Unexpected

Part 12

As I awaken I stretch a little bit, and turn to the left and see that Sangil is still asleep. I rise and start getting ready, trying to be as quiet as possible. I'm debating if I should wake him or not, when the decision is taken out of my hands by the ryokan staff. They knock on the door, and when I slide it open I see that they have brought breakfast. Sangil gets up and goes into the bathroom.

Not long after the staff leaves, he comes back in and we start eating. On the table next to my plates is a folded piece of paper. I wrote down ways to show physical affection. I'm aware of it all through breakfast, knowing that I'll be giving it to him.

"We're going on a long cycling trip this morning," I say to try and take my mind off the note. "I have to continue my training."

"Nice. It's been a while since I rode a bike."

I nod and lapse into silence again. Then the meal is over and I can't procrastinate any longer, so I slide the paper across the table.

"What's this?" he asks as he opens it.

I don't answer because it becomes obvious as he reads it.

*touching when sitting side by side

*gentle tickling 

*hugs

*holding hands

*playing with my hair 

*cuddling 

*linking arms

*laying head on shoulder or touching heads

*kisses on forehead, hand, cheek

"Whichever of these you're comfortable with." Honestly, Sangil turns red at the slightest hint of something suggestive. Is he seriously so timid? Blushing is hard to do on command, right? Even a great actor can't blush that fast.

We dress warmly before going outdoors. Two bicycles have been prepared for us and we take off. I told him to let me know when he's tired so we can stop and take a breather. For half an hour we ride without talking. Sangil pulls up alongside and asks, "How long do you ride for?"

"On a training day, it can be up to six hours. Broken up into two or three chunks. Not so much today."

"Thank goodness."

"How do you feel?"

"Not bad. When it's flat, I'm perfectly fine. But when it's hilly, then it's challenging."

And we are silent for the next half hour, too. We stop at a grassy park, where we lay a blanket down and sit. I pass a water bottle to Sangil, and guzzle one myself. I bend over and touch my toes, and stretch gently in other ways.

Sangil is lying down, looking at the sky. "Lie down. We can look for shapes in the clouds."

I recline beside him. "The clouds are white and fluffy, but I don't see anything yet."

Suddenly I feel him take my hand. I give him a squeeze, to let him know that I appreciate it.

"That is a bear's head, if you squint," he tells me.

I laugh. "This reminds me of a picture book I read to my nieces and nephews. Two people are looking at the same cloud, but they see two different animals. They argue for most of the book until the cloud drifts away. And when another cloud appears, they see different shapes again."

"Do you spend a lot of time with them?"

"No, not recently. I've been extremely busy this past year. As I grow up I notice how much life changes. I don't live in the same city as any of my family members anymore. I'm not as close to my nieces and nephews as I'd like to be. My inner circle of friends has shifted since school. I try to be flexible about all the changes, but sometimes it comes close to overwhelming me. I've had myself a good cry several times."