Chapter 48: Heartbeat

 

As I entered the room, I threw myself onto the bed. Burying my face into the pillow, I screamed,

 

“Aaaah-”

 

Upon seeing Han-gyeol’s back, my mind was overwhelmed with the desire to hug him.

 

It was a broad back… it didn’t make sense not to hug him. Perhaps this was just my rationalization…

 

I took a moment to compose myself and got up from the bed.

 

Carefully, I opened the door and stealthily poked my head out. There, I saw Han-gyeol, busily moving about in the kitchen.

 

Although I was incredibly embarrassed, I walked towards the kitchen as if nothing had happened.

 

Surely, he must have heard my footsteps, but Han-gyeol didn’t turn around to look at me.

 

His broad back was still vulnerably exposed. I wanted to hug him again, but that probably wouldn’t be wise.

 

“Um...I’ll take over from here.”

 

When I cautiously spoke, Han-gyeol looked at me with a smile.

 

I was embarrassed and ashamed but wanted to act as if nothing had happened.

 

“Let’s just do it together.”

 

“Huh? Han-gyeol, you know how to cook?”

 

“Just the basics? Besides, it’s more fun to do it together.”

 

Han-gyeol, considerately, suggested cooking together.

 

As it meant spending more time close to Han-gyeol, I readily agreed.

 

“Sure. I like that better too.”

 

“Do you have an apron I can use?”

 

“Yeah. Of course, I do.”

 

I fetched the apron folded at one corner of the dining table.

 

“I’ve been handling onions. Eun-ha, can you put it on me?”

 

“Ah- Okay. Can you bend your head down a bit?”

 

As Han-gyeol lowered his head, I hung the apron ties around his neck.

 

“Han-gyeol, turn around. I’ll tie it for you.”

 

“Mm.”

 

And I tied the apron strings neatly for him. During that, seeing his back again made me want to hug him.

 

“It’s done. The apron suits you well, Han-gyeol.”

 

“Yeah? Thanks for complimenting me. Ah- the onions are chopped. Next, we need to prepare the salmon.”

 

“Mmhm. Han-gyeol, can you pour some salt into the scoop over there? I’ll handle the salmon.”

 

I went to the cutting board and took out the packaged salmon.

 

Even though it was prepped, I checked again for any bones. Then, carefully wielding the knife, I sliced the long piece of salmon in half.

 

“Eun-ha, you’re good at cutting.”

 

“Am I? Just average, I think?”

 

“I just wanted to compliment you.”

 

I burst into laughter at the unexpected compliment.

 

“What’s that for? Hurry and pour the salt.”

 

“Can’t I watch a bit more? I want to see Eun-ha cooking.”

 

“It’s nothing big. Still want to watch?”

 

“Yep. Extremely.”

 

Han-gyeol nodded his head vigorously.

 

He was so adorable doing that, I couldn’t refuse.

 

“Then carefully watch from the side?”

 

“Yeah. After cutting it horizontally, what do we do next?”

 

“We need to cut it vertically since it’s too big. Look- watch.”

 

I lifted the knife and cut the salmon again, this time into halves.

 

I was a bit nervous with Han-gyeol watching, but the salmon cut smoothly. That was a passing grade.

 

“Now- we need to marinate this in salt for about an hour.”

 

“That long? It seems like it would be delicious enough to eat like this.”

 

“I want to make something even tastier, so bear with it. Still, want to try a bit?”

 

“Yep. I like raw salmon just as it is.”

 

Upon Han-gyeol’s words, I carefully sliced a piece from the salmon’s belly.

 

I lifted a beautifully cut slice of salmon sashimi with my chopsticks and carefully handed it to Han-gyeol.

 

“I will enjoy it.”

 

Han-gyeol, taking the sashimi from me, was incredibly cute.

 

His slight smile, an indication of the deliciousness, warmed my heart.

 

“It’s really tasty.”

 

“You really enjoy it, too.”

 

Our playful, sneering expressions locked for a moment before we refocused on the cooking.

 

Doing something together with the person I liked, just that, warmed my heart.

 

My chest fluttered and tingled.

 

“Eun-ha, is this enough salt?”

 

“Mmhm. That’s plenty. You put in just the right amount.”

 

“Yeah? I guess I do have a knack for it.”

 

“That’s true. When I watch Han-gyeol, it seems like there’s nothing you can’t do. It’s amazing.”

 

I said as I placed the salmon I had prepared into the scoop.

 

Han-gyeol took the chopping board and knife I was using to the sink and washed them.

 

Our movements synchronized seamlessly, no words were needed.

 

“Hey- I’m human too; there are many things I can’t do.”

 

“Oh? Like what can’t Han-gyeol do?”

 

Although we weren’t looking at each other, our conversation continued.

 

“I can’t cook, can’t play soccer; if you look, there’s probably a lot?”

 

“Really? The Han-gyeol I’ve been watching seemed to be good at everything, a jack of all trades?”

