Your Girlfriend Was Amazing

Date with Soojin (1)

Heading out on a school uniform date in adulthood often tends to bring on the awkwardness, especially when the other person isn't wearing one. And unless it's a standout venue like an amusement park, the discomfort level rises. But donning the Victory Academy uniform eliminates any embarrassment, letting me confidently walk with my head held high.

In the academy, they might still see me as a rookie in handling my powers, but in the eyes of everyday people, I'm just your everyday awakened person. Having a student from a top-notch academy in a restaurant works like an instant crime deterrent.

This stands in sharp contrast to your typical college crowd wearing school jackets. It almost mirrors the authoritative aura of a police uniform. Plus, awakened individuals typically opt for casual wear, blending in and making them less recognizable, but a student's uniform is hard to miss.

Of course, being recognized does have its perks.

"Compliments of the house."

"Wow… thanks."

Receiving complimentary service doesn't mean you should make the student uniform your daily attire. It's not the case. Acting recklessly just because you're well-regarded can spoil your image in no time. Students usually avoid uniforms, but in my case, I didn't have much choice.

"It's nice not to have regular clothes in situations like this, right?"

"Yeah, I ordered a steak, didn't expect to get spare ribs as a service."

It's truly a surprising treat. If there hadn't been guidance to skip the uniform during external activities like this, a few students might have exploited the situation.

"Are we… going to buy clothes right after eating?"

She likely didn't mean it, but the adorable hesitation in her words got to me. Those plump cheeks, that puppy-like face, and her innocent, pitiable aura – she's like a breath of spring. Her charm shines through even in the smallest things, and it just pulls me in.

Why did I rush things yesterday?

"I guess so. I feel sorry for standing out when you looks so pretty, noona."

Sweatpants have never been my go-to for a date – not once. It's an obligation to rise three hours before the agreed-upon time and put on the full attire. Anyway, I was on the verge of calling up Minsoo, considering a clothing emergency. But, knowing his fashion sense… I didn't need to witness it firsthand to predict the catastrophe.

"Why go to such lengths… I really don't mind the uniform…"

She threw out the suggestion to help me with my wardrobe, and I picked up on her sweet intentions. Her kindness conveyed that the uniform was A-okay. It struck a chord with me.

"No, today's not going to be our last date. I can't wear a uniform every time."

"Um, yeah… not our last date… so…"

Saying that, she plunged the spare ribs in, her face wincing slightly as if enduring pain when she stretched her mouth wide. A pang of guilt hit me genuinely. It was unmistakably my fault that her mouth ended up torn and sore.

But still, the cleaning blowjob…

Considering I've never skipped that part in my entire existence, even if I were to hit the rewind button, I'd gladly ask for it again.

The steak, sliced with precision for convenient munching, triggered a chuckle as she savored every bite. Judging by the slight table tremor, she must have been tapping her foot in delight underneath.

"Taeyang, are you getting along well with your classmates?"

"Uh… sort of?"

I meant to express it naturally, but I slipped up. On the first day of the transfer, only two friends in my class, and they're a couple. I also tore their relationship apart. Can I even label that as friendship?

"But still, you're the closest, noona."

"I've been feeling that way all day. Are you… planning to say only nice things to me today…?"

Her inexperience in matters of romance was painfully apparent. A brief exchange of words and her face flushed, akin to witnessing delicate glasswork—breathtakingly beautiful, but with an air of fragility that suggested it could fracture with the gentlest touch.

But thinking about it, maybe I shouldn't have pulled that stunt on our initial encounter… Is glasswork always this delicate?

"I reserve this for naturally beautiful people."

"Is that so…"

My expression darkened as soon as I heard the response. Probably because I envisioned Yoomin's face? No, it's better to swiftly erase the uncomfortable memory.

"Noona, open wide…"

Breaking through with the right tactic is the quickest route. I adeptly cut the lamb steak—still sizzling on the hotplate—into a cube shape. After lightly applying some mustard sauce, I extended it toward her. Typically, actions like this clash with the rules of manliness, but I had no other choice.

"But doing something like this… it's embarrassing…"

She claimed not to like it, yet a smile bloomed on her face. Eventually, she tucked her hair behind her ear and took the fork into her mouth. The effect was rather splendid, I'd say.

"Shall we capture the moment?"

It shouldn't end with the first move; at least, I need to progress to the second to entirely dispel any uneasy thoughts. Approaching this with a boyfriend-girlfriend vibe—at least until the second round—would seal the deal here.

Bu Soojin's expression seemed somewhat peculiar. Her face reddened more than before, and after a quick scan of the surroundings, she subtly lowered her body and whispered softly, "Right here, right now…?"

Is taking a photo that bizarre? Does she despise snapping pictures?

"Do you not like photos, noona…? Should we skip it…?"

