My Girlfriend Is Very Good to Me

Lost in thought and unable to find an answer, I was soon pulled from my contemplation by my older brother's call to join him for fried rice in the living room.

"What is this?"

"Soy sauce, kimchi, and egg fried rice?"

Regardless, it tasted good.

We three reminisced about the online RPG game we once played together as we finished our meal. After that, I conscientiously wrapped up the dishwashing.

"I'm going out!"

"Huh?"

"Yeonho's ditching me!"

"Alright."

I headed to the PC cafe to see my not-so-good-looking friends. To be honest, these were guys I used to game and hang out with daily. But I had sort of abandoned them last week when I suddenly spent time with Heena.

Though we all live in different places, when we decide to go to the PC cafe, we typically meet somewhere midway between school and my house.

Many people in our vicinity hang out there. Every time we visit, we're bound to see a familiar face, almost making it our unofficial hideout. Not just us, but also others from different classes who we're not super close with but still recognize. So, there's never a dull moment.

After a 10-minute walk, I reached the spot.

"Damn, he plays just like Yeonho."

"Hey, cut it out. If you play like that, you'll never rank up. You're as lucky as Yeonho."

"That dude keeps dying! Damn it, Yeonho!"

"???"

My so-called friends were mocking 'Yeonho'.

Why are they mispronouncing my name like that?

For a moment, I just silently watched from behind. These jerks kept dragging my name into every sentence. Observing this, I wondered if I had done something terribly wrong or if they were just being idiots.

I felt like I was losing my mind listening to them, so I tapped one on the shoulder. Instantly, the chatter shifted.

"Hey, the big guy's here."

"You really have the luck of Yeon... Oh? He's here!"

"Ah, has Lord Yeonho finally graced us with his presence? We've missed seeing you around!"

"Bet you've been with your girlfriend since this morning."

"I didn't see her today, idiots. We had lunch at my place."

"So, you're going to see her now? We'll just keep playing our game then."

"That's the plan. Oh! Did you guys feel sorry for single losers like us and came to check on us?"

"Haha, we're deeply honored!"

"......"

I felt exasperated with their sarcastic comments and banter.

Are you guys my girlfriend?

I managed to ignore their jabs, choosing a seat at the far end and turning on the computer. As soon as I logged in,

"Alright, shall we get some food?"

"Want cheese rice?"

"Is it open now?"

All my friends got up.

"...Go eat."

I didn't even have the energy to say anything more. No point in starting a conversation just to hear them spout more nonsense. I knew that when they returned, we'd just game and the tension would fade. However, one guy, with horn-rimmed glasses and black hair, didn't leave with the others and stayed seated next to me.

"Jung Yoonsung, aren't you coming?"

"I had a hot dog earlier and didn't really feel like it."

"Is that so... Ugh."

"Why the sigh? Just hang out with your girlfriend and come play the game."

"What? I haven't been around for only 4 days. Is it my fault?"

"We can't form a team of five without you, damn it."

"Why not include Uihyun?"

"He's attending his academy on the weekends."

"Oh right."

So because I'm absent, they can't form a team of five! I guess I did make a mistake.

There are nearly 10 members in this chat room made for gaming. Yet, since not everyone plays the same game, situations like this do arise occasionally. Still, I've grown so accustomed to playing with the 8 PM team that I tend to forget.

After a brief silence, Yoonsung broke the ice.

"How is she?"

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend. She seems alright?"

"Well, she's kind of too good for me."

"Because she's beautiful?"

"That, and she treats me really well."

"It's only been a few days, hasn't it?"

"It's felt like this every day, even though it hasn't even been that long."

"Hmm... well, that's good then."

"Yeah."

Usually, we'd goof off with the other guys, but when it's just the two of us, our conversations become more serious. We've been close since middle school and throughout high school, so he's now my best friend.

Perhaps avoiding the others was a way to bring up such intimate topics.

"Why, do you want to meet her?"

"No, please. If you invite me on your date, I'll seriously be choked."

"You're still so painfully shy. How does your mom deal with you?"

"Dealing with customers and socializing are two different things."

That's a fair point.

Yoonsung lives with his mother who runs a snack bar. Since the business is doing well, he occasionally helps out. I've helped a few times too.

"How's your tech resale business?"

"It tanked..."

"You didn't lose that much. Can't you just sell it at a slightly reduced price?"

"It's more about the lost time."

"For someone who does nothing..."

"Screw off. So, are you studying hard suddenly because of your girlfriend?"

Is he referring to what I said during the self-study session?

"Yes. She seems to study a lot."

"Trying to keep up?"

"I'm already falling behind."

"So, self-study tomorrow and then meeting your girlfriend?"

"Probably."

"Hmm, okay."

What's with his vague tone? I briefly wondered if he had a favor to ask when I remembered the frequent incidents at his house.

"Did your part-timer run off again?"

"Ugh, yeah. She suddenly didn't show up on Friday."

"On a weekday evening?"

"When else, given our part-timers change so frequently?"

"It's a tough job."

"But the hourly wage is good."

"I know it's not my place to say, but it seems harder than the wage justifies..."

