chapter 75
75 – 29. Things to Do After the CSAT
The third year of high school is a difficult time for anyone.
You have to focus most of your time on studying, and if your grades don’t improve, you’ll get stressed.
You want to have fun, but the atmosphere around you doesn’t allow it, so it’s burdensome in many ways.
That’s how most high school seniors feel.
But I was different, thanks to my loving girlfriend.
Eli’s devotion was still ongoing, even in the summer, with her thinking that her actions were part of being a “wife.”
She was still passionate about household chores and cooking, and thanks to that, I could receive her care as if we were already living together.
Of course, our mom was also helping me in many ways, but it felt like she had entrusted me to Eli since the summer.
“Wake up.”
“Yeah…”
“Eat before you get hungry.”
“…….”
“Eat before you get angry.”
“I’m up.”
In the morning, she would wake me up with a sweet voice.
“Today’s menu is set. Sausages and fries… delicious.”
“Don’t eat too much. You get really sleepy when you eat a lot in the morning.”
“Got it.”
He even prepared breakfast for me.
After school was over,
– Tight…
“Did you study hard?”
“Yeah. But I only did practice problems today and my head is spinning.”
“Is it tough?”
“It’s not that it’s tough, but I’m a bit more tired than usual…”
“Want a hug from the heart?”
“…….”
“3, 2, 1…”
“Hug me.”
“Bow your head.”
“Got it… okay…”
For me, who returned home late, he gave a happy, tight hug, saying I worked hard on my studies.
“What do you want to eat tomorrow? Choose from these.”
“Hmm… Bratwurst and pancakes?”
“Choose.”
“Then let’s go with pancakes.”
“If you chose pancakes because they’re less work, choose again.”
“No, I just want to eat pancakes…”
“Choose.”
“Bri…?”
“Okay.”
“The answer was already decided, wasn’t it?”
“What?”
“No, I’m always grateful.”
And on weekends, he would make snacks that I wanted to eat, rather than what he wanted to make.
They were delicious foods that were good to eat while studying, tailored to my taste.
It was impossible not to be happy.
When I woke up in the morning and heard Eli’s voice, saw his beautiful platinum hair, I was already in a state of pure happiness.
Add to that, my girlfriend would prepare breakfast for me, and when I came home late, she would give me a kiss and a hug. On weekends, she would even make snacks for me.
When I said I was going to study at home, she would quietly keep me company on my bed, taking breaks to kiss me.
I was enjoying such luxuries, and there couldn’t be a happier high school student than me.
And so, I became even more motivated to study hard to repay him.
Eli was doing his best for me alone, and although he seemed to be enjoying it himself, he was genuinely dedicated to taking care of me.
If I didn’t study hard, Eli’s efforts would be in vain.
Of course, there were times when he went a bit overboard.
For example, during summer break.
When I was studying comfortably at home with the air conditioner on.
“…….”
“Hmm, hmm, hmm…”
“Eli.”
“Why.”
“I can’t focus…
“Why can’t you focus? Are you going to die?”
“You’re wearing a bikini on my bed, how can I focus?”
“So, is it my fault? Should I not wear a bikini from now on?”
“That’s absolutely not it… I’m sorry. It seems like it’s my fault. I’ll try to focus again.”
“Hmm.”
The day my parents were away.
Although I was a third-year high school student and had no plans to go to the beach, Eli bought a new s*xy bikini and was lounging on my bed.
I knew she was doing it to tease me, to get my attention, but how could I focus on my studies when my girlfriend was wearing a swimsuit that was almost like underwear behind me?
“Ido-yoon.”
“Yes?”
“What you’re doing now, isn’t it the mock test given by Sungmin-jae?”
“That’s right. I’m doing the Korean language section.”
“Where are you at?”
“This is just the beginning… question 3.”
“Question 3… you got 4 wrong on the previous mock test, so if you can finish it within 80 minutes and get 3 or less wrong, I’ll give you a reward.”
“…on the chest?”
“On the chest. Can you focus now?”
“I can definitely do it.”
Thanks to Eli’s bet, which I couldn’t refuse, I was able to focus again.
And I got one question wrong. Because I did better than I thought, Eli was satisfied and gave me a hug.
“…….”
“Do you like it?”
-Nod
Even if I received it a thousand times, it would still be a new and happy hug every time. The current moment, surrounded by her soft skin and good scent, couldn’t be compared to any other moment.
Eli, who was holding me in her embrace, encouraged me further.
“Remember? I said I’d let you choose my cosplay if you do well on the CSAT.”
“…….”
“So do well. I’ll wear anything you want.”
“…….”
“Anything.”
Although I had to take a brief break due to her provocative remark, I was able to gain more strength.
To be honest, even with Eli’s care, I was getting a bit tired around that time, but she reminded me of the reward for next year, which became a new source of energy.
And so summer passed.
The CSAT was just around the corner.
***
November.
I was feeling a pleasant tension.
I wanted to take the college entrance exam quickly. It wasn’t that I wanted to finish the exam quickly and be set free, but I was just overflowing with confidence.
In fact, taking the exam was something to look forward to.
Looking back on the past year, I had done my best.
My grades had risen to the top level, and even my lowest points were high. If I were to fail the exam in this situation, it would be due to some external factor, I was certain.
So, after finishing my daily studies, I would relax and drink Eli and kimchi stew with my friends.
“If I can just get a decent score on the mock exam, I can totally get into Sky University… but what if I don’t make it? If I do get in, I won’t need to worry about finding a place to live…”
“I’ll definitely do it. Even if it’s just a step away from home, I’ll do it no matter what.”
