TBE 31

chapter 31

Yoona’s face instantly burned as she spoke without thinking. Her words had come out of a simple wish: that someone would be there to support her when she was sick. But seeing Yeongwon’s shocked expression, it seemed her words had been interpreted in a completely different way. Panicking, Yoona quickly tried to explain.

“N-no, I was joking. I just meant that it’s reassuring and nice how well you take care of me when I’m sick…”

“……”

“Really, if I just lie down a bit, I’ll be fine, so don’t worry. Today, of course, you should go home and rest. You might get sick too, Yeongwon.”

Yoona lowered her gaze and mumbled, unable to make eye contact with him. Only then did Yeongwon glance at the items Yoona had handed him, then turned to put them back in their place.

Yet his mind was in turmoil. Doesn’t he look completely unmanly? What would a guy left alone with a woman in such a private space even try to do? Am I the only one thinking like a beast?

He had already spent a sleepless night just being at Yoona’s house. Worried about her condition, he had stayed by her bedside. Watching Yoona asleep with that innocent face had been torturous. A thirst that no mere sight could quench surged within him. He even found himself thinking about lyrics wishing he could become the bed in her room for just one day.

Despite having reminded himself thousands of times to resist, his hand seemed magnetically drawn to Yoona’s cheek. The self-loathing from feeling less patient than a kindergartener lasted only a moment. Her skin was soft and warm like silk.

Even the little dimple that always appeared when she smiled was cute. The breath escaping through her slightly parted lips sounded almost like a lullaby. And her sharp nose—how beautiful it was.

Then, startlement came when he unconsciously let out a laugh upon seeing Yoona frown slightly, perhaps feeling ticklish from his touch. Yeongwon bolted to the living room, already preparing an excuse in case Yoona had woken up—that he was checking her temperature.

From somewhere Yoona couldn’t see, she heard what seemed like Yeongwon’s sigh. Feeling guilty for saying something unnecessary, she pulled the blanket up to just below her eyes.

But Yeongwon, having finished his task, simply took a position at the foot of her bed. Hearing her words had made it even harder for him to leave her side.

“…I’ll leave once you fall asleep.”

Finally, Yoona slightly pulled back the blanket and lowered her gaze. Yeongwon was looking at his phone, expression neutral as always. Feeling guilty after her earlier remark, she cautiously asked,

“Yeongwon… are you mad?”

“…Why would I be mad?”

Yeongwon looked at her as if he genuinely didn’t know why. Given that she had already been naked on top of him once and now made a comment that sounded like she was trying to seduce him again, it was embarrassing to answer honestly.

Recalling the day’s events, being in the same house with Yeongwon suddenly felt incredibly awkward and shameful. Blushing, Yoona buried herself completely under the blanket.

“…No… it’s nothing…”

Standing under the shower, Yeongwon pressed his head down and ran a hand over his troubled face. Water ran down his features, but he barely noticed; his mind was far too unsettled.

But cold water didn’t make Yoona disappear from his thoughts. Despite the icy stream hitting his heated body, his core didn’t cool.

He clenched the hand Yoona had grasped in her sleep. He could still feel the softness of her skin. He had only tried to pull the blanket back up to her neck because it seemed she was hot. But when the edge of the blanket touched near her face, she reached out and grabbed his fingers along with it.

To have mistaken it for the blanket in her sleep was hardly a big deal—but Yeongwon froze, and heat began to rise within him. Yoona, softly breathing while holding him, was beautiful. Unlike the secret nights when he had watched her alone, a much darker desire stirred.

He suddenly imagined her body under the loose t-shirt beneath the blanket. The small curve of her hips that had rested on him came vividly to mind. The skin of her waist must be softer than a palm.

Thinking that, it was natural his blood would rush downward. Feeling the tightness in his pants, Yeongwon quickly left Yoona’s house. Upon reaching his own home, he rushed to the bathroom without even taking off his clothes to take a cold shower. He had thought bathing would calm him—but that was a huge miscalculation.

