Chapter 74: The First Mistakes of a Twenty-Year-Old (4) (feat. Heena)
TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Mon-Thu
Illustrations: Here
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Once again, winter had arrived. Ever since last year, whenever I saw snow falling in this season, I became incredibly sentimental.
Sitting in a hospital room, watching the world fill up with white snowflakes, I couldn't help but feel a deep loathing for it.
On my way to meet Yeonho, seeing the snow piled up here and there, I felt like the leading lady in a romance movie.
Although it wasn't a white Christmas, I thought it might be a blessing in disguise since snowfall could make dating difficult.
Moreover,
"Here, this is my gift."
Receiving such a surprise gift while I was feeling somewhat sentimental today.
What should I say to you?
"I love it, I really love it! Thank you! I love you!"
It was frustrating that all I could do was express my feelings with just these words and respond to this emotion with just a kiss.
Especially when my love for you was growing day by day. You just added fuel to that fire.
Love is like a flame that ignites uncontrollably at the smallest things.
It also blossoms in situations as dramatic as the one we had back then.
My love,
Bloomed like a flower that day.
And now, it was blazing gloriously.
Ignited by just a word from you, by the touch of your hand, by your subtle scent. Like a campfire fed with logs, growing bigger and stronger.
Burning uncontrollably.
Beyond my control.
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Raei Translations
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Thinking about where to go with Yeonho, I playfully tricked him, still a bit naive, and we ended up in front of a hotel.
Of course, it was still a place we couldn't enter, and I didn't want our first time to be in such a place. Yet, his bewildered look was always so adorable. I just couldn't stop these little pranks.
And using that playful bet as an excuse, I dragged him along to choose my lingerie. Holding onto him as he tried to escape, a bit forcefully.
I had thought about secretly buying something provocative and surprising him with it later.
But at that moment, I wanted to greet him in a style that matched his taste. It was also a chance to find out what he liked.
"How about this one?"
I asked, but I could tell by his reaction, by his expression, how much he liked it. Did he prefer black, like the time he chose a swimsuit?
He seemed to like simple styles, but more than that, he favored cute designs with lace.
And when I picked up a see-through lingerie piece,
"......"
His eyes, intently fixed on it without a word, said everything.
I was sure it wasn't just me; Yeonho too must be eagerly waiting for that day. A day we hadn't reached yet, not then, and not even now.
That day.
"Next year, from Christmas Eve to the 26th, we’re together, no exceptions. Just the two of us. Got it?"
I had made him wait so long, I would never let him go.
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Raei Translations
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We gathered for a drink to celebrate the New Year. Even during my college days, I had never drunk alcohol with people other than relatives and family like this.
Of course, there had been times we drank alcohol without me and Yeonho, but now we were together in this.
Yeonho seemed very excited about drinking, as evident from his animated face.
For some reason, these days, no matter what Yeonho did or how he appeared, he was just too cute. So much so that I didn't want to share him with anyone.
"12 o'clock! Happy New Year! Now, let's drink!"
With my brother's lead, the New Year and the drinking session began. As my twentieth birthday approached, restrictions were being lifted one by one. For now, it was just about alcohol, but soon. Waiting for the day, barely 50 days away.
With that thought, I accepted the drinks offered by my father and dad.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I drank alcohol. Naturally, I hadn't touched it while in the hospital, and the last time might have been when Yeonho and I visited a cocktail bar.
I still remember his surprised face at the sweet cocktails in that place we visited for the first time. Yes. Even then, I think I had the same thought.
'Ah─ Han Yeonho is so cute.'
Regrettably, foolishly, sadly, these are memories from a time when my feelings for him weren't yet love. A few years have passed since then, now bringing a slightly nostalgic feeling.
I gulped down the drink in one go, lost in thought. I wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, but I didn't dislike it either.
I still didn't understand the sweetness of alcohol, but its bitterness was also faint.
"You okay? Does it taste good?"
"Huh? It's just the taste of alcohol."
"But how can you drink it so well? Did you secretly drink in middle or high school..."
After scolding Yeonho for his naughty words, I watched him learning to drink with the family. His confused look on how to pour and receive beer.
After learning from my brother Jeongwoo, he poured a drink for our mother, and I switched my glass to receive one from him. If he had learned, it was only right to pour for his girlfriend, his future wife first.
"I just had another shot of soju, but yeah. I'm upset you poured for Mom before me, so hurry up and pour!"
I wish I could always be your priority, even in these little things.
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Raei Translations
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The drinking session continued for several hours afterward. Everyone seemed more focused on making Yeonho drink various kinds of alcohol than me, which made me worry. Yeonho had drunk too much.
In the past, he was always careful about controlling his drinking limit, so I honestly didn't know what he would do when he was drunk.
Even though he had always been so disciplined, I wondered if he would show an embarrassing side. I was curious to see that, yet a bit worried too.
"Are you sure you're okay? Don't finish it, give it to me. I'll drink it."
