TLR 19

Chapter 19 …

Lying on his side, he rested his head on one hand. Perhaps he was a little bored because the scene before his eyes had remained unchanged for so long.

Junhyuk spoke to the sleeping Seol, pretending it was nothing.

“It’s kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?”

His flat, monotonous voice drifted through the space.

“Looking back at it now, it’s really no big deal.”

I mean the fact that your sister killed my parents. Even so, you’re the one between the two of us who holds the choice.

“Well, I suppose that makes it fair.”

After all, he would be the one to decide the ending.

She was within reach even without fully extending his hand. He was certain that if he touched her peach-blossom cheek, just like he had before, she wouldn’t wake up.

Actually, it would be better if she did wake up. He’d pull on her soft, tender skin until her cheek stretched out, just to watch her reaction.

And then he’d throw in a lecture as a bonus: “Are you really going to get drunk like that again?”

And then—and after that, this moment would vanish. A dry smile touched his lips at the thought in his head.

Why was he so afraid of this trifling moment coming to an end? It wasn’t as if seeing this woman asleep was what he’d wanted in the first place.

This time right now is worthless to me. It’s just trivial. I’m only looking at her because I have nothing better to do.

As the date shifted into a new day, his gaze never once strayed.

She never slept more than six hours a day. Perhaps her body simply remembered the habit. Seol’s eyes snapped wide open.

She immediately scowled and closed them again. The brightly lit overhead lamp hurt her eyes.

What is this?

The ceiling she’d caught a glimpse of for a split second was unfamiliar. The pillow against her head felt heavier than usual, too.

Seol gently opened her eyes and blinked a few times. As her eyes gradually adjusted to the light, more of her surroundings came into view.

Just looking at the crisp wallpaper without a single stain, this definitely wasn’t her home. Where on earth was she, then?

She had fallen asleep drunk, but she hadn’t blacked out. Her last memory was falling asleep while being carried on Junhyuk’s back.

Don’t tell me…

Seol turned her head very slowly to the side.

“E-Ek! What! What is this!”

Seol screamed right away. Even though she’d suspected this was Junhyuk’s place, the shock was too much, triggering an automatic reaction.

“…What is it?”

Junhyuk, who had been lying on his stomach rather than his back, opened his eyes. Since he was facing her direction, their eyes met instantly.

“What’s going on? What time is it?”

Frowning, Junhyuk reached out and grabbed his phone.

“It’s not even five o’clock yet. Why don’t you sleep more?”

“…”

“Go back to sleep. I just fell asleep a little while ago.”

“…”

“Get more sleep… You’re getting lectured later.”

Junhyuk closed his eyes.

Seol’s pupils trembled wildly. Pulling the blanket all the way up to her neck, she slid both hands under the covers.

As she fumbled around to check herself, her clothes and underwear were all fully intact. There wasn’t a single spot on her body that felt the slightest bit uncomfortable or sore.

Relieved, Seol surveyed her surroundings.

Junhyuk was taking up more than half of the double bed. Or rather than taking it up, it felt like he was blocking it off.

To get past the man who filled the space completely from the headboard to the edge of the bed, she’d have to stand up entirely and stretch her leg out really far.

As she hesitantly pushed herself up, the mattress naturally shifted beneath her.

Junhyuk’s eyes slid open. For a split second, he had a blank look on his face, but a sharp glint quickly returned to his eyes.

Faced with a razor-sharp glare fit for a guard catching an escaping prisoner, Seol froze mid-motion.

“I told you to get more sleep.”

“…I’m wide awake now.”

“Why are you awake… Ah, do you need to use the bathroom?”

“Yes, I need to use the bathroom.”

Seol even nodded her head to confirm. She felt like that was the only way she’d be able to get off this bed.

Junhyuk pushed himself up with both palms against the mattress, almost like he was doing a push-up.

“That door.”

After lowering his legs to the floor to clear a path for her, Junhyuk gestured toward the closed door with his chin.

“Okay.”

Seol replied softly and quickly scrambled off the bed.

After locking the bathroom door, Seol looked in the mirror. She’d gorged on greasy food and gone straight to sleep without washing up. Her face was slick with a shiny layer of oil.

“So this means…”

She could piece together roughly what had happened. It seemed he had brought her to his place after she fell asleep drunk.

