It Seems Like My Childhood Friend Has Returned

“Delicious.”

Indeed, there must be a reason why expensive food is expensive.

Satisfied beyond expectations by the taste of the steak, Han Seo-ah and I ate it all in no time, repeatedly saying “It’s delicious.”

Finally… is it time to buy  swimsuits…?

Before I stood up with a determined mindset, I glanced at Han Seo-ah to get my cardigan back, and she looked at me as if she were asking why.

“What’s up, Joonu?”

“Aren’t you going to give me my cardigan back?”

I smiled and reached out to get it back, but Han Seo-ah quickly recoiled. Sasa-

“…?”

“Are you trying to take it from me…?”

No, it’s mine.

However, seeing Han Seo-ah’s genuinely upset expression as if she were losing something truly hers made me feel like I was some kind of golden sun.

“So you want me to go like this…?”

I cautiously asked, and after a moment of furrowing her brow, Han Seo-ah’s face brightened as if she had a great idea.

“How about you wear my coat, Joonu?”

Huh?

“Me?”

“Yup!”

ㅡ That sounds too good!

Given the significant size difference between Han Seo-ah and me, I’d definitely look small and cramped in it.

But that wasn’t the important part.

Seeing her eyes as if testing me, I nearly shouted that it would be fine, but a tiny triangle of conscience in my heart started poking me.

“Your coat suits your fashion today better than my cardigan, right?”

I added with a soft tone, considering she had dressed up nicely.

At this, I saw the corners of Han Seo-ah’s mouth lift with satisfaction.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind now.”

“Hmm?”

I was perplexed, wondering what she meant by it not mattering anymore when she said,

“I’ve already shown it all to the person I wanted to.”

She flashed a mischievous smile that seemed to ask me, Isn’t that right?

I lost my words.

“…You wear it.”

As I raised both hands in surrender, indicating that I had lost, you were gleefully overjoyed.

Seems you really like it.

What’s so great about that.

But still.

Seeing you so happy to wear my cardigan and not wanting to give it back was simply adorable, and my lips curled up.

As I stood up smiling, Han Seo-ah handed me the coat.

“Here you go, Joonu.”

“…….”

Should I wear it?

Just close my eyes and put it on?

As I received the coat, a fragrant scent wafted up from below, and a wave of irresistible temptation crashed over me.

The tiny triangle of conscience inside me began to spin like crazy.

ㅡ Stop. It’s going to wear out…!

“Aren’t you going to wear it, Joonu?”

“……………………I’ll just hold it.”

After a tremendous struggle, I chose to remain human.

“You don’t have to hold back, you know?”

Behind Han Seo-ah, her heart-shaped tail seemed to sway lightly, but I bit my cheek and held on.

“…Let’s hurry. We—”

We need to buy swimsuits.

The words naturally rose to my throat, but I came to my senses at the last moment and stopped myself.

“We?”

With a mischievous grin, Han Seo-ah eagerly asked me to continue.

Avoiding her gaze, I coughed lightly.

“Um, we need to check out. We’ve been here too long, right?”

Paan!

It felt like she wanted me to be honest and say what I was thinking.

Her piercing gaze without a word made me gulp involuntarily.

Ugh….

“…Let’s hurry and buy swimsuits.”

“Hehe, okay!”

As I sighed and spoke, she finally smiled brightly, making me chuckle in disbelief.

After smoothly swiping the Godmother’s card, when we stepped out of the store, I realized Han Seo-ah was missing from my side.

Is she still inside? I turned around, seeing Han Seo-ah standing at the entrance, looking a bit lost.

“Did you forget something?”

Wondering what was wrong, I approached her, and she shook her shiny hair side to side.

“Then?”

As I questioned with a puzzled expression, Han Seo-ah’s eyes were fixed on me, urging me to think.

“Joonu, did you forget anything?”

“Forgotten anything?”

I thought I’d gathered everything, including Han Seo-ah’s coat, the Godmother card, and my phone…

I looked at Han Seo-ah, confused, as she waved one hand playfully as if to give a hint.

Suddenly, it felt like thunder struck my brain!

ㅡ Don’t tell me?

Is that what I’m thinking…?

Nervously reaching out to wrap my hand around her tiny, fluttering hand, I was captivated by your bright smile as if my hunch was correct.

“…I forgot something really important.”

To hide my embarrassment, I awkwardly mumbled, and in Han Seo-ah’s eyes gazing up at me, there was unmistakable satisfaction and joy.

“Don’t forget it next time, okay?”

With a big smile, Han Seo-ah poked me gently in the chest with her slender finger, causing my heart to race.

“Yeah, I’ll never forget.”

I captured this brilliant image of you before my eyes deep in my heart.

#82

Didn’t we just have a warm, cozy moment?

Was what just happened a fantasy?

When we were at the department store, playfully fiddling with Han Seo-ah’s soft and squishy hand, I felt like I possessed the world.

Holding hands and walking on the street with such a beautiful girlfriend (or at least soon-to-be) who caught everyone’s attention felt exhilarating beyond imagination.

With a cardigan that seemed too big for her size, the way Han Seo-ah, glowing with excitement, had her two hands tucked completely inside the sleeves was adorably heartwarming enough to make me want to hug her tightly and shout in the middle of the street that she’s my girlfriend.

ㅡ It was nice up until that moment.

