You met me in the prologue of youth

04. It's because I like it

김여주 image

김여주

Haa... what do I do, seriously…

Today, the outdoor pool’s water looked almost cruelly clear. The heroine, wearing a beach cover-up, couldn’t leave the corner of the changing room and kept biting her lip over and over. Because she was so timid, even the swimming class itself—having to show her skin in front of other people—felt like a huge wall.

Then, from the pool area, a rough splash sounded, followed by the children’s cheers.

친구들

Wow, as expected of the swimming club ace... Han Taesan’s record is insane!

Taesan came up out of the water, casually sweeping up his swim cap. As the school swimming club’s star player, drops of water fell through his wet bangs, and his solid, well-built shoulders and tall physique stood out. Add in that icy gaze, and it was only natural that every eye around the pool was drawn to him.

The heroine instinctively flinched and tried to step back. But at that very moment, Taesan’s sharp gaze, fresh from practice, landed squarely on her.

한태산 image

한태산

Kim Yeoju.

His low voice came through clearly. As if he didn’t care about the other kids staring, Taesan strode over with his long legs and blocked her path. With that overwhelming build and the wet sheen on him, Yeoju’s breath caught, and she didn’t know where to look, flustered and at a loss.

한태산 image

한태산

Why are you frozen there? You don’t want to get in the water?

김여주 image

김여주

Huh? No... it’s not that...

As Yeoju gripped the collar of her cardigan tightly, Taesan’s brows furrowed slightly. He couldn’t have missed the boys around them constantly sneaking glances at her. With a casual expression, Taesan shook out the big beach towel he’d been using and draped it over Yeoju’s shoulders.

한태산 image

한태산

Stay still. Don’t go wandering around for no reason.

김여주 image

김여주

B-but... I still have to swim... I don’t know how to swim...

Taesan grabbed both ends of the towel and carefully wrapped it snugly up to Yeoju’s neck, murmuring under his breath. The sharp smell of disinfectant unique to the swimming club mixed with Taesan’s body heat washed over her, and Yeoju’s face instantly turned red as if it were about to burst.

한태산 image

한태산

Then rest,

김여주 image

김여주

If Taesan teaches me... I think I can learn how to swim...

It was said so softly it was barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz, but Taesan seemed to hear it clearly. His hand, brushing off the water, stopped all at once.

한태산 image

한태산

...What?

Taesan asked in a low voice, turning his head slightly to look down at Yeoju. The eyes visible beneath his swim cap seemed to waver for a moment, then settled deep and still. Startled by what she’d just blurted out herself, Yeoju quickly buried her face in the beach towel.

김여주 image

김여주

N-no...! You don’t have to teach me...! I just...

한태산 image

한태산

Do you think the chance to get a lesson from the swimming club ace comes around for just anyone?

Taesan let out a short laugh and lightly caught Yeoju’s wrist, stopping her. As his big hand, still wet, touched her, pleasant goosebumps rose over her skin.

한태산 image

한태산

Since you were the one who asked me to teach you first, no backtracking, Kim Yeoju.

Taesan tossed aside the towel he’d had over his shoulder and, without hesitation, plunged into the water with a loud splash. Then he hooked one arm over the edge of the pool and held out his hand toward the anxious Yeoju above.

한태산 image

한태산

Come down. I’ll hold you.

김여주 image

김여주

U-um, okay...

As Yeoju carefully let her toes touch the water first, she flinched at the cold sensation. But soon, Taesan’s large, firm hand came to meet hers without any gap. He gently pulled her toward himself so she wouldn’t slip under.

Once she stepped into the water, Taesan’s overwhelming physique was obvious at a glance. The water only came up to Yeoju’s waist, but for Taesan it looked much shallower. Holding both of Yeoju’s hands tightly, Taesan naturally lowered his head to her eye level.

한태산 image

한태산

Hmm, for now... we need to start with floating, okay? Grab my shoulders.

김여주 image

김여주

T-the shoulders...?

한태산 image

한태산

Yeah. If you let go, you’ll sink, so hold on tight.

As Yeoju hesitated from embarrassment, Taesan casually took her hand and placed it on his wet shoulder. The feel of his firm shoulder muscle and how close he was made Yeoju gasp for breath.

한태산 image

한태산

Take a deep breath and relax your body. I’ll support you from below.

Taesan’s big hand gently supported her lower back. As expected of the swimming club, the way he handled her in the water was firm yet completely stable. The warmth of Taesan’s body in the water and his strong grip made Yeoju feel like her mind was going blank.

김여주 image

김여주

Taesan... I feel like I’m going to sink...!

한태산 image

한태산

You won’t sink. I’m holding you.

Taesan whispered low by her ear. Unlike his indifferent expression, the hand supporting Yeoju was more careful and gentle than anything else. When Yeoju got scared and hugged his shoulder tighter, the corners of Taesan’s mouth lifted into a deep curve.

한태산 image

한태산

See? It’s not a big deal, is it?

김여주 image

김여주

You... why are you making that face...? You’re teasing me on purpose!

한태산 image

한태산

I’m not teasing you.

Taesan looked straight into Yeoju’s eyes and pressed his upper body slightly closer, and beneath the clear blue water their shadows overlapped as one.

한태산 image

한태산

Because I like it.

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