Campus Log - Chapter 85

But I didn’t dislike it.

After finishing our volunteer work at the shelter, we moved to downtown Cheongju.

Both Ryu Eun-seok and I had sweated profusely, making it difficult to go anywhere. But we couldn’t just go to his house and shower like last time, so the place we chose was a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna). We decided to read comic books there while enjoying the air conditioning.

Even wearing the mugwort-colored sauna suit that drained everyone’s complexion, Ryu Eun-seok boasted a model-like appearance. Even though he must have been wearing the largest size, his shoulders were tautly stretched. The roomy shorts also rode up well above his knees, revealing his long calves.

The ladies sitting in a circle noticed Ryu Eun-seok passing by and began whispering busily, and even a little girl who had been running around the spacious sauna like a foal stopped and stared with wide eyes.

“Even those clothes look good on you.”

Without realizing it, I blurted out my inner thoughts. Ryu Eun-seok, who had been looking up at the menu board to decide what to eat, turned to me and curled the corners of his mouth.

“You get it now?”

He straightened his shoulders and wiggled his eyebrows—it was annoying, but I had to admit it. I looked down with dissatisfaction at my orange shorts that came down to my knees. My face was surely the color of dirt.

We ate a hearty meal of seaweed soup set menu, then approached the bookshelf filled with comic books. Ryu Eun-seok chose a comic about a high school basketball team, while I picked a mystery comic featuring a young detective.

“Let’s read over there.”

Ryu Eun-seok pointed to a space that went deep inward like a cave. It was so narrow that lying alone would fill it, and it was dark enough for a good sleep.

Isn’t this too obvious? My eyes narrowed. For a couple officially dating, it would be the perfect place to spend cozy time together, but for an ambiguous relationship like ours, it would be too tense and awkward—the comic books wouldn’t even register.

Ryu Eun-seok glanced at my face as if gauging my reaction, then led the way, pretending not to notice anything. After a moment’s hesitation, I grabbed my comic and followed.

If I had truly disliked it, I would have left him and walked to an open area. But I decided to endure the suffocating air.

This was all because of my desire to be with Ryu Eun-seok. Even though we were seeing each other every day lately, rather than getting tired or bored, I fell asleep each night with a fluttering heart.

I went in first, and Ryu Eun-seok took the entrance side. His long legs, folded in half, completely blocked the passage. Even though I ended up trapped between the wall and the man, I felt cozy first.

We sat side by side and read our comic books in silence. Perhaps because the sleeping room was directly above, it wasn’t an atmosphere for loud chatter. The sound of someone snoring in the next cubby served as background music.

At first, I sat up straight, but my posture gradually loosened. I looked longingly at a pillow someone had left behind. It would be perfect to lie down and sleep for a bit.

“Do you want to lie down?”

Ryu Eun-seok noticed the direction of my gaze. I habitually started to say I was fine, but then changed my mind.

…and honestly nodded.

“Yeah, I’m sleepy.”

“Then sleep comfortably.”

Ryu Eun-seok moved aside the sikhye he had been drinking to make room. I glanced at him and just fidgeted with my comic book.

We had gotten much closer lately, but not to the point where I could just sprawl out right in front of him. Yet the pillow inside tempted me, calling me to come quickly.

“I’m fine, just sleep. I’ll wake you later.”

Ryu Eun-seok’s eyes were fixed only on his comic book. He seemed so absorbed in reading that he wasn’t paying much attention to me. He probably wasn’t the type to enjoy watching someone sleep, so I decided to stop being conscious of him and rest.

I carefully laid my head on the pillow. If only there were a blanket, it would be less embarrassing. I turned my body, which had been lying straight while staring at the ceiling, to the side.

As I fidgeted, adjusting my position, the sole of my foot brushed against Ryu Eun-seok’s leg. Startled by the smooth sensation, my toes curled.

I held my breath and subtly pulled my knees in. Fortunately, Ryu Eun-seok didn’t seem to mind.

Come to think of it, he didn’t have a single hair there. He was someone who put care into his appearance, so he probably managed this area too. As I lay perfectly still, I diligently replayed the sensation of his skin I had just touched in my head. I found myself unbearably perverted.

Just then, my ankle was suddenly pulled. Ryu Eun-seok lifted my foot and placed it on top of his thigh.