Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

We stepped out of the water for a moment and arrived at the food court.

The food court was lined with countless dishes I hadnt eaten in the last two weeks.

I was still in my swimsuit, so I figured I shouldnt eat too much, but a hotdog seemed... acceptable.

Ill have a hotdog.

Arent you hungry? Why not eat more?

I think this will be enough~

Alright. Grab a table and sit. Ill go get it.

Okay, okay. Be right back.

Sitting at the table, I watched Han-gyeols retreating figure.

I wanted to run up to Han-gyeols broad back and hug him, but with so many people around, it just wasnt possible.

Han-gyeol seemed to have broad shoulders and quite a bit of muscle. I wonder if he works out separately.

But whenever our eyes met, Han-gyeol always greeted me with a bright smile.

Just seeing it lifted my spirits.

Here. This is for Eun-ha.

Thanks~

We ate hotdogs facing each other, having returned to the table.

Just moments ago, all I could think about was hotdogs, but now my gaze naturally drifted to Han-gyeols body.

Do you work out or something, Han-gyeol?

Me? Not really. Why?

You seem to have quite a lot of muscle.

Maybe its just because I have big bones.

I shouldnt say I want to touch them, right?

But perhaps a quick poke would be okay?

Isnt that a natural curiosity for a girlfriend?

Ah, I should have hugged Han-gyeol when I had the chance...!

No, that doesnt feel right.

Do you like guys with lots of muscles, Eun-ha?

Uh-oh?! No. I like your body the best.

Han-gyeol looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

That sounded a bit weird...

I meant, you look best right now.

Is that so?

Han-gyeol smirked and was about to take a sip of his drink.

Wouldnt it be okay to speak casually as if its nothing?

Without even verifying the thought that popped into my head, I blurted out.

Can I touch it just once?

Han-gyeol burst out laughing, spewing his drink everywhere.

I thought speaking plainly wouldnt startle him, but I was mistaken.

S-sorry! I didnt mean to surprise you...!

That was quite a bold statement, dont you think...?

No, not like a caress! Just a quick poke?!

Its even more embarrassing to ask permission like that...

I looked earnestly at Han-gyeol.

J-just the arm...!

Han-gyeol chuckled and then placed his arm on the table. I could see the veins slightly protruding as I poked his shoulder. Unlike the softness of Han-gyeols cheeks, there was a firmness to it.

Fascinating...

Just as I was about to explore more, Han-gyeol swiftly withdrew his arm.

Ah-

Lets eat the hotdogs now.

I looked at Han-gyeol with a slightly disappointed expression.

No use looking disappointed.

Thats mean... I was just getting started.

I puffed my cheeks and looked at Han-gyeol. I hadnt even properly touched him yet.

No matter how much you pout, it cant be helped.

Tsk-

I sipped my drink, feeling a bit frustrated.

We have to restrain ourselves since were still students.

Pfft-!

This time, I was the one who spat out my drink. I coughed, and Han-gyeol handed me a tissue.

I... I didnt mean it like that!

Eun-ha, sometimes youre like a bulldozer... just now, you were like a fierce beast. Like a rabbit in front of a lion.

No, not at all! I just wanted to feel Han-gyeols muscles, purely!

Your eyes and touch seemed pretty sly for pure intentions. Its okay. We just need to be more patient.

No! I just wanted to touch you-!

Despite my vehement protests, Han-gyeol continued to enjoy his hotdog.

Okay~

No! Look! Ill let you touch my arm too...! Go ahead!

What? How did we get to this topic?!

You keep teasing me, Han-gyeol! Its only fair if you touch my arm too...! Please...!

If you put it that way, I definitely cant touch it-!

Our voices must have been loud because people around our table started looking at us. We quickly grabbed our hotdogs and drinks and fled to a distant spot.

As we ran, a smile involuntarily crept onto my face. The situation was somehow amusing. Its not like we said anything worth running away from.

But why are we running away?

Exactly. But the atmosphere demanded an escape, right?

Its because of Han-gyeol-

What?! Its because Eun-ha told me to touch her arm-!

Hmm, lets call it mutual fault. Lets eat quickly and go back to swimming.

Sounds good. Ah- I want to try a bite of your hotdog.

Here-

As I held out my hotdog to Han-gyeol, he opened his mouth wide. Fearing that half of my hotdog would vanish, I swiftly pulled it back to my chest. With a snap, Han-gyeols mouth closed.

Ah-

Just a little bit! Its a delicious meal I havent had in two weeks.

Okay, okay, just a little.

A little bit, right...?

