Chapter 68: Uncontrollable Heart

 

Even after the June mock exams ended, time flew by quickly.

 

Han-gyeol started private tutoring, and we had to immediately face our final exams.

 

As these were practically our last school exams, we gave it our all.

 

As a result, both Han-gyeol and I achieved good results, and before we knew it, the summer vacation ceremony was just around the corner.

 

Maybe because the vacation ceremony was so imminent, I felt myself relaxing a bit too.

 

“Would be nice if the heat eases up a bit... Did you hear when they’ll turn on the air conditioning in our class?”

 

“I think they’re turning it on next period. Are you feeling very hot, Han-gyeol? Should I give you my portable fan?”

 

“You’re hot too, Eun-ha. I can’t let my girlfriend suffer in the heat.”

 

“I feel the same~ Didn’t you bring your portable fan?”

 

“I forgot to charge it.”

 

“Geez – come here. Let’s share it.”

 

It had been hot since June, but in July, it was clear that living without air conditioning and ice water was difficult.

 

We used to always have orange-flavored candies in our mouths, but we found ourselves biting into popsicles more frequently.

 

Still, eating ice cream with Han-gyeol and walking home together was incredibly enjoyable and happy.

 

As time passed, my feelings for Han-gyeol only grew stronger.

 

I missed him even when he was there, and even more when he wasn’t. Just thinking of him brought a smile to my face.

 

It seemed like all the thoughts I couldn’t entertain during the exam period were bursting out now.

 

Even with summer vacation approaching, it meant I could spend more time with Han-gyeol.

 

He was already a regular at my house, but now we’d have even more time together.

 

“Ah, right. Han-gyeol, let’s buy some shaved ice on the way home today.”

 

“Sure. Eun-ha, you pick the flavor this time. What do you like?”

 

“Hmm, I like melon. But if Han-gyeol wants strawberry, we can have that.”

 

“I want what you want. Lately, it’s been all about my choices.”

 

“Then, can we also have injeolmi toast?”

 

“Of course. Eun-ha should have whatever she wants.”

 

Han-gyeol gently pinched my cheeks, pulling them playfully.

 

“Keep eating like that, and I’ll gain weight.”

 

“Eun-ha is light as a feather, so it’s okay.”

 

“It feels good to hear you say that.”

 

“What if I had paused for like 3 seconds just now? What would you have done?”

 

“Try it next time~ see what happens.”

 

“Wow~ that’s scary.”

 

I responded with a big smile, and Han-gyeol laughed heartily too.

 

Han-gyeol’s compliments still embarrassed me, but joking around like this felt much better.

 

I could feel Han-gyeol and me getting closer.

 

“Han-gyeol, what should we do this weekend?”

 

“Right? We can’t just play all the time, but we can’t not play either.”

 

“How about we go shopping for summer clothes? Join me.”

 

I usually buy one or two pieces of clothing every summer, so I was planning to go this weekend.

 

But I wanted to make it a date and show Han-gyeol a pretty side of me.

 

“Summer clothes? Where do you usually shop?”

 

“I shop online, but I also go to outlets or underground malls. Will you come with me?”

 

“Yeah. I want to see Eun-ha in her new clothes. It’ll be pretty.”

 

“I want to show Han-gyeol first.”

 

“Let’s go together. Ah- the teacher is here. Let’s be quiet now.”

 

During class, we would always quiet down when it was time to study, but with the exams over, I found myself a bit distracted and not fully focused on the lesson.

 

Carefully, I scribbled a note in the corner of Han-gyeol’s textbook.

 

It had been a long while since we last passed notes.

 

-Han-gyeol, let’s play a word chain game.

 

-Sure. Should I start? Jasu (*Embroidery).

 

-Susa (*Investigation).

 

-Sasim (*Selfishness).

 

-Simsa (*Judge).

 

-Sayeog (*Employment).

 

-Yeogsa (*History).

 

-Eun-ha, why do you keep ending with words that lead to ‘sa’?

 

-There’s something I want to hear from Han-gyeol~

 

Realizing my intention, Han-gyeol quickly wrote a response.

 

-Salanghae (*I love you).

 

-Hae jil nyeok (*At sunset).

 

I swiftly countered, and Han-gyeol glanced at me with a slight smile.

 

I avoided his gaze, finding joy in our playful exchange.

 

Han-gyeol then returned his focus to the textbook and wrote another message.

 

-Eun-ha?

 

-Han-gyeol. Let’s listen to the class now.

 

-Like this?

 

-Yeah. Like this.

 

I had started playing these kinds of jokes on Han-gyeol more often.

 

He gave a small, amused smile, seemingly finding it cute, and then turned his attention back to the blackboard.

 

I felt a bit sorry for playing the prank, so I added one more note to Han-gyeol’s textbook.

 

- Nado salanghae (*I love you too).

 

I wanted to write it a hundred times more, but restrained myself since we were in class.

 

Ah, if we were alone, I’d tell Han-gyeol right now that I love him.

