Picking Up Unrequited Love Chapter 81

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Chapter 81: Once More..!

I bought a wallet as a Christmas gift for Han-gyeol.

But feeling something was missing, I decided to knit a scarf for him myself.

Never having knitted before, I relied on my mom’s guidance as I worked on the scarf.

“Mom, am I doing this right?”

“Yes, yes. But with only a week left, are you sure you can finish?”

“I’ll pull an all-nighter if I have to—it’s for Han-gyeol.”

I hoped Han-gyeol would be happy with it. I couldn’t wait to give him the scarf, eager to see his bright, joyful smile.

“My daughter is all smiles, isn’t she?”

“Am I? Must be thinking about Han-gyeol.”

“Oh, Han-gyeol would be so happy to see you like this.”

“I hope so. I really want to give him his gift soon.”

“Do you like Han-gyeol that much?”

“Yes, incredibly so. I really, really like him.”

My mom seemed quite curious about me and Han-gyeol.

“What’s so good about him?”

“Well, he’s kind and considerate... How should I put it? It’s not just Han-gyeol I like, but also the time I spend with him. It’s always just fun. Mom, after meeting Han-gyeol, I realized I might have been lonelier than I thought.”

“Is that so?”

My mom looked at me, slightly surprised.

“But strangely, now I don’t feel as lonely, even when I’m alone.”

“Why’s that?”

“I wonder. Maybe it’s because I think about Han-gyeol when I’m alone, just like how you, dad, and Han-gyeol might be thinking about me. Is that too vague? I can’t quite express it clearly.”

I shrugged as I replied.

“You’re in love, that’s what.”

“Exactly! Oh, I can’t wait to see Han-gyeol.”

“What have you planned for Christmas?”

“It might be crowded outside, so we’re thinking of staying in at first, then going out in the evening. Oh, and I ordered a Santa costume!”

“A Santa costume?”

“Yes, yes. I think Han-gyeol will like it. It’s a bit risky, but it should arrive just in time. Nothing weird! It’s a wholesome Santa costume.”

“That’s good to hear. Have fun.”

“Yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”

My first Christmas together with Han-gyeol.

Just the thought made my heart flutter with excitement.

***

Today was my first Christmas together with Han-gyeol.

However, there was a slight issue with the Santa costume that had arrived two days ago.

I had envisioned a cute Santa costume outfit, but...

Due to some mix-up in the delivery, what arrived was a rather suggestive Santa girl costume.

I tried calling customer service, but it was clear there was no way to get a new delivery within two days.

So, I had no choice but to wear the Santa girl costume that had arrived, unable to return it.

Luckily, the size was right, though it did have a slightly risqué feel.

“There’s nothing I can do about it... It’s not overly provocative.”

It might be a bit stimulating for both me and Han-gyeol, but since it’s just for him to see, it didn’t matter.

Who knows, Han-gyeol might even like this look more.

Considering how embarrassed he got when I wore a swimsuit... Will he show the same expression this time?

It’s a bold thought, but I wanted to see Han-gyeol’s shy expression.

And I wanted to see him unable to take his eyes off me.

Dressed as a Santa girl, I waited on the couch for Han-gyeol to arrive.

About thirty minutes must have passed when our doorbell rang.

I hurried to the entrance, slinging the bag of gifts over my shoulder, and dashed to the door.

“Who is it~?”

“It’s me~”

I continued to talk with Han-gyeol through the door without opening it immediately.

“Who might you be~?”

“It’s me, me. Lee Han-gyeol. Eun-ha’s boyfriend.”

Ah- this is fun.

I opened the door with a bright smile.

“Have you arrived?”

“Me, Merry Christmas...haha..ha!”

“Huh? What?!”

As soon as the door opened, there stood Han-gyeol, dressed as Santa Claus, his face already flushed with embarrassment.

Seeing Han-gyeol like this, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Han-gyeol, shyly dressed as Santa, was incredibly cute.

“You’re too cute!”

Without realizing it, I dropped the bag of gifts I was holding.

He was truly the cutest Santa in the world.

Han-gyeol’s red cheeks only multiplied his cuteness several times over.

“You’re a Santa girl too...”

