23 The Calm Before the Storm (1/2)

Yeo Ri stood outside in a white dress. Her hair that had been wet had become somewhat dry after getting blown by the outside wind for some time.

She had heeded that man's warning; the white dress was the warmest one that she owned, but it was not enough to block out the cold autumn wind. She squatted down, hugging herself as she shivered. Her eyes drooped, looking as if she was about to pass out at any given moment.

That was how Gun found Yeo Ri.

”Yeo Ri-ah!” He rushed to her side, immediately taking her cold hands into his warmer ones. He rubbed her hands, creating some heat from the friction. Then, he placed the back of his hand on her face.

”You're freezing!” He exclaimed in alarm. Her cheeks felt so cold. ”Come on, let's go inside.”

Once they were inside, he began scolding her. ”What were you thinking?! Have you been standing outside for a long time? Why didn't you put on something thicker?!”

Yeo Ri looked up at him, pale-faced. She cracked a smile at the angry man, softly saying, ”I was waiting for Gun-oppa and Hyuk-oppa. You promised to come home sooner, so I waited outside so I can greet you...”

Seeing the sad smile, Gun's anger extinguished. ”Sorry. Yeo Ri-ah, Oppa is sorry...” He enveloped the girl in a warm hug.

”Mm...” Feeling his warmth, Yeo Ri wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. She relaxed in his arms.

Yeo Ri seemed to have caught the chills after standing outside for too long, so he forewent his dinner and helped her to bed. ”Stop getting sick, you idiotic girl,” he chided. He gave her some medicine just in case.

”Sorry, oppa.”

Gun tucked her in, and she fell asleep immediately thanks to the effective medicine. After that, he ate his dinner and began his usual studying routine.

When Yeo Ri woke up again, Hyuk was lying next to her, one arm covering his forehead. His brows were creased as if he was troubled.

”Oppa, you're home?” She softly whispered. Gun was studying and she didn't want to disturb him. She inched closer to Hyuk, ”Oppa? Are you asleep?”

”I'm asleep,” Hyuk replied. His eyes were closed but clearly he was awake.

”Oppa, hug me.” Yeo Ri tugged his shirt in a spoilt manner.

Hyuk's fingers twitched slightly and his Adam's apple bobbed as he turned his head away from the girl. ”No.”

”Aaa, Oppa, please? I don't feel well,” she continued to bug him, acting cute.