Chapter 173 - Silly Little Squirrel

Han Taehyun pulled Lee Jinhee into a hug. Jinhee's eyes widened when she felt Han Taehyun's heart beating faster; It was almost the same as hers when she had feelings for Kim Jaehyun.

"Silly Little Squirrel, is that what you're crying about?" Taehyun questioned.

Patting Jinhee's back softly, Taehyun voiced out, "What made you think I would do that? I won't let you reach your worst state, so there is no matter of me abandoning you in the first place."

"Hmm," Lee Jinhee voiced out whilst resting her head on Han Taehyun's shoulder. Being like this after that nightmare bought comfort Lee Jinhee. Jinhee did not care whether or not she was being naive; She wanted to give Han Taehyun a chance.

In her last life, Taehyun was not as close to her as he was in this life, and therefore, Lee Jinhee wanted to trust him. A smile formed on Han Taehyun's face.

°°°

Stepping into the classroom, Lee Jinhee looked at her classmates. Everyone had their eyes on her, and noticing Lee Jinhee's crutches, curiosity grew within them to know what had happened.

Jinhee's eyes then fell upon Im Jieun, who sat at the usual place, and the usual arrogance was not on her face. Lee Jinhee had a feeling that Han Taehyun was responsible behind it.

Nonetheless, ignoring her classmates stares, Lee Jinhee walked towards her seat whilst Taehyun supported her. Whispers could be heard all around the classroom. However, they were not anything Lee Jinhee preferred to pay mind to.

As Jinhee sat down upon her seat, someone poked at her shoulder, and turning back, Jinhee realized that it was Ahn Chaewon who had done that. Lee Jinhee smiled at her.

"How are your injuries doing?" Chaewon asked.

'Things are different this time, Jinhee-ah! Young friends who care for you!'

"I'll be able to walk without the crutches in three to four days," Lee Jinhee voiced out whilst wearing a wide smile on her face.

Han Taehyun faced Chaewon and said, "Don't listen to her; It's at least two more weeks."

"You're not a doctor," Jinhee pointed out.

At that moment, something feathery touched Lee Jinhee's neck at that moment, leading her to feel tickling, and the hair on her body stood up. Turning back, Lee Jinhee wanted to see the one responsible for this. Apparently, it was Min Hyunbin behind this.

Lowering her neck and raising her shoulders, Lee Jinhee tried to avoid it. Nonetheless, Min Hyunbin grew more ruthless and used two feathers.

Finally, a chuckle left Lee Jinhee's mouth, and she voiced out, "Stop it, Min Hyunbin."

Min Hyunbin nodded and removed the feather from around her neck. However, before Lee Jinhee could be relieved, Hyunbin placed the feather into her ear and softly moved it. Jinhee felt a chill go down her back and held in her urge to laugh.

"Yah! Min Hyunbin, stop it!" Lee Jinhee started to laugh.

"Hyunbin, really stop!"

More laughs left Lee Jinhee's mouth, and Min Hyunbin spoke out, "I'm trying to make you laugh. You should be grateful."

Moving her head away, Lee Jinhee avoided Min Hyunbin's attack and spoke out, "I don't want to laugh though at this moment."

Nonetheless, Min Hyunbin extended his hand towards Lee Jinhee, and the feather came in contact with Jinhee's neck again. Lee Jinhee could not move further back or else she would fall upon Han Taehyun.

Taehyun and Chaewon made no efforts to help her, and it looked as if both of them were truly enjoying this. If it wasn't for the fact that she was the victim, Lee Jinhee would have applauded at Hyunbin's tickling techniques.

Laughs escaped Lee Jinhee's mouth, and wanting to move away from this, Lee Jinhee moved slightly back. Nonetheless, Lee Jinhee lost her balance, and her body fell upon Han Taehyun.

Han Taehyun wrapped his hands around Lee Jinhee and pulled her into a back-hug. Jinhee could feel Han Taehyun's rapid heart beat once again, and this made a blush form at Jinhee's cheeks.

"Min Hyunbin, your turn to tickling Little Squirrel is over. Now, it's mine," Taehyun voiced out with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Han Taehyun's words made Lee Jinhee's eyes widen, and Jinhee tried to pull away from Han Taehyun at that moment. Nonetheless, Taehyun grip on her was strong, and Jinhee could not move away from him.

Hyunbin scoffed.

"It was my idea. So, I'll be doing it," Min Hyunbin voiced out arrogantly.

"Be a good boy, Hyunbin, and hand over those feathers or else...You can guess it already," Taehyun stated.

'What am I? A game to them?'

"Yah! Han Taehyun! Loosen your grip on me. If you want to tickle someone, tickle yourself or someone who is not me!" Lee Jinhee voiced out.

"Don't talk too much, Lee Jinhee. You're the only one I want to tickle at this moment," Han Taehyun spoke out.

Ahn Chaewon laughed at their antics.

Other students noticed how the four of them absorbed in a world of theirs and was not affected by their gazes or gossips. Some of them, who wanted Lee Jinhee to be affected, felt annoyed at this. However, since Han Taehee was involved at this moment, none of them dared to voice out their dissatisfaction.

Im Jieun clenched her hand tightly whilst her heart beat rapidly. Although she was spared for any punishment for almost a week, she knew, now that Jinhee was back, things won't go well for her anymore. Fear rose within Jieun, and she began to regret all of her actions from that day terribly.

She desperately wanted to beg to Lee Jinhee for her forgiveness. However, she was afraid that Lee Jinhee would not forgive her and laugh at her. This would impact Im Jieun's pride, and she will be made into a laughing stock. Im Jieun was truly confused on what she should do.

Although Min Hyunbin was reluctant, he handed over the feathers to Han Taehyun. Han Taehee could bring back his secrets from the grave and reveal this to the World. That was not what Min Hyunbin wanted.

"Han Taehyun, stop! I swear I'll beat you up after you do this!" Lee Jinhee exclaimed.

Taking the feathers from Min Hyunbin with a playful smile on her face, Han Taehyun spoke out, "Go ahead."

With one hand, Han Taehyun held tightly onto Jinhee, and the feather was gripped by his other hand. Lee Jinhee felt the soft feather touch her neck, and a shiver went down Lee Jinhee's back. Jinhee struggled against Han Taehyun's grip.

"No! Stop! Han Taehee, stop this!" Jinhee exclaimed as she began to laugh loudly.

"Why? It seems that you're enjoying this," Taehyun said whilst swiping the feather against her neck.

"Look at how joyfully you're laughing," Taehyun commented.

Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, and before Jinhee could retort, a female student walked into the classroom. Everyone turned to look at the student for the student was not from their class.

"Do any one of you know where Lee Jinhee is?" The student asked.

Han Taehyun stopped tickling Lee Jinhee at that moment, and hearing her name being called, Jinhee turned towards the direction of the voice. 

Raising her hand, Jinhee voiced out, "I am Jinhee."

"The Principal is calling for your presence at his office," The student stated.

Han Taehyun loosened his grip around Lee Jinhee, and Jinhee sat up straight. Lee Jinhee could guess what the reason behind this could be.

"Alright," She replied.

The female student bowed before walking out of the room. Slight nervousness brewed within Lee Jinhee, and she let out a deep breath.

Han Taehyun placed his palm on Lee Jinhee's shoulder and voiced out, "You can do it, Jinhee-ah! Hwaiting!"

Lee Jinhee nodded.