Chapter 6

Why does he just naturally accept that?

Chae Ah had a dream.

Or perhaps, it was a memory that surfaced while she was half-asleep.

– I’m sorry, Hyun Woo.

Was it from kindergarten or elementary school?

The exact timing wasn’t clear.

All she knew for sure was that both Hyun Woo and Chae Ah were very young back then.

Chae Ah, who ran around like a tomboy, frequently got scrapes and bruises.

– Hurry up and let me look at your knee.

Hyun Woo would trail after her, applying ointment and sticking on band-aids.

Still, she had some sense of morality.

– I’ll be more careful next time…

Chae Ah always apologized to Hyun Woo.

Then one day, Hyun Woo said something unexpected.

– Stop saying you’re sorry.

– Huh?

– Just don’t do things you need to apologize for.

– Ow…

It was a day when she had a particularly large wound.

As Hyun Woo generously applied the ointment, he gave her a piece of advice.

– From now on, instead of saying sorry, say thank you.

– Why?

– It sounds much better. For both the giver and the receiver.

– …

Though she couldn’t articulate it at that age, his seemingly indifferent yet thoughtful consideration left an impression.

– Thank you, Hyun Woo.

– If you know that, stop getting hurt so much.

– Hehe…

Even at that young age, she could sense the desire to stay with Hyun Woo forever.

– Hyun Woo, then we will definitely…

Thud.

The dream—or memory—faded right there.

…Wake up already!

Shake, shake.

Yu Chae Ah!

…Huh?

It was because Hyun Woo was shaking her awake.

We have school today, remember? You forgot that we agreed to wake up early?

Yeah… That’s right.

Chae Ah rubbed her sleepy eyes and reluctantly let go of Hyun Woo’s arm, which she had been tightly hugging.

I thought I was about to remember something.

Chae Ah clutched her head as she sat up.

If only it had lasted a little longer; something might have come back to her.

But as soon as she woke up, it all vanished like bubbles.

Are you okay? Does your head hurt?

Mm, no. Thank you.

? For what?

For not leaving me and waking me up.

That’s obvious. Considering how you were clinging to my arm, I couldn’t just leave you asleep.

Tok.

Ow!

Hyun Woo lightly tapped her forehead before pulling off the blanket.

If you appreciate it, hurry up and get ready. We need to shower, eat, and go.

Got it.

Though the school wasn’t far away,

with her cast, she needed to start early.

She even required Hyun Woo’s help to get ready.

Turn around.

Of course, he dried her hair too.

Why won’t this button close? You should buy a bigger shirt.

It only doesn’t fit around here.

Hyun Woo helped her put on the shirt.

‘He could just touch without any issue.’

While carefully avoiding contact, Hyun Woo fastened the buttons.

Though he tried to act nonchalant, his flushed face betrayed him.

I’m sorry it’s so big.

…

Still, it’s better than having nothing, right?

…Just be quiet, please.

Hehe.

Chae Ah couldn’t suppress the laughter bubbling up inside her.

When she woke up after the accident, she was incredibly confused.

Even though she could move, her body didn’t feel like hers.

Unless someone has experienced it, they wouldn’t understand how terrifying it felt.

However, being with Hyun Woo made everything seem alright again.

The only person whose name came to her mind.

A childhood friend with faint memories still intact.

Whenever the darkness of uncertainty threatened to overwhelm her,

Hyun Woo was the lantern that illuminated her world.

We’re done. Let’s go.

After finishing the last button, Hyun Woo wiped his forehead, drenched in sweat.

Thank you.

Gooch.

Without warning, Chae Ah pulled him into a tight hug.

Hey… We need to go, remember?

It’s fine for just a moment, isn’t it?

This was the most reassuring moment when she was with Hyun Woo.

Dum-dum.

As they held each other tightly, sharing heartbeats and enjoying the pleasant pressure of closeness, her fears melted away.

We really need to go now.

Alright.

Reluctantly, Chae Ah pulled away from Hyun Woo, savoring the moment.

More than anything, she wanted to stay nestled in Hyun Woo’s warm embrace forever,

but reality wouldn’t allow it.

Creak, beep.

Huff…

They stepped outside and took a deep breath.

Except for occasional walks or trips to the mart, she hadn’t ventured out since the accident due to her cast.

But today, she had to go to school, so there was no choice.

