A month passed faster than Mi-jun could even count. They say transformation happens when you set your mind to it, and that was exactly what occurred with him.
Creak.
The door creaked as it opened, breaking the quiet of the spacious, modern apartment.
A woman, perhaps in her early forties, stepped into the dim room, her movements fluid and deliberate as she approached the black curtains that blocked the morning sunlight.
She grasped the edge of the double curtain and drew it aside.
Sunlight spilled through the large glass doors leading to the balcony, revealing a panoramic view of the cityscape.
Her eyes swept over the room. It was neat, impeccably so. Not at all like the stereotypical boy's room she'd been warned about. After all, this was her son—there was no way he was like the rest.
Her gaze drifted to the enormous bed, soft and inviting enough to swallow someone whole. On it lay a young man, legs spread casually. One hand rested above his head, the other idly tracing his sculpted abs beneath a snug black polo.
A small, knowing smile curved her lips.
She paused, inhaled softly, and approached the bed with measured steps. "Wow," she murmured, her voice a mixture of amusement and pride. "Look at that beautiful Noona over there."
The man stirred slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Oh~ she's calling my Mi-jun? No way… she said you should come to her room!" she teased further, her voice lilting.
The moment her words left her lips, the man on the bed shot upright—eyes still closed, but body reacting instinctively.
The woman giggled, hand covering her mouth. "Oh my… seems my baby has turned into a little pervert."
Mi-jun finally opened his eyes, locking gaze with the smirking woman standing confidently with her hands on her hips. "Rise and shine, little one. Today's your D-day—Mi-jun's debut with his new look in college."
Mi-jun blinked at her, expression unreadable. "Good morning, Mom." He rubbed his eyes and reclined back into the bed, tugging the sheets over himself. "Five more minutes."
Lee Mina, Mi-jun's mother, raised a playful fist and gave him a sharp tap on the head. "Enough sleeping for you, young man."
Mi-jun finally swung himself upright. His grey eyes brightened, alive with renewed energy. After a beat, he turned to her. "Mom, what time is it?"
Mina placed a hand on her face, exhaling dramatically but teasingly. "Ten…" Her eyes twinkled with mischief. "Ten forty-five."
"What?!"
"…"
Mi-jun scrambled off the bed, rolling on the sheets before landing on his feet. "Shit, I'm late!"
"Mi, where's mommy's morning kiss?"
He clenched his jaw at the bathroom door but turned back to her, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Good morning, Ma."
She chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. "I know you love your mom, but you can't kiss me every day—people might get the wrong idea."
"Mom…" he muttered, his face squeezing slightly, then darted toward the bathroom. "We'll talk when I'm back from college!"
He slammed the bathroom door behind him with a loud bang.
Finally. The day had arrived. Not just any day, not just any college—but the one notorious for the prettiest girls in Seoul.
Normally, he wouldn't have rushed any of this, but with the world ending in a year, he intended to squeeze every pleasure, every experience, every thrill into what time he had left.
And one of those things was college fun—the kind of fun the Westerners seemed to enjoy. No way he'd waste his last year hunting for just one partner.
He clenched his fists as the shower poured over his tall, toned frame. "This is the beginning before my end."
The only women he had truly known—besides his mother—were her friends, mostly other martial artists, echoes of his mom in different bodies and personalities.
But now… after so long.. real women.
Anticipation made him quicken his pace in the shower, though he remained thorough.
Back in his room, he rubbed on lotion and applied an assortment of facial creams his mom insisted would enhance his looks. Then he reached for his clothes.
White cargo pants. A slightly oversized light brown sweater with white stripes. White sneakers. And a silver necklace.
In the mirror, Mi-jun hardly recognized himself.
His hair was cut into a stylish two-block, his grey eyes—a rarity in Korea—sharpened and almost glimmering. Jawlines defined. Lean, athletic frame with toned abs and chest. Height now almost two times what it was before, at least in his eyes.
A smirk curved his lips. "Let's do this."
He slung his bag over both shoulders and stepped out.
The hallway smelled of sandwiches and orange juice, tempting—but he didn't falter.
Entering the living room, he maneuvered past the enticing aroma of his mom's cooking.
"I'm leaving!" he announced, heading for the door.
Mina peeked from the kitchen, teasing. "Baby, aren't you going to eat?"
Mi-jun shot her a sidelong glare, exhaling with mock exasperation. "Don't worry, I don't need it."
Before she could respond, he opened the door and left.
Mina chuckled softly. "Kids really do grow fast."
Slipping her hand into her apron pocket, she pulled out her phone. "Better call the guys over to celebrate Mi having a girlfriend."
Her smile softened. "I hope you have the best first day, baby."