But it was the first since i realized my own feelings.
When i saw her get attacked, my heart seemed to stop. Watching her pained expression made me ache too.
I only relaxed after confirming she was alive, but then came endless regret.
I should have stopped her from taking such risks.
Checking her injuries, i found her frowning from the pain, unable to respond properly.
Still, as she gradually recovered enough to talk, it seemed the injuries weren’t serious.
She was more excited about defeating the Monsters than concerned for her own condition, i didn’t know how to react to that.
She had indeed grown. But seeing her push through the pain still made my heart ache.
While my friend went to retrieve her Spear, i gathered all the Magic Stones and tusk.
Hearing her unsteady footsteps approach twisted my insides.
Why couldn’t i have been the one hurt?
So i decided to follow my heart.
I picked up my resisting friend and ignored her protests. Soon she gave up and leaned quietly against me.
Glancing at her flushed face as we headed for the exit, i found her unbearably cute.
I wanted to tell her how i felt.
I had tried to confess before, but bad luck interrupted me.
Remembering that failed attempt still made me angry.
Yet deep down, i was glad it hadn’t happened, Yoo Mi-ro’s advice made me realize the timing would have backfired.
Outside, my friend grabbed her clothes and rushed into the changing room like she was fleeing.
"What should I do…"
My Awakening feelings kept growing, and seeing her hurt confirmed everything.
I never wanted to see her injured again, i wanted to protect her always. The thought grew stronger.
When she came out after changing, my eyes went straight to her arm.
A large, vivid bruise stood out.
Didn’t it hurt?
She acted like it was nothing.
"Were you waiting long?"
"Your hand…"
The worried words slipped out.
Even if the bruise faded, the fact she was hurt pained me.
"It’s fine, it’ll heal soon anyway."
I grabbed her arm, healing only meant the wound disappeared, but did that erase the pain?
I should have stopped her. I never should have let her push herself. If i had insisted, she wouldn’t have been hurt.
She had been careless too, but ultimately, i shouldn’t have allowed her in danger.
"I told you, it’s okay?"
She laughed and playfully hit me, her expression light.
Her lack of self-care and understanding frustrated me.
But i was angrier at myself for failing to protect her.
How should i treat this adorable girl?
Before i knew it, i had backed her against the car with nowhere to retreat.
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"Si… Si-hyun?"
Trapped against the vehicle, she looked ready to flee.
Her nervous eyes showed she wanted to escape,
but all i noticed
were the wounds on her face…
Moving closer, i blocked her retreat and took away even her chance to avoid my gaze.
"Si-hyun?"
Her pretty face was covered in small cuts.
Some old, some new, each one made my heart ache.
I began examining every mark.
Had she gotten these scrapes rolling on the ground? There were more than i expected.
When my face drew near enough to feel her breath, she suddenly closed her eyes.
Why did she close them?
Only then did i realize how intimate their position was.
This felt like one of those dramatic wall-pin and forced-kiss scenes from romance dramas.
Seong Si-hyun, have you lost your mind?
Embarrassment washed over me.
As i tried to figure out how this situation happened and how to escape it, a sudden urge to kiss those tempting red lips emerged.
I startled myself.
What was i thinking?
"Hah... seriously."
I was losing control before even confessing my feelings.
More importantly, i couldn't guess what she was thinking.
Why did she close her eyes and create this misunderstanding?
No, ultimately this was all my fault for creating this situation.
She remained completely silent.
No scolding, just unusual quietness.
We began the car journey without speaking.
My flushed face in the rearview mirror looked feverish.
After entering the city, i handled the tusk sale and Magic Stone exchange alone, yet the earlier scene kept replaying in my mind.
Could she feel the same way?
Was that why she closed her eyes?
If she disliked it, she would have pushed me away already.
This thought sparked a flicker of hope.
She remained quiet.
Completely silent. But her profile, when i stole glances, showed flushed cheeks as if she was struggling with something.
