Through The Window

8. Open up

Yujin heard her voice break.

“Yujin… please,” she said.

The words pierced straight through him. He leaned closer and finally whispered what he had been holding back for so long.

“Please… be strong for me, Wonyoung,” he said quietly.

“I’m not good enough, Yujin… I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

“Just this time… for me. I—I need you.”

Her face froze in shock. Of course it did. Anyone would react the same way.

“Y-Yujin… what are you talking about?”

“I love you, Wonyoung,” he said, finally letting the words out. The relief hit him immediately—this was what he had wanted to tell her all along.

“Y-Yujin… are you in your right mind?”

“Of course I am. And I know exactly what I’m saying right now.”

“It’s so sudden… don’t you think it’s too fast?”

“I know you’ll react like this, but… I really need you right now. Just let me court you,” he said honestly.

“But—”

Before she could finish, he pulled her into a hug.

They stayed like that for several minutes, unmoving, letting the silence speak for them. When they finally pulled apart, Yujin looked into her eyes and smiled warmly.

“I won’t force you to accept me. I just didn’t want to keep bottling up my feelings. I’ll give you time. I just want you to be happy… you deserve it, Wonyoung.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes drifting to his hand. Only then did he feel the sting again.

She took his hand and pulled him toward the couch.

“Sit.”

He obeyed.

She turned around and headed upstairs—at least, that’s what he thought. On impulse, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto his lap. Teasing her felt natural, almost comforting.

She immediately jumped up, her face burning red, and ran off. Yujin laughed quietly. She was fast—surprisingly fast.

When she returned, she took his hand carefully and began treating the wound, cleaning and bandaging his injured palm.

It hurt. A lot.

She patted his palm gently. “Done.”

Yujin looked at her and smiled.

“I’m sorry, Yujin… I’m really sorry.”

He lifted his injured hand and gently caressed her cheek. Somehow, the pain faded.

“No need. I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not!”

“Hey, calm down. See? It doesn’t hurt at all.”

He clapped his injured hand against his other hand to prove his point.

“Hey! Don’t do that!”

“I’m okay now. You’re worrying for nothing,” he said lightly.

“I cooked something for us… but it’s just simple. We didn’t get to buy proper groceries,” she said.

She nodded when he reached for her hand.

“Come,” he said, leading her to the dining room.

“Sit here.” He pulled the chair out for her. “Wait here. I’ll get the food.”