“Well, my parents said they’d allow it, so it’s okay, I guess…”
“If they just help with the deposit, I can pay the rent myself. So, I’ll do it.”
“I also want to do it, no matter what… Ah, what’s the big deal about the room? One room is enough, anyway.”
“No way. It’s too small. We need a bigger room or two rooms if we want to store our clothes.”
“Well, we do have a lot of clothes. Maybe we can get rid of some old ones?”
“I’ve already sorted out the ones I don’t wear. Yours too.”
“Really? Now that I think about it, our closet does look a bit more spacious…”
The two of us searched for studios near my target university using an app, chatting about it.
Even though it was a premature celebration before the exam, my mood improved due to the excitement about the future.
As we chatted, Eli leaned her head back and put her hand on my cheek.
“How’s your condition right now?”
“It’s amazing. It’s even better because I’m holding you.”
“You won’t be with me at the exam site. Don’t come to the exam hall…”
“Then I’ll die from wanting to see you before that…”
With those words, Eli buried her face in my chest, and the soft, silky texture of her hair and the fragrance that tickled my nose made my heart feel infinitely at peace.
Eli was truly my comfort. Just holding her slender waist made all my fatigue disappear.
We continued chatting in that state.
“This year, I couldn’t go anywhere because I was too busy studying, which is a bit regretful.”
“We’ll go everywhere next year.”
“Where?”
“Everywhere.”
“The beach, amusement parks, or even overseas trips?”
“Yeah, we’ll go together.”
“After the exam, I’ll also start saving up for our trips. I’ll loosen up my drawing muscles… Ah, or maybe I’ll get a part-time job? Like a cafe job…”
“I said you’d die if you worked at a cafe.”
“Did I?”
“You’d die?”
“Then I’ll just draw. Drawing is something I can do at home with you, so it’s better that way.”
“Yeah. Draw then. I’ll earn money as a fitting model.”
“Will you be my drawing model too?”
“A nude model?”
“…….”
“Don’t think about it, pervert.”
“Unreasonable…
“Heh, what can’t I do for you anyway.”
“…….”
“Pervert.”
As Eli teased me, she got closer, her body touching mine. Along with her hand stroking my thigh, a few years’ worth of pent-up desires were transmitted.
I, too, wrapped my arms around Eli tighter.
That was as far as it went.
We had been limiting our kisses to morning and evening recently.
At the end of our 19th year, with the college entrance exam looming, it seemed like we couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Good luck on the exam. You have to.”
“Can I get a kiss to give me strength?”
“Don’t ask for permission when I kiss you…
“If you do it, then do it. Kiss me.”
“…Lips.”
There are days when I have to beg my girlfriend for a kiss like this.
Eli’s soft lips make me the happiest person in the world.
***
Two weeks later, mid-November.
The day of the college entrance exam.
When I woke up at my usual time, Eli was in front of me.
“Are you up?”
“……Yeah.”
“Then go to the bathroom, wash up slowly, and take your time. You have plenty of time to relax and shower. I’ve laid out your clothes, so just put them on.”
“…….”
“I’ve prepared breakfast the way you like it. You never get upset stomachs from eating rice and seaweed soup in the morning, so just eat normally. But if you’re too nervous, eat a little less.”
“…Eli.”
“I’ve put a hand warmer in your coat pocket, so keep touching it on the way to keep your hands warm. Don’t squeeze it too hard or it might burst, so be careful. And also…”
“Eli.”
“What’s wrong?”
Today, it seemed like Eli was more focused on my preparations than on getting herself ready, and her hair was more disheveled than usual.
With a stiff face, looking more nervous than I was, Eli rattled off her words as soon as I woke up.
I sat up, still on the bed.
“Come here.”
I revealed my overflowing happiness with a bright smile and open arms.
“…….”
Then Eli immediately hugged me.
I expressed my gratitude to my girlfriend, who was warm and smelled good.
“Thanks. I’ll do well on the exam thanks to your help. I love you.”
“…Even if you don’t do well, it’s okay. You can mess up a bit, don’t worry about it. I’ll give you all the awards I’ve prepared, so don’t worry.”
“Yeah… I mean, okay. I’ll try my best, even if I mess up. I won’t worry about it and try again.”
“Right. Just do your best.”
“Okay.”
After washing up and coming out, Eli had already prepared everything from breakfast to lunchboxes.
As always, Eli was meticulous and self-centered, but showed a devoted side for me.
Thanks to my lovely girlfriend, I could start the day with 100% happiness.
“Cheer up, our son!”
“Just do what you’ve been doing. Your dad and mom know how hard you’ve worked, so don’t worry too much about the results. If you do well, that’s even better.”
“Dooyun, if you want to take Eli with you, you have to do your best today.”
“What if… I should’ve prepared more breakfast? Dooyun, don’t be too nervous…”
With the cheers and support of our family and Eli’s family, I felt a smile on my face, unaware, at the sight of my mom, who was more worried about me than usual, and Eli’s mom, Ye-rin.
“I’ll be back!”
I held Eli’s hand and left the house.
Just like always, it was like going to school normally.
“Good luck, seniors!!”
We arrived at the bustling exam hall.
“Cheer up.”
“I’ll take the test and have fun.”
“You don’t seem nervous at all, that’s a relief. Have fun.”
“Okay.”
“……”
“……”
-!
Eli, who was already drawing attention from the people around us, boldly kissed me on the lips in the middle of the crowd.
Thanks to that, I felt even more eyes on us.
But we didn’t care at all, and after a short kiss, we looked at each other and smiled.
“I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be back too.”