Haein had naïvely believed that a kiss was something you did once—and that was it.
So she thought it was something you could count.
How many kisses they’d shared, how many brief touches—they seemed like things you could estimate.
But now… she knew that wasn’t the case.
It was something she hadn’t realized until she met a man who said he liked her—and until she fell for him too.
“Haah!”
Their lips met, parted, and then met again, over and over.
The sensation of soft flesh pressing together was so vivid, so real, that Haein felt embarrassed without meaning to.
Her fingers tightened in the collar of Siyul’s shirt.
As she gasped for breath, she clung to him, her body growing heavier with every kiss.
Maybe there was a proper way to kiss. A way that wouldn’t leave her breathless, no matter how long it lasted.
The problem was—Haein didn’t know that method.
“I… can’t breathe.”
“Hm?”
“E-enough.”
Siyul looked down at her, uncertain whether she was pushing him away or pulling him closer.
They were still so close that their eyelashes brushed.
Haein tried to gently push him away, as if that much was enough.
But her flushed, breathless face—reddened from embarrassment and lack of air—was dangerous.
Her tear-rimmed lashes blinked up at him.
And it made him want her more.
Those pleading eyes.
That trembling breath, like prey about to be devoured.
“Aww.”
Even though Haein flailed like a captured animal, Siyul didn’t step back.
He gave her just enough space to breathe—barely—before pulling her into another deep, dizzying kiss.
Because of the height difference, Haein was completely hidden within Siyul’s shadow.
The kiss went on so long that her neck ached.
She could feel herself growing lightheaded.
Was it because she couldn’t breathe—or because her heart was pounding wildly?
She didn’t know.
All she knew was that her biggest concern at that moment was the thunderous sound of her heartbeat.
Would Siyul be able to hear it?
It felt like her heart was crying out to him—more, more—as if begging for another kiss.
“Kan—!”
“Shh. Good girl.”
When their lips parted slightly, Haein tried to call his name, but that tiny gap was nothing more than a pause to draw breath.
Her voice, reaching out to him, was swallowed once more by his lips.
She no longer knew—
Whether they could ever stop.
It felt like they could go on kissing like this forever.
So this… this must be the kind of kiss Siyul once called “an adult’s kiss.”
Deep and intimate.
Endless.
A kiss that trespassed into her very mouth. That made her give everything—absolutely everything.
It felt like every place in her body where blood flowed was being claimed by him.
Kissing more… it feels like I’m giving up more than I’m taking.
Thud.
At some point, as she gave up trying to resist and simply gave in, Haein felt her back press lightly against a bookshelf.
Her spine met the wood as Siyul’s arms circled her waist and pulled her closer.
Then, with ease, he lifted her off the floor.
Now that their eyes were almost level, the kissing became easier.
She was able to wrap her arms not around his chest, but his neck.
Ah, a man’s nape is this firm. His hands this rough—and yet, somehow gentle.
Who knew embracing someone could feel this good?
Ever since she met Siyul, the world had become full of things she didn’t know.
“…Stop. Stop, Kang.”
Maybe she was too focused on him. It took her a moment to realize—
Someone was coming this way.
Lost in the kiss, she hadn’t noticed the sound of footsteps drawing near. But now she heard them—very close.
“Why?”
Startled, she pushed him away hard, and Siyul looked at her, confused.
He still looked like he was in the middle of a kiss.
That burning gaze, as if filled with heat and breath and desire…
He looked like he genuinely couldn’t understand why they should stop now.
It wasn’t fair, how he looked so sultry and yet asked so innocently.
“Someone’s… coming.”
“Oh, really?”
“They’re right nearby.”
As the footsteps approached, Haein began to fidget, trying to wriggle out of his grasp. Her feet still weren’t touching the ground—she couldn’t get down unless Siyul let her go.
Everything about this—their secret corner, how close they were—was already enough to make her breath catch in her throat.
But if someone saw them like this…
She’d die of embarrassment.
“Then I guess I should let you go now.”
Si-yul finally released Hae-in, speaking as though he were doing her a great favor.
Honestly, he was just too smooth.
