Ch.158158. Christmas

Everyone knew that going downtown on Christmas was a death sentence.

“Sh-should we turn back now?”

Two people strolled down the street, faces tightly wrapped in scarves, hands buried in their pockets.

“No way! We’ve come this far, where else would we go~”

Through the countless crowds, a large Christmas tree began to come into view.

“You know, you won’t be able to see this next year even if you want to.”

“I’d rather just watch it on TV where it’s more comfortable and warm—oof!”

Unable to take it anymore, Hana balled her fist and punched Suhyeok in the stomach.

“Ow. You antisocial jerk. On Christmas, you’re supposed to go see things like this with your girlfriend.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. Boyfriend.”

Cheerful melodies of Christmas carols echoed through the streets.

The sparkling lights made it clear why so many people were gathered here.

“It’s really beautiful, right?”

Hana took out her phone and recorded a short video for her Instagram story.

“Yeah. I think it’s my first time coming to a place like this.”

“You never came with your family?”

“We went out together a few times, but never somewhere this crowded.”

Most of the people around were young adults like Hana and Suhyeok, or couples who looked a bit older.

“Honey.”

Hana handed her phone to Suhyeok.

“You know you need to take pretty photos quickly, right?”

They had finally arrived at the tree.

Behind them, the line stretched like the Great Wall of China.

“…I’ll try my best.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Hana struck a V-sign pose with a prim expression.

Suhyeok put his best effort into taking photos of her.

“Hey. You go stand there too!”

“I’m fine, really.”

“When I say stand, you stand.”

At Hana’s command, Suhyeok ended up posing similarly for a photo.

Quickly entrusting her phone to someone standing behind them, Hana linked her arm through Suhyeok’s and affectionately rested her head on his shoulder.

“I’m going to print this photo, so smile.”

Though he was already smiling, Suhyeok became even more nervous at Hana’s words.

“Thank you so much for taking our picture~”

Having finally fulfilled her wish, Hana dragged Suhyeok into a nearby café.

“Wow. This café is no joke.”

“On days like this, cake sales are always insane.”

Even their couple had ordered cake to celebrate the occasion.

Outside the window, people were still swarming everywhere.

Honestly, it was a miracle they’d found a seat at all.

“What are we doing next?”

This Christmas plan was entirely Hana’s creation.

Suhyeok still had no idea what they would be doing.

“For now, we’ll hang out here, then go get dinner.”

“What are we eating?”

“Spicy braised ribs.”

Suhyeok had vaguely thought they might have Western food since it was Christmas, but Hana’s choice was in a completely different direction.

“Is that what you wanted?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“No, it sounds delicious.”

It was actually quite difficult for braised ribs to taste bad.

“So we’ll have that with some soju~ and finally take a walk before going home and~”

Hana’s expression turned quite mischievous.

“…You haven’t watched porn, have you?”

Suhyeok chuckled at the sudden question.

“Why would I watch porn?”

“Hey, I know everything, okay? How guys watch porn even when they have girlfriends?”

“I don’t watch it.”

“Sure~ I don’t believe you~”

“It’s true.”

He wasn’t a frequent viewer to begin with, but lately he hadn’t touched it at all.

“Why?”

“Well…”

Suhyeok glanced out the window and scratched his head.

“Because… we do it often enough…”

Inside Hana’s heart, an indescribable ticklish pride welled up.

How could she explain this feeling?

“…Really? So you won’t watch it from now on either?”

“I don’t think I will.”

“You better keep your word, then.”

Hana fiddled with his fingers that were resting on the table.

“Ah. Should we just forget the ribs and go home? Us?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Heh. Why do you think?”

Hana’s fingers poked at Suhyeok’s.

“…You’re naughty, Yoon Hana.”

Suhyeok gave her a sidelong glance.

“You’re the one I’m targeting, Lee Suhyeok. I know you like it when I call you by your full name.”

“You said you liked it.”

Somehow, their bedroom talk had leaked into a public place.

“Ha! Since it’s Christmas, I’ll let it slide!”

Hana smiled brightly as she looked out the window.

“Next year, this shaggy hair will be gone, huh?”

“But if I’ve been in for over 10 months, I’ll be a Corporal, right? Or would I still be a Private First Class at 10 months?”

Having not yet enlisted, he wasn’t knowledgeable about military ranks.

“You don’t know? But can you grow your hair out?”

“Well… I’ve seen some guys come back from leave with longer hair.”

“But you’ll feel empty when they shave off all this long hair.”

Hana’s hand stroked Suhyeok’s hair that reached down to his nape.

“You’ll be cold, I think.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Doesn’t it feel real yet that you’re going?”

Soon, the two would have to part.

With the year coming to an end, Suhyeok’s enlistment date was February 23rd.

“…It’s a shame.”

Though he didn’t feel it intensely yet, Suhyeok often felt genuinely regretful when looking at Hana.

