Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Be With Me Forever
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#115
As the sunset completely vanished from sight, the evening chill set in far too quickly for wandering around in just swimsuits, so we decided to head back to the lodging to change clothes.
After returning the rented parasol and mat to Han Seo-ah, I saw her shivering with a cute, chilled expression, her body trembling. I smoothly extended one arm toward her.
"...Now you're offering your arm instead of your hand, Junno?"
—If it had only grazed on grass, maybe it wouldn't know better, but once a beast tastes meat, it can never go back to eating grass. "...No, you just looked cold."
Hiding my true thoughts, I thrust my arm out further as if urging her to grab it quickly. Once more, that soft, squishy sensation enveloped it.
—This is it. A chorus of countless Lee Jun-woos inside my head unanimously voted "100 points, perfect score" without a word. Then, a soft chuckle came from beside me.
"You like it that much, Junno?"
"...What are you talking about? You just looked cold."
"Whoa... Junno, your face just now was priceless."
"... ."
Was it that obvious?
Feeling embarrassed, I rubbed my mouth with my palm.
"Ack."
"Whoa...!"
Suddenly, Han Seo-ah tightly hugged my arm. The softness doubled—no, the happiness doubled too, making it four times over, or maybe even more. An exclamation of pure, 100% awe slipped out loud before I knew it.
"How's that? Warm enough?"
"Totally awesome...!"
"I asked if it was warm... ."
She looked up at me with an exasperated yet blissful smile. My eyes and body were both delighted.
I returned to the lodging in a state of utter contentment.
#116
"Ugh... Junno, maybe it's the seaside air. The temperature swing is no joke, right?"
"Yeah. Look at the goosebumps on my arms."
Still shivering, Han Seo-ah wrapped her arms around herself and sniffled. As I watched her,
I wondered what I could do for her and pulled out a tissue.
"...?"
"Here, blow."
I gently pressed the tissue to her adorable little nose. She gave me a puzzled look for a moment, then her eyes crinkled into a beaming smile.
"Hee. Am I a baby now?"
"...Precious like a baby, aren't you?"
Embarrassment flooded me mid-sentence, and I couldn't meet her eyes, keeping my head down as I lightly pinched both sides of her nose, urging her on. Soon, a cute "hmph!" sounded, followed by a soft laugh.
"You'll always cherish me like this, right?"
Unable to lift my head from the shame, I caught sight of a star descending to meet my gaze—she had lowered her head herself.
Your eyes sparkled like stars, brimming with satisfaction and anticipation. Who else but you could make me think,
"...What do you think?"
It felt like the moment had arrived.
#116
We were supposed to go for an early dinner, but instead, we headed to the promenade we'd planned to visit after eating.
I can't even remember what excuse I made.
All I know is that if I'd tried to eat with these feelings bottled up, my heart might have exploded. I desperately racked my brain for a reason.
Maybe Han Seo-ah had seen through it all and just gone along—that's how frantically I'd come up with something.
Arm in arm like during the day, we strolled slowly. The cool breeze blew refreshing, and you hummed a tune with a pleased smile.
In the serene quiet, as if only the two of us remained in the world.
Normally, I'd savor the mood happily too, but right now,
my heart pounded like it would burst at the situation ahead.
"Junno, the scenery is so pretty. Isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"Should we take walks like this often from now on?"
"Let's."
Even seeing me reduced to one-word answers by the mounting tension, you smiled blissfully, unperturbed. It hit me—you knew everything.
You were waiting for me.
If I didn't approach,
you would have come to me.
You were just yielding the chance because I wanted to take the first step.
Hoo—
I took a deep breath.
"Han Seo-ah."
"Yeah?"
Your eyes, holding only me, seemed to ask if I was ready.
"...Seo-ah."
"Yeah, Jun-woo."
My hands trembled.
—Don't shake. This was the moment I'd dreamed of hundreds—no, thousands of times.
The dream that always ended before the finale.
—Please, don't shake. I was afraid.
Of you rejecting my confession?
No. That worry was long past.