“…Wow. Thanks so much,” she muttered sarcastically.
No sooner had she pulled away than someone walked past the bookshelf beside them.
He looked like a college student and gave the two of them a brief glance but didn’t seem particularly interested.
If they had been kissing, it might’ve been a different story.
Hae-in exhaled softly, relieved.
“I may have stopped, but you should know this for sure.”
“Huh? Know what?”
“That I really, really like you.”
“…Why are you saying that like it’s…”
“If you still don’t get it, then maybe I should—”
“No, no! I get it! Loud and clear. Very clear!”
She threw up her hands to block Si-yul, who was grinning mischievously as he stepped closer again. Hae-in shook her head frantically.
Did he really need to prove it with another kiss? This man!
There was so much energy radiating from him that she could feel it without him saying a word.
Just looking into his eyes was enough to know.
Even from the way his hand gripped hers—firm, yet gentle—she understood.
“Hmm. If you get this flustered every time, you’re going to wear yourself out.”
“…Well, I am flustered, okay!”
“Then we’ll just have to get used to it together.”
“Wh–what are you even talking about!?”
Ack! Get used to it? Get used to what!?
Her face turned bright red as she stumbled backward.
Sure, she didn’t hate kissing. But it was still embarrassing and confusing and she never knew when it would end. For her, kisses were still a mystery.
Something she couldn’t imagine ever getting used to.
“Is Tae-il… getting back tomorrow morning?”
Si-yul already seemed to be planning their next opportunity.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
Tae-il was still away on his business trip.
A small island in Southeast Asia had just recently rolled out mobile roaming service.
“He’s not picking up?”
Tae-il had called to let Si-yul know that his return was delayed, but there was no answer.
He checked the time in Korea again.
It should be around 8 PM—was Si-yul asleep? Even if he were still at the hospital, it was late enough to take a call.
It was odd, but the roaming fees on his phone made long calls impractical. Instead, Tae-il just left a message saying he might be arriving later than planned.
Frankly, men didn’t usually call each other just to say when they’d be arriving or to ask how the trip was going.
You go when you go, come back when you come back—that’s how it was.
But Si-yul had insisted that he be told the exact time of arrival, no exceptions.
“Maybe he’s planning to bring a girlfriend home.”
Lately, Si-yul had seemed unusually concerned about when Tae-il came back. Tae-il simply figured it was for that reason.
He’d heard Si-yul mention in passing that he wasn’t seeing anyone, but he was the kind of guy who wouldn’t stay single for long.
Never in his wildest dreams did Tae-il imagine that Si-yul’s “girlfriend” was actually his cat.
________✧⑅˖♡∘˚˳°↝^._.^_________
The chilly air rang with the sound of fireworks, followed by cheers from the crowd that had gathered to watch.
As brilliant lights painted the sky above the Han River, Hae-in suddenly remembered something she’d forgotten.
“That’s right… this was supposed to be a date.”
Ever since she found out she didn’t appear in photos, her memory had been fuzzy—maybe from the shock.
It felt like ages ago since she’d left the house.
And after that long, long kiss in the library… the reason she’d gone out in the first place had completely slipped her mind.
Hae-in looked up at the night sky, then turned to Si-yul beside her.
How did this man always know about things like this?
“I heard there’d be fireworks at the Han River tonight, and I just knew I had to bring you.”
“Hmmm…”
“Why? Not your thing?”
“No? I actually really like fireworks.”
She just didn’t know how to show it.
Everything about this was new—dating, being on a date with the man she’d kissed…
While she stood there awkward and unsure, Si-yul looked perfectly at ease, grinning from ear to ear.
And he wasn’t even watching the fireworks. He kept his eyes solely on her.
“That’s a relief. I like them too.”
“Huh?”
“Very much.”
The way he looked directly into her eyes as he spoke… it gave his words a completely different tone.
“I… I was talking about the fireworks.”
“Oh yeah? Then why’s your face so red?”
He had a real knack for making her blush.
Whether she liked it or not, Si-yul’s affectionate teasing never stopped.
“I like fireworks too, but I like you even more.”
“…!”
“I mean, that should be obvious.”
