After the initial joy, embarrassment surged over Si Hyun, and she lowered her head.

“I can’t bear to face your father.”

“Why?”

“Every time he comes to Korea, he always asks me to take good care of you. But if he knows we’re dating…”

Just thinking about it made her face turn red. Leon trusted her as Tae Ha’s guardian, but what would he say if he found out they were in a romantic relationship? However, Tae Ha raised his head.
“Your father has known for a long time that I liked you. So, he thought that when I grew up, the two of us would fall in love.”

“Really?”

“He said you’re the perfect match for me.”

Si Hyun was delighted. Knowing that Leon thought that way made her feel lighter. What did it matter what others said? It was his father’s approval that mattered, not anyone else’s.

As they walked hand in hand, it grew late into the night. When they reached the front of her house and even pressed the elevator button for her, Tae Ha said,

“You go in first.”

“Why? Is there somewhere you need to go at this hour?”

“I thought I might walk a bit more before going in.”
The embrace felt somewhat suspicious, as if he had some ulterior motive for walking further after all this time.

“Why are you doing this? Huh?”

Si Hyun questioned, but he only shook his head and seemed unwilling to answer.

“Fine. Then I want to walk with you too. I’m okay until the morning, so let’s walk as much as you want, wherever you want to go.”

When Si Hyun insisted, Tae Ha finally spoke.

“I don’t want to sleep.”

“Why? Can’t you sleep? You should get some rest even if you have to force yourself. You have work tomorrow.”

She felt too excited to sleep, and it seemed like he might be feeling the same way. So, Si Hyun thought that might be the reason, but he shook his head.

“I’m afraid it might all be a dream when I sleep and wake up.”
Si Hyun felt her heart sinking.

“I’m scared this might all be a dream. That when I open my eyes, it’ll all be gone.”

“…”

“Tomorrow morning, I can already imagine you saying that when you see my face. ‘Why are you staring like that? Did something happen?'”

“…”

“So, tonight, I don’t want to fall asleep.”

Si Hyun didn’t know what to do. Her heart ached as she found him adorable in one moment. Should she hug him? Should she kiss him? What could she do to ease his anxiety?

“Let’s go upstairs.”

Si Hyun grabbed his wrist and took the elevator. They went all the way up, opened Tae Ha’s apartment door, and forcibly led him to the bed.

“Come on, close your eyes and sleep now.”
As Si Hyun went to turn off the lights, Tae Ha watched her intently. It was as if he didn’t want to miss a single moment, as if he wanted to capture her image in his eyes.

Once the lights were off, Tae Ha apologized in the darkness.

“I’m sorry for saying foolish things.”

Instead of leaving the room, Si Hyun returned to Tae Ha’s bed. As she lay down beside him, she could feel him taking a surprised breath.

“…!”

“I won’t go anywhere tonight, I’ll stay right by your side. So, relax and sleep.”

Using Tae Ha’s arm as a makeshift pillow, Si Hyun closed her eyes.

“I’m just going to sleep. If you do anything silly, you’ll get scolded.”
A moment later, a slightly trembling voice came from behind.

“Sleep well.”

The next morning, Si Hyun was the first to wake up. She was still nestled against Tae Ha’s arm. She turned slightly to look at his side, and he was deeply asleep, making even breaths.

Normally, Tae Ha would wake up much earlier in the morning, prepare for work, make breakfast, and come to wake her up.

Si Hyun knew the reason for Tae Ha’s unusual late awakening today. It was because he couldn’t sleep properly last night.
Tae Ha couldn’t fall asleep until late. He lay beside her, gently caressing her shoulder and hair, softly kissing her lips, and carefully holding her from behind. It was as if he constantly needed to confirm her presence by his side.

He tried not to wake her, but in reality, Si Hyun wasn’t asleep either.

Although she had put up a fuss, the truth was that it was her mind that kept wandering into silly thoughts.

They hadn’t embraced or even held hands. Literally, they just lay beside each other, but somehow, trying to be the man he liked, sleep refused to come properly.
Of all things, the bed happened to be a single bed, so no matter how cautious they were, their bodies kept touching. Arms, chests, and legs, every point of contact felt as solid and robust as a lie. She couldn’t help but be aware of the fact that there was a ‘man’ lying beside her.

And how on earth could his lips, when it came to such a topic, be so soft and warm?

Every time Tae Ha, in the darkness, gently kissed her hair and shoulders, Si Hyun tried hard not to let her body betray her with trembling.

What if he suddenly hugged her tightly?

What if he kissed her?
On one hand, she was frightened by the subtle desire she secretly harbored for things to unfold in that way.