All of a sudden Hyunwoo recalled the moment Suji flew into his arms. She might have intentionally done so to feel his warmth, or she might have done so simply to express her joy.

If he tried, Hyunwoo would be able to find out her genuine feelings toward him.

Namely, he should find out whether she simply has a good feeling toward him or wanted a more intimate relationship with him.

Okay, let me try this time. Otherwise, when could I?

Determined, Hyunwoo approached her and raised his hand to hold her shoulder gently.

Instantly, she flinched. Obviously, she sensed his intention.

Hyunwoo was already touching her shoulders with both hands gently.

As if chanting a charm, Hyunwoo murmured to himself, Don’t move for a moment.

Fortunately, Suji didn’t move as if she wanted him to move on to the next step.

Then, he lowered his hands in front of her chest. Instantly, it seemed that his hands touched her breasts, but as she was wearing a thick jacket, she didn’t feel strange at all.

Then, he held her wrist with both hands, and she, too, raised her hand and put it on his wrist. She then tilted her head toward his chest as if to rely on him.

Her black hair was right beneath his nose.

So thrilled, Hyunwoo couldn’t even breathe, and he was a bit worried if she could sense his breathing.

I want to be closer to you. Yea, closer than now.

Hyunwoo lowered his head a bit and touched his cheek on her hair gently.

Until then, she didn’t move. It looked like the whole world stopped.

Hyunwoo wished this moment would not be broken for a while and stood still, his eyes closed.

How long did it last?

He felt Suji began to move in his arms.

He gently let go of her arms.

“Shall we go to another place?” said Suji.

“Sure.”

Whenever he had a chance, Hyunwoo put his hand on her shoulder, and she didn’t refuse it. At least, she took it naturally.

Strange enough, though, she hated walking hand in hand. In some respect, interlocking arms or putting arms around each other’s shoulders could be seen as more intimate than walking hand in hand, but she seemed to think the opposite way.

“I feel somewhat weird.”

“Why do you think so?”

“I have no idea. Let’s walk like this,” said she, releasing her hand from his and wrapping an arm around his instead, but Hyunwoo wanted to hold her hand and caress the back of hands often.

Next time I will surely walk hand in hand.

Though it was a bit early, they had dinner together.

While they were having tea after dinner, Hyunwoo’s mobile phone buzzed. It was an alarm.

Not only Suji but also Hyunwoo got curious.

“What the heck? How come I set the alarm at this hour?”

He watched the phone and opened his eyes wide.

“Oh, I see. Today is the day Korean Broadcasting is supposed to air the special program KOVE Dream.”

It was produced by Kwangsu of Real Film on his own.

It was already 7 pm. He quickly turned on Korean Broadcasting on his mobile phone, and Suji sat right beside Hyunwoo so they could watch it together.

As the screen was small, they had to get close, with their faces almost touching.

Her hair tickled his face often, and sometimes her face also touched his.

Although the KOVE Dream special feature was being broadcast on Korean Broadcasting, he could not focus because all his attention was on her.

Shall I turn my head to her as if I was trying to speak to her?

In doing so he could touch his lips to hers naturally, and she might also touch her lips to his while turning her head.

His mere thinking about it made his heart throb wildly.

Right at that moment, Suji did what Hyunwoo wanted to do because she talked to him, looking at him.

“Did you make the video by yourself?”

Stunned, Hyunwoo quickly turned his head but made a huge mistake at that moment.

If he simply turned his head, his lips would most likely have touched hers.

Instead, he gently tilted his head back, embarrassed. Thanks to his mistake, Suji’s face was now fist-width apart from his.

Damn it! Why did I tilt my head back then? Hyunwoo reproached himself, but it was too late.

He casually said, nodding his head, “Oh, I commissioned someone to do it.”

Saying that he gently looked into her eyes. Though he failed to steal a kiss, he could create a better atmosphere later on the occasion of their closeness.

However, opportunities like this didn’t come often. Suji turned her head and watched the screen again, saying, “I see. That’s why you set the alarm to watch it.”

Hyunwoo had no choice but to share the smartphone video with her.

Though it was long, Hyunwoo felt it was short.

So, he gently stretched his arm out behind him and put it on her shoulder.