“Yeah! I wore it hoping Han-gyeol would be happy. How is it? Do you like it?”

I spun around in place and asked.

“You look incredibly beautiful... When did you even prepare something like this?”

“You prepared the same thing, Han-gyeol. I’m so happy. Why do we match so well? We must be soulmates.”

I threw myself into Han-gyeol’s arms.

I couldn’t believe we had the same idea. I felt like I could fly with joy.

“Did you wear this to make me happy too?”

“Of course. I thought you’d be happy. But it’s embarrassing, I want to change.”

“You can come in, but no changing clothes! Let’s have fun as we are. Come on in~”

I led Han-gyeol inside the house.

As soon as we reached the living room, I showed him the elaborately decorated space.

“Ta-da! How is it? Feels like Christmas, right?! I even prepared a cake.”

“What? You prepared so much? There are balloons and a tree too.”

“I mentioned spending Christmas at home with you, so my brother and unni helped out.”

“Really? You’ve made it look so beautiful. You must have worked hard decorating.”

“Not at all~ Thinking of spending time with Han-gyeol made it effortless.”

As Han-gyeol looked around the living room, I quickly dabbed some of the cake’s whipped cream onto his cheek.

“Hey!”

“Yikes! What’s the sudden attack for?”

“Ahaha! I’ve always wanted to play a prank with a Christmas cake.”

“Come here, you.”

“No way~”

Han-gyeol, too, got some cream on his finger and came after me.

Darting around the living room, he eventually caught me from behind.

Despite my struggles, he managed to smear cream on my lips.

“If it’s on my lips, I can just eat it off!”

Han-gyeol held my shoulders and took the cream off my lips. The sweet cream brushed against his lips and mine.

“Right, just eat it off~”

This was a kind of intimacy we hadn’t shared before, and it made my face burn.

“All of a sudden...!”

“Why does it feel like it’s been a while since I’ve seen Eun-ha blush?”

“Do it one more time... Please?”

“Huh? How did the conversation turn this way?”

“You said last time I could do anything I wanted, right?”

“Whoa, Eun-ha’s gaze is quite fierce right now...”

“No running away, okay?”

I warned Han-gyeol, who just chuckled in response.

“Of course, I’m all for it.”

“Yay~ Then~!”

I quickly captured his lips with mine.

As I slowly wrapped my arms around Han-gyeol’s neck, he pulled me closer.

Our kiss intensified, filled with a competitive tension. Despite the risqué sounds, we didn’t stop.

Oh, this is just too good.

Spending Christmas with Han-gyeol like this.

Kissing while dressed in Santa costumes at home.

The pleasure was so overwhelming, I deepened the kiss even more.

Han-gyeol seemed a bit startled and pulled his head back slightly.

“Are you trying to devour me?”

“Grrr!”

I raised my arms and said,

“I guess you are a beast. But you know what, Eun-ha?”

“What’s that? Not ready to be caught without a fight? No can do. No escaping.”

“It’s not that. To be honest, I also want to devour you.”

“Really now? Why haven’t you then? Go on, devour me!”

“For real?”

“Yes, for real~”

“You won’t regret it?”

“Nope~ If I can become nourishment for Han-gyeol, I’d gladly be devoured!”

Before I could even finish my sentence, Han-gyeol’s lips were on mine again.

I’ve always welcomed his kisses with joy, but this time... it felt dangerously delightful.

The kiss, tender yet firm, made my consciousness drift away.

Slowly... and gently, Han-gyeol’s kisses led me towards the wall, continuing without end. Without any resistance, I could only tightly grasp at Han-gyeol’s waist, unsure of what to do.

But the whirlwind of kisses scrambled my thoughts, and gradually, my strength ebbed away.

Eventually, my legs gave out, and I slid down the wall to the floor.

“Haaah... Haaah...”

I realized then that all the kisses we shared before were considerate.

He had always just been going with my flow... Han-gyeol had been considerate even in that moment...

But somehow, this kiss felt tens of times better than any we had shared before.

Just a little more... just one more time.

“Han-gyeol... just a bit more... hic!”

Huh?

“Hmm?”

“Just one more kiss... hic!”

I couldn’t stop hiccuping long enough to speak.