Chapter 177 - To be freed

It was the lunch break currently, and the exams for today were over. After the lunch break, normal classes will be held. Sitting on the rooftop whilst leaning her back against the railings, Lee Jinhee stared at the blue sky before her. 

As Jinhee had an inkling that Kwon Youngmi was going to be present at the cafeteria, she avoided entering into the cafeteria. With her empty stomach, Jinhee drew circles on the floor. 

After this ended, Lee Jinhee was going to face Kwon Youngmi again, and this made bile rise up to Lee Jinhee's throat. Anxiety brewed up within her, and taking a deep breath, Lee Jinhee attempted to calm down her mind. Patting her chest, Jinhee tried to slow the rate of her heart beats; They were too fast at this moment.

The door to the rooftop opened at this moment, and Lee Jinhee was not surprised when she saw Han Taehyun walking in. Without how Taehyun was around her always, Jinhee sort of expected for Taehyun to show up any minute now.

Looking at the distraught expression on Han Taehyun's face, Jinhee was confused and somewhat worried. What could have happened for the calm him to have such an expression?

The door closed behind Han Taehyun as he walked towards Lee Jinhee, and Jinhee could see the hints of anger in his eyes. Did Jinhee do something wrong? 

"Lee Jinhee," Han Taehyun enunciated.

Staring up at Taehyun, Jinhee questioned, "What is the matter, Taehyun?"

Taehyun scoffed.

"You are asking me that? Jinhee, without a word, you came here. With everything going around recently, do you know how worried I was?! I searched around the entire school and could not find you. 

Moreover, your phone is switched off! Are you that stupid, Lee Jinhee!? More than half of the school is after you yet you're running around like this. What if you get into another incident like what happened at the library?! How foolish can you be!?" Han Taehyun scolded her.

This was the first time Han Taehyun had scolded her, and this astounded Lee Jinhee. Lee Jinhee did not miss the concern which was in Han Taehyun's tone, and being scolded by Taehyun did not seem that bad to her.

Leaning down to Lee Jinhee's height, Han Taehyun held her shoulder and questioned, "Lee Jinhee, do you even know how much you make me worry?"

Hearing Han Taehyun's words, Jinhee's heart began to pulsate faster, and staring at Taehyun's face, Jinhee said, "I'm sorry. I should've told you about it. It's just that—"

Before Lee Jinhee could continue, she was pulled into a hug, and being surprised by this, Jinhee's eyes widened. Nonetheless, she wrapped her hands around Han Taehyun's waist, and she could clearly feel Taehyun's heart, which was beating rapidly in his chest.

"You Silly Little Squirrel, I really need to punish you," Taehyun expressed.

Hearing Han Taehyun's words, Jinhee pulled away from the hug, and stared at Han Taehyun with dissatisfaction present in her eyes. 

Han Taehyun pinched Lee Jinhee's nose and said, "Stop looking at me that way. I'm really angry at you."

"Really?" Lee Jinhee questioned— her eyes holding a sparkle.

"Does that mean I am going to be freed from your annoying presence? I was really, really, really impatient for such a moment," Jinhee voiced— her tone holding a hint of mischief.

"Jinhee! I'm really serious at this moment," Taehyun voiced out. His bottom lips protruded forward, and a pout sat upon his face.

"I was being serious as well. I am really, really, really happy that you're angry at me," Jinhee voiced out.

Han Taehyun scoffed and turned his back on Jinhee. As he was about to walk away, Lee Jinhee let out a chuckle and held his hand, which caused Han Taehyun to stop walking. Han Taehyun's lips curved to a small smile.

"Since you're going, can you bring some food from the cafeteria for me? I am really hungry," Jinhee said.

She then added, "Thanks about it."

The smile immediately left Han Taehyun's face, and pushing Lee Jinhee's hands away from his, he turned to face Lee Jinhee. With his eyes staring at Jinhee fiercely, he said, "Get your own food."

This side of Han Taehyun was new to Lee Jinhee. Taehyun genuinely pouting was something Jinhee found cute, and Jinhee wanted to tease the boy until the tables turned on her.

"Geez! Han Taehyun, you're so mean," Jinhee voiced out.

"I don't care," Taehyun replied before walking away.

"Okay! Okay! Stop! I'm really sorry. I know I should have informed you before coming here, and sorry for making you worry. Next time, I'll definitely be sure to tell you," Jinhee spoke out.

She then continued, "I did it. Happy now? Quit sulking now. It was your fault anyway though for not keeping a close eye on me."

Lee Jinhee shrugged her shoulders.

All of a sudden, Han Taehyun began to laugh, and turning back, he clapped both of his hands together. Lee Jinhee's eyes widened at surprise. Was Han Taehyun playing with her the entire time?

"Yah! Han Taehyun, I'll really you beat you up!" Lee Jinhee exclaimed. This time she was completely fooled by his acting. Jinhee had to admit that Han Taehyun was really good an actor.

"Jinhee-ah, your answer made me really, really, really satisfied. Good girl!" Han Taehyun voiced out. Raising his thumb up, Han Taehyun showed it to Lee Jinhee.

"Wow! Han Taehyun, you're turning more and more evil as time passes by. I really, really, really wish for karma to beat you that badly so that you won't be able to get up for days," Jinhee stated.

Walking towards Lee Jinhee, Han Taehyun patted Jinhee's head and said, "Don't worry. It's the truth. I was really, really, really worried at that time until Soyeon told me about where you're. 

I thought you'll actually attack when I started scolding you, but it seems that someone like you has a soft side for me as well. I was really, really, really happy to see that."

"Soyeon?" Jinhee questioned.