DALI Ch 6

“What’s wrong?”44a6ae524bce1359

“You reek of cigarettes.”225c19e976cfb28d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, I must have picked it up.”3ffcf7a686a74040

“Did that old man smoke in front of you?”a99ae899111975da

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Inha nonchalantly patted his c2b5b3c116 hair. The incongruous de3dd14e80 scent of db748093a4 cigarettes wafted 01cce2769b out every a0621750be time his f1e3aecf92 soft hair db1143d27c swayed.aab7a03538fc3dff

“The car doesn’t ventilate well…”2303b7b05de0a32e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey. Secondhand smoke is so bad for you. Especially in front of someone who wants to be a singer. Is that old man crazy?”f9bd6df3f0773522

I instantly disliked that guy, Director Lee. Imagining him puffing cigarette smoke into Inha’s soft cheeks made me shudder. However, Inha, unaware of my feelings, anxiously scanned the parking lot. He looked worried, as if someone might have overheard me calling Director Lee a “crazy old man.”3d12921f99d4e191

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But why did you come all the way to the company? It’s tiring. You could have just gone home.”271cedbf49e98184

“I wanted to see your face.”d44ce7f9d34cccba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I gently touched Inha’s cheek with my knuckle. Despite the lingering cigarette smell, Inha’s cheek was very soft.368d041731ea3389

“We’ll see each other tomorrow too… You’re being dramatic…”38ee6464f242b3dc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Inha was smiling faintly. However, even seeing Inha’s smiling face didn’t ease my mind. What Changyoung had told me earlier was stuck in my chest like a needle, making it sting. I wondered how he could smile so nonchalantly amidst this anxiety when he should be the most worried.d52460f8d2ad2cf5

Also, I wondered why he wasn’t confiding in me.907d5ed9375732e0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“So, can I go in and rest now?”c2c803d2fd008f2b

“Yes.”c8c7e4ef76c09025

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Let’s go. I’m going to take a taxi. I’ll drop you off at your dorm on the way.”8bbbea6d827a8a0c

“Oh, as expected of a rich kid…”e2526a370c7288f8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha just chuckled, happy to get a ride. Facing him like that, I couldn’t help but smile as usual.9922b005e450b128

Not long 29600a41d9 after we 5a9ad1dc92 got into dc5681b427 the taxi, ea3cd0acf2 it was 70c8916b00 time for 9c3d64b85a Inha to 815e8ba15d get off. Inha hurriedly got c95cf81f04 out of the c59dc5c0b3 car and politely d636411474 bowed to the 6e1df85ae9 driver.6cad243c698c5889

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you. Jihee, you go safely too.”c4fda1c8a846f393

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”0c012ad2b1614286

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The door closed with a1d1cf9073 a heavy thud. As soon as 351674d716 Inha turned and 77f19f3910 left, the taxi bd199d1f2f driver muttered to 418cba8fd5 himself.7d79061f5699c95d

“Oh dear. The smell of cigarettes is overwhelming… He still looks like a student.”58837c761ac02f3c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

My eyes met the taxi driver’s through the rearview mirror. Realizing that Inha had been misunderstood, I quickly made an excuse for him.24410eb180cc66fe

“He wasn’t the one smoking. We’re high school students.”6483c3e288684ebc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Students shouldn’t hang out with kids like that. He looks so innocent.”f77e2475b562fb40

“Kids like that?”4747584031fbf627

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes. He’s a delinquent, just by looking at him. His hair is bright yellow.”55a893969042c06a

“It’s not yellow…”32b350aa0df79923

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Inha had 61ba3f80b8 simply dyed 276d0a89b3 his slightly 98493b5259 longer hair 5590dc0753 light brown 96e237c05c for styling. But a delinquent…?a105682281d826a5

“My friend isn’t like that.”cbb9352ea1704d22

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You kids think that kind of thing looks cool. It’s obvious to adults.”bd4858608ce279cd

I let the taxi driver’s nagging go in one ear and out the other.015860276810b5fa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Of course, I know it’s not just the hair color. Considering his multiple piercings and his attire, which was quite different from the average high school student, it was understandable that he would be misunderstood. I also get the first impression that Inha’s team trainees look like delinquents, so perhaps it’s a natural thought.8cacce92c01d8275

Being alone, various thoughts c4314b8686 finally surfaced.75b0013ca95d9110

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The most troubling fcfa8c3ac5 one was the 8eea2fc709 existence of that 21852d6031 man, Director Lee.94d704459ef8f8f8

“It’s okay, Director Lee likes me.”5b3f21ad767e423a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Was the 1fe8b2536a Director Lee f4a287e81e who said c4e9ca240a he liked 3ebdb24b21 Inha, as 35845cc51f he had e97ad79ece told me 3418164d02 before, the 5f3b6f5c7c same person edb4503e1f I saw 7b68fc7a1b today?a523cab459d984f5

Come to 58fad81a20 think of d0237c7089 it, what 82440f812b reason could 58c8892d34 there be 3febc573f7 for him ebf7719c50 to talk 759ba87c2d with Director cf7c4b3418 Lee in febeb8a91f a car, 73300ea43f not in 19363dcb36 the company 38066d3225 building, in 2e5d6837b5 the middle 904fa18449 of the 737a3e9614 night? Alone, too. What kind of important 3cc74957b3 negotiations about the debut ccaed992e3 team could they have b4f88a6360 had?dbb1a72606066816

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The cigarette smell must have been terrible. Was he such an intimidating figure that Inha couldn’t even ask him to open the window?49cc2d984c75995c

The more caf386283c I thought a932d4b030 about it, 81cb498959 the more a482da3e2c my mind ef23459b7c became foggy.fc08b98926ec0187

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Especially the fact that b67dc4a53a Inha, who used to b483f33730 cough at the mere 2c2671b7a8 whiff of cigarette smoke, fea971b8e5 had become so accustomed 68993a946b to it that he fb1f6b26b9 could now endure the 2354414cf8 smoke being blown right 219c80e2f2 in front of his a7b809f2f8 face. This fact made 8bbc4492c7 me feel indescribably b819838ff2 complicated.f2736a69089afd82

The Inha I know wasn’t like that…dbc22a9deb84ee02

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As soon c50121c1a2 as I 848ac0251a got home, 6e752f48ec I got b5f783af03 a message 8a3a7a05f0 from Inha.60c707c8d8d8ceda

Inha: 「The cigarette smell won’t go away from my hair」e8d421c6cad7acd9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Inha: 「What should I 237ff50461 do」3a45f2554016c874

Seeing the endearing fbe0e210d8 message, a chuckle 0d5529521b escaped my lips.42a886d56d47b820

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

「What should bd331130ab you do? Wash it two or 2e439ef32e three times」d88c6940c57afe0b

Inha: 「ㅠㅠ」57fe2dc8a718478b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The short message was b031ad5e68 enough to ease my c489db605f mind.8207cd85b1a109b2

Yeah. No matter what his appearance is like, inside, he’s the same Inha I know.1406e468b06ba97f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He’s not telling me anything about the debut team because, just like Changyoung said, he doesn’t want me to worry. That Director Lee guy… Inha must be putting up with him because he can’t ignore a company executive.7f610394daa076e9

Everything will be 8147b25bed sorted out after ad658166c7 a little time 50799dcd85 passes.cc09f529b813d9ff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

However, despite 748e2dbf0a coming to ee48fbbc0e that conclusion, a60c17cbd7 a few 8ce588e4e9 days later, 5bbae5fe0c I witnessed c7cfc5bae9 a scene b99c5b3d21 that twisted e45ad5cc6f even this 97e14218d8 thought.526c5ecc780ded4b

🌌e21f6796caaa3f59

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

That day, I was at Inha’s dorm with him.39370f0fce6a8183

After dinner, I couldn’t overcome the drowsiness that followed and lay down on the beanbag chair for a moment, which led to a deep sleep. The dorm, like a beast’s den with poor lighting, had become strangely comfortable once I got used to it, so I unknowingly…a426ec470bef5dd2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Jihee, I’m going to sleep for a bit. I’ll be back from the company soon.’cd68581308bee091

I think I heard Inha say that in my sleep. I drowsily saw Inha off and drifted back to sleep. At first, I felt awkward being in someone else’s dorm without Inha, but that feeling didn’t last long. Now, this place has become quite familiar to me.a42f3f87dc35da75

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cough, cough, cough, cough.5079bf83b16aee17

I woke up to 2c49aec349 a loud coughing sound.301e9803d8e9bb27

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What is it?”2e80a2c16e15c9d9

I opened my f3749671eb eyes groggily and d5f1f65949 looked around to 1b76a0078e find the source 0679c2ced7 of the sound. The coughing was coming 793a55d1bc from the small room dbf05fcf07 inside.460b8b53882205b1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Cough… Is anyone out there…?”3dd9de10e6345cdb

I finally 2f6d25e06f heard the a66d3f5078 voice of 09544383ec the person 15dae6e2fb coughing. Getting up from the e502cb6c81 sofa with a stiff 52bbd1f99f body, I approached the 7ffc28b583 small room and opened cc6dcf0445 the door.56fffc375d66bbd6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Inside the dimly lit, 0fc535b7bd narrow room, someone was 0c0cb3fa2a huddled up in the 441ae40292 bunk bed with the 943623336d blanket pulled over their aa949b3697 head.5d74b65de8c26cfd

