It would normally be time to head to work, but today neither I nor Eun-ha went to the office.
Today is the graduation day of my second high school life.
All my classmates were busy taking photos with smiles on their lips, chatting away loudly and animatedly.
“Wow, we’re really graduating. Hey Han-gyeol, what do you think? Want to drink tonight?”
“Can’t do it today. I’ve planned to drink just the two of us with Eun-ha to celebrate our graduation.”
“So when are you free? We should at least drink together once.”
“I’ll contact you over the weekend. This week might not work, how about next week?”
“Ah, right, you mentioned you’re working now, didn’t you? Must be pretty busy, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s been hectic. But I’m so happy right now~”
“Are you an old man or what?”
Ugh- Eugene hit a sore spot.
“Calling me an old man at twenty...”
“Your actions and words are that of an old man, what can I do?”
I couldn’t deny it entirely.
I was feeling a bit bitter when the teacher walked into the classroom.
“Alright, everyone quiet down and back to your seats~”
As the homeroom teacher entered, all the students made their way back to their places.
The graduation ceremony was conducted in each classroom via broadcast, not in the auditorium.
Perhaps because it was the last time, everyone listened intently to the principal’s speech from the screen.
As the principal’s encouraging words and a junior’s congratulatory speech were coming to an end, the sound of parents’ footsteps echoed in the corridor.
Glancing over, I saw parents holding bouquets, looking at their children.
“Congratulations to everyone on your graduation. When your name is called, come up to receive your diploma. Now, let’s begin.”
The teacher said with a smile.
One by one, students went up to receive their diplomas.
Some choked up a bit during the process, while others smiled broadly and hugged the teacher.
Eventually, it was Eun-ha’s and my turn.
“Next, Shin Eun-ha.”
“Here!”
Eun-ha briskly walked up, received her diploma, and returned to her seat.
“Lee Han-gyeol.”
“Here.”
I, too, stood beside the podium and received my diploma.
“You’ve worked hard this year. Have a beautiful relationship with Eun-ha. Congratulations on graduating.”
“Thank you. It’s been a great year.”
Upon receiving their diplomas and returning to their places, the students were filled with new emotions.
Once everyone had received their diplomas and settled back down, the teacher opened the classroom’s front door and announced.
“Parents, please come in and congratulate your children~”
As soon as the teacher finished speaking, parents started entering through the front and back doors of the classroom.
Parents, carrying bouquets, stood next to their children to celebrate their graduation.
My parents also came and handed me a bouquet.
“Son, congratulations on your graduation.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
After I briefly expressed my gratitude, my parents looked around the classroom curiously.
“So, who’s your girlfriend?”
That must have been their curiosity.
The classroom was slightly chaotic, not the ideal situation to introduce Eun-ha. However, I momentarily forgot that Eun-ha always surpasses my expectations.
I quickly looked around for Eun-ha, but she was nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, hello! I’m Shin Eun-ha, dating Han-gyeol!”
Suddenly, Eun-ha appeared next to my parents and bowed in greeting.
“Oh my, it’s nice to meet you. You’re as pretty as my son said.”
“Th-thank you!”
Eun-ha’s nervousness was palpable, and her parents approached from behind her. I also quickly stood up and greeted Eun-ha’s parents with respect.
“Hello.”
Although it was unexpected, this almost felt like a formal meeting.
My parents and Eun-ha’s parents bowed and greeted each other.
“It’s nice to finally meet you. We heard our son often visits your home, sorry if he’s been a bother.”
“Not at all. My husband and I are rarely home, so we’re actually grateful to Han-gyeol. Our daughter tends to get lonely, but she feels better thanks to him.”
“Thank you for saying that~”
“Ah, we heard you both are moving to Busan. When are you planning to go?”
“We’re planning to move in the middle of next month. We’re currently sorting things out.”
“It must be busy for you since the beginning of the year.”
“It’s okay. It’s something we’ve been planning for.”
“If it’s okay with you, how about we have a meal together before you leave for Busan? We have the kids’ story too~”
“Oh, I was about to suggest the same. Let’s have a meal soon.”
My mother and Eun-ha’s mother warmly conversed.
Eun-ha and I quietly watched the scene from behind our mothers.
After a brief chat, they promised to meet again.
“See you then~ It’s a bit late, but Happy New Year.”
“Thank you. Please go home safely~”
It was when Eun-ha’s family was about to leave the classroom.
“Wait a moment~ Could you take just one photo of me with Han-gyeol?”
“Oh my, I almost forgot. Come, stand here.”
“Make sure it’s a pretty one~ Come here, Han-gyeol.”
Each holding a bouquet, we took photos together.
Then, Eun-ha waved at me and said,
“Han-gyeol, see you tonight!”
“Yeah, see you tonight~ Take care on your way home!”
“Will do~ Let’s meet again next time. We’ll be heading out first.”
