Not-so-Secret Rendezvous

"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.

Hyuk stared at Yeo Ri with a deep gaze. They were alone in the room, and the mood seemed to fit. He touched Yeo Ri's cheeks, bringing their faces closer.

Yeo Ri looked away from him in surprise, avoiding his kiss once again.

"...What's wrong?" Hyuk asked, his brows furrowing with part disappointment and part despair.

"Sorry, Oppa," Yeo Ri's eyes were beginning to water. She couldn't bring herself to be kissed by Hyuk. Ever since the last time Lee Do Joon touched her, she felt that she didn't deserve Hyuk's unconditional affections. Her mouth, which that man had violated, felt so, so dirty.

"I... I'm dirty," she stuttered.

Hyuk frowned, "Who said you're dirty? You're always clean." Yeo Ri was the cleanest person he knew. She cared a lot about hygiene, so she often paid a lot of attention on their cleanliness. It was thanks to her nature that the house, as small and old as it was, was never dirty.

"I'm... dirty, Oppa," Yeo Ri sniffled. She held into his sleeves tightly, lowering her head and resting it on his chest.

"No, you're not," Hyuk insisted. He raised her chin, slightly smiling. "Who told you that you're dirty? Oppa will beat them up for you," he kissed her forehead to comfort her. His ears turned red after his action, tacitly showing his embarrassment.

"Hehe," Yeo Ri giggled in amusement as she watched him. "Thank you, Oppa."

Hyuk brushed away her bangs that was covering her beautiful eyes. They were getting too long and he wondered if she was purposely growing them out. Although he would like to see what she would look like without bangs, he felt that it was a bit of a pity since she looked cute with bangs.

For the second time, Hyuk leaned in to kiss her. He paused before their lips touched. "Can I kiss you?" he asked, his tone hushed and imploring.

"Mm."

This time, although slightly reserved, she allowed him to kiss her. Yeo Ri closed her eyes, letting him do as he like.

He nipped her lips softly, placing light, fleeting kisses on her lips. Only after she relaxed did he push forward. He held her close as he deepened the kiss, one hand on her arm and the other on her jaw.

Suddenly—

The door creaked.

The two separated almost immediately, startled by the sudden sound.

Hyuk got up, glaring at the door with a serious look. Did somebody see them?

"W-was there someone behind the door, Oppa?" Yeo Ri gripped the hem of her clothes tightly. Her blood ran cold at the thought of someone finding out about their relationship. What would she do if they were to be separated? She needed him now, more than ever. If they were found out, then she wouldn't be able to live.

Hyuk slowly headed to the door, then abruptly swung it open.

"..."

There was no one.

He looked around, but no sign of another person could be seen. He scanned the area one last time. Then, he closed the door.

'That was bad,' he thought. He should have made sure that the door was closed before he did anything remotely intimate with Yeo Ri. 'What a hypocrite,' the devil inside him whispered. 'You love her, but you're too scared of letting anyone find out about it.'

Hyuk shook his head, clenching his teeth. After the scare, he had no more desire to make out with Yeo Ri.

He gave Yeo Ri a kiss on her forehead, then cuddled with her for a little while longer before leaving for another meeting with the realtor.