Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

Chapter 24: The Blue Turtle Doll



Chapter 24: The Blue Turtle Doll

Han-gyeol didn’t say anything in response to what I’d said.

Was my best effort still not enough? Was he still angry?

After pouring out my words, I felt adrift in the ensuing silence. Just as I began to worry that I’d done something wrong, Han-gyeol finally spoke.

“Eun-ha.”

“Huh?”

“You said you can’t tell me the reason because it’s personal, right? That’s enough for me. In fact, I wanted to hear you say just that. I appreciate you being honest with me.”

As soon as I saw the corners of Han-gyeol’s mouth raising slightly, I turned my head around without realizing it. I tried to hide it, but I could feel my face turn red again.

I was initially worried that Han-gyeol would feel frustrated because I couldn’t tell him the reason, but now I was really relieved.

“Thank you for saying that...”

The atmosphere felt a little awkward even though I was glad things seemed to be resolving well. We hadn’t had a major fight or anything; we’d merely smoothed out a minor knot.

The moment felt both awkward and embarrassing. But I felt relieved because Han-gyeol had accepted it as it was.

“It’s a bit awkward, huh? haha.”

Han-gyeol just vocalized what we were both feeling. I couldn’t read his mind, but he seemed like a remarkably clear and straightforward person. Honest and direct, speaking without any pretense. It was seemingly simple but in another way, there was nothing more difficult.

“Actually, I was thinking the same thing. It’s a bit awkward!”

In the hopes of being even just a little like Han-gyeol, I also openly expressed my thoughts.

“Well, let’s eat then. We haven’t even touched the food we ordered.”

“Sure, let’s. Ah- I’ll do it. Could you pass me the knife and fork?”

“Oh, will you? I’m not so good at cutting bread.”

Han-gyeol who was preparing to cut the bread, handed me the knife and fork.

Although I was not particularly skilled at it either, I did my best to slice the bread neatly.

After that, we each picked up a piece of bread with our forks and ate.

It tasted sweet and delicious. Perhaps it tasted better because I was sharing it with Han-gyeol.

“Ah- right. My sister and brother mentioned they contacted you. Is that true?”

“Ah- Yes. Hyun-joo Noona asked if I wanted tutoring, and Eunwoo Hyung invited me to play a few rounds of a game, so we played together.”

“If you feel uncomfortable, please tell me. I’ll talk to them about it.”

“They both approached me so carefully that I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. I can sense their consideration.”

“Hyun-joo Unni being considerate is one thing, but my brother too?”

“He seemed even more considerate than Hyun-joo Noona.”

Does he really idolize Han-gyeol or something? As long as Han-gyeol is okay with it, it doesn’t really matter.

“Ah- come to think of it, we have our mock exams next week.”

“Yeah, our first mock exams since entering senior year of high school. I’m a bit nervous.”

“Just relax and you’ll do fine. Don’t worry too much.”

“I’d feel guilty if I don’t get a good score. By the way, how do you usually study, Han-gyeol?”

“I only listen to online lectures. It suits me better. When I can concentrate, I can listen continuously, and when I need a break, I can take one.”

“You’re quite efficient on your own, aren’t you?”

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“Not always. Somehow, things go better when I’m with someone I’m comfortable with. But you are the only person like that, Eun-ha.”

I was quite pleased with Han-gyeol’s remark. I even had to resist the urge to break into a big grin.

“Eun-ha?”

“Yes? What?”

“Sorry for telling you this late, but there’s some whipped cream on the right corner of your mouth.”

“What-! Why are you telling me just now?”

“I was contemplating whether it’s right to tell a girl that she has cream on her face.”

“You can tell me right away next time!”

I hastily wiped the right corner of my mouth with a tissue.

“By my perspective, I meant the right. From your perspective, it’s the left. Haha”

“Ugh-!”

Even though I was embarrassed, I couldn’t help but keep staring at Han-gyeol’s smiling face, trying to imprint the memory so I wouldn’t yearn for it when I got home.

We continued talking about various things on our way home.

To be honest, I wanted to spend more time with Han-gyeol, but I couldn’t be selfish.

“Then, Eun-ha. See you at school tomorrow.”

“Yep. Take care, Han-gyeol. Thanks for the drink and bread.”

“Sure thing. Let’s eat something without whipped cream next time?”

“Hey!”

“Haha! I’ll be off. See you tomorrow~”

“Yep. See you tomorrow.”

After saying goodbye to Han-gyeol, I headed home as well.

However, I couldn’t help but turn around to steal a last glance at his retreating figure.

