All My Firsts Are You (Completed Main Story) - Side Story 1

I leaned back into the sofa—the beige one that Jun had started calling “Lee Ha Ru’s attachment sofa.”

It’s already been three weeks since I began my homestay at this house. Time really flies….

My wide-open eyes quickly softened into crescent moons. Those memories from the past three weeks always bring this expression to my face—so easily, just by themselves, anywhere, anytime, simply by remembering you.

Ah, right. This isn’t the time to get lost in sentimental thoughts.

My moment of leisure lasted only a heartbeat. I straightened my back and sat down at the table. With solemn determination, I picked up the book lying there. There was something I absolutely had to do today.

“Enjoy Your First Steps in Japanese: Absolute Beginner’s Edition”

A small, resolute breath escaped through my slightly parted lips. I also set out the notebook that would accompany me on today’s long journey. My fingers tightened around the mechanical pencil. Once again, I steeled my resolve—I would finally leave “absolute beginner” behind today.

I picked a random page from the still barely-touched book and began scribbling vocabulary into my notebook. Just then—

“Lee Ha Ru, you know scribbling by hand like that won’t help you learn anything. You’ve got a boyfriend who’s fluent in Japanese right beside you, plus plenty of free time.”

Jun had appeared at some point, now resting his chin on the table with a look of utter boredom. His expression was shamelessly smug, as if he’d merely stated an obvious fact. I didn’t feel like arguing back. I shot him a quick glare and continued what I’d been doing.

I was diligently writing down my first chosen word—“university”—when suddenly the book snapped shut.

“Ah, what’s gotten into you?”

“I just stretched my arm a little, and the pages closed themselves.”

He said it with that mischievous grin of his, barely bothering to hide it. I almost retorted but held my tongue instead. Swallowing a quiet sigh, I reopened the book and resumed writing the word “university” I’d just started.

But then, this time, Jun’s large hand covered the entire page.

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