PBWY - 14

Chapter 14: Again, You

It was a leisurely holiday.

Yeonhee opened her banking app and absentmindedly navigated to the loan section. She had been paying off the last loan she gave her mother, little by little, a few hundred thousand won each month, but this month she hadn’t received a notification about a payment being withdrawn.

Then she found it.

“…0 won?”

For some reason, the loan section was completely empty. Yeonhee hesitated for a moment. She had been intentionally avoiding contact with her mother and family. But in the end, she couldn’t help herself and called.

“Mom, did you pay off my loan?”

• What? What are you talking about?

“Didn’t you?”

• No, I didn’t. I don’t even have enough to feed myself. You paid it off already? I guess you must be doing well now. I heard your salary went up.

She had foolishly given her mother an opening to continue the conversation.

Yeonhee casually replied to her mother’s words and ended the call abruptly. Now, she didn’t even get hurt by such remarks from her mother anymore. She must have truly given up on seeking her mother’s affection.

She lay on the sofa, staring at a decorative doll that was tilting its head.

“What’s this? What is this money...?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yeonhee sighed and grabbed her laptop. With only her cell phone in hand, she lightly left the house.

It had been over ten minutes since she opened her laptop at the cafe. As expected, someone appeared. It was Junghoon, holding just one book.

As usual, he ordered an Americano and sat in a corner where Yeonhee could easily see him. His actions were typical.

What was different was Yeonhee. As soon as she saw Junghoon, she immediately packed her things and stomped over to him. Without a word of greeting, she started to speak in a confrontational tone.

“You’re the team leader, right?”

“Yeonhee?”

Junghoon widened his eyes in surprise, standing up quickly. Regardless of his reaction, Yeonhee leaned on one leg, standing crookedly, and looked up at him.

“You paid off my debt, didn’t you?”

Junghoon avoided eye contact instead of answering. His behavior was suspicious for someone who usually acted so smooth.

Yeonhee sighed quietly, as if she already knew the answer.

What right do you have to interfere in my life? What right do you have to pay my debt? I know it’s just small change to you. But it feels like charity, and it disgusts me.

She wanted to snap at him, but the more she would, the more miserable she would feel, so she held herself back.

She clenched her lips tightly and stared at him, her breath coming out in a soft hiss. Even though the air conditioning was blowing cold, each breath she took felt like swallowing a flame.

Junghoon muttered in frustration.

“I want to deny it, but… I can’t lie to you, Yeonhee. I’m scared that if I lie, you’ll be disappointed in me.”

“….”

“I’m afraid if I disappoint you, I won’t even be able to approach you like this anymore…”

He trailed off, bitterly smiling. Yeonhee relaxed her clenched lips, then turned her back to him, speaking her last words.

“I don’t even want to ask how you paid it off. I’ll repay it when I have the money. Don’t ever interfere with my life like this again.”

Not even bothering to grab the book on the table, Junghoon immediately started chasing after her.

“Yeonhee, listen to me.”

“I know it’s nothing important to you. I know it won’t affect you in the slightest. But it still bothers me. I can’t stand how unpleasant it makes me feel.”

Since coming to Hong Kong, these were the longest words she had spoken to him. Junghoon couldn’t bring himself to stop her, and he continued to follow her steps.

“I’m sorry. When you were struggling in the goshiwon, I only hurt you. I’ve always regretted that day, but I couldn’t do anything for you—”

“You don’t need to explain to me.”

“I know it sounds ridiculous, but this is all I have. It’s the only thing I can give you, Yeonhee.”

Why did I find his words about only having money so laughable? Without slowing her pace, Yeonhee walked toward the riverbank.

“Yeonhee, I’m sorry. I really am. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Junghoon hurriedly tried to explain as if he would kneel before her if she said something.

At that point, Yeonhee felt even more suffocated. You really are pathetic. Spending money and getting scolded, what am I doing?

This was the problem from the start. There was nothing between him and me that ever aligned. Whether it was money or our upbringing and way of thinking, we were different. We were never meant to be together.

