My Ex-Girlfriend Regrets Dumping Me

9 – Reunion (4)

There was no reason to refuse.

If it were back when I was dating Ha-yeon, it would have been something I couldn’t even dream of.

But now, there was no one to stop me.

Honestly, if someone asked me whether I liked Jia or not, of course, I was the one who liked her.

“Isn’t the atmosphere nice? I’m a regular here.”

“Yeah, it’s not bad. Calm and quiet.”

I looked around and commented on the ambiance.

It was an underground bar with warm and dim lighting, playing subdued music.

Jia brought me to the cocktail bar she frequented.

We discussed and ordered light fruit snacks and one cocktail each.

As soon as Jia finished ordering, she started talking to me.

“It seems like you don’t really like noisy places.”

“Some people do, though?”

“Well, some people like clubs and all, you know.”

“But personally, I can’t stand them. I’ve never been to one.”

Since high school, I had been in a relationship, so there was no need for me to go to clubs.

Although I hung out with friends, I wasn’t the type to ignore Ha-yeon’s opinion and sneak out.

Jia giggled at my answer.

“We seem to match quite well in this aspect too. Even our tastes.”

“…Is that so?”

“Why? Don’t you think so?”

With cheeks that seemed like they were about to puff up, I couldn’t help but laugh at her cuteness.

Even under the dim lighting, her flushed cheeks were visible.

It seemed like alcohol made Jia more honest.

“No, it feels right to me.”

“Really?”

She looked pleased with the answer she wanted to hear.

As we chatted, we found that we connected well, discussing our stories and getting to know each other.

We talked about where we lived, why we chose our school, why we picked our majors, and so on.

The conversation moved to more personal topics that we couldn’t discuss at the pub.

And strangely, the subject had shifted to a discussion about relationships.

“Do you have a specific style of person you like?”

“Hmm. No. I haven’t really thought about it.”

I quickly denied having any thoughts about someone coming to mind at the mention of an ideal type.

She was no longer my ideal type now. No, she shouldn’t have been.

“Then between older and younger, which one do you prefer?”

Jia looked at me with hopeful eyes.

Jia is 22 years old. I am 24 years old. We were in the same grade, but Jia is younger.

So, you could say this is close to being a trick question.

I abandoned honesty and gave her the answer she wanted.

If there’s one thing I learned during a long dating period, it’s that atmosphere is much more important than honesty.

“…Probably younger?”

“Oh yeah! Then, is short hair better or long hair?”

“Short hair seems better, don’t you think?”

“Really? Then, is a bright personality better or a serious and quiet one?”

“Um… A bright personality is much better. If someone is quiet and doesn’t talk much, communication wouldn’t go well, and it would be difficult.”

Perhaps these were keywords completely opposite to Ha-yeon.

Younger, short hair, and even a bright personality.

“hehehe. Then, I’m exactly that?”

Jia appeared excited when she heard my desired answer.

Normally, one could turn the conversation around. But Jia’s way of speaking was straightforward to the core.

She was blatantly showing her liking towards me.

Should I say she was innocent? Or should I say she lacked experience?

But it didn’t make me feel bad at all.

“Jia, you haven’t dated before, right?”

“…Huh? How did you…”

“Just a feeling I have.”

Seeing Jia’s bewildered expression, I felt like laughter was going to burst out again.

How many times have I laughed like this recently?

The past two years were filled with more gloomy days than happy ones.

“I’ll bring your drinks and food.”

Ordering Peach Crush and Blue Hawaii with fruit hors d’oeuvres.

When the waiter left, Jia urged me while lifting the pink glass in front of her.

“Shall we clink? Cheers?”

“Why not?”

“Then cheers!”

Two glasses collided in the air, making a clear sound.

— Ting

But soon, the blue cocktail flowed down my hand.

Perhaps it was because Jia was a little tipsy, she accidentally pushed the glass too hard.

“Oh.”

“Oops. I’m sorry, Oppa. What should we do? Let me wipe it for you.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Jia picked up a tissue next to her, as if apologizing, and started wiping my hand and wrist.

Her delicate and gentle touch.

And sometimes, when Jia’s soft and warm body temperature touched mine, I unconsciously became slightly nervous.

Gulp.

I could hear myself swallowing.

“Oppa.”

Did she hear it?

I was slightly startled by Jia calling me.

“Yeah?”

“To be honest, I was a bit nervous. It’s my first time doing something like this… Maybe my heart is still racing, and I couldn’t control my strength. I’m sorry.”

…Does she really not realize what she’s saying?

There’s a limit to being honest.

If someone with such an adorable face says something like that, who wouldn’t feel fluttered?

