"So tired~" Min Chae whined as she stretched her arms. Her brain was fizzing from the copious amount of information that she had just crammed into her head.
It was almost 7 p.m., and they were finally done with covering all the topics for tomorrow's papers. The four people and Hyuk got ready to go home.
"See you tomorrow~" the girls exchanged their goodbyes and they parted.
The Lee trio walked side-by-side in silence.
"Will you be fine for tomorrow, Yeo Ri-ah?" Gun suddenly asked.
Yeo Ri smiled at his question, but took some time before answering. "Whatever happens, happens," she replied. She had already did her best with the time she had. Though she did plan on opening her books again later.
Yeo Ri reached out to grab hold of Hyuk and Gun's hands. She was walking in the middle and the two guys occupied both of her sides. Like a child, she swung their arms, giggling to herself.
Lately, she was able to spend a lot more time with her brothers, and somehow that made her recent tragedies much more bearable.
Neither Hyuk nor Gun pulled their hands away, allowing the girl to do as she liked. Gun glanced at her with a slight smile, while Hyuk unconsciously casted an indulgent smile as he looked at the girl. She was so childish. He wondered just why he kept thinking that she was so lovely even when she was acting so childishly.
Yeo Ri swung their arms until she was tired. But even after that, the three of them continued to hold hands.
The three safely arrived at home.
"I'll take out the heater from the storage," says Yeo Ri. She was worried that the night might be too cold and planned to take out the medium-sized portable heater that they kept in the storage room. It was something she had won from a supermarket event, and it was the only heater that was available for the kids to use in their room.
"No need. Oppa will do it instead. Yeo Ri-ah, go and rest." Gun offered. He patted her back and told her to warm up by the stove. Without waiting for her answer, he went off to find the heater.
Yeo Ri could only stare at his back with a helpless smile. Shaking her head, she turned to the kitchen and turned the stove on. She took off her padded coat, placed it on the dining table, then filled a kettle with water. She placed the kettle atop the stove. Later, she'd make some warm tea for her brothers.
"Oppa, come over here," she beckoned towards Hyuk who wasn't doing anything but stand around.
Hyuk immediately headed to her side, eagerly taking in the warmth of the stove. It started snowing again earlier and the temperature dropped, so the heat was very welcomed.
"I'll go set this up in the room. Yeo Ri-ah, wait a little bit," Gun poked his head inside the kitchen. It didn't take him too long to find the heater, thanks to Yeo Ri's organisation skills.
"Mm," Yeo Ri nodded towards Gun.
Hyuk and Yeo Ri watched as Gun returned to their room.
Once Gun was out of sight, Yeo Ri couldn't help but smile slyly.
"Oppa," Yeo Ri whispered. She took a step closer to Hyuk.
"...What?" Hyuk stilled. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I want a hug."
"Why so suddenly?" Hyuk looked away, trying to avoid from looking at his right side where Yeo Ri stood.
"Because I'm cold," Yeo Ri said in a matter-of-fact manner.
He cleared his throat before answering her, "then stand closer to the stove."
Yeo Ri made a dissatisfied face. "Why can't you just hug me once?" She asked sullenly. She forcefully wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest. No matter how much he tried to pull away, she wouldn't relent.
Hyuk sighed defeatedly. Just when he decided to give up on her, she does something like this. At this rate, he might not be able to hold back anymore.
After fighting with himself internally for a moment, he finally returned her hug. "You spoiled little brat," he mumbled.
"Hehe," Yeo Ri giggled. It was so hard to get Hyuk to act affectionately. Now that she finally got her hug, Yeo Ri let out a contented sigh.
Yeo Ri tilted her head to look up at him, smiling blissfully. How long has it been since she felt truly and sincerely happy? Yeo Ri couldn't remember anymore. It felt like it had been a long time since she had a reason to smile so widely.
Hyuk stared at her face dazedly. The corner of his lips twitched, curving into a slight smile. His eyes softened, making him look gentler.
The two people were suddenly wrapped up in their own world, both mesmerised by the other person.
Slowly, Hyuk lowered his head.
Watching as he closed his eyes and leaned in for a kiss, Yeo Ri snapped out of her trance-like state. Her face paled and she lost her smile. Those nightmarish memories began replaying in the back of her mind, causing her to stiffen.
She slightly shifted herself and turned her head away, causing Hyuk's lips to land on her cheek instead.
Hyuk abruptly opened his eyes in surprise.
This was the second time she rejected him. His guts sank. Could it be that she felt disgusted because he was always kissing her? Was she tired of him? Was it because he kept changing his mind? A million questions flashed in his mind as he played a tug-of-war with his conscience. He scolded himself mentally for always acting hot-and-cold with her due to his constant change of mind.
"T-the kettle," Yeo Ri suddenly said, breaking away from him. "I-It's ready." She smiled half-heartedly at him before busying herself with the boiled water.
When Gun returned to the kitchen, he was met with the scene of the two standing apart, with Hyuk staring mindlessly at the stove and Yeo Ri wholeheartedly brewing tea. There was a strange atmosphere around them, but Gun didn't think to question them and simply dismissed it as his imagination.
Silently, the three retired to bed.