PTT - 25

Though he had mentioned not eating much at home, Baek Siheon’s cooking skills were impressive. Was it a natural talent? Reflecting on it, he excelled in every field—it was almost maddening how flawless he seemed.

After finishing the kimchi stew he had prepared and enjoying dessert, the two continued their conversation. As they revisited the past that had been tucked away in the corners of their memories for the last five years, the clock hands crept toward eleven.

With only one day off, Raon couldn’t stay any longer. Despite his offer to drive her home, she declined, shaking her head. It wasn’t because spending time with Baek Siheon made her uncomfortable—quite the opposite. She wanted him to rest comfortably without worrying about her.

The bus stop was about a ten-minute walk away. Though reluctant to let her go, Siheon knew it would be difficult to refuse accompanying her at least partway. So, they walked together in step.

Seven minutes into their journey, raindrops began to patter heavily from the overcast sky.

“Ah, it’s raining. I should have brought an umbrella.”

Raon tilted her head back, holding out her palm to catch the drizzle. Perhaps it was just a light sprinkle—so she thought, brushing rainwater from her cheeks. But suddenly, the downpour intensified, drenching them both. An unexpected shower, absent from the forecast.

“Uh...?”

The heavy rain soaked through Raon’s hair and coat. The sudden change in weather forced them to halt. Siheon furrowed his brow as he cupped her face with his hand, his voice half-drowned by the pounding rain.

“The rain is coming down too hard. Are you sure you can take the bus? Who knows when it’ll arrive?”

“The bus will come soon… but I don’t know when this rain will stop.”

Raon trailed off, staring at the nearby bus stop. Cold rain seeped through her clothes. Even after getting off the bus, she’d still have a long walk home. Unable to hide her discomfort, she rubbed her temples with her fingertips.

Watching her, Siheon took her hand and turned her around.

“Let’s go back to my place for now. I’ll grab an umbrella or drive you. It’s impossible for you to leave like this.”

His kind tone contrasted sharply with the chilling rain. After a brief moment of hesitation, Raon blinked and intertwined her fingers with his.

The moment of indecision didn’t last long. The sound of their wet soles slapping against the pavement echoed as they retraced their steps.

---

“Give me your bag and coat. I’ll dry them for you.”

“Ah, okay.”

“If you stay in those wet clothes, you’ll catch a cold. If you’re fine with it, take a shower and change. I’ll prepare something for you to wear.”

Fifteen minutes later, they returned to the warmth of his apartment, starkly different from the cold outside. Though she had agreed to come back, standing in his living room while soaked felt awkward.

Her damp shirt clung uncomfortably to her skin, sending chills up her spine. Unable to hide her unease, Raon lightly scratched her cheek with the tip of her index finger.

“...Here?”

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can just dry your clothes. But heading out like this will make you cold.”

Siheon gestured toward the bedroom. Given the size of his officetel, there had to be more than one bathroom.

After a short deliberation, Raon lowered her gaze to assess her state. Truthfully, she wanted nothing more than to wash away the sticky discomfort with a hot shower.

“...Since I’m already here...”

There were other options, of course. She could’ve hailed a taxi to rush home or waited out the rain in a nearby café. Yet, instinctively, Raon found herself drawn to Baek Siheon’s place. Gently rubbing her eyes with her fingertips, she gave a small nod.

“Then... I’ll trouble you for a moment.”

“What are you saying? Between us, there’s no need for formalities. Come this way.”

At her response, Siheon chuckled softly. He turned on the light to the bathroom connected to the dressing room and tilted his head toward it.

“Take your time. I’ll leave some clothes here for you to change into afterward.”

“...Okay.”

After unbuttoning the first button of her rain-soaked shirt, Raon stepped into the bathroom. Once the pristine white door closed firmly behind her, Siheon glanced around the dressing room.

It was a space he rarely shared with anyone besides his mother. He wasn’t entirely sure if he had anything in her size.

“I’ll look around.”

Exhaling softly, he opened a matte black drawer. Behind him, the faint sound of running water filled the air as he sifted through neatly folded clothes.

