ERSE | Chapter 1.4

His tone was so natural 2cf3b5ab5d that I almost thought we cfd81882ef always went to moving classes c9905a05a4 together.861707502f9775c5

“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that next time.”e5c2d345398d9d2c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s fine. So don’t refuse next time either.”fd62236a05382226

His tone was 3f84bdf1ba relaxed, contradicting my 4ad5071672 words. His insistence on being kind 436496da11 made me frown. Yet his brown f478c3a71a eyes remained steady.0629bc9d0e46d23b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I shoved my 8fd6eee4bc hands into my c734d21fea pockets and glared 56b25a7098 at him. Unlike me, Shin 0b5e8f973d Leekwon was well-groomed e90c330e39 from head to f511481b30 toe.412ff03cae1f1faa

His neatly trimmed 1e19da2a77 brown hair was 878b85fe87 obviously cut at a9fbf7bf4f an expensive salon.3187055cf7d82703

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The padded jacket over his uniform wasn’t just any brand but a luxury one, and his wristwatch was way too pricey for a high school student’s wrist.67ae72847e824271

I didn’t know the exact price, but if I stole and sold it, I wouldn’t have been called out by the teacher today.ac160386fc132445

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The difference should be reasonable to match.”ccffc19c3f1f7212

I let out a hollow 408dc6d621 laugh and warned him. My face naturally cooled.88699e16e1c7b4b6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, don’t push it.”f303140e8d5c32e1

But he looked puzzled. By now, I was half amazed, half curious. Didn’t he notice others avoiding me?9bab83545a94e5c2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Stop pretending to be close. Get lost.”d6cc7fee37cb8f8c

“But I want to be friends.”6253ada608d194c8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I said I don’t. So back off.”2489c0df580bdc85

“Yeah. I don’t want to back off either.”0752ea6912fbe586

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His bright smile deflected all my irritation. Until now, I thought he didn’t understand my actions, but now I realized he was just living as he pleased.548aef3f33326b7f

His cheerful face was endlessly annoying to my frayed nerves. I couldn’t control my expression.4195f95b56be21d3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Seonjae, do you really dislike getting close to me that much? Why don’t you like me? I’m not bad, right?”c96c4de607b60d5a

His confident words left me speechless. Didn’t he realize being too good was the problem? I couldn’t decide where to start criticizing him. As I hesitated, his tall figure approached. A shadow fell over my head.6889e3a47180f27b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If I’m not your type, what kind of person do you want to be friends with?”53c189bac8348ce6

As always, a pleasant b4b9962076 scent wafted from his 24a532fae0 close body, and his 4748cb1214 crisp white shirt was e5e06de4fb spotless.6ea4948105948360

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I stepped back, escaping the shadow he cast. I didn’t need it, but if I ever made a friend, it wouldn’t be someone who smelled this good.03ce4529a9a30a2c

“I categorize people into two types.”a6246e7e95fd0bdc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“……”12b78ef4905a7c37

“Those who are beneficial and those who are useless.”1e9588922c4c2d4b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I pointed my 613d5ed6ac chin at him.d48fa8d0c1fbd62e

“You’re the latter.”25c30b70c81bf291

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

So stop bothering me. I drew a clear line d08459fd85 between us with a sharp 9be7ebcab5 gaze.c862af11b5ffcfe1

But he was more persistent 30a10c6468 and calm than expected. Again, he answered immediately.74b60a241e86a03f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I’m not.”ce08609af05174b1

Shin Leekwon took 313c1dfe7a another step closer 4165f5defd and lightly placed baeba549b0 a hand on 2bfa12b953 my shoulder. His firm voice c1bf1a022d echoed in the af0b43b865 hallway.7f450967920c7db5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m someone who can help you.”4890c2a44203eedc

His eyes, like 1eaae2982f melted chocolate, were 4c6d9202db soft yet strong. His gaze, words, 65d6abcfab and gestures were e44f837e9d all supported by ad862e70a4 self-belief.4e030278d8d4c577