Yeonhee reached the shade of a tree and leaned against the trunk. Her body relaxed. Junghoon stood a few steps away, waiting like a student waiting for punishment. His handsome face was creased with anxiety.

Without turning to look at him, Yeonhee spoke.

“Team Leader.”

“Well, Yeonhee, how long are you going to call me ‘Team Leader’? I’m unemployed now.”

He tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but Yeonhee didn’t even react.

“Why are you doing this for me?”

He didn’t answer, only gazing at her.

Yeonhee stared at the flowing river before turning to him. The bright sunlight hit her face. She wasn’t sure if it was the sunlight or the way he shone, but her eyes narrowed against the glare.

Squinting from the brightness, Yeonhee continued.

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this for me. Why me? Someone like you, why are you doing this?”

“You are my everything, Yeonhee.”

His response came without hesitation.

“You’ve been the only one to support me, to love me with all your heart. I didn’t realize my feelings. I was foolish, and I missed my chance.”

“...”

“So don’t say things like, ‘Why me?’ You shine so brightly that I can’t even compare.”

Yeonhee let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd to hear someone so radiant being told, “You’re a shining person.”

The wind gently swayed Junghoon’s hair, which then fell in disarray. Without the chance to fix his messy hair, he murmured softly.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for getting involved with someone like me. But I can’t give up on you, Yeonhee. I won’t let go of this desire.”

What right do I have? The words almost slipped out of her mouth again, but Yeonhee swallowed them down. His expression was so desperate that it almost made her feel sorry for him.

“If I still hate you until the end?”

Junghoon’s face twisted as if he were about to cry, his eyes welling up.

“Don’t say that. Don’t say that, Yeonhee.”

“...”

“Please, look back at me just once, because you pity me.”

Yeonhee couldn’t bring herself to respond, and she turned her gaze away from him. She pulled her back off the tree trunk and quietly started walking away. He stood in the same spot, muttering in a wavering voice.

“Love me again. Please…”

His voice, fading like a lost child searching for its mother, trembled in the air.

He boldly asked her to love him again, and yet, his voice was filled with so much pity that it made her want to turn around and embrace him. Yeonhee couldn’t bring herself to look back and instead tightly gripped her bag strap.

Junghoon, standing still, was staring at her retreating figure, unaware that the corners of his eyes were wet with tears.

Suddenly, rain began to fall. It was a downpour. The skies in Hong Kong could be unpredictable like this, and today was one of those days.

Yeonhee had forgotten to bring the umbrella she usually carried, and now she found herself unlucky. Shaking off the wetness from her shoulders, she was about to enter the café, but then paused. Sitting on the café’s fabric sofa in her soaked clothes would be a nuisance.

She wondered if she should just continue walking while drenched. After brushing her wet hair out of her face, she took a step back into the rain.

How many steps had she taken? The rain suddenly stopped. What? Looking up, she saw the sky had turned completely dark. A black umbrella appeared above her head, and then she felt the handle of the umbrella being placed in her hand.

Junghoon had handed her the umbrella and then took a few steps back.

Yeonhee turned to look at him standing in the rain with his clothes soaked. He didn’t have the courage to come under the umbrella with her.

“The umbrella was the last one left, so I only have this one. Yeonhee, you take it.”

“But what about you? You’re soaking wet.”

Without realizing, Yeonhee spoke with concern. He smiled brightly, as if he were pleased with her attention, amid the falling rain.

“It’s fine. I was already wet when I bought the umbrella.”

“Such a clever way to make me feel guilty.”

“Did it make you feel guilty? Did it work? If it did, will you hold my hand, just for a moment?”

He stood there, still, with his hand outstretched. He didn’t truly expect her to hold it; it was more like a playful suggestion. Raindrops fell onto his pale, outstretched hand.

When Yeonhee stared at his hand, he pulled it back and gave a soft smile.

“If you don’t want to see me, just ignore me. Take the umbrella and go.”

“...”

