In the hospital VIP room, there was a private bathroom. Despite Gangwoo having showered before SeA, there was hardly any moisture on the towel on the floor, and all the items were in their place.

SeA wrapped a towel around her wet hair. With blurred eyes, she mechanically brushed her teeth while staring at herself in the mirror.

Her chest felt tight, as if weighed down by a heavy load.

‘Once the candidacy is confirmed, leave. I don’t want to see your face anymore.’

The day she was suddenly dragged back to her hometown. The image of Namtae, rolling his fierce eyes, flashed in her mind.

Now that it had happened as he intended, it was clear that she would soon move on to the next stage of removing herself.

In any case, Namtae had experience in grilling people. Externally, he had such a good reputation that even during sensitive times, the majority of comments supported him when he moved parties.

“Sigh.”

A heavy sigh came out consecutively. Even if she thought it would be early March at the fastest, the confirmation of her candidacy was pushed forward sooner than expected.

So, now she had to confess to Gangwoo. Instead of being expelled like a criminal by Namtae.

She wanted to delay the breakup with Gangwoo, so she kept saying she would tell him soon, that she really had to do it now.

Was it a cowardly excuse to say that there was no certainty in his love, which alternated between hot and cold baths? But maybe it was no longer allowed to postpone. Suddenly, things had overwhelmed her. Why was the sky so strict with only her…

Okay. Let’s not blame anyone. Anyway, it wasn’t easy to keep deceiving Mr. Gangwoo.

So, when should I tell him? Today? Tomorrow?

Considering that Gangwoo’s health was not good, and he would already be burdened with work at the company, would it make him even more difficult?

“SeA, are you far away?”

She was startled by the knock.

“I, I’m coming out.”

SeA quickly changed into her pajamas and opened the door. Gangwoo was standing right in front of the bathroom door. In his sharp pupils, suspicion rose, and belatedly, one corner of his lips tilted slightly.

“What were you doing? Inside.”

“What do you mean? I took a shower.”

“For this long?”

“…It takes a long time for women to shower.”

“More than usual?”

A swift glance from SeA went to the wall clock. Since two hours had passed, Gangwoo’s somewhat resentful reaction also made sense.

“Don’t make a big deal out of it… There are days like this and days like that.”

Smiling naturally, SeA, who was secretly agonizing, looked like she understood. In Gangwoo’s eyes, her appearance reflected a subtle defiance.

Behind, Gangwoo’s slipper sound lightly lifted. It seemed like an agile beast was following, erasing its footprints.

Pretending not to know, when SeA raised her hand to the towel wrapped around her head, Gangwoo was a bit faster. When SeA turned back with surprise at the towel unexpectedly coming off, a strange smile appeared on Gangwoo’s lips, holding the pink towel in his hand.

“It’s like catching a fish like this, right?”

“What?”

“Have I become boring to you now?”
SeA was dumbfounded, unable to continue speaking because it was absurd. If only it had become a bit boring. Laughing and crying because of Cha Gangwoo at the drop of a hat. To find composure was difficult for herself.

“Just yesterday, it seems like I passionately confessed to Mr. Gangwoo.”

“There were many times when it was just as cold towards him.”

“…When did I do that?”

“Don’t play dumb. Shut your mouth. If you keep whining, your value might drop even more.”

Leaving more curiosity behind, he closed his lips silently. At other times, he might have shown endless curiosity, asking what he meant, but today he didn’t have the strength for that.

Gangwoo approached SeA, who was playfully raising the corners of her mouth. He reached out the large hand holding the towel and lightly brushed through her long, damp hair.

“I… I’ll do it.”

“I’ll do it. Even doing something like this has its uses.”

“…Why are you sulking again? Just speak frankly.”

He was exceptionally skilled at tormenting people. He would clearly see through her every time she stood in front of him, and although it was unbelievable, even if he claimed to be a love amateur.

Silently, Gangwoo dried SeA’s hair from her forehead to the tips. Occasionally, his big palm that brushed her cheek gently traced her skin. Even though it just barely touched, her temperature rose like a fever.

She wanted to keep secret that even with such a small contact, she was still excessively excited. It was because she was afraid of feeling too relieved.

After removing enough moisture, Gangwoo lowered the hand holding the towel. SeA, feeling a bit regretful, lowered her raised corners of her mouth, fearing they might reveal her feelings. It wasn’t allowed because of his habit of pushing up her chin.

“Give me a reason why I’m better than Kim Doyoung.”

“Why are you suddenly…?”

“A reason why it must be me.”