Chapter 101: Living Together (3)

 

I woke up before the alarm clock could ring noisily.

 

My mood lifted instantly when I saw Han-gyeol as soon as I opened my eyes.

 

I snuggled into Han-gyeol’s embrace, who had one arm draped over me.

 

‘It’s so warm.’

 

Every time I felt Han-gyeol’s body heat, I was incredibly happy.

 

Even in his sleep, Han-gyeol looked so handsome.

 

His long eyelashes, smooth-looking skin... even his sleek lips.

 

When I wake up early, I silently admire Han-gyeol’s sleeping face.

 

There’s something about his face that automatically makes me smile.

 

As I was admiring Han-gyeol’s face, the alarm clock started to ring loudly.

 

As soon as it goes off, I close my eyes and listen carefully.

 

Beep-beep-beep-! Thud-!

 

Han-gyeol quickly turns off the alarm as soon as it rings.

 

I love how he does that so I can sleep a bit more.

 

Thinking I’m still asleep, Han-gyeol quietly gets out of bed. He tidies up my blanket and gently pats my head before leaving.

 

This makes me so happy.

 

Lately, I’ve been starting every morning like this.

 

Eventually, I hear clattering sounds from the kitchen, and I slowly open my eyes again.

 

I tidy up the blanket and carefully leave the room, pretending I’ve just woken up.

 

“You’re up early again today? It’s my turn to make breakfast, so you should sleep more.”

 

“No way~ I want to watch Han-gyeol cook.”

 

“Do as you please~”

 

“What are you making? It’s fine if it’s something simple.”

 

I spoke while watching Han-gyeol’s back.

 

Han-gyeol took out tofu, mushrooms, and zucchini and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

 

“I’m making this because I want to eat it.”

 

“You always say that, but you only make things I like.”

 

“Nice observation? Then be quietly moved.”

 

I walked over and hugged Han-gyeol from behind.

 

“I’m really touched~”

 

“It’s dangerous to hug me while I’m cooking.”

 

“I don’t mind getting hurt by you.”

 

“You say dangerous things.”

 

“Are you making soybean paste stew?”

 

“You love this stew.”

 

“Yep, Han-gyeol’s stew tastes just like the ones at barbecue restaurants.”

 

At my words, Han-gyeol slightly turned his head to look at me.

 

“Want to know the secret?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Add a spoonful of MSG; everything tastes good.”

 

“That’s true. But everything Han-gyeol makes is delicious.”

 

“Because I put MSG in everything.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I stared at Han-gyeol with a dumbfounded expression.

 

Seeing my face, Han-gyeol’s lips curled into a smile.

 

“Just kidding.”

 

“Ugh- You got me again...”

 

“I need to use the stove now, so sit on the sofa.”

 

“No way~ I’m not letting go~”

 

“Lately, you’ve been even more affectionate.”

 

“Don’t you like it?”

 

“I love it. Now, please go rest on the sofa~”

 

Han-gyeol tried to turn around and gently push me off. Instead, I pressed closer against his chest.

 

“I said no~ I want to hear your heartbeat more.”

 

“Aren’t you tired of hearing it every day?”

 

“Nope. I want to hear it every day.”

 

I love the sound of Han-gyeol’s heart pounding.

 

I also love how he silently strokes my hair.

 

“Your heart is racing, Han-gyeol.”

 

“That’s because you’re hugging me, Eun-ha.”

 

“Aren’t you tired of me hugging you every day?”

 

“Nope. I want to hug you every day.”

 

“Why are you copying me~”

 

With a soft smile, Han-gyeol pulled me into a tight embrace.

 

“Because you’re so cute. So cute.”

 

“Hehe, I like it.”

 

After pulling away from Han-gyeol’s arms, I sat on the sofa, watching his back.

 

I wanted to jump back into his arms, but I didn’t want to bother him.

 

I heard the bubbling sound of the soybean paste stew and the fragrant smell wafting through the air.

 

Han-gyeol quickly finished making the rolled omelette and brought the dishes to the table.

 

“Let’s eat.”

 

“Thank you for the meal.”

 

After eating the breakfast Han-gyeol prepared, I usually handle the cleanup. But every time, Han-gyeol tries to get up and help with the cleanup.

 

Though I appreciated the gesture, I firmly declined.

 

“You’re trying to help again! We agreed that the person who makes breakfast doesn’t do the cleanup.”

 

“It’s faster if we do it together.”

 

“No way. We have to follow our rules.”

 

When I spoke firmly, Han-gyeol soon agreed.

 

I carried the dishes to the kitchen and placed them in the sink.

