Chapter 31: Dangerous

 

I was on my way home with Eun-ha, who said she didn’t have an umbrella.

 

Fortunately, I always kept an umbrella in my locker, just in case.

 

To be honest, I was expecting something like this to happen someday, but it came sooner than I thought.

 

But there was one problem.

 

“Eun-ha, your shoulder is getting really wet.”

 

“It’s okay! Since it’s your umbrella, it’s natural that you don’t get wet. Don’t worry about me! I actually like the rain.”

 

“But you should come a little closer—”

 

“It’s okay! Really!”

 

Eun-ha was insisting, even as her shoulders got soaked.

 

On the other hand, not a drop of rain touched my shoulders.

 

Wasn’t it normal for a guy’s shoulder to get wet at times like this?

 

That was usually how it goes.

 

Usually, it was the guy whose shoulders get wet, and the girl finds it romantic.

 

Why was it the opposite now? But, it was strangely heart-fluttering.

 

Still, I couldn’t let Eun-ha, the girl I like, keep getting drenched.

 

In addition, at this rate, Eun-ha would be soaked through by the time we get to her house.

 

Thinking that, as I subtly tilted the umbrella toward her, Eun-ha quickly grabbed my hand that was holding it.

 

“Really, it’s fine! It’s natural that you don’t get wet!”

 

“I get it, because I’m the one with the umbrella. But I won’t catch a cold or anything, so it’s okay.”

 

“No. I can’t let your shoulder get wet. Absolutely not.”

 

“I don’t understand. Why are you so stubborn about this?”

 

“Let’s call it a matter of conscience.”

 

“Conscience?”

 

“Yes, it’s a thing! Seriously, you should not get wet!”

 

Eun-ha pushed my hand away desperately.

 

She was stubborn in the strangest ways.

 

No choice then.

 

“Fine, we’ll do it like this.”

 

Carefully, I placed my hand on Eun-ha’s wet shoulder and pulled her under the umbrella.

 

As I did so, I spoke without taking my hand off her now-soaked uniform.

 

“If we walk shoulder-to-shoulder, we won’t get wet, right?”

 

“Uh, well... that’s true, but—”

 

“Do you want to walk shoulder-to-shoulder? Or should I gallantly keep you dry with an umbrella?”

 

“I want to walk shoulder-to-shoulder.”

 

“I thought so— Wait, what?”

 

She wants to walk shoulder-to-shoulder?

 

We are not even dating, are we?

 

Did I hear that wrong?

 

“I want to walk shoulder-to-shoulder.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Really?”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I can’t let your shoulder get wet!”

 

What’s going on? Why is she so proactive?

 

Is she that against getting my shoulder wet?

 

I couldn’t tell if it was out of goodwill or personal interest.

 

Either way, I was happy to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Eun-ha.

 

“Alright.”

 

Once we actually started walking shoulder-to-shoulder, the atmosphere turned awkward.

 

Eun-ha’s unexpected reaction had caught me off guard.

 

We weren’t even holding hands, but every time Eun-ha’s body brushed against my arm, my heart skipped a beat.

 

I felt like we should talk about something, but I couldn’t think of anything to say.

 

Wait, are we seriously going to walk like this all the way home?

 

Isn’t she embarrassed? I’m incredibly embarrassed.

 

Isn’t this a physical contact? Or is shoulder-to-shoulder okay?

 

Personally, I’d consider even this to be a form of physical intimacy.

 

“Do you like rainy days, Han-gyeol?”

 

I used to dislike them, but it seemed that was going to change from today.

 

“Um—kind of. Do you like rainy days, Eun-ha?”

 

“Yeah. There’s something nice about the smell of rain. It feels somewhat emotional, you know?”

 

Perfect—this moment was exactly that: emotional.

 

Walking shoulder-to-shoulder under a small umbrella on a rainy day.

 

It’s so youthful, isn’t it?

 

The only drawback was that Eun-ha’s shoulder was soaking wet.

 

“There’s definitely an emotional vibe.”

 

With that, our conversation came to another halt.

 

I should’ve said I like rainy days, had I known this would happen.

 

Without exchanging any more words, Eun-ha and I simply synchronized our steps.

 

It was awkward, but my heart was fluttering.

 

If someone saw Eun-ha and me right now, would they think we were just friends?

 

Wouldn’t we look like a young couple, sharing an umbrella as we head home?

 

I stole a glance at Eun-ha’s face, and noticed her cheeks were a shade pinker, as if she were embarrassed too.

 

Not wanting to break the mood, I simply walked toward Eun-ha’s home.

 

I wanted to savor this heart-fluttering moment just a little bit longer.

 

I hoped Eun-ha’s heart was pounding as fiercely as mine.

 

“Turns out this is a bit embarrassing after all...”

 

“Hm?”

 

When I showed my confusion, Eun-ha looked into my eyes and asked,

 

“Are you... embarrassed too?”

 

So this is what it feels like when your heart sinks... It’s way more devastating than I thought.

 

Could it be the added emotions of the rainy day?

 

Or perhaps it was Eun-ha’s shampoo scent, subtly gracing the tip of my nose.

 

Unable to quell my racing heart, I turned my head outside the umbrella.

