Part 14

“I’ll enjoy this.”

Jiwook smiled faintly as he showed her the takeout cup. After buying such an expensive meal for her, just one cup of coffee seemed insignificant.

Jiwook chose the cheapest iced Americano for his coffee.

“I enjoyed it too.”

After dinner, they decided to take a walk around campus together. Korean universities were famous for their well-maintained landscaping and walking paths, so it was perfect for a stroll once the sun went down and it got a little cooler.

Fortunately, it was dark by then, so no one recognized them as they walked.

“If you want to grab coffee, you’ll have to contact me occasionally.”

“I will.” 

As much as you’d like.

She couldn’t help but smile at how nice it was just to walk with him. She took a sip from her drink and glanced at him subtly.

“I’ve been a little busy.”

“Oh…….”

Jiwook spoke first as if to explain why he hadn’t been in touch.

“Are you less busy now?”

“I think I’ll be even busier.”

Upon hearing his response, a sense of disappointment inexplicably washed over her. There were so many questions she wanted to ask.

How has he been all this time? Does he really remember her? Did he recognize her immediately? Will he return to school next semester?

She was contemplating which question to ask first when he spoke.

“I have a lot of work before I go back to school.”

There was no point in asking what kind of work it was, so Seowoo simply nodded her head.

“Are you going back to school for the second semester?”

“Of course. Would you like to sit down?”

As they walked half a lap around the campus, he pointed to a bench. Seowoo nodded and sat down next to him. 

“It’s hot out.”

The warm tropical night continued. Even though it was nighttime, the temperature remained high, and the humidity indicated that the rainy season was approaching. Sitting among lush trees, the thick scent of summer tickled her nose.

“I’ve always wondered.”

After a moment of silence, Jiwook spoke first. Seowoo listened attentively to his words.

“You were so small back then, I wonder if you’ve grown taller. Do you still smile beautifully? Do you still like chocolate milk?”

Jiwook fell silent for a moment.

Since Seowoo left his house, he hadn’t heard any news about her. The atmosphere in the house was not good because of what had happened, but Jiwook was young and there was nothing he could do about it.

He had simply wondered from time to time if she was doing well.

“And… if you’re doing well.”

He turned his head and stared at her for a moment. She locked eyes with him as if enchanted. Her heart fluttered at his intense gaze piercing through the air.

“You’re a curiosity.”

Jiwook studied her face carefully.

Her thick eyebrows were still the same, and her cute round nose remained unchanged. His gaze reached her rosy lips.

“I haven’t seen you in a long time, but I recognized you at a glance.”

“…….”

As Seowoo remained silent, Jiwook raised an eyebrow slightly.

“It’s understandable that you don’t remember. You were too young.” 

It was a condescending remark that she couldn’t remember. He flashed her an uncharacteristic wry smile and turned away, taking another sip of coffee.

“I just said nonsense…”

“I remember.”

“…….”

Her voice trailed off, as if in denial.

“I was so curious, but my mom said I couldn’t see you anymore.”

Remembering Jiwook, who took care of her like a big brother, Seowoo had often begged Yoonrim to let her see him, to let her meet him. But Yoonrim would only tell her that she would never see Jiwook again.

“I thought… you wouldn’t remember me.”

She thought of herself as someone special to him.

She never dreamed of meeting him again like this. With each word she spoke, her heart pounded as if it would burst out.

“There are so many things I’ve wanted to ask you, but I’m only asking now.”

Seowoo smiled softly at him. Jiwook’s gaze on her became even more intense.

“I didn’t even know we went to the same school. I couldn’t have imagined meeting you like that day.”

Feeling awkward for no reason, Seowoo fidgeted with the cup in her hands and took a deep breath for a moment.

“It’s hot today. Very hot.”

Was it because of the weather or because of the awkwardness? 

Her face flushed with heat. Seowoo cooled herself by pressing the cold cup against her cheek. The warm night breeze blew gently.

Amidst the strong scent of summer, Jiwook’s woody fragrance mixed in heavily.

“Still, it’s good to see you and hear from you.”

She didn’t expect anything special from him.

After all, Jiwook lived in a different world. She decided to think that having a meal together occasionally, even having coffee, would be enough.

To be ambitious, but not to be greedy.

“…….”

At that moment, he lowered the cup that she had been pressing on her cheek. Seowoo’s gaze, surprised and flustered, turned toward him. His large, warm hand, now barely cooled, gently covered her cooled cheek again.

Their gazes intertwined up close.

His pupils, staring directly into her eyes, slowly swept across her face. Overwhelmed by tension almost suffocating, she lifted her hand and placed it on top of his hand on her cheek.

“……!”

After a moment, he tilted his head and pecked her on the lips.

A rich woody scent, reminiscent of summer, flooded her mouth.

The wet, hot sensation was unfamiliar, and when Seowoo winced, Jiwook leaned in a little closer and tilted his head.

The tip of his tongue slipped between her parted lips and she squeezed her eyes shut. Every nerve in her body focused on their lips.

It was so intense that she even forgot to breathe. Every little movement felt vivid.

“Hah.”

The ragged breath finally broke free. As Seowoo twisted her head and took a deep breath, Jiwook, who’d been watching her, chuckled and pulled at the nape of her neck.

Seowoo’s eyes fluttered open as he leaned in close again.

It felt like they were so close that even a slight movement would make them touch.

“Your lips are sweeter than I thought.”

“… “

With a rather explicit remark, Seowoo’s face flushed red. Despite the darkness, her blushing face was clearly visible. Jiwook, who had been gazing intently, swallowed her lips again.

It was a powerful, passionate first kiss with her first love, as intense as the hot summer.