Chapter 14: Pulled In

Chapter 14: Pulled In

“Eun-ha, what’s on your mind? You seem pretty serious.”

“Ah! No, it’s nothing! Haha! Let’s go!”

It was break time during night study sessions. I was returning to the classroom with Harim after a quick restroom trip.

“Is it because of what Han-gyeol said earlier? About how he’d be happy if you were his girlfriend?”

“Wh-what?! No, no! He was just joking, you know.”

“Was he, though? It did sound like a teasing joke, but there seemed to be a kernel of truth in it.”

“Haha... You’re probably reading into it too much. Han-gyeol has had feelings for someone else for quite a while.”

I awkwardly smiled as I said this to Harim. But she looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.

“When did you two discuss this?”

“Ah-! I shouldn’t have said that...”

I immediately regretted blurting out something I shouldn’t have.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it. But I’ve never seen Han-gyeol talk with another girl.”

“I’ve also found that strange... It’s possible she’s from another grade or even another school.”

“Hmm... What do you think of Han-gyeol? He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”

“Um... Han-gyeol? He seems mature, and it seems like he’s good at both studying and sports...”

I felt a little embarrassed saying this. More than anything, I admired his kindness and wanted to learn from it.

“Hehe..”

“However, it’s not just me who thinks so! Don’t you agree, Harim?”

“Totally~? He’s pretty rare. More articulate and thoughtful than most guys around.”

“Exactly! I think Han-gyeol is really considerate too, even if he doesn’t realize it himself.”

“What’s this~? Giving him immediate approval? You can’t, you just can’t. What if you fall head-over-heels for him?”

“Ah... Han-gyeol has someone he likes, so there’s that.”

“Does having someone he likes mean you can’t like him?”

“Huh?”

At Harim’s question, I stopped in my tracks.

Why did her question feel so heavy?

“Emotions aren’t always rational, you know.”

“Hmm... true. But if I know someone likes someone else, I think I should keep myself from liking them.”

I said this because I didn’t want my feelings to complicate matters for anyone emotionally.

“Hmm... well, if that’s how you feel, then let’s leave it at that. Come on, let’s go.”

“Haha! Right. It’s the last session, let’s focus and then go home.”

Arm in arm, Harim and I headed back to the classroom.

Han-gyeol was studying even during break time.

The diligent look of him studying... seemed a bit impressive.

He was furrowing his brow, perhaps solving a difficult problem.

Han-gyeol really was the kind of person who naturally caught one’s eye.

“Eun-ha? Aren’t you going in?”

“No, let’s go in.”

It was true that my focus was a little off because it was the last study session of the night.

But for some reason, I couldn’t concentrate on my studies.

It felt like I was just reading words.

Before I knew it, I was tapping my pencil against my notebook.

I needed to collect my thoughts.

Why am I like this right now?The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.

I took a moment to sort out my feelings honestly.

First question: Am I like this because of Han-gyeol?

The answer was ‘yes.’

Second question: Why am I feeling this way specifically because of Han-gyeol?

“I was mostly alone.”

“Must have been boring.”

“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“If you’re ever bored, call me. I’ll keep you entertained.”

“Hahaha! Sure!”

“I mean it! I’ll come running anytime.”

“Thanks~”

That’s Han-gyeol for you. Always kind, always considerate, always ready to lighten the mood.

“Ah, we’re almost there.”

We had arrived at the spot where we always part ways.

“Ah, let me walk you home. It’s already past ten.”

“Uh...?! No, that’s okay! It’s not that dangerous here.”

“True, but it’s better to be cautious in this world. But if it makes you uncomfortable?”

“No, not at all! I just don’t want you to go out of your way. I’d feel guilty.”

“Not at all. If you were a guy and I were a girl, you would do the same, right?”

“In that case...could you walk me to the main road at least?”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

It was late...so his concern was understandable.

It’s natural...right?

I started to feel awkward the moment I became self-conscious.

I should strike up some conversation.

“By the way, where did you learn all that?”

“Huh? Learn what?”

“You know, assembling computers! Most people don’t know how to do that.”

“I’m the type who prefers learning by doing, so I picked it up along the way.”

“You seem to know a lot of interesting things, Han-gyeol.”

“Really? Isn’t that normal?”

Suddenly, Han-gyeol leaned in, his face flushed.

I instinctively stepped back.

“Ah!”

But I tripped over a rock behind me and started to fall backward.

At this rate, a comical tumble was guaranteed.

“Hey, be careful.”

But Han-gyeol grabbed my arm, pulling me forward just as I was about to fall backward. My face ended up pressed against his chest. And I quickly pulled away.

“Ahaha...! Thanks!”

“No problem. It seems like I startled you.”

“Well, we’re almost there, so I’ll go on my own from here!”

“Huh? We’re not there yet.”

“See you tomorrow!”

I ran off as fast as I could.

Strange things kept happening when I was around Han-gyeol.

Was it because we spent so much time together?

I thought I had figured out the reason for my concerns during the evening study session...

But I still couldn’t deny it.

I didn’t know what I was feeling.

Were my emotions toward Han-gyeol really just comfort and friendliness?

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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