 

But Eun-ha swiftly tugged at the hem of my shirt, urging an answer.

 

“Why aren’t you answering? Answer me.”

 

“Uh...?”

 

“Are you embarrassed or not?”

 

With an expression begging for a quick response, Eun-ha looked up at me.

 

Knowing she’d press for an answer until she got one, I swallowed hard and said,

 

“I’m incredibly embarrassed.”

 

“I thought so.”

 

Eun-ha softly stepped away from me.

 

I also lowered my hand from her shoulder.

 

Regrettable as it was, we couldn’t continue walking shoulder-to-shoulder.

 

“But like you said, my shoulders will keep getting wet, so let’s walk a little closer.”

 

“Alright, let’s do that. I can’t have Eun-ha catching a cold.”

 

“I hardly ever catch colds! I’m super healthy.”

 

“Sure, sure.”

 

I had to steer the conversation quickly so that my flustered state wouldn’t be discovered.

 

After some thought, I blurted out something trivial.

 

“We should eat pajeon* on rainy days.”

 

“Pajeon is good! Do you know how to make them?”

 

“Uh? No, never tried making any kind of pajeon.”

 

“Ah, me neither, I’m terrible at cooking.”

 

“That happens, you know.”

 

We awkwardly laughed while my mind scrambled for another topic.

 

Well, we were almost at Eun-ha’s house, so I didn’t really need to stress about finding something to talk about.

 

It was the moment we reached the final stretch of road leading to Eun-ha’s house.

 

The narrow pathway was filled with puddles from the rain.

 

Checking for any cars behind us, I noticed a car approaching at a slightly fast pace.

 

Not wanting to get splashed, I discreetly steered us toward the edge of the road.

 

Fortunately, the car seemed to notice us, slowed down, and passed without incident.

 

Just when I thought we had averted—

 

Tripped!

 

“Ah!”

 

I stumbled over a protruding brick on the sidewalk and tumbled forward.

 

Holding an umbrella made it impossible to break my fall with my hands, and I landed face-first in a puddle.

 

“Ha, Han-gyeol?!”

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

 

Carefully picking up the umbrella, I stood and quickly held it over Eun-ha.

 

“Is it time to cover me with the umbrella? Are you alright?”

 

“I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

 

“What do we do... Your uniform is soaked.”

 

“I’ll just have to wash it.”

 

While neither my hands nor any other part of me were injured, my uniform was thoroughly drenched.

 

Eun-ha looked deeply concerned, more than the situation seemed to warrant.

 

“I’m sorry! It’s all because I made you walk me this far.”

 

“Don’t worry about it. I’m not hurt, and I can just shower when I get home.”

 

“But doesn’t it take about 15 minutes to walk from here to your place?”

 

“It’s not that far. I’ll just walk a little faster.”

 

“Shower at my house! I’ll lend you my brother’s clothes!”

 

“I think we’re talking about something weird.”

 

Eun-ha seemed to prioritize her moral code over her embarrassment.

 

Once again, she grabbed the hem of my shirt with a determined expression.

 

“Still, this happened because I asked you to walk me! So you should let me take responsibility!”

 

“What if I leave my umbrella here and run home?”

 

“I’d chase after you with everything I have! Now, let’s go to my place.”

 

Eun-ha snatched the umbrella from me and grabbed my wrist with her free hand.

 

Her grip was light enough for me to easily pull away, yet I found myself letting her lead.

 

I’d been to her house before, and I knew her family, so they would probably understand.

 

“Is Eunwoo Hyung home? I wonder if his clothes will fit me.”

 

“Hm? He said he’s meeting a friend today, so he probably won’t be there.”

 

“A quick call should do it, then. Your mom will be surprised when she sees me.”

 

“My mom went out for a gathering at lunchtime; she won’t be there either.”

 

“Ah, I see… Wait, what?!”

 

I stopped and looked at Eun-ha.

 

“So, you’re saying no one is at home right now?”

 

“Yeah, what’s the issue? Isn’t it more convenient if nobody’s there?”

 

“It’s inconvenient in another sense! How can I go into a house where a girl is alone?”

 

“What choice do we have? My house is right there; you can just take a shower.”

 

“I can’t do that. I’ll just go home and shower.”

 

I promptly turned to leave, but Eun-ha desperately grabbed my bag.

 

“No, you can’t go! I led you into this mess; I have to take responsibility! I can’t let you go, I’d feel too guilty!”

 

“Eun-ha, you do realize it’s risky to let a grown man into a house where a woman is alone, right?”

 

“Of course! But you’ve been to my house before, so it’s an exception. Plus, you’re not dangerous.”

 

That was Eun-ha’s perception.

 

Men can always become a risk.

 

“But back then, there was someone at home. Now you’re saying there’s nobody.”

 

“You are not planning on doing anything bad.”

 

I couldn’t ignore the atmosphere.

 

I found it hard to argue with Eun-ha.

 

To argue would be to suggest I had ill intentions.

 

“Got nothing to say? Let’s go. If we keep doing this, you’ll catch a cold.”

 

“No, I should really go my home to shower...”

 

“Nope! Absolutely not. Enough chitchat, come with me!”

 

In the end, I had no choice but to follow Eun-ha.

 

Really, why does she have to be so good-hearted?

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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