"No, it's just… too many people, and doing it in a public is a bit…"

Ah, could this be…? I was about to hastily say something, but Soojin continued.

"I-It's not that I don't like it… I'm just nervous… y-you took one yesterday after we…"

It's exactly as I expected. Since the first photo I took was a ‘cheese' shot in the guidance room, it's natural that her mind would veer in that direction. But I'm not the type to get so worked up that I'd demand that kind of shot anywhere.

"Noona, it's just a normal photo, in a restaurant."

"Oh, um, I…"

"I know what you mean. Let's relax and finish our meal."

Worried I might appear inept if I stayed silent, I hastily shoveled another piece of meat into my mouth. This is the picture I've painted for myself. Even if the quest demanded it, there's no room for excuses since the shot was entirely my doing.

"Now that we're nearly done finishing our meal, how about indulging in some sticker photos later?"

With a mouthful of meat, she vigorously exercised her cheeks while nodding in agreement.

For sticker photos, we don't need to embark on an epic journey; just a casual stroll nearby should suffice. The vicinity of Victory Academy is bustling, maybe because the academy itself is as expansive as my overblown ego.

It's not a haphazard arrangement of shops; instead, each building is huddled together. The term "thriving business district" fits like a too-tight suit, with buildings like the X Corporation or the X Tower shamelessly flaunting their brands. It's not just a saying that a date course can be found in each building. They've even thrown in lodging facilities, as if trying to convince me they've got everything.

"Did the food suit your taste?"

Mid-conversation, someone who appeared to be the chef approached, his commitment to hygiene so extreme that not a single hair dared to grace his head.

"Oh, yes, it was very good."

Why did he suddenly appear? I pondered, but given the complimentary spare ribs we'd already enjoyed, I couldn't dismissively wave him away.

"Actually, we haven't been open for long… and it's the first time a student has come… Would it be okay to leave a photo?"

Victory Academy students aren't exactly A-list celebrities, but they're treated as such. They bask in considerable fame, and post-graduation, guilds shower them with scouting offers, ensuring success even if they rank last. In other words, the odds of becoming famous are high, and from a business perspective, getting a mark from a student is a substantial win.

It's evident that someone has been keeping a keen eye on us since earlier. We neared the end of our meal, and the conversation had momentarily halted. The way he seized that moment so subtly was undoubtedly intentional.

"Yes, yes, that's fine. Should we take it up close?" Smiles adorned Soojin's face, appearing eager as if trying to compensate for the earlier photo discussion.

"Thank you for the thought, but there's really no need to trouble yourself. Simply capturing a moment of you both enjoying the meal is sufficient."

A scene of us dining… If we're freezing this moment in a photo, might as well make it sweet, wouldn't you agree?

"Noona, say ‘ah.'"

After signaling that we're taking it this way, I extended the fork to Soojin. The sound of munching and the clicking of the Polaroid camera echoed. In quick succession, the Polaroid camera spewed out two photos, one of which was handed to us.

"Thank you. Please come again next time."

As we stepped out of the restaurant, a constant rattling noise emanated from beside me. Indeed, Soojin was impatiently shaking the photo, likely eager for it to swiftly develop.

"Do you like it that much?"

"Yeah! But this is different from the photo we planned earlier, right? We need to take sticker photos, you know?"

Were it not for the public place, I would've planted a kiss on her while she continued to ramble with that adorable little mouth.

"I know, I know. Let's buy clothes and take sticker photos right away."

"Hehe, I was thinking the same thing. We're so alike."

Today's date is undoubtedly smooth sailing.

Switch into fresh attire, casually swing by the arcade… and then dive headfirst into the main event. Frankly, white underwear and thigh-high stockings? I'm itching to peel them away rapidly. However, the dress stays put; it's non-negotiable.

Beep! In that instant, a quest window materialized, almost as if expressing its dissatisfaction with the date's seamless progression.

———————————

[Urgent Quest]!

Monsters that haven't passed through the gate have appeared!

Clear Condition :: Hunt all the monsters. (0/13)

Deadline :: Right now

Reward :: Presence 1 / Penalty :: ???

———————————

An urgent quest? Monsters? Presence?

This marked my first encounter with such a situation. Still in bewilderment on how to deal with it, the air split open, releasing a swarm of goblins.

"Aaaargh!"

The circumstance showed no mercy for my response. Instantly, goblins wreaked havoc on the store corridor, shattering furniture. People dispersed in disarray. Expressions that echoed laughter moments ago were now drenched in screams. In under a minute, the semblance of normal life collapsed.

Fight against monsters? Just like that, all of a sudden?

Frozen in place, I couldn't make a move. Then, someone burst forward—hair and dress flowing—it was Soojin.

"Taeyang, it happens to everyone initially. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Along with comforting words, a crimson light gathered in Soojin's fist.

"Minimum Output: Iron Blood."

The goblin exploded.