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But I crossed my arms. I didn’t care if Shin Leekwon was self-absorbed or not. What mattered was whether he was practically beneficial to me.e24e42c484e24af7

“Proof?”b120d34d0a1b9a80

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Well… you’ll find out if you become friends with me.”1bfbad9754b9b25d

He smiled, crinkling his eyes. This guy was using his b413708f22 pretty face to sell nonsense.25d46ceaf2a9736b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

If I let my guard down, the conversation would flow his way. I interrupted and asked a question he couldn’t easily answer.7ddaf1c9d5f4c32c

“Okay, let’s say that’s true. Then, what’s in it for you to be friends with me?”8a9c8e889e7451ae

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His brown eyes rolled. Unlike before, it took time b860562317 for him to answer.7324ac456f97c532

See, you have nothing to say, right? I straightened my shoulders triumphantly. Being close to me would only earn puzzled looks and advice to choose friends wisely. Even if I were his friend, they’d tell him not to hang out with someone like me.d6d0646cdd58aeb5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Shin Leekwon and I a1e4345294 were like athletes in 86162b33fa different sports. We lived by 68d9245cd7 different rules, and bed02cac43 he was crossing c5cc5247b9 the line. My warning to keep 35aac50fee his distance was for 1ffebcd7b7 his sake too.01836cfb98d33301

“You’ll only get criticized for being friends with me.”fd23ad7d244d525c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I was about to end b643010a11 the conversation. As I tried to 2e60b7ca4c wrap up the pointless 014d5b3afe argument, he slowly opened 0f1a87f2b8 his mouth, as if bb19661f32 contemplating.161040ac91896d38

“…It feels good.”b063be4c450b9b38

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What?”8ad885b21c8dbc83

“I feel good when I’m with you, Seonjae.”b588cd111023a490

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At that moment, the 05e9e5aaea warning bell rang, but fd2f1e71c4 I was too shocked 83e0632aa1 to move. My mind was 5e964c6e90 filled with question 62a559d79f marks, and an 1818e5c310 unknown tension surged 1f73e6639b like a tidal e3cdd30b94 wave.be6e4dd6c63faafb

Shin Leekwon was 35062740b2 stranger than I ff88e0fcdd thought. He began spouting nonsense b0299708db with a serious face. I listened blankly, feeling like 1310f9beb3 I was hearing an alien 9dc9612b81 language.ba2580b5a078a469

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t care if it’s beneficial or harmful to me. I just want to be close to someone I like.”0d6651ddb3f14026

“……”0948da3a87df0bb1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“So you don’t have to be helpful to me.”78033a3e6a99b4b5

His soft smile was accompanied 1ad5cb737d by a clear dimple. The light from the 83e2631db6 window behind me illuminated b673435d68 his smile. The closer he be53ff3691 got, the more 72ab4323c0 my insides churned.fdb63648126844d7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

How could someone look like cdcb46f63d this? My senses were overwhelmed by c9e754fb23 the bright view.3cdfb0cce28f272e

“I’ll be someone who helps you, and you’re already someone I like. So if we become friends, it’s a win-win.”4e592d30ef5baff9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Was that the right ee75f9d235 way to use that ba961a25fd phrase? If I calmly analyzed it, 846166fed0 it was full of absurdities, 694c85d79f but strangely, my mental calculator 69e6be89ec stopped working. Every time it tried to 8a6d9b9f0d function, the fresh scent, bright a76b849152 face, and pleasant voice scattered a684857bdc my thoughts.91fb755582afb219

The hand that c1943eee09 had touched my b2ed046e5f shoulder slid down eb8442f9d1 and slipped between 6aba9ec36d my crossed arms, 5feecaff00 grabbing my wrist. In a daze, 8e0db6761a Shin Leekwon led 68e4ea912d me. His voice was 671b6fba77 as gentle as 762e5204ac his smile.ae9d2e54229b4f49

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s go, Seonjae. We’ll be late for class.”f80b0e914a7be8ef

