Chapter 43: Honest Feelings

Chapter 43: Honest Feelings

I was having lunch with Eun-ha.

“Hey, Han-gyeol. After eating, I plan to go to the store with Harim, so you might be left alone. Is that okay?”

“Of course, it’s fine. I’ll be studying in the classroom during lunch. Don’t worry about me.”

“When I come back from the store, should I get something for you? Maybe some ‘Sweet red bean jelly’? Or a soda?”The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.

“Um, I’ll be brushing my teeth, so I don’t think I’ll need anything.”

“Okay, then. I’ll come back empty-handed.”

“Sounds good.”

After finishing our meal, we left the cafeteria. It felt a bit sad to walk in opposite directions, but it couldn’t be helped. Just because we were dating didn’t mean we had to be glued to each other all day.

I went back to the classroom alone and took out a toothbrush and toothpaste from my locker. After squeezing some toothpaste onto the brush, I headed straight for the restroom.

Since I ate early, I expected the restroom to be quiet. But, I ran into the last person I wanted to see.

“Ah-”

With that short exclamation, the other person also turned his head towards me.

It was Kang Seo-ha, here to brush his teeth just like me.

“Ah- You’re Han-gyeol, right?”

“Yeah. I think this is the first time we’ve seen each other since playing basketball.”

“Did you recover from that injury?”

“Don’t worry about it. Injuries can happen during sports.”

Did he not know that I was dating Eun-ha? Just as I thought that, Kang Seo-ha spoke.

“I heard you were dating Eun-ha?”

He mentioned someone else’s girlfriend’s name rather informal and affectionately. Should I let it slide since they had been childhood friends?

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Our math teacher mentioned it during class.”

“Did the teacher talk about it in a different class? That’s troublesome.”

“He provided quite detailed information.”

“I see. Anyway, yes, we’re dating.”

As I replied, Kang Seo-ha looked into my eyes. His gaze wasn’t cold, but it seemed he was a bit concerned.

“Haven’t you known Eun-ha for just a short time?”

“It’s been just over a month since the start of the new semester.”

“It’s surprising. It wasn’t like you two knew each other before, and it’s not easy to get into a relationship in just a month.”

“It doesn’t always take a long time to fall for someone.”

It was hard to discern exactly what he was thinking.

But there was a sense of him being on guard.

Was it just my imagination?

“What do you like about Eun-ha?”

“It’s a topic that could take all day to discuss. I’m not sure how to answer that.”

“I’d appreciate a brief explanation.”

“She’s beautiful and cute. Kind-hearted.”

“That she is.”

“By the way, even if you two are close, shouldn’t you refrain from using her name with such informally?”

I tried to say it as politely as possible, but I too felt slightly defensive.

At my remark, Kang Seo-ha momentarily looked taken aback but quickly returned to his usual demeanor.

Given that my girlfriend once had feelings for him, I could understand why I was feeling this uneasiness.

“Ah- Sorry. It’s just habit.”

‘Just habit,’ he says.

I involuntarily gritted my teeth.

I shouldn’t be bothered by this.

“Huh? Why?”

As Eun-ha gazed at me in silence, I spoke softly. It felt like I had never properly expressed this sentiment before.

“I’ll make you happy.”

“Wha- suddenly?! I mean, it’s a sweet thing to say but...”

“I just wanted to say it.”

“I’m already very happy.”

“Then I’ll make you even happier.”

“Okay...! But maybe the classroom isn’t the place for such declarations?”

Eun-ha bowed her head, seemingly embarrassed. Behind her, a group of students from our class glared at me as if they wanted me dead.

“Is this school or heaven?”

“For me, it’s clearly hell.”

“I’m holding the black sword of hell.”

“So, it’s the hellish sword?”

“But why are we the ones crying...?”

What kind of joke was that?

The setting was inappropriate.

I quickly grabbed my gym clothes from my bag.

“Eun-ha, let’s change into our gym clothes quickly.”

“Okay. Let’s do that. Do you know what we’re doing during PE today?”

“I think I heard we’re either playing dodgeball or kickball.”

“That’s too bad, no basketball.”

“Exactly.”

“Still, they might give us some free time, right?”

“Probably. But today, instead of basketball, I want to spend time with Eun-ha.”

“That sounds nice to me.”

Eun-ha smiled brightly.

“You have such a pretty smile.”

“Thanks. I think your smile is pretty too.”

Walking back to the bathroom to change into our gym clothes made me slightly anxious. I didn’t want to run into Kang Seo-ha again while with Eun-ha... I was so worried, but Eun-ha was staring intently at my face.

“Han-gyeol, is something really bothering you?”

“Huh? Does my expression look that bad?”

After pondering my question for a moment, Eun-ha spoke.

“Well, not bad per se... It just seems you’re concerned.”

Was my expression that easy to read?

“Han-gyeol, don’t take what I’m about to say too seriously.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“While I’m your girlfriend and you’re my boyfriend, there are certainly things we might find difficult to discuss. If ever you find something hard to talk about, just tell me it’s challenging. I don’t intend to force you to speak about something you find uncomfortable. Just be honest and tell me if you’re struggling. Right now, your expression seems troubled, and it’s making me anxious. That’s just how I feel.”

I was slightly taken aback looking at the calmly speaking Eun-ha. Her words were strikingly similar to what I had told her before.

“You don’t have to answer right away. Take your time and think it over. I’ll go change into my gym clothes now.”

With those words, Eun-ha entered the bathroom.

It was the same thing I had said to Eun-ha before.

It was what I’d told her after she had avoided me for days following my gift of homemade chocolates. While I had asked her to be honest with me, I too had failed to be forthright.

“It’s... a bit embarrassing.”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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