Chapter 24

Chapter 24: You Can Touch Me Too

I gained a lot from enjoying the cherry blossom festival after such a long time.

“Sip, this feels like something mom taught me a long time ago.”

First, recalling my middle school days…

Chae Ah’s range of recovered memories has been gradually expanding.

Regaining memories about family is undoubtedly good news. It means that all the efforts to revive old memories haven’t been in vain.

“Hyun Woo, was I close with mom?”

“Not just your mom, but you were harmonious with the entire family. That’s why her passing must have been even more shocking for you.”

“Hmm… I’m sorry. I can vaguely remember how warm it felt, but I can’t recall what we actually did.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah, but still…”

Though Chae Ah seemed a little down, it’s an inevitable part of the process of regaining memories.

All Hyun Woo could do was help her revisit situations where memories might return.

However, not everything gained was necessarily positive.

It wasn’t exactly bad news, but another trial had found its way to Hyun Woo…

The cherry blossom festival was over.

Afterwards, Hyun Woo and Chae Ah almost went into self-imposed confinement to focus on studying for exams. Given that these were the first exams since she lost her memory, they both prepared as thoroughly as possible, especially for Chae Ah who was understandably nervous.

“Hyun Woo, I don’t know how to solve this problem.”

“If you don’t know, then neither do I.”

So whenever she didn’t understand something, she’d often come over to his desk and shove the problem at him.

“Still, can you take a look at it once?”

“Alright, bring it here.”

“I got this far, but I don’t know how to proceed next…”

Of course, the fact that Chae Ah asked many questions wasn’t a problem.

“You’ve already calculated the answer but haven’t written it down yet, right?”

“Oh? Is this the answer?”

There were some minor mistakes here and there, but there were no major flaws in her understanding or methods.

Still,

Gripping tightly.

Every time he helped her with problems, the issue was that something large and heavy would brush against his arm.

Someone might ask:

If they sleep side by side every day and were constantly touching during the cast period, why is he still making a fuss?

Hyun Woo had a ready response for anyone (most likely Jin Hyuk):

‘Try being in my situation.’

This was an entirely different kind of awkwardness compared to previous situations.

Firstly, Hyun Woo still couldn’t sleep soundly beside Chae Ah, significantly reducing his sleep hours.

Back when she had the cast on, it was still chilly March, so they both wore thick clothes.

But now?

Thanks to global warming, it was quite warm even in early April. At home, there was no need to wear uncomfortable undergarments.

With this synergy, what happens?

‘If I had confessed earlier, would I have needed to endure this? If I had just expressed my feelings a day sooner, by now…’

The soft sensation through the thin short sleeves was overwhelming, plunging him into regret and confusion, unable to focus on the words before him.

As long as Hyun Woo remained sane, it didn’t matter.

However, since the library incident,

Chae Ah unknowingly developed a habit of focusing on Hyun Woo’s pants.

“…Huh.”

She began frequently noticing Hyun Woo’s “other self” silently asserting itself.

“…If you noticed, stop looking.”

“Sorry.”

A common occurrence since their return from the cherry blossom festival.

Chae Ah quickly turned away and hurried back to her seat.

‘Are the losses outweighing the gains?’

While pondering whether these changes were truly positive,

“Hyun Woo.”

“What?”

“If it bothers you, you can touch me too.”

“…What?”

A sound so unbelievable that his brain froze mid-thought.

Staring blankly, paralyzed,

Chae Ah resolved firmly, her ears perking up.

“Didn’t I make you upset before by mistake? This keeps happening. So, you’re allowed to get revenge once.”

“Wh…? No, uh… Haa…”

Heat rushed to his face, involuntary laughter escaped, his mouth corners twitched uncontrollably, feeling like his facial muscles were malfunctioning. He sighed while repeatedly wiping his face with his palms.

Does she even realize what she’s saying?

How has he managed to hold back until now? Every time, she seems to try to undo all his hard work. By this point, it feels like she’s testing his patience.

“Don’t ever say that again.”

“Uh, okay?”

Chilled by the voice filled with restrained anger, Chae Ah trembled.

“Revenge? If I really wanted to get back at you, it wouldn’t end there… No, never mind.”

He almost let out all his pent-up frustrations in excitement but caught himself and calmed his mind.

‘Was I upset? That day haunted my dreams.’

Still, if this continues, an accident will happen soon.

“Yu Chae Ah, do you know what you can do for me?”

He revealed just a tiny portion of the truth he had kept hidden.

“Regain your memories quickly and let me tell you what I wanted to say.”

“What you wanted to say…?”

Unsurprisingly, Chae Ah didn’t understand. That was the intention behind saying it this way.

“Sorry, I got carried away suddenly. But once your memories return, you’ll understand why I acted this way.”

“…Okay, I’ll try.”

“Let’s refocus. We planned to eat something delicious after evening study, right?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Shall we have chicken today? I’ll treat you.”

“If you’re treating, anything is fine.”

Apologizing and trying to regain composure, Hyun Woo resumed normalcy. Though flustered, Chae Ah also attempted to return to her usual self,

‘What did he want to say? Was there something hidden between us? Between childhood friends…?’

The doubt that arose refused to subside easily.

* * *

This midterm exam period was undoubtedly the most challenging for Hyun Woo.

For others, it was simply about studying, but Hyun Woo had to endure being near a massive temptation.

Days filled with tension, albeit in a different sense.

Fortunately, time flows ceaselessly without stopping.

“It’s finally over!!”

“Karaoke? Karaoke? Karaoke?”

