WWBU - 45

At Guk’s words, Hyun-soo trembled, her lips quivering as she clenched her mouth shut. It was clear she was on the verge of tears. She had always thought crying while drunk was unbecoming, yet here she was, about to expose that very side of herself to Guk and Han. Though blaming herself inwardly, she couldn’t suppress the emotions welling up inside her, and her voice wavered.

“I won’t cry. I’m not going to cry.”

“Alright, then. Don’t cry.”

“I’m really fine. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

“I know. I said it’s good that you’re different from me, didn’t I?”

“…”

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Hold me.”

Both Guk and Han froze at Hyun-soo’s request. Trembling, she continued in a shaky voice.

“Remember during gym class? When you carried me to the nurse’s office? Hold me again and take me to my room. I’ll go to sleep quietly.”

Guk stared at Hyun-soo with an unreadable expression. Despite her trembling, she waited anxiously for his response.

Behind her, Han, who had been listening silently while staring at the back of her head, felt something rising within him.

“Hyung. Let me do it.”

“What?”

“I’ll take unni to her room.”

Han’s words caused Guk to narrow his eyes sharply.

“Why should you?”

“You seem like you don’t want to.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Yoon Han.”

“…”

“Don’t get cocky.”

Han was inwardly surprised. Had Guk ever openly shown even a hint of hostility toward him before?

“I promise I’ll go to sleep quietly if you take me there.”

“Okay. I promise.”

“Fine.”

In an instant, Guk slid his hands beneath Hyun-soo’s thighs and supported her back, lifting her into his arms. As her body wobbled, Hyun-soo instinctively clung to Guk’s neck.

“You go rest too.”

“…”

“See you tomorrow.”

Without waiting for Han’s reply, Guk strode confidently toward the stairs, cradling Hyun-soo’s thin frame against his chest. She swayed gently in his embrace, feeling strangely at ease.

Her mind was spinning. Was this real or a dream? If it was reality, why had she acted this way? Everything was such a mess.

But one thing was certain: his embrace was still warm. Moreover, the faint trace of his scent lingered—a deep, intoxicating fragrance reminiscent of mythological gods, unlike the fresh soap smell from their younger days that reminded her of crisp towels.

Creeeak.

The sound of the door opening broke the moment. Hyun-soo, her head buried against his chest and nape, already felt reluctant to let go. If only she could stay like this forever, or until her body completely wore away.

“…”

“…”

After pausing briefly, Guk gently laid Hyun-soo down on the bed. Reluctantly releasing herself from his warmth, she slowly opened her eyes.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans, he resembled the Yoon Guk she once knew but was undeniably different now—more raw, masculine, and intense.

In that moment, Hyun-soo realized anew how much time had passed and how everything had changed.

“Yoon Guk.”

“…”

“There’s something I want to say…”

“Just go to sleep.”

“Thank you.”

Perhaps it was a habit. Without realizing it, she reached out her hand. Guk hesitated, brushing her bangs lightly before pulling his hand back. His gaze was a complex mixture of emotions as he looked down at her, then turned away, leaving behind only the lingering scent of his presence.

Click. The door closed, and Hyun-soo exhaled deeply, unaware she had been holding her breath.

Wrapping her dry hands around her face, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. What had she intended to say to Guk earlier? She couldn’t even understand her own thoughts. Why did she keep provoking him when she knew she couldn’t handle anything, when she had no confidence in doing so?

Rolling onto her side, Hyun-soo couldn’t help but gasp at what caught her eye. Hanging conspicuously where she couldn’t ignore them were her damp undergarments—the bra and camisole she had left to dry. He must have seen them too.

“Ugh…”

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Hyun-soo tugged at her hair in frustration. Then, pulling the folded blanket over her head, she covered herself completely. As if hiding like an ostrich would somehow ease her mortification.

BOOM, FLASH. Thunder and lightning seemed to echo her inner turmoil. The earth-shaking storm quickly faded, leaving only the gentle patter of rain.

Lost in tangled thoughts beneath the blanket, the alcohol began coursing through her veins more intensely. Blinking drowsily, Hyun-soo eventually drifted off into a restless sleep.

