My Girlfriend Is Very Good To Me [EN]: Chapter 79

Ep. 78

“Last year, when you were studying for the [university entrance] exam, I said it was okay for you to play games for two or three hours to relieve stress. But I figured it might be hard for your friends to play games together once they get into college, and it would be boring to play alone, so I was wondering if you could just get a part-time job during that time.”

“……”

“Actually, I asked Hyung [older brother or male friend] if there were any good places, but I forgot to tell you about it. Sorry for not mentioning it.”

Even with the apology mixed in, Hee-na remained silent. She didn’t seem particularly angry, but her face was subtly distorted, as if she was sad. It was a strange expression.

In that frozen atmosphere, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything more and just watched her carefully. Fortunately, before long, her voice broke the silence.

“…Will you be okay with studying if you work?”

“Probably? If I think of the part-time job as replacing games, it should be fine…? Of course, it’ll be a bit more tiring than playing games, but if it’s not as intense as Jung Yoon-sung’s snack bar, I think I’ll be okay…”

But if it *is* that intense, I’ll apologize and only work for a short period. I’m trying to do it alongside studying, so the part-time job shouldn’t become the main focus. That’s why I was only thinking of working three days a week, for less than five hours each day.

The reason I didn’t consider weekend part-time jobs was because if I worked then, my schedule would be too different from Hee-na’s. I wonder if I’m trying to juggle too many things while retaking the entrance exam, but I blindly trusted Hee-na’s solutions in this regard.

Everyone is different, but I’m not the type who can just study all day long. I concentrate only during the time I’m actually studying, and otherwise, I need to relieve stress by playing games or going on dates to be efficient.

Hee-na said that there’s a limit to how much time a person can concentrate in a day anyway. There are individual differences, but just sitting for a long time doesn’t mean you’re actually studying effectively for very long. In my case, the effect has already been proven by my improved grades.

“Where is it?”

“Hee-sung hyung said the place he mentioned is a 20-minute walk from your place. It’ll probably take about 20 minutes by subway or bus from my house too…”

“If it’s near there… is it the place oppa [older brother, or term of endearment for an older male] used to work at?”

“You know it?”

“I’ve been there before. But that place…”

Hee-na frowned even more as she pondered for a moment. Then, with a pitiful expression, she pleaded.

“Do you really *have* to get a part-time job…?”

“You don’t want me to get a part-time job?”

“It’s not that… no, maybe I don’t want you to.”

Even so, she hesitated to give a clear reason. It didn’t seem like she was worried about my studies. Hee-na would also be busy during the weekdays because of college, and it would only be for a short time during those times.

I was so curious as to why she was acting like this. So, I hugged Hee-na and gently coaxed her.

“It’s just for a little while anyway, why? Huh? Tell me why you’re doing this.”

I wasn’t going to blindly follow Hee-na’s words, but the advice she had given me so far had all been helpful. So, if there was a convincing reason, I didn’t mind not doing it. I was starting with a light heart, thinking it would be okay to do it until around summer. After that, I would focus more on studying.

But Hee-na kept avoiding my gaze and remained silent. So, I cupped Hee-na’s cheeks with both hands, looked her in the eyes, and repeatedly kissed her while asking.

“Please tell me why.”

“Ugh…”

When I spoke soothingly while kissing her, she finally opened her mouth slightly.

“I’m embarrassed to say it…”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Huh?”

“I feel like I’m being too selfish…”

“You’re allowed to be a little selfish. Please tell me everything you want. I’ll listen to everything.”

“…Colleges have a lot of gaps in between classes, right? Like free periods. It depends on how you schedule it, but…”

“Um… I don’t know the details, but I know that much.”

My knowledge of college was just from what I’d seen in comics or dramas, or what I’d heard from people around me.

“I wanted to go see you when I had free time, but if you have a part-time job, it’ll be hard to see you…”

“I’m only working three days a week for five hours a day?”

“But if you’re at my house, we can be together even during that time!”

“Are you talking about your place?”

“Yes!”

“I’m going to go there often, but I’ll be commuting from my house anyway.”

We decided to wait and see about living together, right? Why is it sounding like we’re assuming we’re living together? She muttered in a small voice that was barely audible to my question.

“…Eventually, we’ll be living together anyway…”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“No! Anyway! I was going to come see you study when I had free time, but if you’re working, the time we see each other will be reduced!”

“We can still see each other on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, isn’t that enough?”

“It’s not enough! I’ll definitely be lonely!”

“Wow.”

I had nothing more to say since she was the one saying that. Now that I think about it, we’ve been seeing each other almost every day lately. How did I manage when I was in school two years ago or last year? The days I didn’t see her because I was studying alone or seeing friends.

“So you don’t like it because the time we see each other will be reduced?”

“That’s also a reason…”

“There’s another reason?”

