My Girlfriend Is Very Good to Me

Somewhere along the way, Heena began to lead, walking half a step ahead of me. All the while, she chatted away as if there was never a destination in the first place.

We ended up skipping our planned lunch, but neither of us seemed to mind or even mention hunger.

"Do you know? There's a festival on the east coast in the summer, and the street food there is amazing."

"I think I might've seen it when I was younger. It felt more like a local market than a festival, didn't it? Had a more authentic vibe..."

"If they're selling delicious stuff, wouldn't it be considered a festival?"

"Maybe. Speaking of which, feels like there's a festival right next to us. Want to join in?"

I pointed towards a small stall selling dalgona candy. I've always loved such street foods, so I'd always buy something when out and about.

"Dalgona? You want some?"

"It's easy to eat while walking, and I have a sweet tooth. I'll buy one."

"Wait a second."

Stopping me in my tracks, Heena naturally approached the dalgona stall. In no time, she had paid and returned, holding the candy.

She then broke off a piece small enough to eat in one bite and fed it to me.

"Ah~"

"Heena, I was going to pay..."

"Shh!"

"Hmm, so sweet."

"Good, right?"

The dalgona candy Heena fed me was incredibly sweet. I wasn't sure if it was the candy or something else.

But it didn't stop there.

"You want that too? How much for one, sir?"

"Heena, please...!! Let me buy it!!"

Every time I showed interest in street food, Heena would swoop in and buy it before I could, and I'd be sweating trying to stop her.

I kind of understood her sentiment. I was confident that if Heena ever mentioned wanting something, I'd whip out my wallet in 0.1 seconds to pay for it.

Yet, she never hinted at wanting anything, but the moment I looked at something, she'd pull out her wallet and ask, 'Want some?'

Whenever I tried to pay, she'd sweetly insist, and I could never really force my way.

Surprisingly, Heena's wallet had a good amount of 1,000-won notes. I had never seen anyone, let alone my girlfriend, carry so many of them. I wondered if she had exchanged them just for these street foods. But even when she bought something, she'd feed only me and never eat any herself.

The only thing she had tasted was the last piece of the small charcoal-grilled skewer we'd bought earlier.

Even then, I had to coax her into eating it by holding it up to her lips and urging her with an "Ah~."

She slightly licked the bit of grease left on her lips with her delicate, pinkish tongue after reluctantly taking a bite.

I was unexpectedly captivated by the sensual sight and had to look away.

"Thank you, Yeonho."

"I should be the one thanking you, you know? My conscience is about to go on strike. Can't I just pay for once?"

"Don't you think you should let it rest every once in a while?"

"No, it gets plenty of rest usually. Today, it should work a bit harder."

She chuckled. "Alright. Oh, want some water?"

"Water? I'll get... Oh, you have it."

She took out a compact water bottle from her small shoulder bag and handed it to me.

"Let's take a moment to sit over there."

As I walked, I hesitated to drink on the go. Scanning the surroundings, I pointed to a nearby bench. As I made my way there, I prepared to clear a spot for Heena.

Smoothly, Heena had already placed a thin cloth, seemingly larger than a typical handkerchief, on the bench. She took a seat and gently patted the space next to her, inviting me to join.

The cloth, resembling a scarf, was just spacious enough for the two of us to sit close.

"Do you always carry this around?"

"Mhm~ I bought it thinking we might need it during our dates!"

"I should've thought of that..."

"Maybe next time?"

Handkerchief set.

Note taken.

"So, where to now?"

"How about the shopping mall on the main street? The one with the cinema?"

"Sounds good. There's plenty to see inside."

"Do you like movies?"

"I guess so. What about you?"

"I'm quite fond of them. But I'd love to watch any film you're interested in."

"From now on, every movie I watch will be with my girlfriend."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

We sealed it with a pinky promise.

I won't be watching any more crappy movies with my classmates anymore.

---

Raei  Translations

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After sharing a conversation on the bench, we leisurely strolled through the shopping mall, mostly window shopping. Even without a clear destination, just walking together was fun. During our stroll, we overheard passing comments from strangers.

"That girl is seriously stunning."

"Wow, she's absolutely gorgeous."

"Her boyfriend must have saved a galaxy in his past life..."

