental.

    Sitting in a hospital room, watching the world fill up with white snowflakes, I couldn''t help but feel a deep loathing for it.

    On my way to meet Yeonho, seeing the snow piled up here and there, I felt like the leading lady in a romance movie.

    Although it wasn''t a white Christmas, I thought it might be a blessing in disguise since snowfall could make dating difficult.

    Moreover,

    "Here, this is my gift."

    Receiving such a surprise gift while I was feeling somewhat sentimental today.

    What should I say to you?

    "I love it, I really love it! Thank you! I love you!"

    It was frustrating that all I could do was express my feelings with just these words and respond to this emotion with just a kiss.

    Especially when my love for you was growing day by day. You just added fuel to that fire.

    Love is like a flame that ignites uncontrollably at the smallest things.

    It also blossoms in situations as dramatic as the one we had back then.

    My love,

    Bloomed like a flower that day.

    And now, it was blazing gloriously.

    Ignited by just a word from you, by the touch of your hand, by your subtle scent. Like a campfire fed with logs, growing bigger and stronger.

    Burning uncontrollably.

    Beyond my control.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    Thinking about where to go with Yeonho, I playfully tricked him, still a bit naive, and we ended up in front of a hotel.

    Of course, it was still a place we couldn''t enter, and I didn''t want our first time to be in such a place. Yet, his bewildered look was always so adorable. I just couldn''t stop these little pranks.

    And using that playful bet as an excuse, I dragged him along to choose my lingerie. Holding onto him as he tried to escape, a bit forcefully.

    I had thought about secretly buying something provocative and surprising him with it later.

    But at that moment, I wanted to greet him in a style that matched his taste. It was also a chance to find out what he liked.

    "How about this one?"

    I asked, but I could tell by his reaction, by his expression, how much he liked it. Did he prefer black, like the time he chose a swimsuit?

    He seemed to like simple styles, but more than that, he favored cute designs with lace.

    And when I picked up a see-through lingerie piece,

    "......"

    His eyes, intently fixed on it without a word, said everything.

    I was sure it wasn''t just me; Yeonho too must be eagerly waiting for that day. A day we hadn''t reached yet, not then, and not even now.

    That day.

    "Next year, from Christmas Eve to the 26th, were together, no exceptions. Just the two of us. Got it?"

    I had made him wait so long, I would never let him go.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    We gathered for a drink to celebrate the New Year. Even during my college days, I had never drunk alcohol with people other than relatives and family like this.

    Of course, there had been times we drank alcohol without me and Yeonho, but now we were together in this.

    Yeonho seemed very excited about drinking, as evident from his animated face.

    For some reason, these days, no matter what Yeonho did or how he appeared, he was just too cute. So much so that I didn''t want to share him with anyone.

    "12 o''clock! Happy New Year! Now, let''s drink!"

    With my brother''s lead, the New Year and the drinking session began. As my twentieth birthday approached, restrictions were being lifted one by one. For now, it was just about alcohol, but soon. Waiting for the day, barely 50 days away.

    With that thought, I accepted the drinks offered by my father and dad.

    Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I drank alcohol. Naturally, I hadn''t touched it while in the hospital, and the last time might have been when Yeonho and I visited a cocktail bar.

    I still remember his surprised face at the sweet cocktails in that place we visited for the first time. Yes. Even then, I think I had the same thought.

    ''Ah Han Yeonho is so cute.''

    Regrettably, foolishly, sadly, these are memories from a time when my feelings for him weren''t yet love. A few years have passed since then, now bringing a slightly nostalgic feeling.

    I gulped down the drink in one go, lost in thought. I wasn''t particularly fond of alcohol, but I didn''t dislike it either.

    I still didn''t understand the sweetness of alcohol, but its bitterness was also faint.

    "You okay? Does it taste good?"

    "Huh? It''s just the taste of alcohol."

    "But how can you drink it so well? Did you secretly drink in middle or high school..."

    After scolding Yeonho for his naughty words, I watched him learning to drink with the family. His confused look on how to pour and receive beer.

    After learning from my brother Jeongwoo, he poured a drink for our mother, and I switched my glass to receive one from him. If he had learned, it was only right to pour for his girlfriend, his future wife first.

    "I just had another shot of soju, but yeah. I''m upset you poured for Mom before me, so hurry up and pour!"

    I wish I could always be your priority, even in these little things.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    The drinking session continued for several hours afterward. Everyone seemed more focused on making Yeonho drink various kinds of alcohol than me, which made me worry. Yeonho had drunk too much.

    In the past, he was always careful about controlling his drinking limit, so I honestly didn''t know what he would do when he was drunk.

