CHAPTER 217: THAT GAVE ME GOOSEBUMPS

(Alright, back to the main scenario. A little recap would be nice, right. Continuation of Chapter 205)

"You don’t have to be reserved, Hyung." Min-Cheol added, taking my hand as well and I gulped, feeling the hardness of his abs. "If anything, we’d like you to be very forward."

No, no, if you came on to me like this, just how do you expect me to resist the sweet temptation laid before me?

This... This is definitely too much.

I jolted and then took my hand back, pursing my lips.

If I gave in now, I’d end up spilling my dirty little desires, both known and unknown and it was still too early for that.

Yes, too early. So, let’s hold it in a bit longer.

"As much as I would like to feel up my masters," I dared to say, "I think I should allow you to relax in the water after running around all morning trying to entertain me. How does that sound?" I smiled, my full set of teeth on display.

Let’s try not to act suspicious.

But isn’t this like that particular thing the suspicious character usually does? Smiling so wide that even the sun reflects on the teeth so nicely.

The rest of the characters usually don’t notice so it’s probably fine.

Yet... They wouldn’t stop looking at me as if I had a missing piece of a puzzle stuck to my face somehow.

It was getting tense and while my palms felt sweaty, I wondered if I was being a bit too stiff.

I was.

They were looking at me oddly.

Maybe it was the heat getting to my skin or it was just down kind of... I don’t know, discomfort? I was suddenly feeling after so much adrenaline rush from the game I watched.

Whatever it was, it was messing with my thought process and was disturbing me.

"Relax," Seo-Jun suddenly said, throwing his arms around my shoulder.

Something I didn’t expect from him.

"You’re so stiff right now. We’re here to relax, aren’t we?" He asked. That’s right. He’s the kind to notice these sorts of things. "Anyone who sees you will think we’re ganging up on you to throw you into the water."

"Ah, sorry." I said. Guess I was just being paranoid.

"Just sit tight and watch how the pros play in the water." He said, taking his arm off but as he moved away, my eyes fell on his exposed abs that had been pressed to my arm.

I gulped.

Because he had been so close, I did not dare look down at his abs, fearing I would act too ’suggestive’ towards a man like him so I waited till he took his eyes off me and was heading forward.

But when I thought he no longer had his eyes on him and wanted to go for the water, he glanced back.

He caught me staring at his abs and I flinched.

His lips curled up but he didn’t say anything further and turned away, as if nothing had happened.

That gave me goosebumps.

Literally.

I could feel them crawling on my skin.

Did anyone else see what that guy did to me? Guess not. Cause he didn’t do anything.

I was the one going crazy for no reason.

’Gosh, it’s so hot.’ I thought of hurrying to go sit under an umbrella.

I sat down, fanning myself with the fan on the stool. I wish I could go take a cold bath again but what would that do? I just took a bath before coming out but I still feel so hot.

’It’s early August so I understand if it’s this hot.’ I thought and then someone stood in front of me.

It was Ki-hoon.

"Jo-Pil," he called.

"Yes, Hyung?"

"Are you feeling alright?" He asked, but I did not answer right away.

I tilted my head, looking over to the others behind him. While it looked like they were minding their business and planning to enter the water, they were clearly paying attention to us.

They must be worried because of how I started acting unusually once the pool was mentioned.

Seriously, guys, I’m fine.

If I could get in the pool, I would. But I’m so scared that I can’t even shut off my heart and say it.

I know I should be more open with my feelings and express what I want more clearly so that they can understand. After all, they won’t judge me no matter what but... It’s not as easy as it may seem.

I want to be honest. I want to say everything that’s in my mind but there’s still a wall that I haven’t been able to climb.

It’s so tall. Taller than any wall I have ever come across.

And since I can’t climb it, I’ve decided to break it.

The wall that’s keeping my initial will, my feelings, and everything on the other side... I intend to break it but I can’t do it on my own.

Yet... I want to do it on my own.

These sorts of walls are the kind that will only mess up the path if others lend a hand.

So, instead of messing things up by looking for external help, I plan to use the time.

With time, I will dig a door through this wall and walk through.

The most perfect door, if I do say so myself.

Hitting my hammer on a thin chisel slowly and accurately, following the line I have drawn... I will get through this wall and then I’ll be free. Very free.

So till then... Please be patient with me.

I smiled at him.

"No, I’m not alright." I said. "I feel very hot and I think that’s what’s getting under my skin."

Hearing this, it would only be natural for them to tell me to get into the water if I feel hot but since they know I can’t get into the water thanks to my fear... It was rather tricky.

"Ah, this is a mess." Seo-Jun muttered. "We have to think of something then."

As I said, they were all focused on me.

"Well, if we can’t bring you to the water," Jin-Yeok said, his lips curled up in a nice smile. "Then we can always bring the water to you."