She didn’t move a bit. When he slightly stroked it or pushed it gently to his side, she just stayed still as if she took his actions as natural.

When his breath gently touched the back of her neck, she giggled, saying she felt itchy there, but didn’t push him away. When the special feature program was over, she felt happy, clapping her hands.

“Wow, this is great! Hope everybody can hit gold.”

It was about time for them to part. She left first, saying that she had an appointment with his friends in Seoul.

With a wistful look on his face, he waved to her.

***

After she came back home from Seoul, Suji felt happy. She felt as if her lonely heart was filling up with something warm inside.

Yea, I’m glad I traveled to Seoul to see him.

She was all smiles on her face all along.

Looking at that, her mother Mrs. Kong felt curious.

“Great fun in Seoul?”

“Yes, I have lots of good friends there.”

“Good for you! I’m glad to see your happy face,” said Mrs. Kong, smiling at her.

But she instantly looked pensive, and Suji knew the reason. For her father, Taeho Min, was in trouble.

In fact, Suji and Mrs. Kong were happy these days. As Taeho’s university cut off his research funding, he left the office early in the evening every day, so he spent the weekends with the family all the time, but their happiness was brief.

Taeho still had a lingering affection for research on solar energy. He was determined to continue research even at home if he couldn’t do it at the university. When he was at home, he confined himself to the study all day long.

Suji wanted to change her father. Though she could not make him stop doing research, she made sure he put aside family time, but it was not easy for her to find the right method. Then, one Saturday, she hit upon an idea suddenly.

Yea, let me try that way.

Suji squeezed juice into a glass and went to her father’s study.

“Daddy, drink it, please.”

“Oh, thanks,” said Taeho, and drank it up and did a stretch as if he wanted to have a short break.

“Isn’t your study small?”

“Well, I can’t help it. I’m doing my best in a given situation,” said he with a satisfied smile.

“Why don’t you move to my room? I don’t need a spacious room. Let me use yours.”

“No thanks. I don’t see any big difference between my room and yours. Thanks for offering.”

“Is there anything I can help you, daddy? I guess you feel lots of burden when you’re doing the research on your own.”

“I’m alright. Being with my family like this is a great source of encouragement to me.”

Suji didn’t want him to give up the research. So, she decided to figure out how she could help him actively.

“I guess you must be tired a lot if you keep reading the material like that. Sometimes you need a break to rest your mind for a good idea. Don’t you think so?”

Taeho nodded his head, seeing eye to eye.

“You’re right. Sorry. I think I’ve only thought about myself even if it’s the weekend.”

“Why don’t you take a walk with mom?”

“Good idea. Do you want to recommend any good place?”

Suji’s eyes opened wide. Little did she think he would accept her idea so readily.

She urgently looked for the place, but the trail around her condo was just routine.

Suddenly, she thought of one place.

“You know Hyunwoo’s Mom, right? I hear they are building a new factory and dormitory. Won’t you go there with mom?”

Taeho was well aware of that place. Though the owner, Jisook Han, hid her identity as the ‘faceless angel,’ she became too famous.

“That’s a good idea. I think your mother would also like it.”

“Have a good time, then.”

“You don’t want to join us?”

“Oh, can I go with you?” said Suji, conjuring up Hyunwoo’s face.

Fortunately, Hyunwoo was at home during that weekend, but she had recieved no calls from him.

This was not the first time. He rarely called her unless he was dug in the ribs to do so.

As for text messages, Suji sent them to him twice as much.

Several days ago when they had a date in Seoul, it was Suji who took the initiative. Hyunwoo was always passive, while Suji was more active.

Of course, Hyunwoo’s position was understandable. He rarely had a break, even during the weekend, and on weekdays he spent all his time at Ani & Funny’s office.

Nonetheless, Suji, as a woman, couldn’t ask for a date. The moment she did, her attraction as a woman would disappear forever. She should wait no matter how much she wanted to see him, but this time the situation was somewhat different. She had a perfect excuse to escort her parents to Hyunwoo’s Mom.

Looking at the time, it was already in the evening. By now, Hyunwoo was back home. Soon, he would have dinner with his parents. If she visited his house casually, timed with the dinner time, all of them could have a cozy dinner.

“Sure, let me join you then.”