Wanting to see me every day was a reason that was understandable enough considering Hee-na’s personality. But there was another reason besides that? I was really curious.

Hee-na bit her lip for a moment, then said in a small, creeping voice.

“I’m worried…”

“What are you worried about? My grades?”

“That cafe, from the manager to the part-timers… most of them are girls… so oppa liked it a lot…”

“……”

I got new information about a cafe I hadn’t even been to yet, and didn’t even know the name of. Most of the staff and part-timers were girls. Personally, I’m more comfortable with more guys.

Anyway, I thought it was an unnecessary worry, but it seemed like Hee-na might be anxious. Conversely, I might feel a bit uncomfortable if Hee-na worked in a place with only guys.

“You know that kind of thing doesn’t matter, right? That you’re the only one for me?”

“I know… but still…”

“If you’re really anxious, I don’t mind looking for another place. Or actually, I don’t have to do it at all.”

I like hanging out with people, so I was going to do it to earn money for dates and relieve stress, but there was no reason to make Hee-na anxious.

Anyway, I was getting an allowance, and I could relieve stress in other ways.

Well, it’s true that it would be a bit lacking to go on dates with just my allowance, but we’ve been doing well together without spending money so far.

Right now, my top priority is Hee-na.

“Should I not do it?”

“…No, it’s okay.”

“You said you were worried. I really don’t mind not doing it. You’re more important.”

I could see the corners of Hee-na’s lips slightly rising at those words. But they quickly drooped again.

“I’m just… sorry for being stubborn. You can get a part-time job.”

“Um…”

Even though she gave me permission, I still felt a bit uneasy. What should I do?

“Instead.”

I was wondering how to ease her worries further when Hee-na grabbed my hand.

“Today passed a bit disappointingly.”

“Yeah.”

She must be talking about what happened a little while ago, when I almost went all the way without realizing it.

“We promised to be together on my birthday.”
Hee-na’s eyes blazed.

“On that day, make it so that I’m no longer anxious.”

To her, who was holding my hands tightly with both of hers, and telling me that story.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I couldn’t say anything else.

And after this, Hee-na didn’t leave my side for a single moment today. Literally. She was either holding my arm and sticking close, or making me play games again and sitting on my lap, hugging me, still with a face that showed she was unhappy about something.

However, the reason wasn’t about my part-time job, but probably about her dissatisfaction with Hee-sung hyung.

“…I can’t forgive him. He’s always been like that. Why did he have to call at that timing today? He’s dead, really…”

It didn’t seem like she was saying it for me to hear, but just that her suppressed dissatisfaction and anger were leaking out. The timing was crazy. But he called to tell me something good.

“Besides, even if he’s giving you a part-time job, why does it have to be there… He’s dead when I get home.”

“……”

It didn’t seem like good news for Hee-na. I wasn’t stupid enough to say something like, ‘Don’t be too hard on Hee-sung hyung, he called because of me.’

I quietly stroked the back of her head so that Hee-na’s anger could subside even a little. Even though she was venting her anger alone, she accepted my touch while pressing her face against my chest.

Thanks to that, it was hard to play games, so I sent Hee-sung hyung a message with one hand.

[Han Yeon-hoo: Hyung, you shouldn’t go home today;]

—

The next day, I dressed neatly to prepare for the interview. I put on a shirt, a knitted sweatshirt, and a coat on top, and finished getting ready to go out. My parents didn’t seem to care much about my part-time job.

After seeing Hee-na off yesterday, I came home and heard the exact location and schedule from Hee-sung hyung, and then talked to my parents.

“A part-time job? Okay. You’re twenty years old now, so you don’t need consent, right? Do it if you want to.”

“Are you okay with it?”

“You have to do it if you want to. You might find something you’re good at.”

“Yeah, Mom is right. You don’t have to be too attached to college. Of course, it’s definitely good for you to go when you think about the future, but that’s not everything in life. There are many things you can do even if you don’t go.”

“Um, I’m not thinking of *not* going.”

“That’s good too. You’re only twenty. If there’s something you want to do, try it, and if there’s something you want to learn, learn it. There’s no need to rush.”

“And that grandma sent us a Hallabong [type of citrus fruit] set. I put it in the refrigerator, so eat it later.”

“Really? I have to eat it now!”

I always thought my parents’ moderate indifference was neglect, but when I hear these words, I think they just trusted and respected our choices. My older brothers, who are a little ahead of me, are also living their lives well without going astray.

Besides, they always make sure that I can think of my choice on the day of the college entrance exam as something I did well. And now I have no regrets or bitterness.

A while ago, on the day that ajusshi [middle-aged man, term of respect] got married, he sent my dad a text message with a family photo of him, grandma, and the others smiling brightly, along with repeated words of gratitude. How could I regret that day’s choice after seeing that?

It only made my life walk one step slower, and I will be proud of myself at that time for the rest of my life.