Love is better than pain

10. You can neither run away nor refuse

The company dinner was in full swing. Glasses were being passed around the table.

As the laughter of the people rose— Siyeon silently picked up another glass.

Tension and excitement,

In the dazed air, I wanted to somehow cover up my feelings. So I drank, drank, drank.

Someone carefully grabbed her hand.

디에잇(명호)

“…Stop drinking.”

A low, quiet voice. The moment her fingertips brushed against his, Siyeon looked up in surprise.

Myungho. He looked at her and gently frowned.

At that moment, my heart pounded so loudly I couldn't hide it.

강시연

“…I’ll go get some fresh air for a bit.”

Siyeon got up from her seat with a red face.

People were engrossed in their own conversations, saying, “Hello~”, and Myeongho sighed for a moment and turned to his seat.

Then, while Hoshi was busy playing a drinking game with the person next to him, Myeongho quietly got up from his seat and went outside.

In a quiet alley nearby, under the streetlights, Siyeon stood leaning against the wall.

Her cheeks were flushed and her fingertips were trembling slightly.

디에잇(명호)

“You seem to be drinking a lot… Are you okay?”

A familiar voice.

A voice she knew all too well, pounding her heart. Siyeon raised her head.

Myungho stood there with a worried expression on his face. His words were clearly concerned.

But that one word broke Siyeon's heart once again.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Siyeon narrowed her eyes.

“…It’s not okay.”

At those words, Myeongho's eyes widened. He blinked in confusion and spoke.

디에잇(명호)

“Then… I’ll buy you some hangover cure. Just wait a minute.”

The moment he turned around, Siyeon reached out and grabbed Myeongho's wrist.

강시연

“…I’m not okay because of you.”

At the same time, Siyeon approached him cautiously.

And— I kissed him.

It was a cautious kiss, neither deep nor quick. But it was a heartfelt confession, full of emotion.

Myungho froze. His eyes widened, and even his breathing stopped.

After a moment, Siyeon seemed to have come to her senses and hurriedly pulled away.

강시연

“…I’m sorry, I… I’m really sorry—”

But just as she was about to turn around.

Myeongho grabbed Siyeon's wrist and stopped her. He looked at her and said.

디에잇(명호)

“It’s so beautiful, it’s driving me crazy. How can I refuse?”

With those words, Myeongho carefully wrapped his arms around the back of Siyeon's neck. And this time, he kissed Siyeon.

This time, it was a quiet, deep kiss, as if they were slowly devouring each other.

The moment when all sound disappeared.

Only the sound of their hearts filled the two of them.