Chapter 48.2

Chapter 48.2

Ara blinked in disbelief. Her hazel eyes showed a flicker of confusion, then a flash of indignation, and finally, a glimmer of determination as if she had made a decision.

How could he read her so easily…?

Seok-kyung genuinely found it fascinating and pulled his hand back.

Just as Ara leaned in to take it with her mouth, the yellow rice cake slipped right into Seok-kyung’s mouth.

“Not this one. I meant for you to pick one from over there.”

Perhaps because the prank had succeeded so smoothly, the already sweet rice cake felt ten times sweeter.

“If I don’t play a prank for even a day, I might grow thorns on my backside!”

Ara glared at Seok-kyung, feeling like she had been caught off guard.

“No way. Should I show you?”

Seok-kyung made a bold suggestion without a flicker of his eyebrows.

With that tone, it felt like he might turn around and drop his pants at any moment, causing Ara’s cheeks to flush a deep red as she raised her voice.

“Who wants to see Kim Seok-kyung’s butt?!”

“Oh, right. It seems like Na Ara is more interested in other things than just looking.”

“……Huh?”

Ara furrowed her brows and tilted her head in confusion.

“Don’t you remember? The welcome party we held to celebrate your arrival at this house.”

Seok-kyung smirked, bending slightly at the waist.

“You insisted that you would pass the test and then hit my butt.”

Instinctively, Ara clenched her fists tightly. The breath that flowed near her ear tickled too much.

But that strange sensation was only temporary.

As soon as she understood Seok-kyung’s words, the tension that had been tickling her stomach transformed into overwhelming embarrassment and shock.

“…Me? I said that?”

“Yes. Na Ara did.”

“No way! Why would I? That’s insane!”

“I don’t know the reason. But you really said it. Since I can’t touch your national treasure-level nose, you said you’d hit my butt instead.”

“…….”

Ara’s face gradually turned pale. She wanted to deny it, but the reason Seok-kyung added was too much of a typical excuse for her.

To be honest… even now, when she wasn’t drunk, Ara was thinking along those lines. If she had to hit one of the two, it would indeed be the butt.

“That’s a lie…”

Ara desperately tried to escape reality.

“No, you know by now, right? Goblins can’t lie.”

Of course, Seok-kyung didn’t let Ara escape easily.

Ara rubbed her face, which had turned from pale to bright red. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her scattered breathing.

In the meantime, the answer that came to her mind was ultimately one.

“I’m going to bed now. If I don’t sleep now, I won’t be able to get up in the morning. If there’s anything left after eating, just leave it there. I’ll clean it up tomorrow.”

When faced with an unbeatable opponent, running away was the best strategy.

Ara blurted out her words like a rapid-fire cannon and hurriedly tried to leave. Just as she was about to brush past Seok-kyung—

“Na Ara.”

With a firm grip, a large hand caught her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

Ara’s heart sank.

Not only was she afraid of what Seok-kyung might say, but the warmth wrapping around her wrist felt overwhelmingly hot.

“W-What? What is it? What do you want to say…?”

“Thank you.”

Stumbling back, still held by his arm, Ara doubted her ears.

“Huh?”

Was she still half-asleep? It felt like she had heard something that shouldn’t come from his mouth.

“I’ll enjoy it.”

But this was a clear reality.

Ara stared at Seok-kyung with her mouth agape, and only after noticing the slightly reddened tips of his ears did she feel a rush of joy. Her eyes sparkled dramatically as she smiled brightly.

A miracle had occurred.

It was a very small beginning, but nonetheless, it was an incredible miracle.

“Yes! Eat a lot! I’ll make it for you again later!”

How cunning human hearts could be.

Ara completely forgot that Seok-kyung had just been teasing her. The three words “thank you” felt like a magical incantation that could grant her the entire world at that moment.

“Then go in and sleep.”

Seok-kyung gestured toward the dark living room, as if his business was done.

“Good night, Kim Seok-kyung.”

Ara nodded without further comment. Her overflowing happiness echoed through the quiet night air.

Soon, she heard the sound of footsteps fading away, followed by the door opening and closing.

Seok-kyung, who had been staring at the empty space where Ara had just been, finally turned his body toward the dining room. His deep eyes lovingly gazed down at the snack basket on the table once more.

She seemed to really like this…

The delicious and intricately arranged treats reminded him of someone who had long since disappeared. A girl with a lovely smiling face, honest even with herself, and brave until the very end.

“…Come to think of it, she resembles her a bit. Especially in being foolish.”

Seok-kyung muttered softly as he picked up another snack. One more, then another…

He savored the sweet and warm taste, mixed with nostalgia and excitement, for a long, long time.

Outside the window, the rain was gradually letting up.