Episode 13: Initiative
After the movie ended, we walked outside.
The streets were bustling with energy.
The narrow sidewalks were packed with people walking in small groups, and on either side of the street, small cafés, clothing stores, and restaurants lined up with colorful signs proudly on display.
Tap-tap-tap.
From earlier, Yuna kept tapping the ground with the tip of her foot.
Judging by the frown on her face, she seemed uncomfortable.
Oh, right. She twisted her ankle yesterday.
Was that why she kept fidgeting throughout the movie?
I slowed my pace to match hers and walked alongside her.
“Where should we go now?”
“Go where?”
“Tarot reading? Escape room? A café?”
I looked at Yuna, who was smiling brightly, and answered.
“Let’s just go home.”
Her foot is hurting, yet she’s stubbornly trying to do more. She’s so clueless.
At my words, Yuna’s eyes widened, and she scrunched her face.
“What the heck? You want to just go home after one movie? I’m not done having fun yet!”
“You’ve had enough fun.”
“No, I haven’t! I still want to see the busking performance tonight, and there are other things to do.”
From her reaction, it was clear she wouldn’t back down if I tried to talk her into it nicely.
Sigh. She’s really being a pain.
I let out a sigh and grabbed Yuna’s wrist.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
Yuna tried to pull her hand away, but I held onto it firmly and said,
“Let’s go.”
“No! I’m not done having fun yet!”
She tried to resist, but I calmly led her along without a word.
Spotting a taxi parked by the side of the road, I waved it over.
“Get in.”
“No way! Why are you being so bossy?”
Yuna grumbled but eventually stopped in front of the taxi door.
I let go of her hand and looked at her straight on.
“Your foot hurts, doesn’t it?”
At that single statement, Yuna clamped her mouth shut. Her face turned slightly red, and she pouted.
“That… that’s…”
“Just go home. We can grab dinner some other time.”
I opened the back door of the taxi.
Still pouting, Yuna hesitated but finally got in and sat down quietly.
Just as I was about to close the door, she poked her head out.
“When… will we go next?”
I chuckled softly and waved my hand.
“When your foot’s better.”
I stood there for a while, watching the taxi drive away, then shrugged and turned to walk away.
*
Inside the taxi, Yuna stared out at the passing scenery, thinking of Dohyun.
‘Seriously, Kim Dohyun… He’s got my emotions all over the places he some kind of at this?’
She felt regretful that today’s date didn’t end properly, but she kept recalling the time they’d spent side by side.
The part-time worker at the concession stand who’d tried to flirt with him, his indifferent expression as he occasionally glanced her way during the movie.
And finally, the moment he’d made her get into the taxi, saying, “Your foot hurts, doesn’t it?”
‘Seriously… making my heart flutter for no reason.’
Yuna leaned against the window and closed her eyes. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
*
When I got home, I kicked off my shoes and headed straight to my room.
As soon as I shut the door, I flopped onto my bed.
From outside, I heard Harin’s voice.
“Back early, Oppa?”
“Yeah, kind of.”
I answered curtly and lay on the bed, lost in thought.
The pop quiz next week.
The event that could further develop the relationship between the protagonist and Seo Yuna, which had been damaged after that lucky pervert incident.
‘But it already feels like her affection is high enough.’
Recent Yuna’s Actions Made It Clear
She would sneak glances at my face.
She would naturally lean closer to me.
She would take every opportunity to tease me.
Her affection level seemed plenty high.
‘In that case, could it be…?’
If the test results changed, could the flow of the event also shift?
Suddenly, a thought struck me like lightning.
If I passed the test and avoided the remedial classes, maybe I could skip the main event entirely.
However, there was one big problem…
In a romantic comedy setting, events always revolve around the protagonist.
Skipping an event might provoke some unknown response from the system.
‘Ugh, this is so complicated.’
In the worst case, it could lead to an even more troublesome situation than now.
I kicked at the blanket absentmindedly, deep in thought.
I needed to choose my options carefully.
Trying to avoid the remedial class event might just trigger an even bigger incident.
‘What if even the heroine avoids it?’
If both of us passed the test, the event itself might not happen at all.
I picked up my smartphone, opened the chat with Yuna, and hesitated before sending her a message.
[Me: Have you studied for next week’s test?]
A reply came almost instantly.
[Seo Yuna: What’s that? There’s a test?]
…
[Me: If you don’t pass, you’ll have remedial classes.]
[Seo Yuna: It’s just one day, right? I’ll just take the remedial class, whatever.]
Reading her reply, I was momentarily speechless.
Her way of thinking was fundamentally different from the average person.
