Paid Relationship (Winrina)

II

Karina's pov

The next day, I sat down at my usual table in the classroom. Despite the worry from my grandfather's request, I reminded myself that I had five months to figure things out. That realization brought a slight sense of relief, allowing me to redirect my focus to the lessons at hand. I needed to keep up with my studies, and I couldn't afford to let my mind be distracted by stress any longer.

"Jimin, Minjeong..." the teacher's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to the present. Huh? I gasped a little as I heard my name being called alongside Minjeong's. Me? Minjeong? What was this about?

I glanced over at Minjeong, who looked equally puzzled. We exchanged looks as the teacher continued, "You two will be partners for the upcoming project. Make sure to work together closely and make the most of this opportunity to collaborate."

My heart skipped a beat. Minjeong and I had never really interacted much before. She was friendly enough, but I couldn't help but wonder if this "get-together" was some sort of twist of fate, especially given my grandfather's recent request.

After class, I gathered my things and approached Minjeong. "Hey," I said, trying to sound casual, "Looks like we're partners for this project. Want to find a time to meet up and get started?"

She smiled warmly. "Sure, that sounds good. How about we meet at the library after school?"

"Okay, sure!" I replied, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. We agreed on a time and did our own thing right after.

As the day went on, I found it easier to concentrate in my other classes. The distraction of the project, and the thought of working with Minjeong, provided a welcome break from my grandfather's worrying request. By the time the last bell rang, I was actually looking forward to our project.

I arrived at the library a few minutes early, finding a quiet corner where we could work undisturbed. A few minutes later, Minjeong joined me, her arms full of books and notes. "Hey, ready to get started?" she asked with a bright smile.

"Absolutely," I replied, feeling my anxiety go away in her presence. We dove into the project, discussing our ideas and brainstorming strategies. Minjeong was smart.. like really smart and it didn't take long for us to find a good idea.

As we worked, I couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to her. She was not only intelligent but also kind and funny. The more time we spent together, the more I realized how much I enjoyed her company.

After a productive session, we decided to take a break. "So," Minjeong said, leaning back in her chair, "what's been going on with you lately? You seemed a bit distracted in class earlier."

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. But something about Minjeong made me feel comfortable enough to open up. "It's my grandfather," I admitted. "He wants me to start dating someone soon, to continue our family line. It's been stressing me out a lot."

Minjeong's eyes widened. "Wow, that's a lot of pressure. How are you handling it?"

"I'm trying to take it one day at a time," I said, managing a small smile. "Meeting new people and finding someone to date isn't exactly easy, though."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to or help you navigate all this, I'm here for you. We can figure it out together."

Her offer of support warmed my heart. "Thanks, Minjeong. That means a lot to me."

We continued working on our project, but the conversation had lightened my spirits. By the end of our session, I felt more optimistic than I had in days. Maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.

_________

I was grateful knowing I could go to Minjeong if I had any problems. Her presence and support were already making a difference in my life, easing the burden of my grandfather's request. But then, an unexpected idea came to mind. The thought of dating Minjeong began to take root, weaving its way into my consciousness.

At first, I dismissed it as a fleeting notion, an impractical daydream. Yet, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like a potential solution to my predicament. Minjeong was kind, intelligent, and easy to talk to. We were already developing a good understanding through our project work. Could it be possible that she might feel the same way?

However, I hesitated to entertain such an idea seriously. The idea of dating Minjeong carried with complications. For one, I had no idea if she would even be interested in me that way. What if suggesting something like this ruined our growing friendship? The last thing I wanted was to lose the comfortable, supportive environment we were building.

Moreover, I couldn't shake the feeling that pursuing a relationship with Minjeong under the pressure of my grandfather's expectations wasn't fair to her. If I were to date her, it needed to be for the right reasons because I genuinely liked her and wanted to be with her, not simply because I felt obligated to meet my grandfather's demands.

The thought of executing such an idea filled me with anxiety. My mind raced with questions and doubts. How would I even bring it up to her? What if she misunderstood my intentions or felt uncomfortable? And what if, after all that, my feelings weren't valid ? The fear of rejection, making me second-guess every scenario I played out in my head.

Despite these thoughts, the idea refused to leave my mind. Over the next few days, I looked into every interaction with Minjeong, looking for signs that she might be open to something more than friendship. I paid closer attention to our conversations, her body language, and the way she looked at me. Sometimes, I thought I saw a glimmer of something, an extra light in her smile, a warm gaze, but I couldn't be sure if I was reading too much into things or if my imagination was simply running wild.

During our project meetings, I tried to gauge her reactions subtly. Did she seem happy to see me? Did she laugh at my jokes a little longer than usual? I couldn't tell if I was imagining things or if there was a real connection forming between us. The uncertainty kept hitting at me, making it hard to focus on anything else.

Every night, as I lay in bed, I replayed our conversations and interactions, trying to figure the subtle clues and hints. My feelings for Minjeong grew stronger with each passing day, but so did my doubts and fears. I knew I had to do something, but I was paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong move.

One afternoon, as we were packing up our things after a study session, I decided to test the waters. "Hey, Minjeong," I began, trying to keep my voice casual, "Do you want to grab a coffee or something sometime? Just the two of us?"

She looked up, surprised but smiling. "Sure, that sounds nice," she replied. Maybe this was the first step towards something more.

As we left the library together, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. The idea of dating Minjeong was still haunting me, but the possibility of it becoming a reality filled me with hope. It was a small step, but it was a start.

☆彡 xtsyaira