Ch.126126. My Girlfriend Is Too Cute

About 10 minutes later. A waiter came to our waiting area and asked if we wanted to have omakase or kaiseki for our meal.

According to the additional explanation, omakase would require some waiting, while with kaiseki we could be seated right away. Since we didn’t want to wait any longer, we chose kaiseki, which is a Japanese course meal style.

“Alright. Please follow me this way.”

The kimono-clad waiter led us to a private room at the back of the restaurant.

Though there was no explicit explanation, I gathered that omakase meant dining at a counter table facing the chef, while kaiseki was served in private rooms like the one we were in now.

“These are floor seats.”

“Kaiseki is usually eaten at floor tables. Plus, this area is an onsen town.”

“What does being an onsen town have to do with floor tables?”

“Well… I’ve just heard it’s related. Maybe it has something to do with Japanese traditional culture?”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Maybe it’s because of those nonsensical phrases about praying for safe childbirth. We’re continuing our conversation as usual, but I can’t make eye contact.

Hwa Nabi seems to be in the same boat, as she sits with her knees properly together, looking at the wall behind me rather than at me.

“Um… Hwa Nabi.”

“Ah, yes. What is it?”

“Here’s your charm.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

I managed to hand over the charm despite my awkwardness. This is so uncomfortable. I want to say something to break this atmosphere, but nothing comes to mind.

So I reluctantly looked at the menu. Even if it’s awkward and uncomfortable, we still need to order. With that self-justification, I quickly scanned what was available.

“Would you like some drinks with your meal?”

“Huh? No, I’m just choosing from the menu.”

“Oh… Siwoo doesn’t know. At this restaurant, you can’t choose the kaiseki variety. There’s only the chef’s recommendation.”

“Really? I didn’t hear about that.”

“It was written on the sign at the entrance, but you didn’t look properly, did you?”

Her observation was so accurate that I had nothing to say. I awkwardly avoided her gaze and rubbed the back of my neck, while Hwa Nabi looked at me and chuckled.

“When you look closely, Siwoo is actually quite a scatterbrain.”

“…Anyway, let’s choose some drinks. What would you like?”

Since we were having a course meal, I thought we might as well do it properly. Getting too drunk would be problematic, but a drink or two would be perfect for easing the awkward atmosphere. I turned the menu around and handed it to Hwa Nabi.

The drink selection was quite diverse at a glance. Just to name a few: white wine, sweet white wine, red wine, sake… The variety was so rich that almost nothing was missing.

“Then I’ll have… Château Loupiac Gaudiet? I’d like this.”

“Sure, let’s have that together.”

“Aren’t you going to choose something?”

“No. One bottle is enough for the two of us.”

Drinking more would only lead to embarrassing drunkenness. After deciding on our drinks, we rang the bell to inform the waiter.

And then came another moment of awkward silence.

But that silence was broken by a loud sound.

—Ding.

A clear, cheerful sound effect came from Hwa Nabi’s skirt pocket. It was her message alert tone, which had become familiar after hearing it many times. Her face brightened up as she took out her phone and checked the message.

“Wow, Siwoo. Look at this. Quick!”

“What is it?”

Hwa Nabi, making a fuss, held out her phone to me. There was a photo someone had sent her, which at a glance showed a young girl with our house cat, Nabi.

Looking more closely, the girl’s face seemed quite familiar. Where had I seen her before? After thinking for about three seconds, it came to me.

“Oh, isn’t that your sister?”

“Yes, it’s Narin. You remember?”

“Of course I remember.”

A cute girl with very large eyes, resembling her sister—she looked like what Hwa Nabi might have looked like ten years younger. I remember seeing her when I visited Hwa Nabi’s family home during high school.

How long has it been since I last saw her in person? About three months? It might be my imagination, but she seems to have grown since then.

“Looks like she’s having fun with the cat?”

In the photo Hwa Nabi showed me, Narin had her chin resting on top of Nabi’s head, with her cheeks puffed out. Underneath her, Nabi was looking elsewhere with an expression that clearly showed annoyance.

As I pointed at Nabi in the phone screen, she smiled slightly.

“Yes. Narin loves cats, so it was a good decision to leave Nabi with my family.”

—Ding, ding. Several photos arrived in succession. In the photos, Narin was either pressing her cheek against the cat’s or hugging it, constantly bothering it.

Our cat Nabi seemed annoyed but was dutifully showing her face in the frame. She looks so dignified, but it’s funny how she seems to be accommodating all of Narin’s demands.

“Is it because she takes after her sister? She’s really cute.”

“Right? Isn’t Narin super cute?”

