Translator: Nox

Chapter 21

21. Too Honest Bodily Change

Her confidence from moments ago had vanished, and she couldn't even think of what to say as Kangwoo spoke slowly.

"Keep going straight, and there'll be an exit with a rest area. Don't worry and just drive. I'll help when we get there."

Thump thump. Her heart pounded fiercely. Throughout the highway drive, Kangwoo kept his hand over hers on the steering wheel.

"Today's experience will really help with your future driving. Your first drive is intense."

His half-teasing words somehow comforted her. The car sped along the highway for nearly an hour when they finally reached the rest area exit. As soon as they arrived, Naeun said,

"I need to use the restroom. I was so tense."

Naeun felt like she couldn't head back to Seoul like this. Kangwoo replied casually.

"Go ahead. We have time, so relax."

In the restroom, Naeun washed her hands and looked in the mirror. Her face was pale. She wasn't even dressed for going out—just a hoodie and a padding vest—yet she'd driven here herself for an hour, which made her oddly proud.

"And that car is mine."

The more she thought about it, the better she felt. On her way back to the car, Naeun grabbed roasted chestnuts, walnut pastries, and drinks.

"Sit in the passenger seat this time."

"Yes, Teacher. Oh, and try these."

"What's all this?"

Kangwoo looked at the snacks Naeun set down and said,

"Don't you like stuff like this? When you come to a rest area, shouldn't you at least have walnut pastries and roasted chestnuts?"

Kangwoo chuckled at Naeun's words. He rarely bought things like this even on business trips to the provinces—there was hardly ever a need to stop at a rest area.

He took a bite of the walnut pastry she offered. The warm red bean filling melted pleasantly in his mouth.

"Americano too."

"This is the first proper coffee among the drinks you've given me, Naeun."

Come to think of it, she'd always given him low-caffeine drinks.

"Yes. I figured we need some caffeine to stay alert on the way back to Seoul. Today, I'm determined too."

Her face held a resolute expression, like she was heading into battle with fierce determination. Watching her, Kangwoo wondered why she seemed so cute.

"No need to stay alert in the passenger seat. You can sleep the whole way."

"No. Since I came out for training, I need to focus on watching how you drive."

"Is that so?"

Kangwoo started the engine. Having Naeun staring intently beside him was amusing yet burdensome.

"I'll watch until we get home. How you press the accelerator, when you brake, the steering angle—I'll observe everything."

Even after the car started, she kept staring at Kangwoo. That was when the trouble began. Kangwoo's body started reacting to her gaze. From the moment he noticed her eyes on him, tension built up, leading to a physical change.

With her staring so intently, he couldn't hide it. And with her watching his foot on the accelerator and brake so closely, it was torture. At some point, the change became impossible to conceal.

Tsk. He knew this day would come. Han Naeun. Keep provoking me, and today is the day?

Naeun was trying to learn driving sensations by watching Kangwoo, but her eyes kept drifting to his pants, noticing the unusual change. Realizing it, she swallowed hard in shock and looked away.

"I'm tired from concentrating so much. Can I sleep?"

"That's why I said to sleep."

Kangwoo knew she had seen his physical change but didn't show it. He couldn't control this aggressive bodily reaction that showed no sign of subsiding. He was just suppressing it rationally as much as possible.

Naeun's heart started pounding wildly. Though inexperienced with men, she knew how a man's body changed. Seeing his pants straining like that, she didn't know how to react.

Should she pretend not to notice? She had no idea what to do.

Turning to the window, she saw bare early-winter branches swaying in the wind. The wind seemed fiercer as night fell. In contrast, the car felt too hot. She couldn't take off her vest because of the heat, leaving her just as troubled. Pretending to sleep, she closed her eyes.

"Look here. When approaching the tollgate, start slowing down from this distance..."

Glancing back, she saw him explaining as he passed the tollgate. His dedication to teaching even in this situation amazed her. Her gaze naturally drifted back down to his hands on the wheel, but that area was still tense.

Naeun squeezed her eyes shut.

"Got it. I'll watch from here. Wake me when we get home."

Kangwoo replied with a laugh.

"Okay. Pretend to sleep or play dead—do whatever."

Though unspoken, they both knew. Through this absurd physical reaction, Kangwoo clearly understood the inexplicable attraction he'd felt toward Naeun. He wanted this woman. He wanted to possess this small, rabbit-like woman who lived in a world different from his own, from the start.

Naeun kept her eyes shut, playing dead more than pretending to sleep. She even held her breath to avoid making noise. To think she'd be swept into this vortex of lewdness from the very first day in the car.

Yet inexplicably, her heart raced, her chest swelled, and a ticklish sensation stirred from deep inside her belly. It was an unfamiliar feeling.

The car finally made it home after twists and turns. Only after parking did Kangwoo call out to Naeun.

"Naeun."

She finally opened her eyes, pretending to wake up.

"We're already home?"

He knew she hadn't slept a wink, yet her act was so ridiculous and endearing. Kangwoo smiled faintly and said,

"I know you didn't sleep. Still pretending?"

Naeun replied discontentedly.

"Can't you just pretend not to know?"

"Why pretend to sleep like that?"

Was he really asking that now?

It was a mischievous question. Yet Kangwoo wanted to hear her answer.

"Just... nothing much to talk about. Actually, I wasn't pretending—I had my eyes closed. It helps your mind drift off to sleep."

It was nonsense. Kangwoo said in exasperation,

"You make good excuses."

"It's true. In yoga, closing your eyes separates your consciousness from the world."

She couldn't recall where she'd heard it, but it sounded plausible. Kangwoo played along.

"Good thing it subsided by then." Naeun sighed in relief and bowed her head before heading to the annex first.

"Then teach me sometime—how to separate consciousness!"

"We're going the same way, why rush off like that?"

No matter how fast she walked on those short legs, he'd catch up with a few long strides. Kangwoo quickened his pace and stood beside her.

"You know we're going the same way, right?"

Naeun shook her head at his words. It was a mindless reaction, but realizing it, she felt foolish. Composing herself, she replied,

"Of course I know."

The short walk side by side felt like an eternity. The awkward silence made even their steps feel clumsy. Then Kangwoo said,

"Can I have a cup of burdock tea?"

Naeun looked up at him.

"Now?"

Don't you need to hurry upstairs, shower, and take care of it?

"After all this effort, you won't even give me a cup of tea?"

"I'll give you some. But didn't you just finish an Americano?"

Such thoughts swirled in her mind. Though inexperienced with men, this man seemed gripped by intense desire. But Naeun held her tongue. Kangwoo spoke nonchalantly.

With her words, Naeun meant she wouldn't see his face anymore tonight. Kangwoo looked at her with a hurt expression and said,

"That's too much. After teaching you driving so diligently, no tea?"