Chapter 3

Tae Hoonhas always thought that his life was unlucky, especially his love story. His first love story that he experienced in middle school did not end well. In high school, he started liking Ji Hye since 3rd grade until now. He kept his feelings to himself for four years and didn't take any extreme approaches.

When he hears someone confess their love to him, Tae Hoondoesn't know how to react. Especially now that he has someone he likes.

"You're playing me, huh?" At a loss, that was the only sentence that flashed through his brain.

"Why would you think that? My feelings are sincere."

Tae Hoonreally didn't understand the reason why So Hyun liked him. Maybe he could understand it if they had met before. But he didn't even know her at all.

"You might be mistaking me for someone else. We've never met," Tae Hoonsaid with an expression of surprise and annoyance.

"What do you know, you think I like you for no reason?"

This time Tae Hoonwas successfully surprised. "Have we met before?"

So Hyun gave a long smile. Tae Hoondidn't know the meaning behind that smile. But he could deduce that So Hyun confirmed his question just now. At that moment, Taehoon's mind was racing. He tried to rack his brain and open one by one the memories stored in his head, looking for the figure of So Hyun who she said he had met before.

So Hyun strongly recognized the fact that the expression Tae Hoonwas currently showing looked very cute and adorable. She unconsciously chuckled a few times every time she looked at Taehoon's frown that was furrowed with confusion.

"You won't remember our meeting. It's enough that I remember it."

"No! How could I—"

Tae Hoonwas about to argue, but his sentence was cut short by So Hyun's palms suddenly cupping his cheeks. Tae Hoonwas of course shocked, until his eyes rounded.

"Don't think about things that are confusing. Just think about me in front of you," So Hyun said while giving him a sweet little smile.

Tae Hoonwas rooted to the spot, his heart racing and his face heating up. He himself was confused as to why his face was hot and red. He quickly swatted away both of So Hyun's hands in embarrassment.

"Do-don't follow me!" Tae Hoonwalked away hurriedly while covering his mouth.

So Hyun's smile immediately faded at the sight of Tae Hoonsuddenly leaving her. So Hyun's expression looked glum and a little disappointed. Meanwhile, Tae Hoonwalked quickly while fanning his hot face with the palm of his hand. So Hyun's confession of love and words from last time kept ringing in his head. Just remembering that could make his face turn red again.

"How can she say that so casually?" He wondered.

Tae Hoonadmitted that he was upset because he felt like he was being played. The fact that So Hyun kept approaching him, flirting with him and teasing him made him upset. And the fact that his heart was pounding and his face was turning red just because of those few words of flirting really annoyed him to death.

"Taehoon!"

Taehoon's steps stopped when Ji Hye's voice called his name. Tae Hooninstantly turned around, and all the annoyance he felt earlier instantly vanished just because of Ji Hye's arrival.

"Oh, what's wrong, Ji Hye?" Taehoon's heart was beating very fast and his hands were trembling slightly. Especially when Ji Hye smiled sweetly at him, it was enough to make him almost misbehave.

"Do you have time in the afternoon?"

Tae Hoonwas surprised. He felt like Ji Hye's question just now had another meaning.

"No, what's wrong?"

"Do you want to accompany me to the library? I want to find some references for my coursework."

It would be a lie if Tae Hoonwasn't happy with Ji Hye's invitation. He had always tried to find a thousand excuses to ask Ji Hye to go out with him, but this time Ji Hye asked him first. For Taehoon, this was a gift.

"Sure!"

Ji Hye gave a long smile when she heard Taehoon's answer.

"Thank you! I'll call you later!" Ji Hye laughed happily, then turned and ran away from Tae Hoonwho was covered in happiness.

************

Around four in the afternoon, Tae Hoonwas waiting at the bus stop. He was wearing a brown sweater covered by a gray jacket, paired with a pair of dark blue jeans. He had thought very hard before choosing his outfit. Even though they were just going to the library, it felt like a date to Taehoon. It also didn't matter if he was the only one who thought like that, because he was sure that Ji Hye didn't like it.

"Taehoon!"

Tae Hoongasped in surprise when his name was called. When he turned his head, he was surprised by Ji Hye's casual appearance that looked very pretty. A light blue short blouse paired with light blue shorts. It looked very sweet and pretty.

Tae Hoonwas mesmerized.

"Have you been waiting long?" asked Ji Hye. Tae Hoondidn't answer because he was still mesmerized by Ji Hye's charm, not realizing that the look he was giving her was making Ji Hye confused.

"What's wrong?"

"You look beautiful in that outfit, Ji Hye."

Ji Hye was shocked, and Tae Hoonwas even more shocked that he had said that without realizing it. Tae Hooncursed himself for fear that Ji Hye would feel uncomfortable with his words. But instead, Ji Hye's face turned red with embarrassment.

"Re-really? I was confused about what to wear earlier." Ji Hye's words stuttered out of nervousness.

It was quiet and awkward. That's how they felt without any of them daring to break the ice. Things got a little better as the bus arrived, and they boarded together and sat on the same bench too.

The atmosphere became more awkward because the seats felt cramped. They both looked away from each other in embarrassment, without anyone realizing that their faces were both red.

When they arrived at the library, Ji Hye immediately went to browse the shelves one by one according to the type of book she was looking for. While Tae Hooncontinued to follow her while occasionally reading books lined up on the shelves.

"Taehoon, you can visit other places if you get bored," Ji Hye said.

"No, I'm actually very happy right now."

"Really?" Ji Hye immediately turned her face away. Taehoon's words there had made her misbehave. Ji Hye put down the book she was reading and picked up another book on the top shelf. But because the place was too high, she had to stand on tiptoe because her hands couldn't reach it.

Tae Hoonwho witnessed it immediately took the initiative to help her. Suddenly, Ji Hye was shocked because suddenly Taehoon's body was behind her. Ji Hye reflexively turned around, and was surprised by how close they were.

"Taehoon... too close..." Ji Hye muttered under her breath as she looked down. Meanwhile, Tae Hoonwas thinking about something else. He felt that this was the right time for him to confess his feelings to Ji Hye. The atmosphere was also very favorable.

"Ji Hye, I have something to say to you." Taehoon's voice sounded heavy and soft enough to make Ji Hye's heart beat twice as fast.

"I don't know where to start, but I just want to say the gist of it."

Ji Hye gulped down her own saliva. She slowly raised her head, her eyes moving to look at Taehoon's face who was also looking at her. Taehoon's brown eyes were beautiful, and his breathing was quite clear.

"Ji Hye, actually I..."

"Well, let me see what's going on here."

Ji Hye and Tae Hoonwere shocked and immediately distanced themselves from each other. Tae Hoonhad no idea that his action would be ruined by the arrival of someone he didn't even want to see anymore. Moreover, that person was looking at him with a faint smile, as if he was catching him cheating.

"Han So Hyun?" Ji Hye's brow furrowed, her eyes sharp and her cold expression showing her dislike for So Hyun.