Yoonsung's mother's snack bar has quite a few seats, and there aren't many competitors nearby. Plus, it's affordable, and his mother is really kind.

It's an environment where the business is bound to thrive.

There's a nearby university, and I've heard that this place is always touted as one of the top five must-visit eateries by the university students.

Thanks to this reputation, there's never a lack of customers regardless of the time. In addition to the university, there are primary, middle, and high schools further out, which means it gets particularly crowded with students in the evening.

Moreover, these evening patrons often chat, play around, and tend to spill and waste food, making it chaotic to the point it feels almost hellish.

Perhaps that's why evening part-time workers either run away within a week or, if they don't flee, I've never seen anyone stick around for more than three months.

"Don't we have one more person?"

"That guy said he can't work next week. He mentioned it at the beginning of last week and he's on a family trip, so we can't call him."

"Ah, so can you help?"

Honestly, it's damn tough, but the owner pays the part-timers generously. I've done it before, so helping out for a week wasn't a big deal.

Given the owner's personality, she probably waited for a call until yesterday and, receiving none, she's likely started looking for someone new today. It should take about a week, roughly.

While thinking this, Yoonsung shook his head.

"No, I'm good. I've got studies and a girlfriend to see."

"Oh, right..."

"If you help, you'll have to skip your evening self-study."

True, but...

There's probably no one else to help out. Even if I forcibly drag another friend in, if we don't sync up, it might end up being more of a hindrance.

If I don't go, she'll probably have to handle it all alone. It's incredibly challenging; there's a reason part-timers keep running away.

However, I've decided to focus on my studies, and I want to see Heena. She probably wants to see me every day, too.

Sigh.

As I grimaced in thought, someone nudged me from the side.

"Hey, forget it, man. I can manage on my own."

"Don't be ridiculous. If I hadn’t experienced it, I wouldn’t be saying this."

"If the owner helps with serving..."

"The kitchen's a battleground. Good luck getting help there."

"What do you want then?"

"I said I'd help, damn it!"

Ugh, such a useless jerk!

"What about your girlfriend?"

"Is it a problem if I don't see her for a few days?"

"What about your studies?"

"I haven't been studying until now, so will a few more days make a difference?"

"Alright, got it. Haha! That's why I count on you! A true bro! A man of loyalty, as expected of Han Yeonho! Our evening business would've been doomed without you!"

"You're being ridiculous."

Ugh, I really miss Heena.

---

Raei  Translations

---

With summer approaching, the evening was surprisingly light.

As always, Heena came to see me.

"But didn't you promise not to come?" I asked.

She replied, "That promise was for Monday, but today is Sunday, so it doesn't apply, right?"

I was at a loss for words, facing her flawless logic.

Anyway, as soon as we met, we held hands as if we were on a date and leisurely strolled around the neighborhood, sharing stories.

She mentioned how she felt it was a pity that we had to part so early the day before.

She also talked about how little time was left before her older brother's military discharge.

For my part, I shared that I had decided to study even harder from now on.

Then I cautiously broached the subject, "Heena, I might not be able to meet you next week in the evening. Is that okay?"

"Why?" She asked, her eyebrows and eyes drooping, making her look as if she was about to cry, staring at me pitifully.

It felt like I had committed some grave mistake, and my heart ached.

"Well, I have this friend named Yoonsung. His family runs a snack bar, and they're short on hands. I think I need to help them out."

"Do you really have to go?"

"I mean, they could manage without me, but they're genuinely swamped. If I don't help, the guy might just drop dead."

I was dead serious.

That's how much I felt the need to help, even if it meant not meeting Heena.

Heena paused momentarily, but then a smile appeared on her face. "I get it. But, can't I help too?"

I hadn't expected that.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but the place is small, and the three of us might get in each other's way. Plus..."

"Plus?"

"If you're there, my friend might not work properly. He's pretty shy around new people."

"Oh, the one named Yoonsung?"

"Yes, Jung Yoonsung."

"Well... I understand. But we'll still text, right?"

"Of course. I'll text you whenever I have time."

I was relieved that she seemed to understand. After all, it's not like I was going out for fun; I was helping a friend.

We continued chatting for another couple of hours until it was time to part ways.

"But, Yeonho," Heena called.

"Hmm?"

"Since I won't see you next week, can I ask for something in return?"

"What is it? Want something? Just tell me!"

"Not exactly. Just look over there."

Following the direction of Heena's fingertip, I turned my head, only to see a dark, empty alleyway.

Confused, I began to turn back when suddenly, I felt something lightly touch my cheek.

"Wha...?"

"I'll head out first today. I'll text you when I get home! Sleep well!"

Before I could process what had happened, Heena, with a beaming smile, waved goodbye and walked away.

Staring blankly at her retreating figure, I touched the spot on my cheek where something had brushed against it earlier.

As I expected something in return, the image of Heena's face, smiling happily as she gave me a gift, flashed before my eyes.

Moments later.

Joy surged up from deep within my heart.

I was happy.

Because my girlfriend was so cute, so beautiful.

At the same time, I deeply wished.

I hoped.

That my feelings would grow as big as hers.

That someday, we could share this happiness while standing on equal ground.