Chapter 61: First Christmas With My Girlfriend (4) (feat. Heena)

    TL: looloo

    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat

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    There might have been a more eloquent way to say it. Honestly, I wanted to give it to her casually, as if it wasnt a big deal, but I got carried away by the moment and didnt prepare a proper line.

    So, it ended up being a somewhat clumsy statement.

    -Drip, drip.

    Fortunately, even with such an uncool line and gift, she was my girlfriend, moved to tears by my gesture.

    "Whats this... all of a sudden..."

    "I prepared it as a surprise. It''s my Christmas gift to you."

    "Wasnt it expensive...?"

    Even while being moved, she was concerned about my finances.

    "Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it''s nothing compared to what you''ve given me."

    "No... its... its all because of you... I havent done anything..."

    Tears streamed down her face. I put the ring case aside for a moment and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, which I had now gotten used to carrying.

    "Really, you''ve done so much more, Heena."

    "No, its all because of you... I just... just..."

    I couldnt fully understand her words through her sobs, but I guess this was a moment to be felt, not understood.

    "I''ll do everything for you in the future. Everything you''ve done for me."

    "Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."

    "I love you too."

    I hugged her as she couldn''t stop crying. I hoped for her to be happy, but I hadn''t expected her to be so moved to tears.

    Holding Heena in my arms, I reflected on the past year. Being with her, I experienced so many things.

    Taking photos with my girlfriend for the first time, walking the streets hand in hand. Going on dates.

    Studying together, going on trips.

    Sharing kisses as naturally as breathing.

    I learned what it was like to like someone, to feel that emotion, through meeting Heena.

    I always wanted to say thank you. I think I''ve told her before.

    Thank you for finding me.

    I love you, Heena.

    Please stay with me.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    ( feat. Heena )

    Christmas with him was just around the corner.

    I had been knitting a scarf for him as a gift for several weeks now. Due to my lack of dexterity, it wasnt going as well as Id hoped.

    But no matter how it turned out, Yeonho would be happy.

    Thinking of his smiling face, I knit a little each day.

    Yeonho and I, the two of us.

    Like these strands of yarn interweaving stitch by stitch, eventually forming a scarf.

    Hoping our lives intertwine, and someday, we can look at a shared life.

    I originally planned to visit with just my brother, but unexpectedly, the whole family ended up going to Yeonho''s house.

    It wasn''t intentional. But as Mom jokingly said, it was like an early meeting of the families. Mom and his mother had been in contact for some time anyway.

    "We''re meeting after lunch tomorrow, right?"

    Yeonho seemed completely unaware, but thinking it was just Mom''s joke, I didn''t tell him either.

    It was mischievous, but I wanted to see his surprised face. Just imagining it brought a smile to my face.

    And as expected.

    On Christmas Day, when the whole family gathered and entered Yeonhos house.

    His face clearly showed he hadn''t imagined this in the least.

    I felt a bit disappointed that he regained his composure so quickly.

    I wished I had taken a photo.

    Every night, looking at the photos I had taken with him before going to bed was an indispensable part of my day.

    His smiling face always hanging there, his frightened expression when watching something scary, the tears on his face after a sad movie.

    And many other countless expressions of him that let me fall asleep peacefully.

    Regretting that I couldn''t add a new collection, we all entered the house.

    Our parents brought drinks and sat at the kitchen table with his parents, sharing stories.

    -Smack.

    I kissed Yeonhos cheek and got scolded a bit.

    It seemed he was still embarrassed to do this in front of our parents. Maybe I need to do it more often to get rid of this inhibition.

    "In a few years, we will be family, after all."

    After all, we were going to be family.

    Even without saying anything, I had an idea of what it was.

    He had mentioned getting matching rings before, but with our daily dates, money was tight, and I didn''t want to pressure him into it.

    Nor did I want to wear something that felt like a toy.

    Though I enjoyed matching things with him, being together was what mattered most; other things were secondary.

    But still...

    "Will you accept this ring?"

    As Yeonho softly opened the case and looked into my eyes.

    -Drip, drip.

    Tears started to fall before I could even process the moment.

    Maybe because of the earlier conversation, this felt like a proposal.

    My body reacted with emotion before my mind could catch up.

    "Whats this... all of a sudden..."

    "I prepared it as a surprise. It''s my Christmas gift to you."

    "Wasnt it expensive...?"

    I was too happy to speak properly, yet my mouth blurted out something else.

    I thought being together was what mattered, not these things.

    Why then does my heart not listen and get so stirred up?

    "Honestly, it was a bit pricey, but it''s nothing compared to what you''ve given me."

    "Really, you''ve done so much more, Heena."

    No, that''s not true.

    What I''ve received, it''s all because of you.

    Though I tried to think and do things on my own.

    I''m still not even close to catching up.

    Because I can''t imagine making you feel as happy as I am now.

    I could die this moment and still smile.

    "I''ll do everything for you in the future. Everything you''ve done for me."

    Thank you. But you can''t.

    If you do more, I''ll never catch up.

    "Thank you... I love you. I love you so much, Yeonho..."

    "I love you too."

    I love you.

    More than words can express.

    So much.

    More than yesterday.

    More than the day before yesterday.

    I thought I loved you as much as possible, but every day my love grows.

    If I showed it all, you might not be able to handle it.

    So, I''ll show you a little more, bit by bit.

    Over decades, very slowly.

    I love you, Yeonho.

    Please stay with me.

    ---

    Raei Translations

    ---

    "Uhahahahah!!! Look at this scarf!! So this is what you finally made!"

    "Is this the twisted scarf of oblivion..?"

    "Ah, Sunhoo, shut up!! Hee, Heena? I really like it. Thank you so much. Ill wear it every winter until I die!"

    "Next year, Ill make it prettier."

    "No! It''s already pretty! Ignore what they say. Okay?... Eh?"

    -Smooch

    "Whoa!?"

    "Kyaa~ Do it again! One more time!"

    "I''m so sorry about our child.."

    "Haha, no worries. Kids will be kids."

    "Eung~ I love you, Yeonho!"

    "Hey, not in front of the family..! Uh... I love you too."

    Authors Note:

    You might be wondering why Heena''s part came out so soon.

    Well, why you ask?

    Hold tight!!!

    The time machine is starting!!