When I brought the hotdog to Han-gyeols mouth again, he took a bite. But...

Hey-! What...?! Hey-! My hotdog-!

Han-gyeol bit off half of my hotdog. Chewing contentedly, he swallowed and then looked at me with a satisfied expression.

That was delicious~

With that, Han-gyeol dashed away.

You, you-! Come back here-!

***

Han-gyeol and I spent the rest of the evening frolicking in the pool before we headed out.

We boarded the bus home from the swimming pool. It seemed to be the last stop because, aside from the bus driver, there was nobody else.

It feels like weve chartered the whole bus.

Indeed. Lets sit in the back.

Okay.

Ah, my legs are sore.

We sat down side by side, hugging our belongings.

Han-gyeol, we really had a great time today.

Next year, lets go to an even bigger pool.

Yeah~ Or maybe go see the ocean. Id like that.

We could also go to a stream you like and just dip our feet in.

But if we go to a stream or the ocean, we wont need swimsuits, right?

I think I prefer the pool.

Why? Want to see me in a bikini again?

Yes. Eun-ha, you looked incredibly pretty today.

Han-gyeols words made me extremely happy.

The two weeks of diligent dieting had paid off.

It was a bit embarrassing, but the happiness outweighed that.

I want to become even prettier.

Prettier than this? Youre quite greedy.

I want to be more beautiful for Han-gyeol.

Every time Han-gyeol showed his love and admiration, my heart overflowed with joy.

I should be content by now, but it almost feels addictive; I keep wanting more of his love. Wait a minute... am I being too much?

Han-gyeol, am I being too excessive?

Huh? What do you mean?

Like, am I being too demanding of your love? Tell me honestly.

Demanding? No, not at all. Ive never thought that.

If I ever do, you must tell me, okay? If you do, Ill change! But just so you know, I feel incredibly loved by you right now. What I said earlier was just my own desire. You understand, right?

At my words, Han-gyeol just gazed at me, a blank expression on his face.

Eun-ha is lovely, no matter how many times I look at her.

Suddenly? I didnt mean it in that way.

Its really lovely how honest you are. And thank you for that.

Han-gyeol looked at me with a wide smile. Now I can truly explain.

Why I can only be this honest about my feelings with Han-gyeol.

I find Han-gyeol lovely too.

Every time I express my honest feelings, Han-gyeol looks at me with such love.

He looks at me warmly, as if saying thank you.

And in his gaze, I can clearly feel the love he has for me.

I cant help but be honest with Han-gyeol. I want to see those eyes until the day I die.

Really? But Eun-ha, if you ever find my actions or words burdensome or unpleasant, you have to tell me. Okay?

Yeah, yeah. I will...! But I dont think that will ever happen. Whatever Han-gyeol does, I think Ill like it.

I gently placed my hands on Han-gyeols cheeks.

Can I kiss you?

Here, in a public place?

Theres no one around. Ive been good my whole life, so I think this is okay.

What-?!

I love you.

Just as I was about to kiss Han-gyeol, a sudden thud! of footsteps was heard.

We both swiftly turned our heads away... but it was incredibly disappointing.

In the end, the bus started, and as we headed home, only the feeling of disappointment lingered in my heart.

Youre staying for dinner at my place, right?

After getting off the bus, we headed straight home.

Yeah, Im hungry. I wonder if Hyun-joo Noona and Eunwoo Hyung are at home?

They didnt seem like they were going out when I saw them this morning. I think Unnie might wait for us to come.

Lets hurry then.

Even in the elevator, I couldnt stop thinking about the kiss we missed on the bus. But by now, I half-gave up, thinking its better to let it go.

As we got off the elevator and were about to enter the door code, Han-gyeol suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Eun-ha.

Hm?

Can we do what we couldnt on the bus, now?

My heart fluttered at Han-gyeols words. It wasnt just me feeling the loss.

There was no reason to refuse. I nodded slightly, and Han-gyeol slowly moved closer to me. With anticipation, I pursed my lips.

As Han-gyeols and my breaths began to intermingle, Han-gyeol set down his belongings.

Hmm...

It was a kiss a bit different from before, a bit... more intense than usual. I found myself wanting Han-gyeol more fiercely than ever.

Gently wrapping my arms around Han-gyeols neck, I dropped what I was holding. The thud of our belongings hitting the ground rang out, but we did not stop.

I pulled Han-gyeols face closer, wanting his lips even more, and Han-gyeol deepened the kiss, longing for me through the parting of my lips. I wished for this entwining of our love to continue unseparated.

Hoping this moment would last forever.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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