My Girlfriend Is Very Good to Me

Chapter 5

"I'm sorry for crying out of the blue."

"It's okay..."

Seeing her shed tears in such a vulnerable state, I couldn't walk away as a person, as a human being, and as a man. I changed my mind about leaving and led her to a nearby playground.

Conversing in the middle of a residential area, having her tear-streaked face in front of me, I felt like I would appear heartless to any onlookers. It's not like I did anything wrong.

Anyway, since I was here, I wanted to know what was on her mind. I had already decided against walking away.

If she cried again, I felt like the guilt would crush me.

With a troubled mind and mixed feelings, I watched her sit down on the bench.

"It seems there's been a slight misunderstanding. Do you know who I am?"

"...Yes. Han Yeonho."

How does she know that?

I thought maybe she saw the name tag on my uniform, but judging by the mood, it wasn't the time for light-hearted jokes.

Did she know me from before?

Perhaps from kindergarten or early elementary school? Over time, people change; someone vaguely pretty back then could have turned stunning.

"Have we met before?"

I wondered aloud, trying to recall any girl from my younger years I might have talked to.

It can't be.

No matter how much I thought, her standard was different from the start.

"No."

"Oh... I see."

I figured as much.

"But why... why did you confess yesterday?"

Her mood seemed to have settled as we exchanged a few words, and she looked up, meeting my eyes.

"I haven't known you for long, but it's been a while. I also know we're the same age. Can you hear me out?"

"......Well, I just found out we were the same age, but go on."

We're the same age?

I honestly thought she was older!

She had such a mature aura.

Still surprised internally, I let her continue.

"...Sometimes, I pass by your school due to some work."

"I happened to see you walking by once."

"The way you laughed and talked with your friends left an impression."

"Although I've never felt this way before, I couldn't get it out of my mind."

"Whenever I had to pass by, I would wait for a while and watch you."

"I realized our timings matched when your classes ended."

"I thought, why not just approach you? So, I followed you a few times."

"I eventually learned your route."

"But I lacked the courage... I couldn't approach you until yesterday."

"I unintentionally confessed."

"So please, believe me... It's not weird or anything..."

Listening to her, almost like a monologue, and feeling like another confession, I felt a pang in my heart.

A fierce debate was raging inside my head.

Is this even real?

Is this even a believable story?

Did I ever seem like such a popular guy?

Popular enough to receive a confession from a high school girl like her?

Logically, I should have dismissed the thought immediately. Still, the events unfolding before my eyes were real, making it hard to suppress my racing heart.

"So, did you really confess to me?"

"Why can't you believe that? Do you think I'm... not good enough?"

"No! That's not it at all!"

But how do I explain this? Being brutally honest might come off as self-deprecating.

Looking into her eyes, I realized it wasn't about damaging my pride.

It was obvious.

If she could openly share her feelings despite the embarrassment, I should be frank too. I owe her that much.

"Well... the reason I couldn't believe it is..."

"Yeah?"

"...because you're so beautiful."

She looked utterly confused. But, of course, having grown up with such beauty, how could she understand what it feels like, especially as a woman?

"Listen, most guys rarely get approached or confessed to unless they're exceptionally handsome."

"I don't think of myself as ugly, but I'm not exactly a model either."

"And then a girl as beautiful as you confesses to someone like me? Naturally, I'd be skeptical."

"Honestly, if you were to stop a hundred random guys on the street, 99 of them would probably feel the same way. Only the most handsome one might think differently."

Her eyebrows furrowed, revealing a troubled expression.

It seemed she had never considered this perspective.

"You don't dislike me or anything, right?"

"Well... it felt a bit suspicious at first which scared me a little, but I don't dislike you..."

"That's all I needed to hear."

With that, her smile returned.

Meeting my gaze, she began to speak slowly.

"It seems we had a little misunderstanding, so let me say it again."

"From the moment we first crossed paths, your smile captured my heart."

"Even afterward, I couldn't stop thinking about you."

"It's the first time I've felt this way in my life."

"We might not know each other well yet."

"But I didn't want us to just be two ships passing in the night."

"I wanted to get to know you better."

"So, to put it another way."

"I fell for you at first sight."

"Will you go out with me?"

Her radiant face as she confessed took my breath away.

Her sweet voice lingered in my ears, making my head spin.

Honestly, it still felt surreal. Part of me wondered if I was dreaming.

But seeing her anxious yet smiling face, trembling hands, and all, those minor doubts no longer mattered.

If someone had asked if I liked her after seeing her for the first time yesterday, I might have admitted to being smitten at first sight. I mean, who could resist falling for her instantly?

I'd had a girlfriend before, from my elementary days up to the first year of middle school. But our bond wasn't deep; we drifted apart as soon as we went to different schools.

But the girl standing before me now, confessing her feelings, clearly wasn’t speaking from a mere whim.

If this was reality, I wasn't about to foolishly toss aside such an opportunity. And given our lack of familiarity, suggesting we start as friends seemed absurd.

With a racing heart, I struggled to find my voice.

I was about to possibly utter words that could change the course of my life.

"Okay, let's date."

I hoped I hadn't sounded too nervous. After my reply, I stood unsure of what to do next.

She approached with a radiant smile.

Her warm and inviting expression left me simultaneously flustered and overjoyed.

To my surprise, I now had a stunning girlfriend, and I didn’t even know her name yet.

---

Raei Translations

---

Reflecting on my impulsive confession yesterday, I chided myself for my foolishness.

I never intended to approach in such a manner. But the moment I saw Yeonho's face, all my prior thoughts and plans evaporated.

My true feelings just spilled out.

I knew it would be odd for a seemingly unfamiliar woman to suddenly confess. I had some reasons prepared, but perhaps my sudden confession startled him so much that he fled right away. I only caught a glimpse of Yeonho's retreating figure. Heartbroken, I told myself I'd do better next time.

And so today,

I waited for Yeonho at the same spot as yesterday, greeting him with a smile.

However,

After a brief exchange, the look he gave me was not of warmth, but of caution.

I couldn't fathom why he would react that way to a confession, even if from a stranger.

And as I took a step closer,

Seeing him back away, I sensed this wasn’t the Yeonho who used to love me. A sense of loneliness gripped me, coupled with a fear that he might not like me anymore.

Then, as he turned away from me,

Tears overflowed and, with all my might, I cried out,

"Don't go!!"

Why is he trying to leave?

Does he not like me anymore?

Why can't we connect, even when I've done nothing wrong?

This can't happen. Not ever.

Please,

Stay with me.

Don't leave me alone again.

Despite my desperate pleas, Yeonho couldn't ignore me. Thankfully, he shifted closer, allowing us to have a genuine conversation.

I attempted to clarify why I had become so concerned about him, conveying my feelings with 90% sincerity and a touch of fabrication.

I hadn't anticipated the reason he was hesitant about my confession. But regardless of the reason, I was grateful that Yeonho took the time to hear me out.

Seeing the doubt still evident in his eyes,

I mustered my sincerity and spoke again.

"I fell for you at first sight."

"Will you go out with me?"

In my past life, my ignorance made me slow to recognize love, but I promise it will be different this time.

I hope you can give me a chance.

Even if others are watching, let's be so in love that anyone would think we are the happiest couple.

Holding onto this sentiment, I gazed softly at him, awaiting his response. Soon enough, he gave me the answer I had so desperately hoped for.

"Okay, let's date."

In that moment, a wave of happiness engulfed me, and I couldn't help but beam with a somewhat foolish grin.

Seeing him still a bit awkward, I bravely took the first step towards him.

Because I am worthy of love.