Eclat Officetel. It wasn’t far from the pub they’d gone to yesterday.

…He should’ve just woken me up! If he’d tried to wake me up, I definitely would’ve gotten up! Why on earth would he throw ice water on his sister’s face, but do this for me?!

Seol pressed her lips tightly together and shook her head, trying to swallow the flurry of emotions rising inside her.

Once she calmed down a bit, she washed her hands and decided to wash her face while she was at it. She noticed a new toothbrush sitting on the sink. After a moment’s hesitation, she unwrapped it and brushed her teeth.

Feeling too guilty to use his towels, she wiped the water off her face with paper towels. Seol took a deep breath, trying to sort out her thoughts.

“Get more sleep… You’re getting lectured later.”

So I’m getting lectured.

It was true she had done something to warrant a scolding, but she really didn’t want to get chewed out. Standing near the door, Seol listened for any sign of movement outside. It was quiet.

Junhyuk hadn’t seemed fully awake earlier. If she stalled in here a little longer before stepping out, wouldn’t he fall back asleep?

She was simply too embarrassed to face him right now. Seol decided to slip away for now and apologize properly later.

More than twenty minutes passed by her estimate. Seol gently cracked the door open and gasped, inhaling sharply.

“You took your time.”

Right past the bathroom door sat a small dining table for two.

Junhyuk, who was leaning sideways with one hand resting on the table, continued speaking.

“I didn’t hear any running water, though.”

“…Why aren’t you back in bed?”

“Because I had a feeling you’d make a run for it.”

“…A run for it?”

Hit right on the mark, Seol dropped her head. It seemed she needed to finally accept that this man was playing circles around her.

She heard quiet footsteps. Since the distance wasn’t far, Junhyuk was standing right in front of her in no time.

Seol stared silently at Junhyuk’s bare feet coming into view.

Even his feet look handsome.

Just as she was letting her mind wander out of sheer nervousness, Junhyuk leaned down, bringing his face close to hers.

It was an angle that made it look as if he were about to kiss her. Seol instinctively held her breath.

I’m so glad I used that toothbrush earlier. That was the very first thought that crossed her mind. The moment her toes curled in tension, Junhyuk cupped one of her cheeks with his hand.

“What’s this? Tissue?”

“…”

“Why do you have tissue stuck to your face?”

Junhyuk pulled his hand back, looking at her with a baffled expression.

“…I saw a new toothbrush on the sink, so I used it. I’ll go buy an identical one right away.”

“I bought that for you to use.”

“Then I’ll pay for—”

He was standing entirely too close. Feeling overwhelmed by his piercing gaze examining her so closely under the bright light, Seol held her breath again.

“I think we have more important things to discuss than the price of a toothbrush.”

Junhyuk walked over and sat down on a dining chair.

Seol immediately bowed deep at the waist.

“I’m so sorry. I caused you so much trouble from yesterday into today.”

She waited for a moment, but no response came. Seol slowly straightened up.

Junhyuk was just staring at him in silence.

She could feel a chilly aura emanating from his expressionless face. Even though it was a look he often wore, her heart sank for a moment.

Was he disappointed in me? Of course he is. She wouldn’t have anything to say even if Junhyuk decided to cut off this fragile connection right here and now.

To him, she had effectively become a crazy woman who could be carried off in her sleep without even realizing it.

Although that was literally what had happened last night, she swore she had never acted like this in her entire life.

If she had actually lived a little and enjoyed a night on the town, she wouldn’t even feel this wronged. Thanks to Shin-chul, who insisted that women shouldn’t sleep away from home, she hadn’t even been allowed to go on college orientation trips or retreats.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave now,” Seol said, her voice tight and choked up.

“Where are you going when the sun hasn’t even come up yet?” Junhyuk said in a calm voice, suddenly switching back to formal speech.

“Huh?”

“If you’re not going back to sleep, eat breakfast. It’s nothing fancy, though.”

Junhyuk stood up from his seat and grabbed the back of the chair.

“Sit.”

“Ah, okay.”

Seol sat down on the chair and neatly folded her hands together beneath the table. Then, she stole a side glance at Junhyuk.

She’d never noticed because he always had it slicked back neatly, but his thick hair was actually quite long. He was wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt and navy-blue sweatpants.

Surprisingly, even though his clothing was thin, he somehow felt even more physically imposing than when he was wearing a suit.