Chapter 37: My Girlfriend is Too Cute (3)
TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat
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For a moment, my mind went blank.
Whether it was a red panda or a raccoon, why was Heena, her ears and neck flushed red, asking me for... what?
Give Heena a kiss?
I stared at her in disbelief, wondering if what I was witnessing was real.
Perhaps unable to withstand my gaze, Heena slowly crumbled.
She sank to the ground, covering her face with her hands, writhing in embarrassment.
"Forget it...!"
"No..."
Forgetting wasn't an option.
I took a moment to reflect on how we got here.
Did she get jealous because I always comment on how cute animals are?
I had felt that Heena had been speaking less lately.
We'd been dating for a few months, and I thought I had seen various emotional expressions from Heena.
But this was the first time I'd seen her so embarrassed and flustered.
Without realizing, I naturally took out my phone and snapped a picture of her, sitting with her face covered by her hands.
I'd name the photo file, "My girlfriend is too cute."
As soon as the shutter sound rang out, Heena, as if nothing had happened, sprung up and glared at my phone.
"You can't keep that photo! Delete it!"
"No way! I'm keeping it forever! I'll even pass it down to future generations! I'll show our grandkids and say, 'Your grandma once...’"
"Please, stop..."
Seeing me ramble on made her eyes well up with tears.
Her desperate look made me momentarily sympathetic, but I couldn't part with such a rare photo.
To Heena, not only was the photo an issue, but the embarrassing act leading up to it was more problematic. Perhaps that's why she frantically reached for the phone in my hand.
Her desperate attempt to grab the phone while jumping was cute, but her determination made me think of a way to calm her down.
The best way to pacify Heena was, of course, through affection.
Quickly, I pocketed the phone and grabbed her wrists with one hand so she couldn't move them.
"What are you doing? Give me the phone...!"
She gave up on the physical struggle and tried to persuade me verbally.
Using my free hand, I caressed Heena's cheek and gave her a kiss on each of her tear-brimmed eyes.
And then, finally, one on her lips.
After three kisses, I released her.
It may seem trivial, but it would likely work wonders on my girlfriend.
"Three seconds, but three times, okay?"
"...Yeah."
As expected, she nodded quietly without any further fuss or pleas, becoming meek and tame after just three kisses.
As he gently embraced her, he whispered softly into Heena's ear as she leaned into him.
"The red panda might be cute, but Heena is a thousand times cuter."
"...Really?"
"Of course. I thought my heart stopped earlier."
"Ugh..."
"Because you were so cute."
"I'm embarrassed... I don't know what I was thinking..."
She buried her face in my chest, still regretting her earlier words.
Seeing her like that, I felt a playful urge.
"So, do it one more time?"
"No!"
"Come on~ Please? I'll do it again too."
"...Chu?"
"Heh... Yeah, chu."
I couldn't help but laugh. 'Chu' for a kiss.
Although my immediate laughter seemed to upset her, it appeared she was debating the allure of another kiss.
Even though we seemed to have kissed all day, my girlfriend, pondering yet another one, was truly the best.
Huddled against me, after a brief internal struggle, she slightly lifted her face from my chest.
Then, those unforgettable words once again left Heena's lips.
"Hee...uhh... Hee, give Heena a chu..!"
Pfft!
"Pfft, hahahahahahahaha!!!"
"Ha... You're too much!"
I burst out laughing. How could I not? It was just too funny.
Despite being outdoors with others chatting loudly, passing people all took a moment to glance our way due to our boisterous laughter.
Then, amidst the laughter, Heena punched me playfully, a pout on her face.
My God, being playfully hit by Heena. Today was truly a day filled with rare moments. I couldn't contain my laughter.
I laughed so hard, my stomach hurt.
I hadn't expected this, but when she asked for another 'chu,' I couldn't control myself.
Her cuteness had crossed the threshold.
Once I'd finally calmed down, unsurprisingly, Heena was sulking.
I felt a bit guilty, aware that we might have been a disturbance, so we left the spot.
Thankfully, Heena quietly followed.
Once we reached a quieter path, I sincerely apologized to Heena as we sat on a nearby bench.
"I'm sorry."
"...Hmph."
She didn't leave, but she clearly displayed an "I'm upset with you" attitude, avoiding my gaze.
