Part 3

“I watched the first broadcast. You did a good job.”

Just then, Jiwook’s voice broke the silence.

Seowoo’s lips tightened as she continued to look out the window. Seeing the look on her face, Jiwook continued.

“You looked just like the twenty-year-old Yoon Seowoo I met back then. You’re still the same.”

At those words, Seowoo slowly turned to look at him. Their eyes met, Jiwook staring intently at her.

“Still good at acting, still bright.”

“…”

“Still beautiful.”

It made him want to go back to those days.

Looking at her like that made Jiwook pensive. He felt like she had never smiled so freely beside him before.

He thought that maybe, all the reasons for their relationship issues were because of him.

“That’s why I’m trying again.”

Jiwook stated firmly.

“Until you can smile like that in front of me.”

Seowoo’s jaw stiffened at the words. The sudden confession made her heart ache painfully.

It felt sincere.

He had never spoken to her this way before. Jiwook had always been reserved, rarely showing his feelings. It’s been a long time since she’s heard such a sweet voice.

In fact, it felt like the first time.

“I’ll watch you eat before I go.”

“And if I don’t eat?”

“Then obviously I won’t leave. If you want to keep seeing me, go ahead. Actually, I prefer that.”

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

She wondered if this was really Kwon Jiwook in front of her. 

It’s strange that he’s become more talkative, and he’s also very affectionate, so it’s hard to get used to.

Suddenly, she finds herself wondering what’s going on. Seowoo looked up at him, confused.

“I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry I let you go through all that alone. I’m sorry that you had to go back out into the world to try and survive, and I’m sorry that you’re still holding on, and I feel like I need to change.

“And, after thinking about it…”

He paused, his eyebrows knitting together in an awkward expression.

“Seeing you with someone else in the drama, I realized I was angry and couldn’t stand it.”

Her acting was so convincing.

Her scenes with Ki Sung-hyun were so natural, that you’d think they were lovers in real life, and even a deeply passionate kiss scene was infuriating just to think about.

The thought made him angry all over again.

“I’ll wait until you open up your heart for me.”

Seowoo tried to calm her pounding heart and kept her expression straight.

She had no appetite. She was on IV fluids, and her mouth was so dry she didn’t even want to eat the porridge.

So, Seowoo eventually refused the porridge and lay back down.

Jiwook didn’t urge her further and sat silently in front of her. While his constant gaze was burdensome, she was curious if his words were sincere. Seowoo lay on her back and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

How long had I slept?

She was awakened by a nurse who came to check on her condition. Jiwook was still there, standing next to the nurse with a worried expression.

“Your blood pressure and temperature are fine.”

“Nurse, when can I be discharged?”

“You can ask the doctor during the rounds tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you.”

The nurse picked up the chart and left the room.

An awkward silence fell over the room again.

As Seowoo pulled up the blanket, Jiwook quickly walked over to the refrigerator.

“What do you want to drink? There’s orange juice and barley tea.”

Glancing up, Jiwook was peering inside the fridge.

“There’s also plain milk and your favorite chocolate milk.”

Seowoo didn’t respond. Jiwook continued to watch the drinks intently before reaching out.

“Hmm, just drink this.”

He picked up the chocolate milk and walked over to her. Caught off-guard and not lying down yet, she hastily averted her gaze as Jiwook handed her the chocolate milk.

“I went out for a while while you were sleeping, and when I saw that, I thought of you, so I got you some.”

What am I, a child?

Seowoo pursed her lips and frowned.

It was the brand she liked, the same chocolate milk Jiwook had brought back from a university trip when she was twenty. 

She still bought it occasionally, though it wasn’t something she felt the need to tell him.

“Eat something, don’t make people worry.”

As she stared blankly at the chocolate milk, Jiwook took it back, inserted a straw, and handed it to her again.

“Huh-.”

A sigh escaped her, filled with a mix of relief and tightness in her chest.

I can’t remember the last time I was alone with Jiwook like this, without making out.

She couldn’t quite remember—it had been that long. 

Perhaps since he went to America after our twenties?

After getting married, Jiwook had been very busy, and life wasn’t the same after they lost Byul.

“It’s awkward.”

“I understand.”

“It’s uncomfortable.”

“I understand that too.”

“Then please leave me alone.”

Awkward, embarrassing, and uncomfortable.

She just wished he would leave. Seowoo showed her discomfort, but Jiwook just quietly looked at her and then sat down on the bed in front of her.

Seowoo hastily scooted backward, and Jiwook chuckled.

“Why are you moving back?”

As she moved back, he moved closer. His close proximity flustered Seowoo and she moved back a little further. After a few repetitions, the headboard of the bed touched her back.

Jiwook, who had moved so close, wrapped his hand around Seowoo’s hand holding the chocolate milk and placed the straw in her lips.

“Drink.”

As she tried to lower her hand, Jiwook held it firmly and shook his head slightly. Seowoo chewed on the straw, still resisting. Noticing her passive resistance, Jiwook finally took the chocolate milk from her.

“No…”

Then he sucked on the straw and took a big gulp.

“Why? You’re not drinking it, are you?”

Taking it back after offering it was somewhat absurd. Seowoo looked at him incredulously as he sucked deeply on the straw, his cheeks hollowing out. Then, he moved in closer and lifted her chin.

“Why…!”

Suddenly tilting his head, he pressed his lips against hers. The sweet chocolate milk washed over her tongue.

Caught off guard, she swallowed reflexively, gulping it down as he explored every corner of her mouth. He licked every inch of it, and when he removed his lips, the corners of his mouth curled up in satisfaction.

“You drink well.”

Embarrassment flashed across Seowoo’s face. As he wiped the milk that had dripped near his lips with the back of his hand, he bit the straw again. Seowoo hastily intercepted it.

“Give it back. I thought you said you weren’t drinking.”

“…….”

She hadn’t expected to be fed like this…

Her face flushed deeply from the brief but intense kiss.

“Your ears are red, you know?”

He lifted his hand and cupped her earlobe.

His fingers created a rustling noise that sent a shiver down her spine. Seowoo grimaced and quickly pulled his wrist down.

“Lunch should be out any minute now, eat your porridge. Otherwise, I’ll feed you just like this.”

He smiled leisurely.