Lunch and a café visit, and then just straight home... It’s a bit disappointing, isn’t it?

Should I gather the courage to extend our time together next time?

****

What greeted me when I returned home was the stuffed animal Han-gyeol had given me.

I squeezed the doll sitting on the table a few times before flopping onto my bed.

What does Han-gyeol think of me?

Would giving me handmade chocolate mean he thinks of me as someone special?

Or is it presumptuous to think that I might be special to Han-gyeol?

As those questions swirled in my mind, I cautiously hugged the stuffed animal to my chest, hoping it would calm my racing heart.

Yet, if anything, my heartbeat only sped up even more.

What could Han-gyeol be doing now?

Is he washing up and lying down on his bed like me?

Contemplating whether to reach out, I finally picked up my smartphone.

I clicked on Han-gyeol’s profile to check if he had uploaded a profile picture.

But there was only the default profile image, same as mine.

Nevertheless, I mustered the courage to send Han-gyeol a message.

[Did you get home safely?]

This should be fine, right?

But the gray ticks indicating an unread message disappeared almost immediately.

[Yeah, I got home safely. How about you, Eun-ha?]

I was delighted at the swift response.

Lying on my bed, I move my fingers happily.

[Yeah, I got home safely.]

[What were you doing?]

[I was just lying down. How about you, Han-gyeol?]

[I was also just lying down.]

There were no grey ticks appearing in the messaging window with Han-gyeol.

He must be staring at our chat, just like me.

The realization that we were looking at the same screen made me inexplicably happy.

With a joyful heart, I tapped on my smartphone screen.

[Did you have any plans for today? I called you out so suddenly.]

[Hmm? No, I didn’t have any particular plans. Thanks for calling me out.]

With a sly chuckle, I sent the message.

Han-gyeol had a way of making everything sound so charming.

I threw him a joke that was a little out of character for me.

[If you’re thankful, buy me something delicious.]

[Sure. I’ll make sure to get something without whipped cream.]

Ugh—

[A mistake. A mistake. Forget it now.]

[But I only eat bread with whipped cream.]

[Stop lying!]

Ah—was that last message a bit too aggressive?

But before I could dwell on it, Han-gyeol effortlessly brushed it off with cheeky banter.

[You’re right. I was lying.]

I burst into laughter.

I was sure I was being tased, but I didn’t know why I was laughing?

I continued our text conversation, grinning all the while.

Topics ranged from what we ate for breakfast, to locking eyes with a stray cat on our way home, to warnings about catching a cold as the temperature was set to drop next week.

In our chat, where the grey ticks indicating an unread message never appeared, Han-gyeol and I kept texting.

Eventually, the subject shifted to profile pictures.

[Do you never set a profile picture, Eun-ha?]

[Yeah. I don’t even know what to set, and I haven’t really paid attention to it.]

[To be honest, me neither. But since it came up, should we try setting one?]

[What are you planning to use?]

[Wait and see.]

[Okay.]

I waited for Han-gyeol to return to the chat.

Suddenly, his profile picture changed, and I immediately checked it out.

It was a picture of cream bread, and I burst into laughter.

“Pwahaha! What is this?!”

Alone in my room, I laughed so hard that I was wheezing. My stomach hurt from laughing so much.

[How’s my profile pic?]

Han-gyeol, having changed his profile picture, was back.

Still laughing, I shot back a reply.

[Han-gyeol, you better take that down. You brought up the profile picture topic just to do this, didn’t you?]

[Wasn’t it clever?]

[You’re in big trouble now?]

[Okay, I’ll change it quickly.]

[Yeah, hurry back.]

I waited for Han-gyeol again.

But instead of changing his profile picture, he sent another message.

[Eun-ha, why isn’t my profile picture changing?]

[Don’t lie! What would you do if I was able to change it?]

[Sorry. I’ll hurry and change it.]

[Come back quickly.]

Han-gyeol reverted his profile picture back to the default and returned.

[Now that I’ve tried changing it, how about you give it a go, Eun-ha?]

[Me? Hmm—give me a moment to think.]

I paused my texting to ponder.

My profile picture had always been the default.

As I was contemplating what to choose, my eyes fell upon the blue turtle doll that Han-gyeol had gifted me. I propped it up against the headboard of my bed and took a quick photo.

I briefly admired the picture in my gallery but ultimately couldn’t bring myself to set it as my profile picture.

Because it felt like it would give away my feelings.

Because I had tightly embraced this plushie earlier.

...Because I was clearly thinking of Han-gyeol when I did it.

My heart was pounding so loudly that it felt like its sound reached my ears.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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