But as soon as we arrived in front of the swimsuit store, my delightful mood turned ice cold.

“…Seo-ah.”

“Hmm~?”

Han Seo-ah looked as excited as ever, while I was the complete opposite.

“Can’t I stay here?”

I pleaded with a ‘please save me’ look, to which Han Seo-ah firmly responded with a smile.

“No way!”

She was dead set against it.

I shut my eyes tightly.

“No… It wouldn’t be right for me to go in there.”

The reason I was hesitant is that I thought the swimsuit store would feature both men’s and women’s swimsuits, but Han Seo-ah brought me to a store specifically for women’s swimsuits.

So of course, all the customers inside were women.

“If I go in there, I’ll get reported. Seriously.”

I tried everything to avoid going inside.

“So you just need to stick with me and be super close, okay, Joonu?”

With a cheerful smile, Han Seo-ah’s words made me feel a twinge of frustration.

“Ah… I’m really losing my mind.”

I sighed deeply and scratched my head as I felt her gently squeeze my hand.

“Joonu, how about this?”

“…What is it?”

As she approached and gestured for me to lean in closer, I lowered my head.

“If we go in together… I’ll show you how I look in the swimsuit you pick for me.”

Her sweet voice and those thrilling words sent shivers down my spine.

“Let’s go right now.”

“Hehe, Joonu, aren’t you too honest?”

“No, I just can’t let you go in alone…”

“Really now~?”

As we glanced at each other, we couldn’t help but burst into laughter simultaneously.

“Then shall we go in?”

“Yep!”

It was hard to believe we were just moments away from dreading this, now smiling brightly as we boldly entered the swimsuit store.

#83

Glance.

Glance-glance.

Glance-glance-glance-glance-glance.

“Joonu, which one do you think looks better?”

“…Hey.”

“This one?”

“Han Seo-ah.”

“Yeah?”

“I feel like a monkey at the zoo right now…”

I’m losing my mind.

It felt unbearable to get the sideways glances from passersby for a totally different reason than before.

Just then, Han Seo-ah suddenly let go of my hand and grasped my face with both her hands, startling me.

“Where’s such a handsome monkey like you?”

She said it playfully, but I could feel her sincerity in her sparkling gaze.

The warmth from her hands on my cheeks seemed to melt away the discomfort I felt just moments ago.

“…Well, that’s true.”

“Isn’t it~?”

I can’t win against her charm.

“So, Joonu.”

“Yeah?”

“Which one do you like?”

“…….”

It’s like I’m climbing a mountain without an end.

Han Seo-ah held up two swimsuits in front of me.

On the left was a black one-piece bikini, while on the right was an off-shoulder frilly bikini.

As I watched Han Seo-ah ponder which of the two swimsuits, the one that showed less skin but highlighted her charm, my mind naturally wandered to imagining her in them down below, causing pressure to build up.

ㅡ Hold on.

“Jeez, Joonu. Why do you keep pulling back?”

“…There’s a reason.”

ㅡ You wouldn’t understand.

I couldn’t muster the courage to speak up as Han Seo-ah tugged at my hand with a confused look.

“Which one seems better in person?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you chose what you like?”

Upon hearing my words, Han Seo-ah looked at me as if I said something stupid.

“What does it matter what I like? Silly.”

“Hmm?”

“It needs to be something you like,” she replied.

As I realized she was buying it for me, I instinctively recoiled a bit more.

“Ah, Joonu, you pulled back again!”

ㅡ It’s because of you.

Feeling Han Seo-ah pulling at my hand, I could only silently sing the national anthem of frustration.

#84

“So, do you like this one?”

“…Yep.”

After a long 30 minutes of deliberation, we finally picked a swimsuit.

The countless variations of me in my head debated until it was a unanimous decision.

There were no oppositions. They were all taken care of.

“Wait here, Joonu.”

With me standing in place, I watched Han Seo-ah’s back as she entered the dressing room, and my heart raced.

ㅡ Are you really going to show me?

Just imagining it made my nose bleed.

As I nervously paced in front of the dressing room, I heard a gentle knock from inside.

“Joonu.”

“Yeah?”

“Could you come a little closer?”

Wondering what was happening, I approached only to have the door suddenly swing open.

“Wah…!”

As I was pulled inside by a delicate hand reaching out, I found myself in—

Heaven.

“…What do you think?”

With her cheeks blushing, unable to meet my gaze and her eyes darting around, breathing hesitantly, she nervously asked while fiddling with the swimsuit straps.

Seeing your pure and adorable face waiting for my answer, I could no longer hold back.

Hug!

“Wha—?!”

As I suddenly embraced her, she exclaimed in surprise, making my heart race even faster.

“Joonu…?”

Your voice filled with nerves and anticipation called my name.

“Ha…”

As I exhaled, a sweet aroma wafted through the air.

Feeling her soft, tender warmth enveloping me, every sense sharpened beyond the ordinary.

That’s who she was. Han Seo-ah.

“I’m losing it… Han Seo-ah.”

“…Are you really?”

As I quietly let my heartfelt truth escape, you questioned back.

“Yeah, I’m losing it.”

I affirmed, and Han Seo-ah tightly wrapped her arms around my waist.

I could visually see certain parts of my body react to her touch.

“Just wait a sec… just a little.”

I didn’t inquire about when that little was.

I just closed my eyes to savor this moment longer.

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