At first, he didn’t understand what he meant at all.
“Hand… you mean?”
To Hyowoo blinking his eyes in bewilderment, Lee Seohee held out his hand with a mischievous face.
“You said you were sorry.”
“So what does that have to do with holding hands…?”
“It’s because you keep saying you’re sorry, Hyowoo-ssi. I’ll accept your apology, so hold my hand instead.”
Hyowoo looked back and forth between his hand and face.
Beyond flustered at the unexpected situation, his mind was a jumbled mess.
Seeing Hyowoo hesitate and fidget with his own fingers instead of holding out his hand, Lee Seohee this time made a threat.
“You won’t hold my hand? Then I won’t accept your apology either.”
A childlike threat that didn’t contain even 1g of actual intimidation. He even urged him to hurry up and hold it, complaining that his arm hurt. At that childishness, Hyowoo finally laughed as if dumbfounded.
After hesitating for a moment, he gently placed his hand on top of the hand he’d held out.
So that the shy hand couldn’t escape, Lee Seohee gently grasped it and softly rubbed the back of his hand with his thumb.
A trivial gesture. That touch, which might be meaningless, which might perhaps just be a simple habit, shook Hyowoo.
‘Earlier I was so startled… but now I don’t dislike this person touching me…’
Excluding family, had there been anyone who cherished him this much and treated him this affectionately? And until now, had he ever felt this ‘loved’ by someone other than family?
The moment he met eyes that looked at him lovingly, Hyowoo averted his gaze downward.
His pale cheeks gradually colored with a pretty shade.
‘I’m glad I’m wearing a mask… I can’t even imagine what kind of expression I’m making right now…’
His heart beat louder and louder.
When he was trying hard to calm it down lest the sound be heard, he quietly spoke.
“About that bet we made back then.”
Only then did Hyowoo raise his head.
‘Oh, right. The bet…’
He’d meant to ask him about it when he met him today, but too many things had overlapped in a short time and it had briefly flown out of his head.
“Have you thought about your wish?”
Actually, the first thing that came to Hyowoo’s mind was, ‘Don’t ask for a reason, let’s just stop meeting.’
Since the condition was that he’d unconditionally grant any wish. This was the easiest way to part with him.
‘Then I won’t have to explain in detail why I want to stop meeting…’
It was selfishness, wanting to reduce emotional consumption and escape from difficulty.
But no matter how much he mulled it over, that was too cowardly. And above all, he didn’t want to say it here and now.
“Not yet… What about you, Seohee-ssi?”
He asked cautiously and swallowed his saliva.
Given his personality, he knew well that he wouldn’t say something unreasonable or something Hyowoo would dislike as his wish.
So he wouldn’t suddenly request something like ‘from today we’re dating,’ or skinship like a kiss.
…But he also wasn’t 100% certain he wouldn’t.
‘Surely he’s not going to ask for something ridiculous…?’
What wish would he say? He waited for his answer in a completely tense state.
“I’ve thought of mine.”
“What… is it?”
If he already had something in mind, he should say it quickly. However, Lee Seohee deliberately drew it out and didn’t easily open his mouth.
‘Just what kind of wish is it…’
Suddenly, the conversation from when they made the bet came to mind.
“You’re not going to tell me to wear a school uniform, are you?”
“Huh? How did you know?”
He grumbled softly that it wasn’t fun when he guessed it right away like that.
He barely swallowed the words ‘Ahjussi, are you a pervert?’ that almost burst out. Lee Seohee, who had been watching Hyowoo make an incredulous expression for a few seconds, suddenly burst into laughter.
“Haha. I’m joking, joking.”
“…Really?”
When he narrowed his eyes as his suspicion didn’t fade, he waved his hand lightly.
“Really. I know you’d hate it, so how could I say such a wish?”
“That’s a relief. You were so obsessed with the school uniform back then, I was startled thinking you’d really make me wear one…”
“But now that I see, it seems like you’re more obsessed with it than me, Hyowoo-ssi. Did you want to show me how you look in a school uniform?”
“Absolutely not!”
Seeing Hyowoo immediately bristle, Lee Seohee chuckled lowly. He’d been caught up in his wordplay again.
“…Is teasing me that fun for you?”
“Yes, it’s fun. Your expression when you’re surprised or flustered is really cute, Hyowoo-ssi.”
Cute. It was an expression far removed from himself.
