ERSE | Chapter 1.4

His tone was so natural 0e5328781e that I almost thought we 838894364a always went to moving classes 02830bf897 together.c70f8cf31a1ec6e3

“Thanks, but you don’t have to do that next time.”526914cb87da54a3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s fine. So don’t refuse next time either.”285089f3a4d1bbdc

His tone was relaxed, contradicting f96ea2c9b4 my words. His insistence on 694e2e647e being kind made 15ce96b999 me frown. Yet his brown eyes remained 3690fc96fa steady.7bc2f9751633485a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I shoved my hands 04b37c0190 into my pockets and 4a1a8e8047 glared at him. Unlike me, Shin 55d16c9b63 Leekwon was well-groomed b841b17839 from head to dd5295d36d toe.10cb9d89f2750c80

His neatly trimmed brown b6742bd3e9 hair was obviously cut 1266d45e82 at an expensive salon.cf44e85cb82a6d80

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

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.caf2b6b3afc21ced

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.30225da428216263

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“The difference should be reasonable to match.”b0d547068d3b9ca6

I let out c787c20416 a hollow laugh c484753290 and warned him. My face naturally cooled.2a0e845c4e9331cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hey, don’t push it.”08c70692cdfb79bd

But he looked puzzled. By now, I was half amazed, half curious. Didn’t he notice others avoiding me?8b3d562f8a0d69e3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Stop pretending to be close. Get lost.”17e4321c319550cf

“But I want to be friends.”2f32330edd6129bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I said I don’t. So back off.”6c56da54bb106215

“Yeah. I don’t want to back off either.”63c90815839f44f8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

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.0e809a99a4cbc5c5

His cheerful face was endlessly annoying to my frayed nerves. I couldn’t control my expression.e7c89bb95a53c968

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seonjae, do you really dislike getting close to me that much? Why don’t you like me? I’m not bad, right?”7cf5c24def568cef

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.37390b6fdfb2c73e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If I’m not your type, what kind of person do you want to be friends with?”6c92f441b8064d65

As always, a pleasant scent 9554cab94e wafted from his close body, 3a0075ba6a and his crisp white shirt fbbb472830 was spotless.097df22f899f2871

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

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.4c21aa50b139714f

“I categorize people into two types.”1e80f33dff4f6738

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“……”07c14a2deb693835

“Those who are beneficial and those who are useless.”0df403e33c49bc7d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I pointed my chin at 774f0ac3ce him.6a478b94c72c2dcc

“You’re the latter.”722112ad258032d4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

So stop bothering me. I drew a 1f2407d1f9 clear line between 2aa83a8216 us with a a3999c74f8 sharp gaze.71415345a8b2effa

But he was more a2eb9b4f7e persistent and calm than 5e8bef8fbb expected. Again, he answered immediately.d3e83d61a1836877

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I’m not.”bce5cdc11f4b4c1f

Shin Leekwon took d786083cf7 another step closer 2f7a4984b0 and lightly placed 53f1ffb63f a hand on 4cbf82e4fd my shoulder. His firm voice 93e245a9cc echoed in the 2bee0f4fb3 hallway.58640cc1ff7c7e4c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m someone who can help you.”a8125b80616fa750

His eyes, like 97fbac3a4b melted chocolate, were 6a3d1a7e96 soft yet strong. His gaze, words, and gestures 9614bf5264 were all supported by self-belief.50e49899daec4ea5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

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.2b1b5f5fc176ee7c

“Proof?”9a978b94b04a87ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Well… you’ll find out if you become friends with me.”e913aa2474416d6d

He smiled, crinkling his eyes. This guy was using 729ef7a4b1 his pretty face to 58a43b45cd sell nonsense.caf98c1692405a90

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If I let my guard down, the conversation would flow his way. I interrupted and asked a question he couldn’t easily answer.9f10eac5ca3c55e6

“Okay, let’s say that’s true. Then, what’s in it for you to be friends with me?”e64489c2a3684a2a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His brown eyes rolled. Unlike before, it took time 65ea999b05 for him to answer.82eb3d1162849ba4

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.b179ba300ddcabb4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Shin Leekwon and I were 491f1a13c2 like athletes in different sports. We lived by different rules, 727eb7858e and he was crossing the 67ce5832c5 line. My warning to keep his 0d437278db distance was for his sake 1f9198d344 too.f154ecba3a3f8683

