It Seems Like My Childhood Friend Has Returned

“Ugh…”

As I stretched out my sleepy body and checked the time, it was already 11 o’clock.

I thought to myself, “Well, I studied for quite a while.”

Since I was going out with Han Seo-ah in two days, I really needed to get some studying done today.

Feeling like this was enough, I shut the problem book that I didn’t want to look at anymore.

Han Seo-ah wanted to come over to play today as well, but when I told her it might be tough because of studying, I felt both grateful and a bit disappointed when she accepted without hesitation, even looking a bit sad.

— What’s with this disappointment?

…I think I wanted to see Han Seo-ah pouting.

Realizing how bad this was, I pulled out my phone and sent Han Seo-ah a message.

[ㅎㅅㅇ]
– I’m done studying now. I’m going to take a break and then sleep. (Emoji of a dog lying down, looking tired)

As soon as I sent the message, the number 1 disappeared quickly.

She must be awake, I thought, and just then, my phone rang.

[ㅎㅅㅇ]

I wondered why she was calling at this hour and picked up the phone.

“Whoa, no way…!”

“Joonu!”

It was a video call, and through the screen, I saw Han Seo-ah smiling brightly at me.

The problem was, there was a large flesh-colored something in view.

Save

I saved it in my mind immediately… no, rather, I was shocked by the sudden eye candy and covered my screen with my hand, shouting.

“Hey, hey. Your pajamas are too…”

“Hmm? Me?”

I heard a rustling noise and soon after, Han Seo-ah called for me again, so I removed my hand from the screen.

And once again, the flesh-colored something was visible.

“Hey, it’s still the same…!”

— Thank you.

“Pfft, Joonu. Aren’t you overreacting?”

Even though I covered the phone again, I felt like I could tell what kind of expression Han Seo-ah was making.

“How could I not be shocked? Hurry and… cover up.”

“What should I cover?”

Seeing Han Seo-ah asking with a mischievous voice, I thought about just dropping my hand and acting like a man, but…

— That’s not being manly; it’s just that I want to see you…

Shut up, me in my head. It’s being manly.

“Haha, alright, Joonu. I’ll stop teasing you. Just wait.”

As I remained silent, I heard Han Seo-ah’s voice, satisfied.

The sound of her pajama top being adjusted filled the air, triggering my imagination as I recalled the scene I had just seen.

— Flex

Ah.

I wasn’t going to see it anyway, so unconsciously, I raised the phone screen slightly.

— No harm in being cautious.

Hmm, true.

“Joonu, I’m ready. Look over here now.”

As she hurried me with an adorable voice, I removed my hand, and to my disappointment, there was Han Seo-ah properly dressed in her pajamas.

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh mixed with 90% disappointment and 10% relief.

“Eek, I’m sorry. I was lying on the bed and my pajama slipped a bit.”

“…That’s more than just a bit, isn’t it?”

The screen I had seen was definitely…

“Joonu, I thought you just quickly covered your eyes. Looks like you saw more than that?”

“…….”

Han Seo-ah’s gaze, looking at me as if she had just caught her prey, was intense.

“…I glanced for a second. Just a second.”

“Really?”

“……Maybe a little more than a second?”

As I replied while sweating, a joyous laugh filled the room.

“Ah, Joonu, you’re just too cute!”

With her eyes getting a bit misty from laughter, Han Seo-ah wiped beneath her eyes with her finger and said.

“Shut up.”

I responded gruffly, feeling like I’d been caught, and flopped onto the bed.

To look at the phone screen properly, I turned to my side, lying there while looking at the screen.

On the screen, Han Seo-ah was lying in a similar position, gazing at me with soft eyes.

— So pretty.

“See? It feels like we’re lying in the same bed, doesn’t it?”

“…I guess so.”

I felt like I could stay in this position for hours, or even days, as Han Seo-ah’s image on the screen was dazzling.

“Feels good.”

As heartfelt words slipped out unconsciously.

“Yeah, I think so too.”

You smiled back as if you felt the same.

Just looking at you from the other side of the screen was so nice, and I couldn’t even imagine how much happier I’d be if you were actually lying next to me.

Your warm presence, soft skin, sweet voice.

If all of that were to come from right next to me, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much happier I would be.

“I hope midterms come quickly.”

“…I know, right?”

That night, in the quiet room, we started to softly share about our day and continued to chat for a long time.

As the fatigue crept in, I felt our voices getting slower, but no one hung up.

Soon, we slipped into a deep sleep, and only quiet, small breath sounds filled the air.

In the darkness, the phone screen kept shining brightly, reflecting our faces.

—

“Huuh…”

I had been talking with Han Seo-ah all night and fell asleep without realizing it, and now I found myself yawning even after arriving at school.