We'd already expressed and confirmed our feelings plenty of times.
It was just the fear of stepping into the unknown together.
I could endure my own pain repeatedly, but the thought of you hurting because of me was unbearable.
Hiding my trembling hands as best I could against that fear of the unknown, I struggled to open my sealed lips. Then, a warm sensation spread from my hand.
At some point, you'd let go of my arm and gently cradled my hand between both of yours.
"Jun-woo."
I wanted to say "yeah," but no words came.
Yet, as if you'd already heard my answer,
"It's been 13 years. The time we've spent together."
"We've come this far with effort, so no need to rush."
"We'll always be by each other's side, like we always have."
Two dazzling stars gazed at me with utter certainty.
"So,"
"take it slow."
As if telling me not to be nervous.
As if saying not to be afraid.
As if promising to wait forever. Seeing you like that,
it started raining.
I don't know when it began, but the midsummer downpour suddenly poured as Han Seo-ah finished speaking.
It blurred my vision into a hazy white, obscuring everything around us.
Except for Han Seo-ah right in front of me.
This is weird.
It should have been perfect.
I rubbed my eyes with my arm, but the relentless rain kept my sight cloudy.
Today was supposed to be ideal for a confession.
All I could do was huddle under the umbrella that was you, praying for the rain to stop.
"...Seo-ah,"
"Yeah, Jun-woo."
"I... ."
I clenched my teeth to hold back the sob threatening to escape as I tried to speak.
After steadying my breath and exhaling deeply,
I gripped my pounding heart, fit to burst, and confessed the truth I'd hidden deep inside for so long.
"I like you."
Did I say it right?
As the scene I'd only imagined in dreams crashed into reality, my throat tightened, making it hard to breathe.
This moment felt just like a dream.
—No, my feelings are real. The one and only word in the world to express my heart for you.
The phrase I was too scared to utter even in dreams.
"No, I love you."
"I love you."
In this moment that might never come again,
to leave no regrets,
I finally unearthed the truth I'd buried deep, so very deep.
"I don't fully know... what love means yet."
"I'd have to experience it with someone else to understand."
"But one thing's for sure."
I lifted my head, and rain—or tears—streamed down my cheeks.
"I... can't live without you."
"Even one day without you by my side... I couldn't bear it."
"If this is love... ."
No. Hold it together, Lee Jun-woo.
I'd dreamed of confessing coolly and confidently to Han Seo-ah.
But there I was, a pathetic fool wailing "I love you" under the lie of rain.
"I really... really love you. From the first moment I saw you until right now, without a single exception... ."
I love you.
The words I'd held back for 13 years.
Words I might never have said in a lifetime.
Words that surfaced every time I saw you.
"So... ."
Still, this one thing I had to tell you.
"Be with me... forever."
I forced my stuck lips to move and conveyed my heart.
"...Forever?"
Your voice trembled thinly, as if choked with tears.
"Yeah, forever."
"Until the day being by your side feels like the most natural thing."
Drip—
A droplet trailed down my cheek to my chin, falling onto our clasped hands.
Finishing those grueling words felt like sprinting full speed—my breath came ragged.
Did my trembling transfer through our joined hands?
Holding your slender fingers, quivering as if desperately holding back sobs,
"...Jun, woo."
"...Yeah."
Her voice shook as she barely continued,
"Forever... by your, side... I will."
Desperately, as if not to miss a single word,
"I'll love only, you."
"I'll give you everything I have."
"So please... ."
In my blurred vision, I barely made you out, approaching with the brightest smile I'd ever seen.
"Will you give me everything too?"
Pfft—
A hollow laugh escaped.
At my own simplicity.
Just moments ago, breathing had felt impossible, like death was near.
But as you—the umbrella—drew close and nestled into me, the miraculous rain stopped dead.
Your warmth in my arms alone brought a smile to my face.
"Silly."
I didn't want to lose this warmth, so I hugged you tightly in my embrace.
"It's all yours already... ."
From that day 13 years ago.
Not for a single moment had it not been yours.