Entering the indoor section, I felt the gazes of passersby once again. I understood why; if I saw someone like that, I too would undoubtedly glance back for a second look.

From the boyfriend's perspective, it wasn't entirely pleasant.

"Hey, look at this! It would suit you perfectly!"

"Huh?"

Whether Heena was used to such reactions or just didn't care, I couldn't tell. She confidently held my hand and led me without a fuss. She was pointing at a pair of glasses in a nearby store.

"Glasses?"

"I've noticed you squint a bit when trying to see far. Poor eyesight?"

"Wow, you're like a psychic."

I rarely had to squint to see something from a distance. That she noticed was surprising.

Heena handed me a pair of glasses with large, round lenses set in a metal frame.

Glasses. I hadn't thought of wearing them just yet since I believed my vision was still decent.

But since Heena picked them out, I tried them on without hesitation. They felt more comfortable than I expected, although I wondered about their practicality during a basketball game.

"They look good on you!"

"You think? Maybe I'll get this style when I do need glasses."

"Promise you'll let me know when you go to choose? I want to help pick them out!"

"If you're helping, I should be thanking you."

"But try not to need them. Avoid looking at your phone too closely."

"Alright... I'll keep that mind, mom."

"Yes! Listen to your 'mom', okay?"

She played along. It was surprising that she liked me with glasses.

Don't people usually prefer others without glasses? Though, Heena's preference mattered more than the general consensus.

"Should I buy one just for fashion?"

"Oh? That's a great idea! Let's do it!"

"You seem too excited. Do you have a thing for guys in glasses?"

"Not really. I just like how they look on you!"

"...Thank you."

I felt genuinely defeated by her charm.

Today, my cheeks must have reddened countless times, as I kept covering my flushed face while following Heena.

She scrutinized several pairs of glasses, each similar to the one I was wearing.

"Heena, should I try this one on?"

"Sure."

It seemed identical to the previous pair.

After trying on dozens of frames, she finally found one she liked and led me to the counter with a smile.

"How much is this? The one he's using."

"Let me check. That would be 20,000 won."

"Here you go."

"Wait a moment! Sir, just a second!"

Once again, I grabbed Heena as she instinctively tried to pay and took her to a corner of the store.

"I'll pay. I'm the one using it."

"I want to buy it for you..."

"Look, I truly appreciate your intention. But you've already bought me food and other things, let me cover this."

"But I like doing it for you. So, just this─"

"Please. Let me pay."

"Alright..."

Only after she had pleaded did Heena reluctantly step back, a gloom over her face.

Who knew it would be this hard just to pay for something I'd use...!

Worried she might change her mind, I quickly pulled out my card to pay. The store owner, who had been watching us with amusement, smiled as he processed the transaction.

"My, your girlfriend is both beautiful and kind. You're lucky."

"Ahaha, thank you."

"If there's any issue with the product, just bring the receipt within a week."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in─"

"Excuse me for a moment."

Just when I thought the payment was going smoothly, Heena suddenly took off the glasses I was wearing and handed them to the store owner.

She wouldn't be asking for a refund because she couldn't pay, right?

"Could you wrap the arm of the glasses in rubber? There might be an allergy."

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

"Huh? What allergy?"

"Some metals can cause allergic reactions on the skin. I asked for the rubber just in case."

"I see..."

"The glasses are a mix of black and gold, so wrapping the ends in black rubber tape should look fine."

"Oh... indeed..."

Heena, you've thought of everything, haven't you?

I was in awe of the meticulous care my girlfriend showed. It wasn't that I was lacking, but Heena was just exceptional.

On our first date as boyfriend and girlfriend, not only did she try to pay for everything, she also took care of even the tiniest details.

Sure, I had looked up various things on the internet, but most of it was basic etiquette and common sense. There wasn't a manual for these unexpected moments.

Only after Heena stepped in did I realize how much thought was put into this.

Of course, she couldn't have anticipated everything. Even though she was always prepared, like having a handkerchief ready when we sat on a bench or by the water.

How should I put it?

It wasn't just doing things without much thought. I could feel that she was doing it 'for me.' She always considered how I'd feel and what would make me happiest.

In other words...

She truly cares for me.

It was all I could think about.

The thrill, joy, and happiness I've felt has been constant since I started dating Heena three days ago. But beyond that, a swirling mix of uncertainty and warmth has filled my heart.