Chapter 36: My Girlfriend is Too Cute (2)
TL: looloo
Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat
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After purchasing the entrance tickets, the two of us went inside.
While we visited the zoo because Heena wanted to, my earlier statement about wanting to see the red panda was genuine. It's true that I have been collecting photos of them. I even have a dedicated folder on my computer.
Since we were here, I wanted to add another photo to that collection – maybe one where the red panda stands on its hind legs, appearing to threaten me.
The unique scent of animals filled the air, and as larger creatures began to come into view, my heart started to race.
"Let's hurry! The red panda is waiting for me!"
"It's deep inside the zoo. Let's take it slow, okay? Relax."
To calm me, she gently tapped my mouth with her finger. Without hesitation, I planted a kiss on her.They say humans are creatures of adaptation. We had shared a passionate kiss before entering, and now I didn't feel any embarrassment at all. It wasn't just a brief 3-second contact, I even had the confidence to pull away and go in for another.
Heena seemed to appreciate this change in dynamics, smirking and biting her lip.
"So, what's nearby to see?"
"Hehe..."
In response to my question, Heena, with a slightly silly laugh, pulled out a pamphlet she had picked up at the entrance.
"The closest ones are giraffes and zebras. We can see them if we head to the left."
"Hmm. I'm not particularly fond of big animals, but since we're here, we might as well see them."
"You prefer smaller animals, huh?"
"Yes, exactly. Heena, wait a moment."
As Heena was about to set off, I stopped her and took out a small folding umbrella I had prepared, just in case.
It was one my mother occasionally used. It was a solid color and compact, so I thought it was decent enough to bring along. Considering the sunlight today, I was glad I did.
I opened the umbrella and positioned it to shield Heena from the sun.
She looked at me, a surprised expression on her face. "Where did you get that from?"
"It's my mom's."
"You brought it to shade me?"
"Of course. If your skin gets damaged, I'd be upset."
"Really?"
As I held the umbrella, Heena leaned in and wrapped her arm around mine. I felt a strange sensation as her chest pressed against my arm. It wasn't entirely soft, maybe due to her undergarments, but it was enough to stir feelings in me. Keeping my composure, we walked amicably through the zoo.
Though I wasn't particularly interested, I couldn't help but admire the giraffes, hippos, and gorillas as we passed them. Eventually, we encountered our first small animal.
Chirp, chirp!
Making curious noises, standing on its hind legs and looking intently at something was...
"Crazy. The meerkats are so cute..."
"Do you think they'll bite if you touch them?"
"I'm not sure. Oh! They're looking this way!!"
Two of them started to look in my direction. Excited, I approached the glass barrier, making eye contact with these little creatures.
With those bright, shimmering eyes, these irresistibly cute creatures caught my attention!
I yearned to touch them, but they were behind a glass barrier, preventing any closer approach.
Although there was an opening above if I moved to the side, getting there wouldn't mean I could touch them directly.
So I stood there, taking photos, hoping they would look my way, even making hand gestures to get their attention.
After about half an hour of this, Heena gently tugged at my sleeve.
"Should we move on?"
"Can we watch them a bit longer? They're so adorable."
"We'll see more later, okay?"
"Right."
Reluctantly, I stepped away from the glass. As I did, more of the creatures seemed to be urging me to stay, which tugged at my heartstrings.
"Take care..."
Bidding them farewell, I moved away from the meerkat enclosure. Though I managed to snap a few photos, parting was bittersweet.
With slightly slumped shoulders, I moved on. In passing, I stole a quick kiss on Heena's cheek.
As we walked past creatures like camels and hyenas, we were soon greeted by an indoor space.
Typically, smaller animals are kept indoors, and since I've always had a soft spot for them over the larger ones, I eagerly entered, wondering who we might meet.
The first creature to catch my eye was a raccoon.
"Look, a raccoon!"
"It's almost like our tanuki."
"It's so cute too...!"
"Yes, it is."
Its fluffy appearance, especially the striped tail, was absolutely captivating. My heart melted on the spot.
Once again, I was glued to the glass, taking photos and observing their leisurely movements.
I also spotted a creature named Kingkachu, reminiscent of Pikachu.
We saw bats but decided to skip the insect exhibit nearby.