“Wh–what kind of guy just… says stuff like that!? Ugh, you’re such a flirt!”
Her face was burning red even in the darkness, and there was no hiding it. All she could do was grumble.
I’m the one losing my mind here, and he acts like he’s just out for a casual stroll.
It was almost unfair, the difference in how flustered she was compared to him.
“A flirt? Come on. I’m just doing my best for the woman I like.”
“Most people couldn’t do what you’re doing even if they were trying their best!”
“Well, that’s just a matter of personality.”
He seemed slightly offended at being called a flirt—Si-yul always insisted he’d only ever had ordinary relationships.
She vaguely remembered him mentioning how many girlfriends he’d had before.
Two? Or was it three?
Hae-in tried to recall, but it hadn’t seemed important at the time. Back then, she’d never imagined she’d end up in a relationship with him—so she hadn’t bothered remembering.
Now, she regretted that a little.
“For someone who claims it’s just their personality… you’re dangerously good at flirting.”
“Is that a compliment? Sounds like you’re saying I’m pretty amazing.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Well, I am objectively above average. Got scouted as a model a few times in college. Not to brag, though.”
“That is literally bragging.”
“Yeah. I am bragging.”
Ugh. He really was this shameless.
Confident and charming, all wrapped up in a cocky smile—just his type.
“As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not the shy type. I say what I want to say, don’t bother with things I don’t like, and I’m not afraid to acknowledge what I’m good at.”
At this point, Hae-in couldn’t help but think maybe being born with that kind of personality made him a natural at winning people over.
“If I worked hard and got good at something, why wouldn’t I be proud of it? It’s not like my parents handed it to me or I cheated my way here. I built it myself. I’m really proud of who I am now. That’s the kind of person I am.”
“…That’s some serious confidence.”
“Of course. Without this much confidence, I never would’ve won you over.”
Hae-in had to admit, that much was true. In the end, what broke through her walls was Si-yul’s unwavering confidence and persistence.
A man with nothing to be ashamed of had set his sights on her, and his determination had been unstoppable.
And even with all that pride, he never came across as arrogant. He didn’t look down on others or pity them.
He always had something worth admiring.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized—Si-yul wasn’t just a good guy.
He was a great guy.
Almost too good for someone like her.
As she quietly looked up at him, Hae-in felt the need to make something clear.
He might’ve said it didn’t matter, but she couldn’t leave it at that.
Not when this could only end with him getting hurt.
“Hey, Kang…”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been thinking… about us.”
Because in the end, the one who might get hurt the most wasn’t her—it was Si-yul.
While she’d been busy running away, worried about her own pain, he’d been giving her so much more than she felt she deserved.
And now, she didn’t want to look away from that anymore.
She still wasn’t confident. She didn’t know if this was the right answer.
But suddenly, it felt like ignoring the time they’d been given would be a waste.
“Us?”
“…If—if you want to…”
“If I want to what? Love you?”
“No! I mean, if you want to date me…”
Did her face pop just now? She was pretty sure it did.
Her whole face was burning up—she could feel it.
Seeing Si-yul’s beaming smile made her heart pound even harder.
“If you want to date… then I think I’d be okay with that! Or maybe it wouldn’t be so bad! I mean, it might actually be kinda nice, so—”
Was this what a confession felt like?
A complete mess of words that drained all the energy from your body?
Hae-in had just squeezed every last drop of courage she had.
Si-yul made it look so easy. He was always so casual about it.
If she’d just accepted his confession before, she wouldn’t have had to do this herself. But no—she had to take the hard way.
“I got it. Breathe.”
Si-yul reached out to her as she fidgeted nervously, unable to stay still.
He could’ve kissed her. He could’ve patted her head.
Instead, he simply held her hand.
With his large hand wrapped around hers, he smiled like he was the happiest man alive.
And in that moment, Hae-in realized something—clearly, completely:
This man… is my boyfriend.
As if to seal the truth, he slowly laced his fingers between hers.
And just like that, Hae-in was once again consumed by embarrassment.
She wanted to hide somewhere… or maybe shout it from the rooftops.
Everything felt strange and ticklish inside.
