Chapter 13

Ellie smelled the flowers. Cal watched her closely as she buried her face near the yellow freesias and inhaled their scent.

“We’ll miss the carriage. Let’s hurry, okay?”

“Ah, Ellie. Wait a moment.”

Cal stopped Ellie as she tried to rush. Without knowing why, Ellie let herself be pulled along by Cal. Where Cal led her, there was a car parked.

Ellie’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what?”

“You said it only takes thirty minutes by car, right?”

“Well, yes, but….”

Ellie couldn’t believe it, looking back and forth between Cal and the car. She was so stunned she couldn’t find words.

Cars had been in use for a few years, but since they were expensive, they were still mostly owned by the wealthy. Living in the capital, Ellie saw cars often enough and was used to seeing them on the streets, but she’d never actually ridden in one.

Cal opened the passenger door for Ellie, who was hesitating.

“Please, Miss.”

Still unsure, Ellie got into the car at Cal’s gesture. Cal kissed her cheek as she sat, then closed the door for her.

Ellie couldn’t take her eyes off him until he walked around to the driver’s seat and sat down.

“Cal, you can drive?”

Cal laughed at the unexpected question.

“Would I put you in here if I couldn’t drive?”

Clunk. He shifted gears and pressed the pedal, and the car moved roughly. Ellie instinctively grabbed Cal’s arm. Cal found her so cute.

The unfamiliar car, unfamiliar motion, and the scenery passing outside the window were all strange. Cal took Ellie’s hand as she sat upright and tense.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me.”

Ellie only nodded. As the car left the city and sped along the outskirts, Ellie finally began to relax.

Just as someone had said, it really only took thirty minutes by car to reach the port. As soon as the sea came into view, Ellie’s spirits lifted.

“There, I can see the sea!”

It had been a long time since Ellie last visited the sea. Even the air by the shore was different. The salty breeze made her hair fly.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

Spinning around, Ellie asked. Cal couldn’t take his eyes off Ellie, standing against the sparkling sea, her white dress and blonde hair shining in the sunlight. She looked like she’d stepped out of a masterpiece.

“Let’s go up there.”

Ellie pointed to the hill above. The most famous hill in this port was about a ten-minute walk.

“Ellie, can I hold your hand?”

Under the sun, Cal’s bright smile made Ellie offer her hand as if hypnotized. Cal grabbed it right away.

Ellie hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t pull her hand away now that he had it. Cal even interlaced their fingers tightly, as if he wouldn’t let go. He kissed the back of her hand and smiled with his eyes.

Already drawn to handsome men, Ellie melted and let herself be led.

Going up the hill, there were lots of people, as expected for a famous tourist spot. What stood out most was someone taking photos for visitors. Cal’s eyes sparkled.

Ellie tried to go to the edge of the hill where the sea could be seen best.

“Cal, over there….”

“Ellie, let’s take a picture together. Please?”

Ellie finally looked where Cal was looking. Seeing the photographer taking pictures of tourists, Ellie hesitated.

She’d promised herself this was just guiding a tourist, but this felt too much like a real date.

“Is it not okay, Ellie?”

Ellie couldn’t firmly refuse, seeing Cal’s hopeful face.

“Ellie, you haven’t given me the photo you promised last time. So let’s take this one together, hmm?”

Cal never missed an opening. On his first day at the library, Cal had said he wanted Ellie’s photo, and she’d promised to give it to him if she found it.

“No, but….”

Holding Ellie’s hand, Cal led her to the photographer. Ellie, still unsure, found herself standing in front of the photographer. Seeing the two together, the photographer asked them to stand closer.

“Oh, what are you doing? Stand closer together.”

Cal immediately pressed himself to Ellie. The sudden closeness startled Ellie, but the photographer wasn’t satisfied and suggested another pose.

“Try standing more intimately.”

Cal silently thanked the photographer and hugged Ellie from behind.

“Cal!”

Ellie jumped in surprise and turned her head. Their faces were suddenly close, but she didn’t realize.

“He said to get closer.”

“But still, this is….”

“Smile, Ellie.”

While the two bickered, the professional photographer captured a perfect moment.

“All done!”

“Huh?”

From taking the picture to Cal giving the address to receive it, everything happened quickly.

“Oh dear.”

Ellie sighed. She wondered why she was so soft when it came to Cal, and tried to control herself, but it wasn’t easy.

After the photo, they walked around the hill together. The hill was high, so the sea could be seen far below, and the wind was strong. Suddenly, Ellie’s cardigan slipped off her shoulders and blew away.

“Ah!”

The thin cardigan fell and quickly drifted toward the cliff. Cal rushed after it.

At the edge of the cliff, there was a wooden fence for safety, and the cardigan soon went over it. Luckily, it caught in the grass beyond the fence, but it was just out of reach.

“If I do this, I think I can grab it.”

Cal leaned halfway over the fence and stretched his arm. Ellie watched nervously. Cal’s hand almost reached the cardigan, swaying back and forth.

“Cal, don’t! It’s too dangerous.”

The wooden fence didn’t look sturdy enough to hold Cal’s weight. As Cal leaned on it, it shook. Ellie anxiously grabbed Cal’s waist, trying to help support him.

“Got it!”

With a shout, Cal’s upper body swung back.

“Eek!”

Ellie, holding onto him, stumbled backward. Cal quickly caught her as she almost fell.

“Ellie!”

“……!”

Ellie stopped, held around the waist as she almost fell. Her heart pounded. She wasn’t sure if it was from the scare or because Cal’s face was right in front of hers.

Thump, thump. Her heart was beating so loudly she wondered if it could be heard outside, and her face flushed bright red.