How could someone be so nonchalant about having to attend remedial classes after school?
But there was one thing she hadn’t realized.
Remedial classes weren’t just one day—they lasted three days.
[Me: Oh, okay. Have fun in your three days of remedial classes.]
[Seo Yuna: Three days…? Seriously? Ugh, I’m doomed.]
Her reaction came immediately.
I was sure she’d show some resolve toward studying now…
[Seo Yuna: Fine, I’ll just live as if I’m dead for those three days.]
It didn’t seem like this battle was going to be easy.
*
Dinner Time
I sat in front of a desolate dining table.
Just rice and kimchi—only two side dishes.
Why wasn’t it a lavish feast?
This was clearly a challenge aimed at me.
“Harin.”
“Yes, Oppa?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“How would I know?”
…
It seemed like my little sister, who’s usually a total brocon, was upset about something.
Normally, a table full of food would be waiting for me.
For her to set the table like this for her beloved Oppa, I must have seriously messed up somewhere.
‘Even dogs aren’t bothered while eating, they say.’
Well, there must be a reason for this behavior.
“You have to tell me for me to know.”
“….”
Harin puffed up her cheeks and turned her head away.
Damn it, why are women like this?
If you have a complaint, just say it outright.
Why do they need to protest like this to feel better?
What could I have done wrong?
Was it because I’d been going to the PC café and the gym lately?
No, that couldn’t be it. She’s the one who even prepared the bath for me after workouts.
I chewed on some rice wrapped in kimchi, mulling it over.
Could it be that she found out I went on a date with Seo Yuna?
It was likely the most probable explanation.
I decided to test the waters with Harin.
“Is this about a girl?”
At my question, Harin’s eyes widened in shock.
Bingo. Where did I slip up?
She might have secretly followed me or even hacked my phone.
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I knew it, her eyes were brimming with tears, glistening like tiny beads.
‘God, she’s going to drive me insane.’
“Why are you crying again?”
“O-Oppa… there’s makeup stains on your tracksuit….”
Ah, I hadn’t considered that possibility.
Well, at least it wasn’t stalking or hacking. I’d better be more careful next time.
“Harin, there seems to be some misunderstanding. It’s not like that. It’s probably just dust or something.”
“You’re lying. I’m sure it was makeup… I even smelled it myself….”
Why the hell did you smell it?
What, were you trying to vent some weird obsession on my tracksuit?
Then again, I can’t say much, considering I once sniffed Seo Yuna’s uniform….
No, no, focus. I need to resolve this issue first.
For the sake of protecting my meals.
“Harin.”
I set my chopsticks down and gently held Harin’s hand as she sobbed.
“U-Ugh…!”
“Look, something happened.”
“What kind of thing? What kind of situation has a woman pressing her face against your shoulder?”
“She bumped into me.”
Harin glared at me with teary eyes.
“Who?”
“Uh… some lady on the street.”
“On the street?”
I quickly scrambled to think of an excuse.
“Well, she was out walking her dog, but the leash slipped from her hand, and the dog ran off. I happened to be standing right there, and as she ran over in a panic, she bumped into me.”
Harin wiped her tears but still didn’t let up on her interrogation.
“But then… why was there makeup on your tracksuit?”
“I don’t know either. Maybe her face brushed against my shoulder or something? She almost fell over because she was running so fast. I caught her.”
I was pretty satisfied with my plausible lie.
“Really? You weren’t on a date with another woman?”
Harin’s suspicious gaze was still sharp.
What’s with this pressure? Is she some kind of intelligence agent?
“Ugh, fine. If you don’t believe me, then don’t.”
I feigned indignation and stuffed a mouthful of rice into my mouth.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Oppa….”
Harin hesitated, glancing nervously at me.
“You’re clearly doubting me right now. I trust everything you say, Harin.”
When I put on a disappointed expression, Harin’s face wavered.
“I-I’m sorry….”
Harin muttered quietly, lowering her head.
In any relationship, the one who cares more always loses.
Whether it’s lovers, friends, or even family.
“Trust is important between people.”
“I-I know, but….”
I put down my spoon and looked at Harin.
“When you keep doing this, it just makes me feel like an idiot. Trusting someone isn’t because I’m stupid or naïve.”
Harin seemed to mull over my words for a moment before squirming uncomfortably.
“T-Then… Oppa, is there anything you want to eat?”
I raised my head to look at her.
“Huh? No, it’s fine. This is enough.”
“No! I’ll make you something, anything you want!”
Not long after, Harin placed a plate of ham and fried eggs in front of me.
‘Now this is what a meal should look like.’
That aside, turns out Harin isn’t as skilled as I thought…