“Ah, you’re Inha’s friend.”ee668ff9018a6353

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The one who 6cd91c8a47 revealed a feverishly a508dff65c flushed face from e8f2526df6 under the blanket fb908b4de1 was none other 80fff58b1e than Junghyun. Even with 39e6b50198 just a c3c877c487 few words, 494335a059 I could 42c958ec53 tell his a6d582bb61 voice was 0fdfc5ca1e hoarse.641b9e1023a6a3e9

“Do you have a cold?”bba168e9909f09a3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yeah.”8ac99f81561ae9a6

“You’re resting from practice because you’re sick?”9aab00bd06de570e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yeah… Cough.”7846eab6eced5924

“Did you go to the hospital?”d28b893dcb3aa1fe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I went this morning. Hey, can you bring me my medicine and some water from the table?”3923cb42e9606fb4

“Yeah, wait a minute.”12bf256b6e032ef1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As soon as I turned around, I heard him cough loudly, rattling his lungs, from behind me. It seems like he’s got it pretty bad. It’ll be a big problem if he gives Inha a cold.0fc7ceccea6202d4

Arriving in the kitchen, 6fc95b78a3 I looked at the 0eb100936e messy table and asked 59c8e50ed7 towards the room.b01085555df3d01d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Where on the table?”1515ac28232e0eb2

“Next to the supplements… where the medicine bottles and bags are gathered.”c1ce5552337b5c93

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Various bills, snacks, uncategorized miscellaneous items, and all sorts of household items were piled up messily on the table. Although it wasn’t a small table, almost a third of it was unusable due to the clutter. I frowned and rummaged through the remnants of their lives.1852ecc1db2e043e

“Medicine bottle?”08fc546459f7c84e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yeah, it’ll be next to where the supplement bottles are gathered.”9d57db47c2c2ab1b

Sure enough, I 65091d57b7 saw a medicine 8b995323db bag next to e02dd221ec the supplements. Pouring lukewarm water into e0d72481e4 a new cup, I 3918ca4d1e headed back to the aa041e1d16 room, and Junghyun reached 92e4df0ee4 out his hand.d36f0030f206aaa9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Give it to me.”596e067e62b5cb6c

“Here. Tell me if you need more water. I’ll bring you more.”32785b0e18aa000f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Thanks.”84b7d3a158d0cf66

He struggled 9b96fca10a to sit 64c55be264 up and f937623bd3 took the 4355c3ea9f medicine bag, 5f5399d2ee rummaging through f95a7652c9 it. He fumbled around inside 7611139605 the small paper bag 4d85a80475 for a while before 67dc3f5a63 returning the medicine to 644a405913 me.bd989b1021be9263

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“This isn’t it. Isn’t there another bag?”6f1e348496667579

“There’s another one?”7da96f0bd4abb642

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yeah. This isn’t mine, it’s Inha’s.”ef6b87e36b599002

“Did Inha catch a cold too?”355151653fe91434

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I was about to take what he offered and leave the room when Junghyun’s unexpected words caught me off guard.46505102d3cba6f0

“No? Those are anxiety pills.”a0436128000efe13

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Anxiety… pills?”ea4a13e574397f07

I looked at the medicine bag on the table again. The bag I had just taken the medicine from clearly had the name ‘Myung Inha’ written on it.ca4ae8d015337174

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why is Inha taking anxiety pills?”7676cc59e515a017

As if he b1316560e5 noticed my confused 656892fd31 reaction, Junghyun let 58b327725c out a sheepish d24876acee cough.88f5267fff30c537

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, he’s been taking those for a while.”ff4470182c277b91

“….”cb5e8dc6c304d68e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You didn’t know?”a73e158e6156d71b

“….”5f6328035e5f1c68

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re supposed to be his best friend, and you didn’t know that?”0b67c05d2a2f3fc7

Meanwhile, I found another medicine bag with Junghyun’s name on it next to it. As I handed him the correct cold medicine, Junghyun added an explanation, as if making an excuse.86139a06690bda10

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s nothing. A lot of trainees take medication.”832503dfa6eb2d57

“…Right.”248947d10326f5e5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I quietly left 878fccc70c the room. My hand 06c716b06d trembled slightly 8d2ca1d3db as I fec0e222d1 closed the 680d3deb90 doorknob.fbe79a9ebd4736b1

The medicine bag said a4c3d2bca1 to take it twice e10b5b519e a day. But in c13c32405b all those 4c5ecf17ae days, I ab57c0de8a had never a3991caf0b once seen 3017d986ec Inha take fe19a6f5ed medicine in 536f8e20c4 front of f6bdb889f2 me. This meant he 946157d7ec was deliberately hiding 0a12cf2e1a the fact that 2c4af88ebc he was taking 629523f285 medicine from me.1fb4eb49eda0e2b6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“He told me not to tell you. He said you’d be worried since the CSATs are coming up soon. He hates it when you worry. He said you’re too kind and you’ll be upset because of him.”8103c8a2b0f28e59

Was this also the reason? Because he was afraid I would be upset, because he was worried I’d be stressed with the CSATs approaching.dce9d6e582a0af1f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I’d rather feel like an idiot for not knowing the real Myung Inha, the one everyone else knows, than that. And the thought of you enduring those moments alone, without me knowing, drives me crazy…efa0d1cd8dd533e5

Only Junghyun’s occasional coughs could be heard in the quiet dorm, now devoid of people. I didn’t feel like staying there any longer, so I packed my bag.528512ac5e5a139d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just before leaving the dorm, I hesitated, then tore open one of Inha’s pills and put it in my pocket. My heart pounded. It felt like I was stealing a truth that Inha had painstakingly hidden.0ecd107d4e625c72

Leaving the dorm like that, I went straight to Inha’s company. I looked up at the building with its scattered lights and sat down on the edge of the flowerbed in the parking lot.607309157ad2c0a4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“….”13e0bb6a4bc1c5ec

How long did I 1299dd7c3b sit there like that?b700243d28bd320d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When I abda775ca1 finally made bff0f9f5da up my 226d769d17 mind, I 35eadb98be tried calling babff210ea Inha.a2117da944963cf6

―The number you 44d6b2166e have dialed is 2d502b95ec not in service….f37cbc59178771c9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Today, the call wouldn’t even connect and went straight to voicemail. Anxiously, I sent a few messages.0faf85ca3be142b8

「Inha, I’m at your company, please call me」88028ab95ad2665c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

「I have something 224bb6edd5 to tell you」87af36f9e0d0174f

The back door 9b31501429 of the company, 7507fe6287 connected to the ab6b1e3489 parking lot, repeatedly 21317962e8 opened and closed. Company employees 916a3a03ad making phone 2617c53b07 calls or 204b738954 smoking occasionally 650d025819 came and 3c0e4daa28 went, and 19aa3389f4 they would ba7654e78e sometimes glance 523838b248 at me 69c034739f sideways.2bf7eba59af5e62b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You can’t see the celebrity just by waiting here, student.”b4ca9314ece7df9b

“Excuse me…?”82e639d1eb42afee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

One of the employees c07c6ec8da approached me and spoke. I looked up at e497dc7ae7 him as if asking a7b62d307e what he meant.9ca266739bc57303

“You can’t see a celebrity just by hanging around. Go study instead of wasting your time like this.”8483e3586d8e000e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“….”5ec195a2798b2311

It was then that 6861063d06 I realized they were 95a270ff75 treating me like a c8ec0b2040 naive fan chasing after c0dcf898f6 a celebrity. Suddenly feeling my 0c8b0b0621 pride hurt, I 2030ae7b11 rummaged through my 3654167123 pocket.7de6498bc55c9f27

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s not true. I…”4bb4190a3185263c

“…?”6c24273b363d5ac0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Actually, I had always thought that I could see Inha whenever I wanted, and I had been able to. But that door doesn’t open easily to just anyone, and when Inha goes inside the company, we’re completely cut off. Because I’m a regular person who can’t go through that closed door.e63bed44a5b8ef98

Then I have 7a9dc65508 no choice but 7cf33b1e98 to use this 47eb008143 method.6eeb3530388eb51a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m here because I was cast.”b90990376a972d73

“Excuse me? Casting?”69065bc640f86047

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”3152c66c3555292a

I searched c87e42e13c my contacts d4135db4dd on the bd76f5ca19 spot and 20459eb0b3 found the 8bcf5e5cff number Changyoung 4abc19c3f4 had given 7701ecfe71 me before. Then, I f1c8914e97 confidently made e91b4ce0df a call 99715c55d6 right there.584c05365cf82c99

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

―Yes. Who is this?e8489d8f80a10ff0

The call connected 41b3f21efe unexpectedly quickly. I deliberately made 0a934ac636 eye contact with bcd80b16e4 the employee in 40c1b239fd front of me 6681dc995b at the casual 431ac3a5e3 greeting devoid of 800ae1f7f7 friendliness.7a698cf1a35966ac

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m calling you after receiving your business card earlier.”181051dbcec24ff5

―Business card? Who is this?4adad8180bdd8070

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m… Jung Jihee.”cf45d4f9494d775b

―Jung Jihee…?f433825d13787d86

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m Inha’s friend.”5d208822a89c96a7