“You’ll only get criticized for being friends with me.”676c4ffc44543864

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I was about to end 2a3763e999 the conversation. As I tried 9cc39df421 to wrap up 41fd71534f the pointless argument, 71d8a0ea2e he slowly opened fa890fd2a5 his mouth, as 3312aaae58 if contemplating.cbf87b3244176e04

“…It feels good.”beb72774b7f40281

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”730f098da8784d3b

“I feel good when I’m with you, Seonjae.”17a84ab3d3cb2290

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At that moment, 147496ff09 the warning bell a48b685614 rang, but I cab593ad50 was too shocked 89ce66e2ec to move. My mind was filled ce69517f2d with question marks, and 476d3da5f7 an unknown tension surged 65d0d71aa0 like a tidal wave.3e873ac8dd3a3aed

Shin Leekwon was a23ee979f8 stranger than I f3de2dfb6a thought. He began spouting nonsense b58936ac91 with a serious face. I listened blankly, 9c2034ffab feeling like I 232f5dd012 was hearing an f21bd24403 alien language.ffbb449166973f79

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I don’t care if it’s beneficial or harmful to me. I just want to be close to someone I like.”4c5e9b9449616970

“……”3e49d85c6e7c65c1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“So you don’t have to be helpful to me.”094e158b849bf362

His soft smile was accompanied b4667b9dfc by a clear dimple. The light from the 107e88f801 window behind me illuminated b913481d93 his smile. The closer he got, the a07c2b1380 more my insides churned.a3f8c89d94eb29b5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

How could someone f0a90d51d0 look like this? My senses were overwhelmed 8596fed84c by the bright view.7aabfcf7083e1421

“I’ll be someone who helps you, and you’re already someone I like. So if we become friends, it’s a win-win.”509c846efc909253

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Was that the right way e1d9d2e58c to use that phrase? If I calmly analyzed 35c0ccaca1 it, it was full 5e716b1c75 of absurdities, but strangely, 7cc2afd280 my mental calculator stopped 4eb2c95429 working. Every time it tried to ae728921df function, the fresh scent, bright 72db98b49e face, and pleasant voice scattered 0a6a4b806b my thoughts.e5678e4b22869c00

The hand that had df5f0ac7ec touched my shoulder slid bcd12bd81e down and slipped between f7a42ec2e9 my crossed arms, grabbing 1cf71455a9 my wrist. In a daze, Shin 67692886f3 Leekwon led me. His voice was as 64e32f197b gentle as his smile.d66dad37c014f4a9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s go, Seonjae. We’ll be late for class.”4941c261b8d3fa93

I missed the b56f429759 chance to shake d00a5dd893 off his hand ef65eadf16 as we climbed 2f56b437ee the stairs. A strange warmth spread 7bd86f96a1 from where our skin 2029f7ae75 touched.a7b8e53dc5c094d7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.396ce561d9579546

“What are you two doing? Why are you late!”50557352f970e4b4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

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.0fa6f52c364861a6

But exactly one bced0f06b7 minute later, I 19c4fbee3e witnessed something amazing. The icy look in her 0d3552e475 eyes melted away.3d26afdf18e378d9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’m sorry!”706ed759e755b26e

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.abd557907ae4ce07

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’ll let it slide today. No demerits, so take your seats quickly.”905a1b2e094ce9bf

“Yes!”12c67784f637d98d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

With a lively response, 673cea19ad Shin Leekwon nudged me 206599e8c5 forward. Before I knew it, I 4fb582fd7c was sitting next to him 1c8bfafe50 in a seat his friend d3c481288e had saved. Realizing I had 62d5d32707 been completely played, ffee598c25 I glared at 0d8d5f9dc6 him, but he 8bf0183c7d just shrugged.8a0bf7f45ed68b6e

“Look. Ahead.”051c39f8f411d40f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Or the teacher will scold 36254df937 us. His relaxed smile was irritating. I opened my textbook and 11c06ae25a propped my chin on my 6947ded3ba hand.69bb90974c10c141

