Chapter 6: Is This Love?

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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    I arrived home, feeling drained, washed up, and immediately retreated to my room to lie down. The day was overwhelming, and I found it hard to process everything.

    The morning joke about Shincheonji turned out to be a real confession, not about Shincheonji. We met again today, and I received another heartfelt confession.

    I got a girlfriend.

    To my disbelief, it wasn''t a dream. We had been deep in conversation until just a moment ago. I got home later than usual because of our extended chat, and as soon as I walked in, my mom sensed something was different and asked about my day.

    "......"

    Is it like spinning a top that doesn''t stop? Maybe I''m in the middle of Inception.

    Such thoughts felt so surreal that I even questioned their reality.

    But that was just a moment ago.

    "We decided to date, but I feel really bad for only asking this now..."

    "Yes?"

    "What''s your name?"

    "...Oh, right."

    Seemingly surprised by the question herself, she took out her wallet and showed her student ID. That was pretty cute.

    Let''s see.

    "Lee Heena. Heena... from Seonghwa Girls'' High."

    "Hehe, yes. That''s right. But can you say it again?"

    "What?"

    "My name."

    "...Heena?"

    "Yes! Yeonho!"

    Oh my goodness. Buddha, Allah, God above.

    How can I express this peculiar mix of embarrassment and joy? Seeing Heena put her hands on her cheeks as I called her name made me want to shout in excitement.

    Is she really my girlfriend?

    I suppressed the overflowing happiness, not wanting to come across as too giddy. We continued our conversation.

    "Oh? You don''t live that far from me?"

    "About three bus stops? It''s close."

    "I''ll walk you home later."

    "Can you walk me to the bus stop?"

    "Of course. By the way, why were you around here?"

    Sometimes she''d make a curious face at my questions.

    "Eh, it was nothing. And for the past few days, I just came to see you."

    "Ah, I see?"

    "Your smile is getting bigger."

    "I''m naturally smiley."

    "I know that... but is that the only reason?"

    "Sorry. Honestly, I was happy."

    As the conversation deepened,

    "You have two older brothers? I heard siblings fight a lot."

    "Well, up until last year, we occasionally fought over games, but not anymore. We hang out well."

    "I sometimes bicker with my brother too, but we don’t really fight. Maybe it''s like that?"

    "Probably?"

    "I should say hello to them sometime."

    "...Yeah, you should."

    As Heena continued,

    "There''s a direct bus from over there."

    "It should be here in about 10 minutes."

    "Thanks for today."

    "No, I should be thanking you. I misunderstood something earlier."

    "No, it''s me who''s grateful. And... can I ask for a favor?"

    "What is it?"

    "Can we take a photo together?"

    "Shouldn''t I be the one on my knees begging you for that?"

    "Hehe, it''s a limited-time offer! You don''t have to kneel!"

    "Thank you so much..."

    [ Han Yeonho: I just got out too. When do you usually sleep? ]

    [ Heena: Around midnight? I usually study for a bit and then sleep~ ]

    Wow, she''s diligent.

    [ Han Yeonho: Woah... you seem studious. ]

    [ Heena: Maybe a little? ]

    [ Han Yeonho: I should work harder too. ]

    [ Heena: Fight on! I''ll teach you some stuff next time! ]

    [ Han Yeonho: Really? Wow.. Teacher Heena.. ]

    [ Heena: ^_^! Where should we go on Saturday? ]

    [ Han Yeonho: Let''s see... ]

    [ Heena: Since we made plans last minute, how about we just wander around without overthinking it? ]

    [ Han Yeonho: Sounds good to me! ]

    [ Heena: Let''s do that then. How about lunchtime, and we can eat outside? ]

    [ Han Yeonho: If it''s okay with you? ]

    [ Heena: Then, let''s meet up early! Let''s aim for 11ish and finalize the time tomorrow evening? ]

    [ Han Yeonho: Sure. ]

    While chatting, I realized Heena is very proactive. It''s as if she''s the type to lead the conversation, leaving no room for me to ponder.

    As a guy, I do want to take charge, but honestly, having Heena take the lead feels really nice.

    Especially since it makes me feel she''s genuinely interested.

    We chatted for about an hour. Astonishingly, the conversation flowed naturally thanks to Heena, and I was impressed.

    [ Heena: Goodnight! ]

    [ Han Yeonho: Night, Heena~ (sleeping cat emoticon) ]

    [ Heena: Hehe, so cute~ (smiling dog emoticon) ]

    [ Han Yeonho: (cat fainting from heart-throb emoticon) ]

    After saying goodnight, we continued exchanging emoticons for another 10 minutes before ending the chat with the promise of tomorrow.

    Is this what love feels like?

    Is this what having a girlfriend is all about?

    How have I only come to realize this wonderful feeling now?

    I thought that the phrase "When you''re in love, the whole world looks beautiful" was just a line from the movies. How wrong I was.

    The world really looked beautiful.

    Thinking about messaging Heena again tomorrow, I found myself smiling even with my eyes shut.

    Tonight, I feel I''ll dream the happiest dreams.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    The following day,

    The moment I woke up, I was elated to see Heena''s messages again. But that blissful morning quickly turned into hell the moment I stepped into the classroom.

    "Ha-ha, welcome, Yeonho. We''ve saved a spot for you."

    "Excuse me, teachers? Should we not converse in a civilized manner─"

    "Enough, Yeonho. Just come over here, will you?"

    With that, the person I believed was my friend pointed to a corner of the classroom.

    ...Where LEGOs were scattered.

    Damn.

    I should''ve arrived just as the teacher was coming in.

    Author''s Note:

    Thank you for your comments and recommendations today.

    Some of you asked about the serialization schedule, and to be honest, I''m uncertain.

    For now, I''ve set it to update 7 days a week...

    It might be daily, or it might not.

    It''s like Schro?dinger''s serialization, haha. And regarding any NTR drift, let me be clear~

    There''s none.

    I aim to provide a story that''s light and fun at heart.

    A tale to relax your mind.

    Also, the sub-title might undergo changes.

    It might not, but then again, it might.

    ;?;

    Thank you.