Chapter 203 - Claw Crane

Staring at the claw crane in front of her, Lee Jinhee rolled up the sleeves of her sweatshirt. Her wrist had become better, and currently, she was able to play the game.

"Go first, Jinhee-ah! Let's see who can capture the most bunnies, alright?" Taehyun vocalised.

At the other side of the glass were various coloured bunnies— each looking more adorable than the other. Lee Jinhee stared at each one of them, unable to choose which one she should target first.

The glass had blue and green neon lights around it. Brightly coloured bunnies and butterflies decorated the stand, making it look aesthetic to one's eyes.

Seeing the lavender bunny, Lee Jinhee decided to make it her target as it appeared to be the easiest one to get. Pressing on the button, Jinhee watched the claw go down, and as it moved closer to the lavender bunny, Jinhee's eyes sharpened. In her mind, Jinhee desperately prayed that she will be able to catch it.

Moving her fingers effectively, Jinhee watched the claw grab the bunny by its ear, and Jinhee let out a squeal when the bunny was getting up. Glancing at Taehyun, Jinhee smirked at him.

Taehyun observed Jinhee with a smile on his face while folding his hands in front of his chest. Instead of his eyes being on the bunny, they were on Jinhee.

Lee Jinhee was confident in her abilities to play such games as she had visited the arcade lots of time in her last life.

"It's going up! It's going up!" Jinhee shouted with excitement being noticeable in her voice.

"Jinhee-ah, do you know how hot you look at this moment?" Taehyun vocalised whilst adding a wink.

Taehyun's sudden words made Jinhee stare at him, and his intense stare made Lee Jinhee lose her control for a second. When Jinhee stared back at the claw crane, she noticed that the bunny had fallen off the claw.

Jinhee's eyes widened due to shock.

Staring towards Taehyun, Jinhee glared at him and exclaimed, "Hey! Han Taehyun, you did that on purpose! It's cheating!"

Han Taehyun let out a chuckle and shrugged his shoulders, making Jinhee feel more annoyed towards the boy. If it was not for the boy, Jinhee was sure that she could have won this round.

"Well, my turn. I'll show you how a professional plays. You can only blame yourself for being easily distracted," Taehyun vocalised.

Stepping towards the claw crane, Taehyun gently pushed Jinhee away with his hand, and Jinhee stepped on his foot with her utmost strength. As Taehyun had disrupted her playing, Jinhee was most definitely going to take revenge.

As Taehyun began to play, he said, "Watch and learn."

Lee Jinhee nodded.

Sneakily she took the water bottle from the table and uncapped the bottle. As Han Taehyun was concentrating on the game, he did not glance towards Jinhee. 

"So, this is how you grab the bunny and—"

Before Taehyun could continue, Lee Jinhee directed the water towards his face, and watching the expression on Taehyun's face, Jinhee immediately began to laugh.

Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, and Lee Jinhee fell back on the chair. Staring at Taehyun's face, Jinhee said, "Oops! My hand just slipped. Sorry, Taehyun-ah."

Taehyun wore a smile on his face, and wiping the water off his face, Taehyun questioned, "It's that funny?"

Lee Jinhee nodded and vocalised, "It's fun, and it's funny. You should allow me splash you with more readers."

Han Taehyun scoffed and voiced out, "You're such a cheater!"

"This is not me cheating, Taehyun-ah. This is karma for trying to distract me first," Jinhee voiced out whilst winking.

"Tch! Let's have a fair game next then. I swear I won't distract you, so I expect you to do the same," Taehyun stated.

Lee Jinhee just shrugged whilst wearing a mischievous smile on her face.

°°°

Watching the claw loosen its grip around the bunny's ear, Lee Jinhee let out a groan and stomped her foot loudly on the hard ground. Then, Jinhee turned towards Taehyun and glared at him. She would have caught one bunny if it was not for him distracting her the first time. 

"Woah! What's with that look? I did not disturb you this time around," Taehyun voiced out.

"I know you did not, but I still find you detestable," Jinhee responded.

Han Taehyun arched his eyebrows and stated, "That's nothing new. I have learned that when you say something negative towards me, you actually mean the opposite."

"Heol!" Lee Jinhee let out a dramatic gasp.

"Where did you get to learn about something this misleading? Taehyun, I hate you, and if you don't know the meaning of hate, then search the dictionary," Jinhee grumbled.

Taehyun raised one of his eyebrows and said, "That's interesting to hear. You hate me yet you need me."

"Just because I need you doesn't mean I can not hate you," Jinhee pointed out.

"At least you did not deny the fact that you need me," Taehyun voiced out.

"Well, you make a good sidekick. That's why, I decided to let you be by my side," Jinhee said as she folded her hands.

"Sidekick? Is that actually what you take me for, Jinhee-ah? Wow! You're treating someone as precious as me as your sidekick!" Taehyun vocalised whilst sounding surprised.

Then leaning his face closer to Jinhee's face, he added, "Do you know what is more shocking? I don't hate this feeling?"

Moving back, Han Taehyun winked and said, "Since I actually love being your sidekick, I will let you treat me like one. I am the closest person to you after all."

Lee Jinhee scoffed and vocalised, "What makes you think that you're the closest person to me?"

"Jinhee-ah, is there anyone who is as close to you as me?" Taehyun questioned whilst raising one of his eyebrows.

Lee Jinhee coughed and said, "Well, just start playing. It's getting late!"

"Such a killjoy," Taehyun commented whilst letting out a chuckle.

Taehyun added, "Fine, fine, I'll start playing."