When I opened my eyes in the morning, I wondered if I could see Han Seo-ah sleeping, but when I looked at my phone, it was disappointingly off—maybe the battery died.

I hadn’t slept as much as usual, but I felt like the quality of sleep was really high, so it was even.

Just as I was about to rest my eyes on my desk, a vibrating sound came from my pocket.

Who could it be? I pulled out my phone, and I saw a message from Han Seo-ah.

[ㅎㅅㅇ]
– Joonu, I don’t think I can go home with you today. I’m sorry… (Emoji of a crying rabbit)

I looked up toward Han Seo-ah’s place, but she was nowhere to be seen—maybe she went to the store.
– Where are you going?
– I’m going out! I’m going somewhere with Jia for a bit.

Jia…? I wondered who that was, but then my phone vibrated again like it knew.

– My friend sitting next to me. She has a boyfriend, so I’m just getting some help.

Oh, that’s who Jia was, I thought.

But, what?
– What kind of… help?
– Secret ♡

What is it?

I couldn’t help but think of the scenes I’d stored in my mind yesterday, and a flood of scandalous thoughts threatened to burst like a nosebleed.

No way, right?

It’s probably just about trip preparation… right?

Just to be safe, I needed to get ready myself—

As I sounded the alarm in my head, I saw two figures sauntering my way.

“What’s up, Joonwoo?”

“Phew, seeing you two calms me down a bit. Thanks.”

“What’s with that attitude, making me feel bad just by showing up?”

All the wild thoughts that had just been circling in my mind vanished like magic when I faced Kim Seung-hyun and Park Jae-hwan.

“So, have you decided where to go yet?”

“Hmm, probably towards the west sea?”

“Whoa, you’re going to the beach?”

At my words, two pairs of ugly eyes stared at me in disbelief.

“…Why?”

“Joonwoo, are you confident?”

“Confident about what?”

When I asked with a puzzled look, Kim Seung-hyun drew closer, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

“Hey, it’s a bit awkward to say this in front of you, but… isn’t Han Seo-ah’s figure a bit… nice?”

“A bit? You’re not even close, dude.”

“Come on! Do you think I don’t know? If I said she looks good in front of you, it’d be chaos.”

“….”

Hearing him, it made sense, and I nodded absentmindedly.

“But you….”

“Besides my height, what do I have?”

“I don’t know, maybe a six-pack or something?”

“Do I look like I have a washboard stomach?”

Penalties for talking back started raining down from Kim Seung-hyun and Park Jae-hwan. That’s when I realized.

I’m screwed.

I broke out in a cold sweat and quickly checked my phone calendar; there were about two weeks left until the trip.

“Hey… can I get a six-pack in two weeks?”

“Does a six-pack look like a joke to you?”

“Do the ancestors create abs for you?”

I was left speechless by the barrage of reality checks, and the two of them patted my shoulders in pity.

“I do totally get why you chose the beach, but you clearly didn’t think of appearances, did ya, poor soul?”

“This must be fate, after all…”

I felt like killing those two who were chuckling away, but first, building up my body was my priority, so I hurriedly searched for methods on my phone.

“Hey, still don’t worry too much. You don’t have a belly or anything, and your proportions are decent, so just wear a rash guard.”

“Shut it. I’m stripping off my top.”

Han Seo-ah is going to be in a swimsuit, and I’ve got a rash guard?

Just imagining that Han Seo-ah might think, “Joonwoo seems insecure about his body…” (A bit made up) was enough to bring down the apocalypse on my world.

“Dude, it’s exam time; what are you thinking about exercising?”

“Exams or fitness, both are important.”

To avoid looking embarrassed in front of Han Seo-ah.

With the strongest motivation in mind.

“Ugh…!”

“Seventeen…! Joonwoo, three more!”

After roughly organizing the workout list, as I did push-ups, I noticed the two of them giggling at me from the back of the classroom as the door made a screeching sound.

“Joonu, what are you doing?”

“Huuuh…!”

I can’t answer right now…!

As if sensing my thoughts, Kim Seung-hyun spoke up for me.

“Oh, Han Seo-ah, hi. Joonwoo is working out, and I’m helping him.”

“Suddenly?”

“I don’t know~ Wonder what made him start doing this all of a sudden?”

“Hey, damn it…!”

Kim Seung-hyun, you bastard, don’t say that…!

As I startled and lowered my posture, I looked up.

“Really?”

There she was, looking surprised with her hand over her mouth, gazing at me affectionately.

Then she smiled widely and said in a playful tone,

“Joonu, can I expect some results?”

As she tilted her head and asked me.

“…You can expect it.”

The only answer I could give was one.

“Yeah!”

With you happily returning to your seat as if you knew my efforts were all for you, I felt a surge of energy I didn’t have a moment ago.

“Jealous, you bastard Joonwoo.”

“Shut up.”

---