What could she be thinking?
I was genuinely curious.
After hours of driving, we stopped in front of her house.
"Si-yeon? We're here..."
She quietly began gathering her belongings.
I wanted to help, but she had already neatly packed everything herself.
"Um, Si-Si-hyun...?"
Seeing her with her packed bags, i could no longer contain my feelings. I had planned to progress their relationship gradually, but now i couldn't hold back.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"This time, I really enjoyed it."
"Oh, Si-yeon, want to have dinner together tomorrow night?"
Ah, i messed up. I shouldn't have invited her so casually. I should have asked her out more impressively.
"Ah? Well... What should I do..."
I started blaming myself. From her reaction, it seemed like she would reject me. I should have created a better atmosphere before asking. Total failure.
"You don't want to?"
"Yes! I'll go! I'll definitely go!"
She agreed excitedly, practically dancing.
Though i didn't understand why, my invitation that i thought would fail had actually succeeded.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow."
"Okay."
I quietly watched her back as she entered her house, secretly determined to use every method available right now.
-
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After returning home, i took out my notebook and planner. Those notes i had been contemplating for so long, now was the time to create the perfect plan. I originally planned to make my big move on her birthday, but...
First, choosing a restaurant. Somewhere too fancy or flashy would make her uncomfortable. I needed a place with atmosphere that wasn't too expensive. I finally settled on an Italian pasta restaurant, not the open dining area, but one with private couple's booths.
Information gathered from their usual conversations: all girls like pasta. Since becoming female, her tastes had changed somewhat. "She used to prefer Korean food and meat dishes, but now she likes Western food or spicy cuisine better." i flipped through my secretly researched memos.
Yoo Mi-ro had once advised me: casual clothes are fine normally, but on dates, guys need to dress properly too.
"This should work, right?" i picked up the casual formal wear i bought recently, something i purchased after getting carried away by online comments saying "girls will love this."
"Will this really work on Si-yeon..."
My final concern was how to confess. Keep it simple and direct? Or add more elaboration? Or use a love letter in an envelope? This dilemma kept me up late into the night.
The next morning i began my preparations early. Fortunately, it was a clear, beautiful day, as if blessing my endeavor.
I started by thoroughly cleaning my car, washing the exterior until it gleamed with wax, and spraying fragrance inside. After showering, i dressed carefully, even styling my usually air-dried hair with wax to mimic a popular actor's look. Just as i finished dressing, my eyes fell on an object.
A condom. Something he'd mistaken for snacks by its packaging at the convenience store.
Should i bring it? But if discovered, I'd be beaten to death. I quietly tossed it into the trash. Even if she accepted my confession, things wouldn't progress that quickly. I had to take it slow, after all, whether she'd accept my feelings remained unknown. Slowly suppressing my desire, i warned myself not to rush.
-
-
Driving to pick her up, i still agonized over how to confess. Arriving a full two hours early, the overwhelming anxiety nearly crushed me. To calm down, i took a walk around the neighborhood.
On the street, i noticed many women glancing this way, apparently my careful grooming had paid off. If only it could attract her too. The walk gradually settled my nerves, until i checked the time:
"Only thirty minutes left..."
On my way back, i unexpectedly encountered her, dressed in elegant attire.
She looked stunning. Softly curled hair tips, a graceful black dress accentuating her full chest and thigh curves, high heels adding a touch of maturity. Had she dressed up like this to see me? Or had she just met someone else? Anxiety surged through me again.
Her light, cheerful steps deepened my suspicion. Should i greet her or pretend not to see her? She didn't seem to notice me, so i chose to follow quietly. I didn't want to hear her say she'd "just met another man." Only after she'd walked for twenty minutes did i slowly head back to my car.
A sticky jealousy began to fester in my heart, and i struggled hard to conceal it.
"Damn it."
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A/N; want more? Check out my for upcoming chapter [up to 43+ advanced chapters] ??