Chapter 19: Fake Outdoor Date (1)

When I held out my pass, the security guard’s eyes narrowed. Their expression showed clear suspicion.

Then they carefully read through the contents written on it. They seemed determined not to miss a single letter. Probably checking if it was forged.

Finally, they looked up and said:

“It’s exactly 2 PM now, so you’ll get demerits if you’re not back by 5. And of course you’ll be punished if you’re caught breaking school rules outside. Understood?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“…Alright.”

My clear answer seemed to ease their suspicion quite a bit. The security guard opened the main gate without hesitation. They even called out “Be careful” as I walked out.

Sorry, security guard.

But I had to hide that I was actually going out to break school rules.

This school bound students with all sorts of rules. Among the countless regulations whose very purpose was hard to understand, going out wasn’t exempt either.

Participating in external competitions, family emergencies – unless there were clear reasons like these, they never approved requests just because someone wanted to go out.

But even this school made two exceptions during each semester.

A chance to briefly go outside regardless of reason. A time when we could get some fresh air when feeling suffocated.

It was too precious to waste carelessly.

Back in my dorm after finishing arts festival preparations.

When I sent So-yul a KakaoTalk message explaining this after her sudden outdoor date proposal, she replied immediately:

“Yeah. Then we can go out together.”

She seemed to have completely ignored what I said.

“I said I don’t want to waste it carelessly.”

“Even though it’s your first outdoor date with your girlfriend since we started dating?”

“Oh boy, there you go mentioning ‘girlfriend’ only when you need something.”

“Then I should call myself your girlfriend even when it’s not needed~”

She never gave an inch in any conversation. A sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh escaped me involuntarily.

Taking my slow response as an opportunity, So-yul’s offensive continued:

“Think about it. If we’re going to act like a couple, wouldn’t outside be much safer than inside school? We won’t have to worry as much about running into people we know.”

“…Well.”

Though that wasn’t entirely wrong, I wasn’t sure. If we were caught together inside school, we could at least try to make excuses. But if we were caught outside, it would be over.

Plus, being out in the open meant we couldn’t prepare for who might be watching from where. It didn’t seem safer in many ways.

Before I could voice these objections, So-yul sent her ultimatum:

“So? What do you want to do?”

I couldn’t tell if she was thoughtless or just confident.

Of course, I wasn’t much different… continuing to break rules with So-yul like this.

“Alright.”

◎

And so I ventured out for my first outdoor date (fake) with So-yul.

It was unfortunate to use up one of my few chances to go out, but well, I was relieving stress by breaking rules these days anyway, so maybe I didn’t need it.

Plus, this outing was part of playing fake lovers. From a certain perspective, it wasn’t completely pointless.

Surely nothing would happen during such a short outing. Deciding to shake off my worries, I took my phone from my pocket.

Opening KakaoTalk, I reread So-yul’s message:

“I’ll send you the meeting place, so come by 2:15. By the way, I got permission for plenty of time since I’m going out to pick clothes for the arts festival, so I’ll go out early and wait.”

The meeting place she gave was in front of a station about 10 minutes’ walk from school.

Her courage in choosing such a crowded place was astounding. Why not just meet in front of the security office?

Anyway, So-yul must be waiting for me, having gone out first.

Even if she wasn’t my girlfriend (fake), it wasn’t nice to keep someone waiting. Though I wouldn’t be late for our appointment, I decided to walk quickly to our destination.

It took less than a few minutes to get near.

I’d expected it to be crowded, but the reality was beyond that. It wasn’t just crowded – it was packed. I wondered if I’d even be able to find So-yul.

Well, it was a spring day with perfect weather, on a lazy weekend afternoon. Perfect timing for going out. If anything, we were the strange ones for having to stay cooped up in school on days like this.

Finally at the station entrance.

As I looked around searching for So-yul, fingers tapped my arm.

When I turned around, sure enough, So-yul was standing there.

A light-colored t-shirt and black skirt. She wore a thin, loose hoodie over it. Her comfortable-looking sneakers were pristine white like new.

Though the outfit was simple, combined with So-yul’s appearance it naturally drew my eye. The amber hair seemed to give off a glow.

“Hi.”

So-yul greeted me, tilting her head.

I quickly looked away and returned her greeting.

“Hi.”

“What’s this? Your reaction seems kind of weird.”

“What’s weird about it?”

So-yul wasn’t one to accept such a reasonable rebuttal.

Her slender fingers now poked repeatedly at my side. When I grabbed my side and turned to look, So-yul wore her usual playful smile.

“Could it be… you fell for me?”

What nonsense.

“What’s there to fall for? I see you in casual clothes plenty at school.”

“Then? Why did you turn your face away like that?”

“Because we need to get going now. Got to look ahead while walking.”

“Hmm~”

So-yul’s favorite sound came out without fail today too.

They say if you live with a dog long enough, you start understanding its barks. I felt like I was starting to understand too. Right now, So-yul was either unsatisfied with the situation or wanting to test something.

My prediction was spot on.

In this case, it seemed to be both.

“Oh really?”

So-yul replied in what seemed like a sulky tone and quickly stepped in front of me.

Standing to face me directly, she lifted her head to meet my eyes.

Then she grabbed her skirt and.

Like a figure skater, spun around once in place.

Tap. So-yul put her foot down and lifted her face again.

Drowsy eyes and slightly protruding lips. She was clearly dissatisfied.

Then came her sulky voice:

“How about now?”

Her tone clearly demanded praise.

Knowing her trick, I deliberately crossed my arms and answered:

“You spin well.”

“Not that.”

“You must be dizzy.”

“Not that either.”

What do you mean not that? You asked how it was and I told you.

If I complimented her looks now, she’d obviously tease me right away. It was So-yul’s transparent method, always looking for ways to flustered me.

So I decided absolutely not to give her the answer she wanted… but.

“Really, dummy.”

So-yul was already muttering this with pursed lips.

Was she that annoyed that I kept avoiding what she wanted even though I knew? Then So-yul clicked her tongue and said:

“…It’s your first time going out with your girlfriend. Shouldn’t you give some compliments?”

Oh boy, finally being honest.

Isn’t it obvious without saying? How passing men’s gazes were drawn to her. How some people even stared absentmindedly.

Though she was a piano prodigy who appeared in the news, she couldn’t have that much recognition. The attention she drew was surely due to her outstanding looks.

So-yul must know this too. Yet her insistence on wanting compliments seemed almost crafty.

Well, I couldn’t keep ignoring her forever.

I decided to just close my eyes and say it once.

“Alright, alright. You’re cute. Pretty. Beautiful and lovely. You’re really too good to be my girlfriend. Happy now?”

I finally surrendered. Now So-yul would tease me endlessly. Probably with nonsense like ‘Do you like me that much?’

But despite my worries, So-yul’s reaction was slightly different.

“…Yeah. Good job.”

So-yul just returned this answer with a bright smile, nodding gently.

I felt oddly deflated.

As if satisfied with getting what she wanted, So-yul put her hands on her hips and shrugged. Her narrowed eyes seemed to convey something to me who had finally given compliments.

Finding it hard to meet that gaze, I turned my face away.

We’d wasted time having this strange battle of wills. Unlike So-yul, I had to return by 5 PM. It would be trouble if I was late getting back because of pointless things. Better to get moving.

I stepped forward as if changing the subject.

“So? First we’re going to pick clothes for the arts festival, right? Which way?”

At my question, So-yul came back beside me and spoke:

“Just a short walk from here.”

“Where exactly?”

When I asked briefly, she answered without hesitation:

“The dress shop over there.”

…Dress shop?