Though she thought having Hyun Woo by her side would make it easier,

– If it gets tough, let me know. We’ll go home.

– Hmm?

– Your expression looks terrible, you know?

– Oh…

It wasn’t true at all.

Right after stepping out of Hyun Woo’s house onto the ordinary street,

the road seemed strangely daunting.

‘How did he know?’

She thought she had hidden her feelings well,

but she couldn’t keep much from Hyun Woo.

– This isn’t working. I’ll call the teacher…

– No.

Chae Ah firmly grabbed Hyun Woo’s arm, preventing him from turning back.

Every time she stepped into an unfamiliar space, fear welled up inside her,

but she knew this would continue if Hyun Woo wasn’t by her side.

– Anyway, you’d keep feeling this way if you stayed alone at home without me.

In the end, it all boiled down to whether Hyun Woo was present or not.

– I’m fine. As long as you’re here, I’ll be okay, so…

Swoosh.

Her hand slipped down from the collar and intertwined with Hyun Woo’s larger hand, interlocking their fingers.

– Just hold my hand.

Though being constantly embraced by him would provide the most comfort,

walking that way through school wasn’t possible.

So, this was the minimum safety measure—a reminder that Hyun Woo was right beside her.

‘What if he finds it burdensome?’

Even though she lacked the courage to take a single step without holding his hand,

she worried about burdening him.

‘This much is fine between childhood friends, right?’

It was due to the vivid memory lingering in her foggy mind.

– We’re not dating, you know.

Hyun Woo’s honest demeanor, always speaking the truth.

For some reason, whenever other kids teased them about dating, he would seriously counteract it.

‘He takes care of me because we’re childhood friends. I shouldn’t cross the line.’

Throughout their cohabitation, Chae Ah kept reminding herself of this.

She mustn’t break this relationship.

She believed she could stay by his side only within the boundaries of “childhood friends.”

Yet now, she regretted her actions.

Holding hands like this wasn’t something childhood friends should do.

She worried he might dislike it, but…

– Alright. Then let’s go this way.

Hyun Woo started walking toward school without hesitation.

Even though he usually disliked being mistaken for lovers,

– If you feel any pain, let me know. We’ll go straight back.

Seeing him worry about her despite everything…

– Yeah, thank you.

Gooch.

Chae Ah squeezed the hand she held tighter.

* * *

Chae Ah and Hyun Woo briskly walked toward school.

With her cast, speeding up was impossible, so it was natural.

Just as they approached the gate…

– Yu Chae Ah, Do Hyun Woo! Let’s go together!

Someone sprinted toward them, shouting cheerfully.

It didn’t take long for the cheerful greeting to change.

-?! What happened to you? Are you hurt?

It was because they noticed the casts on Chae Ah’s arm and ankle.

– ??

Chae Ah turned around and placed a question mark above her head.

‘Friend… Is that right?’

The brown-ponytailed girl frantically checking her over looked familiar,

but her name escaped Chae Ah completely.

– How did this happen…?

When the girl reached out to touch her…

Tap.

– Huh?

– Oh.

Chae Ah instinctively swatted the hand away.

…

Both the girl, Chae Ah, and Hyun Woo froze momentarily.

The first to recover was Hyun Woo, whispering into Chae Ah’s ear.

– It’s Eun Bi.

– Hmm?

– Your friend, Jung Eun Bi. You two became quite close right after starting high school, but you don’t remember at all?

– …Yeah.

Unfortunately, no memories resurfaced.

– Chae Ah? What’s wrong?

From Eun Bi’s perspective, it was perplexing.

Her best friend, who she could confidently call her closest companion,

showed up injured at the start of the new semester,

and now acted like a wary kitten encountering a stranger.

Before the situation grew more awkward, Hyun Woo quickly intervened.

– A few days ago, Chae Ah had an accident. Right now, she doesn’t remember anything except me.

– …Are you secretly filming this?

It was understandably hard to believe outright.

– Memory loss? Did Chae Ah actually experience that?

– Yeah.

– But why do you remember her?

– Yeah.

– So what’s the deal with this?

– It’s true, I swear. She doesn’t even remember her parents.

– Really?

By that point, Eun Bi’s expression had grown serious.

– It’s true. Why would I lie about something like this?

– Well, but…

– I’m really sorry, but I’ll explain on the way. We’re going to be late.

