Chapter 123: Change (1)

 

“Are you feeling better now?”

 

After we finished, I carefully wrapped my arms around Eun-ha.

 

She had been so passionate just moments ago, but now, embarrassment seemed to take over.

 

She buried her face in my chest, reluctant to show it.

 

“Eun-ha, can you show me your face?”

 

“It’s embarrassing...”

 

“Why? You were so bold just a little while ago.”

 

“Ack! Don’t bring that up, seriously—stop it!”

 

Suddenly, Eun-ha began to tickle my sides.

 

“Ahahaha! I’m sorry! I’m sorry—please stop!”

 

I grabbed Eun-ha’s arms tightly and pulled her closer. Finally, she lifted her head, revealing a face flushed with a deep blush.

 

Finding her cute and endearing, I gave her a kiss on the cheek, and she smiled softly.

 

“Kiss me on the lips too.”

 

“Alright.”

 

As soon as I kissed her lips, Eun-ha grinned and placed her arms around my torso.

 

She traced circles on my chest with her fingers, watching my reaction closely.

 

“I’ve always noticed, but you’ve got quite a bit of muscle...”

 

“Should I build more? Do you like more muscles?”

 

“Huh? Oh, no—I just like you as you are. Why? Do you want to bulk up?”

 

“Well, if you like it, then maybe...”

 

“Would you build more muscle just because I said I liked it? Why~?”

 

“Because I want to look good for you.”

 

Eun-ha laughed happily, clearly pleased with what I said.

 

“You still want to look good for me, huh?”

 

“Of course. Isn’t it the same for you?”

 

“Yeah, it is. Hehe... but hearing it directly makes me really happy.”

 

“I wish you would completely fall for me.”

 

“What?!”

 

Eun-ha suddenly sat up on the bed, looking down at me while covering herself with the blanket.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“N-no... it’s just, I was thinking the exact same thing...”

 

“You want me to fall completely for you too?”

 

Eun-ha nodded vigorously.

 

“Yeah! I was thinking how I’d love for both your body and heart to be completely mine! I was just thinking that a moment ago! But don’t worry, I’m already all yours, through and through. I can’t live without you now!”

 

Eun-ha couldn’t stop smiling, clearly overjoyed that we shared the same thoughts.

 

“Today feels amazing...! To think we were thinking the same thing. So? Have you fallen for me?”

 

“It’s a bit cheesy to say, but yeah. I can’t stop thinking about you every day.”

 

“When do you think about me the most? Hm? When do I cross your mind? Tell me.”

 

“I mean, you just come to mind naturally. Whether I’m eating or drinking coffee, I start wondering what you might be doing.”

 

Eun-ha plopped back down beside me.

 

“Han-gyeol~”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“I’m really excited right now. My heart is racing like crazy. Just having you next to me makes it beat so fast. Wanna listen?”

 

“Huh? Whoa—!”

 

Eun-ha suddenly pulled my face towards her and pressed it against her left chest.

 

“How is it? Can you hear it...?”

 

It felt incredibly intimate, having my face buried in her chest, but I listened closely.

 

Thump-thump-thump-thump—

 

Eun-ha’s heart was racing wildly, beating incessantly.

 

“How is it? Can you hear it?”

 

“Shouldn’t we go to the hospital? Your heart’s racing like crazy.”

 

“It’s because of you, Han-gyeol~ Now it’s my turn~”

 

Eun-ha suddenly leaned over and pressed her ear against my left chest.

 

“Whoa—! You can take your time, you know.”

 

“Nope~ I need to listen to your heartbeat, so be quiet!”

 

What guy wouldn’t have his heart race with his girlfriend’s ear pressed against his chest?

 

As my cheeks grew warm, I could feel my heart pounding wildly. Eun-ha, with a happy smile on her face, kept listening to my heartbeat.

 

“Aren’t you done listening yet?”

 

“Nope~ it’s still not enough. I can barely hear it~”

 

“Don’t lie. It’s my heart, so I know it best.”

 

“Your heart is pounding so hard. Do you really like me that much? Hmm?”

 

I was embarrassed... I turned my head to avoid answering.

 

“Hurry up and answer~ Do you really like me that much? Do you miss me when I’m not around, and want to touch me when I am?”

 

“Well, of course...! In high school, we were always together, but now that we’re in different departments in college, we’re apart.”

 

“I was thinking the same thing~ Yeah, in high school, we were always together, and it was amazing. Right?”

 

“It was amazing~ We were together every day, studying together and everything.”

 

“But back then, we couldn’t be this affectionate, right?”

 

“Um...! Yeah, that’s true.”

 

“Han-gyeol is getting all shy~ So cute.”

 

Eun-ha gave me a quick peck on the cheek.

 

“You’re cuter, Eun-ha.”

 

“Han-gyeol, I love you. Isn’t there anything more you can say besides ‘I love you’? It feels like it’s not enough.”

 

“Even if I don’t say it, you know it, right? I love you a lot, Eun-ha.”

 

“Yeah, I know. But still, say it often, okay?”

 

“I love you.”

 

“Me too...!”

 

When our eyes met, a natural smile spread across my face.

 

Yeah, we don’t always need to say it out loud to know.

 

****

 

Since I had a first-period class today, I got up before Eun-ha.

 

She seemed too tired to wake up, so I turned off the alarm clock and headed to the bathroom.