I felt awkward 2380ddcf39 trying to find bbb3fc4056 something to say f91530ef12 after making the 4e52cc6435 call so abruptly. Fortunately, however, the person 32fc20b815 on the other end 92a1e9482d was receptive to my 1eb8923b7b call.19e0ddaa35fd9c2c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

―Oh! It’s you. Inha’s friend! Why did it take you so long to contact me?eba77dc0d898c031

As soon 1e0078cf8a as he 580f00fc48 realized who c096615270 I was, e8c5597695 his tone c129ea42de changed completely. I was 93a86b6f98 taken aback 4abbb27bd7 by the 933e06593f sudden welcoming.274d199dfb9a2399

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The call wasn’t long. When I said I was in the company parking lot, he said he would come down right away.116a485bf5d4196c

As I stood in 55b26232d9 the parking lot, half-doubting f4e36e878a and half-believing, the back 2a56a7cc19 door, which had been fb664d413f opening and closing repeatedly, cad055e36d opened and a face c0a33dd330 I had seen once e246c3ff30 poked its head out. He spotted me 3f3a9bf7c4 immediately and came 83c4301a44 running towards me a8b264f887 with a bright 69bb8e55e8 face.0ad4b80a9bb0cae5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You were waiting here in front? You should have called.”7556b9347e20cf4e

“Well, yeah…”ea920e9927db3a80

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You must have been nervous about actually making contact, right? Wondering if it’s really a casting opportunity or not. Everyone’s like that at first.”459fa7595e33a10e

He chuckled and 05d6de773f led me along. The company c9b8a4fc5f employees who 596e7240b0 had been af7f345758 looking at 9ff97f887e me skeptically 0e1a259599 until then 0481f8cfb9 stepped back f006d41994 with bewildered a294a6a2a3 faces.8da8207cff610fa2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Come on in.”b58d3376a054614f

He placed c43ffde2c4 his finger 9059d08785 on the 102eb5c6e6 fingerprint scanner, 39ecb4b0eb and the 0faf70287e door, which 17e6652816 had been e335a2c8aa completely blocking 34e7b7283f outsiders, opened 633d5784e7 very easily.a1200c5d2c58ffbf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It felt quite 13042784e4 strange stepping inside, ca5d9d6e01 a place I 3acc794440 had never been d24825b3db curious about or 443db9bae0 wanted to enter ad0a81c29f before. The moment 32ea3ce1f2 I stepped 7fc100be70 inside, the d86756fd06 door clicked 33df73d88a shut behind bfe97e8bed me.a470b0501019b6de

The inside of the 68ff8d3853 building was more shabby 66debad66b than I expected. Even the e2f72f946f space that 1e20bd9701 could be 56a9e36183 considered a ed86c3ba00 lobby was 8977c366d9 piled with cb99af9e11 various miscellaneous b42fc94622 items. As we entered, a 80f313d5ee thin woman who was 96e2b2d51d looking at a computer f8fd865ced in the corner bowed 23a4a92ea9 to us.d614026976f42e4a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Wondering where Inha might 4e089d446b be, I looked around, b48c94f42e and the manager started c88882f1d1 talking to me.c3fbe49cb48e4c9d

“Is it fascinating? Shall I give you a tour of the company?”d8f43db959f32431

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes? Yes…”4ac75c4be62e4779

“Alright. Let’s talk first, and I’ll give you a full tour before you leave later.”bc8cbfd54cbfaecd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He led me 6085031203 to a small 920921d8a3 meeting room on 4f27df9e6c the second floor. Even as I put 5ef4a33a3d down my bag, I c61a08a3e5 continued to scan the 9ea9807bca area outside the meeting 6fc6c52395 room. Hoping to catch 521097956e a glimpse of 375e438d58 Inha passing by.1487ba7f90db92e3

“With the CSATs right around the corner, you must have a lot on your mind, right? It’s good to have multiple career paths.”236f5e51c8cce2be

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I kept eating 07f6d2d389 the snacks prepared c2f4790fcb on the table, 46a7a34484 regardless of what a44082f838 he was rambling 1d70904697 about. He brought another 7e472b8a0d plate of snacks, 05526c9e5d saying that high d918f0dae5 school students eat e95f86887f a lot, as ef296c3a81 expected. I pretended to 1dff7235a4 listen attentively to 1f86c11627 his words, waiting 17846f8d45 for the moment 3916d6e207 I could be e2e1f2d507 released from this 5b935c50de place. But the conversation d6c24898fe dragged on tediously, 6a94645099 and I started f6ab528688 to get increasingly ff92573733 anxious.1c398a7689230881

“…So anyway, next time, let’s schedule a meeting with your parents. What did your parents say they do? Did they say they were office workers… and your mother is a housewife? If your father is busy, you can come with just your mother.”c6198e84df20e114

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Both of them work. They’re broadcasting station PDs.”09fd9d73c1030fb3

“Oh, really?”b7405cfc2c2b2440

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His eyes narrowed at d12a571c1c the fact I revealed 5f7d45705b for the first time. He seemed pleased but bcd65920fd also reassessed me.7ba4931a58c7489b

“National network? It’s not the entertainment department, is it?”be966df3112505ff

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“My father is in the entertainment department, and my mother is in the drama department…”3a04d11e5c9518cd

“Are they currently active?”d656182f7a8ec8bc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He asked with 8e194d0cb1 an intrigued expression.4d77f31a86747d57

“…Yes.”200591c37465281c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Wow, once you start your entertainment activities, your parents will be able to give you a lot of support.”c099783689c346b6

I remained silent c87fb1fb55 in front of deec8761fa him as he dd400b8820 chuckled with satisfaction.347d1df57d4c1faa

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“….”6908255f22478604

“Do you have any other questions?”110886744f416f9b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is Inha at the company right now?”96c4cc29938b0985

“Hmm? Inha? Myung Inha?”f56d0861c81fbe84

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He blinked his 11ab735129 shrewd eyes, as cac6f4a3b6 if surprised by e0ff410a7d the unexpected question.784cee28adf5a727

“Well… he might be? Or not. You know, right? His knee is completely messed up. He can’t practice at this crucial time… He’s also a problem, really.”effe796aeb8fa3ba

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

My heart chilled at his disinterested expression. Well, it’s true that he had told Inha to show up at the practice room even on his days off, but he didn’t really care whether he actually came or not. To demand sacrifice as if it were natural and now blame the injured person… I’m only growing more disillusioned.413811625f68fc4a

Soon, I was 274f54bd54 able to escape bff37dbcfb from him. Before he 9b8dcdf3ce left, he aecd9bb95e assigned another f50a10f5cd employee to a934a45db5 me. It was 382fe8f0de the thin 74254b2957 female employee de3e8cfffc I had 804ce4111a seen in b83efcf2f6 the lobby.4f81d4b5d3611364

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“This friend will give you a tour of the company. Then let’s meet with your parents next time. Okay? Call me.”a0c547017dfa7363

The rough 9113fa0c4d touch of f1f9d907b8 his hand ed9052abb8 patting my 95a1597ca8 shoulder made d0ae82d836 my bag 0d2ee4b335 strap move. Adjusting the 3e786876c1 strap, I 484d542c69 perfunctorily bowed a4fbc46c43 my head. As soon as he 85d70b3116 left, the female employee 7e62f0412f asked me,c4e3cd0eeb7f8112

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What do you want to see? Where shall we start the tour?”4683e4b24f5102a0

“I’m curious about the practice room. I want to see Inha too.”a0632a1fff4fae03

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, the practice room? The practice rooms are upstairs…”665fbf796728cecc

The employee, 1e0a2720cf who seemed 1de0624fc1 to have ffc55a1fb4 been pulled 529d45b0ad away from fe5232b717 her overtime 078af13c71 work, was cacf079bf8 kind to 5f9b067197 me but 5bc474472a looked very 2bfb1c53ee tired. Getting on the elevator, 8ab80954c8 I cautiously suggested,4474fbec20d7458e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Actually, I just need to see Inha. Just tell me where he is. I’ll look around a bit and leave.”c1ffd61eb378896a

“Would you like that?”a727f7105b3781aa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The employee brightened fbd56e083f up at my 10dc10281a suggestion as if 17dc28a484 she had been eaa080b0c6 waiting for those d4ad2c92b5 words.cf33b0f52535fcdf

“The second floor here is all practice rooms and vocal rooms, and you can see if there’s anyone inside through the windows. Just don’t disturb anyone while they’re practicing. Oh, and the fourth floor is where the CEO and producers’ offices are. It’s not that you can’t go… but you don’t really need to see it, so…”f3a15a7bf5fb3aed

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes. I understand.”71e484293cbd09fe

“You said you were Inha’s friend, right? Have a good time and go safely.”0868854d85301d24

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As soon as the c168bcca78 employee left, I was b023752da1 left alone.6cb7e10a1653bf65

As I walked slowly f39531e184 down the hallway, I 0ab8505632 could hear the sound c89507af01 of singing and feel 1684ea9323 slight vibrations penetrating the dd6a32b5b8 soundproof walls. Glancing through the lit a767b4ab8a windows, I saw nameless 2b50558e97 individuals engrossed in their 4d554423f5 practice. The thought that c4f87dbbcb this was where 6be6997974 Inha had been 88689bca7d every day for 02146a785a the past five bd95a23ae2 years made me c22eb6d4e6 carefully observe the ae74806be0 structure inside.ddf51fce7fd5d255

