TDIMEH Chapter 42

 42. Let’s Go Together.

As soon as Se-ah finished speaking, Junhyuk untied the rope from his waist and slung it over his arm. Slowly, he began stepping on the mud as if climbing a mountain.

The way he effortlessly stood up with a calm expression made it hard to believe he had just escaped a swamp. It was as though he had come out of water instead. 

But when Se-ah saw the bulging veins on his arm holding the rope tightly, she realized that appearances could be deceiving. His hands and veins were swollen, evidence of the fierce struggle he had endured.

Junhyuk was fighting a relentless battle against the swamp, though he tried to act as if nothing was wrong in front of her. 

Se-ah held her breath and watched intently as he made his way out of the swamp, not even blinking once. She feared that exhaling might cause him to sink back into the mud. Her fingers tingled with anxiety.

Finally, when Junhyuk stood before her, smiling brightly, Se-ah couldn’t hold back her tears. They fell from her eyes in big drops, contrasting with his cheerful grin.

“What’s this? I worked so hard to get out, and now you’re crying? That’s against the rules.”

Junhyuk looked at her in confusion, unsure of what to do as she cried.

“Are you crazy? Why would you come down there?” 

Se-ah exclaimed, hitting his chest with her clenched fists.

It had been a terrifying situation when she looked back, and her heart was still pounding. A mix of emotions overwhelmed her—gratitude and resentment toward the man who had risked everything for her.

Junhyuk gently took her trembling hand into his and clasped it.

“I’m fine, see? That’s all that matters.”

“Fine? What do you mean fine? You could’ve died because of me….”

“Die? No way. That would never happen.”

His gentle voice fell softly into her ears.

“So, stop crying.”

Junhyuk tenderly wiped away the tears from Se-ah’s cheeks. She sniffled and looked up at him.

“Ask me anything. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you.”

The fact that he had returned safely was reason enough for her to agree to anything he asked for.

“Really? You’ll tell me everything?”

“Yes.”

Her reply brought a smile to his face. After pausing briefly, he tilted his head toward her.

“Then tell me, why have you been keeping your distance from me?”

“Well….”

Se-ah bit her lip before revealing her thoughts.

“It’s not that I’ve been keeping my distance. There’s always been a gap between us. You—Junhyuk, no, ‘President’—are the head of a successful group, and I’m just someone who does odd jobs in the Philippines. Nothing’s different in Korea.”

Her honest words made him laugh, though there was a hint of bitterness in his expression.

“What does it matter? None of that is necessary on this island anyway.”

“What about when we get rescued? Then we’ll have to return to our normal lives. Things can’t stay the way they are now. Our situations are just too different.”

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

“Just? How can you say it’s just? It’s a big deal.”

“To me, it’s just that—a trivial thing. Why should that matter?”

Junhyuk pulled Se-ah into his arms as she questioned him.

“So, that means you don’t dislike me, right?”

Hearing his voice above her, Se-ah nodded. Not once had she ever disliked him, not even when she left their newlywed home.

“That’s all that matters. If I want, no—if you want, you can stay by my side forever, Jin Se-ah. So stop worrying about things that will never come up again.”

Junhyuk lowered his head and kissed the top of Se-ah’s head softly.

“I feel like I’ve become so close to you. My future definitely liked you too. If not, his heart wouldn’t have raced like this. You might say I’m crazy to feel this way after just a few days, but I don’t care. I like you, Se-ah.”

“……....”

Se-ah stared up at him, dazed, after his heartfelt confession.

As he looked down at her peeking out from his embrace, he planted another gentle kiss on her clear forehead.

In his deep black eyes, there wasn’t a trace of deceit or exaggeration—only her.

“So, stop digging holes and take my hand. Come up with me. No matter how high we go, I’ll never leave you behind.”

Junhyuk’s large hand clasped Se-ah’s hand.

The warmth from their tightly held hands slowly eased the trembling in her body.

They were still trapped on a deserted island. 

