WAK 17

Chapter 17

Hana followed Junhan into the elevator and got off on the top floor.

She watched him open the door with his fingerprint and asked,

> “Whose house is this?”

“Mine.”

Hana realized she had asked a silly question only after hearing his answer. He used his fingerprint—there was no way it was someone else’s house.

> “Take off your shoes. The lights don’t work because we’re still decorating.”

She followed him into the dark house and almost tripped on the threshold.

“Ah!”

Junhan quickly caught her, saving her from falling. Her heart started racing as if it had stopped working because of the sudden contact.

> “Are you okay?”

> “Yes, I’m okay.”

He let go of her arm. She felt relief once his hand was gone.

She tried to look around but saw nothing in the pitch-black darkness.

> “Hold my arm and come.”

Hana hesitated but grabbed his arm. Even though it was just an arm, she felt strange being connected to him.

Junhan led her to a narrow, long platform.

> “Let’s sit here.”

Hana felt her way and sat down. The aluminum surface was very cold. Junhan sat next to her. Sitting side by side in the dark felt strange.

> “How is it?”

She turned her eyes around, and he asked softly,

> “The night view.”

Finally, she noticed the rain-soaked cityscape beyond the wide glass.

> “Wow!”

She was speechless at the stunning sight.

> “Doesn’t it look familiar?”

> “Like the night view we saw by the Han River?”

Now that she thought about it, the locations were similar.

> “It really does!”

He smiled and said,

> “I liked that view that day.”

He had never forgotten the Han River they had gazed at while eating ramen.

Junhan glanced at Hana.

> “You seem stressed lately.”

That’s why he brought her here—to let her enjoy the view that had comforted him. Hana, instead of looking at the night view, found herself staring at Junhan’s side profile.

Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and she could make out his face, eyes, and lips. The quiet heartbeat merged with the sound of the rain.

Being alone with him made her body hyper-aware—even her sense of smell.

The faint scent of Junhan lingered around her.

Hana gradually moved closer, almost touching his neck with her nose. Junhan flinched and looked at her, their eyes meeting awkwardly.

Her head spun with dizziness, different from when she had a nosebleed. She had been working too much—her mind was full of work and couldn’t think rationally.

Hana tilted her head and lightly pressed her lips against Junhan’s.

Junhan’s eyes shook violently, like a storm.

> Even though it was just a kiss, her fingertips tingled as if electrified.

Hana squirmed from the tingling sensation.

Wait, tingling?

Where? Fingers?

Why?

Her eyes widened, pupils shaking. She was shocked at her own actions.

Junhan’s eyes, just as wide, met hers. She panicked.

> This is a huge accident!

She quickly pulled back. Junhan’s surprised face became even clearer.

> Hana thought, *I’m crazy. What a crazy mistake.*

Junhan must have been just as embarrassed. She thought about the nosebleed incident, the meal, and the night view he showed to help her relax—only to be repaid with a kiss.

> “I-I’m sorry…”

Before she could finish, Junhan leaned closer. She stepped back quickly, bracing with her stomach muscles.

Junhan’s piercing gaze was overwhelming. Hana kept her lips tightly closed, looking down.

> “Sorry?”

She nodded quickly.

Junhan’s hand rested on the back of her hips. Hana froze.

> “How sorry are you?”

Don’t ask in such a deep voice, she thought.

Hana silently pleaded in her mind. Junhan’s gaze went to her lips.

> “Open your lips.”

Hana obeyed, and her blocked breath flowed freely. Their faces were so close she could almost feel his breath.

Surprisingly, Junhan tilted his head slightly and slowly kissed her.

> “……!”

Hana felt as if time had stopped, except for her racing heartbeat.

Junhan moved slowly, pressing gently, teasing her lower lip with his tongue. He guided her tongue and soon they were entangled.

It was a restrained kiss, silent except for the pounding rain. The invisible pressure seemed to push Hana back. She grabbed his chest for support.

Junhan’s hands held her firmly. Hana exhaled, relaxed, and kissed him back softly. His hands then moved to her neck.

> Hana remembered the dream from the Han River Park—the raw desire between them.

Now it wasn’t a dream—it was reality. She panicked and pushed him away, resting her head down and gasping.

Junhan withdrew but didn’t look away. Hana turned from him and sat upright.

> “We can’t do this.”

Junhan frowned.

> “Why not?”

Hana struggled to find words.

> “We’d be good together, don’t you think?”

She had already developed feelings; “good together” or not didn’t matter anymore.

> “I want to date you.”

He was surprised by her honesty.

> “Don’t make that face. And don’t say anything.”

> “I’ll handle my feelings myself.”

Junhan looked at her, disbelieving.

> “So… you like me?”

> “Stop!”

Hana blushed deeply, and Junhan teased her further:

> “You really like me, don’t you?”

Hana covered her ears, embarrassed.

> “It’s all your fault.”

> “My fault?”

> “Then whose fault would it be?”

> “I didn’t do anything!”

Hana glared at him.

> “Why cover someone’s clothes when they’re sleeping?”

Junhan remembered the Han River incident, laughing at the memory.

> Hana got off the platform and said, “I want to go home. It’s too late.”

Junhan quietly called her name,

> “Hana.”

She stopped, looked back, and he slowly said,

> “Try to tempt me.”

> “So I can love you.”

> “Then I’ll give you the relationship you want.”

Hana didn’t understand what he meant.