 

After quickly preparing breakfast in the kitchen, I made another serving for Eun-ha and was about to leave the house.

 

Just as I grabbed my bag and was heading out, Eun-ha came out of the bedroom, rubbing her eyes.

 

“Han-gyeol, are you leaving...?”

 

“Yeah. Make sure you eat breakfast.”

 

“Isn’t there still some time...? Stay a bit longer...”

 

“I prefer going early.”

 

“Today, leave just on time...”

 

Eun-ha grabbed me as I was about to leave and hugged me tightly.

 

“Come on, you should wash your face and eat breakfast.”

 

“Can’t I eat you instead?”

 

“You had a lot yesterday.”

 

“Hehe... that’s true. I did eat a lot~”

 

Eun-ha nuzzled her face against me, refusing to let go.

 

“Han-gyeol, I love you.”

 

“I love you too~”

 

“So, take it slow today~”

 

I hugged Eun-ha tightly in return.

 

“Ugh...! You’re crushing me, Han-gyeol...”

 

“Should I let go?”

 

“No. I’d be happy to die like this. Hug me tighter.”

 

“You’re too cute.”

 

“Don’t die—don’t you have to go? Be careful, okay? Watch out for cars?”

 

“Yeah. I’ll text you when I get there. I’m off.”

 

Since it was almost time to leave, I gently pried Eun-ha away from me.

 

She looked at me longingly, and then, as if something suddenly came to mind, she quickly spoke up.

 

“Oh, right—! I forgot to tell you yesterday, but Chae-in Jeong found out that we’re living together.”

 

“What? How did that happen?”

 

“Turns out she’s more observant than I thought. She noticed the toothbrush, the shoe rack, and the dishes in the kitchen.”

 

“I thought she wouldn’t notice since she was drunk... I’ll make sure to ask her to keep it a secret.”

 

“Hmm? No need~ I’ve already talked to her about it, so don’t worry.”

 

‘Did she really talk things out?’

 

“Hey, Han-gyeol, you’re going to be late. Be careful on your way~”

 

“Ah—yeah. I’ll be back. Don’t forget to eat breakfast, okay?”

 

“Okay! See you later in the afternoon~”

 

As soon as I stepped out of the front door, my mind was consumed with how I should explain things to Chae-in Jeong.

 

We weren’t that close, but she wasn’t the type to refuse when asked to keep a secret. Besides, it was Eun-ha and I who had helped her out, so if I asked her to keep this under wraps, she probably would.

 

I should’ve cleared away the toothbrush and shoes that day... That was my mistake.

 

But what exactly did Eun-ha mean by saying she “talked things out”? She’s a smart girl, so she probably handled it well, but I should still make sure to talk to Chae-in Jeong myself.

 

“Ah!”

 

“Ah!”

 

Just as I was about to enter the classroom, I ran right into Chae-in Jeong. The moment she saw me, she lost all focus in her eyes and started mumbling.

 

“I didn’t see anything, and I didn’t hear anything, so don’t worry. Eun-ha is my friend, right? It’s only natural to keep a friend’s secret. Of course... yes, of course. The number of toothbrushes I saw in the bathroom wasn’t two, but just one. There was no trace of a man in the shoe rack, and the many dishes in the kitchen were just because of Eun-ha’s taste, right? Don’t worry. Lee Han-gyeol, there’s nothing for you to worry about. This secret will go with me to my grave, so don’t worry. Got it? So could you please put in a good word for me with Eun-ha?”

 

What’s going on? Why is she acting like this?

 

“Uh... sure. Thanks.”

 

“No, I should be thanking you...”

 

“Just don’t drink so much next time. You’re having lunch with Eun-ha, right? When’s good for you?”

 

“Whenever it’s most convenient for you and Eun-ha.”

 

Eun-ha?

 

“Okay... do you want to choose what we eat?”

 

“As long as it’s not chicken... chicken is the only thing I can’t handle...”

 

“Isn’t that the safest option? Eun-ha’s good at cooking chicken.”

 

“No way... I can only eat boneless chicken now. Did Eun-ha say anything to you? Like about... breaking my joints—”

 

“Han-gyeol~!”

 

Before Chae-in Jeong could finish her sentence, Eun-ha’s voice suddenly echoed through the hall. Both Chae-in Jeong and I turned our heads at the same time, and there she was, standing right there.

 

“Eek—! You didn’t come alone?!”

 

“Eun-ha?! What are you doing here?”

 

Eun-ha hurried over to me and handed me my phone.

 

“You left your phone, so I brought it to you~ Oh, Chae-in Jeong’s here too.”

 

“Oh, I did forget it. Thanks for bringing it.”

 

As I took the phone from her, Eun-ha glanced at Chae-in Jeong.

 

“Chae-in Jeong Hi~”

 

“Hello...!”

 

What’s up with these two?

 

“Hey~ We agreed to drop the formalities, remember? Did you already forget?”

 

“Oh, right...! My bad, I totally spaced out.”

 

“Okay then, I’m off. See you in the afternoon, Han-gyeol? And bye, Chae-in Jeong~”

 

“Yeah. Take care on your way back.”

 

“Please get home safely...!!!”

 

After Eun-ha left to go back home, I looked at Chae-in Jeong.

 

“You okay? There’s no need to be so formal with Eun-ha, right?”

 

“M-My life was in danger...! It felt like standing in front of a wild beast.”

 

What? So she did see everything clearly, huh?

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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