Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The human heart, much like a vessel for food, has its limits in containing emotions.

Jaehee’s heart was no exception.

When it felt like it was about to burst, overflowing with emotion, he decided to quench his thirst.

If he wanted to see her, he’d see her.

“Can I set up a tent in the garden?”

“A tent? Why all of a sudden?”

“The room feels suffocating.”

“You have the entire third floor to yourself, and it’s suffocating? It’s not like your room doesn’t have windows...”

“Never mind. I’ll take care of it.”

“No, no. Don’t get hurt messing around. I’ll buy one and set it up for you,” Professor Seo Seongyeok replied enthusiastically to his son’s unexpected request, which was accompanied by a photo of a glamping tent.

But since he didn’t have the final say in the household, he quietly sought permission from his wife.

“Jaehee’s asking to set up a tent in the garden…”

“Let him. It can be his little hideout.”

“But what if it’s dangerous?”

“Dangerous how? It’s not like we have bears in the garden.”

“It’ll be summer soon, though. What if there’s heavy rain?”

“Then buy a sturdy one that won’t collapse. And if it floods, just pull it out.”

Unlike her overly cautious husband, Woo Ilhwa, the ultimate decision-maker of the Hyesung household, was a decisive and strong-willed woman. She was also a rather intimidating wife.

“Alright, I’ll get a durable one, honey.”

“And don’t try to set it up yourself. Leave it to the staff.”

“I was going to do that anyway.”

Once granted approval, Professor Seo enthusiastically purchased a tent designed to withstand even the fiercest storms.

The installation was left to the house staff, but the location was Jaehee’s choice.

“Why by the annex? I’d feel better if it were in the center of the garden.”

“I prefer the corner.”

“Our puppy, make sure to sleep in your room at night. And don’t stay out late.”

“Got it.”

Disregarding his parents’ concerns, Jaehee achieved exactly what he wanted.

He was pleased—not because of the tent’s impressive features, complete with a beam screen, but because of its proximity to the annex, particularly the second-floor window that likely belonged to Lee Suin’s room.

“I can see it clearly.”

Although the dark garden revealed only the window, the slight closeness in distance between their otherwise separated lives brought him joy.

Perhaps it would increase the chances of running into her.

Maybe Suin would come to him.

“What are you peeking at like a stray cat?”

It didn’t even take an hour for that hope to materialize.

While he was away fetching his laptop, Suin appeared, lingering curiously outside his tent.

“If you’re here to look around, come inside.”

Excitement bubbled up within him.

Just sharing the same space as Suin was exhilarating.

His heart raced at the thought of their voices mingling and their gazes meeting.

“Give it.”

“What?”

“Your hand.”

Suin was caring, even when she acted bluntly or indifferently. She wouldn’t overlook the scratches on his hand, no matter how they’d occurred.

She had even brought ointment, meticulously applying it to his injuries.

“What if the wound gets infected? You do know that inflammation is worse than the actual wound, right?”

The feeling was entirely different from when they were children.

The ointment stung, but it didn’t hurt.

Each soft and delicate touch sent a fiery thrill through his body.

“Fight if you want, but at least clean up your mess afterward. Don’t let gossip tarnish Hyesung’s reputation.”

Even her nagging sounded seductive.

Every time her rosy lips moved, desire stirred within him.

He wanted to kiss her.

A kiss.

A kiss...

Gradually, his body stiffened.

The overwhelming, uncontrollable impulse finally elicited a physical reaction.

In his absent-minded state, he made a grave mistake.

“It’s up.”

“You perverted bastard!”

Thwack!

Suin hit him—rightfully so.

He’d been fully prepared to accept her blows without complaint. But Suin, being the generous person she was, chose to ignore the incident instead.

Even so, the sheer level of disregard she showed was almost unbearable.

***

"Lee Suin, I’m sorry about yesterday."

Jaehee apologized the next day, and the day after that.

"I’m sorry, Lee Suin."@@novelbin@@

But Suin, steadfast as ever, didn’t even acknowledge his repeated apologies. She regarded him as though he were utterly shameless and refused to engage.

"Hey, I said I’m sorry!"

Jaehee was not a man known for his patience.

What began as an apology soon morphed into irritation, and not long after, it escalated into anger.

There was a trigger, of course.

It was the rumor that Suin was only kind to Baek Ihyun, compounded by the whispers that the two of them might be dating.

