Vol. 3 Chapter 65 – Side Story 1: Not cherry blossoms Part 2  

Translated by Springlila

Once the weather began to warm up, there was a storm. People’s clothes became lighter as the days passed. The students, however, were dressed differently. Some wore thick hoodies or hooded zip-ups that would still be worn over school uniforms in the winter, while others wandered around in short-sleeved T-shirts worn beneath school uniforms. Lim Dae-han was constantly dressed in school uniforms. It was because he was indifferent about the weather.

It seemed a little warm. No, it was a breath. But it wasn’t his breath.

Lim Dae-han opened his tightly closed eyes. He thought he had fallen asleep for a while. He rubbed his eyes a few more times before opening them.

Ki Young-hyun was about to touch Lim Dae-han’s eyes when he was startled and backed away.

“I want to touch your eyebrows…”

A familiar face appeared. However, there was no reason for him to be here. Ki Young-hyun was seated in the second from the first row. Lim Dae-han’s seat was second from the end of the fourth row. And he shouldn’t have been in front of him because he was doing self-study.

Why would he…

Come to think of it, the classroom was unusually quiet. Lim Dae-han cast a sidelong glance around the classroom and then fixed his eyes on Ki Young-hyun. Ki Young-hyun tilted his head slightly.

“It’s lunch break.”

It was strange to see Ki Young-hyun smiling awkwardly enough to make the corners of his lips tremble, and Lim Dae-han looked at him thoughtfully. Ki Young-hyun hesitated, biting his lower lip. His tongue protrudes slightly with the teeth before returning to its original position. He seemed to have something to say, but Lim Dae-han was curious as to why he was hesitating. He remembered that he was also like this about a week ago.

Lim Dae-han moved his stiff neck. There was a creaking sound every time he moved his neck from side to side. Lim Dae-han clenched his fists, pressed his lips, and asked. He tapped his fingernails on the desk and tried his luck.

“Ki Young-hyun.”

“Yeah…” “Well, do you want to say something to me?”

It was obviously the same about a week ago. He seemed to have something to say, but he stayed quiet. It had barely been a week. He often stared at him and turned his head away when their eyes met. Ki Young-hyun hurriedly shook his head when Lim Dae-han asked if he had anything to say first. That was why a strong denial was referred to as a strong affirmation. Lim Dae-han stared at Ki Young-hyun instead of continuing to talk.

“Study hard…”

Ki Young-hyun responded slowly and got up.

“Let’s go have lunch.”

As usual, there was something strange. Lim Dae-han, who was doubtful, raised his eyebrows and frowned. Ki Young-hyun, who was surprised to see his expression, tightly pressed his arm as if to comfort him. In any case, his strength was terribly weak.

***

Just before April, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The pure white cherry blossoms flew in the wind whenever the wind blew. Lim Dae-han was exhausted. He fell asleep around 4 a.m. He gave a downward glance. Ki Young-hyun, who was staring at the sky, became aware of his gaze and turned his head.

He was holding on to the strap so tightly that the tips of his fingers were red.

“The cherry blossoms were in full bloom.”

Ki Young-hyun looked up at the sky and murmured. Lim Dae-han responded calmly.

“I know.”

“Have you ever been to a cherry blossom festival?”

Instead of speaking, Lim Dae-han shook his head. He even yawned slightly. He decided to stop at a convenience store and get an energy drink. The coffee didn’t suit his palate and, at best, he could barely get out of his sleep with an energy drink, but every time he bought it, Ki Young-hyun’s expression became unnoticeably bad. However, Ki Young-hyun never say anything. Occasionally, when he woke up from his sleep, he would had a chocolate bun on the desk.

“I’ve never been there.”

Lim Dae-han described flower viewing as ‘bothersome.’ Was it really necessary to go to the flower viewing? You only need to look outside. He didn’t like going to see flowers in a crowded place.

Ki Young-hyun answered in a small whisper.

“… I’ve never been there either.”

And as soon as he answered, he asked Lim Dae-han again.

“Dae-han, what are your dong on your birthday?”

“What do I do? I need to study.”

“… Right.” Lim Dae-han responded in the sense that there was nothing out of the usual, but Ki Young-hyun looked a little sad. For a brief moment, Lim Dae-han stared at Ki Young-hyun. Ki Young-hyun lifted his eyes when Lim Dae-han touched his sad cheek.

“I don’t want anything from you. Really.”

Ki Young-hyun then shook his head. Really. Lim Dae-han widened his stride to match Ki Young-hyun’s. He didn’t want anything in particular from Ki Young-hyun. He just wants him to stay by his side like now.

He continued on his way silently, without making any special conversation. Lim Dae-han looked at Ki Young-hyun’s back, who was walking a few steps ahead of him. So slender. He remembered Ki Young-hyun purring like a cat as he brushed his bare back with his fingers.

“…”

He had another lewd thought. Lim Dae-han tightly closed his eyes. Ki Young-hyun, who had been walking for a long time, stomped his foot and turned over at the same time. He raised his head and looked Lim Dae-han in the eyes. Lim Dae-han paused. Ki Young-hyun had no way of knowing about the thoughts that had been running through his head. But Ki Young-hyun’s face was full of dissatisfaction. But Ki Young-hyun’s face was full of dissatisfaction. Lim Dae-han wanted to touch his cheek again, so he raised his hand, but Ki Young-hyun turned his head again.

“Why don’t you want anything?”

He was startled since he had no idea how he had turned this way.

“It’s your birthday how come you don’t have anything you want. I, I can do anything for you.”

In the end, it was about this again.

Ki Young-hyun was difficult. It was similar to a rabbit raised at home. He stomped his feet, became angry, and then abruptly moved to the side by himself. Lim Dae-han furrowed his brow. Birthdays have never been so special for him. When he went out with his friends, they made excuses for drinking and offered to throw him a birthday party, but Lim Dae-han thought it was a bad idea even then. This time was no different. He wanted a stress-free way to spend the day.

“Food.”

“What?”

“I want food.”

That was the most Lim Dae-han could think of. It felt like it wasn’t his birthday, but Ki Young- hyun’s.

“Do you want food?”

Lim Dae-han nodded when Ki Young-hyun asked a question. “All right, let’s eat,” Ki Young-hyun said, his face softening as he felt he wasn’t upset anymore. He responded cheerfully. He then put his hand on Lim Dae-han’s forearm.

“I will cook for you.”

“No, Ki Young-hyun…”

He means to eat outside. However, Ki Young-hyun shook his head.

“I will go and cook for you that morning. Let’s have breakfast and go to school.”

Ki Young-hyun, who was already giddy with excitement, smiled brightly. His cheekbones lifted every time the corners of his lips raised. He had not anticipated this. Lim Dae-han gave a surprised look before nodding. As long as Ki Young-hyun was happy.

***