“Yeah, now that I think about it, I was rather presumptuous. I did it because I wanted to take you out of there and let you rest comfortably.”
“……What are you talking about?”
“Exactly what I said. I made up excuses about needing to completely revise the script, just to get you off work early. I wanted to let you rest somewhere comfortable, that’s true.”
Jun trailed off as he spoke about wanting to let me rest in a comfortable place. It seemed like a perfectly logical and reasonable idea in his mind, but when he said it out loud in front of me, he seemed to become conscious of how I might perceive it. As if realizing it was too late to make amends.
I couldn’t respond right away because it confirmed the meaning behind the kindness you had shown me in the office. I was momentarily choked up with emotion.
But it was you who became anxious.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand seeing you so pitiable, that’s why I did it. Anyway, I’m sorry, whatever the reason.”
“So, you mean, the whole thing about having to redo the script from the beginning was…”
“Obviously, an excuse.”
“A renowned film director making up lies about work.”
“Didn’t you know? That’s what renowned film directors are for.”
Despite my grumbling to not be so serious with absurd talk, my expression couldn’t fool Jun. A bright smile, as bright as the sunshine, had already formed.
Jun glanced at me and said,
“It seems like you’re a bit less angry now.”
“I wasn’t angry to begin with…”
I couldn’t assert confidently that I hadn’t been angry. Jun obviously didn’t believe it. He responded with an indifferent tone, “Alright, I understand.”
Then, Jun’s fingers touched his lips. A small habit of his when he’s deep in thought or focused. I had noticed this habit when he was reading my script.
“But, you know.”
“Yeah?”
“You didn’t answer me.”
“About what?”
“About you crying today.”
“…”
“You definitely cried shortly after I left. I don’t think I’m unrelated to that reason.”
“It’s not that…”
“Don’t try to gloss it over.”
I was at a loss for words when he told me not to make excuses. Jun let out a bitter laugh, knowing I would remain silent.
“Haru, you don’t know.”
“What don’t I know?”
“You think because you’re introverted, because you don’t express your emotions with words much, that I won’t understand your heart.”
I felt my heart shake slightly, too weighty to simply deny. I remained silent, and as expected, Jun continu
Now, even denying it felt pointless. My hesitation to respond must have conveyed my true feelings to Jun. I let out a faint sigh. Jun spoke calmly.
“Don’t feel too uncomfortable. And don’t apologize. Ah, did you hate it that much? Did you cry because you hated me doing that?”
“Kim Jun, stop joking. You know it’s not that.”
“Heh, yeah…”
Jun nodded his head with a small laugh. He reassured me, promising not to joke anymore, and then continued.
“It’s okay to do that much, isn’t it? As long as it doesn’t make you uncomfortable or awkward. I did it out of pity, and you can let that go just this once.”
His words sounded like a plea. I nodded lightly in response, acknowledging his explanation.
Jun then showed his palm, sweaty from the tension. He covered my eyes with his large hand, gently pressing down my swollen eyelids.
“Why…?”
“Let’s rest now, I’ve said everything I needed to. We still have a while before we reach your house. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
“No, I’m not sleepy. Not at all.”
As I tried to lower Jun’s hand from my eyes, I felt resistance.
“Just close your eyes for five minutes. If you don’t fall asleep, I won’t say anything more.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“Closing your eyes for five minutes isn’t hard. Just once, I wish you’d agree with what I say without arguing or resisting.”
Jun suddenly laughed at his own realization.
“Okay. I’ll respond differently this time. Go ahead.”
Considering the situation, it wasn’t a difficult request.
I wanted to indulge in his kindness just for today, without questioning its motive or finding excuses. I wished to believe, even briefly, in the illusion that we were back in those times.
I quietly nodded, resting my hands on my lap. The slight movement of the car felt like a gentle lullaby. Despite thinking I wouldn’t fall asleep, a drowsy feeling enveloped me.
But I quickly opened my tightly closed eyes, fearing I might actually fall asleep.
…But then, I realized it was already deep night outside the car window, a stark contrast to the afternoon when I had left the broadcasting station. A light-checkered jacket was draped over me like a blanket.
Had I really fallen asleep? It seemed unbelievable.
I had no idea how long I had slept or what time it was now. The night outside was already deep, and the car seat was fully reclined as if someone had hoped for a long sleep.
Moreover, the seat I was sitting in was fully reclined backward, seemingly adjusted by someone who hoped for a long sleep.
The sensation I felt was more comforting than stiff, as if every restless movement I made in the uncomfortable position had been thoughtfully catered to. It felt like the warmth and care someone had bestowed upon me while I was unaware.
I wondered when I had fallen asleep, searching for a fragment of memory that wouldn’t come. My eyes shifted to the left, where Jun’s back was visible. He had taken off his jacket for me and was wearing only a dress shirt. The dim light seeped behind him, illuminating the dusky space.
I felt so sorry…
Trying not to make a sound, I sat up. The small space didn’t allow much distance between Jun and me, so even a slight movement created a rustling sound.
Each time, I froze, frowning, but Jun didn’t turn around. He seemed deeply engrossed in whatever he was doing.
I raised myself just enough not to catch Jun’s attention and peeked over at what he was doing. His laptop screen, resting on his lap, was filled with dense English text.
I had fallen asleep so deeply that I wouldn’t have noticed if someone had carried me away. It seemed he had to process his schedule in such an uncomfortable position. Pressing his temples, it didn’t seem like an easy task.
“You should’ve just woken me up.”
My voice, choked with guilt, barely made it out.
“Ah. You’re awake? Just a moment.”
The laptop, which had been troubling him moments ago, was swiftly closed.
Sitting slightly back from me, Jun leaned his head to the side against the backrest and started looking at me intently. The gentle scrutiny made me instinctively want to retract.
“Your hair’s a mess.”
“Really?”
I quickly put down the jacket and raised my hands to my hair. I hadn’t seen a mirror, but it must have been wildly disheveled. My hands, reflecting my anxious mind, hurriedly combed through my hair.
“Heh, not there.”
Jun’s large hand reached towards my face. Startled, I flinched, causing his hand to pause in mid-air.
In that moment, realizing I had embarrassed Jun, who had extended his hand with pure intentions, guilt surged through me. I decided to urge his hand on.
“Where?”
As his face showed a hint of relief, Jun’s hand slowly slid from the top of my head, softly gliding down several times.
As his fingers wove through my hair, a wave of relaxation spread from my back. Unknowingly, I must have closed my eyes briefly in the pleasant drowsiness.
Then, Jun’s hand, which had been gently trailing through my hair, softly enveloped my cheek and then lightly brushed my lips. I immediately opened my eyes wide.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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