TSS 18

Chapter 18

The early summer sunlight broke through the trees, gently warming the skin of the two people. The breeze carried with it the smell of leaves and grass, and most of all, that scent of Geonhyeong that Ha-yeon had already grown familiar with.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been asleep like that. Suddenly, the sharp, wet smell of rain tickled her nose, and Ha-yeon opened her eyes.

“Uh…”

“Tch, just great.”

It seemed Geonhyeong had woken up at the same time, his grumbling voice sounding nearby. As she blinked the drowsiness from her eyes, his shadow fell across her face.

“Looks like we need to get up. It’s raining.”

“…Rain?”

With his hand gently patting her back, Ha-yeon barely managed to lift her heavy body. It had only been a nap, but she must have slept deeply. Thick raindrops began pattering onto her face as she sat up.

They hurried to pack up the spot they had been resting in, but the rain quickly turned into a downpour.

“Tch, a shower.”

Frowning, Geonhyeong grabbed the jacket he had taken off earlier and covered Ha-yeon’s head. Streams of water were already rolling down her face. The rain was so heavy her vision blurred, and she fumbled as she tried to put on her sneakers. Clicking his tongue, Geonhyeong finally said:

“Get on my back.”

“…What?”

The rain was too loud for her to hear clearly. Geonhyeong crouched slightly, offering her his back. When she hesitated, his voice rose.

“I said, get on.”

Flustered, Ha-yeon wrapped her arms around his neck. With her on his back, Geonhyeong picked up their scattered belongings and even her sneakers, then strode forward. Her view bobbed with each of his steps. He tapped her arms that were looped around his neck.

“Hold on tight.”

She tightened her grip, her arms cold from the rain. Geonhyeong grimaced—early summer or not, getting soaked like this would chill her. His strides grew faster. Pressed against his back, she felt every vibration more keenly, and a sudden fear made her bury her face into his nape.

‘…Like trees.’

When was the last time she had been carried like this? Ha-yeon found herself drifting into thought. His broad back swayed steadily beneath her, like a cradle that made her want to fall asleep again.

But the comfort didn’t last long.

“Good thing I’ve got a spare. Here, a towel.”

Once they were finally inside the car, Geonhyeong handed a towel to her in the passenger seat. He really did use this car for fishing—he even carried things like towels. Wrapping her dripping hair, Ha-yeon pressed down firmly to dry it. Geonhyeong roughly wiped himself off as well; with short hair, he was done quickly. Then he held out his hand toward her.

“Your foot. Let me see.”

“…Sorry?”

“If water gets into the wound, it’ll get worse. I’ll check it.”

“It’s almost healed though…”

“Quit arguing.”

Before she could react, he had lifted her leg and placed her foot on his knee. Examining the injury carefully, his brow furrowed.

“Your sneakers are soaked. You won’t be able to wear them. I’ll carry you up when we get home.”

“What? N-no! I can walk by myself!”

“Why, you worried you’ll be heavy?”

“T-that, and…”

“Please, you weigh nothing.”

He chuckled at her flushed face. Embarrassed, she covered her face with the towel and kept wiping, unable to look directly at him.

Then suddenly—

“Tch.”

“…What is it?”

She pulled the towel down. His face was flushed red, almost like he was the embarrassed one now. Surprised, she thought:

‘So even he gets flustered?’

Geonhyeong averted his eyes, muttering half to himself.

“I thought today would be uneventful, but…”

Ha-yeon glanced down at herself. She had only worn a T-shirt, but—

“Oh.”

In a panic, she spread the towel over her chest. The rain had soaked her clothes so much that everything beneath was showing clearly.

Her sister’s sly smile flashed in her memory.

‘Make sure you take a walk after lunch. Maybe the park.’

Of course—she must have known it would rain, which was why she dressed Ha-yeon like this.

Geonhyeong seemed even more troubled than she was. Covering his eyes with his large hand, he growled,

“I always thought women’s clothes looked like insect wings, but this is…”

“W-well, not all women’s clothes are like this!”

“Then what do normal women’s clothes look like?”

“That’s, um…”

She trailed off, not knowing what to say. Her sister’s wardrobe was definitely more revealing than most, though her fiancé liked it that way. But she had no intention of explaining all that. Instead, flustered, she blurted out nonsense.

“The weather forecast said it would be nice! I wouldn’t normally wear something like this!”

“So you don’t usually wear clothes like that?”

“Right, last time was the same too! I don’t normally—”

“Last time too?”

His tone was probing, and she froze, lifting her head cautiously. Through his long lashes, his eyes curved ever so slightly.

‘…He looks amused?’

Indeed, the corners of his eyes lifted faintly. She blinked.

“A-are you… smiling?”

“So, clothes you don’t normally wear, but you wore them to come meet me?”

His expression turned the most mischievous she had ever seen. Ha-yeon stammered.

“Th-that’s…”

“Then what kind of clothes do you usually wear, hm? Na Ha-yeon?”

The corners of his lips curled upward now. Meanwhile, her face burned hotter than ever.

“So, you specially pick out different clothes whenever you meet me? What kind of occasion are those clothes for, exactly?”

He leaned back with folded arms, as if enjoying the spectacle. Ha-yeon’s mind went blank.

‘I… what do I even say?’

She wasn’t good with words, having so few people to talk to. Finally, she sputtered the safest thing she could think of:

“T-to look pretty…!”

Well, that was the point of dressing up, wasn’t it? It wasn’t wrong.

To her relief, his smirk shifted. Almost like she’d given the right answer. With more confidence now, she added:

“Y-yes, I wanted to look pretty for you, Geonhyeong!”

His expression hardened. She smiled brightly.

‘See? Now who’s flustered?’

Pleased, her shoulders relaxed. She was finally getting the hang of dealing with him—or so she thought. In reality, she was still far behind.

“You are pretty, Na Ha-yeon.”

His low murmur caught her off guard. She blinked, wary now.

“No matter what you wear.”

“…Sorry?”

“But clothes like that…” His gaze darkened. “They don’t just make you look pretty.”

Her heart lurched. She pressed herself against the door, but his hand was already cupping her face.

“You’re too naïve.”

His lips curved upward. He was smiling, yet somehow it felt dangerous, like a predator toying with its prey.

“When you’re like this… I can’t stay calm.”

“C-calm? You mean…”

“And resisting isn’t the only thing I can’t do.”

“Can’t resist…?”

Her foolish echo was silenced when his lips pressed against hers. Ha-yeon’s eyes flew wide. Even as the kiss deepened, she couldn’t close them.

A predator.

That word filled her mind. His kiss was not gentle—it explored, conquered, devoured. The heat rose until her breath caught in her throat, her body burning like it was boiling from within.

‘Ah.’

She felt the firm outline of her chest straining against the thin sports bra. Hastily, she pulled the towel higher. Now she understood why her sister had insisted she wear it, calling her “innocent” and all.

But then the towel was gone from her hands, replaced by Geonhyeong’s broad palm. The vivid sensation made her eyes shut tight. Tingling waves spread through her whole body.

“Hh, nngh…”

A helpless sound escaped her lips, one she never thought she could make. As if in answer, his grip tightened, while his other hand cradled the back of her head.

As if to say—he would never let her escape.