Chapter 3: Her Before Confessing to a Highschool Boy (3)

Chapter 3: Her Before Confessing to a Highschool Boy (3)

TL/Editor: looloo

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I started my rehab. Seriously this time.

I had already been doing it consistently, but now, I poured my entire heart and soul into it, to the point that the observing therapist grew worried. I've never wanted a healthier body more than now.

Because of Yeonho. All thanks to Yeonho.

Given the state I'm in, there might be someone better for him. I grew tired of hearing his excuses and I didn’t want to give in.

I can't do much about my face, but I believe I can regain the use of my legs.

I want to walk the streets hand in hand again. I want to go on a date to all the places we haven't been, or even just revisit the places we have.

I want to share more memories.

I want to enjoy all the delights a couple should, not just a mere kiss. Without hesitation, I want to talk about our future.

After hearing Yeonho's feelings, my confidence grew, but so did my worries. Yeonho is a genuinely good person and a good man. Anyone could see that if they got to know him just a bit more. But before anyone else does, I want to be by his side.

Because he's my boyfriend, so no one should lay a finger on him.

I don't want to say this from a hospital bed; I want to proclaim it standing by his side.

I mentally push my still unresponsive leg, gritting my teeth.

"Hey... Han Yeonho. Are you sure about her? Look at that determination. It's intense."

"Well, of course... Heena. It's great you're working hard, but maybe take it a bit easy?"

"Don't worry, she knows her limits! Oppa, you stay back for now."

Though I wasn't fond of my brother making silly comments beside Yeonho, it was comforting to see Yeonho growing closer to our family.

After all, I'll be with him for the rest of my life.

I'll never let go.

---

Raei Translations

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A year has passed.

There was undeniable progress from the rehabilitation exercises.

While I can't walk as effortlessly as others, I can now get by with a cane instead of a wheelchair. They say reaching this stage of recovery is almost miraculous.

Fortunately, it wasn't total paralysis. Even though it was hard to discern, a faint sensation remained, meaning it was a partial paralysis.

The seemingly fruitless time spent on mechanically undergoing rehab wasn’t entirely in vain; it kept my body from stiffening up.

When I first walked out of my room leaning on a cane, Yeonho's joy was as if it was his own accomplishment.

He was supposed to enlist for his military service by the age of 22, during his junior year in college, but he even postponed that for me.

There was a part of me that wished he'd enlist, so I could surprise him with a better version of myself upon his return. But I lacked the confidence to push myself that hard.

No matter how difficult it was, even when I felt like crying.

Because Yeonho was there, watching over me with a smile, I could muster this much strength.

Now, my next goal is to put on some weight on my frail legs.

So when I show Yeonho, it'll be a bit less embarrassing.

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Raei Translations

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Another month flew by.

I dedicated most of my time to rehab and exercise.

During this period, I met Yeonho's parents.

I had greeted them once when we first started dating, but this was the first time since the accident.

...Worried that they might be angry at me for taking up so much of Yeonho's time, I fiddled with my long bangs, grown out and covering my face. I must've asked Yeonho hundreds of times if everything was okay.

But such worries faded away.

They greeted me with the same warm smiles as our first meeting, expressing their concern and saying I must have been through a lot.

I wished to only show my best self to them.

But in the end, all I could do was shed tears, looking forward to the next time we'd meet.

My rehabilitation had progressed to the point where I could walk using crutches, and I'd built up considerable strength. Finally, I could go on a date with Yeonho, just the two of us, without relying on a wheelchair or family assistance.

Although spending a long time outside was still challenging, tomorrow would mark our second anniversary. I wanted to treasure such milestones from now on.

Rather than meeting in my hospital room, as we did on our previous dates, we decided to meet outside near the hospital. I spent a long time choosing my outfit, seeking advice from friends, my mom, and my brother.

I wanted to show him the most beautiful version of myself there was.

Even after preparing, the fluttering excitement kept me awake for hours.

---

It was a whirlwind of confusion.

My face, my legs, all untouched.

Only after I frantically roamed around the house,

Only after seeing my parents and brother looking at me with deep concern,

Did it dawn on me.

I had returned to when I was 18. Maybe everything I had experienced up to this point had been a dream.

But no, it couldn't have all been a dream.

I steadied my trembling hands and dialed the number I remembered as Yeonho's.

[The number you have dialed is not in service - ]

A sinking feeling hit me at the automated message, but then I recalled Yeonho's words. He had changed his number once after starting college and getting a new phone.

I had spent time in the hospital reflecting on our conversations, so it was easy to recall.

I thought of visiting his home, but he had mentioned moving once. I naturally didn't know the old address. What I did remember clearly was his high school.

The boys' school, located some distance from the girls' high school I attended. I remembered its name and location vividly.

---

Raei Translations

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During the weekdays, I went to Yeonho's high school.

And in doing so, I remembered the little details in our conversations.

He didn't wear glasses until he graduated from high school. Up to his second year, he didn't study much, but he rarely missed night study sessions.

But, the school enforced night study was only until 8 PM. The ones that extended to 10 PM were voluntary. Yeonho always left by 8.

Gathering these fragments of information, I waited patiently, watching from a distance as students poured out of the school gates, searching for Yeonho while wearing a cap to blend in.

For days, I visited the school every evening.

And then, finally.

I found him.

His hair was shorter than during his college days, and he wasn't wearing glasses, but I recognized him instantly.

Tears streamed down my face as soon as I saw him. I yearned to embrace him, but I forced myself to stop.

Because Yeonho wouldn't know who I was.

It hurt more than anything to think that Yeonho wouldn't recognize me, but at the same time, I felt blessed to have this second chance.

I had found him two years earlier than when we first met in my previous life. I now had two extra years to cherish him, to love him more deeply, to repay the amount of time he had wasted on me.

I began to follow him discreetly, learning his daily routines: the path he took home, the house where he lived, the sound of his voice as he talked with friends, and that beautiful, unforgettable smile which hadn't changed since college.

I did this for ten days.

Then I waited for a moment when he was alone on his way home.

My heart was pounding so hard, I felt it might explode.

I had thought all day and night about this.

What words should I say?

What could help us start again?

What could make him see me in a positive light?

But as soon as I met his gaze, my mind went blank.

I wanted this to start as soon as possible.

I wanted a second chance for us.

Mustering up the courage, I asked him that crucial question.

"Do you want to go out with me?"

"Sorry, I can't right now."

...I hadn't anticipated such a response.

But no matter what, I will never let go.

I love you, Yeonho.

Always have.

Always will.

Author's Note:

Oh my god... I thought Heena's story would end in this chapter, but after writing it, I felt... huh, maybe I can squeeze in another chapter?

Still, I decided to wrap it up a bit quickly.

To the person who commented, hoping there wasn't any "NTR drift", don't worry, there isn't. This story is purely romantic. At the moment, this Heena segment is probably the most intense part of the novel.

Starting from the next chapter, things will be much lighter. You can read it with a relaxed mind.