Love for Love's Sake - Chapter 53
Chapter 53
“We’re outside.”
At the clear rejection, Cha Yeowoon stopped.
The approaching night covered the surroundings with a blurry haze.
Only Tae Myeongha was clearly visible. The fresh leaves, young fruits, and darkened water surface were nothing more than a backdrop. The distant hum of cars and the wind’s melody blended into mere background noise.
Certain misfortunes consuming Cha Yeowoon’s life became hazy when he faced Tae Myeongha. There was only one thing that mattered.
Cha Yeowoon opened his mouth. Instead of words, a breath escaped.
Did Tae Myeongha like him?
Why did he accept him that day?
Was it okay if it wasn’t outside?
His most curious questions couldn’t be asked. He was afraid of the answer that awaited him.
The building, constructed to have a direct view of the reservoir, was open to anyone. As they entered the emergency exit of a shopping center with restaurants and cafes on the upper floors, Tae Myeongha looked dazed as if he had no idea what was happening.
“Instead of going home, are you thinking about kissing me in a place like this?”
Tae Myeongha’s playful remark in an attempt to ease the mood wasn’t overlooked by Cha Yeowoon.
Their lips met immediately. Tae Myeongha accepted the sudden contact but kept his lips closed.
Cha Yeowoon belatedly recalled Tae Myeongha’s advice to relax. It was already too late. He didn’t know how to do anything more.
He moved beyond simply rubbing Tae Myeongha’s warm lips and descended to his chin, carefully kissing the jawline that led to the ear.
At Cha Yeowoon’s actions, Tae Myeongha trembled.
Cha Yeowoon let out a shallow breath. It smelled sweet, he thought.
Tae Myeongha, seemingly flustered, placed his hand on Cha Yeowoon’s shoulder. He forcefully pushed away the Cha Yeowoon that wouldn’t easily pull away.
It was another rejection.
The emotions that had heated around Cha Yeowoon’s torso forcefully cooled. Cha Yeowoon caught his breath and looked at Tae Myeongha. Despite trying to act calm, his heavy breathing didn’t easily settle.
“Why the rush?”
Tae Myeongha asked with a hint of laughter, but Cha Yeowoon couldn’t laugh.
“Because senior is making me rush.”
When Cha Yeowoon refused to back down, Tae Myeongha showed a slightly troubled expression.
It was the expression of someone who had the luxury to consider and weigh many things in this moment. The face trying to shake off Cha Yeowoon was remarkably beautiful.
The long and sharp eyes resembled a large cat. With only a simple t-shirt, the revealed body was lean.
Why didn’t Cha Yeowoon realize it when they first met? Tae Myeongha was a captivating person. Looking at him made his heart tighten.
Cha Yeowoon pushed Tae Myeongha into a corner. Despite knowing it was a mistake, he went ahead and did it. He had become desperate.
Their legs became entangled and their upper bodies touched. He wanted to kiss recklessly like before, but he felt like he would be pushed away again. This time, for certain.
He didn’t know what to do. His chest felt stifled, and he wanted to do something, but the solution didn’t come.
“Stop.”
Tae Myeongha said in a gentle voice. Just like when praising Cha Yeowoon, he ran his fingers through Cha Yeowoon’s hair like always, making him feel good. Cha Yeowoon felt miserable.
What felt even more miserable was the fact that he couldn’t push away Tae Myeongha’s hand.
“Why?”
Cha Yeowoon made a final effort. Even while asking, he already knew the answer.
Tae Myeongha didn’t like him.
He knew.
Yet, even knowing that, he couldn’t stop.
* * *
“Recently, you seem to be doing very well, Tae Myeongha.”
The homeroom teacher grinned.
I questioned whether he was mocking me or speaking sincerely. Perhaps he was inherently snarky.
Anyway, what the hell did he mean? I had come because I was summoned, yet as I pondered the reason for being called to the teachers’ office, I reflected on the quiet and sincere life I had been leading recently.
“That’s why it’s important to make good friends. You’ve been hanging out with Gyeonghun and your grades have improved a lot.”
As I was quietly lost in thought, the homeroom teacher patted my shoulder vigorously.
“Gyeonghun has taught me a lot.”
Something like that. It seemed he had summoned me because of my finals’ grade.
I had taken the finals with the intention of ranking slightly above average in the entire school. Since I had raised my grade moderately in the midterms, I thought it would be safe to raise it slightly higher this time.
“Have you thought about college?”
The homeroom teacher pulled a chair towards me.
“I thought you had no plans to attend college, but seeing how you’re studying these days, I see that you’re considering it after all. Do you have any goals for college?”
Did the homeroom teacher summon me with the intention of helping me prepare? I had thought he was a teacher who only hit students on the head.
“I haven’t decided specifically yet.”
“The first semester is almost over, and you still haven’t thought about it? Are you just aiming for any college that fits your grades? Still, you need to have some goal, kid.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Yes. You might be worried too. There’s also the issue with tuition fees, so it’s understandable.”
“Yes, well.”
“Anyway, it’s approaching, so do your best. The 3rd year of high school only comes once in a lifetime. It won’t come back if you miss it.”
After politely saying goodbye to the homeroom teacher, who advised me to seriously think about my future and consult with him if I had any questions, I left the teachers’ office. He said that if I was worried about tuition, he would look around. My evaluation of him was drastically revised.
Unexpectedly, it seemed he was the type to care about his students. Indeed, brief confrontations could be deceiving.
Now, the school scenery was familiar. Given humans’ natural inclination for adaptation, the office buildings might now seem less familiar than the school.
The homeroom teacher’s words made sense. It was already mid-July, just before summer vacation. There were only about four months remaining until the college entrance exam.
It was a time when I should be thinking about whether I wanted to go to college and, if so, where I wanted to go.
If I was really 19.
“Gyeonghun, why are you so excited?”
“A friend studying abroad s-said they’re coming to visit during summer vacation.”
“Studying abroad? Could it be your lover?”
It was a time when no sane student in their 3rd year of high school would even dream of a passionate romance. But if there was no sanity to speak of, wouldn’t it be a really passionate romance?