Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

I had just blurted out something somewhat embarrassing.

It was precisely at that moment when I was trying to hurriedly switch the topic of conversation.

Grrr-!

The origin of the roaring sound was Eun-ha’s stomach.

It was so loud that even the people jogging behind us could hear it... but I knew.

That I must never acknowledge that I heard it.

I spoke casually.

“It’s Friday tomorrow, so hang in there a bit longer. Take some rest over the weekend.”

“Hahaha...! Yeah, we both should! It’s getting really late! Let’s head home quickly-”

Grrr-!

Eun-ha couldn’t finish her sentence and grabbed her stomach.

I continued to act as though I hadn’t heard, biting my lip tightly.

Hold it in. If I laugh now, it’s over.

“Shall we?”

“Yeah! Let’s go home! It’s already late-”

Grrr-!

The sound from Eun-ha’s ‘stomach clock’ grew louder as time passed.

Well, she did say she skipped lunch and napped during dinner, so she must be really hungry.

In such situations, it was better to act like I didn’t hear, but I decided we should get something to eat.

“Eun-ha.”

“...Did you hear?”

“Since when do you think I’ve been hearing it?”

“Hey-! If you’re going to pretend you didn’t hear, then pretend till the end...!”

“Puhahaha! Sorry, sorry! Let’s go eat something.”

I stood up from the bench, looking at a completely flustered Eun-ha who had turned as red as a beetroot.

The time was a little past eleven at night.

I quickly turned on my phone and searched for a 24-hour snack bar nearby, and there was one.

“Eun-ha, let’s go eat.”

“It’s probably closed by now...?! And I’m not hungry! I’m fine!”

“After hearing that ‘Grrr-’ sound three times, I can’t trust you.”

“Ugh...! Stop teasing! I haven’t eaten anything since lunch...”

Eun-ha, now speaking candidly, looked incredibly adorable.

I wanted to gaze a little longer at her blushing face, even up to her ears, but I had to restrain myself.

“Let’s go. It’ll be weird to eat something at home now.”

“I guess so, but...”

“Come on. We’ll get there quickly if we go by bike.”

As I cautiously extended my hand, Eun-ha grabbed it and stood up.

I wanted to keep holding her hand, but both of us seemed too shy, so I promptly let go.

“Don’t we have school tomorrow, Han-gyeol? Isn’t it too late for you to be out? What did you tell your parents?”

“Huh? I just told them I’d be out for a brief night walk, and they said it’s fine. What about you, Eun-ha?”

“My parents are busy until the end of this week, and my brother said he’s meeting a friend today.”

“What-? So you’ve been alone at home this whole time?”

“Yeah. So what?”

Thinking about Eun-ha feeling lonely in a house where four people live made my heart ache.

I knew Eun-ha’s parents were busy, and I understood, but it still bothered me a bit.

The thought that she might have been lonely made me want to spend more time with her.

“Eun-ha.”

“Hm? What?”

“If you’re bored, call me anytime, okay?”

“Haha! Sure. I’ll even call you in the middle of the night then.”

“Go ahead, go ahead. You can call me anytime, without any reason.”

I looked down at Eun-ha as I spoke.

Eun-ha’s head turned quickly.

“I was...I was joking.”

“I know. Wait a moment, I’ll go get the bike.”

When I brought over the bike, Eun-ha didn’t climb onto the back seat but stared intently at the bike instead.

“Why?”

“Hm—Do you think I could carry Han-gyeol?”

“Wouldn’t it be too much?”

“Probably...?”

“Do you still want to try it?”

“Yes!”

Eun-ha was so enthusiastic that I immediately gave her the bike.

However, the saddle height wasn’t suitable, so I adjusted it first.

“Han-gyeol, get on.”

“I feel like I’m risking my life. You know how to ride a bike, right?”

“Of course. Stop worrying and get on.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you.”

I climbed onto the back seat behind Eun-ha.

But now that I thought about it, I should have held onto her waist.

Would it be alright to hold her...? Well, she held me, so it shouldn’t matter, right?

“Han-gyeol? You’ll fall if you don’t hold on.”

“A—Ah.”

I cautiously grabbed Eun-ha’s waist.

Eun-ha pedaled as hard as she could, but it still seemed to be too much for her.

“Then... let’s get st—Ack!”

The bike didn’t move forward.

Eventually, it tilted to the side, and I tightly grabbed Eun-ha’s waist to stabilize us.

It was just for a moment, but I almost felt like I was embracing Eun-ha’s slender waist.

I immediately let go, but Eun-ha also seemed slightly surprised.

“I—I guess it’s too much after all! Let’s just walk.”

“Yeah, you carrying me is definitely too much.”

“Haha... I guess so...”

In the end, I walked alongside the bike, and Eun-ha walked next to me.

I didn’t want to forget the sensation of holding onto her waist just now.

“Hey, Han-gyeol.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“Was it heavy when I rode on the back of the bike? You can be honest.”

