Chapter 37: Lovers

 

The moment I woke up in the morning, I immediately got out of bed.

 

Having had a good rest, my fever had considerably subsided and I felt incredibly light.

 

I hastily got ready and headed to school to see Han-gyeol.

 

Outside the apartment complex, the cherry blossom trees signaled the arrival of spring, and I walked through the path lined with those trees, quickening my pace toward school.

 

The thought of seeing Han-gyeol made my steps faster.

 

Arriving at school earlier than usual, I opened the classroom door without hesitation.

 

As soon as the door creaked open, Han-gyeol looked up at me.

 

And he greeted me with a bright smile.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

 

I too smiled brightly and nodded.

 

“Mm-hmm. I slept well. How about you, Han-gyeol?”

 

“I slept well too.”

 

I promptly put down my bag and sat next to Han-gyeol.

 

I had always wanted to do this every morning, and now I could sit beside him without any hesitation.

 

“What about breakfast?”

 

“I already ate. How about you, Eun-ha?”

 

“I usually don’t eat breakfast.”

 

“You were sick just yesterday. You should’ve had something today.”

 

“It’s okay, I can eat a lot at lunch. What were you doing?”

 

“I was finishing up the study portion that you assigned me, Eun-ha.”

 

“Right! We’re going out the day after tomorrow, aren’t we?”

 

“Yeah. Is there anything you want to do while watching the cherry blossoms?”

 

“Anything you want to do is fine by me.”

 

“Umm- Let’s see then.”

 

If it was something Han-gyeol liked, I liked it too.

 

Above all, just being together made my heart flutter.

 

“What time did you leave yesterday?” I asked Han-gyeol, who was lost in thought.

 

“I think it was a little after nine?”

 

“You left that late?!”

 

“I was planning to leave at ten. But Aunty came home a little past nine, so I left earlier.”

 

“Oh, you saw my mom?”

 

“Yeah. She offered to drive me home, but I declined.”

 

“Why? You should have gone home comfortably.”

 

“It’s not that far. And I didn’t want to leave you alone at home.”

 

At Han-gyeol’s words, I giggled.

 

He really had a way with words.

 

“You don’t have to worry anymore. I’m all better now.”

 

“That’s right. You recovered overnight.”

 

“Yes. Maybe it’s because Han-gyeol took care of me. Oh- you were studying, right? Can I study beside you?”

 

“I’d actually feel left out if you studied far away.”

 

“I’ll get my stuff quickly.”

 

I hurriedly brought my reference book and sat next to Han-gyeol.

 

I wanted to keep watching him concentrating, but I resisted and looked at my reference book.

 

At first, I couldn’t concentrate well, but gradually I began to study in silence.

 

I summarized the key points in my notebook, effortlessly absorbing the knowledge.

 

Perhaps it was the comfort of having Han-gyeol by my side, but I felt like I was studying better than usual.

 

Whenever I encountered something I didn’t know, I’d ask him and he’d occasionally ask me as well.

 

Studying, while relying on each other, felt both fun and thrilling.

 

If studying was always like this, it wouldn’t seem too difficult.

 

As time passed, students began to enter the classroom, and Jang Yujin also arrived.

 

“Hey.”

 

“Oh, you’re here?”

 

“Studying from the morning... Impressive.”

 

Jang Yujin set down his bag.

 

I, sitting in Jang Yujin’s seat, immediately started to tidy up my reference book.

 

“Oh- Hold on, I’ll make room.”

 

“It’s fine. Just stay seated. I mean, I can use your seat.”

 

“Is that okay? And can you do it every morning?”

 

“I don’t mind. But if someone sees, they might think you two are dating.”

 

“Yes. We’ve been dating since yesterday.”

 

“Oh, really? Congratulations.”

 

Jang Yujin congratulated us nonchalantly.

 

“Aren’t you surprised?”

 

“Mm. I thought you’d get together soon enough.”

 

“Why?!”

 

“I’d find it weird if you didn’t know. Anyway, congrats.”

 

Leaving only his backpack, Jang Yujin headed to my seat.

 

I immediately looked at Han-gyeol and asked,

 

“Was it that obvious that I liked you Han-gyeol?”

 

“Wasn’t that what you intended? It’s rather surprising.”

 

“I didn’t entirely hide my feelings, but was it that obvious?”

 

“I wasn’t completely sure it was just me, but when you came in pretending not to know the answers to questions you knew, I was certain. And also—”

 

I quickly covered Han-gyeol’s mouth with my hand.

 

“St-stop there...! It’s embarrassing, so don’t say it.”

 

“It was cute. Next time just admit that you want to be right next to me and be hone-”

 

As soon as I released him, I had to cover his mouth again.

 

“Seriously...! Stop teasing!”

 

“Okay, okay.”

 

I shifted my gaze back to the reference book.

 

“Eun-ha.”

 

“What?”

 

“Do you have any questions that you ‘not know’?”

 

“Oh, come on-!”