 

‘Ah- should I add a little more salt?’

 

I picked up the salt shaker beside me.

 

“I guess I only wanted to show Eun-ha the side of me that’s good at everything.”

 

My hand paused at Han-gyeol’s soft voice.

 

Slyly, I turned my head to look at him.

 

“So... if Eun-ha thinks that way, it went as planned.”

 

Han-gyeol, speaking with a subtle smile, looked incredibly cool.

 

That was right. Han-gyeol was human and wouldn’t be good at everything.

 

He just didn’t want to show that side to me.

 

I caught a glimpse of Han-gyeol’s desire to appear well in front of me.

 

“I want to see the side of Han-gyeol that can’t do things, too.”

 

At my words, Han-gyeol turned his head too.

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I want to see that side of Han-gyeol too.”

 

“Oh? It’s a bit embarrassing to show.”

 

“Well, that may be, but I still want to see that side of Han-gyeol.”

 

Upon hearing my words, Han-gyeol stared at me intently.

 

“Ah-! I’m not forcing you!”

 

“Mmhm. I know.”

 

“I’ll continue to like you even if you show me that side. And, I also want to be someone comfortable for Han-gyeol.”

 

Even after I finished speaking, Han-gyeol still gazed at me.

 

His eyes, gradually reddening, changed quite powerfully.

 

“Eun-ha, is it okay if I hug you now?”

 

“What, what-?! All of a sudden? My hands are...from handling the salmon...!”

 

“It’s okay. I want to hug you, so you just stay still.”

 

“But, still...”

 

In the room, there was also my brother...!

 

But I do wanted to be hugged...!

 

If it was only for a very brief moment...

 

“Can I?”

 

“Yes...”

 

As my words ended, Han-gyeol walked toward me with big steps.

 

Although his forceful strides slightly tensed me up, my heart began to beat rapidly.

 

Eventually, Han-gyeol tightly enveloped me in his arms.

 

The hug was a bit stronger than when we embraced last time, and my ear touched Han-gyeol’s chest.

 

The sound of Han-gyeol’s fiercely beating heart reached me.

 

It was a moment when I could palpably feel that his feelings were the same as mine.

 

My hands were thoroughly coated with salt, so I hadn’t planned on embracing Han-gyeol.

 

However, wanting to hear the sound of Han-gyeol’s heartbeat a little more, I eventually wrapped my arms around his waist.

 

Han-gyeol and I embraced each other like that for a while before cautiously letting go.

 

“Han-gyeol, your heartbeat was really fast, huh?”

 

“Was it? It always is when I’m holding Eun-ha.”

 

“Really? It would have burst if we stayed like that a bit longer.”

 

“You say scary things. But should we hug a bit longer?”

 

“Did you miss it that much?”

 

“Just a tiny bit?”

 

“Okay.”

 

I promptly nestled back into Han-gyeol’s arms.

 

‘Ah, I really love this.’

 

The accelerating beat of Han-gyeol’s heart too.

 

And the touch of his hands, again embracing my head.

 

I loved all these moments, where warmth was conveyed.

 

“Eun-ha, my back is going to break at this rate.”

 

“Hey- it won’t break from just this.”

 

I embraced Han-gyeol’s waist a bit tighter.

 

But at that moment, a click sound of bone came from Han-gyeol’s back.

 

Surprised, I opened my eyes wide and looked up at Han-gyeol.

 

“Ha, Han-gyeol-?! I heard a bone sound, are you okay?”

 

“Mmhm. I’m fine. Don’t worry and let’s stay like this a bit more.”

 

“Did I hug you too tightly?”

 

“It felt like cracking a joint a little.”

 

“What is that-!”

 

A natural laughter escaped me at Han-gyeol’s witty joke.

 

It was then, while gazing at his gently smiling face, that a click sound of the door interrupted us, startling us into parting.

 

My brother, having left the room earlier, was walking towards the kitchen.

 

‘Why on earth now, you darn brother…!’

 

The atmosphere was just really good a moment ago.

 

I wanted to hug a bit more…!

 

“Shin Eun-ha. Hyun-joo called, asking if there’s beer at home.”

 

“I think there was a small can in the fridge. If you want to drink, go buy some.”

 

“Ah- I suppose I should. I’ll run to the mart quickly.”

 

With that, my brother vanished from the kitchen.

 

Not much later, upon hearing the sound of the front door opening, Han-gyeol approached me.

 

Then, gently embracing me from behind, he rested his face on my shoulder.

 

Without a word, I accepted the heart-fluttering back hug.

 

“Eun-ha.”

 

“Hmm. What?”

 

“The apron suits you well.”

 

“Ugh- it’s embarrassing, stop praising me now.”

 

“It’s the apron you chose to show me, right?”

 

“Pointing that out makes it even more embarrassing...!”

 

“Mm. Your face is totally a radish.”

 

“Ah, really..! Stop teasing!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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