Chapter 105
In the stillness of time, my heart sank with a thudding sound. Every sensation converged into one point.
It felt like falling in love at first sight—like returning to the beginning.
The sun bathed the narrow alleyway, our world where we first crossed paths, where you and I were once children meeting for the first time.
Yugyeom smiled at me, his eyes locking onto mine, but his words took a few seconds to register in my mind.
I remained silent, frozen, unable to speak.
“Are you still hurting?”
Yugyeom kept his gaze fixed on mine as he asked.
I felt a profound emotion, so intense it threatened to rupture my heart. My chest ached, yet that pain wasn’t unpleasant.
Tears, I couldn’t trace their origin, blurred my vision.
In that hazy view, I ran towards the only bright figure shining amidst the chaos—him.
Before I could reach, his strong arms pulled me into a firm embrace. His embrace felt more comforting than any sanctuary on Earth.
“…No.”
I buried my face against his chest and replied.
“I’m okay now.”
I added for myself, as if affirming a truth.
Yugyeom tightened his hold on my waist and neck, pulling me closer until our bodies were pressed tightly together. I could feel the rhythmic thumping of his heart against mine.
“It’s good.”
He whispered softly, as if promising to never let go. I reached up, my arms looping around his neck, and closed my eyes.
I had many things to ask, many words to speak, but right now, this moment of being close was enough.
The peacefulness was overwhelmingly sweet, free from hatred or impending trials.
The gentle thumping of my heart calmed my restless mind.
Then, I recalled Yugyeom’s state—his condition had been so severe, it felt as if he could perish in the flames at any moment.
Yet, miraculously, he stood whole, despite the injury.
To verify his condition, I twisted my body to pull away. Yugyeom, however, refused to let me go.
Instead, he tightened his grip, pulling me even closer as if to ensure he’d never release me.
The only thing in my sight was the glass ceiling.
“Are you hurt?”
I asked, brushing his sun-kissed hair gently.
The softness of his hair melted my worries away like a marshmallow in hot chocolate.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
Yugyeom responded with a voice as smooth as a marshmallow’s texture. His voice was so sweet, it almost hypnotized me.
I barely managed to hold onto my senses. Yugyeom was someone who hid pain well.
But hiding only worked so far—sometimes, I had to see for myself.
I remembered where Yugyeom was injured and gently pressed my hand there. He gave a low, pained sound and curled slightly inward.
“You’re not fine at all!”
As I kept squirming, trying to escape his grasp, Yugyeom let out a defeated chuckle, releasing his hold on my waist slightly.
Although he didn’t completely let go, the pressure eased, and at last, I could see his face again.
Our eyes locked in a close gaze. I tilted my head up, giving him a gentle smile.
Then, I gave his forehead a light slap.
“Ack.”
Yugyeom groaned softly, clearly overacting for dramatic effect.
“Why are you lying?”
I glared at his waist, where a bandaged wound was now stained red.
“You always get hurt…”
I felt my eyes sting with frustration. I wasn’t usually one to cry, but seeing someone I cared for hurt made me cry on their behalf.
“It’s fine.”
Yugyeom removed one hand from around my waist and covered his own injury instead.
Even though his attempt was to show me it was fine, the wound looked dangerously close to reopening.
Yet, with a sweet smile, his eyes shimmered, as if he were asking me to look away.
Knowing better, I reached out and covered his face with my hand.
“This is dangerous. Too risky.”
Trying to avert my gaze, I took a deep breath to steady my shaking heart. Yet, my resolve wavered in the next moment.
“…!”
I felt warm breath against my palm.
I jolted, opening my eyes wide and quickly pulling away. But before I could, his hand seized my wrist firmly.
Between my fingers, I saw his playful, mischievous smile.
Before I could grasp the danger, his lips met mine.
“Eek…!”
Yugyeom pressed his lips firmly against the palm of my hand, like a seal marking a document.