She nods vigorously in agreement, distracted by the praise for her sister. I find that cute and funny, so I cover my mouth and laugh, when suddenly a new realization dawns on me.

“Hwa Nabi. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Narin, right?”

“Hmm, about… three months? I haven’t seen her since her winter break.”

“Right? I should go see her sometime soon. And also pay my respects to your parents while I’m at it.”

I’m living with their precious daughter, and it seems like I haven’t properly greeted them. I muttered this while tapping the table casually.

However, after hearing my words, Hwa Nabi remained quiet for a moment, then asked with what seemed like an expectant face.

“What would you say when you visit?”

“Huh? Well, something like, ‘We’re living well, so don’t worry’… that kind of thing?”

“Hmm… I see.”

—Knock knock.

—Excuse me.

While we were chatting, the appetizers and drinks arrived. The side dishes included pickled vegetables, and the main appetizer was elegantly plated on a round tray.

“What’s the order for eating?”

“Please start with this tofu first. Then the sea urchin, and finally the seasoned vegetables and pickled tomatoes to complete the appetizer.”

Tofu made from cream cheese, topped with salmon roe and green vegetables that enriched the dish’s color palette. I suggested that Hwa Nabi try it first.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’ll eat after watching you eat.”

“Okay, got it.”

As soon as I suggested it, she picked up her chopsticks and popped the cream cheese tofu into her mouth in one bite.

Chewing slowly, perhaps because the food was so soft, she swallowed after about five chews.

Hwa Nabi closed her eyes to savor the aftertaste, then suddenly opened them wide.

“So, what’s your rating?”

“This is… about a seven.”

Since Hwa Nabi is unexpectedly a bit of a gourmet, a 7 out of 10 is quite a high score. At the very least, it meant the food was worth the expensive price.

“Then, next is the sea urchin.”

March is the season for sea urchin, so it should taste good. Hwa Nabi picked up the sea urchin without hesitation and put it in her mouth.

She chewed slowly with a curious expression, chopsticks still in hand.

I watched her silently for a moment, then made a comment.

“You’re using your chopsticks well now, even without me pointing it out.”

As if all my diligent efforts had finally paid off, Hwa Nabi was using her chopsticks correctly with quite a practiced form.

Finding it quite remarkable, I mentioned it, and Hwa Nabi swallowed her food and replied primly.

“Whenever we eat together, you’re always monitoring whether I’m using chopsticks properly. Some man would rush over at the slightest sign of me trying to be comfortable, so it would be stranger if I hadn’t changed.”

“That’s not wrong, but the way you put it seems a bit off…?”

When you just say I rush over, the nuance becomes suspicious.

I’m not some beast, nor am I someone who criticizes people just for poor chopstick skills.

“Why? You are sensitive about chopstick usage, aren’t you? …Maybe it’s because you always carry chopsticks on your body.”

“…?”

I think I just heard something that offends a man’s pride… Did I mishear? I stopped midway through picking up my chopsticks and stared at Hwa Nabi. She gradually avoided my gaze and turned her attention to the next appetizer.

I’m pretty sure I heard correctly. Convinced of this, I racked my brain for a way to get back at her.

When attacked, only amateurs retaliate in the same way; masters need to be one step ahead.

“Seeing your chopstick skills, I think it’s okay to go greet your parents now.”

My parents aren’t so strict that they would criticize someone for poor chopstick skills. But that was beside the point—I was half-teasing her.

After all, since Hwa Nabi started living with me, she’s been particularly sensitive to talk about marriage and couples, always blushing.

Her reactions are always fresh and cute to see, and I also wanted to return the attack I had received.

“…Really? Is it okay to go greet them now?”

But whether she took my joke seriously or not, Hwa Nabi asked with shy, upturned eyes.

Red cheeks, gently curved eyes staring intently at me.

Caught off guard, I closed my mouth. This was unexpected… To be honest, she looked so lovable that I didn’t know how to respond.

I licked my dry lips or swallowed nervously, trying to find something to say. But a good answer wouldn’t come easily. As I was just opening and closing my mouth, suddenly Hwa Nabi gave me a strange smile.

“…Heh.”

A playful smile she only makes when teasing someone. Looking at her crescent-shaped, pretty eyebrows, I realized.

This was a trap set by Hwa Nabi.

“…Oh.”

I’d been had by Hwa Nabi. I didn’t expect her to use her own lovability as a weapon.

But as a man, my pride was hurt to just take it.

“Hwa Nabi.”

I leaned forward, placing my hand on the table.

“Yes. What is it?”

She answered primly, not avoiding my gaze. I held her gaze steadily, then slowly opened my mouth.

“After dinner, you’ll see.”

“…Ah.”