 

As I started washing the dishes, Han-gyeol sneaked up and hugged me from behind.

 

“There’s no rule against hugging.”

 

Han-gyeol, peeking out his head, looked incredibly cute.

 

“You couldn’t wait to run over?”

 

“What’s with this fresh puppy treatment?”

 

“You’re adorable. Han-gyeol, you’re like a big puppy.”

 

“Really? Others say I’m like a silent bear.”

 

“That’s because you don’t smile much in front of others. You just quietly do your work.”

 

We talked as I washed the dishes.

 

“Am I like that? Don’t I smile in front of others?”

 

“At first, I thought you did, but you always have a blank expression when I’m not around.”

 

“Even you think so? I should fix that.”

 

At Han-gyeol’s words, I stopped and turned to look at him.

 

“No! Don’t fix it. You can’t walk around smiling… you look even more handsome when you smile.”

 

“It only seems that way to you, Eun-ha. I’m just ordinary.”

 

“No way. Han-gyeol, you just don’t realize it! Sure, when you’re expressionless, it looks like you’re annoyed with the world, but even that looks handsome…!”

 

“Is that a compliment? That I look annoyed with the world?”

 

“But it’s also subtly sexy…”

 

“Got it. I won’t smile. Let’s finish the dishes. Need help?”

 

“Don’t try to brush it off…! You can’t go around smiling, okay?”

 

“Yes~”

 

I felt a bit uneasy. Of course, Han-gyeol only loves me…!

 

I quickly took off the rubber gloves I was wearing.

 

“Eun-ha? We’re not done with the dishes yet.”

 

“This won’t do. I need to mark you. Come here.”

 

I pulled Han-gyeol’s head down and kissed his neck.

 

“Ah! Eun-ha, the new semester is starting soon, you can’t do this-!”

 

Han-gyeol belongs to me.

 

***

 

After tidying up and having a small tussle with Han-gyeol, we decided to go for a walk.

 

Holding hands and exploring a new neighborhood felt exciting, but doing it with Han-gyeol made it even more enjoyable.

 

A morning walk with my boyfriend in the fresh air… is there anything more blissful?

 

“Oh right. I have plans to drink with Yujin this weekend. Is that okay?”

 

“With Jang Yujin? Oh, that reminds me, I totally forgot I made plans with Harim in February!”

 

“Then how about the four of us meet up? It might be nice to have a drink together before the semester starts.”

 

“Ah, should we?! That sounds great. I’ll contact Harim this afternoon.”

 

“Alright. Should we head back home now?”

 

“Let’s grab a coffee at a café first.”

 

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

 

“I saw a place on our way here. Let’s go there.”

 

We retraced our steps and went into a café near our home.

 

Since it was morning, the café was quiet, and we found a nice spot to sit.

 

“I’ll go order. What do you want to drink, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Let’s go together.”

 

“No need for both of us to go. I’ll get it. What do you want?”

 

“Then I’ll have an iced Americano.”

 

“Got it~”

 

Leaving Han-gyeol behind, I headed to the counter.

 

“Hi, may I take your order?”

 

“Two iced Americanos, please.”

 

“That will be five thousand won. Are you staying here?”

 

“Yes, we’ll drink it here.”

 

“Alright, please wait on the right. Your order will be ready shortly~”

 

“Thank you~”

 

I moved a few steps to the side.

 

From afar, I could see Han-gyeol had taken off his jacket and was spacing out again.

 

Just as we talked about in the morning, Han-gyeol always had a blank expression when he wasn’t around others.

 

“But he looks so handsome…”

 

 

In high school, we were always together in the same classroom, so I didn’t have to worry too much.

 

Everyone in our class and even the neighboring classes knew about my relationship with Han-gyeol.

 

But university is different.

 

Even if we coordinate our general education classes, our majors are different, so we can’t always be together on campus.

 

Naturally, this means we’ll each become close with our classmates in our respective majors... As his girlfriend, I can’t help but feel a little concerned.

 

“Here are your two coffees~”

 

“Oh! Yes, thank you!”

 

I took the tray and walked over to Han-gyeol. The closer I got, the more I took in the details of his appearance.

 

When I sat down, Han-gyeol’s expressionless face transformed into a bright smile as he looked at me.

 

“You’re back?”

 

That slight curve of his lips is so endearing!

 

“D-Don’t smile like that-!”

 

“Huh? You don’t want me to smile in front of you either?”

 

“Seriously... I just want to lock you up and keep you all to myself...!!”

 

“Could you not say scary things like that...?”

 

“I mean it...!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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