“Actually, I wanted to walk with you under the same umbrella, but I know you don’t like me getting close. I won’t do anything you hate.”

“What if you don’t like seeing me like this?”

“…I’m sorry, but I can’t promise that. If you don’t like it, I’ll walk a little farther behind. …Sorry.”

His quiet voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of the rain.

Yeonhee tightly gripped the umbrella handle and started walking away from him. He walked a few steps behind her, more distant than usual.

Yeonhee tried to block out the sound of his footsteps, focusing instead on the sound of the rain. The rain, blocked by the umbrella, still felt as if the droplets were painfully striking her skin, and she bit her lips. Her body trembled.

She didn’t know anymore. The sound of the rain hitting the umbrella made her head throb, and the image of his sad smile lingered in her mind, clouding her thoughts.

Was this it? He had always walked a few steps behind her because he thought she hated him. He couldn’t get closer to her. Today, too, he was unable to approach, so he stood alone, getting drenched in the rain.

It was truly frustrating how people could make others feel so burdened.

But she couldn’t return the umbrella to him. She couldn’t refuse his kindness. If she did, it would seem like it would make him truly sad. Even though his sadness no longer had anything to do with her, she couldn’t bring herself to do that.

As she walked absentmindedly, she wasn’t even sure if she was walking in the right direction or if she was heading toward her home.

She only moved her feet unconsciously, listening to the sound of the pouring rain, when suddenly, cold water splashed on her cheek. Startled, she looked up, and there was Junghoon, drenched from head to toe.

No, it wasn’t rainwater that soaked him.

He had shielded her from the truck’s splash of water by stepping in front of her.

Soaked to the bone, he tilted his head and cautiously asked,

“Yeonhee, are you okay?”

It was ironic. He was the one who had been drenched, yet he was the one concerned about her, gazing at her with worry.

“......”

Yeonhee silently stared at Junghoon without saying a word. His gentle gaze appeared, hidden in the pouring rain, only to reappear again.

Yeonhee parted her lips, but no words came out. The rising emotions in her throat made it hard to even breathe.

What did he think of her silence?

“I’m sorry for getting too close. I thought you hadn’t seen the truck approaching...”

Junghoon whispered his apology pitifully and took a step back. Rain began to pour again over his head, beyond the umbrella. The downpour was so heavy that it was hard to even open his eyes, and the raindrops painfully hit his body.

The muddy water he had been drenched in to protect Yeonhee began to wash away, leaving only clear rainwater.

Yeonhee gripped the umbrella handle so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Neon signs flickered faintly behind him.

Her vision blurred. Her face felt wet, so she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. It’s just rain, she muttered bitterly to herself. It’s definitely rain, and walked past him without a word, desperately moving forward.

Before long, she arrived at the lobby of her building.

For some reason, she turned around that day. She had always walked ahead, ignoring him whether he was behind her or not, but this time, she looked back.

Junghoon, surprised, widened his eyes slightly and then gave a faint smile. His pale face, drenched like a white flower, looked pitiful.

“Good night.”

“......”

Raindrops fell from his cheek, one by one.

“I love you, Yeonhee.”

Yeonhee couldn’t bring herself to answer. She ran inside, unable to show him the distorted expression on her face.

That night, Yeonhee couldn’t sleep.

His pale face, which had stuck to her retina, his wet voice that echoed in her ears, and the expression of him struggling to smile while looking at her, all circled in her mind, clutching her heart painfully.

The pain was so sharp that she couldn’t bear it. As the rain fell through the night, she buried her face in her pillow. She pressed her chest tightly, trying to silence her thundering heart. She held her breath, gasping for air.

It was a long and painful night.

These days, he hadn’t appeared.

On the first day, she thought something might have happened. On the second day, she wondered if he had given up. By the third day, she began to feel worried. The last image she had of him was so fragile. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, and it was hard to focus on her work.

She sat, fidgeting for hours. Then, as work time was ending, she began rummaging through the bottom drawer, searching through the clutter. She was looking for the contact information he had casually given her, the piece of paper she had almost thrown away but couldn’t bring herself to discard.