Leaving behind such a beautiful girlfriend.

Leaving behind someone he cherished so deeply.

Not only did it hurt to think about not seeing Hana, but thinking about her struggling without him also made him feel terrible.

As Suhyeok suddenly became downcast, Hana pulled his cheeks toward her with both hands.

“Just love me hard enough that you won’t have any regrets.”

“Oh. That’s so cheesy.”

“Ah! Hey! I’m embarrassed too, but I’m saying it to cheer you up! Geez!”

Both of them burst into laughter.

Suhyeok really did love Hana.

Hana was bold, yet she often got shy in the strangest ways.

“Shall we go out now, look around a bit more, and then get dinner?”

“Sounds good.”

After successfully navigating the crowded tray return area, the couple went back outside.

“Spi~cy braised ri~bs on top of my rice please~”

“Oh? Have you seen that cartoon?”

“No? But I know the song.”

“I watched it when I was little, I really liked it.”

Stories from childhood that might seem trivial to others.

Suhyeok and Hana had come to love even the smallest details about each other.

“Ah! Should I make a song about braised ribs later?”

“Is the band you’re planning going for a bizarre concept?”

“No! Just this one song. It’s like an event thing. We might even get advertising offers from braised rib restaurants!”

“…That’s commercial rock.”

Eventually, the couple was able to return to their neighborhood only after eating braised ribs at the place Hana had picked.

“Hey, I need to stop by my place before coming to yours.”

“Hm? Why?”

“I have something to bring.”

“Something to bring?”

“Ah. Tomorrow’s your birthday, isn’t it? Don’t you have any sense?”

Hana made a chopping motion with her hand and lightly hit Suhyeok’s head while making a “chup” sound with her mouth.

“…Can I look forward to it?”

“Of course.”

Suhyeok nodded in understanding and temporarily parted ways with Hana.

He went down the slope and passed the familiar three-way intersection.

The intersection that divided Juyeon’s house and Suhyeok’s house.

Suhyeok started thinking about Juyeon, whom he had been trying to forget.

I wonder what Juyeon is doing right now…

While he hoped she was spending time with Seo-eun, he also thought that his sister probably needed time with Jaejun.

Is she alone after all…

As negative thoughts began to surface, Suhyeok quickly tried to forget them.

Worrying too deeply about Juyeon would be disrespectful to Hana.

She had already turned a blind eye to so many things.

Suhyeok needed to focus on Hana.

I wonder what gift she bought…

Arriving home and leaning against his bed, Suhyeok let his imagination run wild about the first birthday gift from his girlfriend.

-Knock knock knock

The sound of someone knocking on the door.

Realizing Hana had arrived, Suhyeok got up and opened the door.

“Merry Christmas.”

In Hana’s hands were a large envelope and a cake box.

“You bought cake too?”

“Of course! It’s Christmas, and your birthday, did you think I wouldn’t prepare cake?”

After putting the cake in the refrigerator, Hana approached Suhyeok, clutching the gift-filled envelope to her chest.

“Have you tried to guess?”

“Umm… yeah.”

“What do you think it is?”

“Guitar-related items or… some electronic device?”

“Electronic device? Were you interested in those?”

Hana’s eyes widened as if she had no idea.

“Um… a little?”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Then next year will be an electronic device.”

Hana took out a wrapped box from inside the envelope.

“Still can’t guess?”

“Shoes…?”

No matter how he looked at it, the size seemed right for shoes.

“That’s right! Open it!”

“But isn’t there a saying that if you give shoes as a gift, the person will run away?”

“What? Really?”

This was Hana’s first relationship too.

Having never heard such a superstition, she tried to take the box back.

“Hey. No. You can’t leave! I’m not giving it to you! I take it back!”

“Pfft. No, that’s not a thing. It’s just a rumor.”

“Ah, but it’s so creepy now! I don’t want to give it to you.”

Only after Suhyeok hugged her and pleaded was he allowed to open the gift.

After removing the wrapping paper and opening the box, inside was a pair of dark brown leather boots.

“They’re cool.”

“…They’re kind of limited edition.”

“Thank you, Hana.”

Suhyeok gave Hana a kiss on the cheek to show his gratitude.

“…I thought you’d look cool wearing them when you perform.”

“But it’ll probably be at least two more years before I can perform.”

“That’s why I’m giving them to you as a promise that you’ll come back safely and perform with me.”

Hana naturally sat on Suhyeok’s lap.

“Lee Suhyeok.”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

Instead of answering with words, Suhyeok responded to her declaration with a kiss.

“I love you too, Hana.”

“I’m really going to wait for you no matter what. Don’t you dare say things like I’m a burden, or that waiting for you will be hard for me.”

While pushing Suhyeok back with her arms, Hana spoke words sweeter than anyone else could.

“All of that is overruled.”

What followed was a night hot enough to easily blow away any trace of cold.