85 - That Day

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Mon-Thu

    Illustrations: Here

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    After barely sleeping for a few hours, I got up early and started moving busily. Normally, I would have been exhausted with just 3 or 4 hours of sleep, but at this moment, my mind was so alert, it felt like my adrenaline was at peak levels.

    After showering, I made sure to groom myself neatly and double-checked the various items I needed to bring. For my outfit, I chose not to dress casually as usual but instead went for slacks, a knit, and a coat.

    When I finished preparing and went to the living room, Jeongwoo and Dad were sitting on the sofa. They didn’t say anything upon seeing me, which made me think Mom hadn''t briefed them yet. They just looked at me as if understanding I was going out on a date. Then Mom came out from the kitchen with a cup in her hand.

    "Son, drink this before you go."

    "What is it?"

    "A health drink."

    "......."

    I appreciated the thought, but I wished she had just let it pass like yesterday. After all, I had tossed and turned in bed the night before. Still, I couldn’t refuse what she had thoughtfully prepared, so I downed it in one shot.

    Ugh, it''s bitter.

    After thanking Mom, I left the house.

    There was still plenty of time before the meeting, but I thought it would be better to go early and wait rather than stay home unable to calm down. I also remembered how Heena had arrived very early and waited for me on our first date.

    In the early days of dating, we used to arrive early to wait for each other, but we had agreed not to do that anymore, as it was too early. But today was an exception! The concept of today’s date was a ‘revenge’ for our first date.

    What was I feeling on that first date? Honestly, it''s a bit blurry now. I remember being incredibly nervous because a girl as beautiful as Heena, whom one wouldn''t easily find on the streets or TV, had confessed to me and I was going on a date with her.

    Despite her cute appearance, she was always taking care of and leading me, like an older sister. My girlfriend was truly a caretaker in every sense.

    Actually, not much has changed even now.

    Moving quickly, I arrived at the subway station an hour earlier than the time we agreed to meet. I checked my hair and clothes again in the station bathroom before heading up the stairs to the ground.

    Back then, as soon as I climbed the stairs, Heena caught my eye. Among the many people waiting for someone at this spot, she was impossible not to notice.

    Right.

    Just like her, standing under that streetlamp, wearing a faint smile, waiting for someone.

    Ah, Lee Heena, seriously.

    I also came an hour early, but what if she came earlier than me? It''s like a real first date return.

    I chuckled helplessly as I approached Heena, who was waiting for me. As I got close, Heena seemed to sense someone approaching and turned her head.

    As soon as she saw me, Heena broke into a bright smile, and I couldn''t help but comment.

    "We promised not to come too early, remember?"

    "But~ I couldn''t wait at home, watching time pass."

    "Is that your only excuse?"

    "You came early too!"

    Well, I didn''t have a comeback for that.

    Anyway, today''s Heena, although always pretty and cute, was somehow even more perfect.

    She was wearing a black skirt that reached her knees, a crisp white blouse tucked into the skirt, and a black trench coat with white accents that reached the hem of her skirt. She even wore stockings and shoes that she usually doesn’t wear. The whole look was mature yet had an inherent cuteness that suited her perfectly.

    Today’s date was a re-enactment of sorts, revisiting these places, likely making Heena realize the concept of today’s date midway through.

    "I’m scoring well, right?!"

    "Why are you so good? Have you been practicing?"

    "You like basketball, so I practiced a bit during gym class~"

    "Really? We should play together sometime."

    "With your friends?"

    "No, just leave them. We can play by ourselves."

    We were not in the most comfortable clothes for physical activity, so we played the game slowly, taking turns shooting the ball. Honestly, I wanted a redo of that day that ended awkwardly, and I really wanted to play the game.

    That day, after dinner, we parted ways, but today was different. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined what would come next after dinner.

    However, I felt a tinge of guilt for this self-indulgent, foolish date plan driven by my sentimentality.

    Despite the sun being high, I felt a bit embarrassed to bring up such a topic so early.

    Holding the last basketball in my hands, gently spinning it, I quietly began to speak.

    "Heena."

    "Yeah?"

    "Are you hungry?"

    "I’m okay, but if you want to eat, let’s eat. I can eat a bit too."

    "It’s not that... It''s still early, but..."

    Originally, I wanted to finish our meal, but given the excitement and tension, I wasn''t in the state to have a proper meal. Confirming that Heena wasn''t very hungry either, I ventured,

    "Shall we go home?"

    I was worried the suggestion was too blunt, but trying to kill time with a typical outdoor date when both of us were clearly restless seemed pointless.

    So, despite it being not even 4 PM yet, I spoke my honest intention.

    And to my suggestion, Heena, who initially looked surprised, nodded with a faint smile.

    "...Yes. Let''s go home. I want to go too."

    "I feel bad for suggesting we go back already, especially since you dressed up so nicely today."

    "No, it''s okay. It''s enough for me that you said I look pretty. You know, right? How much I''ve been looking forward to today."

    She said this, looking at me with an almost tearful expression. Of course, I knew. I had been foolishly backing away all this time.

    After hearing her response, I threw the basketball we had back inside.

    -Whoosh.

    I watched the ball pass through the net, making a sound as it brushed against the metal chain, and then I took her hand. We had met and started our day earlier than expected, even earlier than I had initially planned.

    Honestly, what did it matter? It might have been more appropriate to wait until the evening for the mood, but why bother with such details? We, especially Heena, had waited far too long already.

    And beyond all excuses, I just couldn''t wait any longer. Maybe from the moment I met Heena today.

    "Let''s go."

    Author''s Note:

    ;?;