 

***

 

After finishing the morning study session with Han-gyeol, I switched seats with Jang Yujin again.

 

“Good morning, Harim.”

 

“Eun-ha. Good morning. How are you feeling?”

 

“Yep, I’m better now. Oh, did you hear from Jang Yujin?”

 

“About what? Oh- that you and Lee Han-gyeol are dating?”

 

“You, you heard...! I wanted to tell you because I’m grateful to you in many ways.”

 

“What did I do? So, who confessed?”

 

At Harim’s words, I spoke cautiously.

 

“I... did.”

 

“Huh? Really? What did you say during the confession? Tell me in detail.”

 

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say...!”

 

“You were just telling me how you were grateful to me in many ways, right? I’d be happy to hear.”

 

“Well... I rambled on and just said that I liked him...”

 

Harim looked at me with an intensely curious expression upon hearing my words.

 

“So? What did Lee Han-gyeol say?”

 

“Han-gyeol responded saying he likes me too.”

 

“That was a straightforward confession. So, how do you feel?”

 

“Yes... I like him a lot. I can’t even put into words how much I like him.”

 

Seeing my smile, Harim spoke with slight astonishment.

 

“Eun-ha... You make that kind of expression too?”

 

“Huh?! What’s with my expression?”

 

“It’s like you’ve conquered the world.”

 

“Ah! Is it that obvious?”

 

“Yes. You’re still beaming.”

 

“The corners of my mouth won’t come down... What do I do?”

 

Harim smiled warmly and said,

 

“It’s good to be happy, what’s there to worry about?”

 

“Yep, yep. I’m incredibly happy. I’m over the moon.”

 

“What do you like most about Lee Han-gyeol?”

 

Responding to Harim’s question, I answered immediately. If I were to describe the reasons I liked Han-gyeol, I could go on for hours.

 

“For starters, he’s kind and considerate. I think that’s the most significant part. And, how should I put it? I feel like Han-gyeol is someone who would genuinely accept my feelings.”

 

“That’s a good feeling.”

 

“Yes, yes. I think so too. I always get the feeling that he’ll be on my side. That’s why I try to be the same for him.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Just~ I mean, I really like Han-gyeol. Like really, you know?”

 

It might sound bashful and embarrassing, but I wanted to be that presence for Han-gyeol as well.

 

A sincere relationship between us. I wanted Han-gyeol to feel the same emotions I was feeling.

 

I was even confident that I could always be on Han-gyeol’s side.

 

“So? When’s your first date? During the Cherry Blossom Festival?”

 

“Yes. We’ve decided to go this Saturday.”

 

“Have you chosen an outfit to wear for the date?”

 

“I’m going to start thinking about it from today. What would be good?”

 

“Do you know what kind of outfits Han-gyeol likes?”

 

“Um... I’m not really sure. We’ve met in casual clothes, but back then, we weren’t dating.”

 

It was a genuine concern.

 

I wasn’t sure about the style Han-gyeol prefered.

 

“Should I ask him directly?”

 

“No way! Eun-ha.”

 

“Why, why?!”

 

“There’s excitement in wondering what the other will wear.”

 

“That’s true. But as for Han-gyeol...”

 

He would probably say I look beautiful no matter what I wear.

 

“Of course, Han-gyeol will say you look beautiful no matter what.”

 

I nodded in agreement with Harim’s words.

 

“But aren’t you curious about his reaction if you really surprise him by looking extraordinarily pretty?”

 

“Yes, yes! I’m very curious.”

 

“Then let’s think about what you’ll wear.”

 

Harim and I searched for date looks on our phones until our homeroom teacher arrived.

 

I wanted to wear something so beautiful that Han-gyeol would be utterly spellbound.

 

Even though the date was still two days away, I already started feeling excited.

 

“Harim.”

 

“Yeah? What’s up?”

 

“I really like Han-gyeol.”

 

“Ugh— That’s cring. You don’t have to keep telling me that.”

 

“I’m sorry. But if I don’t say it out loud, I feel like I’ll only think of Han-gyeol during class.”

 

“Han-gyeol should know that you’re like this~”

 

“No way! Han-gyeol teases me whenever he gets the chance.”

 

“But it doesn’t seem like you particularly dislike it, does it?”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

I didn’t mind Han-gyeol teasing me.

 

It felt mischievous, but it also felt like Han-gyeol’s way of expressing affection.

 

And I loved seeing the bright smile on Han-gyeol’s face whenever he teased me.

 

I even thought I’d love for him to tease only me for the rest of our lives.

 

“So, you’re enjoying it then?”

 

“I guess. I must really, really like Han-gyeol.”

 

“I didn’t ask that much, Eun-ha.”

 

Harim looked at me with a slightly incredulous expression.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Even as I apologized, I was grinning from ear to ear.

 

Just the thought of Han-gyeol brought a natural smile to my face.

 

The fluttering in my chest just wouldn’t settle down.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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