Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

“Han-gyeol, ah~”

“Ah~”

I placed a peeled shrimp into Han-gyeol’s mouth.

He smiled, savoring the taste, and the way he enjoyed the shrimp was just so adorable.

Is this how it would feel to feed our own child who resembles Han-gyeol? I can’t wait to experience that someday.

“Is it good?”

After swallowing, Han-gyeol responded to my question.

“Of course. You were kind enough to peel it for me.”

“I feel so happy seeing you eat well~!”

“I ate plenty~ How about we head out now?”

“Yeah, let’s do that. I’m full. Let’s take a walk along the beach and then head back to the lodging.”

“Sounds good~ Let’s not overdo it on our first day.”

“Right. Let’s get up.”

We stood up together, paid the bill, and stepped outside.

In the distance, I could faintly hear the sound of waves crashing.

As we got closer to the beach, the sound of the waves grew louder, and we arrived at a shore covered in soft sand.

“There are more people here than I thought.”

“Looks like most of them are couples, huh?”

Just like Han-gyeol and me, many couples had come out to enjoy the view of the night sea. We kept a reasonable distance from them and started walking.

Neither of us said anything, just listening to the sound of the waves as we walked along the beach.

While we were walking side by side, Han-gyeol reached his hand out toward me, and I smiled, taking his hand in mine.

“I love holding your hand and walking by the night sea.”

“Me too. It’s so peaceful, perfect for this mood. And the breeze feels refreshing.”

A cool breeze blew past us, and the wind made Han-gyeol’s forehead more visible, which made him even more charming.

Maybe it was the moonlight, but he looked especially handsome tonight.

I couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

“Hehe.”

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Just… being here with you makes me so happy! I feel so relaxed, and the only thing on my mind is you. This morning, I was so stressed out from taking exams, and just yesterday, I was struggling to study for them. But being here now, I don’t even think about it anymore.”

Whenever I’m with Han-gyeol, it feels like all the bad thoughts in my head just disappear in an instant.

When I’m with him, my mind is filled only with him, and I’m completely immersed in the moment.

“I feel the same way. Being with you makes me feel so comfortable and happy. I get excited without even realizing it.”

“Hearing that makes me feel proud as your girlfriend~ In that case, give me a reward. A reward!”

“A reward? Sure. If you want one, I’ll give it to you. What kind of reward?”

“Hmm~ What would be good~”

I thought about it for a moment.

I wanted to create the happiest memory of the day.

Then, a great idea came to me, and I looked at Han-gyeol with a grin.

“Give me a piggyback ride!”

“Out of nowhere?”

“Yep, yep! I want to ride on your back.”

“I might stumble since I drank a bit.”

“That’ll be fun in its own way~ Come on, give me a piggyback ride.”

I spread my arms wide, signaling that I wanted him.

“Is this what it feels like to have a daughter? Alright, I’ll carry you.”

Han-gyeol carefully bent down, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as I climbed onto his back.

“Alright— full speed ahead!”

“Should I just toss you into the ocean?”

“You think you can get away with that? Try it if you’re confident~”

“Whoa, scary. Just hold on tight and don’t fall.”

“Got it~”

I held on tightly, hugging him close. But when Han-gyeol’s upper body started to tilt backward, I quickly loosened my grip.

“Ugh..! Don’t squeeze so hard, or I’ll fall over.”

“I really love being on your back. Will you still give me piggyback rides when we’re old?”

“No way, ask our son to do that.”

“That sounds wonderful too. He’ll look just like you, right?”

“Honestly, I think it’d be better if he looked more like you.”

“I think I’d be happiest if he looked like both of us.”

“No matter who he takes after, we’ll be happy~ Let’s get moving.”

Han-gyeol began walking carefully.

Being pressed up against his broad back made my heart start pounding again.

I wonder if his heart is racing like mine right now?

“Han-gyeol.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you a cliché question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Can I get a little cheesy?”

“Of course. I’ll let it slide since you’re drunk.”

“How much do you love me~?!”

“Wow~ That’s like one of the hardest questions a guy can get. Can I get some bonus points or a hint?”

“I’ll give you 10 bonus points since you’re giving me a piggyback ride.”

“Hmm~”

He started to think deeply.

It was just a playful question, but I didn’t expect him to take it so seriously.

Still, I felt happy that he was putting so much thought into it.

This kind of thoughtfulness is one of the things I find so attractive about him.

“Ah! I’ve got it.”

“What is it~?”

“I’d co-sign a loan for you.”

That was such a Han-gyeol-like answer.