A moment later, Yeonhee held a sturdy piece of memo paper in her hand. She stared blankly at the numbers he had written neatly. With just a few presses of the numbers, she could hear his voice on the other side of the phone, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Why was she hesitating?

Was this feeling for him sympathy? Pity? Or was it something else...?

She didn’t even know her own heart.

The reason she couldn’t move her finger easily was because she understood the weight this phone call would have on him. She knew that what she saw as a simple phone call could hold far more meaning for him.

She didn’t want to give him false hopes or empty expectations. If she were to offer her heart completely, it might be different, but she could never play with someone’s emotions like that. Even though he had played with her heart, she could never bring herself to do that.

That was the difference between Junghoon and herself.

If she were to make this call... then everything would change.

So much would change.

After work, Yeonhee sat quietly at the lobby table for a long time, debating, and finally, she picked up her phone.

The truth was, her heart had been wavering for a long time. Since the moment she first met him. Since the time he started following her. Since he had circled around her, pouring all of his pitiful emotions onto her.

She had been denying and avoiding her shaking heart, always confused. She deliberately acted cold, trying to condemn her feelings for him.

But...

How many seconds had she listened to the ringing tone with a restless face? It wasn’t long before Junghoon’s urgent voice came through.

• Yeonhee? Is this Yeonhee? It’s really you, right?

Having already known her number, his voice was filled with confusion, as if wondering if the number on his phone was a hallucination. Even though he tried to hide it, there was a tone of pain that seemed trapped behind the words, and Yeonhee was sure her assumption was right.

After a brief silence, Yeonhee spoke quietly.

“… Are you hurt?”

• No, I’m fine.

He answered sharply. She could almost see him shaking his head through the phone. Yeonhee remained silent again. When she didn’t speak, Junghoon opened his mouth once more.

• Did you call because you’re worried about me? Is that really it? Really?

Even though he asked the same thing twice, his voice lacked certainty.

“Did you get hurt because of me? From being caught in the rain that day?”

• No, it’s really not because of you! It’s not...

He hastily denied it, but then his words trailed off. It seemed like he had ended up admitting to something by mistake, as if he had been led into a cross-examination.

Junghoon chuckled at himself and spoke.

• Actually, I was feeling sick, but it definitely wasn’t because of you, Yeonhee. The indoor air conditioning was too low. The rain outside wasn’t a problem, but that caused me to...

“......”

• Did you really call because you’re worried about me? Hmm?

“......”

• Thank you, Yeonhee. Thank you so much.

Without any response from her, Junghoon muttered to himself, thanking her, saying he was grateful for her concern, and then, at last, his feelings slipped out.

• I love you, Yeonhee. I love you so much.

It was a heartfelt confession that couldn’t be hidden. Yeonhee, overwhelmed by the weight of his words, ended the call silently. His confession felt heavy, burdensome, and overwhelming. It felt as though she was being consumed by it, her whole body tightening as if trapped.

She huddled in her chair, burying her face in her palms, and sobbed uncontrollably.

When had she pushed him away when he tried to approach? When had she mocked his confession of love? And yet now, why was he making her feel like this?

If he was going to be a bad guy, he should stay bad until the end. Why was he now so pitifully sincere, shaking her to the core like this?

The tangled pain and her feelings for him mixed together and flowed. Tears dropped steadily from her fingers, soaking the floor beneath her. She cried like this for a long time.

She didn’t care about the shame anymore, weeping alone, until, eventually, her tears stopped.

Her mind was made up. She knew the path she had to take.

Maybe she would regret it someday, but that would also be her choice. She was prepared to take responsibility for that choice.

Yeonhee took out a handkerchief, wiped her face, grabbed her bag, and stood up. Then, she walked confidently toward the door.

It was her turn to walk now.

She hoped he would look back just once, that he would reach out, even if it was out of sympathy, and tell her he loved her again.

