Chapter 71: Massage

 

No matter what, Eun-ha was determined to wear a bikini, and nothing could sway her resolve.

 

She insisted on running every evening, and I decided to join her.

 

It had been ten days since we started running in the park.

 

“Haa- Haa- Han-gyeol. I can’t run anymore... I feel like I’m going to die.”

 

Eun-ha, breathless yet still looking beautiful, stopped in her tracks.

 

“I told you, we should’ve just run five laps like usual. Only two more laps to reach ten – want to finish them?”

 

“Somehow, I felt like I could run ten laps today… But I guess it was too much. I’m exhausted.”

 

“You’ve worked hard. Here’s some water.”

 

“Sorry. I’ll drink in a bit…! Han-gyeol, you’re really good at running. You don’t even look tired.”

 

“Well, I do work out regularly. Let’s rest on the bench before we go home.”

 

I led an utterly drained Eun-ha to a bench.

 

After I opened the water bottle and handed it to her, she gulped it down.

 

“Ahh- That’s refreshing. Thanks.”

 

I was truly grateful to Eun-ha for exercising to look good for me.

 

But at the same time, I was worried she might be overdoing it.

 

“Eun-ha, don’t push yourself too hard. You can show me the bikini some other time.”

 

“No way. It’s our first time going to the pool together – I have to wear a bikini.”

 

“If you insist that much, I won’t try to stop you, but I’m just worried you might hurt yourself.”

 

“Don’t worry. I’m not just starving myself. I’m dieting healthily.”

 

Hearing her say that, I decided not to press further.

 

“That’s good to hear. It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”

 

“Okay! Han-gyeol, help me up. My legs hurt from all the running.”

 

Eun-ha reached out her hand while sitting on the bench, so I firmly pulled her up.

 

She rose gracefully, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

 

“Han-gyeol, you’re so strong.”

 

“You’re just too light, Eun-ha.”

 

“Hearing you say that makes me happy. But I’m still going to run for the next three days.”

 

“Then shall we run home like we did just now?”

 

“That would be too much...”

 

Eun-ha, shyly smiling as she spoke, was just too adorable.

 

“Why are you so cute?”

 

“Really? I must look a mess from all the sweating. Don’t stare too much, okay?”

 

“No, I want to see your face up close.”

 

“No, no, let’s just go home~”

 

Eun-ha’s playful words were a delight to hear.

 

“Isn’t it tough, studying during the day and exercising at night?”

 

“There’s nothing tough about doing things with Han-gyeol. I love every bit of it.”

 

“Really? Then, how about we start working out together at dawn starting tomorrow?”

 

“Th-that might be a bit too much. My legs might break.”

 

“That won’t do.”

 

Perhaps it was the conversation with Eun-ha that made it seem like we arrived home sooner than expected. Every day, we had these little squabbles in front of the apartment.

 

“We’re already here. Go inside safely.”

 

“Ah- It’s such a pity. I can’t even hug you because we’re sweaty. Can’t we stay a bit longer?”

 

“No, I need to shower and sleep too, I’m sweaty.”

 

“I wish Han-gyeol lived next door.”

 

“What would you do if I lived next door?”

 

“I could see you anytime. I’d probably go to you as soon as I wake up every day.”

 

When did Eun-ha become so assertive?

 

The shy Eun-ha I first met was hard to find now. As time passed, she expressed her affection more actively, which was both cute and lovely.

 

“I want to be with Eun-ha every day too.”

 

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. I won’t hold you back anymore. Message me when you get home, okay?”

 

With a beaming smile, I waved goodbye to Eun-ha and headed home. Even on the way back, her words kept bringing a smile to my face. I eventually stopped in my tracks and let out a silent scream.

 

“She’s just... too cute.”

 

Eun-ha always made my heart flutter every day.

 

After getting home, I sent a message to Eun-ha saying I arrived and was going to shower, and then I took a shower.

 

Once I finished showering, I immediately checked my phone and saw a reply from Eun-ha.

 

Without even checking the message, I called Eun-ha right away. Our phone calls had become a routine.

 

- “Hey, Han-gyeol. Are you done showering?”

 

“Yeah. Just finished. How about you, Eun-ha?”

 

- “I just finished showering too. Just turn off the lights and lie down.”

 

“Yes. I was just about to lie down too. Aren’t you hungry?”

 

- “I miss Han-gyeol.”

 

“Are you a rapper? That rhyme was perfect.”

 

- “I was being serious.”

 

“We’ll see each other tomorrow, won’t we?”

 

- “I’m sleepy, I keep closing my eyes. Guess we ran a lot today.”

 

“I want to hear your voice a little longer before I sleep.”

 

Eun-ha didn’t respond for a moment.

 

- “I want to hear your voice more too…”

 

I wished I could see the expression Eun-ha had while saying this.

 

“You must be blushing right now.”

 

- “You said something heart-fluttering, Han-gyeol. I can’t help it...”

 

“You’re so cute, it’s killing me.”

 

- “Stop, it’s embarrassing.”

 

“Are you going to get shy every time I say you’re cute?”

 

- “What can I do if I get excited every time you call me cute?”

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter in bed at Eun-ha’s response.

 

“Why do you make me miss you like this?”

