LEVEL UP!
10 AM.
The meeting time was 11 AM, but Sihwang was already in front of Eunji's apartment building,
walking around in circles. Ideally, he was planning to work out a bit in the morning to stack up
some EXP points, then arrive the place about ten minutes early, but he got too nervous and
ended up getting there an hour soon.
Sihwang pulled out his tablet and looked through the date checklist once more. Eunji only
mentioned lunch, but there was no way Sihwang was going it to leave the day there.
Thank Eunji for the meal, and offer her to buy her coffee. Then, go to the movies and stay until
dinner was the plan.
If that plan worked, the level bar would fill up at least halfway. Until now, had gained 100 EXP
points, and filled up one-fifth of the bar. Which means, the EXP points needed to reach Level 2
was about 500.
Sihwang pulled up a small hand mirror from his bag and looked at himself. He brushed off his
shirt and groomed himself as much as he could. His face wasn't perfect, but that was a different
story.
As it reached 11 o'clock, he became more nervous. It was the first meal he will ever eat with a
girl, and it was the first time he has ever waited for a girl in front of her place. Everything was
new to him.
Five minutes before 11, Eunji stepped out of the apartment building.
She was wearing a casual dress. It was a beige chiffon dress that ended right over her knees.
Her legs looked beautiful with the high heels. She seemed taller than she was yesterday. She
also had pink lipstick on, and her hair was swaying in the breeze. Sihwang couldn't keep his
eyes off her.
"You're here early."
Eunji smiled at Sihwang.
"You are gorgeous today."
Sihwang blurted out, unintentionally. Sihwang didn't know how to compliment people. Especially
saying comments like you're pretty. He never thought he would ever say that sentence. As soon
as he saw Eunji, it just came out.
"Thank you."
Eunji replied, blushing a little.
"So, uh…. Where should we go?"
Sihwang finally snapped into reality and asked the big question.
"Do you like anything in particular? I'll buy you anything."
This was the biggest decision. He wanted to make a smart move on deciding the menu.
"How does pasta sound?"
According to some Internet research, pasta was a decent choice to make.
"Are you sure about pasta?"
From Eunji's reply, Sihwang could tell that pasta was not the best option.
He thought over a little more, but there was nothing good. He remembered that girls tend to
dislike people who become hesitant over a menu.
"Hmm, then…. Uhh…."
"How does chicken soup sound?"
"Chicken soup?"
Sihwang repeated as a very unexpected menu popped up.
"Don't you like chicken soup?"
"No, I love it."
"Then, shall we?"
"Yep."
Sihwang has only had a homemade chicken soup that his mother used to make. He followed
Eunji's lead. Walking together, they looked like a couple. Instead, he started to compare Eunji's
face with the other girls passing by. Eunji beat every single one.
The two stepped into a traditional-themed restaurant.
"This place is pretty good. I came here last time with my friend."
"I see. It's my first time here."
Sihwang started to think that Eunji was from a wealthy family.
They both sat on a booth by the window and looked at the menu. A bowl of chicken soup cost
13,000 won. Sihwang was taken aback but immediately calmed down. He still had 4,000,000
won from what he got from Konz, and if he leveled up soon, he would be able to receive more
money. Worst case scenario, he could try selling some of the tea that he already has.
"Where is your home, Eunji ssi?"
"Oppa, just call me Eunji."
"Ah. Okay…. Sure."
"Call me comfortably."
"Okay, then."
Sihwang wanted to kill himself in this awkwardness.
"My original home is in Busan."
"Oh. My home is in Changnyeong."
Sihwang kept the conversation going. Even though he had never dated a girl, he began to get
an idea of how to continue discussions.
The chicken soup was served, and Sihwang, who had nothing to eat since the morning, emptied
the bowl in a flash.
"After this, do you want to go to a cafe? I'll buy you coffee."
Sihwang suggested as Eunji was almost done with her soup.
"It's okay."
Sihwang was devastated to Eunji's refusal. He was thinking too hard about how to react.
"The coffee is on me too."
"Huh? You are going to pay for it again?"
Sihwang's face brightened up.
"Sure. The ER fee must have been expensive, but you covered all of them for me. So I'll buy the
cafe as well."
"I feel bad……."
Sihwang felt Eunji was buying the coffee, although he covered the ER fee that cost way more.
After the meal, the two stepped into a cafe nearby.
Sihwang ordered a lemonade, which was the most simple drink to him. Eunji ordered a regular
coffee.
Sihwang made a guilty face, as Eunji carried both drinks to the table.
"Sorry, it's my first time at a coffee shop, and I didn't know how the orders worked."
Sihwang exclaimed. All of his relatives were not the pretty type, but Eunji's was definitely good-
looking. He thought that the destiny of what a person would look like depends on what family
you are from seemed to be unfair.
"No, Oppa. Sojin Unnie is especially prettier. She was amazing since she was a child."
Before even realizing it, Eunji was already sitting next to Sihwang and watching the tablet
together.
As Eunji approached, a lovely scent filled Sihwang's nose. It wasn't like a perfume smell, but the
natural scent combination of makeup and musk.
Sihwang noticed Eunji's pale, skinny legs. Because she was sitting down, her thighs were
barely showing, and that turned up Sihwang a lot.
"Oppa, doesn't this picture look stunning?"
"Huh? Yeah, yes. That's really pretty."
Eunji continued talking, having no idea that she was unintentionally seducing Sihwang.
Sihwang was so close to shoving his hand into Eunji's skirt, but that was not going to happen.
He would have to be satisfied with his imagination for now.
"Do you want to go watch a movie? I'll pay. I feel like you've been spending too much money."
"It's fine. I insisted on buying them, anyway."
It was too hard. Way too hard. Girls were tough to get used to. Sihwang wanted to stall and
spend more time with Eunji as much as possible, but it was impossible to know how Eunji felt
about him, and determine either to make the next move or not.
"How about we do something else th…."
"Sorry. I have other plans, so I should get going soon. Take me to the movies next time."
"I see. Okay."
The plan was to go to the movies, then have dinner too, but that would have to wait. It's not like
he would beg her to stay.
"I'll walk you to your apartment."
"Thanks, Oppa."
Sihwang walked Eunji to her apartment building.
"See you in class. Thanks for everything today."
"Yeah, see you."
Sihwang waved goodbye and watched Eunji walk into the building. The small, pink ribbon
decoration on her heels stood out on her thin ankles. Sihwang walked back to his house,
thinking about how pretty Eunji could be.
"Man…."
Sihwang reached his studio, changed to comfortable clothes, and sighed. Before he took off this
morning, he was ready to watch movies with Eunji, and possibly kiss her in front of her
apartment if he was lucky enough.
At least the date didn't stop at lunch and had coffee with her.
"I'll totally make it next time."
Sihwang clenched his fists and vowed to himself. He was going to make Eunji his own.