Chapter 84 - High endurance

Walking on the beach with Taehee, many thoughts roamed inside Jinhee's mind, and she was unable to think properly at the moment. Taehee, who was beside her, spoke no words and just held her hand.

'Hyunbin is my half-brother? His father, Min Yoojoon, is my father?'

Jinhee had a hard time sinking that inside her mind, and seeing how warm Min Yoojoon was towards Hyunbin, Jinhee felt envious. If her mother was alive, could she have received the same love as Hyunbin?

Seeing the address in her hand, Jinhee had mixed thoughts. Min Sooah pleaded Jinhee to visit this address in order to meet her father tomorrow. But was she ready for it?

She had many questions. Why was she abandoned? Did he not care for her? Wasn't she his child?

Nonetheless, she was afraid to learn of the answers; She was scared that after learning the answers, she would break down. Was she strong enough to bear the truth?

"You should go meet him," Taehee voiced out, taking Jinhee aback.

Turning towards Taehee, Jinhee waited for her to continue. Having Taehee's opinion on this matter might help her organise her thoughts faster.

"You'll always keep asking yourself the same questions until you get conclusive answers, and at one point, you have to know the truth," Taehee voiced out.

"If you keep waiting for when you'll be strong, that moment might never arrive. And why are you thinking too much? First, know the truth and then think about it. Even when you show your ugliest, I won't distance myself away from you."

"Thanks, Taehee. You're really helpful today." Jinhee let out big grin.

The playful glint in Taehee's eyes appeared whilst she spoke out, "You think I'm helpful? Then, give me a kiss."

"Only if you give me one first," Jinhee spoke out casually in a joking manner.

"My pleasure," Taehee replied.

Taking Jinhee by surprise, Taehee held Jinhee's waist and bought her body closer to hers. Leaning her face down, Taehee placed a kiss on the area dangerously close to her lips.

Jinhee's eyes widened, and she immediately pushed Taehee away from her. Staring at Taehee with disbelief, Jinhee touched the spot she kissed. At least the challenge was won by her.

"Y-You should've at least warned me before it," Jinhee stuttered out.

"I've been waiting too long for this, and ignoring you doesn't feel that great. I can't find anyone that fun to tease. Now, I'm waiting for mine."

Holding her palm forward, Jinhee kissed in the air, resembling the action of an air-kiss. A smirk sat upon her face at the end, and she winked at Taehee.

It was one of those rare occasions where Jinhee found herself being smarter than Taehee.

Taehee let out a chuckle. 

"My little squirrel needs a punishment," Taehee spoke out. Watching how Taehee's fingers were wiggling, Jinhee could understand what was about to come. It was the tickling.

"Please not that!" Jinhee exclaimed before running towards the direction of the sea. It has been a long time since she had actually been into a sea.

Catching up to Jinhee, Taehee took a hold of hers, and both of them fell down into the shallow water together, wetting all of their garments. Luckily neither of them wore a see through garment today.

Jinhee felt Taehee's finger sneak up on her body, and she let out a laugh as they were tickling her. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes whilst she moved her hands around randomly.

"No, stop! Taehee, spare me. I am sorry. No, no more," Jinhee voiced out in between of her laugh.

"Really?" Taehee spoke out with a mischievous undertone present.

The tickling got more intense, and more tears escaped Jinhee's eyes. Jinhee had to do something fast before she lost her mind because of hers.

Seeing the hand in front of her, an evil idea came to her mind, and getting a bit closer to her, she bit into it as if she was taking a bite out of an apple. Taehee immediately stopped tickling and jerked her hand away from Jinhee as Jinhee smirked at her.

"Han Taehee, are you secretly a boy?"

°°°

Chaewon did not know for long they have been walking on the mountain roads. For the entire walk, more than the scenery around her, her eyes were stuck on Jaehyun. His facial expressions eased down as they continued walking.

The cool breeze made her feel refreshed, and the silence around her was comforting. Although her legs were starting to hurt by now, she did not mind such walks.

"You have a high endurance," Jaehyun commented.

A slight smile sat on Chaewon's face. She didn't know why she was smiling; It was just that she had the sudden urge to do it. Her mood, which was dampened last night, was much more happier now. Could it be because of her surrounding and Jaehyun?

"If someone grew up like me, they need to have it," Chaewon replied while staring at the blue sky above. 

"It seems that you go on such walks very often." Chaewon attempted to start a conversation for she wanted to know more about Jaehyun.

"Helps me relax," Jaehyun answered, whilst stopping in his steps. 

Walking towards the edge of the road, Jaehyun leaned against the barrier and spoke out, "Come here."

Following Jaehyun's words, Chaewon came towards him and stared at where Jaehyun's line of sight was at. Cool air hit Chaewon, bringing a wider smile to her face.

"It's been a long time since I have felt this way. Have you been here before?" Chaewon questioned. She could see the greenery beneath her as she leaned towards the barrier.

"A handful number of times," Jaehyun answered.

Jaehyun did not seem as unapproachable as Chaewon originally thought.