Shin Leekwon was a 059e397cf6 noisy presence. More accurately, things got d81255f822 chaotic around him. Notes made from c0b001f43e torn paper kept 64644ca64d arriving.c140bed1cf36d509

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.9b015a2064673893

“This piece is Chopin’s most famous impromptu…”5b42511172c28167

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ignoring the rustling beside me, 0d7dd32972 I listened to the boring 6d9afa60bb explanation and the incomprehensible performance, dea468ddb2 feeling sleepy. My eyelids grew heavier as 7b8947e5c2 if someone had placed a ae87f9da9f stone on them.31a3da24bca9b445

Just as I 91e53fc778 was about to d58f181ece succumb to sleep.36aa25cb7dd8c4a5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Tap, tap.dcf5d0918857a448

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.619b9cb9022ea6d7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Some students, likely thinking the f0190be4a1 same, nodded off and got b73e582675 scolded. As I stifled a yawn, 311e93d359 neat handwriting appeared on a 7d9bc056c0 notebook close by.1c5fab9d4648fbf0

[I was helpful, right? Earlier and now.]10da4c24fc29577a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

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.cd95aa1b1058a8c3

[So, are you willing to be friends now?]fb6f2f06c14771e5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

[ㄴ]5e795ce02eb773b5

[Why!ㅠㅠ]0b2bff89b30b36ee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He wrinkled his nose. His handsome face clearly showed b08678cadd his disappointment. Yet, when our a8e5ca9bb8 eyes met, he ba25793c3c smiled kindly.1cb38968b03eecb9

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…0f403c46db72316f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

[That’s not enough]92e720e737830881

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.86086b91ac982a75

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

[Alright. I’ll do my best.]5c339c9475c3832d

Even his promise was refreshing.6ed73a9331177ebd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎ ㆍ ✉︎9e9c99462f3e6944

“I’m someone who can help you.”b2a9c3e333e500f5

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.256babee2b80b29b

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.06a01a4f1aa97cb5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

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.efa1a8a91d66843a

“What is this?”4a66367c024cd743

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Your forehead will hurt. Use it as a pillow.”588dc8659e1d52b4

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.74ce0cfe7d2d7d67

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I think this one’s the chewiest. Don’t you like it? Should I bring a different one tomorrow?”6c76f25f54fb4d82

“No. Anything’s fine.”4e265445d84df395

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In the end, I couldn’t resist sleep and lay back down.2d1eef15c6e17bbc

This time, a thick 6669ba14e2 cloth was draped over 61c043f09b my shoulders, followed by 5aa1f30f6b a gentle breeze. As I shifted b03e9cc3d6 and glanced over, 1b87f5af59 the handheld fan b25f0dd793 Shin Leekwon often 789806e90a carried was operating f6cf53dd34 at a suitable 65a9bf52e1 distance.f8b0f8eb1c2c4652

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The series of benefits 7abc4226be he provided were too 41d42fbeb8 trivial to be called 29be9f4953 help, but it was f6d414fc93 undeniably a comfortable environment e3e0ab9d88 for sleeping.b3cf3ca468c1c000

After catching up on my 2f1a8a6130 sleep, a piece of bread 4fcaea4f0a appeared on my desk. Shin Leekwon was already 3484a774f8 eating his share. Though the same size 9bd9997d5b and packaging, the bread 4a3983abef looked much smaller in 71b08f9552 his large hands.11ed09585ebe2233

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In just two 7b817574e9 bites, the entire 732631fee3 bread disappeared. Watching him eat was almost 4c7e07ddf9 like a spectacle rather than a0d26a846c just eating.5125626454ef7291

“Seonjae, why aren’t you eating? Don’t like chocolate? Would you prefer peanut butter?”559ad4e4f370e1d1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

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.2c14ebb0e5d6d448

While I finished 90f19e28a2 the remaining bread, b2f1ae11f3 Shin Leekwon unfolded 8b1b4edb15 a transparent bag, f6970e3bd4 folded it in de45b8c1b8 half, and then 155cd94622 again into a 2d7c17c969 note shape. He took my trash 1c9d020e45 and neatly folded it, 7471179055 asking,53db9a7708722d40

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Did you do the math homework?”465b93afd153497c

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.3cdecf7255c2023b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…No.”bde3a54022b7d252