 

- “Exactly. I miss Han-gyeol.”

 

“We just parted ways a while ago.”

 

- “Still, I miss you. I really wish Han-gyeol lived next door.”

 

“Do you wish we lived in the same house?”

 

Eun-ha was silent for a moment after my question. Then I heard some rustling, followed by her soft voice.

 

- “Maybe that... for later...”

 

Eun-ha’s response was as expected, but I couldn’t help blushing myself.

 

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to contain the cuteness.

 

“We’re going to see each other tomorrow anyway.”

 

- “Right. We’ll meet tomorrow, and the day after, and keep meeting...”

 

Eun-ha said she wanted to hear more of my voice, but as we talked, her words started to trail off. After a brief silence on my part, I could hear Eun-ha’s breathing.

 

Softly, Eun-ha’s breathing, smooth and gentle, reached my ears, and I quietly said,

 

“I love you. Sleep well.”

 

As I was about to gently end the call, a rustling noise came through the receiver, followed by a mumbled,

 

- “Mmm...”

 

I wasn’t sure if she heard me or if it was just sleep talk, but Eun-ha was endearing to the end.

 

I pressed the end call button, placed my phone beside my pillow, and closed my eyes.

 

Thanks to Eun-ha, I went to bed smiling again.

 

“Ah, I miss her.”

 

***

 

-BEEP BEEP BEEP!

 

I turned off the noisy alarm clock and tidied up the bedding.

 

Even though it was vacation, I woke up around the same time I would for school.

 

After drinking a glass of lukewarm water, I quickly prepared breakfast.

 

Being of adult age, I couldn’t just eat meals prepared for me. I took out some side dishes, fried an egg, and had a simple breakfast.

 

After finishing the dishes, I returned to my room.

 

I sent a message to Eun-ha that I was up and immediately started studying.

 

Meeting Eun-ha would be after lunch since this was a crucial time. We dedicated our mornings entirely to studying for our futures.

 

While we sometimes studied together, we had fixed times for studying alone.

 

About an hour later, my phone vibrated with a message.

 

[Eun-ha: I’m up too! Let’s meet for lunch.]

 

We didn’t specify a time or place, but I replied with an acknowledgment.

 

Happy, I finished my studies and left for lunch before heading to Eun-ha’s place.

 

However, as soon as I arrived at Eun-ha’s house, I was greeted by her visibly exhausted expression.

 

“Han-gyeol, you’re here?”

 

Eun-ha stood there, leaning against the wall, her legs trembling weakly.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

“Ugh- I think I overdid it yesterday. My muscles are sore. I can’t walk.”

 

Seeing Eun-ha’s state, I couldn’t help but let out a snicker.

 

“Ah! Han-gyeol, you laughed. How can you laugh when your girlfriend is in pain from overworked muscles?”

 

“Sorry. It’s just that the energetic Eun-ha from yesterday and the Eun-ha now are so different...!”

 

I took off my shoes and went in, grabbing Eun-ha’s cheeks.

 

“You’re really too cute.”

 

Eun-ha, unable to protest due to her sore legs, just groaned in response.

 

“Ouch- Ah, it hurts.”

 

“Can’t help it, you’re too adorable. Is Eunwoo Hyung around?”

 

“He’s asleep in his room. I was planning to run today too... but that’s probably not a good idea, huh?”

 

“It’s definitely not a good idea in this condition. Did you eat lunch?”

 

“Yeah, I had a chicken salad.”

 

“Is that enough? Shouldn’t you have a proper meal at least once?”

 

“One day like this is fine. I’m not going to exercise today, so just salad for me.”

 

“A muscle strain like this won’t heal in just a day.”

 

“I’ll massage it; it’ll loosen up quickly.”

 

I sat on the sofa and lightly tapped Eun-ha’s calf.

 

“Does it hurt?”

 

“Not really. Han-gyeol, could you massage it a bit?”

 

“Me? It might hurt a lot.”

 

“Wouldn’t it loosen faster if you do it harder?”

 

“Hmm, maybe? Want to lift your leg up?”

 

I cautiously lifted Eun-ha’s leg onto mine.

 

Ah, wait. Isn’t this a bit embarrassing?

 

Well, it’s just a massage, nothing to worry about. Keep it professional.

 

“Should I start?”

 

“Be, be gentle, okay? Don’t start too strong.”

 

“Okay, don’t worry.”

 

I carefully massaged Eun-ha’s calf. As I did, she twitched slightly.

 

I continued massaging, thinking it was natural for the tense muscles to react.

 

Her calf muscles were surprisingly firm, probably from the overexertion yesterday.

 

“You definitely overdid it yesterday. Maybe we should stop exercising until we go to the swimming pool.”

 

“Maybe…!”

 

“Your enthusiasm is great, Eun-ha, but don’t overdo it next time, okay?”

 

“Mmm…!”

 

Huh? Was there a hint of playfulness in Eun-ha’s voice?

 

Feeling a bit uneasy, I looked at her face. Seeing her flushed face, covering her mouth, I stopped my hand.

 

“Why is your face all red-!”

 

“No, it’s not-! It’s because it feels good! Keep going!”

 

“I can’t! It sounds dangerous!”

 

“Just a little more massage...!”

 

“Your words sound weird-!”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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