[Dash] Let’s watch it together next time.

Hyeju squealed from under her blanket. Just the thought of watching an adult-rated movie with him made her blush.

[Dash] I’d love to see that.
Juwon whispered in a slightly drowsy voice. Whether he meant he wanted to see her or he wanted to watch an adult-rated movie, she wasn’t sure, but either way, it seemed fine to her.

Her gloomy mood was instantly lifted, and courage welled up in Hyeju’s heart.

“Do you want to watch it now?”

She checked the clock; it was 11 PM. However, if he agreed, Hyeju could run to his place right now.

“I can come over to your place, oppa.”

The answer that came back was like a solid wall, perhaps thinking that he had rejected her too abruptly.

[Dash] No, Hyeju.

As if he thought he had rejected her too quickly, Juwon added.

[Dash] I have a day off tomorrow.

Hyeju was very disappointed, but she pretended not to be affected.

“Oh, right. You said you were going to the countryside, right? Where are you going?”

[Dash] I just have some business to take care of.

… He doesn’t want to tell me.
There’s no need to report everything that happens between lovers, but it’s hard to ignore the awkwardness. Hyeju felt her heart, which had been fluttering, settle down.

“Is everything packed? What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

[Dash] Leaving at 10. I don’t have much to pack.

“I see… Have a safe trip.”

She hurriedly wrapped up the conversation, feeling like she might cry for some reason.

I shouldn’t have rushed to express my feelings.

“Hey, Hyeju, you’re terrible at playing hard to get, you know? If the other person gives you 10, you should give them 5. If you give them 100 or 200 whenever you feel like it, they’ll be grateful at first, but it’ll become a habit. That’s how men are, naturally.”

Her ex-boyfriend from college had said something like that while scolding her. She had heard those words during their first visit to the military base.
Wasn’t it common for soldiers to wear rubber shoes? And it wasn’t even an ordinary rubber shoe; it was a couple’s pair. It was their first meeting.

At that time, her boyfriend had said as they parted ways,

“If someone like you, who can’t control their feelings, gets into a relationship, you’re the one who will eventually get hurt. I appreciate that you came all the way to Gangwon Province for the visit, but I hope it’s the last time.”

“Sometimes that dog’s words make sense.”

If it was going to be like this, she wished she hadn’t answered the phone in the first place.

Hyeju bit her lip and shook her head.

“Then I’ll hang up.”

[Dash] Hyeju.

She heard Jiwon’s voice from the phone, which had grown distant. About to press the end button, Hyeju held back her tears, brought the phone back to her ear, and heard Jiwon’s whisper.
[Dash] I want to be with you too.

“…….”

[Dash] I want to touch you, kiss you, and if you allow it…

“…….”

[Dash] I want to hold you.

After holding back for so long, the final words burst out with a deep breath. The tears she had been suppressing finally rolled down her cheeks.

“Lies…”

Her overwhelming emotions flowed uncontrollably.

“Then why do you avoid me? You didn’t mention dating for these past few days, and we didn’t meet even on the weekend! Just now too, I waited to go home together with you, but you left like you were avoiding me! You didn’t even let me come to your place!”

[Dash] Hyeju.

“I waited for you all day today… I thought about you all day, but you didn’t even know how I felt, you just left!”

Some people can’t handle the intensity of emotions.

Hyeju muttered to herself, suppressing her voice.
In front of the man she liked, she had resolved to hide her feelings just enough, thinking that revealing her heart 100 percent would only be a disadvantage. But it turned out to be futile.

What if I like him more? What if he thinks I’m not interested?

“Do you know how I felt when you put on your earphones and left earlier? I felt like I had been rejected even though I practically asked you out.”

[Dash] I know.

“Why did you do it if you knew?”

Juwon remained silent for a moment.

Then, as if he had made up his mind, he confessed hesitantly.

[Dash] I haven’t been sleeping well lately, Hyeju.

Hyeju’s heart sank.

She had anticipated it to some extent, seeing the dark circles under his eyes every morning, but hearing it directly with her own ears amplified her concern.

How bad could his sleep be? How much suffering must he endure to push his body to such extremes?
“Is it insomnia? Is it severe?”

[Dash] About one hour a day. For the past few days, I’ve hardly slept for even thirty minutes.

Juwon’s voice was composed, but he couldn’t hide the deep exhaustion.

Hyeju couldn’t bring herself to ask more directly, her concern weighing heavily on her mind.

What does it feel like to not sleep for even thirty minutes a day? She remembered a time when she had crammed for final exams, sleeping only three hours a day for a week, and by the end of it, she had been completely drained.

Her head had felt foggy, her eyes had dark circles, and everyone she met had asked if something was wrong.

It had been a week since the workshop ended, so Juwon’s symptoms had likely persisted for at least a week as well. If he hadn’t slept for more than an hour a day during that time, he was probably far from being in his right mind. Fortunately, he had decent stamina from his usual routine; otherwise, he might have been in the hospital by now.
“Have you been to the hospital?”

[Dash] Yes.

“What did they say at the hospital? Are you taking any medication?”

Instead of answering, Juwon called out to Hyeju.

[Hyeju.]

Hyeju tightened her grip on the phone. His brusque voice, the labored breaths interspersed in the brief silence—it all shattered her heart.

As if sensing her tears that had been held back, Juwon chuckled softly.

“It’ll get better.”

His words, meant to console her, seemed to say, “Don’t worry.” In response, tears she had been holding back surged forth.

Who would be there to comfort me when you’re the one comforting me? I didn’t even realize how difficult it was, and I got mad at you over a few missed dates. I watched you struggle, but I couldn’t do anything.

[Hmm…]

In response to her choked sob, Juwon chided her gently.
“[Dash] You’re upset just because we couldn’t go on a date? My girlfriend is so delicate.”

Hyeju understood that her tears weren’t because of that. However, Juwon didn’t want to worry Hyeju any further with his own issues.

In his playful words, Hyeju sensed the underlying sincerity in his heart. She swallowed her tears and composed herself.

She couldn’t burden someone who was already going through a tough time. What he needed right now was a girlfriend who could offer him the belief that things would get better, even if it was an uncertain belief.

“During the peak of the passion, we’re frolicking on dates like this! What kind of guy falls this weak?”

As she playfully teased him, Juwon chuckled.

“[Dash] You’re right. To satisfy our Hyeju, I should work on my stamina a bit.”
“Drowsiness seemed to pour in, and Juwon’s voice became languid.”

[Dash] You probably can’t even imagine the fantasies I have about you.

“I’m fine, then how about now?”

[Dash] Not right now.

Juwon chuckled.

[Dash] It’s not the right time.

His voice gradually faded away, as if he were entrapped in slumber, and he called out like someone instructing a pet to wait. Hyeju’s response came reflexively.

[Dash] Hyeju.

“What?”

[Dash] Oh Hyeju.

“Why!”

[Dash] I love you.

“Huh, why… Huh?”

Hyeju’s voice choked as she responded reflexively, caught off guard by his unexpected words. Her face turned bright red as if Juwon could see her blushing, and he chuckled softly.

[Dash] Sleep well.