Their future was uncertain.

They were covered in mud. The days ahead could be even messier.

But as long as Junhyuk was by her side, it didn’t matter if they were on a deserted island or anywhere else.

Se-ah nodded slowly.

***

Struggling in the swamp had left them covered in mud from their arms to their necks. They were a mess. Even if they washed in the sea, they’d still need another rinse. So, they decided to clean up at a nearby stream.

With mud even inside their clothes, they had to wash their entire bodies. But there was no way she could undress in front of him, so they agreed to take turns.

Although the stream was shallow, the flowing water quickly washed the mud away. Scrubbing with her hands, her skin, stained an earthy color, became clean and white again.

“I finally feel human again. Captain, hurry and wash too.”

Se-ah wrung the water from her wet clothes as she swapped places with Junhyuk.

Junhyuk, who had been staring at the water dripping from the nape of her neck, turned red and quickly looked away.

“…I’ll wash quickly. Don’t go anywhere and stay right here.”

Except for when he was washing, he hadn’t let go of her hand. Even now, he was concerned for her safety.

“Alright…”

Smiling faintly, Se-ah suddenly stopped mid-sentence when she saw him take off his shirt in front of her. She immediately covered her face with her hands. 

Oblivious to her gaze, Junhyuk splashed water over his broad back.

Perhaps from wearing sleeveless shirts over the past few days, his arms had tanned slightly. The taut muscles of his shoulders flexed smoothly, making it hard for her to look away.

The shaded gray contours between his muscles left her swallowing involuntarily.

How is that even possible? Is he even human?

Se-ah remained entranced, watching him until he bent forward to wash his lower body.

When Junhyuk finished washing and noticed her blushing face, he glanced at her with a knowing smile.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yes, I’m fine.”

“You seemed out of it for a moment.”

“No, it’s just… I was thinking about wanting to change into dry clothes.”

“You must be cold in those wet clothes. Let’s head back quickly.”

At Se-ah’s clumsy excuse, Junhyuk swiftly gathered the tools that had been scattered on the ground. Then he crouched in front of her and offered his back.

“Hop on.”

“Excuse me?”

Se-ah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You must be tired.”

His sharp gaze fell on her legs. The swamp had taken so much effort to resist that her knees were trembling slightly, even though she had tried her best not to show it. It amazed her how he had noticed despite her efforts to hide it.

Still, she couldn’t just climb onto his back after seeing how much more effort he had put in compared to her. While she couldn’t walk fast, she wasn’t completely incapable of walking.

As she shook her head to refuse, Junhyuk acted faster.

“I want to get back and rest quickly too. This way will be much faster.”

“But still…”

“Hurry. Carrying you isn’t even a burden.”

“…Alright.”

Relenting to his firm tone, Se-ah hesitantly lowered herself onto his back.

“Let me carry the bag instead.”

She took the plastic bag from his wrist.

“Hold on tight.”

With those words, he stood up, lifting her. Though she had expected it, the sudden height made her freeze. Her arms around his neck tightened.

“Relax. I won’t drop you.”

His voice, laced with a hint of amusement, calmed her, and he began to walk briskly. The scenery around them passed by quickly.

Is this what the air and view from a higher place feel like?

Even though they were retracing their steps, the elevated perspective made it seem like an entirely new path.

The scent of the forest and the refreshing smell of him filled her senses.

With his pace, they would reach the treehouse on the beach in no time.

Se-ah realized how he had been walking at her speed all along. Even while carrying her, he was this fast. If he were alone, he would have been much quicker.

She didn’t say this aloud, but the thought of his consideration made her cheeks flush. His charm seemed to have no end.

When they arrived just in front of the treehouse, Junhyuk gently set her down. Then he inspected her hands.

“Change into dry clothes first. I’ll tend to your wounds afterward.”

Her palms had abrasions from gripping the wooden stick so tightly. The scraped area was fairly large.

Even though it was something she could manage on her own, Se-ah nodded quietly.

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