Yeongwon stared at the “tent” his body had made. Such a ferocious weapon would be far too much for a delicate girl…

Thunk.

He struck the wall with his fist and furrowed his brow in frustration. What was he even doing with innocent Yoona?

He knew logically that wanting more physical contact with someone you liked was natural, but the depth of his desire growing day by day was almost shameful.

Thinking of Yoona, so lovely even when asleep, he swallowed dryly. How nice it would be if he could touch her just one more time.

“Hah… damn…”

Eventually, Yeongwon grabbed his own member. He looked at Yoona through the shower’s stream and began moving his hand.

Seoyeon carefully watched Yoona eat and asked,

“Unnie, are you okay now? Was class tough?”

“Yeah. I’m not completely over the fatigue, but I’m not too sick to come to school. I’m just glad I was only sick over the weekend.”

Seoyeon finally looked a little relieved. Since the next lecture was a major subject, the two finished lunch and started walking toward the management building. Tiny buds were sprouting from the cherry blossom trees across campus.

Arriving at the classroom, the first-year class representative was talking with a group. It was noisy enough that they overheard they were discussing the school festival.

“Oh, the festival isn’t far off. Mid-May, right?”

“Should we do something too?”

“The committee will let us know if anything’s decided.”

“Yeah,” Yoona nodded. Just hearing “school festival” made her heart race, though she didn’t expect to have a big role. She thought it would be fun just wandering around with friends, especially since many booths were from external promoters. She patted the little charm on her bag.

“Hmm…”

After school, lying at home without going to the café made Yoona restless. It was good proof of recovery, though.

Eventually, she came to the living room and opened her laptop, planning to look at stores selling food and beverages online.

“I think I need to change how the café is run…”

The current method wasn’t efficient enough for the four years she would be studying. She had gotten sick before even finishing the first semester.

Though she had started the store thinking field experience was crucial, what she really wanted was to make and sell her own drinks.

Yoona went to the fridge and took out some apple syrup she had saved for herself. Espresso was fine, but her favorite was apple Earl Grey.

‘What if I scale down the café and make this the main item?’

Just as she was imagining a new future, the doorbell rang. It was Yeongwon. Yoona hurried to open the door.

“Welcome, Yeongwon.”

“You said you’d be home at this time when I called earlier…”

“Yes. Come in.”

Yeongwon entered but stayed standing in the doorway without taking off his shoes. He seemed hesitant.

Having spent the weekend together at her house, Yoona wondered if he felt too familiar. She wasn’t that close to him; he had only been there briefly due to her being sick. Stopping, she asked awkwardly,

“Is this a quick errand?”

“…Yes, I… just came to return the door card.”

“Oh!”

Realizing he still had the card, Yoona ran forward. She placed it on his outstretched hand. His nursing had completely ended. It was sad, but nothing more could be expected.

“Thank you for the whole weekend. I won’t trouble you anymore.”

“…It’s fine. We live in the same building…”

“Still, thanks to you, I recovered well. I’ll treat you to a meal when you have time.”

“…Okay.”

Having exchanged the necessary words, Yeongwon still didn’t leave, staring seriously into space. Silence fell between them. Eventually, Yoona, standing and waiting for a farewell, spoke first.

“Um… did you leave something behind?”

“…No, it’s not that…”

“Feel free to tell me.”

Just a while ago, they had felt closer than usual, but now it was suddenly awkward. Maybe she had burdened him too much. Yoona’s mind became equally tangled.

Finally, Yeongwon lowered his gaze, brushed back his hair, and asked,

“Do you want to have dinner… together?”

“…Ah…”

Yoona blinked. They had eaten together before, but somehow today it felt unexpectedly special. Perhaps because Yeongwon suddenly seemed shy.

Yoona herself felt a strange flutter in her chest.