97 Crossing the Line (1/2)

Yeo Ri and Min Chae went to the marketplace and ate street food together.

When Hyuk was finished with his doctor's appointment, he called Yeo Ri and headed to the marketplace to pick her up.

It was almost lunchtime so instead of going straight home, the three went to eat first. After lunch, Min Chae said goodbye and went home. Although it was only for a short few hours, she was happy that she was able to spend some time with her best friend.

Just as usual, Yeo Ri clung to Hyuk like a koala the moment they were in the privacy of their home.

”Oppa.”

”What is it?” Hyuk asked, waddling to the bed with Yeo Ri in tow. He was tired and wanted to get some rest.

A few steps later, he made Yeo Ri let go for a second so he could settle down on the floor bed. Then, he pulled Yeo Ri to sit on his lap.

”I've decided.”

”Decided about what?”

”About the thing I want,” Yeo Ri elaborated.

Hyuk's mind flashed to the deal they made the day before. In exchange for eating her handmade pajeon, he promised to do whatever she wanted. He smiled in amusement, ”Go on.”

”I want to go on a date.” Yeo Ri stared at him seriously, her eyes glittering with hope.

Hyuk froze, suddenly feeling awake. A second later, he looked away. He gave her a small, nonchalant smile, ”Aren't we on a date right now?”

”Outside! I want to go on a date outside!” She whined.

”...” Hyuk kept quiet.

”I want to go to the beach. I've never been there before. Oppa, won't you take me?”

Hyuk smiled helplessly. ”It's winter right now, and you want to go to the beach?”

”Why not?”

”No,” Hyuk shook his head. ”And you know we can't do that, ever. Something like dates... it's not for people like us,” he muttered, his eyes revealing a hint of sadness.

”What's wrong with us?” Yeo Ri frowned, her eyes tearing up. She felt very indignant.

”I'm sorry, Yeo Ri-ah.” Hyuk quietly apologised, hugging her tightly. ”But even if we can't go outside, we can still have dates inside, right?”

”What can we even do inside an empty house?” Yeo Ri continued to fret.

”...” Hyuk paused for a short moment. For a second, his mind was thrown to the gutters. As a healthy young man, his mind easily brought up a few suggestions that he immediately crossed out. He shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. There was no way he was going to do those things with Yeo Ri.

”I-I don't know, watch TV?” He suggested. He gulped, shifting his body uneasily.