The place Ji Han chose for their meeting was a bench under the chestnut tree behind the humanities building, a spot Yoo In had never visited since their relationship became strained.
Yoo In didn’t particularly like that place, but she accepted it without saying a word.
As she climbed the quiet hillside path, her heart fluttered anxiously. His contact was both welcome and surprising, creating a sense of uncertainty about the reactions that might unfold.
While calming her restless heart, she gradually approached the bench and soon spotted Ji Han, who had arrived first, sitting there. It was a face she hadn’t seen for months, appearing as if they were meeting after a long separation.
“Hello.”
The calm greeting exchanged when their eyes met felt strangely ironic. Yoo In didn’t respond and chose to sit a little apart without saying anything.
“…”
“…”
There were clearly times when the ensuing silence was not uncomfortable. If asked which day she missed, Ji Han would probably have an answer.
Although curious, Yoo In chose not to ask anything and waited for him.
As the midday campus landscape spread out plainly visible, the two sat in silence, gazing into the distance without exchanging words.
Around the time it felt like tens of minutes had passed, Ji Han opened his mouth first.
“I’m sorry.”
Unexpectedly, Yoo In turned her head slowly, focusing on a distant branch swaying in the light breeze, with green leaves gently rustling.
Ji Han spoke with an expression that seemed both empty and relieved.
“I’ve been holding onto a serious misconception. You know, the time we spent together with you and Han Jae Hee, how important and precious it was to me.”
“…”
“I kept making the wrong assumptions. I couldn’t accept that someone I thought would always be by my side and be the most special to me could get closer to someone else and become important to that person. I felt like I was losing you. But it shouldn’t have been that way.”
“…”
“You’re not an object. I’m not a child. I… acted that way, Yoo In.”
Light eyes with pale irises turned towards Yoo In.
The faintly rising corners of his lips looked gentle and genuine, not forced or artificial.
“I’m sorry, Nam Yoo In. I’ve reflected a lot and endured a lot of pressure from Han Jae Hee. I’ve come to my senses.”
“…”
“If you could accept my apology.”
Yoo In quietly looked at him without adding any words.
The softly broken afternoon sun, resting on the slightly downturned white cheek, twinkled. Despite the slightly folded eyelids and the gently curved lips, the clear and kind light in Ji Han’s eyes remained the same as Yoo In knew, yet subtly different.
Was it because of the long, bright strands of hair that covered his forehead? Or perhaps the eyes that seemed deeper and more mature.
He had transformed from a fresh and vibrant boy into a man exuding a more refined maturity.
“…You.”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“If you want to curse at me, go ahead. If you want to hit me, do it.”
Ji Han’s absurd proposal, attributing Yoo In’s hesitation to anger, made her burst into laughter.
I have never hit him, let alone cursed at him. From the beginning, Ji Han never created such a situation in front of Yoo In, except for this incident.
“Why are you just smiling and not saying anything? It makes me more uneasy.”
“Do you think a verbal apology is enough? Think about what you did. I got a lightning bolt from my best friend.”
“What should I do? What can I do? Tell me everything, except for cutting ties.”
“Why exclude that?”
“…Ah, Yoo In. Should I kneel down right now?”
Ji Han, who had suddenly stood up, actually pulled up his jeans as if he were about to kneel on the dirt ground.
Yoo In, shocked, frowned.
“Ah, stop it. Enough. That’s it!”
“If that’s how you release your anger, go ahead. I don’t mind at all.”
“I said it’s enough! Stop it and sit properly on the chair.”
“If I don’t kneel, will you forgive me? If that’s what it takes, I’ll sit.”
Well, this was already more of a cute threat than an apology, but even so, a smile kept involuntarily creeping out.
Whether it was the playful frown of one eye exposed to the dazzling sunlight, or his efforts to lighten the mood, or that familiar and comfortable smile directed at me.
It felt like the long-standing comforts and comforts that had stayed by my side were unfolding, smoothing out the crumpled feelings.
Yoo In extended her right hand to Ji Han. The clear sound of the lock-shaped charm hanging from the thin chain colliding echoed.
“I forgive your sins.”
The slightly raised cheek, incongruent with the sternly imitated voice, blushed palely.
The moist and gentle eyes, without any ulterior motives, stared at Ji Han. Ji Han, familiar with it, responded with a shallow smile, overlooking the faint warmth emanating from the held hand.
“Now, can’t you say something else? Will your forgiveness be enough if you say it with your mouth?”
“You, now don’t do that anymore. I was really hurt.”
“Is that so?”
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