Yeonho was obviously very drunk at this point. His face was red like a persimmon, and he was laughing more openly than usual – so cute─no, that's not the point. It seemed like it was time to stop him.
After he finished the cocktail my sister made, his condition worsened rapidly.
But Yeonho's drunken behavior wasn't what I had worried about.
-Smack!
I was startled by his sudden kiss on the cheek. He usually didn't initiate such skinship in front of the family, but there he was, looking at me as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
I was happy, but I knew he would be terribly embarrassed when he sobered up. So I grabbed Yeonho's arm to stop him.
I thought he would relax his arm and follow my lead, but instead, he lifted his hand above my head. Then, he gently stroked my hair.
I couldn't make any move in response to his action. Smiling so happily, tenderly cherishing me with his soft touch.
"Heena, should I kiss you?"
"Uh...?"
"Huh? Heena~"
Don't call me with such a cute voice, sounding so coquettish.
I really can't stand it.
-Smack!
But his kiss, following his coquetry, left me unable to maintain my conscience and dignity any longer. Finally, I couldn't hide my bursting desire and handed him the drink.
"Ha, just... one more drink?"
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Raei Translations
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I never expected this. Yeonho's drunken behavior was so adorable. Had I known, I wouldn't have stopped him from the start.
Until I fell asleep, I kept watching the video of Yeonho that my brother took. It was a video I had threatened my brother to keep from deleting because it was 'too pitiful'. I even sent it to Yeonho.
And in that video.
Yeonho, with his utterly relaxed face in the video, telling me I'm the best in the world and kissing me eagerly.
He was so cute, unbearably so. It was probably good that our family was there. Otherwise, I might have touched him without realizing.
Even after everyone else had fallen asleep, I watched that video over and over again before falling asleep myself.
As soon as I woke up to the alarm, I went to find Yeonho sleeping in the living room. He was groaning a bit, probably because he drank too much, and sleeping deeply. I just stared at his face.
"Ah~ Auntie, did you sleep well... Ah! Jeez! Heena, what are you doing there?"
"Shh, you'll wake Yeonho. Be quiet."
"No, seriously, it's creepy. Staring at someone's face like that while they're sleeping. You'd give them a heart attack if they woke up."
"I said be quiet."
Grumbling, I shooed my brother away so he wouldn't disturb Yeonho's sleep and stayed by his side. Brothers, sister, dad, and mom passed by, occasionally stopping to chat, but I couldn't leave that spot.
Watching his peacefully sleeping face brought me immense happiness.
Even after washing up and having the brunch prepared by his mother.
Lying down beside him gently, stroking his face, and when he started to moan as if he was about to wake up, I provided my lap for him to rest his head.
I had prepared hangover remedies and water for Yeonho. Especially this hangover cure, which Yeonho always said was perfect for him and always kept handy whenever he drank.
It was a bit difficult to remember, so I had to look it up on the internet.
"Uh..."
"Are you okay?"
Yeonho groaned and opened his eyes. The sound made me worry if his head was hurting a lot.
But on the other hand,
Even this sight of him seemed cute to me.
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Raei Translations
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Maybe because it was too much to bear the family's teasing, Yeonho took me outside. I followed him willingly, as it didn't matter where I was as long as I was with him. If it didn't work out, we could go to my house and spend some intimate time together.
But not long after, one of Yeonho's friends called. Yeonho had woken up quite late, and now that it was nearing evening, they wanted to have a drink together.
Putting aside what happened in the early hours, I readily agreed to Yeonho's suggestion to join his friends for a drink.
At Yeonho's house, they had given his room to me and Sunhoo's room to our parents. Sunhoo, my brother, and Yeonho slept in the living room.
Since it was such a bustling space, and despite the adorable Yeonho being right in front of me, we hadn't had any time to ourselves. This seemed like a perfect opportunity.
While I felt sorry for Yeonho suffering from a hangover, it didn't seem like he disliked the idea of joining such gatherings now that he had just become an adult. Maybe it was a win-win situation for both of us.
The place where we were meeting his friends was a pub close to my house.
"Here you are. Long time no see, Heena."
"It's been a while. Sorry for tagging along~"
"We've decided to just think of Heena as part of the set when inviting Yeonho..."
Honestly, I wanted to give them space when spending time with his friends, but my desire to be with him led me to follow. Still, I appreciated their kindness in naturally considering Yeonho and me as a set.
They were friends I had spoken with a few times, opening up during conversations. True to the saying 'birds of a feather flock together', Yeonho's friends were good people, which was reassuring.
Everyone awkwardly took their seats in the pub for the first time at the age of twenty, placed orders, and laughed and chatted about the ID check by the staff as if it was an amusing episode.
"I guess there's a bathroom inside here? I’ll be back in a bit. Heena, can you hold my phone and coat?"
"Sure, I got it. Take your time."