I missed the 6692b03185 chance to shake c2f9ed62f5 off his hand 7191285eea as we climbed 9c3c0e4a59 the stairs. A strange warmth 511c422cc0 spread from where db4465f3d9 our skin touched.2c15bb514dcd516a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

We were already late, and after arguing, it was no surprise that the bell rang before we reached the music room. No matter how quietly we opened the back door, our presence couldn’t be hidden. As soon as we entered, a stern voice greeted us.9114f278681e8969

“What are you two doing? Why are you late!”ac104233a0f9c946

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The music teacher, despite her small stature, had a formidable personality that even the male students couldn’t easily handle. As expected, her gaze was sharp as she looked us up and down.4f99c8f3d672cb75

But exactly one 4c62d76745 minute later, I 54fc7c5317 witnessed something amazing. The icy look in her 4cd71a1ab3 eyes melted away.d836a00f72e015bc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m sorry!”f72e7da4bb5ca345

Shin Leekwon was the first to bow deeply and admit his mistake without any excuses. His straightforward apology seemed to ease the teacher’s expression. He smiled and spoke smoothly, matching her change in demeanor. With just a few words, the teacher waved her hand as if conducting.413f3f0d03a39bfb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll let it slide today. No demerits, so take your seats quickly.”5b4aff11a56ecc80

“Yes!”d39bef1423507331

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

With a lively response, ba12cc9bf8 Shin Leekwon nudged me 02b3e685dc forward. Before I knew 281dcbc903 it, I was 035d8f0e92 sitting next to 05398bdd04 him in a 4f02e9443d seat his friend db5dd4b343 had saved. Realizing I had been completely 0bae58c10a played, I glared at him, e26b07cb90 but he just shrugged.1e30457115c5c90b

“Look. Ahead.”b318612a8947d111

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Or the teacher will d7f12424b6 scold us. His relaxed smile was irritating. I opened my textbook and ba3cecdf7f propped my chin on my 6f348a6ccc hand.3d2f2372e8b479b7

Shin Leekwon was a noisy ec141d9c36 presence. More accurately, things got 5ef54bd58f chaotic around him. Notes made from torn 454e4bbd55 paper kept arriving.085de70d6e2dc0ae

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Instead of sending reply notes, he shook his head to answer. Occasionally, he frowned, showing annoyance, a side I hadn’t seen before.725b9f4fa0e6cf79

“This piece is Chopin’s most famous impromptu…”0d33de8e24f2adbf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ignoring the rustling beside cbc11c9ffb me, I listened to 1c32f5449b the boring explanation and b87bc1bf66 the incomprehensible performance, feeling 3bdf5a8e9b sleepy. My eyelids grew 84eed5caad heavier as if af29f1f70b someone had placed 8aa3469bc4 a stone on b4dd850179 them.c11ff5dacd34ca8c

Just as I 48ec1a114a was about to bb581146df succumb to sleep.bf71b516610ee288

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Tap, tap.b3c1c6997a85f993

A touch on my forearm woke me. The music teacher was passing by. She patrolled during songs to ensure students didn’t doze off, and I wondered why she didn’t choose less sleep-inducing music. This was practically auditory torture.6d1acb2bf8a3b877

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Some students, likely thinking 096f071725 the same, nodded off 1af8520ce2 and got scolded. As I stifled a51eeccb6d a yawn, neat 6a4d43067d handwriting appeared on 54a683f3fc a notebook close 7f0dff418f by.378b1eae37fe200c

[I was helpful, right? Earlier and now.]d2d5dd11b624002e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though this wasn’t the kind of help I meant, I had to admit he had helped, so I drew a circle under his question. His eyes sparkled.ebe819d03b325686

[So, are you willing to be friends now?]829b6ffc98b009e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

[ㄴ]32026dc9e01146aa

[Why!ㅠㅠ]5d1547484cf896a0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He wrinkled his nose. His handsome face 5a608cd731 clearly showed his f1c74b340b disappointment. Yet, when our eyes 2c6cf5ba01 met, he smiled kindly.6c90f8dbc4d67f81