Jia’s face, focused on wiping the spilled drink off my arm.

With every word she spoke, it felt like her voice was reaching my ears.

“I’m done wiping. Do you still feel uncomfortable? Should I ask for a wet wipe or something?”

“…It’s fine.”

Only then did Jia remove her hand from my wrist and look at me.

And as if strangely examining my face, she asked me,

“Oppa, are you drunk? Your face is really red.”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

I had to bow my head deeply until the heat subsided in my face.

*

The time spent with Jia at the cocktail bar was enjoyable.

We talked without realizing how time flew by, and when we stepped outside, it was already 2 AM.

A late and dark hour.

“Which way are you going, Oppa?”

“I’m going that way.”

“Oh, what a shame. I’m going in the opposite direction.”

Jia made a disappointed expression.

Since the direction we pointed to was the opposite, we had to part ways here.

Honestly, I felt regret too. The time spent with her was that enjoyable.

I squeezed out about half the courage that Jia had given me.

“…It’s late, but if you’re okay with it, shall I take you home?”

“Huh? Then won’t it be too late for you to go home?”

“It’s alright. I don’t have anything to do tomorrow anyway.”

“Well then, I’m fine with it. It’s boring and a little scary to go alone anyway.”

It wasn’t just empty words, and it had become a habit since Ha-yeon.

Streetlights illuminating the dark street.

The two of us walked quietly on the empty street.

We were getting closer to the area where my studio apartment was located near the university.

I gently brought up the question that I had almost asked at the cocktail bar.

“Jia.”

“Yes?”

“We talked about our ideal types earlier, didn’t we?”

“We did?”

“…Now that I think about it, I only talked about my ideal type.”

“…Yes.”

A melancholic atmosphere hung over the air. The feeling of itching in my chest was so intense that I wanted to scratch my head.

“So, what kind of style do you prefer in a partner?”

Gia smirked and looked at me with narrowed eyes. Maybe she knew both the answer and the question beforehand?

Like a well-scripted play.

“There’s something ominous about you too, oppa.”

“Where?”

“You keep asking obvious questions.”

I’m sorry. But you were doing it earlier, too.

Gia looked away from me shyly, lowered her head, and opened her small red lips.

“… Of course, it’s you. Who else?”

I don’t know why she would be embarrassed now after speaking so straightforwardly before.

Is it embarrassing to answer a direct question?

Anyway, I became somewhat confident with this answer.

The kind of certainty that made me feel like I could get closer to her.

I felt like the rest of my university life was going to be more enjoyable.

“Here we are. Our place.”

And Gia stopped walking in front of a building – a modern-looking, expensive-looking apartment.

Suddenly it seemed as if we had arrived at Gia’s house.

“Okay. Be careful getting home.”

“You too, oppa. Thank you for bringing me here.”

It suddenly felt stiff and awkward talking about ideal types.

With no reason to hold onto each other anymore, it was time for me to go home.

But I couldn’t help but hesitating in front of her.

“That Gia…”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I want to say…”

“Yes. What is it?”

…If not now, then when will you gather the courage?

Although I was afraid of being rejected, I didn’t want to miss this good opportunity.

In the end, I closed my eyes tightly and opened my mouth.

“…If it’s alright, would you like to exchange numbers?”

If it ended like this, it would just be the end of a pleasant chat on a blind date.

Sometimes, we might just greet each other if we happen to run into each other at university.

I didn’t like that.

Since we both had some interest in each other, we needed to take the next step.

“…”

Jia didn’t say anything for a moment.

Silence flowed, and awkwardness filled the air.

Did I make a wrong judgment? Did I rush things a bit?

Various thoughts flooded my mind.

And soon, Jia’s lips parted.

“…Sure. I also want to get to know you, oppa.”

There, Jia smiled bashfully and took out her phone from her pocket.

.

.

.

.

“Phew. Today was quite cool. Gunyul.”

The footsteps on my way back home felt lighter.

I thought I did well in mustering up courage.

Feeling like the world looked different, I returned home, took a shower, changed into comfortable clothes, and laid down on my bed.

The pounding of my heart still hadn’t subsided easily.

At that moment, the phone I held vibrated, and without much thought, I opened the messenger.

[Oppa. Did you get home safely?]

It was a message from Jia.

I typed quickly and sent her a reply.

[Yeah, what about you?]

[Yes, I did well too. Thanks to you, hehehe. Good night then. Take care, Oppa.]

“…Something feels good.”

I felt like something was starting.

Her message alone kept me awake that night.

…At that time, I had no idea what changes our relationship would bring to me.