Tae Ha didn’t say a word to Si Hyun for over ten days after that. She thought it was just a teenage rebellion at the time, but now, she felt like she understood.

How hard must it have been to save that money. How diligently must he have worked, imagining her being happy to receive his gift.

How did he feel when he returned the gift he’d bought with such care, even getting angry to exchange it for workbooks.

Si Hyun deeply regretted it now. If she could go back, she would have said thank you, it’s beautiful, I will treasure it and wear it well.

……But she couldn’t turn back time.

As soon as she got out of the taxi, Tae Ha came running with an umbrella from somewhere.
“Did you have a good meal?”
She could feel an anxiety he couldn’t hide in his calm voice. She had an idea of how anxious Tae Ha had been waiting for her.

It was ridiculous and embarrassing. Why would a man like you be so restless waiting for a woman who was just getting blown off?
“I didn’t even meet him.”
“Why?”
“I guess they didn’t like me.”
Si Hyun gave a bitter smile.
“Well, what’s there to see in me. I’m older and I don’t have parents.”
To Tae Ha, who didn’t know what to do, Si Hyun sighed and spoke.
“Listen, Tae Ha. I really think I’m not for you.”
“Why are you suddenly saying that? We agreed not to say we dislike each other anymore.”
Tae Ha immediately looked anxious.
“It’s not that I dislike you. It’s just that, no matter how I think about it, you’re too precious for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can meet someone much better than me.”
She even felt his genuine affection for her was a waste. You should be with someone better and have the right to love, why just me.

While holding an umbrella over Si Hyun’s head as if to protect her from a single drop of rain, Tae Ha looked straight into her eyes.
“I’ve never seen a woman prettier than you in my life. I don’t know anyone as affectionate as you, or as truthful.”
“……”
“There wasn’t a moment when I didn’t like you. I tried so hard to become a man worthy of you. But if you’re telling me now to meet someone better than you, what am I supposed to do?”

“Each word he uttered was sincere, and Si Hyun could feel a warmth slowly rising up from her throat. She had never received such a confession, not even when she first dated Woo Jin.

In front of her was Tae Ha’s broad chest. Realizing her desire to leap into his arms, Si Hyun took a step back in surprise.
“… The rain is getting heavier. I’m going up to rest.”

((()))

From the evening, raindrops began to fall one or two at a time, but as time passed, they became thicker. As night deepened, there was even the start of thunder and lightning.

Startled every time there was a rumble or a bang, Si Hyun suddenly became worried about Tae Ha.

When they were children, Tae Ha had a particular fear of thunder and lightning. So on such days, they would lie side by side and sleep at Tae Ha’s house, lying to their parents that they were staying at a friend’s house.

Feeling the need to check on him, Si Hyun got up and put on her shoes. As she was about to leave the house, she was startled to find Tae Ha standing guard at the door.
“Why are you outside?”
“The thunder and lightning keeps hitting. I was worried that you might be scared…”
He must have misremembered. Unable to believe it, Si Hyun asked again.
“Why would I be scared? The one who was scared was you… Mother!”
Suddenly, a loud clap of thunder echoed in her ear and, startled, she instinctively moved closer to Tae Ha’s embrace.
“See?”
As if he had been waiting, Tae Ha embraced Si Hyun.
“You were scared too, back then.”
Being in his broad and warm chest, old memories began to resurface.

Yes, it seemed that she was indeed scared.

Although Tae Ha was young, Si Hyun was no more than a high school student herself.
“It’s okay, I’m here.”
Comforting him in her arms, she felt relieved that Tae Ha was with her.

The child who would wake up from sleep in fear every time thunder struck and would crawl into Si Hyun’s embrace, was now holding her firmly, not even flinching at the sound of an explosion right next to his ear.

Gently patting her back with his big hand, Tae Ha whispered.
“I’ll hold you whenever you’re scared now.”
Hesitating a little, he added,
“… Sis.”
It was the first time she had heard him say that since he graduated from middle school.

When he called her “Sis” with a voice that was completely different from when he was a child, thunder struck again.

This time, it was in Si Hyun’s heart.

((()))”

The following day broke clear as if it were a lie. Si Hyun, who had gotten up lazily because it was a holiday, headed to the nextdoor house.
“Chief! Would you like to go to Aunt Su Yeon’s curry restaurant later?”
She asked lightly, feeling a bit embarrassed as if she were asking for a date.
“Sorry. I have work at my company today.”
Tae Ha, who was just tying his necktie, made an awkward face. The white shirt was dazzling.
“Oh, UnionTA.”
She had forgotten that our chief was also the CEO of his own company. She had asked a busy person to go eat curry leisurely.
“Well, you should also take care of your company. Okay, then work hard.”
“Hold on!”
Tae Ha hastily stopped Si Hyun, who was about to leave.
“I’ll definitely finish and come back by dinner.”
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it when you’re busy.”
“Wait, at least until five o’clock….”
“I said it’s okay. Then, good luck!”
Leaving behind Tae Ha who was trying to hold her back by all means, Si Hyun returned to her house.

Having only met him once, Su Yeon liked Tae Ha very much. She unusually strongly said she hoped it would go well with Tae Ha and told her to come together next time.
‘She’s busy, right? I was going to go together to listen to my aunt’s words.’
She felt sullen as if she had been rejected after asking for a date.

Si Hyun spent the whole day at home alone bored. She read books, watched YouTube, and occasionally glanced at the quiet house next door.
“I’ll hold you whenever you’re scared.”
She lowered her voice and imitated Tae Ha.
“How can you date when you’re so busy like that?”
Suddenly, she found herself ridiculous and laughed. No, if someone saw this, they would think she’s really dating Yoon Tae Ha?

‘Yoon Tae Ha’ and ‘dating’. It was surprising that the two words could be put in one sentence. If the me from ten years ago saw me now, she would grab my collar and ask if I were crazy.

Feeling her head about to get complicated again, Si Hyun just laid on the bed. Rolling around, she suddenly fell asleep.

How long did she sleep? Her phone rang, and Si Hyun opened her eyes.

Halfawake, she answered the phone, and as soon as she did, her college friend Joo Eun’s voice poured out as if she had been waiting.

Where are you now?
“Me? I’m at home.”
What, why are you still at home? Haven’t you left yet?
Si Hyun asked back in confusion.
“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“We agreed to gather for the wedding invitation meeting today, at five o’clock!”

lu lu lo la ▪️ net (lululola.net)