You met me in the prologue of youth

04. Swimming Lessons with You

김여주 image

김여주

Haa .. what do I do, seriously …

Today, the sunlight on the outdoor pool was so clear it felt almost cruel. The heroine, wearing a beach cover-up, couldn’t bring herself to leave the corner of the changing room and kept biting her lip. Because of her timid personality, the swimming class itself—having to show skin in front of others—felt like a giant wall.

Then, from the pool, cheers from the kids burst out along with the rough sound of splashing water.

친구들

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

Taesan was seen coming out of the water, casually brushing back his swim cap. Like the school swimming team’s star player, droplets fell through his wet bangs, and his solid, well-defined shoulders and tall physique stood out. Add in that icy gaze, and it was only natural for every eye around the pool to be drawn to him.

Before she knew it, the heroine was shrinking back, trying to retreat. But at that moment, Taesan’s sharp gaze, fresh off training, landed squarely on her.

한태산 image

한태산

Kim Yeoju.

The low voice rang clearly in her ears. As if he didn’t care about the other kids’ stares at all, Taesan strode over on his long legs and blocked her path. With that overwhelming physique and his wet hair still dripping, Yeoju felt her breath catch and didn’t know where to look, flustered and at a loss.

한태산 image

한태산

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

김여주 image

김여주

Huh? No .. it’s not that …

When Yeoju clutched the collar of her cardigan tightly, Taesan’s eyebrows knitted slightly. He couldn’t have missed the way the boys around them kept sneaking glances at her. With a casual expression, Taesan unfolded the large beach towel he’d been using and tossed it over her shoulders.

한태산 image

한태산

Stay still. Don’t wander around for no reason.

김여주 image

김여주

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

As Taesan held both ends of the towel and carefully wrapped it snugly up to her neck, he murmured in a low voice. The sharp smell of disinfectant unique to the swimming club, mixed with Taesan’s body heat, wafted over her, and Yeoju’s face turned red as if it would burst.

한태산 image

한태산

Then rest.

김여주 image

김여주

If Taesan teaches me .. I think I might be able to learn how to swim ..

It was muttered so softly it was barely louder than a mosquito, but it seemed to reach Taesan’s ears clearly. His hand, wiping away the water, came to an abrupt stop.

한태산 image

한태산

...What?

Taesan asked in a low voice, turning his head slightly to look down at her. The eyes visible beneath his swim cap seemed to waver for a moment, then quickly sank deep. Startled by her own bold words, 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 anyone just gets a lesson from the swimming club ace?

Taesan gave a small snort of laughter and lightly caught her wrist to stop her. The moment his large hand, still damp with water, touched her skin, a pleasant shiver ran over Yeoju’s body.

한태산 image

한태산

You were the one who asked me to teach you first, so no changing your story, Kim Yeoju.

Taesan tossed aside the towel he’d had draped over his shoulders and, without hesitation, plunged into the water with a splash. Then, with his arms hooked over the pool’s edge, he reached a hand out toward the flustered Yeoju above.

한태산 image

한태산

Come down. I’ll catch 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 big, firm hand came up to meet hers, perfectly fitting around it. To keep her from slipping, Taesan gently pulled her toward him.

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

한태산 image

한태산

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

김여주 image

김여주

M-my shoulders ... ?

한태산 image

한태산

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

When Yeoju hesitated in embarrassment, Taesan pretended not to care and drew her hand over to rest on his wet shoulder. The feel of those firm shoulder muscles and the closeness that left almost no distance between them made Yeoju suck in a sharp breath.

한태산 image

한태산

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

Taesan’s large hand gently supported her from behind the waist. As expected of someone from the swimming club, the way he handled her in the water was solid yet perfectly steady. Taesan’s body heat in the water and his strong grip left Yeoju feeling like her mind was turning blank.

김여주 image

김여주

Taesan .. I feel like I’m gonna sink ... !

한태산 image

한태산

You’re not sinking. I’ve got you.

Taesan whispered low against her ear. Unlike his indifferent expression, the hand supporting Yeoju was more careful and gentle than anything else. When Yeoju got scared and clung tighter to Taesan’s shoulder, the corners of Taesan’s mouth curved upward in a deep arc.

한태산 image

한태산

See? It’s nothing, right?

김여주 image

김여주

Why are you making that face ..? You’re teasing me on purpose, aren’t you!

한태산 image

한태산

I’m not teasing you.

Taesan met Yeoju’s eyes straight on and pressed his upper body a little closer, and beneath the clear water, their shadows overlapped into one.

한태산 image

한태산

It’s because I like it.

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