Seeing her like this, I realized just how much I must adore Heena.
"How about a chu, huh?"
"Don't you dare!"
"Okay, okay. Heena, look at me."
"You're going to laugh again."
"I promise I won't."
I coaxed the sulking Heena, gently pulling her face towards mine.
After a few moments of hesitation, she gave a resigned glance in my direction.
Seizing the moment, I gently held Heena's cheeks with both hands.
"Heena."
"...Yeah?"
"Want a kiss?"
"...Please do."
As soon as she gave permission, their lips met, sharing light, consecutive pecks.
They momentarily pulled apart, gazing into each other's eyes.
This exchange continued several times before he finally released her cheeks.
Afterwards, the corners of her eyes curved up in a gentle arc.
Even though she's my girlfriend, everything felt so effortlessly simple.
---
Raei Translations
---
After the incident, we continued to wander around the zoo.
Although we saw many adorable animals, I didn't exclaim with the same excitement as before, perhaps thinking about Heena.
I'd simply say, "Oh, how cute," take a few photos, and move on.
Perhaps my subdued reaction was because I had already seen the zoo's number one cutie, the red panda, and the world's number one cutie, Heena.
Heena seemed pleased with my calm demeanor, nodding her head with a satisfied smile.
"Do you ever want to raise small animals, like rabbits?" she asked.
"Well, it's not possible right now, but maybe when I start living on my own?"
We shifted our date to a stroll, similar to one we would take near our homes, when Heena posed this question out of the blue.
I had always wanted to have a cat. Today, seeing the rabbits did pique my interest, but I remembered reading once that they have a strong odor.
Although it's impossible, if I could raise a red panda, I'd overlook all minor concerns to do so. But, they're endangered, so it can't be.
Upon hearing my response, Heena frowned slightly and made a small noise of confusion.
"Really, a rabbit?"
"That was just a thought. If I were to raise one, it would probably be a cat."
"Oh, thank goodness. Rabbits are cute, but they do have a strong smell."
"That's true."
"Cats would be fine. They do shed, but we'll clean often. Plus, I love using lint rollers!"
"Huh... what?"
"Hm?"
In the midst of our conversation, something struck me.
"You're going to clean?"
"Yes, I will! But you'll help too, right?"
"...??"
"Why? You won't help?"
Wait, let's think for a moment.
Heena was implying that when I live alone, either she or I would be cleaning.
As if we'd be living together.
Taken aback, I asked directly, "Are we... moving in together?"
"...Didn't you consider that?"
Her face twisted, looking like she was on the verge of tears.
It wasn't that I was against the idea... I had thought about it vaguely, but not in a concrete manner.
"So... we're doing it?"
"When?"
"As soon as one of us starts living independently!"
That could be when we go to college. If one of us attends a university far from home, living independently is inevitable.
But what if our universities are far apart?
"What if our universities are far from each other?"
"It's okay. We'll go to the same place."
"But if you compromise and choose based on me..."
"I'll help you aim higher and guide you!"
"Even if I start preparing now and get lucky, wouldn't it be challenging?"
"No, we can do it! I'll also get a scholarship, so I won't only aim for the top."
"Oh..."
Given this, it seemed like a feasible plan.
Heena isn't aiming for the top-tier universities but rather those that offer a decent scholarship.
If I truly dedicate myself from now on, couldn’t I stand a chance?
Even if attending the same university is out of reach, as my grades improve, my chances of entering a university in the Seoul region will rise. Maybe we could even find a place halfway between our two campuses.
"......"
Wait. Are we considering this under the assumption we'd live together?
Naturally, there's a certain allure as a guy to the idea of cohabiting with one's girlfriend, and for several not-so-innocent reasons, I'm more than welcoming of the concept.
"But... would our parents approve?"
She confidently responded, "Of course."
Her assurance raised my eyebrows in curiosity.
Even if both sets of parents are fond of us, living together is a separate matter entirely.
But to my concerns, she casually remarked,
"They've already given their blessing, so there's no worry."
"??????"
Author's Note:
A comment from a reader saying they imagined a bunny girl after seeing a rabbit gave me a good laugh today.
I'll showcase that concept someday.
Thank you always for your immense interest, comments, and upvotes! Loads of love and gratitude!