“Looking for people to go to karaoke~”

As soon as the final bell rang, students grabbed their phones and left in search of freedom.

In the classroom, only a few remained to collect answer sheets for grading.

“Phew…”

Having endured what felt like a grueling ordeal, Hyun Woo slumped onto his desk.

Jin Hyuk, leisurely packing his bag at the front, asked,

“What’s wrong? Was today’s test too difficult?”

“I’ve had too much going on. It’s really exhausting.”

Though tempted to spill everything,

“Did Chae Ah do well?”

“No… I think I didn’t do well.”

“Huh? You? Did you check your answers?”

“Yes…”

“What score?”

“97 points.”

“…Wait a moment, Chae Ah. Let me hit you just once.”

Given that Eun Bi and Chae Ah were nearby,

And explaining to Jin Hyuk would probably just result in advice to pay more taxes,

“Now that exams are over, what are you planning to do?”

Suppressing his own worries, he changed the subject.

“Probably going to the PC room?”

“Why would you go to the PC room? You don’t have any friends, and your home computer is better anyway.”

“Because Jung Eun Bi asked me to go with her.”

“…Eh?”

Hyun Woo looked at Eun Bi shaking Chae Ah’s collar.

“How dare you say that in front of someone ranked fifth!”

“Ah, it’s fine, Eun Bi. You’ll improve quickly if you study.”

“This is improvement? I was pretty satisfied with it!”

Eun Bi, naturally punishing deceitful behavior.

“Did she play games before?”

Thinking about it, he hadn’t heard her mention gaming before.

“No, she’s starting and asked for help, so we’re going to the PC room.”

“Ah, teaching her on the side?”

“Yep.”

Recalling something Chae Ah had said,

-Maybe suggest Eun Bi try gaming.

A comment made while speculating about Jin Hyuk’s ideal type during the cherry blossom festival. If Chae Ah had passed this along to Eun Bi,

‘What makes her think this is a good idea?’

Eun Bi’s effort was commendable.

That there actually exists a woman trying to pursue Jin Hyuk was surprising.

Initially uninterested,

Given how unique the case was, he started to feel like helping her a bit.

“Hey, Jin Hyuk, what’s your ideal type?”

“A cool short-haired girl who needs saving with nades, like Misaki. But cute gap moe girls are also acceptable.”

“What the hell…,”

Swallowing the profanity that almost slipped out reflexively upon hearing the pre-programmed response,

“Besides that. What’s your real-life ideal type?”

“Real-life ideal type? Why do I need one?”

“…”

Though doubting whether helping Eun Bi was truly the right thing to do,

Since the topic was brought up, he decided to push it a little further.

“Well, maybe someday you’ll like a girl.”

“Necessarily real…,”

“Shut up and listen. How about a girl who plays games with you?”

“Hmm, that’s one thing I envied about you.”

Jin Hyuk nodded thoughtfully, as if he’d never been scolded before.

“If I had a childhood friend who played games with me every day, instead of wasting time staring dumbly, I would have…”

“Jung Eun Bi! If you’re going, let’s hurry up!”

Ignoring the statement that naturally aimed to pierce his heart,

Hyun Woo stood up and approached Eun Bi.

“How come you still maintain your skills despite losing your memory? Honestly speaking, Yu Chae Ah, isn’t this proof that you’re a prodigy? Otherwise, achieving such high scores wouldn’t make sense.”

“Wha-what are you talking about? I used to do well, so I assumed I got full marks and was feeling depressed…,”

“Even though you clearly only missed one question, it doesn’t mean you’re bad at it… Wait, did Jin Hyuk call you?”

As Eun Bi turned her head, having been distracted by thoughts about Chae Ah’s hidden secrets,

Chae Ah seized the opportunity,

Escaping Eun Bi’s grip and sticking closely to Hyun Woo’s back.

“Eun Bi is bullying me, Hyun Woo.”

“You were the one tormenting her mentally first.”

“…When did I?”

“Just forget it if you don’t remember.”

Dismissing Chae Ah’s tattling lightly,

He waved his hand toward Eun Bi,

“If you’re going to the PC room, hurry up. All the seats will be taken by now.”

“Eh? Are there really so few seats?”

“It’s because the exams ended today. Plus, the PC rooms near the school are rather small.”

“But shouldn’t seniors be studying?”

“They’re failing seniors.”

“Let’s go, Jin Hyuk!”

Similarly ignoring Hyun Woo’s remark, Eun Bi slapped Jin Hyuk’s back.

“I’m a total beginner, so you have to teach me properly. If you insult me for being bad, I’ll cry and kick you in the groin.”

“There won’t be any insults, so no threats. Anyway, I’ll guide newbies.”

“D-dl… What?!”

Eun Bi’s face turned bright red as she followed Jin Hyuk,

“Is he crazy? Using such terms on someone who knows nothing.”

Impressed by gamer Jin Hyuk’s choice of words devoid of shame,

“Hyun Woo, aren’t we staying up all night gaming tonight?”

Chae Ah asked excitedly from the side.

Having refrained from gaming due to the cast and exam period, her body was restless.

Of course, Hyun Woo was similarly experiencing withdrawal symptoms,

“Sure. Let’s go hunt some monsters. Let me check the slime drops now.”

“What’s that?”

“Something you insisted on calling romantic. If you don’t remember, let’s change your weapon this time.”

“Hmm… The name sounds appealing somehow?”

“You’re driving me insane.”

Returning home while discussing their game plans for the next day,

…I sincerely hope we can stick to just gaming.

[!– Slider main container –]