‘See. He’s definitely trying to tease me again…’
He tried to pull his hand away out of resentment. But he, who had already sensed it, intertwined their fingers so Hyowoo couldn’t pull his hand away.
“S-Seohee-ssi?”
Looking down at their fingers entangled in an instant, Hyowoo didn’t know what to do.
On the other hand, he was smiling more happily than ever.
“So about that wish, when you call me from now on, could you drop the ‘player’?”
“What?”
“When you add ‘player’ after my name, it feels like there’s some distance.”
That’s all his wish was?
He knew he wouldn’t make an unreasonable request, but he would have just granted such a small request if he’d only asked.
“…Then, what should I call you?”
“Hmm… Since Taeseo calls me oppa, ‘hyung’? Ah, no. Being nine years older makes that too shameless. But I don’t want to hear ahjussi or uncle from you, Hyowoo-ssi either…”
Muttering about what would be good, he suddenly fell into serious contemplation with one hand on his chin.
“Why are you worrying about something like that? It’s not like it’s such a big deal.”
“To me, it’s a very big and important matter. It decides the title I’ll be called from now on.”
His quite serious appearance was exactly like a child carefully choosing what flavor to eat at an ice cream shop. That sight was amusing and at the same time looked cute, so Hyowoo ended up laughing out loud.
“Okay. Then from now on I’ll drop ‘player’ and just call you ‘Seohee-ssi.'”
After answering, he laughed for a while before looking at Lee Seohee.
Contrary to his expectation that they’d laugh together, he was silently staring intently at Hyowoo.
‘Did I make some verbal mistake?’
When he asked why, he gave a gentle smile.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen you laugh out loud.”
“What?”
“But it’s a bit disappointing that you’re wearing a mask. I couldn’t properly see your face laughing out loud, Hyowoo-ssi.”
His heart, which had barely calmed down, started beating fiercely again.
“Next time, be sure to show me. Your face smiling brightly would be even prettier.”
What should I say at times like this?
Unable to find words to say, he once again avoided his gaze.
Watching Hyowoo’s ears and neck area turn even redder than before, Lee Seohee put slightly more strength into their intertwined hands.
“If holding hands is uncomfortable, feel free to let go anytime. I’m fine with it.”
Smiling like that, he moved his gaze back to the field. Hyowoo also looked at the field with his face turned red.
Until the game ended, in the end, Hyowoo didn’t let go and kept holding Lee Seohee’s hand.
* * *
Starting with their first date that had many twists and turns, the two met almost every day.
Considering Hyowoo who felt uncomfortable in crowded places, after the baseball stadium Lee Seohee only chose quiet locations like cafes or restaurants with private rooms, secluded driving courses, and enjoyed dates.
During his stay in Korea, he devoted most of his time to Hyowoo. Even on days when he was busy with schedules all day, he came to the neighborhood near his house late at night to at least briefly see his face before leaving.
At his such devotion, even his noona and Gyeonwoo clicked their tongues saying, ‘How did you endure missing him when you were in London?’
“You must have a lot of schedules too, so don’t overdo it. You must be tired.”
“What overdo? I’m coming because I want to see you. Ah, but Hyowoo-ssi might be tired and find it bothersome. If it’s hard, please tell me. Don’t worry about me.”
“What tiring thing do I have to do? And… it’s not bothersome.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m not nice enough to force myself to meet people I find bothersome.”
Since meeting Lee Seohee, Hyowoo’s condition had noticeably improved, but it would be a lie to say he wasn’t tired at all.
Because his body had weakened considerably, Hyowoo got tired quickly no matter what he did.
A few days ago, the day after being with him from morning to night, he was so exhausted that even after sleeping soundly, his eyes wouldn’t open easily.
Yet he’d never refused an appointment. Because his desire to meet him was greater than his fatigue.
Though he sometimes teased and played pranks, Lee Seohee absolutely never did things Hyowoo disliked.
In situations where misunderstandings could arise, he explained and corrected them right away, and didn’t leave unnecessary anxiety.
He always showed consideration first so he could feel at ease, and always made him smile.
A kind, thoughtful, and so affectionate person it brought tears. When he was with him, it was fun and, above all, comfortable.
So it was troublesome.
He should stop meeting him now. He should say let’s break up.
He’d resolved himself many times, but when he actually saw his face, that determination invariably crumbled.
‘Will I… even be able to say let’s break up to this person…?’