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

However, I couldn’t find Inha anywhere as I circled the practice room hallway. After confirming that Inha wasn’t on this floor, I went up the stairs. The third floor was a mysterious space that looked like a studio, but all the lights were off.10088281880d7dca

Next, I moved my feet to the fourth floor, the space of the higher-ups, the place the employee had told me I didn’t need to go unless I had a specific reason, just as I was about to head there.e209062ef237693e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A voice came from 63c55ae250 the top of the a221291083 stairs.7af0509d0fcf578a

“…Want to go there later? XX’s CEO and the MBS CP will be there too.”b158df67de7bf476

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was fcff30f324 the low 385efbd692 voice of f49ef172b5 an adult b061d6234c male, laced 840650f77b with laughter. I stopped in 79f9e40c59 my tracks, mid-step. Two elongated shadows d6d8f96328 stretched across the 2c662cf17d stairs a floor 6e363b8ceb above, where the 2bc4fceea6 hallway light faintly fe1189f670 spilled in.3e35bbcfd6775e90

I thought I smelled ca5e551895 cigarette smoke. The pungent 780cbece74 scent of 94c1b9120b strong tobacco.0fe24daad61b1659

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I leaned my arm on the railing and tilted my head upwards. My sense of smell hadn’t deceived me. A man was leaning against the window by the stairs, which was open, a cigarette in his hand. I couldn’t see the person standing opposite him because of the angle.d390fbf52efb35bf

“Hah…”95c40140cae82de2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As the man deaf532074 inhaled the cigarette, 23a97bf3fd the red tip 06fea9e058 glowed intensely in 215b53ee48 the darkness. He exhaled the 9769572426 smoke without even d1888c8930 turning his head 4785fa3f59 towards the window. It was an c9e686a2d7 inconsiderate gesture towards 41a14bffd8 the person in d437d5387a front of him.89174019672118b8

“Where are we meeting?”a64bd81583575133

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

My heart 4d169da9a0 plummeted at 0dba3032e8 the small 32e5623d64 voice that 02f9ce7703 followed.a900b043cfdf8a00

“Near here. Cheongdam. It’s close.”e26fade53745cc8f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Saying so, Director a23246144a Lee grabbed the 3eb471d25d wrist of the 444c3f972e person standing in 6d0bb5431e front of him 937aae4163 and pulled. The thin wrist cf34a064f8 that was pulled 1904f715f0 along limply definitely 1845c30cd3 belonged to someone db54f801ed I knew.96e38ae47337b020

That’s Inha.baf6ba533a0ca5b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Director Lee rubbed Inha’s bony wrist several times with his thumb. It was just a simple act of holding his wrist, but it made me indescribably uncomfortable. I had held Inha’s wrist many times, but I had never touched him in such a strange way.8130e1e4ab872865

My heart raced as if I had witnessed a secret rendezvous between people who shouldn’t be involved with each other.3fae00605e1f6479

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Director Lee, but I still can’t drink alcohol…”c9079f6713c676d8

“What? You can’t drink?”e2a87028baa2be3a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m not supposed to drink yet.”477cdd63bca1adec

Inha’s voice shocked me as much as the strange way Director Lee was touching him. Far from sounding intimidated or uncomfortable, his tone was flirtatious, and his voice even held a hint of laughter.eaabf6b24fdb6e17

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I haven’t graduated yet.”e2aeb89e1e385d04

“Oh, are you that young?”a89a4ec7878e648d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m taking the CSATs soon.”c16da265815ffe81

“So you’ll be twenty soon.”f7d4ca58c5dc57c2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”21ca1e7a962f32bb

“I should pour you your first drink. You should learn how to drink from an adult.”6e986d41df5d0d1b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Director Lee reached out 9c18477056 his hand. I wondered where 59166a99af that hand, which 0ee4433876 touched something and c1390c688a then came down, 41aca3b469 had been. The thought of Director 6315f1120a Lee touching the same be1b75b762 pale cheek that I 9437c02c1f had touched yesterday made f2c424d203 my stomach churn.1d1840c234057035

The heat didn’t subside, continuing to simmer and churn, making my stomach uncomfortable.b8de6f0d108bbc1c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Thank you, Director Lee.”3bbb144263b08f7a

Inha’s whispering voice.5a0ce726d6961258

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I really only have you, Director Lee.”1cd2ce946e8f2068

Unable to stand there 26ad8b4bef any longer, I turned 3d81d9099a and ran out of 573086ab31 the stairwell.b4da7b02ce5bdf3e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

🌌c6311b44fd7b21e0

If it c3becbde44 were the 246a53db79 Inha I 76765f149f knew, this e33b532fc2 is how 7620237ae6 it should 444526817f have been.83426a426a537a96

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He should have answered in a subdued voice while enduring the bothersome smell of Director Lee’s cigarette smoke. He should have resented the company and Director Lee, who were exploiting him like this without taking responsibility for his future, and yet he should have suppressed those feelings, unable to express them rashly, and reluctantly complied with them…34f8f77fb8911809

That was the only way I could barely understand Inha. Even that wasn’t satisfactory to me. From my perspective, where I wanted Inha to kick them to the curb if they didn’t choose him, it was difficult to accept Inha’s desperation to become subservient for the sake of his debut.282b996376530a11

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But the Inha I secretly saw wasn’t like that. Inha seemed quite accustomed to Director Lee’s cigarette smoke, and his voice, as he replied to him, even sounded friendly.5b3acb5ad959553e

Something was a664b90570 seriously wrong.d50c41463c41e107

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

How could 559d959c98 that be? How could 07eb3d8c57 he react 237745654e like that cbd2ca00c5 in front d5b42d4424 of Director e2bc8fd583 Lee?0d40036a29a0dbac

Suddenly, Changyoung’s words flashed through my mind.8ea4c70ac2684f8b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s because not all the choices he makes are right.”2161356acaf00500

“….”dc2e0999905f9e53

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Myung Inha is terrible at making choices. He picked the wrong person to like, to begin with.”4ede17a9798a3cb0

“Im Junghyun?”23f493018aa4eefd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Changyoung had scoffed at my words. The chilling feeling I had felt then resurfaced. I was certain there was a deeper issue I wasn’t aware of.1166a6720839ffdf

Then, could it be, a8cb19e8b1 perhaps, that the person 9511782300 Inha likes is…226a4fc72a9d6575

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My vision darkened. I wanted to deny it, but if the person Inha liked wasn’t a fellow trainee but Director Lee, everything made sense. Changyoung’s words about choosing the wrong person to like, Inha smiling and replying in front of Director Lee without seeming bothered by the disgusting cigarette smell, him dropping everything and running off whenever the company called, all of it…d08c90204780cb62

Even Inha’s seemingly frustrated and off-key responses whenever I mentioned Junghyun and tried to help him all made sense now.b84050e294736268

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ha…”cd8dca36f1cf4001

I felt 57c63b9f8d so dumbfounded febc33a59e that my 0fc182f608 head started bbd813726b to spin.ae527a68f3c91466

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The Inha ee0097bf34 I know…b31fd456ac6fe1b8

He was the 624cecdccc one who had 474c90b216 become taciturn due cc0d92808c to the long 0c16b0536c and arduous trainee f87d43150a period.bca8cb57567353cd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He was the one who became small in front of others because he didn’t know his true worth after being pushed around by the company.84967f7baf3b149d

But was that passive attitude and subdued voice only for me? Inha’s voice, smiling and replying in front of Director Lee, wouldn’t leave my ears.2817b4b1a0a9f73f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Perhaps, all along, it c59f162fa4 was me who was 352242ef4e bothering Inha the most.cb0fe91a51cbe0d7

Myself, who forced myself 28d35aa2ed to be his best bfc0078167 friend without knowing anything 778b0a79b6 about him.1238722dbca82319

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

🌌2c055347e8343575

For a while after that, I unconsciously avoided Inha because I couldn’t face him. Not only at school, but even after school, I went straight home instead of going to the dorm. Except for occasionally visiting the gym or the park, I mostly stayed home because I didn’t want to interact with anyone.53fd69a6494ebc55

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Inha, finding it strange that I hadn’t shown my face for several days without any explanation, even came to our classroom. When I saw him loitering in the hallway around dismissal time, I ended up doing something pathetic: sneaking away while he was talking to other friends.43850884296dcadc

By now, Inha would probably realize that I was deliberately avoiding him. But there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t face him and talk to him right now.7f9b012810724e53

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I don’t keep any secrets from Inha. So, I’ll end up telling him that I’ve found out everything he was hiding.bd52d1b70eb9ee73

The fact that his 2c186524b0 body and mind are d68a0c8d9b both hurting, and who 1a2e44e093 he truly likes.f53c5d0fbcd82b67

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was sad. That the 9cc4173161 Inha I 8e81267ef4 knew was d9b2f96cd8 merely a 780bf79db0 curated version 7be66753ad of himself, 4868de4def the image b719c4674a he wanted feb3146358 to project.d66dc0fccda6802b

Perhaps our relationship was unnatural. Like everyone else, I’ve had countless friends who drifted away. Friends who became distant and eventually stopped contacting each other because we were in different classes, because we no longer shared the same hobbies.c90e19bfb1c6e7f6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Should we have done 31bbfa4296 the same when Inha b8c3cd0964 chose the path of 64f0078152 a trainee? Acknowledging that we were afdf0d5a6f already on different paths.742bd825f5b3809e