The sensation was unfamiliar, causing my body to instinctively shrink back. Unlike the gentle touch of his hand, his lips were unbearably hot.
Every time his breath brushed against my skin, a shiver coursed through me, and I instinctively bit my lip.
Despite my efforts to pull my hand away, Yugyeom remained motionless.
Through the space between my fingers, I could hear his laughter slipping out. It was clear he was enjoying my reaction.
Unable to hold it in any longer, I shouted.
“Hey!”
“Hey?”
Yugyeom repeated my words exactly, tilting his head lazily.
His half-lidded eyes shimmered with a dangerous gleam.
With a bewildered expression, I quickly shut my gaping mouth.
Yugyeom slowly lowered his hand from my wrist.
His face, once concealed, was now fully visible. His intense gaze pierced into mine.
“I’ve always wondered…”
His voice was dangerously deep, steady as it fell. Yugyeom leaned down slightly, his face quickly closing the distance between us.
As I hastily swallowed, his clear eyes slid downward, soft with amusement.
“Why is the boss ‘oppa,’ and I’m just ‘hey’?”
I blinked rapidly, trying to comprehend his words.
His proximity was overwhelming, and there was no sign of him pulling back.
Feeling the danger, I tried to move away, but his arms tightened around my waist, pulling me even closer.
“What—what are you saying…”
I stammered, unable to make sense of his words.
Yugyeom chuckled softly, lowering his head further.
That smile reminded me of the time when, in the midst of flames, I had kissed him first.
Though it wasn’t our first time, and I never regretted it, the memory still made my face flush.
The low hum of his laugh drifted close to my ears.
I tried to distance myself, but Yugyeom immediately reached out, pulling my lips apart with his fingers.
Cold fingers gently brushed against my tender lips, making my skin tingle with the touch. His heated gaze lingered, deeply embedding itself into my skin before finally leaving.
When he looked up again, our eyes met. His gaze still held a burning intensity, causing my heart to race.
Yugyeom continued watching me for a long moment, then closed his eyes and leaned closer.
He whispered softly into my shoulder.
“To be honest, it doesn’t matter.”
His hand, which had been holding my wrist, slowly slid up and intertwined with my fingers.
“I’ll let you win anytime you want. I’ll give you whatever you ask for.”
His voice wavered, unstable like a fragile flame.
He clung to me, pulling me into an embrace, almost desperately.
“Don’t leave me.”
He pleaded with a voice more desperate than I’d ever heard, each word slicing deeply into my heart.
The memory surfaced—a time when Yugyeom had said something similar, tears falling down his face. The weight of it now sank into my chest, heavy and overwhelming.
Back then, I had pushed you away. I couldn’t bear the thought of you being unhappy because of me.
But deep down, I never truly let you go.
Whether we remember where it began or not, whether you hate me or not, I could never let you go. You are the reason for my existence.
“I can’t…”
Before Yugyeom could finish his sentence, I pulled him into a tight embrace.
The tremor between us ceased the moment our bodies collided.
“How could I ever let you go?”
I whispered my truth through tears that surged uncontrollably.
Turning my head, I met his gaze again. Our eyes locked once more.
Desperate eyes searched mine, as if assessing whether my words were genuine.
His pale cheek shimmered under the sunlight, and within moments, I saw tears glistening.
I gently wiped away the tears from his reddened eyes. Yugyeom, still trembling, took my hand and pressed his cheek against it.
The tears didn’t stop; they continued to flow, without pause.
Beyond his gaze, I saw a lingering desire—a yearning that refused to be extinguished.
At first, it had been because you were my favorite, because I couldn’t accept the sad ending of my favorite story.
But now, that reason was gone. The story I thought we were living wasn’t yours, but mine.
I existed fully here, without the need to push you away or hesitate.
I wanted to be honest, to finally lay bare my feelings.
I smiled faintly at Yugyeom, tears still staining my eyes, and confessed.
“I love you this much.”
