Seolhee laughed at herself, remembering the people at the hospital who fussed when Jinho visited before.

No matter what, Chaerin had changed too much. Just today, before Seolhee could say anything about making plans to meet, Chaerin checked her phone and said, “Sure,” with another radiant smile. Even Seolhee, her female friend, felt a flutter from that sweet smile.
That’s how the two of them went to a bar in front of the hospital and had a simple drink of beer each.

“Oh, Chaerin, too.”

Drinking beer and walking alone towards home.

Unbeknownst to herself, Seolhee’s steps followed suit.

“Oh, so that’s it. Jinho is dating.”

How adorable it was to see Chaerin, who always seemed perfect despite her young age, blush as she revealed the fact. Imagining that scene, Seolhee chuckled softly.

Perhaps that’s why the walk home didn’t feel lonely. The streets were still brightly lit when she left work, but as they talked about Chaerin’s love story, the sky had gradually darkened.

The streetlights were brightly lit on the utility poles, and the streets were sparsely populated.

“It’s late.”

Glancing at her watch, it was already 9 p.m.

Perhaps due to getting excited while chatting or being busy with work, her shoulders felt stiff.

“But I’ll be home soon.”

Smiling brightly as they talked, she looked at the traffic light.

It would be great if it turned green quickly. She could go home, feed and walk Gomgom, and then play with him while he adorably fumbled with his belly.

Thinking about it made her smile. Just thinking about the adorable Gomgom, who was wobbling in front of her, changed her mood from slightly gloomy a while ago.

As she thought about the wandering Gomgom in front of her eyes, Seolhee’s smile spread. Then, suddenly, a cold droplet fell on the back of her hand.

Drip.

“Oh, what’s this?”

Looking up at the sky, she saw thick clouds covering the darkening sky.

“Is it raining?”

Even though summer was coming to an end, there seemed to be a sudden shower. Thinking that, Seolhee shook her feet.

Today, of all days, she didn’t check the weather forecast and didn’t have an umbrella in her bag. However, she didn’t care about her situation, and just before the traffic light turned green, it started pouring.

Splash

“What should I do?”

Whether it was due to global warming or some other reason, this year there were many sudden downpours.

At times like this when she felt like she might get completely soaked…

A large shadow was cast over her feet. And the raindrops that had been loudly tapping on her skin a moment ago suddenly stopped.

Tap, tap, tap, the sound of raindrops beating against an umbrella reached her ears.

“Oh.”

Looking up, there was a man’s face looking down at her. A slight smile adorned his slightly twisted lips.

“What are you doing here?”

A low voice that made Seolhee’s body tremble.

It was Eunwoo.

“……Teacher, no, Mr. Eunwoo.”

Seolhee just couldn’t bring herself to call him by her, an unfamiliar and awkward title.

Of course, what he said was correct. If she called him “Teacher,” it seemed like the distance between them would never narrow down. But calling him “me” was… it was still too difficult for Seolhee.

So, keeping a middle ground, she called him by his name.
And Eunwoo also called Seolhee by her name. With a refined voice, he said, ‘Seolhee-ya.’

In response to Seolhee’s words, he covered her with an umbrella and said, “If you walk around getting wet in the rain, you might catch a cold.”

Even though she saw his face every day, the sudden appearance of the man made her heart pound. Her red lips trembled slightly. Looking at Seolhee’s enlarged eyes, Eunwoo smiled gently. Once again, her heart pounded at that smile.

“Well… but, what happened? Why is Eunwoo here?”

“I’m on my way home.”

This street was the way from the hospital to his home. Earlier, when Seolhee, Jinho, and Eunwoo were leaving work, Eunwoo mentioned that he had some work and would stay a bit longer, and it seemed that the timing was just right.

“You left work at 7, but you’re still here? Without an umbrella.”

“Oh, that.”

Seolhee was about to talk about her meeting with Chaerin, but she closed her mouth.

He might still not know about Jinho and Chaerin’s relationship. Even though Eunwoo was friends with Jinho, he might not know yet, but still, Seolhee didn’t feel like bringing it up first.

Wondering what to say, she hesitated, and the crosswalk signal, which hadn’t changed for quite a while, finally changed. Pointing to the green light, Seolhee opened her mouth.

“Oh, the signal changed. Let’s, let’s go. Us.”

“…Something seems suspicious.”

“Let’s go, okay?”

She put on a smile that he liked a lot.

Oddly enough, Seolhee, who was rushing ahead, urged him on, ignoring Eunwoo’s doubtful gaze. Eunwoo’s eyes, which were waiting for an answer to his question, narrowed.

However, soon, when she slightly pulled his arm, he reluctantly moved his feet.

So they crossed the signal. Maybe it was because they were standing under a small umbrella, but their shoulders kept bumping into each other. Not only that, but Eunwoo, who was much taller than Seolhee, tilted the umbrella toward her, and his shoulders got wet with raindrops.

“Uh, it seems like you’re getting wet over there. I’m fine. I got a little wet earlier anyway…”

So, you can lean more towards that side.

She was about to say that, but Eunwoo heard Seolhee’s words and raised his arm, wrapping her shoulder with it. His firm hand tightly gripped her soft shoulder.

Just a little while ago, their bodies only touched lightly, but now they were perfectly close together.