“Alright. See you next time~”
Eun-ha’s family left the classroom.
Watching them go, my mom whispered softly,
“They seem like nice people. You have a good eye, don’t you?”
“I think so too.”
“Let’s also head out. How about we go eat some meat for lunch?”
“Sure. Ah- I’ve made plans to drink with my girlfriend tonight.”
“Just drink in moderation. Don’t make any mistakes.”
“Don’t worry.”
I left the school with my family as well.
There’s probably no reason to come back to high school now.
Leaving a place filled with memories of Eun-ha made me feel a bit sad.
But it’s okay. We’ll live together and stick close in college anyway.
We just need to make more good memories.
***
In the evening, I was waiting for Eun-ha at the agreed place.
“Han-gyeol~!”
Hearing Eun-ha’s voice from afar, I turned around.
Eun-ha, with a bright smile, ran into my arms.
“I thought a tiger was jumping at me.”
“Want me to bite?”
“I better stay alert.”
“Let’s go drink quickly! I’ve always wanted to drink with Han-gyeol.”
“Did you bring your ID?”
“Of course~ Let’s go. It’s going to be crowded tonight!”
Eun-ha firmly grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bar.
She confidently showed her ID before we took our seats.
“What should we have for snacks?”
“Let’s eat spicy stir-fried pork, your favorite.”
“Okay. If that’s not enough, we can order more. Should I order?”
“Yes, please!”
I pressed the order button and ordered snacks and soju.
“One spicy stir-fried pork and a bottle of soju, please.”
“Okay, got it.”
Soon, the spicy stir-fried pork and soju were placed on our table.
I opened the soju bottle and courteously poured Eun-ha a shot.
As I poured with both hands, Eun-ha also received it with both hands respectfully.
“Why pour with both hands?”
“It’s our first time, isn’t it?”
Just as I was about to pour myself a shot, Eun-ha grabbed the soju bottle.
“Ah-! I want to pour for Han-gyeol too.”
“Alright. I’ll accept the first shot with grace.”
“Okay! Congratulations on our graduation~”
“Congratulations to you too, Eun-ha~”
Eun-ha filled my soju glass to the brim.
“Isn’t that too much? It’s going to overflow.”
“I poured as much as I love you~”
I burst into laughter at Eun-ha’s witty remark.
“What’s that~ Where did you learn something like that?”
“I looked up what to do when drinking with a boyfriend~”
“That’s funny. Alright, let’s toast~”
“Sure-! Here-! Cheers~”
Our glasses clinked, making a clear sound.
Watching me down my soju in one go, Eun-ha did the same.
“Eun-ha, sip it. You’ll get drunk at this rate.”
“With my reliable boyfriend beside me, wouldn’t it be okay?”
“Does your research give you lines like that?”
“That was ad-lib. Did it make your heart flutter?”
“Yeah. It did.”
“Good- I’ll make you flutter more by feeding you some snacks.”
Eun-ha picked up a piece of the spicy pork and fed it to me directly.
Her face, beaming with a pleased smile, never lost its joy.
Thus, we quickly finished one bottle of soju and ordered another.
“How many bottles do you think it’ll take to get drunk?”
“Really. Maybe being able to drink two bottles counts as being good at drinking?”
“Am I red now?”
It was dark inside the bar, but she seemed fine.
“Not at all. Aren’t you really good with alcohol, Eun-ha?”
“I wish. I want to take care of Han-gyeol if he gets drunk.”
“I can’t show weakness in front of a predator.”
“Let’s see~ Here- Cheers~”
“Drink slowly. You might get hit all at once.”
“It’s fine~ I’m not drinking recklessly. I’m pacing myself.”
Eun-ha lifted her glass, and I clinked mine against it. After the second glass, since she was sipping, I wasn’t too worried.
“Han-gyeol, if you think I’m getting drunk, tell me to stop. Okay?”
“I will. But it seems like you’re good at controlling yourself?”
“How about I don’t control it~?”
“That’s not a good idea~”
Still, after drinking about a bottle, I felt a bit of a buzz.
My cheeks were slightly flushed, but my speech wasn’t slurred.
Honestly, I was a bit worried, but I felt relieved now.
After another bottle, I started feeling the alcohol too.
It seems like it would be wise to limit ourselves to no more than two bottles.
“Eun-ha, should we start heading home?”
“Um... I still feel quite sober, and it’s a rare chance to test my limits, so how about we have just one more bottle each?”
Eun-ha’s cheeks were a bit red, but she didn’t seem drunk.
I was a bit worried, but it seemed like we could handle another bottle.
“Then let’s order a soup and have just one more bottle each. If we can’t drink it, we’ll stop.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Han-gyeol, you should also stop if you feel like you’re going to get drunk. Okay?”
“Sure.”
Will it be alright?
--- The End OF The Chapter ---
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