78 Not-so-Secret Rendezvous (1/2)

”Congratulations on completing the exams. You've all worked hard,” Ms. Kim Misun says, looking at the relieved faces of her students who were finally done with their exams. ”Winter break will begin next week, but please remember to take care and be safe,” she concluded her short speech. After bundling up the last exam papers of the day, she dismissed her students.

”Yeo Ri, where should we hang out during winter break?” Min Chae excitedly nudged the girl next to her.

Yeo Ri who had been absentmindedly staring at the window was startled. ”Huh? Ah—sorry, what did you say?”

”I said, where should we play during winter break?” Min Chae's excitement did not dampen, and she happily repeated her words.

”I don't know,” Yeo Ri gave her a small smile. With all the things that had been happening lately, she did not have the motivation to go out and play. Yeo Ri had contemplated whether she should just lock herself up in her room.

Min Chae pouted at Yeo Ri's lack of enthusiasm. Jang Mi was taking winter classes, so she was barely free. Her only hope was Yeo Ri but the girl also seemed to be out of it lately. Min Chae wondered if she was still sick.

”Hey, are you okay?” Min Chae placed her palm on Yeo Ri's forehead to test her temperature. Yeo Ri's temperature was normal, yet the girl still looked a bit sickly.

”It's nothing,” Yeo Ri said, gently taking the girl's hand off her forehead. ”It's probably just some residues from my cold the other day.”

”If you say so,” Min Chae shrugged. ”Call me if you want to play, okay?” Min Chae urged. She was sure that winter break would be really boring, so she invited Yeo Ri to hang out before it even began.

”Mm.” Yeo Ri nodded lightly.

Min Chae continued to prattle, talking about nothing and everything.

As they reached the gates, Yeo Ri could already see Hyuk waiting for her. It was as if he was trying to compensate for being late the day before by being early.

”Hyuk-oppa is here. Bye, Min Chae-ah,” Yeo Ri gave Min Chae a half-hug before jogging towards Hyuk.

”Bye, Yeo Ri-ah,” Min Chae cheerfully waved goodbye towards her friend. In her mind, she was already planning a few things that they could do during the holidays.

”Oppa,” Yeo Ri extended her hand towards Hyuk.

Hyuk accepted her hand, pulling her to sit on his motorbike. As usual, he helped her put on the helmet before driving away.

When they reached Jin Goo's house, Hyuk followed Yeo Ri to the guest room.

”Oppa? Did you have something you want to talk about?” Yeo Ri flashed a smile. The two of them hadn't conversed since the incident the night before, and neither of them were willing to speak much; both felt more subdued and morose after Yeo Ri's breakdown and were preoccupied with their thoughts.

”Yeo Ri,” Hyuk led Yeo Ri to sit on the bed.

”Oppa?”

Hyuk looked as if he was struggling to say something.

Hyuk didn't know what to tell her. He had a million things to say but as he sat in front of her, he was tongue-tied. He didn't have a glib mouth and he was not someone who was used to comforting other people. He wanted to tell her that everything was going to be fine, that he was going to take care of everything, but he couldn't. In truth, nothing was fine.

”Yeo Ri-ah, Oppa will take care of you,” he began. ”I'll protect you, so...” he held her closer, hugging her tightly. ”Don't be sad anymore.”

”...” Yeo Ri lowered her head, her eyes reddening. She returned his hug. She found out that she really needed the hug.

”Mm. I know, Oppa,” Yeo Ri smiled sadly.

After a long while, he finally—albeit reluctantly—separated himself from her.