A lie... Hesitation here could be fatal.

“No, you were so light I didn’t even notice I was carrying you.”

“Hahaha! What’s that about!”

Good.

I didn’t hesitate for even a second.

If I had hesitated, I would have been in big trouble.

“Was it heavy for you, Eun-ha, when you carried me?”

“Yes, it was really heavy.”

“Puhaha! What’s that? Tell me I’m light too.”

“Ah—! More than being heavy, it felt like, ’Ah, this is definitely a real guy.’”

For a moment, my face felt like it was on fire.

Eun-ha had a habit of casually dropping comments like that.

“Ahem... if that’s the case, then so be it.”

“Should I have said you’re light?”

“Not at all? Feeling like a ‘real guy’ is enough for me.”

“Good to hear. Do you go on night walks often, Han-gyeol?”

“Night walks?”

Before I found myself in this novel’s world, I often took solo walks.

I’d tire myself out on purpose, took a shower, and went straight to sleep.

I loved sound sleep as a way to stop thinking about anything.

But walking aimlessly alone wasn’t as nice as walking with someone.

By dozens, if not hundreds of times.

“Yep. Do you go on night walks often?”

“No, I came out to cheer you up, Eun-ha.”

“Really?”

“You didn’t know?”

“I had my suspicions. Anyway, thanks. Seriously. You really lifted my spirits.”

Eun-ha really did look better when she smiled.

If she was always smiling, there was nothing I couldn’t do.

I used to think it was nonsense that someone’s smile could make one happy, but maybe it was not.

“Is that the snack bar you were talking about?”

Eun-ha pointed to a snack bar with the lights on.

“Yes, let’s go in.”

“Great. I’m actually starving.”

“Haha! But you weren’t making any noises earlier.”

“Hey-!”

“Sorry, sorry, just kidding. Let’s go in.”

As we walked into the snack bar, Eun-ha was glued to the menu board.

“What do you want, Eun-ha?”

“What about you, Han-gyeol?”

I wasn’t particularly hungry after having dinner, but it’d feel awkward if only Eun-ha ate. So I decided to have a roll of kimbap.

“I’ll go for pork cutlet kimbap.”

“Then I’ll have tuna kimbap.”

“That’s it? Nothing else?”

“Yep, that’ll do.”

I felt like it might not be enough, but maybe she wanted to keep it light since it was getting late.

“Excuse me, we’ll take one roll each of tuna kimbap and pork cutlet kimbap, please.”

“Sure, I’ll bring it out for you shortly.”

Eun-ha looked slightly delighted at the prospect of getting some food. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she happily took out her chopsticks.

“Here’s the kimbap you ordered.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanks~”

Eun-ha’s eyes widened at the sight of the two rolls of kimbap. She quickly shoved one piece into her mouth, chewing enthusiastically.

“Eun-ha, slow down. You’re going to choke.”

Too busy eating, Eun-ha only nodded her head. When I set a glass of water in front of her, she smiled as if pleased.

She looked as cute as a hamster... or perhaps like a charming bunny. But she seemed unaware of her own cuteness. We quickly finished our rolls and left the snack bar.

“I’m full.”

“Are you good with just one roll?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

I checked my phone and realized it was almost midnight. It was time to take Eun-ha home.

“Let’s start heading back. I’ll walk you home.”

“Ah... I feel like I’m bothering you.”

“I can’t let you go alone. I’d worry too much. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

On the way back, Eun-ha was her usual, cheerful self. Her steps seemed lighter, happier. We quickly arrived in front of her apartment building.

“Alright, Han-gyeol, I’m heading in.”

“Sure, take care. Sleep well.”

“Thanks for today. Seriously. I feel so much better.”

“Go ahead, it’s getting chilly out.”

“Do you have your earphones with you?”

“I’ve got wireless ones, why?”

“Let’s talk on the phone as you head back. Put your earphones in.”

As I took out my earphones and popped them in, Eun-ha waved goodbye with a bright smile.

“Ready? Go ahead inside. See you at school tomorrow.”

“Yeah. I’ll call as soon as I get in, okay?”

“Sure.”

“See you tomorrow, Han-gyeol.”

I watched as Eun-ha entered her apartment building and then hopped back on my bike. It wasn’t long before she called me, and I pressed my earphones to answer.

- Are you on your way?

“Yep, of course.”

- How long will it take to get home?

“About 20 minutes? Why?”

- I can’t sleep. I thought maybe we could talk a bit more.

“No way. We have school tomorrow, and you shouldn’t be up too late.”

- You’re right. We should’ve gone for a night walk on Friday. Then we could’ve stayed up late.

“Let’s go for a walk next time we have a chance.”

- That sounds good. I’d like that.

That night, I took the long way home.

Eun-ha’s voice was too sweet to part with too soon.

I wanted to hear more of her voice.

I wanted to talk a bit more.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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