"Lee Suin is cold to most guys."

"Except for Senior Baek Ihyun—she’s friendly with him."

"That’s because Baek Ihyun is smart. Lee Suin only hangs out with guys who are her equals."

"They’re probably dating in secret."

The kids gossiped freely, but the truth was, Suin wasn’t particularly close to anyone.

In reality, she didn’t have the luxury of investing her time in such things.

With her dream of becoming a news anchor, everything from her school records to her assignments and exams required her full focus. On top of that, she was the vice president of the student council, leaving her with barely any free time.

She ignored trivial-minded people—including Seo Jaehee—because she didn’t want to waste her energy. Baek Ihyun, as the student council president, was simply someone she had to work closely with.

She was merely fulfilling her responsibilities.

"Hey, Baek Ihyun. Let’s talk."

But Jaehee didn’t understand that.

Seeing her with Baek Ihyun ignited his jealousy. Whenever they walked home together, he would inevitably intervene.

"Seo Jaehee, if you’ve got something to say, say it to me."

Suin, ever the pragmatist, often tried to avoid unnecessary conflict by addressing Jaehee first.

That only annoyed him more.

"Hey, you won’t even accept my apology, but you’re all friendly with Baek Ihyun? Are you two dating?"

"...…"

"Answer me."

"What do you want me to say? What if I am?"

"Then I’ll kill Baek Ihyun."

Suin, on the other hand, found Jaehee insufferable.

Her frustration stemmed partly from the pressure of the approaching college entrance exams and partly from the stark contrast between her relentless efforts and Jaehee’s carefree attitude.

"You’re so... leisurely."

Irritated by how different their circumstances were, Suin turned and walked away briskly.

In a flash, Jaehee grabbed the ponytail she had tied neatly behind her head.

"Ow!"

"Why are you avoiding the question?"

When Suin stopped in her tracks, Jaehee took it a step further, wrapping her ponytail around a high tree branch and pulling it tight to keep her in place.

"What are you doing!"

"Not letting you go until you give me a straight answer."

"Let me go!"

"Just say you’re not dating him."

Now a prisoner of the tree, Suin struggled and flailed, but Jaehee stubbornly held his ground.

Kids passing by after school giggled at the scene.

"Fine! We’re not dating! I’m not dating him!"

Seething with frustration, Suin finally surrendered. Only then did Jaehee let her go, a smug grin spreading across his face.

"No one but me is allowed."

The next day.

"Whoa, Suin, your hair..."

Suin arrived at school with her waist-length hair cut into a chic bob.

Her friends, who had witnessed the scene from the day before, were left speechless.

"Lee Suin doesn’t back down, does she?"

That day.

Jaehee thought Suin looked stunning with her short hair.

No one could pull off a bob like she did.

Smitten all over again, Jaehee waited at the Hyesung estate entrance for Suin to return from her evening academy classes.

"Lee Suin."

He stepped into her path with an eager smile.

"Ah!"

Suin’s eyes widened in surprise.

At first, he thought it was because he had startled her by appearing out of nowhere. But then, without warning, she pushed against his chest with both hands.

"What are you—"

"Shh."

Before he could finish, Suin covered his mouth with her small hand and pulled him into the grove of trees lining the driveway. She whispered urgently.

"What the hell have you been doing?"

"...?"

Jaehee tilted his head, puzzled.

"You idiot! Don’t you get it? Seo Jaehee isn’t here!"

Loud voices rang out from beyond the trees.

"That’s strange. I could’ve sworn I saw him hanging around here just now..."

Low murmurs and shifting shadows passed nearby.

Ah.

Jaehee finally understood the situation.

A few days ago, he had beaten up a kid who was gossiping about Suin. Now, it seemed that kid had gathered his friends and come for payback.

‘Stay quiet.’

Suin mouthed the words silently, her small frame shielding him as best as she could.

Jaehee looked down at her intently.

She was doing everything she could to protect him, making herself a shield to ensure he wouldn’t get dragged into the fight.

Her pale face, now even paler with anxiety, struck a chord deep within him.

"They’re gone. I guess they gave up."

And in that moment, Jaehee realized something.

The chaotic emotions he’d been grappling with all this time—the jealousy, possessiveness, and obsession—weren’t just about wanting to own her.

"Lee Suin."

He liked her.

No—

It was more than that.

"I love you."