“Yeonhee.”

She was about to approach him, but before she could even move, Junghoon had come to her.

Standing in front of her building, Junghoon hurried toward her as soon as he saw her, like a dog running to its owner. He must have rushed over, worried about the sudden call from Yeonhee.

“Is something wrong?”

Even though he approached her, he couldn’t bring himself to get too close. He stood at a distance, asking how she was.

His skin had a slight flush. Could he still have a mild fever? He didn’t seem to be in a normal condition. Still, he had come all the way here, which was really remarkable.

Although he had told her not to, Yeonhee thought again.

What am I even doing?

She gazed at him silently for a moment, then gestured upwards.

“Want to come with me?”

“What?”

“To my place.”

For a moment, Junghoon’s eyes filled with confusion. His feelings were not due to displeasure or rejection, but because he couldn’t understand her intentions, unable to read her inner thoughts.

It was always Yeonhee who shook him and made him feel uncertain.

Junghoon, unable to answer, just parted his lips.

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

However, Yeonhee said this casually and turned around, walking away with determined steps. Junghoon quickly followed behind her.

A nervous voice came from behind Yeonhee.

“There’s no way I wouldn’t want to. But... is that really what you meant, Yeonhee?”

Without answering, Yeonhee pressed the elevator button. When the door opened, she entered and pressed the button again before speaking.

“Get in if you’re coming.”

Junghoon followed her words as if he were a devoted servant. He didn’t ask why she had invited him, nor did he question her intentions. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, this magical moment might shatter.

Yeonhee entered the elevator first. She then extended her hand toward him, standing in front of the door. With a somewhat stiff expression, Junghoon took her hand and stepped inside.

Even though his face showed confusion, his steps remained steady. Once he held her hand, it was as if he couldn’t let go—he gripped it tightly, as if it hurt, and pushed himself into her space.

Yeonhee threw her bag onto the floor and asked nonchalantly.

“Shall we at least kiss first?”

He responded with a hesitant “Hmm,” his throat rumbling.

With a flustered expression, he observed Yeonhee’s face, unsure whether she was testing him or what the intent behind her words was.

His inner thoughts had rushed in hundreds of times, but he couldn’t act on them, because every move he made was directed at winning Yeonhee’s heart.

Yeonhee silently laughed to herself. It was a rare sight. His face, showing such a clueless expression as he looked down at her, was quite something.

When he had casually offered a hotel key to become sex partners, that was one thing. But now, with just a request for a kiss, he was blushing like an eighteen-year-old boy.

Seeing him hesitate alone, Yeonhee continued speaking.

“I’m wondering if I still get excited by you, Junghoon. To start again, I think we need to try something…”

But before she could finish her sentence, their lips met.

Without a moment of hesitation, Junghoon stepped forward, gently lowering his upper body to press his lips to hers. Then he tilted his head and softly traced her lips with his own.

“Ah…”

Yeonhee gripped his clothes.

The sensation was surprisingly familiar. She thought she had forgotten, but as their lips met, the past flooded back sharply, too vivid and resentful to ignore. How warm his lips had been, how soft.

Every time their body temperatures had overlapped, how thrilling it had felt.

It was a very polite kiss, just their lips touching. The warmth that gently met was sweet enough to make her tongue tingle.

When their noses brushed, Junghoon gently slipped his tongue between her lips. But just before their bodies could fully intertwine, Yeonhee pushed against his chest.

Junghoon immediately pulled his lips away and straightened his upper body, creating distance between them. His face had no trace of a smile. His eyes, filled with heat, were easily ignited by even a light kiss, but they remained serious and steady.

“How was it? Did it make your heart race?”

His low voice whispered in her ear.

“If it didn’t, I’ll make sure to make your heart race.”

Yeonhee swallowed hard. It had been her who had initiated the kiss, but now that it had actually happened, her body had stiffened. Even though she had suggested it, she hadn’t expected it to be so sudden.

Junghoon carefully took her hand and placed it near his chest.