But despite that, when I came back from the US, I naturally chose the school Inha was attending. Because I wanted to be with Inha. There were times when I was disappointed with Inha as a trainee, and I couldn’t hang out with him as often as before because he was busy with company matters, but I still held onto our connection.85f1e10739b48319

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The reason db0ac9466a I went 4b26615445 so far 5d345cd926 was because 7b63ed95ce I liked 0964ec799f Inha so a6a0835baf much.b3ac1a30436d50e0

Perhaps our connection, which 5c2eec8e29 should have already been 5d0163b1c5 severed, was forcibly maintained 42ff70909e through my efforts.0f3d426d21bc690a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Still, Inha, I won’t be angry that you have so many secrets.b96f20ce2789cf9e

Because I think I’ve come to understand even more how much I like and care about you.4d4297901f49f737

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But that 5b57dd3474 makes me b92b8e267a feel even b739ba1d86 worse.d75cf3769ecb7555

Why do I always e25a0e1d3c have to find out d950e92a76 last…308566d73449659b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Am I f50699b5c6 really your db637cc865 friend?6d03a2a9cdac9f9a

“Hah…”dd719ef4e1705299

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Shaking off 3e924f04db my melancholy, 1ddcc0a797 I bounced ff6266d087 the ball 446639d2fb on the 0d67fc0040 court again.263438924b58b63c

The basketball 017f712501 court was e93ecf386f empty as 4456c91a08 midnight approached. Fallen leaves were c304f9c910 piled up around 00da39d847 the brightly lit ef8cb71cce court. Every time 294e44eb2f the wind 78d22e30fb blew, the 50726b90ba branches shed c21f1587f9 their remaining fc1f2fc134 leaves, completely 90abefbea3 stripping bare.b036a087dbea222a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I shot 47de83e563 the ball 3664cba2f1 lightly with 5befafcdaa my wrist, 8a8453dde5 and it e47a393999 swished silently 5f9fc06f9d through the d11fc07ceb net. I repeated the 17f72eee9d shot several times, 44b881bc72 my accuracy gradually bb0365153e improving, but a 926c83d0b4 sense of apathy 446e219484 washed over me. Eventually, I became too 96c29d108c tired even to pick 9448227069 up the ball rolling f60b7ce5d6 on the ground.07a85755bbd6e977

“….”bfea4802f79803b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As I 35360e8866 picked up 0628b5cbae the slowly ef868ac7de rolling ball 6f7afc6acf and stood 6df7c48a4e up, I d36f4e4260 saw someone d1fd7128ae sitting on 73d1871ee4 the bench f5e08975be over there.4326a2c44bc9cfc4

Sitting in the dark, under the shadow of the night, where the light from the lamps didn’t reach, was someone I knew very well. A thin figure with a small face, wearing a baseball cap pulled low.35487466d1168853

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Our eyes met in 3d67e0766e the darkness.03220ed60d28d96f

“….”cb53cce15384ef7c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha stared at me 1247ec0eb7 quietly. I walked d79fbb5aa5 slowly towards 5ea6837df5 him, holding f19a642a88 the ball a227062439 in one 3a2a9d792d hand.87edea1db0db712d

“I figured you’d be here.”a5b4566023fdcb02

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Inha said, looking up at me, as I came close enough to see his expression. His eyes, as he smiled awkwardly, sparkled as always. For some reason, I couldn’t look directly into those clear eyes that emitted a faint light even in the darkness.5b57d30289aff9f5

“Why did you come? Your leg hurts.”ecbde1c9c5a2be6e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, I can walk this much… Am I an invalid?”696ecca29c2eafb0

Inha chuckled. I sat next c925e959e9 to him without d4fd42a872 replying, placing the c618f8bbbd ball between us. The distance felt 7b811513cc like it represented 894cf535b0 the awkwardness between 365b8636f0 us.cbfd1ca9bdd7b9ed

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“….”a69922047afffc74

“….”9a9a547da8d9f20e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

During the d98b07e70d ensuing silence, 0a7e4b041a Inha glanced 70dc3afae1 at my e19be9e5e9 profile several a8718595de times. He was trying 5d16bdb757 to gauge my f1546a3bee mood. Realizing he was watching 4c30515988 my reaction made my e2528141e8 chest tighten again.87d279b9206df7bc

“Why are you so hard to find at school these days? You don’t answer your phone either.”325cabeec428dbbd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“….”7eead795f944d114

“Are you stressed about the entrance exams?”df2c392a667f7027

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“….”4e77cd86c22cf214

“Just hold on a little longer. You’ve worked hard, so the results will be good.”93036f2ba0b84df6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha pretended to ecc8eb2b7d be nonchalant, even b003152c70 though he knew c58a7b821f I had been 0650f9b9ba avoiding him.42efc961d3f0eefd

Come to think of it, whenever we had a minor disagreement or I was lost in thought, it was always Inha who approached me first. I used to think he did that because he liked me as a friend, but now I’m not sure. Maybe he just hates conflict, can’t stand fighting.a2bfefb84dc98f6f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Jihee.”9188caabac1e9f5f

“Yeah.”d8cae775759a013f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Is something bothering you?”6eb84702c5b9605e

“….”bca18f0fe2f691dd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Can’t you tell me too?”a277f32ac8e62948

“….”463f329f429f1920

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Because you’re always so capable on your own, I keep forgetting. That you can have a hard time too… At least tell me. I always tell you. When I’m having a hard time.”c04b38d317f58a0a

“Ha… Inha.”4496d1ffcb7d5771

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A sigh I 47648fc521 had been holding 6f31851ba4 back escaped my 62937b1276 lips.fb66ec8cc66f8b0d

“You say you always tell me when you’re having a hard time.”248e1c1e7a8b3551

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes.”fd861f9d89adcdb4

“Do you really tell me everything?”94a02651a6066469

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Instead of 23d0832294 explaining further, c1cc0d8d6e I put 883812f64e my hand a01177e224 in my 00e0c18e07 pocket. My fingertips b96aedb7db brushed against ac8fa18053 a small 1d48b384ea medicine bag.a39a13e43b39bf04

I took it out and placed it on the bench as if tossing it. Inha’s gaze followed the rustling sound.0e82adc882409e6a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You have panic disorder, right? Since when?”b721d8757c7784ef

“….”9c2960c5acf4c391

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“And you say you tell me everything.”fb064380254d5d0f

“….”9befb4580acf2083

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Why do I always have to find out after you’re already hurting?”1fc44ba396820034

My eyes started 8e3b7e46ca to burn. I lowered my 7a10f80885 head and took da62e198ae a deep breath.95a952c73c185e37

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I didn’t want to sound angry. Because I was afraid that expressing my feelings honestly would be like wielding a knife. I didn’t want to burden my friend, who was already mentally strained…38f8c9377ae3e4eb

That was what I 2b782b8082 had been thinking.811241c8f53bf124

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I know. If it were easy to talk about, you would have told me a long time ago. I know that you’re taking medication and getting help because talking to others doesn’t solve anything… But every time I see something like this.”679c7068b7fa0110

“….”416e343286564e95

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It makes me feel miserable. I’m afraid there might be other things you’re hiding from me.”a23b9caa1b054b41

“….”2cc90538c08f38bc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“And I don’t have the confidence to know everything…”86194eda02c6a763

If Inha truly 8c2a40b163 likes that man, 53f6a76747 Director Lee, would a71dd0b3eb I be able 9647bcb581 to accept it?18bfd82c7ca2ccd1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

If that 0f03462421 man was 2f933a122a using his c51291e11c position and 6a770d3e12 the debut 5157e89832 team as 725581c7f0 leverage to 1d98c2e610 control Inha, 9f4575c7ca and if 1ad94484ef Inha was d40839f1c8 willingly going b04c4f2eb7 along with 398e14f2aa it because 192a0f9fa2 he liked 9d5eb34d87 him, could a1f68c7d6a I still 490c392cf0 consider that 12504deb9d the Myung 66020a8ba2 Inha I bb0532e85f like?1e8aa5731ba64748

I wasn’t confident. If that were the case, the person I liked would have already disappeared from the world. And I, who was so worried that the friend I liked would be tarnished by the murky waters of the entertainment industry, would be far too late.6ce1f8f5d818b857

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Moreover, the thought that this wouldn’t be the end trapped me in a mire of thoughts. After Inha truly entered that world, he would face even more temptations. Both I and Inha will become adults someday. If the adult Inha willingly gave in to those temptations, there would be nothing I could do to stop him.f8cff0ff9829372e

“I feel like an idiot for not knowing anything.”f3f4fcf88d5a54c3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Jihee, let me explain everything.”95bc7554fb360132

I laughed weakly at e559469d2e his urgent voice.4acff707e426858e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“How much can you tell me?”b95699a1f06fb2ef

“When I started taking the medication, why I’m taking it…”a624fff5806d2518

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Inha’s lower lip trembled as he made excuses. His desperate reaction left a bitter taste in my mouth.978094c8b0b00645

“Then, Inha.”103db5a4f82456ec

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes.”7752b8f3032be476

“Can you tell me who you like?”8e4d9ce940d024b3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

I slowly f27f8477ca raised my 3728bdab9b downcast gaze 03e1a075cc and looked ee0c8d837b at Inha. Our eyes 34264d9acc met in 19700a3a47 the air.ebc1de23941fa625