“What-?! You love me that much?! Haven’t you heard that you shouldn’t even co-sign for family?!”

“That’s just how much I love you~ How’s that? Was it a good answer?”

“It was clever and perfect. I’ll give you 110 points out of 100, with the bonus. But seriously! Never ever co-sign for anyone!”

“I’m happy to hear that. Is there no reward?”

“What do you want as a reward?”

“Just keep looking at me like you do now.”

“That’s a given~ I’ll give you something else. What do you want?”

“A picture of you with pigtails.”

“You’re unbelievable...”

I hugged him tightly.

“Hey, I’m going to fall!”

“That’s because you’re being cheeky.”

“I just want to see you with pigtails again because it was so cute. I miss it.”

“How is that cute? Wearing pigtails at twenty is… kind of weird.”

“That’s why it was even cuter~ Your expression back then was hilarious.”

“Please, forget it… as soon as possible.”

“It made such a strong impression, I don’t think I can forget it~”

Han-gyeol kept walking as he responded to me.

“But where exactly are we going?”

“Should we head back to the lodging now?”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s take our time on the way back. Put me down.”

“Carefully now, climb down.”

He gently set me down, and I turned to look back at how far we’d walked.

“Wow, we came this far?”

“Of course, it probably felt shorter for you since you were getting a free ride~”

“What?! Didn’t you say I’m light as a feather?”

“Maybe it’s because we’re by the sea, but that feather seems to have soaked up some water.”

“What does that even mean?!”

Han-gyeol laughed, clearly amused, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

It’s amazing—when he laughs, I automatically join in.

I bet if he cried, I’d cry too.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re laughing.”

“If I cry, will you cry too?”

“Of course~!”

“Don’t copy me.”

“No way~ I’ll follow you forever, even till we die.”

“You win. Let’s go. Here, take my hand.”

“Let’s walk with our feet in the water.”

“Huh?”

“Hurry up~”

I grabbed his hand and rushed towards the water.

Watching the waves roll in, I carefully took off my shoes and socks.

Once I dipped my feet into the cool sea, Han-gyeol followed right behind me.

“It’s so refreshing, probably because it’s nighttime.”

“Be careful not to get scratched by any rocks.”

“Don’t worry~ Here, hold my hand.”

I held my shoes in my right hand and extended my left.

He smiled, holding his shoes in his left hand while taking my hand with his right.

“Ah~ It feels so nice to be here like this with you. I don’t even want to go home.”

“We can always come back~”

“I’m going to be so sad when we head home. What should I do?”

“Then we’ll just come again. Or maybe after we get married, we can bring our family here for a trip?”

“Ooh! I love that idea!”

“Traveling with four kids, though... That won’t be easy.”

Even though he said it with a hint of worry, his smile was bright.

I love how he imagines the future with me, just like I do.

“Han-gyeol.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you~”

“For what?”

“For everything! Thank you for making me laugh, for loving me, for caring about me, for smiling at me—thank you for everything from one to a hundred! Thank you for holding my hand like this, and for coming on this trip with me.”

“I’m thankful too~ for everything.”

“But most of all, thank you for coming into my life.”

I stopped in front of him and looked into his eyes.

“I love you.”

“Hearing that makes me happy. I love you too.”

His face, bathed in the moonlight, was breathtaking.

I wanted to keep that image in my mind forever, so I walked backward while looking at him.

“I love you more.”

“That’s debatable. But careful, you might trip. Come back over here.”

“What, am I a kid? I won’t fa—whoa?!”

Before I could finish my sentence, my view flipped from Han-gyeol to the sky.

He tried to grab my arm, but with a loud splash, I fell backward.

“Ugh.”

“You really are a kid. Did you get hurt?”

“I’m fine, but my clothes are all wet now.”

“Come on, get up. Let’s head back and clean up.”

“Help me up~”

I held out both hands, and Han-gyeol grabbed them, pulling me to my feet.

“I knew this would happen.”

“But it’s not too bad.”

“Your clothes are soaked, and you’re covered in sand.”

“Still, being with you makes even this fun. It’s enjoyable.”

“Do you want to fall again, then?”

“No thanks~ Let’s just go inside.”

“Let’s hurry up and wash off. Come on.”

“Okay!”

Everything feels like a precious memory when I’m with him.

“Han-gyeol.”

“What?”

“Let’s shower together~”

“You’re so cheeky.”

“Hehe. You’re just as cheeky, aren’t you?”

“True. Let’s hurry.”

“Okay!”

--- The End OF The Chapter --

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