“I don’t quite understand why you’re doing this to me… but my heart is racing so much, I feel like it might burst.”

The pounding of his heart was clearly felt under Yeonhee’s palm.

Yeonhee tried to remain calm as she replied.

“What should we do? My heart should be racing for someone else, not you.”

In truth, her heart had been pounding ever since earlier. She was afraid her emotions would be exposed, and even swallowing felt like a careful decision. But she didn’t want to reveal that inner turmoil so easily.

Junghoon spoke with a neutral expression, his tone steady and even.

“Right now, if Yeonhee asked me to kiss her, I would kiss her. If she asked to have sex, I would have sex. If she wanted to hit me, I’d take it. If she told me to apologize, I’d get on my knees right away. I’d do anything Yeonhee tells me to do.”

He grimaced and struggled to continue his sentence.

“But if Yeonhee asks to be sex partners again, I can’t do that.”

“…….”

“Does this... mean what I think it means?”

He asked sadly. Yeonhee shook her head firmly.

“How could that be? I’m sick of that kind of relationship.”

Her answer was cold and blunt. But at her words, Junghoon’s expression changed instantly. He stared at her blankly for a moment, then lowered his gaze and slowly rubbed his forehead.

It was a habit of his whenever he felt confused or flustered.

Junghoon raised his head, his face looking as if he might cry, and spoke.

“Yeonhee. Just tell me one thing. Are you giving me hope right now? Am I misunderstanding your attitude toward me?”

His voice was filled with emotion, laced with anxiety. As if he couldn’t believe this was real. For some reason, Yeonhee found it awkward to answer and avoided his gaze.

He cupped her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his persistent gaze.

“Tell me, okay? Otherwise, I’ll make my own assumptions. You’re the one who called me. You let me in here. You’re the one who kissed me. You’re saying it’s not about being sex partners. I’ll take it all as I want to.”

As he spoke, Junghoon, seemingly overwhelmed by his emotions, turned his head away and let out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry for being harsh. I can’t control my emotions right now. You know I’m a messed-up bastard by nature. I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But right now… ugh…….”

Junghoon, muttering to himself—or perhaps to no one in particular—ran his hand through his hair and then messed it up completely.

Yeonhee, who had been watching him struggle to regain his composure, gently tapped his shoulder. It was time to pull the wandering man back to reality.

With a slightly mocking tone, Yeonhee provocatively threw out a challenge.

“You said you could make my heart flutter. Then show me, just once.”

Junghoon’s barely held-back self-control finally snapped.

He lunged forward and kissed her again. Unlike the cautious kiss from before, this one was filled with impatience and impulsive heat.

There was no foreplay—their tongues tangled immediately. Hot breaths mingled, and their body heat pressed together. Through the gap of their overlapping lips, their tongues slid wetly against each other. Junghoon wrapped his arms around her, sucking on her lips and pushing his tongue in recklessly.

The weight of his solid body pressing against hers was familiar, so much so that it sent shivers down her spine, and a heavy sigh escaped her.

Yeonhee lost her balance and tilted backward, but his strong arms pulled her back with a sense of stability.

His tongue, filling her mouth, eagerly caught hers and sucked on it lewdly. The wet sounds echoed in the hallway.

“Mmm…….”

Yeonhee let out a shaky moan and tried to pull back, but she couldn’t escape the tight grip of his embrace. In an instant, excitement overwhelmed her, making her head spin.

Yes, that’s right. It was always like this with Junghoon. His kisses came like a sudden storm, dizzying and overwhelming.

His chest felt hard against hers. Her legs weakened, but Junghoon grabbed her hips and pulled her tightly against him, forcing her to press against him.

Something pressing against her lower body was even harder than his chest. His fully erect cock poked at her obscenely.

Every time he consciously pressed his hips against hers. Every time he pulled her body tightly against his, Yeonhee shuddered. It was hard to endure the excitement. A faint heat gathered in her lower abdomen, making it itch.

“Ah, hng…….”