---

“Haa...”

The thin stream of water from the showerhead cascaded over Raon’s face. With her eyes closed, she stood under the warm spray for nearly ten seconds, feeling her body gradually loosen. After enduring the harsh downpour, the soothing sensation of the shower made her feel alive again.

Tiny droplets clung to the tips of her long, delicate eyelashes. Steam rose thickly, clouding the bathroom mirror until it was completely fogged up.

Though she intended to wash quickly since it wasn’t her home, the humid yet cozy atmosphere seemed to hold her in place.

After standing under the water for a while, Raon picked up the body wash from the rack and pumped it a couple of times. A subtle yet rich bergamot scent tickled her nose.

“Sunbae’s scent…”

As she spread the liquid along her arms, white foam bubbled up, releasing a pleasant herbal aroma into the air. It was the same fragrance she occasionally caught whiffs of when near Siheon.

“…Crazy.”

Raon, who had been standing there in a daze, shook her head slightly. She didn’t have time to linger like this. He was probably waiting outside for her to finish.

Turning the shower lever off, water stopped flowing from the showerhead, washing away the white foam that had clung to her body. Though the suds were rinsed clean, Baek Siheon’s scent still lingered faintly on her skin, refusing to fade completely.

After quickly finishing with shampoo and conditioner, Raon grabbed the towel hanging nearby. It was thick and luxurious, like something you’d find in a high-end hotel. As she dried her face and squeezed the water out of her hair, she suddenly realized the towel carried his scent as well.

Every corner of the bathroom seemed saturated with traces of Baek Siheon. Wrapping herself in the plush bathrobe, Raon felt its soft warmth envelop her like a gentle hug.

‘Come to think of it, even the clothes I’ll wear will be his…’

After tying the robe’s belt securely, Raon stood in front of the bathroom door. The thought of stepping out, wearing his clothes and facing him, made her feel oddly self-conscious.

Turning the doorknob, the hinges let out a faint creak as the door opened. The relatively cooler air from outside rushed into the steamy bathroom, causing Raon to shiver involuntarily. Her instincts screamed at her to get dressed quickly.

But instead of finding clothes laid out for her, she found their owner standing there.

“Uh...”

“Ah... sorry. I couldn’t find anything in your size. I went out and bought something quick.”

In front of her stood an apologetic-looking Baek Siheon, holding a light purple short-sleeved shirt and knee-length shorts. After scouring every drawer and closet while she showered, he had come to the obvious conclusion: none of his clothes would fit her petite frame. Imagining her struggling with oversized pants, he decided to brave the rain and visit a nearby store.

He had intended to return quickly, but their timing hadn’t aligned. Seeing Raon emerge from the bathroom, wrapped only in a bathrobe, left him momentarily stunned. A mix of bewilderment and instinctive attraction washed over him.

And it wasn’t just him who was startled. Realizing she stood before him clad in nothing but a thin robe, Raon blinked rapidly, brushing damp strands of hair away from her forehead and cheeks. She couldn’t figure out where to direct her gaze.

At that moment, the lingering scent she’d noticed in the bathroom grew stronger, enveloping her once again.

Placing the newly purchased clothes on top of the dresser, Siheon took a couple of steps closer to her. Gently, he tucked her wet hair behind her ear.

“You cut your hair nicely.”

Though his words and actions were perfectly ordinary, they sent a dizzying sensation coursing down Raon’s spine, raising goosebumps across her skin. In the charged atmosphere, she swore she could hear the sound of her own eyes shifting nervously.

Feeling a faint electric current trace along her skin, Raon lowered her gaze slightly. Her long, delicate eyelashes fluttered in and out of her field of vision.

Meeting his eyes now felt dangerous—as if doing so would expose the mysterious emotions swirling inside her. She couldn’t bring herself to look up.

Watching her silently, Siheon gently moved his hand to cup her cheek. Despite having dried it thoroughly, her skin still felt soft and dewy, as though it retained a hint of moisture.

With the calloused pad of his thumb, he slowly traced the curve of her lips, his voice low and husky as he murmured:

“Do you dislike it?”