I had no expectations for how long his goodwill would last. Compassion was a form of self-indulgence, and helping someone without expecting anything in return was ultimately hypocrisy. But…f0e55fd2aa0a0ac3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

[That’s not enough]fce283d77b0fc7d2

Before that hypocrisy ended, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to take advantage of it. He wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop him.50207a8f930ef66f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

[Alright. I’ll do my best.]da7cafdb2f30a20f

Even his promise was refreshing.89a25a7c26888efe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎d01dce5c9dce6087

“I’m someone who can help you.”c53ca7c4bda759af

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Hearing such a confident statement would make anyone step back and observe the other person with their hands behind their back. Sure, let’s see what kind of great help you’re going to provide. Naturally, a skeptical mindset would arise.3baed8e0bbd1aae5

In that sense, I planned to scrutinize his words thoroughly and vowed not to react to any ordinary kindness. However, starting the next day, Shin Leekwon’s efforts were impressive in a different way than expected.f3a233080c1ec592

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

For example, just as I was about to take a short nap on my desk, I felt a soft, fluffy sensation instead of the cold, hard surface. I didn’t know what was inside, but the cushion he slid under my forehead had a cool, nutty scent. I sat up and looked at the seat next to me.3424141fd908ee03

“What is this?”959039f665ccef26

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Your forehead will hurt. Use it as a pillow.”d9ec0e0817d002a4

The bright pink color and the overly cute strawberry shape didn’t suit me, so I felt a sudden aversion. Torn between the pleasant texture and the flashy appearance, I poked the strawberry stem.7fd4c024278b3103

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I think this one’s the chewiest. Don’t you like it? Should I bring a different one tomorrow?”8a982995231853c3

“No. Anything’s fine.”c632eb317e8f1e5e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In the end, I couldn’t resist sleep and lay back down.6d37e94b51a91a5e

This time, a thick cloth 2ee5061de3 was draped over my shoulders, 4be80db3e6 followed by a gentle breeze. As I shifted and glanced 07c6b94fab over, the handheld fan Shin 261f8a542a Leekwon often carried was operating e14bccb4c5 at a suitable distance.febd01bf26cc1cf2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The series of benefits he 6bf80395a8 provided were too trivial to 033d038663 be called help, but it 38c5375c79 was undeniably a comfortable environment df8079f66e for sleeping.d4cc629d02aa0736

After catching up on 32e3f70b3e my sleep, a piece 03295dccd5 of bread appeared on fec4037e5c my desk. Shin Leekwon was already eating 6062c72ef2 his share. Though the same e872d23a0b size and packaging, cbac5cf501 the bread looked a848c19ab7 much smaller in 8acaaca653 his large hands.fe635e51b3576c57

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In just two bites, the b55b0ea616 entire bread disappeared. Watching him eat bf3afdf089 was almost like 3d9526b7f2 a spectacle rather cfb247adf1 than just eating.0c3be8c977c27006

“Seonjae, why aren’t you eating? Don’t like chocolate? Would you prefer peanut butter?”b6b48013d775a201

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I couldn’t say that curiosity had overtaken my appetite, so I mumbled a response and unwrapped the plastic. Once it was in my stomach, it didn’t matter whether it was peanut butter or chocolate cream. Still, the sweet and slightly bitter taste that filled my mouth was satisfying.bdf73ff88e39a410

While I finished the remaining 7217fc91a7 bread, Shin Leekwon unfolded a 08bda301d3 transparent bag, folded it in bc634a43e2 half, and then again into 18a046b41c a note shape. He took my trash and 62ee0561f6 neatly folded it, asking,97dc5a8fc13b2ff7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Did you do the math homework?”10bb61f3100345c5

I couldn’t remember ever doing homework properly since attending school. When I was young, there was no one to help me, and as I grew older, I just got used to not doing it.4e3dc86ae13734e9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…No.”bf199920ddd96d9b