BOOM, CRASH. Thunder shook the heavily clouded sky once more, rousing Hyun-soo from her light slumber. During her nap, the blanket had slipped down to her chest, leaving her feeling stifled.

She rubbed her eyes gently, her blurry vision gradually clearing. The chandelier shaped like lily of the valley revealed its outline faintly in the dim evening light.

“What time is it…?”

Her hoarse voice suggested she’d been asleep for a while.

Patting her pockets in search of her phone, Hyun-soo suddenly remembered she had left it downstairs in the living room, powered off.

Sighing, she rubbed her forehead absentmindedly. The lingering effects of alcohol after such a short nap had left her with a mild headache. Sitting up slowly, she felt the world spin momentarily, though her body wasn’t as heavy as expected.

“I’m thirsty.”

Her throat burned with thirst. Hoping to find something to drink nearby, Hyun-soo scanned the room but found nothing. Resigned, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, realizing she’d have to make a trip to the kitchen downstairs.

Pushing herself up, Hyun-soo opened the door. The hallway outside was dimly lit, almost dark. Without much thought, she stepped out, only to pause abruptly when her gaze fell upon a faint crack of light slicing across the floor.

Where was that light coming from?

Following the crack, she quickly identified its source—it was seeping through the barely open gap of the study door next to her room.

Drawn inexplicably, Hyun-soo approached and gently pushed the door open with her fingertips. Inside, she saw someone sitting at the spacious desk, drinking alone—it was Guk.

“…”

For some reason, Hyun-soo instinctively held her breath, feeling compelled to respect his solitude.

Carefully retreating from the doorway, she took a few steps backward. Just as she was about to turn away, creak. The old wooden floor groaned beneath her feet. Hyun-soo squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lip.

“Come in.”

Guk’s voice called out from inside. With no other choice, Hyun-soo pushed the door open wider. Unlike moments ago when he had been gazing off into the distance, Guk’s sharp eyes were now fixed directly on her.

“Oh, hi.”

Awkwardly smiling, Hyun-soo waved, feeling self-conscious. It felt as though she’d been caught sneaking around.

“What are you doing here?”

If only she had boldly greeted him earlier instead of trying to sneak away—it now felt like she’d been caught spying.

“There are quite a few books here. Haha…”

Of course there were books; it was a study, after all. Mentally scolding herself for her foolish comment, Hyun-soo rolled her eyes at her own awkwardness.

“Come closer.”

Amused by something, Guk beckoned her with a smirk. Even as he tilted his glass, his gaze never left her.

Hesitating briefly, Hyun-soo closed the door behind her and stepped further into the room. As she approached, the bittersweet aroma of alcohol brushed against her nose.

True to her suspicions, the bottle on the desk was nearly empty. What had been full when Han brought it upstairs was now almost entirely consumed by Guk.

“Did you drink more by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

How much had he drunk? Even the glass he set down was completely empty. Meanwhile, his lips—moderately thick and reddened—glistened with the remnants of alcohol. Licking them sensually, he slowly blinked, meeting her gaze.

His smoldering eyes were deep and intense. His disheveled hair, falling haphazardly over his forehead, stirred something within her—a desire to reach out and touch, to run her fingers through it.

Caught in his gaze for a moment, Hyun-soo snapped herself out of it, clearing her throat awkwardly. She didn’t want to get lost in such thoughts. She shouldn’t.

“You seem more drunk than before.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm. I’m not so sure.”

“…”

“The more I drink, the clearer my mind feels.”

Exhaling deeply, Guk leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. Hyun-soo stole glances at his exquisite features—the tousled hair, the forehead, the brow bones, the bridge of his nose, his lips, jawline, Adam’s apple, chest, abdomen, and finally, the large hands at the ends of his long arms. Her gaze roamed freely, taking in every detail. These were looks she wouldn’t dare give if his eyes had been open.

“…”

“Uh…”

Suddenly, Guk opened his eyes. Beneath those long lashes, his piercing gaze locked onto hers. Startled, Hyun-soo let out an embarrassed sound.

“If you’re sleepy, why don’t you go rest?”

“…”

“Your eyes are red. You look tired.”

“…”

“I’m serious. You look exhausted…”