While Yeonho was in the restroom, it was the perfect moment to speak with them.
"I have a favor to ask, could you listen?"
"What is it?"
This was the first time I had initiated such a conversation, so they all listened with interest.
"Are we all going to drink a lot today?"
"That's the plan. Oh, but make sure Han Yeonho drinks moderately, right? Sigh, that would be a bit boring─"
"Could you get Yeonho really drunk?"
"......"
At my words, Suhwang, who was speaking on behalf of the group, closed his mouth. The others also looked at me strangely, not expecting such a request from me.
After a brief silence, he asked hesitantly.
"Are you saying not just a little but to let him get totally wasted? Make him dead drunk?"
"Yes."
"...What for?"
"Yesterday, Yeonho got really drunk while drinking, and he was incredibly cute. I want to see that again."
It wasn't a lie. He was cute, and I did want to see it again. I just had more desires.
"Cute? Han Yeonho?"
"Yeah~"
"How does he act when he's drunk...ah, never mind. You mean to get him completely wasted, right? That's totally doable."
"I would've had issues if it was just to make him drink a little, but this is fine."
"Now that you mention it, I'm kind of curious to see how he'd be when totally wasted."
"Should we challenge him to a drinking battle? If there's a ranking or a bet, Han Yeonho can't resist."
"Oh~ Classic Jung Yoonsung!"
Typical of close male friends, they seemed to enjoy the idea of tricking Yeonho and agreed to my request.
Everything was set. Now all that was needed was for Yeonho to get drunk again.
Watching Yeonho returning from a distance, I filled my heart with anticipation for what was about to happen.
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Raei Translations
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"Bring it on, you brats!!"
It must have been two hours since Yeonho shouted that bravely.
Normally, he would have held his liquor much better, but this was a consecutive drinking session, not even a full day apart. Plus, he probably hadn't fully recovered from his hangover.
As a result, he got drunk faster than the others, now mumbling while clinging to my waist.
"Heena...I love you..."
"Ha-ha─"
I couldn't help but laugh at his coquettish behavior, just like yesterday.
But I was the only one who felt that way.
"Bluurgh..."
"The alcohol's all worn off now..."
"This isn't what I wanted to see..."
"I'm sorry to say this in front of Heena, but I really want to beat up Han Yeonho right now."
Hyunwoo was pretending to vomit, and Suhwang, Uihyun, and Yoonsung each made a comment as if they had seen something they shouldn't have. Of course, I was enjoying my happiness, hugging the Yeonho who was clinging to me.
Although this situation was what I had intended, it felt a bit too much to let it continue. Yeonho wasn't in a state to drink anymore either.
So I decided to leave first.
"Sorry, I'm going to take Yeonho and head out first. Can you let me know later how much we owe? I'll send it along with Yeonho's."
"Sure, take care going home. And do me a favor, hit Han Yeonho for me."
"I can't do that~ Sorry for today because of me. I'll arrange another get-together next time."
"That's okay. Even without your request, Han Yeonho would have gotten wasted quickly. Thanks for the hangover cure."
"Okay. See you all next time. Now, Yeonho~ Be good, okay? Shall we go home?"
"Uh-huh..."
Feeling a bit guilty for ending their first drinking session like this, I apologized to them and headed outside. Then, I helped Yeonho into the taxi I had called earlier and headed to my house.
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Raei Translations
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I called his mother to let her know that I would keep Yeonho for the night and return him tomorrow. I explained that he was too drunk to go home. Of course, both his mother and I knew that going home wasn't really that difficult, but she readily agreed.
I also contacted my brother at home to help me bring Yeonho back.
"Isn't it a bit too much to make him like this two days in a row?"
"He got drunk while drinking with his friends, what can I do."
"Wasn't it you who made him drink?"
"I don't know. Forget it. Just help me put him to bed in my room."
"Why in your room? He can use mine."
"I just want him to sleep! Help me take him there! I promise we won't do anything!"
"Really..."
Despite his grumbling, I thanked my brother for helping move Yeonho, and I laid him down on the bed.
Yeonho had been sound asleep since the taxi ride. After watching his face for a while, I washed up, changed clothes, and got ready for bed.
Although I had many desires, I did not want our first time to be like this.
I lay beside Yeonho, who was oblivious to the world, turned his body towards me, and held him close to my chest.
His warm breath, slightly scented with alcohol, tickled my chest. I was content with just that, but then Yeonho shifted a bit and wrapped his arm around my waist.
Feeling his body heat, his weight, his subtle movements, I felt my body getting hotter.
But, not tonight.
I soothed myself and gently stroked his hair. This moment was too precious.
Soon, moments like this would become a part of our daily life.
Falling asleep together like this.
Author's Note:
Um... I was looking at the last few chapters and noticed... the views on Heena's parts sometimes exceed those of the previous chapters...
...
...??
You're not just reading Heena's part and skipping the main story, right? It's a system error, isn't it?
Right?!