    After a brief silence, he asked hesitantly.

    "Are you saying not just a little but to let him get totally wasted? Make him dead drunk?"

    "Yes."

    "...What for?"

    "Yesterday, Yeonho got really drunk while drinking, and he was incredibly cute. I want to see that again."

    It wasn''t a lie. He was cute, and I did want to see it again. I just had more desires.

    "Cute? Han Yeonho?"

    "Yeah~"

    "How does he act when he''s drunk...ah, never mind. You mean to get him completely wasted, right? That''s totally doable."

    "I would''ve had issues if it was just to make him drink a little, but this is fine."

    "Now that you mention it, I''m kind of curious to see how he''d be when totally wasted."

    "Should we challenge him to a drinking battle? If there''s a ranking or a bet, Han Yeonho can''t resist."

    "Oh~ Classic Jung Yoonsung!"

    Typical of close male friends, they seemed to enjoy the idea of tricking Yeonho and agreed to my request.

    Everything was set. Now all that was needed was for Yeonho to get drunk again.

    Watching Yeonho returning from a distance, I filled my heart with anticipation for what was about to happen.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    "Bring it on, you brats!!"

    It must have been two hours since Yeonho shouted that bravely.

    Normally, he would have held his liquor much better, but this was a consecutive drinking session, not even a full day apart. Plus, he probably hadn''t fully recovered from his hangover.

    As a result, he got drunk faster than the others, now mumbling while clinging to my waist.

    "Heena...I love you..."

    "Ha-ha"

    I couldn''t help but laugh at his coquettish behavior, just like yesterday.

    But I was the only one who felt that way.

    "Bluurgh..."

    "The alcohol''s all worn off now..."

    "This isn''t what I wanted to see..."

    "I''m sorry to say this in front of Heena, but I really want to beat up Han Yeonho right now."

    Hyunwoo was pretending to vomit, and Suhwang, Uihyun, and Yoonsung each made a comment as if they had seen something they shouldn''t have. Of course, I was enjoying my happiness, hugging the Yeonho who was clinging to me.

    Although this situation was what I had intended, it felt a bit too much to let it continue. Yeonho wasn''t in a state to drink anymore either.

    So I decided to leave first.

    "Sorry, I''m going to take Yeonho and head out first. Can you let me know later how much we owe? I''ll send it along with Yeonho''s."

    "Sure, take care going home. And do me a favor, hit Han Yeonho for me."

    "I can''t do that~ Sorry for today because of me. I''ll arrange another get-together next time."

    "That''s okay. Even without your request, Han Yeonho would have gotten wasted quickly. Thanks for the hangover cure."

    "Okay. See you all next time. Now, Yeonho~ Be good, okay? Shall we go home?"

    "Uh-huh..."

    Feeling a bit guilty for ending their first drinking session like this, I apologized to them and headed outside. Then, I helped Yeonho into the taxi I had called earlier and headed to my house.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    I called his mother to let her know that I would keep Yeonho for the night and return him tomorrow. I explained that he was too drunk to go home. Of course, both his mother and I knew that going home wasn''t really that difficult, but she readily agreed.

    I also contacted my brother at home to help me bring Yeonho back.

    "Isn''t it a bit too much to make him like this two days in a row?"

    "He got drunk while drinking with his friends, what can I do."

    "Wasn''t it you who made him drink?"

    "I don''t know. Forget it. Just help me put him to bed in my room."

    "Why in your room? He can use mine."

    "I just want him to sleep! Help me take him there! I promise we won''t do anything!"

    "Really..."

    Despite his grumbling, I thanked my brother for helping move Yeonho, and I laid him down on the bed.

    Yeonho had been sound asleep since the taxi ride. After watching his face for a while, I washed up, changed clothes, and got ready for bed.

    Although I had many desires, I did not want our first time to be like this.

    I lay beside Yeonho, who was oblivious to the world, turned his body towards me, and held him close to my chest.

    His warm breath, slightly scented with alcohol, tickled my chest. I was content with just that, but then Yeonho shifted a bit and wrapped his arm around my waist.

    Feeling his body heat, his weight, his subtle movements, I felt my body getting hotter.

    But, not tonight.

    I soothed myself and gently stroked his hair. This moment was too precious.

    Soon, moments like this would become a part of our daily life.

    Falling asleep together like this.

    Author''s Note:

    Um... I was looking at the last few chapters and noticed... the views on Heena''s parts sometimes exceed those of the previous chapters...

    ...

    ...??

    You''re not just reading Heena''s part and skipping the main story, right? It''s a system error, isn''t it?

    Right?!