– Oh, oh.

Eun Bi hesitantly nodded, slowing her pace to match Chae Ah’s steps.

Meanwhile, Hyun Woo quietly explained the recent events to Chae Ah.

– She had an accident a week ago…

Of course, he conveniently omitted the part where he intended to confess.

– Is that even possible…?

After hearing the entire story, Eun Bi murmured to herself while trailing behind them.

During that time, Chae Ah pondered internally.

‘Now that I think about it, why was I there in the first place?’

Until now, she had only heard about the circumstances of the accident.

But no one mentioned why Chae Ah ended up there.

Judging by what Hyun Woo was saying, she probably needed to go to the playground?

– We definitely later…

An image tried to surface along with her questions,

– Ugh…!

But it felt like electricity zapping through her brain.

Her head buzzed with a ringing sound.

– What’s wrong, Chae Ah?

– Are you okay?

Hyun Woo and Eun Bi anxiously looked at Chae Ah, who had suddenly stopped.

– My head hurts a bit…

– Let’s go to the hospital. Hop on my back.

As soon as she complained of pain, Hyun Woo knelt down, offering his back.

Up to this point, it seemed reasonable.

Hyun Woo had always been considerate and meticulous since they were young.

– No, we should go to the nurse’s office first, right? We’ve almost reached school anyway.

However, Chae Ah didn’t expect Eun Bi to agree as well.

– …Is that right?

– Of course. Are you suggesting we rush to the emergency room right now? We can borrow the teacher’s car instead.

– You’re pretty smart, Eun Bi.

– I am pretty smart.

With a concrete suggestion laid out,

Hyun Woo was about to readily accept it when…

– Wait. I’m fine.

Without realizing it, Chae Ah clung to Hyun Woo’s arm.

– It was just a brief pain. I’m okay now, so we can keep going.

– But you were clearly in pain, even if it was just for a moment.

– Do Hyun Woo is right. It hasn’t been long since the accident, right?

Despite Hyun Woo and Eun Bi’s efforts to send her to the hospital,

Woomph.

– Everything will be fine this way.

Chae Ah hugged Hyun Woo and buried her face in his chest.

…

…

Hyun Woo stood frozen in shock,

while Eun Bi stared wide-eyed at Chae Ah.

Chae Ah may have been bold, but she wasn’t the type to engage in such public displays of affection—not even with Hyun Woo.

‘What… What is this? Did she skip ahead after losing her memory? …Wait, does that mean Hyun Woo is kind of trashy?’

Eun Bi’s sharp gaze intensified.

– Whatever it is, it’s not true.

Hyun Woo shook his head, knowing full well what Eun Bi was thinking.

Whatever her thoughts were, they were undoubtedly misconceptions.

Of course, none of Hyun Woo’s explanations mattered.

To Chae Ah, seeking comfort in Hyun Woo’s arms was perfectly normal,

but to outsiders, they appeared to be indulging in a passionate embrace right at the school gates.

– Oh my goodness. What are they doing?

– Gasp. Isn’t that Do Hyun Woo and Yu Chae Ah?

Chae Ah was a well-known socialite at school, recognized by everyone.

While Hyun Woo bore all the embarrassment,

– Hey, hey. The show’s over! Quietly move along, ugh!

Eun Bi waved her arms to shoo away the gawking students.

– …Thanks.

– If you know what’s good for you, figure out what’s going on with her. Why did she turn out like this?

– I didn’t do anything, I swear.

As Hyun Woo protested his innocence,

Swoosh.

Chae Ah let go of Hyun Woo.

– Fully recharged. Now that I’m really fine, let’s go.

– What?

Watching her brazenly declare this, Hyun Woo chuckled wryly.

– We should’ve finished this before the crowd gathered.

– Too slow to charge.

– Got it. If you’re truly fine, great. But if it happens again, I’ll carry you to the hospital without looking back.

– Yeah, I’m really fine.

Since they were genuinely running late,

Hyun Woo once again clasped Chae Ah’s hand and slowly passed through the school gates.

Meanwhile,

Eun Bi blinked her large eyes.

‘What is this? What exactly is going on? Why does Hyun Woo just naturally accept this? Aren’t they not dating?’

No matter how close friends they were,

Chae Ah’s sudden assertiveness and Hyun Woo’s acceptance of it all were difficult to adjust to.