# Chapter 136
“…Does it hurt?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah.”
“Could you lift your arm a bit? I won’t press too hard.”
My mind, which had been in a daze, returned to normal at these words seeking consent. Embarrassed by the tone that seemed to acknowledge my slip-up, I dug my fingernails into my skin.
If he had just ignored it as if he hadn’t heard anything, it wouldn’t have been so embarrassing.
When I slightly turned my stiff neck from tension, Jung Hyoin’s wide-open eyes were looking downward.
Though I tried to ignore it, since his gaze was directed at my private area, I startled and elbowed him in the side.
The loud thud made Moon Seoheon raise his upper body, which had been bent down.
Jung Hyoin, who frowned either from the pain or something else, looked at me and then slickly turned to the side under Moon Seoheon’s gaze.
“What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
I bit my lip as I spoke, and Moon Seoheon, who had been staring intently at me, focused back on his task. I took a breath to cool the strange feelings rising within me as I watched him scrubbing from my shoulder down to my elbow.
I felt like confronting Moon Seoheon about why he had brought Jung Hyoin along.
If I were overreacting, it would be embarrassing and make me look fussy, but if Moon Seoheon had offered to help alone, it wouldn’t have been this unpleasant.
This guy, was he lying when he said he liked me? Of course, I hadn’t exactly heard him say that clearly, and I was the one who pushed him away, but this wasn’t how someone would act toward someone they had feelings for. If it were me, I wouldn’t let someone I had feelings for be with another person.
My lips jutted out in a pout, a mixture of confusion and discontent.
“Alright. Hyoin, you wash his back.”
Moon Seoheon handed the shower puff to Jung Hyoin and pulled my wrist.
Startled by the sudden action, I bit my lips tightly to keep them from parting. It was ridiculous that I had just unconsciously shown anger and irritation.
A lot of foam got on Moon Seoheon’s body as he pulled me, but he didn’t seem to mind at all.
The upper body that had been behind my back leaned forward in front of me, and Jung Hyoin, who had received the shower puff, soon gently scrubbed my back. Moon Seoheon merely watched us leisurely while stretching, as if he had finished his part.
A sigh escaped me, but I closed my eyes at the sight of Moon Seoheon looking up while gently rotating his arms that had become stiff from washing me.
The anger or excitement that had risen just a moment ago completely disappeared. My mood became strange as I experienced a strong reality check about what I was doing right now.
After obediently having my back washed, I hunched my upper body further when they offered to wash my hair.
Lukewarm water poured over my head, soaking my hair completely. My eyes, tightly shut to prevent water from getting in, even stung a bit.
After the shower was turned off, a brief silence followed, and then the scent of shampoo brushed past my nose. I decided to blow away unnecessary thoughts with the refreshing sensation of my hair being massaged.
After thoroughly applying shampoo followed by conditioner, Moon Seoheon brushed up my hair, stood up, and grabbed the shower again. He immediately turned on the water and directed the stream toward me.
Then water at a suitable temperature began to wash away the foam. His touch was remarkably thorough, scrubbing the softened skin until not a trace of residue remained. It was clear he had no intention whatsoever of toying with me.
Come to think of it, even Jung Hyoin had just quickly washed my back and cleanly removed his hands. Feeling deflated and filled with self-loathing, I realized I was the only one being strange after hitting him earlier.
“All done.”
Moon Seoheon patted my shoulder as if to say “good job” and smiled with satisfaction before asking if I had any discomfort. My heart fluttered at his attentiveness, checking on me when he was the one who had done all the work.
For his first time, Moon Seoheon had washed my body meticulously, but in contrast, he was a mess. Jung Hyoin, who had helped support me, was in the same state.
Their clothes were wet and damp with foam and water, and their hair was slightly soaked and drooping.
“…No. Thank you.”
Though I actually still felt a slippery sensation on different parts of my body and wanted to wash properly under running water once more, I shook my head and stretched my arms forward, indicating I wanted help to stand.
Noticing my intention, Moon Seoheon supported me by placing his arm under my armpit and gently lifted me up, just as he had when bringing me to the bathroom.
As I found my balance and stood upright, something was wrapped around my tired body. It was a soft and warm towel that Jung Hyoin had taken from the shelf.
My fingers fidgeted as I watched Jung Hyoin’s back as he left after roughly drying me with the towel.
“Let’s go.”
Moon Seoheon brought another towel, dried my wet hair, and supported me. I was about to nod when I felt the need to urinate and stopped my steps.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah… you go ahead first.”
At my words, Moon Seoheon raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced at my swollen legs.
“You can’t move alone with those legs, right? And you don’t have your crutches.”
Certainly, I couldn’t get the crutches placed beside the bed, and it would be faster to just receive his support than to ask him to bring them. In the end, I hid my embarrassment and said lightly.