 

And I longed to hear those words in his soft voice.

 

I couldn’t wait for the class to end.

 

***

 

After school, we bought shaved ice and headed home.

 

Now, it was a natural routine for us to place the food on the dining table and then go to our separate rooms to change clothes.

 

Not wanting to show Han-gyeol too casual a look, I chose a white t-shirt and banding pants before coming out of my room.

 

Han-gyeol, who was already preparing the food, asked me.

 

“Eun-ha, could you bring two spoons from the kitchen?”

 

“Sure. Do you need anything else?”

 

“Um, maybe a couple of plates too.”

 

“Okay, I’ll bring them.”

 

I brought the utensils from the kitchen and set them on the living room table.

 

“Han-gyeol, do you think we’ll catch a cold if we eat shaved ice with the air conditioner on?”

 

“Let’s just turn it on very low.”

 

“I’ll set it to 22 degrees.”

 

“Good idea. Ah, I forgot to wash my hands.”

 

“Me too.”

 

We hurried to the bathroom to wash our hands together and then returned to the living room.

 

Eating snacks with Han-gyeol like this had become a daily routine.

 

I had cut down on dinner portions to avoid gaining weight, but it seemed I might need to exercise a bit during the vacation.

 

However, making my concerns seem trivial, Han-gyeol started feeding me shaved ice.

 

“Let me feed you, Eun-ha. Say ‘ah’.”

 

“Ah~”

 

After I ate a spoonful of melon shaved ice, I fed Han-gyeol some toast.

 

Watching him chew was incredibly cute and lovely. I couldn’t help but suddenly hug him tightly.

 

“Hey, we’ve only just started eating.”

 

“Sorry, but I’ve been wanting to hug you since school.”

 

When I hugged him tighter, Han-gyeol gently stroked my head.

 

“You might break my back at this rate.”

 

“It won’t break.”

 

“At this rate, I’ll end up eating everything.”

 

“I’ll stay like this, so Han-gyeol can feed me.”

 

“I doubt we can eat properly in this position.”

 

“Should I lie on Han-gyeol’s lap then?”

 

“That’s fine, but my thighs might tickle.”

 

“Just bear with it.”

 

I quickly laid down with my head on Han-gyeol’s legs. His slightly twitching expression, possibly tickled by my hair, was adorable.

 

“Eun-ha, haven’t we been quite touchy-feely lately?”

 

“I just want to be closer to Han-gyeol. Is it too much?”

 

“Not at all. To be honest, it feels really good. I wish we could do this every day.”

 

“Then, as Han-gyeol wishes, I’ll do it every day.”

 

Now, being close to Han-gyeol felt much better than any embarrassment.

 

I wanted to cling to him more, hold his hand, and hug him just like a moment ago.

 

“Lying like this, you look just like a content cat.”

 

“Yeah. I like it when Han-gyeol is my knee pillow. Do it often.”

 

“It tickles too much to do it often.”

 

“Is it that ticklish? Are you very ticklish, Han-gyeol?”

 

“A bit? Want to try being my knee pillow?”

 

“Sure!”

 

I quickly got up and tapped my thighs.

 

“Come on, lie down.”

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Yes. Hurry up.”

 

I enjoyed both giving and receiving this kind of affection.

 

Carefully, Han-gyeol placed his head on my legs, and I brushed his bangs to the sides.

 

“Han-gyeol has such a handsome forehead.”

 

“And Eun-ha is pretty in every way.”

 

“Why does it feel so good to be called pretty by Han-gyeol?”

 

“Really? I’ll say it more often. You’re so beautiful.”

 

“Han-gyeol is handsome too.”

 

Initially, we were just strangers who didn’t even know each other’s names. But now, it feels like I can’t live without Han-gyeol.

 

I find myself deeply in love with him, beyond control.

 

“Han-gyeol, do you remember the first time you came to my house?”

 

“Of course. I’m grateful to Eunwoo Hyung.”

 

“Why? Because he calls you to fix his computer?”

 

“Yeah. After I started visiting your house, I felt like you began to like me. Didn’t you?”

 

“That’s true. I was really happy and glad to get close to Han-gyeol quickly. After that, I naturally started to like you.”

 

“See? You should be a little grateful to Eunwoo Hyung too.”

 

“No, I don’t need to be.”

 

“Why?”

 

At Han-gyeol’s question, I stroked his hair and replied.

 

“Even if that had never happened, I would have liked Han-gyeol. I would have confessed my feelings as I gradually discovered his good qualities. It’s just a matter of pace; we would have ended up together like we are now, wouldn’t we?”

 

At my words, Han-gyeol suddenly got up.

 

“Ah! Where are you going, Han-gyeol?”

 

“You know, Eun-ha, you’ve been quite assertive lately, haven’t you? In your words and actions!”

 

“I don’t see it at all?”

 

“That’s a big deal...”

 

It’s so enjoyable now; I wonder how much more fun it will be when we’re adults.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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