Inha, pathetically 95b2d8f878 twitching his 9b6918bf0e trembling lips, 7813407fba finally answered 319747d372 in a 68419b3be3 choked voice ed88c2b1a0 after a 7db66034d6 long pause.6b0a6a8fd1be7a9a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…I can’t tell you that.”885db943b98d71df

As soon as I heard the expected answer, a chuckle escaped my lips without me realizing it. There could only be one reason why he couldn’t tell me. Because he liked someone he shouldn’t. I remembered Director Lee casually touching Inha’s wrist. The mere thought of it made me feel disgusted enough to vomit, and Inha being attracted to such a person didn’t feel like the Inha I knew.780aac1ad5fe5253

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you…”748c11b30932d7ab

Inha’s voice was tinged with a faint trace of tears.fe32041318c919f7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

From the moment he e376f6c243 heard my question, his ca1abdbc1d face was already filled 3c2bfbf0c4 with fear. I was tired of 2d542106f2 it too. Tired of this situation 5d59e160a7 where I was pushing acffe2ee5d Inha, and resenting him aef019f56b for keeping secrets.b7e2d8dbf02d2243

I ran 3f4acaa816 my hands 0737ef797f over my c03d0faad1 face and af5e43cbf8 sighed deeply. My tired eyes felt 21793a27ca heavy.8c6e34dc9b80d628

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Inha, I know everything.”2cc67a47db3c2875

“…W-What?”dbf477cc385eb7d3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s not Im Junghyun, the person you like.”cc48a24a296917d5

Inha’s large eyes wavered.92e42947cb58eea4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“S-Since when did you know…”11158a64cbbb0151

“Not long ago.”3b8f2feee9f84e6c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At my words, Inha e4a1ce4703 looked pathetically lost. His shallow breaths 6820332115 were ragged.13141bea0646f0e1

“D-Did you avoid me because of that?”02ef139607c3e24f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes.”7a4237eb0d2b14f3

I nodded once.09ad6dc7c6f30e35

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“In many ways. I couldn’t face you.”de6339437fc7e592

Inha lowered his head, 18ac1116b7 clasping his hands together. I waited for him 96201556d1 to offer some kind c69077fd9e of explanation. But he just 0846237b15 kept catching his 2748e1d516 breath, on the f1d69d5fac verge of tears, 2efe23585a remaining silent for ac7ba1ad13 a long time.612b4b8e2bf08b06

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Can I ask how you came to like him?”056a55d3f674217a

“….”e3db9a778816530c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you not want to tell me?”fa074472d3d0365f

“…Yes.”01398055ae659327

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha barely 0a188888d0 managed to b29f47f0b6 answer, sniffling.1d111c660d5c2cd7

“You know you have to stop this, right?”d6ea1b01647ca574

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Sniff, y-yes…”eab6ba93251496cd

He nodded vigorously a 96fe3569f8 couple of times with c1914be266 his head still lowered. His breaths were 2db0d19746 mixed with sorrowful ecd12801c8 sobs.9fc5602c338ec42c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I finally uttered the 95f2c530f3 words I had been 7a24648605 holding back.f048bb8ef721069a

“So quit being an idol, Inha.”840a6b033aefe395

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“….”c4a424d556f49803

“Everything started to go wrong when you became a trainee. Stop clinging to such slim chances and please come back to where you belong. And stop liking that creepy guy.”a7a00fb40958b8a9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Forcing respect any longer was too difficult. I said those words so that he wouldn’t give his heart to someone like Director Lee, so he wouldn’t be swayed by adults who only toyed with his feelings, so he wouldn’t wear himself down any further.56a893a8fec7263d

But in 9924ab93a0 the next 23fd5b1003 moment, Inha ec6b6c2214 slowly raised f4f7d6306c his head fd5f19b4cc and looked fd3b5a3286 at me 88781cad74 with bewildered f21dedde97 eyes, as a9912f30a9 if he 6599afd400 had no 77e2c6125c idea why 875e0d9002 I had 714ae7abe2 said such 5e0aeb7c99 a thing.c6ba43cc97940145

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Creepy guy?”908933af1980e082

“Yes.”82513a6dfd712cb3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just picturing Director Lee blowing cigarette smoke in Inha’s face made me frown in disgust. Inha quickly wiped his eyes with his hand and sniffled. He looked somewhat perplexed.51223f22efc6423f

I sighed in 71095a9df7 resignation.d4c4ce8beb3b1f5e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I saw it all. Director Lee touching you.”90d9161658636f55

“….”ae0a4cb46a269e1f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I saw him inviting you to those entertainment outings, offering to teach you how to drink…”1c7035ab251ad489

“…W-What?”4e9dee6170e9d092

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Even if it’s someone you like, are you out of your mind? You act all coy even after hearing things like that?”3c6dccc4efc52f30

“W-When… No. The person I like.”88ebfe7bbce29f7b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Inha, are you really going to learn how to drink from Director Lee? Knowing where those kinds of people drink?”f97dab907d390c8a

“Jihee.”b90a0d458ce42f36

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I wanted to have my first drink with you.”8dbb2dfd2791a232

Our countdown to adulthood wasn’t far off.d74da6702e0165f1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

When we finally had our first drink, it should have been with each other. Counting down to the new year together, watching the fireworks while listening to the Bosingak bell… And after figuring out each other’s alcohol tolerance for the first time, I wanted to stroll through the dawn streets, stumbling and supporting each other.aeb4d082b8e43917

This suits Inha. Much more so c67483cd19 than being called d893017977 out by some 4e5360b361 old man to 5bea7c945f learn how to 853d6a38c1 drink whiskey at 81d3a2d8a6 some Cheongdam-dong entertainment 88ea2f4b97 bar. No, regardless 36f327a225 of whether ab9e873658 it suits 3746ad1911 him or 40294f4e48 not, something 592cffeba3 about it 8b3f9157a9 was fundamentally 56ba8e9054 wrong. I wanted 84fc0cd9ee Inha to 74c32d13e3 never have 208d106545 anything to 4d454c222d do with 2db3003475 such places.3e9683806d425dcc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Don’t learn to drink from that kind of person. Don’t let him pour you drinks either…”d27bf6f3ef520e37

“….”978c28c3c649cedc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What’s the difference between that and… the red-light district?”711d010aa6ec1d63

Inha remained 26c9870d80 silent, just 762d821463 staring at e6b0723d75 me for 12e229e23b a while.a0d7f8df3ca6c8f7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Around then, I noticed 02f9a6f121 a change in his 947bf38fae gaze. His watery eyes were c52ec8d077 still the same, but caa791949a there were no more d5c831a8b9 traces of tears. Instead, they 728095a735 were filled d87c049639 with shock 340c9e939f and shame.eacf9bf3a6d8a9bc

“Inha.”31f2d49554551de5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Inha stared at c043831e77 me without blinking. After a moment, he 84439832f4 let out an exasperated adc9e48730 sigh.894858225976b6a8

“Ha…”b17444c93a66aa80

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What’s wrong?”042b718396c248d2

I was about to 5b4ab6d5b6 reach out to brush 108aec82d4 the hair covering his e33418f866 face.b2ae0f6dd35052fa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Is that how I look to you?”78f1e4fd4b76b01d

A rather firm emotion 1e8d15e46a resonated in his trembling 4dcc9113b6 voice. Hearing it, 417a7ce019 my hand a77ccf37e3 stopped.28e3eaab190675ad

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Someone who can’t say no when touched, someone who acts cute to get in adults’ good graces… Is that how I look to you?”e935b215a9e90a74

“Isn’t it?”426e72fc2a2d3050

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Someone who’ll end up pouring drinks for them?”660e33883067859c

“I didn’t say that. I just hate that it might come to that.”69070a24b5f943e9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Inha turned 896c520bd1 his head 682643873b and sighed. His breath, exhaled 1de3c295a0 towards the sky, 8a01bc0b20 was tinged with ca395fca2e a sorrowful dampness.9e6ef6d6f7f3a73b

“Inha.”f4cb096336d69d9e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It seemed I had ea0e19b1ab hurt his pride. I moved 98064df463 the ball c072465c07 that was 62b0876a8f between us e323b61014 and sat 261c31b372 a little 84ce87b7f4 closer to 65e6199cf0 Inha.4b3e2ace3f0465c3

“I’m not saying you are like that right now.”0af0625768a13f62

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let go.”d25ccdf163ed130b

“Inha.”85281f4c9d8be1cd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“That’s how you see me.”c0ee48c77999fdbe

“When did I ever…”c5c1bdeb80de23ad

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You’ve always hated me being an idol. You think I’m obsessed with becoming a celebrity. Do you think I don’t… didn’t know all that? You think I’m someone who’ll do anything if they just make me a celebrity…”1a4555fec2fbdcde

As he continued, his 210b1c4388 voice started trembling uncontrollably. I tried c2e42d485b to pull 1b3f059ec7 him into 0fdd91a017 a hug 81236822e0 as his 6c4c083e2d shoulders began 4fd845599c to shake 8438c90263 with sorrow, 5fafb6bcf9 but he d17717dc07 pushed me 5ef051cab2 away with 294efe5f89 considerable force. His hands, pushing 1a1dca1628 against my chest, e160bfe1e0 were firm.63b7dc99f12cdbe2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Let go of me!”7298fb8f9c9b533d