“I need to pee. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
I felt my cheeks getting hot but pretended not to notice. Fortunately, I was reassured by the fact that my body was already flushed from the bath I’d just taken.
“……”
What’s there to be embarrassed about just needing to use the toilet? I had just strongly felt a reality check, so I shouldn’t show any pathetic excuses.
I had said it casually, expecting Moon Seoheon to just say okay and leave, but he closed his mouth for a moment and looked thoughtful.
As I expressed my confusion, wondering what he was doing just standing there, Moon Seoheon grabbed my shoulders and turned me toward the bathroom before I could stop him.
“Huh? Uhh……”
A surprised and bewildered voice escaped me involuntarily, but realizing his intention to escort me to the bathroom, I let myself be led quietly.
When we reached the toilet, Moon Seoheon immediately stepped back. In an instant, I found myself standing against the wall with a transparent partition between us and Moon Seoheon. I turned my body to glance at his back-turned figure before facing forward again.
Moon Seoheon hadn’t completely left, and despite the partition between us, the sound of urination would be clearly audible. Although he had turned his back as a gesture of consideration, I was still conscious of him, but I decided to focus on the task at hand.
I spread my legs to position myself and waited for the accumulated liquid to be released. One second, two seconds… even more time passed, but there was no response.
I bit my lip, holding back a sigh, and admitted it. Moon Seoheon was too distracting.
Why was I so conscious of him now when I never paid attention to guys standing next to me in school bathrooms, whether using the toilet or exposing themselves?
“Seoheon. Could you step out for a moment?”
Having no choice, I closed my eyes tightly then opened them and called out. I expressed it plainly, hoping he wouldn’t misunderstand or notice that I was acting strangely.
Though I had tried not to look at him out of self-consciousness, I inevitably glanced in Moon Seoheon’s direction. Meeting my clear eyes, Moon Seoheon remained still with his arms folded.
Was my action a mistake? Moon Seoheon unfolded his arms and tilted his head.
“Why?”
Contrary to my expectation that he would simply leave at my request, Moon Seoheon spoke with clear words. His expression was also forthright, as if telling me not to misunderstand.
After a brief moment of speechlessness, without even having time to feel resentment, I answered honestly.
“I can’t go because I’m self-conscious.”
“What are you self-conscious about?”
Is he really asking because he doesn’t know? With an incredulous expression, I glared at him but then averted my gaze from his calm face.
“I usually can’t go when someone’s around.”
Just as I was starting to dislike Moon Seoheon for my unnecessary frustration, my patience ran out as my bladder felt like it would burst. So I blurted out a lie in an almost shouting manner, and Moon Seoheon approached me.
Why are you coming closer when I asked you to leave? My eyes widened in shock. Oblivious to my feelings, he relaxed his expression and spoke with a concerned tone.
“That’s a serious problem. It could be a psychological disorder. Have you ever sought counseling?”
“What? No, no. It’s just that if you leave, it will be fine.”
“No. It’s better to overcome such things on your own. You might even need to take medication.”
Is this really such a serious issue? I was flustered by the fact that I had needlessly deceived Moon Seoheon and caused trouble, as well as by his genuinely serious attitude.
“I’ll help you.”
“What are you talking about?”
Before I could say it wasn’t necessary, a scream escaped me as Moon Seoheon came behind me and embraced me.
“Stay still. You’ll make a mistake.”
His tone and expression were genuinely concerned, making me wonder if I was the strange one. When I started to think that I was wrong after all, seeing his righteous and sincere gaze, Moon Seoheon, who had restrained my upper body in his embrace, said in a low voice.
“Spread your legs a bit.”
A fresh voice brushed past my ear, just like when he had asked me to lift my arms during the bath. While I couldn’t move at all, my legs were spread during a moment of inattention, and Moon Seoheon’s knee came between them.
It must have been to prevent me from falling, but my face turned red and my lips parted, unable to close.
“Hey… hey. Stop it. I said stop…!”
“If you’re embarrassed, just close your eyes.”
A large hand covered my eyes, blocking my view. Just as I was about to shout and ask what the hell he was doing if he had noticed my embarrassment, my mind went blank at the sensation of being held in a place that shouldn’t be touched.
“Ugh……”
I held back a sound that was about to escape by firmly closing my mouth and felt dizzy from the intensified sensation. I squeezed my eyes shut even though my vision was already covered.
Ironically, what hadn’t come out despite the shocking stimulation was easily resolved. The embarrassing sound of liquid hitting the toilet echoed and then quieted, and my body fluttered like a fish out of water. Soon the twitching subsided, and I panted breathlessly amid the storm of emotions.
As my legs trembled slightly, Moon Seoheon held my body tightly. The heightened senses soon informed me that something was touching my shoulder.
With a soft sound of skin meeting skin, the soft thing that had touched my shoulder detached.