Yeonhee clung to him, moaning softly. Her body, already accustomed to Junghoon, easily crumbled under the long-awaited stimulation.

With trembling hands, she weakly tapped his shoulders. It was a signal to stop.

Junghoon, who had been kissing her as if trying to devour her breath, saliva, and everything else, finally stopped. With a wet, sticky sound, their tongues separated.

Reluctantly, Junghoon licked her lips one last time before slowly pulling away.

Yeonhee looked up at him with a flushed face. He slowly pulled her waist closer, pressing his hardened erection against her lower body, which was now exposed as he pushed her pants down. His face was filled with raw desire as he muttered.

“What should I do? I wanted to make your heart flutter, but now it’s just my dick that’s standing at attention. I’m so happy right now, I feel like I’m going crazy. But damn, am I even speaking Korean right now?”

Yeonhee silently wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. His body, pressed against her, felt like it was on fire.

Junghoon, who had been silently holding her tightly, suddenly lifted her and carried her to the living room sofa. He laid her down and then spent a long time peppering her face with feather-light kisses.

When she giggled from the ticklish sensation, he quickly pulled her back into a tight embrace, as if she were a fragile little bird rather than Jung Yeonhee.

Sitting on the sofa with the window in full view, Junghoon pulled her even closer, settling her between his legs.

Yeonhee leaned against his firm chest and stared out the window.

His chest was broad and warm. It all felt surreal. It had only been a short while since she decided to accept him again. It still felt like she was walking through a dream.

Was this the right choice? Would she regret it? Was she setting herself up to get hurt again?

Beneath her, his swollen member pressed heavily against her. Feeling embarrassed, she shifted her hips, and Junghoon pressed his lips to the nape of her neck, whispering softly.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything. I won’t… so don’t pull away from me.”

It’s not that I’m pulling away, it’s just that you’re so intense that I’m retreating. Yeonhee swallowed the words she couldn’t say. He gently nibbled on her earlobe.

“If I push you down now, I’ll definitely lose control and go all the way. So I won’t do anything. Today, I want to remember everything from start to finish. The day you came back to me.”

His voice was thick with emotion. Junghoon wrapped his trembling arms tightly around her waist and buried his face in the nape of her neck. His hot breath scattered sensually across her skin.

But true to his word, he didn’t push her down. Instead, he slowly rubbed her lower abdomen with his firm hand, as if restraining himself, and then pulled her tightly into his arms again.

Yeonhee smiled faintly.

Could she really feel that flutter for him again? Could they really start over? She had thought it was all just foolish worry, but that brief kiss earlier had made her realize something. Her body still wanted him.

But more importantly, her heart had raced even more than her body.

She felt that flutter. Her heart was overwhelmed. When she had pushed him away before, it had been one thing, but now, being back in his arms, her chest itched with satisfaction.

Of course, even if broken pieces were glued back together, the cracks would remain. The slightest shock could easily shatter it again.

But even knowing that, Yeonhee reached out her hand again. She took his hand.

“Yeonhee. Thank you. I’m sorry. I love you.”

“…….”

“I love you. I love you… I love you so much, Yeonhee.”

His earnest confession poured out with raw emotion.

The confessions continued. Junghoon would speak of love, then apologize again. While apologizing, he would whisper that he loved her again. He poured out every ounce of sincerity from his heart, confessing endlessly.

“Thank you. I really love you…….”

Min Junghoon. He was a man as fatal as sweet poison. A man who melted her body and drowned her in pleasure. A cruel man with an endlessly twisted personality. But despite all that, she had ended up back in his arms.

The beginning of their relationship was as sex partners. The end was as lovers.

He had started it, but the hand she reached out this time was her own choice. And because of that, even if their joined hands were to part again, she knew she wouldn’t regret it.

Because this time, it was entirely her choice.

“I love you, Yeonhee.”

Yeonhee closed her eyes and savored the sweetness of his voice.

It was time to be happy again.

From this moment on, their hearts, which had been misaligned and distant, were now touching once more.