Heena then mentioned there might be Arctic foxes not too far away, so we headed in that direction.
"They're not here."
"Oh, I think they might be outside during the summer?"
"I bet the Arctic foxes would be super cute..."
"Well, that's a shame."
Unfortunately, as Arctic foxes are more active in the winter, we learned they were relocated during the summer, making them unavailable for viewing.
Still, we roamed around, admiring various animals and enjoying our time.
To be honest, I was probably a hundred times more excited than Heena, darting from one enclosure to the next, unable to resist the allure of cute animals.
After a while, spotting a snack bar, we ordered lunch—two simple hotdogs.
"Is this alright?"
"I love hotdogs too, you know?"
Seeing Heena take a big bite, with a dab of ketchup on her lip, filled me with joy. Some moments are just too precious to be perfect.
Heena reached for the tissue that came with the hotdog.
Surely Heena would like something like this.
-Smack-
"?!"
He gently pressed his lips to hers, much like a kiss, and delicately licked off some ketchup. Heena's eyes widened in surprise. He savored the unique reaction and evaluated the taste lingering on his tongue.
A hint of ketchup, a touch of sunscreen, mostly Heena.
That seemed about right in his analysis.
Finishing the tasting, he expected Heena to smile and laugh as usual, but she was shuffling her feet with her head down.
"Ye... Yeonho, why... why would you... do that?"
She muttered softly.
He couldn't quite catch everything she said, but it didn't seem like she disliked it.
After finishing the hotdog, they wandered around, looking at various animals.
Of course, focusing on the cute ones.
"A rabbit... Should we get a rabbit?"
"You like them that much?"
"They're so cute! It's unreal."
"Really that cute?"
"The best."
"Then what about... No, never mind. Yeonho, look, there are sheep over there."
"Wow, sheep?! Can we touch the wool?"
After rabbits, they locked eyes with a sheep, whose wool, unexpectedly, had a slightly yellow tint.
As Heena, who had become a bit quiet, repeatedly touched her lips and cheeks, he gave her a big kiss.
"The slow movements of the capybara... they're killer."
"That one's cute too?"
"Super. Why is this one so cute? They're all so lovely."
Silence.
In line with my taste, we finally decided to see the anticipated red panda.
Although I wanted to see more of the cute creatures lurking in corners, I was concerned that Heena might be tired from all the walking.
So, I asked Heena if she was okay.
"I'm fine... No, actually, I think I'm a bit tired! Let's see the red panda you wanted to see and then take a break?"
Thus, we changed direction and headed for the red panda.
The excitement of finally seeing the red panda spurred me on, hurrying Heena to the red panda bridge.
There, colorful creatures roamed the floor.
I gasped, and just sat down. They were simply adorable.
Of course, they weren't standing on two feet and threatening like some internet memes, but their mere existence was overwhelmingly cute.
I immediately began taking endless pictures with his shaky hands, mumbling to myself like a madman.
"I want to take a red panda home... I want to live with one... I want to live with a red panda..."
"Really?"
"Yes. They're just so cute..."
Silence.
Heena didn't seem to react to the cute creature, but I was too focused to notice.
Damn, that mischievous guy is rolling around on the floor!
"Hey, Yeonho. What do you prefer: sexy, pretty, or cute?"
"Cute."
"...So you really like cute things that much, huh?"
I answered Heena's unexpected question without much thought.
Truth be told, I didn't have a strong preference between sexy, pretty, or cute. But with a red panda right in front of me, how could I choose anything else?
I found myself squatting down to match the small animal's height, trying to catch its eye, utterly captivated by its cuteness.
"...Yeonho."
"Over here! Look, Red Panda! Your brother's here!"
"...Han Yeonho!"
"Wha- What?!"
Heena tugged on my shirt, calling out to me in a loud voice.
It was only then that I became aware, standing up to meet her gaze.
Seeing Heena with a scrunched-up face and furrowed eyebrows, I realized just how lost I'd been in my fascination with the red panda.
"Sorry, did you call me?"
"You really like cute things that much, huh?"
Despite my apology, she maintained a stern expression and stepped closer to me.
After taking a deep breath, her face flushed, my girlfriend exclaimed,
"Heena wants a kiss!"
"...Excuse me?"
Author's Note:
Kiss me a thousand times!