“Inha, that’s not it.”7bdc7409b1744b63

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I firmly grasped both 881288b31f of his wrists to b3174b2f3a stop him and pulled f9af1fa334 him into a tight f05d895a42 embrace.809794536f39a7e5

“…No, Inha. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”58556da786a2c1ed

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I understand everything. I understand how you see me…”f9da476b3ccc6e3a

Finally, Inha burst into bc2f48af68 tears he had been 50c21f1edd holding back. He sobbed 7a5fa73e49 without making 756a9c377f a sound. As always, it was 24bd9b89db the kind of suppressed 3f4e8a762e crying that made the 59dcebc420 listener ache.659f3fddc4b1499b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry…”c02059ad2bc1527c

I pulled the nape of his neck and held him close to me. His soft hair, his trembling body and shoulders, his warm tears soaking his shirt – everything made my heart ache. I repeatedly adjusted my hold on his back. Around then, Inha’s body, which had been resisting, finally relaxed.c7abf3fc048b6693

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’m not that kind of person…”5f444f65d5aa9ac3

“I know. I know.”da2b2040603969ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I, hic, hate it too. I hate Director Lee’s cigarette smoke. Sniff… I hate him constantly crossing the line… But I hate myself the most for putting up with it.”5a37c96ef48a58d3

“….”04108eaec1bd5070

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I thought you would understand. That I’m enduring it even though I hate it… That I have no choice…”8288f8098cfeedbd

Inha couldn’t continue, and he started to sob pathetically, his voice breaking. His tears made my heart clench. The tears he had cried in the past, lamenting the difficulty of liking a man, weren’t my fault, but these tears were purely because of me. That weighed heavily on my heart.f12221e0d9d63066

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Inha, I’m sorry. Inha…”320ed88512875543

I kept stroking Inha’s back slowly. Inha hit my arm a few times before burying his face in my chest and mumbling. Warm, teary breaths spread across my chest.62c3a4088fe77db0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“S-Sometimes I’m scared too. Every time Director Lee makes a move on me, huff… I don’t know how much I should pretend not to know. I, I don’t know what will happen to me either… because I don’t have any connections or anything.”dd9c0f6391a35cf7

“….”6b62579ffc1d6174

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“But I really won’t go to the bottom. Sniff… I’ve never had those kinds of thoughts. B-Because, because there’s someone I like.”c27e7d85986ded57

“….”6d8486bc0bcf47c1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You don’t know how much strength that gives me. Sniff… I won’t do that, not because of him. I won’t pour drinks or act cute like you think I will. Because there’s someone I truly like. You don’t know. Anything… Anything…”471073558f669dcd

Inha repeated the same words several times, saying that I didn’t know anything.e38e645734888434

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After a long time, Inha finally swallowed his tears and raised his head. His hair was a mess, his face streaked with dried tears. His eyelids and lips were swollen, and his nose was red, but his tear-stained face was beautiful. Struggling with hiccups that wouldn’t stop, Inha tried to catch his breath. I wiped his tear-soaked eyelids with the back of my hand.d09230b2374e288a

“Don’t.”6d7dc965e1696151

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha swatted my 2b8445f01b hand away.478d38b7d727455e

“Why? Look at me.”f6a95a955e551af1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Don’t look.”0dd6f17d5f799456

He lowered his head, as if he really didn’t want to be seen. His fine hair tumbled forward. I desperately tried to suppress my apologetic and anxious feelings.9a3c84e4ca004128

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I regret it. Telling you that I like a man.”0a2bf8b37bbbd2f4

“Inha.”5ebca80e7d98ca6b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I shouldn’t have said anything. If I knew I would be misunderstood like this.”c4818de85be82354

“….”a1e6c27136400988

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You know what? I like it the most when you worry about me, but I hate it the most too.”4a55f973e702bc71

“Why…”4f0de924af7349bd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Unable to find bbea904696 anything to say, d734fc1aae I just bit 1e219c204f my lip.28000bc01d5217e2

“No matter what I say, you always conclude that I should quit being a trainee. That’s why I can’t tell you anything.”3f00684964b59ec1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His words hit home.39abd14fdbce1680

The conflict between Inha and me always started there. I didn’t want him to become an idol. I said it was all for Inha’s sake, but it was actually what I wanted the least. On the other hand, Inha couldn’t give it up.05eb26feae573835

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Since when?b8c854d326533e21

Since when did it 6a8502c42b become such a fervent 20da3a90d6 dream?707ca36320ab380b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It wasn’t even your original dream.”d9742a76e171e6fe

“It wasn’t.”b3e8cfa21dc634d2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s not like you really wanted to be an idol.”f28c91d00edae528

“It wasn’t…”f0c0b3a6b16e4428

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Are you doing this because it’s too late to give up now?”ff4e9910d86f5c0b

“It’s not that simple.”8a623cab77e2514a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Inha let out 0baa690665 a heavy sigh 1f14318eb4 and looked towards f0facdac76 the basketball court. His tear-soaked eyelashes 70151fffbb shimmered in the 975b16fd01 light of the 96d58e2553 night lamps.6a2931e3460e03b9

“I, at least, wanted to become someone respectable.”f454418dbe375890

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“….”822a47251f7c5c22

“I wanted to tell the person I like that I’m someone decent too. Not just a poor, not-so-smart guy who quit the only thing he was good at, sports… That I’m not so bad either. I wanted to prove myself and be recognized.”c87756cfbda3637e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“….”bf3aa2d514b0d35b

“But now, I don’t know anymore. If this is right.”79a501649c8b6ff3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“….”0dfb57ef033687b4

“Even if I achieve my dream, my unrequited love won’t come true. No, on the contrary…”fd9321d337416b1b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It feels like it’s only getting further away.d50b1d7bb3c43d3e

Muttering those words as if whispering to himself, Inha brushed himself off and stood up. I looked up at him. With the lights behind him, I couldn’t see his expression.5a8f81a10f4589c7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I think I was too greedy. I couldn’t have both.”9310967e0a94cb56

“….”5bd13db7d0d23022

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Since my unrequited love is hopeless anyway, it’s better to at least debut.”a5cbb08f4ca6d0fc

“Inha.”63e476b72236bfee

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I don’t need your permission. I’ll do as I see fit.”e149c75b23bf224f

I should have said okay, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Inha, making that declaration in front of me, seemed to be drawing a polite line. As if to say that I was truly rude to misunderstand his relationship with Director Lee and mention the red-light district, that no one had the right to tell him whether or not to be an idol.5ecf66fe284dc753

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

So stop interfering.957610ac073bc486

“…Alright.”24b1d9f28e8f86f7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even as I bc53800b93 managed to answer, 10c4d0d176 my true feelings 1d31f761f2 were far from e9c623c06f supportive.c4647c6bc513e265

Not all ebcc0d0aa1 friendships are 34468ac9ff maintained solely 6d6a4a9d81 through effort. Some friends 1e8f97cb63 naturally drift de3f72a090 apart as e4d2e203ca time passes 4e03cc2566 and circumstances fd1d068866 change. Perhaps that time had 1211d4ca4d come for Inha and b0b3f390b8 me.e50efab73dc68f90

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My heart ached. I had resented you for rarely confiding in me, wondered if I was even your friend. Perhaps I had proven it myself. That I hadn’t been a very good friend to Inha.83175035f9809a37

Swallowing the lump 95adb7cc56 in my throat, f2dcdffe9f I asked with d752624f02 difficulty,650074ccd6f0d3dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Inha, have I only been a hindrance to you all this time?”1d886fa24d7e9d20

“….”357ee98cb0e98f87

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I wanted to be a good friend. Your best friend.”57755e4ec2735bde

A cool night breeze blew. A sudden chill ran through my body, the sweat already dried. The wind blew impartially, caressing Inha’s long bangs and brushing against his red, tear-stained eyes.0272e849d5ade967

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I don’t know… I think it was like that a long time ago.”912ed9a4508eab4a

A long 9243364c87 time ago.38c6bbf16ea78f16

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

That meant 7687060cda I was 5d335e6513 no longer d309b1edb3 his friend.5174a7dce0fc8e53

“Jihee, well, good luck on the CSATs…”cc58dc786ef9974e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“….”b7c15edb107f2aae

“Goodbye.”7c6ac644b9552a40

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Inha put his hands in his pockets and walked away, turning his back. He walked the path we always took together, alone. Unable to catch up to him like usual and say let’s go together, I just stared at the ground, clutching the basketball.1976d44c8c4543fb

🌌01a85cd4091fbedc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Time flowed relentlessly, 3532a230d5 and the day 8ceb51fd00 of the CSATs 78988dc6fc was upon us.054f4a84829c6c01

As if to 254daf7120 confirm the saying 1ac72d883a that it gets 11735b95a9 noticeably colder around 31e05423b1 the CSATs, the 0d63fb37d3 nighttime temperature plummeted b37d2f35d6 below freezing, and 49f2d60260 the basketball court, 4d5a06e2f3 which was always cd27cd1b5a bustling during the 5d1c772873 summer days, was 1c2471552d now deserted and a6c07ecc0d desolate.2595730248f3c14a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Jihee, I hung your coat in the closet. Madam asked me to have it dry-cleaned.”2298155c2a7fee4f

The winter coat that the housekeeper had prepared for me was hanging in the closet. The out-of-season clothes had been neatly put away and were gone. Looking at the organized closet, I thought of Inha’s dorm. That dark, cramped dorm where all his clothes for all four seasons were hanging, never seeing the sunlight.89d1a4145dcd7af9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Pathetically, I still hadn’t reconciled with Inha. The days we spent together at his dorm until late at night, huddled together, felt like a distant memory. It felt like we had drifted irrevocably apart.8625c3b45784f309

November 1st.ba9067737fc2858b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

「Inha, it’s supposed to get really cold tomorrow」8b296660440065c4

「Dress warmly for 06d447fc3c school」6c19ce61b0d9dcb8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

November 3rd.609d6543d9d089d6

「Inha, I heard you ae16d15d29 submitted your employment verification a19a3e6a7a form? I heard 0d4ed3ae51 it at 881d31c59f school…」2ff2845435de2515

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

「It’ll be hard to see you at school now」4d31218a2ea3c0af

「Always do your f50c2686c5 best. Fighting」1fb7982ff3954aa7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

November 7th.081f9a5aa4790bcf

「Inha, are you 2525efa8ec okay?」a7aedb3e427591df

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

「I’m worried about your knee」88d184f93ee05067

「Don’t tough it out if it hurts, and make sure to go to the hospital」340a2a58f4f4b618

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I had so f01e59525b much I wanted d5ef3505ca to say. So many excuses to 2b08706765 reach out. But not 426dee66d3 a single cd9fb448bc reply came cf36131c5a back to 4e5da35a17 the messages d53f91b7f8 I sent 8252a6c098 as if d804c26c7a nothing had c6892784a4 happened.75513f167fd115fa

Inha was deliberately distancing c4041a680d himself from me.8d1c15828c45d552

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Moreover, he had 8d8cceb971 submitted his employment a72c9ce765 verification form before c119ed3af7 the CSATs. From that, I assumed 12e4b8d2d5 he had made it f6c1ad4c3c into the debut team. It was a bitter a569c9b2ba realization. The feeling d5242f72eb that the 5274580de0 common ground 3a383387c9 between us 3d885f9f5c was fading d3e4c4064f even further.757a1f20f6ac0b63

It was then that I realized how much I hadn’t wanted him to debut.9f631a34af63cb96

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Were we 4950705d86 really drifting 252989f2b7 apart like c99c9c787d this?eb017e452360c112

I desperately wanted to go back to how things were, but I didn’t know what to do. Lost and confused, time slipped away.46dd9b0bfc5936b5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

And the day d7b7c420a5 before the CSATs.1eb799f73d186a2f

Inha and I cb93399a4e were assigned to 5ee1667d92 the same testing 2f9c3418b8 center. It had been a a7efb1eb1b while since I had 4c9991b7df seen him at school 890cbf676b after he submitted his 19148de3eb employment verification form, and b9af72709a the thought that I 8c0df2ceb6 might see him, even e0e592f0d3 by chance, tomorrow made 4cb8c7d098 my heart race.02acaa9a6ff55461

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Should I ask him ea69d9eb18 if he wants to bba7c0f099 have lunch together?bca6e9874c4ef903

I wonder if he’s picked out what to wear for the CSATs. He should dress warmly.8dde28ac569da527

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Thinking these 5175b0971d thoughts, I e355270160 packed a 505cfd19f9 blanket for e64809ac60 Inha, hoping 8db7c81fb8 to give 1f1964908b it to 0cfeff0de3 him if 8362e119e6 I saw 83c862e0f8 him.32b59650ccc587a1

November 15th.01a4a87e3e81c9ac

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

「Inha, do you aa1413e8b5 have time after cbf3e894d8 the exam?」e0a2180cb3ab2ea0

But after countless agonizing fbf1f67442 thoughts, I ended up 284663c86d sending just one short e2c5441bd4 message.fbb88a7702d80790

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inha didn’t reply to this one either.d5d54510c274470f

🌌5930ae735741a294

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As I 237232bbfa left the 18fb814a4a testing center 3106ab6be1 after finishing 63af30a96a the CSATs, 37e9a22829 a strange a0f41af06a scene unfolded 32d5fbb02b in front 982dd6675c of the 568d9db097 school gates.cb3b378fcf7a7b57

The first things 13febf4ccb that caught my 585211e160 eye were the 8ef09ad17d telephoto lenses and 54280643ff broadcasting cameras lined 368e10a9fb up outside the bc8ba85ecd gates. I, who had just 75b13bf6fa walked out, hesitated, startled af339ecde0 by the array of 3ebeba3f9a cameras, but soon realized 22d5c5e402 why they were there. A few idols who 572f353c0a attended the same school c32b813a7d as me had also f975c6405a taken the CSATs at 9b4ab3b8d1 this testing center today. The reporters were a44b8f71b9 probably waiting to 60b2bc1339 capture their images.b9c2b997ebda60dd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The area in front 23d8163b3d of the gates was 397cc2f698 chaotic, a mix of 7e83122066 parents waiting for their 90f938a6d9 children and fans who c65c0952cd had come to see ffa5ea130b the celebrities. The scene 62fbd11f44 was so c38320d68c congested that a5985588c6 police had 79d9bdd8bd been dispatched. Intermittent screams erupted 6c304e24a1 from here and f3cbe51a37 there every time d024709205 someone came out.e58a8dcbf1950d9e

Being an idol 6cec4b484f is amazing.dffb778707f788c4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I watched 48f354e2e5 the smiling 8b61479fa3 celebrities from 9140845e64 afar, jostled 1fc646ff91 by the a948efc8e3 crowd. My classmate, who 5acac04472 had debuted in c1054cb73a middle school and 88f76ee5b7 was active as 73fad17ede a famous idol 2fea59747f while attending school, c77d23057b seemed quite used aa714ce405 to this kind 28dba3787c of crowd. A similar commotion followed 20ed6e6d30 whenever other idols emerged.1f68a8403e850303

What surprised me was the fact that even trainees who hadn’t debuted yet had fans. I thought only students from our school would know that they were trainees, but whenever my trainee friends came out, there were always fans who recognized them and asked for pictures or autographs. I also saw a few shy female students run up and give them small gift boxes.cf79b0559fd1db86

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As the 263426e99a reporters finished 525a662bea covering the 0e6da8d11b idols who 00d2b157d9 had taken a0bd0febd6 the CSATs, 1ae80e2993 the scene a027aec1c5 in front 8336ee3819 of the 36e5eab078 gates calmed 1ed871ae2d down. Most of the fe0ae8a97a parents waiting for 947f12c8df their children had 79a373e78a left, and now 1705247a09 the remaining people 6aed17d8fc were few enough 86c1d7e349 to be counted 1f73d5364d on one hand.5133c2a1045639a4

Until then, I ace67dfde6 continued to wait aa3e193436 for someone outside 502cd2d636 the gates.ccae160f2623e302

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘He was definitely at the same testing center.’18aff3296af9e49e

Inha was aefdbad257 nowhere to 115767641b be seen. Anxious that I 67d4ebeb52 might have missed a937d01ee9 him in the 787a19c7fa crowd, I looked 4de9637af0 around. My eyes met 9985b79104 with a few 9c68cd10aa women who, like 100e3a799c me, were still 68692d0a20 lingering in front 392eda0aba of the now-empty 143b042321 gates.f455434fd468a39d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After a moment’s hesitation, I approached them.d39961a407ae0521

“Are you waiting for someone?”9b4ac22a30d0ddaa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

They spoke to a6670b871e me with a 83f8dea2ee slightly wary expression.67c71b867ed6d839

“Why?”b1de84824475c08f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The women looked 388d143e42 me up and ef326d892f down, then glanced a3cac52737 at my uniform 51c6aac699 before exchanging looks 71cf4531dd among themselves. Then, they answered.7d620479f635bb98

“We’re waiting for a trainee…”a18a4c6f02f6ddfc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Are you waiting for Inha, by any chance?”1dc049c3a95edeb5

They didn’t answer, but from their surprised looks, I was certain they were Inha’s fans. Inha’s fans – in this situation, I was almost glad.07a9807784cfa2a4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m waiting for Inha too. He hasn’t come out yet, right?”adb0c68e121ef37f

“No, we haven’t seen him either.”5475048207fb3e8d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh… I was wondering if I might have missed him.”a3552aa6982a26e5

I bowed my head df1453de65 and turned back to b4e76e8c97 the other side. They and I f925b58b91 pretended not to fb321368ff be awkwardly aware 9fecc9317e of each other, d7fba5a5f9 killing time.81f88ed6692ce3ba

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The sun fe2e6d9291 set, and 520160a3a1 the surroundings e590a3f406 grew dark. The footsteps c17011ba66 of people fdafcf7b71 sporadically emerging 675342d49b from the ee1b431faf testing center 3a2c72cef4 had stopped f8636cd128 completely. The women 4e69021eac waiting for 56e2cf5e41 Inha across 4153df004b from me aba101d31f finally gave 82592250c2 up and 06e31881f0 left before 4fe6c69ee4 me.5c8fb85e8ae659f3

Now, I was 67442fc55f the only one 2f1421e5c8 left at the 5e5f72401b school gates.26dd6c3ad5830eb0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

―The number ca9f20eb15 you have 36b884498a dialed is 88a608a845 not in 0fbefb1cbf service….2af791b70060aafb

The call I tried, just in case, didn’t connect, as expected.0b4c6b20f6a51571

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish