Gu Nian groggily boarded a transmigration bus and found herself inside a 1970s historical novel she had read, becoming a cannon-fodder female supporting character. ... more>>

Her scummy older brother and sister-in-law not only stole her job but also forced her to go to the countryside in place of her delicate niece. In retaliation, she reported them, sending them off for reformation, and then immediately signed up, sending her white lotus niece to the remote Northwest.

Using the system, she emptied the house of valuables and took all the supplies her parents left her before heading to the countryside.

After arriving, she was busy completing missions while dealing with the novel’s male and female leads, leaving her with no time to rest.

One day, she overheard a rumor that a military officer returning to visit his village had taken a liking to her and insisted on marrying her. She thought it was just gossip—until they met, and the rumor became reality. <<less

“Because of Rei, everyone gives up, don’t they?”... more>>

Hearing such words, I thought to myself. –I thought that Natsuki could not fall in love because I was her “childhood friend” and naturally stood next to her.

So I suggested that we go our separate ways from now on. Natsuki did not pull me back. She must have been relieved that the intruder had finally left her alone.

–But the next day, she did not come to school.

This is the start of a funny and sweetly romantic comedy of differences between the insensitive protagonist, Shiraishi Rei, and his awkward childhood friend, Shinohara Natsuki! <<less

Liang Yixuan had secretly liked Bian Xu for many years and had a secret relationship with him, only to realize that he had no feelings for her.... more>>

After her "perfect guy" image was shattered, she broke up with Bian Xu and decided to have fun by joining an amateur dating reality show.

Having gone through some crazy experiences in the past, the handsome, elite male guests on the show seemed perfect to her.

She planned to pick carefully, but to her surprise, all the men who had shown interest in her quickly turned to other female contestants overnight and started avoiding her as if she were a venomous snake.

When the show aired, the audience felt sorry for Liang Yixuan: "Are these guys blind?"

Liang Yixuan kept smiling on the outside, but inside, she had a lot of doubts.

It wasn't until the third episode, when a guest came to challenge her, that the mystery was solved— Bian Xu: "You cheated on me in front of the entire national audience, babe. Aren't you brave?"

• The quiet, sweet girl who keeps smiling even when she's furious × The arrogant tsundere who turns her into a graceful, strong woman

• A man goes from being a "sarcastic, arrogant tsundere" to a "face-hurting, pushover" with just one ex-girlfriend and three rivals :)

• "I am willing to accept her judgment, no matter what that may be." <<less

“Your Majesty’s happiness is my happiness. How can I help you?”... more>>

Work as a Call Center agent

Overnight, I became the “servant” of the tyrant male lead in a romantic fantasy novel.

If you don’t give him the answer he wants within 3 seconds, he’ll execute you.

As the only henchman of the tyrant emperor, who changes his women every day, indulging in pleasure…

She has no intention of dying as the original. So, until the tyrant meets the female lead, she has to watch out for herself and run away.

Therefore, she started doing business to earn money for her escape

Saved a few ships to escape across the sea

She searched for the woman who could capture the attention of the tyrant and devoted herself to the education of his concubine.

Whatever the case, the remaining time until the fall of the empire is in one year.

I have to run away quickly.……

Surung—

The cold blade was pulled against my neck.

“Where are you going in such a hurry, Duchess Baloa?”

The tyrant has cut off my escape route. <<less

「I'll always be by Shou-chan's side──」... more>>

That's what my childhood friend said, as if to comfort me after I lost my parents at a young age and was left with just my little sister.

Afterwards, thanks to the kindness of her mother, Kaname-kaasan──who was close friends with my mother, my sister and I came to live at their house.

Even so, our relationship remained unchanged, and we spent our unchanging days always together, no matter what we did.

However, in the summer of my third year of middle school, I──Chihara Shougo──met with an accident and suffered severe injuries, including full-body contusions and lower body paralysis.

One day, while spending my hospitalized days in despair, a certain incident caused us to be separated.

──A year and a half later, I was to transfer into the prestigious "Kujou Academy".

But at that academy, my childhood friend was there── <<less

Bai Yuan is a magical little parrot that had just hatched out of his shell. With pristine peach-colored feathers, heaven-defying looks, and beautiful singing, he was the most popular pink glutinous rice ball in the Jiujiu community. One day, he was accidentally injured by a bear child, but fortunately, a pair of kind husbands rescued him and took him in. Since then, he has had two human dads. The little dad was a gentle and elegant doctor and the big dad was a handsome and rich boss. In return, he decided to be the real child of this family. At night, he was a three-year old human cub with soft baby fat on both cheeks... more>> and a small pink balloon tied around his waist. Waddling around, he knocked on his dads’ bedroom door.

-Knock knock! Your smart and cute child has been delivered to you! <<less

At the age of ten, Jiang Qi had black hair, shallow pupils, and a pale, delicate appearance. He often got injured, with blood flowing from his head. He was the son of a 'notorious' mu*derer in Chen Kong Alley, and people cursed him, saying that he had vile blood running in his veins. Except for Zhi Qi, no one paid him any attention.... more>>

Zhi Qi often cried while bandaging his wounds, her voice soft as she asked, "Why do you always get hurt? Does it hurt a lot?"

Jiang Qi smiled, the cold and rebellious boy appearing particularly obedient in front of her: "If you comfort me, it won't hurt anymore."

By the time he reached high school, he had become the most famous madman, cold and ruthless in all Lin Lan. Zhi Qi remembered Jiang Qi once saying that most of his life was lived like a dog. He would rather have everyone fear him than let anyone bully him.

Even though everyone feared him, Zhi Qi was not afraid.

Unfortunate people spend their entire lives healing from childhood, and Zhi Qi wanted to heal Jiang Qi with her own efforts. She would make a promise to him on the rooftop of the school, where he brought her to the top: "Jiang Qi, take care. When I reach the legal age, I can marry you."

The boy's response was a faint smile, his gaze clear and clean like the stars in the sky, filled with rare yearning for the future.

Zhi Qi didn't know that a simple promise saved Jiang Qi's life, pulling him out of hell.

Unfortunately, 'redemption' has an expiration date. When the clock strikes twelve for Cinderella, he remains the sick dog with nothing.

A crazy boy, and all the sweet names in his obscure life are called 'Zhi Qi'. <<less

“My sister’s gonna confess to you in a bit, so, uh, could you just reject her?”... more>>

She seriously loathed her half-sister.

So, she went straight to the guy her sister had been crushing on for years and asked him directly.

Please, just brutally dump her own flesh and blood.

With flashy silver earrings, and a peek at her tattoos and scars, Hwa-ran totally looked like a troublemaker you wouldn’t want to mess with.

But then, Mok-gyeong actually lit up when he saw Hwa-ran.

“So, her sister can just do it instead.”

“Do… what?”

“The confession, obviously.”

Instead of giving the lame sister the boot, he basically told the pretty sister to be his girlfriend. <<less

Yandere? No no, this is just family love so there's nothing wrong with it, right? (Pressure)... more>>

Utsumida Kotoya's father was entering a common-law marriage. His partner was apparently a former colleague whom he had known for quite some time. While they were going to live together in a new home, his partner also had a daughter.

That daughter turned out to be Fujimori Ema, Kotoya's kouhai from middle school who had confessed to him at the graduation ceremony.

Though they became step-siblings, Ema's romantic feelings hadn't cooled down at all, if anything, they had grown even stronger...

This is a story about a step-sister who justifies her various actions under the pretext of "family love". <<less

In the martial world, disputes often lead to immediate violence, frequently harming innocent, unarmed civilians who either lose their wealth or their lives.... more>>

Lu Jianwei merely complained a few times when she was suddenly bound by a system and transported to ancient times, tasked with running an inn according to the system’s rules.

The foremost rule of the inn is—

No fighting within the inn.

Violators will either lose their wealth or their lives.

A mysterious inn suddenly appeared in the martial world, rumored to be a shady establishment dealing in mu*der and robbery.

No matter who enters the inn, they either leave penniless or lose their lives.

The bold and skilled “Know-It-All” of the martial world, eager for firsthand information, sneaked into the inn alone to trace the whereabouts of missing people, only to be horrified to discover—

Isn’t that diligent woodcutter the number one swordsman of the martial world?!

Isn’t that agile waiter the number one thief of the martial world?!

Isn’t that chef wielding a kitchen knife the number one beauty of the martial world?!

Isn’t that farmer hoeing the ground the top disciple of the Martial Alliance?!

And that…

Before he could flee, the inn’s beautiful and gentle landlady stood before him with a smile.

“The inn still needs an accountant. You’re it.”

Know-It-All: I’m just a seller of information, I can’t do accounting ahhhh!

Reading Guide:

① Not a serious martial arts story, focuses on management + face-slapping + drama;

② The female lead is the strongest throughout the story (pretending at first, truly strong later), the male lead appears later;

③ For fans of overpowered management stories, all settings in the story are fictional.

NOTE : Couldn't find source for 客栈内禁止斗殴 (玉流青). Found different book title written by different author with exact summary and same first chapter 我开的真不是黑店 (崔惊鹊). <<less

After an accident, Lin Qianyou is mysteriously possessed by the land god, and to her surprise, she ends up with a handsome police officer as her subordinate.... more>>

Being talkative, she constantly tries to start conversations with him, but the police officer is cold and indifferent, ignoring her flirtations.

One night, after drinking, Lin Qianyou mistakenly treats the police officer as a male model and playfully harasses him.

Regretful the next day, she goes to apologize, only to unexpectedly find herself caught up in a situation she never anticipated.

Naively thinking of him as a normal friend, she doesn't realize that he's actually a wolf in sheep's clothing!

The situation takes a sudden turn, and his advances become too strong, even showing up at her house late at night.

He cunningly seeks kisses, while she can’t resist.

Help, his desires are too overwhelming!

Under the bed, he's the cold and aloof police officer. On the bed, he's practically a rogue! <<less

Kelvin moved to Manila to pursue his study in Ardano University. During his college years, he will share a room with Noah Faustino, a rising basketball player.... more>>

Can they live together peacefully if Kelvin has a bad first impression to Noah? Or will they learn to co-exist together and accept their differences?

What is the story behind the doors of Unit 24-C? <<less

A noble serves the kingdom, they don't work for money. This was the absolute, unspoken rule of the aristocratic world. However, Jeanne de Toulouse, the eldest daughter of the venerable Toulouse count family, was different.... more>>

She'd worked as a tutor for young Master Mael, the son of His Majesty's mistress, for two years. One day, books by Enlightenment thinkers, known for disrupting the order of the monarchy, were discovered in the young master's study. And Jeanne was immediately accused of being the culprit.

"I've never even read that book! I'm hearing the title for the first time!"

Despite her claims of innocence, she was sentenced to exile. Her destination; the Duchy of Skadi, a land inhabited by barbarians, where the bitter wind blows.

Centuries ago, when barbarians from a frozen land across the sea invaded the capital city, the previous king granted this land as a fief, realizing their goal was simply to find habitable land. Now, the descendants of their chieftain held the title of Duke, recognized for their ancestors' contributions to protecting the kingdom.

"We've arrived at the Duchy."

After the arduous journey, Jeanne remembered nothing. All she recalled was the endless cycle of her whole body burning and freezing at the same time.

‘Even I've ended up like this…what if Mother falls ill from the shock?’

‘Wouldn’t it be better to just die here?’

At that moment, her spirit was as weak as her dying body.

After an unknown amount of time, a strange man's voice, different from the ones she'd been hearing, echoed from above her head.

"Did they plan to blame the barbarians again if she died here after being tortured just enough to survive exile?"

The voice was surprisingly resolute and powerful, enough to momentarily hold onto her consciousness, which wavered like a dying candle, briefly brightening and fading again.

"So, she's in this state simply from arriving here, without even being tortured? Even after the prince...lent his own steed? I'll take charge of her now."

With these words, laced with incomprehension, Jeanne’s body was suddenly lifted.

* * *

"Here, everyone works, regardless of age, gender, or social status. The land is vast and there’s a lot to do, but there aren’t many people. This applies to exiles who are occasionally sent from the capital as well."

The Duke of Skadi's words meant he was making good use of the labor of exiles, whether nobles or common criminals. But Jeanne was relieved.

"Then, when should I begin my work?"

“You’re quick to adapt to the situation. You said you were a tutor. What did you teach?"

"I taught foreign languages, humanities, logic, rhetoric, and arithmetic."

However, his suspicious gaze remained. He abruptly spoke in a foreign language. Jeanne had assumed the Duke was skilled in killing people, not humanities. But his knowledge was extensive, and his words revealed sharp logic and thought.

"Let's end this conversation here. I want you to become my child's tutor."

Typically, the lady of the house held the authority to hire nannies and tutors. As if reading her thoughts, the Duke of Skadi explained.

"I have no wife. The child you will teach is my adopted daughter and niece. She was originally my brother’s child, but he passed away, so I took on her upbringing. She turned thirteen this year. What do you think?"

Understanding the situation, Jeanne smiled brightly. There was something odd about the Duke's words, but at least she wouldn't die.

"Yes! I'll do it! I'll be the tutor!" <<less

Su Weisheng was the high priest of the Su family, known for his single passion: anything gold and shiny. Even the tomb and coffin he slept in were personally adorned with gemstones.... more>>

Centuries later, upon realizing that his treasures were disappearing, he was so enraged that he emerged from his coffin, brimming with killing intent. He confronted the clueless little thieves.

The two young men stared at him in horror. One of them, a youth who bore a three-point resemblance to him, dropped to his knees with a thud. “Ancestor, please spare my life!”

Su Weisheng: “…” Damn, it’s an unfilial descendant!

After his slumber, Su Weisheng discovered that the Su family had declined with each generation. Whenever they couldn’t make ends meet, they’d visit the ancestral hall, sell off candlesticks and fans, and praise him for his foresight and generosity in leaving such “legacy treasures” for his descendants.

This particular unfilial descendant was Su Ran, a controversial top star in the entertainment industry, known for his unruly, infamous reputation. After falling out with his agency and becoming penniless, he had come to the ancestral hall to “mooch” off the family legacy.

Looking at the pitch-dark, empty ancestral hall, the high priest clenched his fists. It was time to teach these unfilial descendants how to properly honor their ancestor.

—

«Another Side of Family Life» was an online family-themed reality show. The production team had poured a fortune into inviting several famous family pairings from the industry, including a veteran film emperor and his same-s*x partner, an investor father and son from a wealthy family, a star screenwriter and his pet cat, and the final pair…

Top star Su Ran and his great-grandfather.

Netizens: ???

Has the production team gone mad, or has the top star lost it?

Before the show aired, the audience reaction was full of disdain: Who wants to watch some wrinkled old man? A grandparent-grandchild pairing? The top star must be desperate for money!

But when the show aired, as viewers furiously mocked through the barrage of comments, the camera shifted from the top star to a strikingly handsome young man with an icy, elegant demeanor.

Su Ran (pausing briefly): Let me introduce to you—this is my great-grandfather.

The audience was dumbfounded.

#YouWon’tBelieveItButIMBackInShowbizToEarnMoney

ForMyAncestor’sTomb#

But that was only the tip of the iceberg. The bizarre reality show was also being live-streamed in the underworld. A group of bored ghosts waiting for reincarnation stared blankly at the broadcast. Was this a new event organized by the underworld?

After the show went live, Su Weisheng was shocked to discover he could not only see the comments from the living but also those from the underworld.

For example, when the “Versailles” film emperor proudly declared on camera how his parents’ decades-long love inspired him to believe in love, a comment floated by from the underworld:

—Great-grandfather, could you pass a message to my son? Tell him to relocate my grave—I want a divorce. I want to raise a young puppy in the underworld.

The Film Emperor later: I saw someone’s house collapse in the distance. When I got closer, I realized it was my ancestral grave.

When the star screenwriter shared how much effort he had put into researching history for one of his dramas, another underworld comment floated by:

—LOL, does he know the inspiration for the high priest in his script is literally sitting right there? And he made him a lovesick fool? I’m so embarrassed I could dig a three-bedroom apartment with my toes.

The screenwriter later: Stop it. Thanks, everyone, for toe-digging me a villa.

When a notorious black fan stirred up trouble online, spreading slander about Su Weisheng, that very night, the influencer’s long-deceased mother appeared in his dream and smacked him upside the head:

—Who the hell told you to badmouth my idol in the mortal realm? Don’t you know your mom was the high priest’s top fan?!

Black fan: !!! Oh my god!!! <<less

A reckless provocation leads to chaos when a gang leader’s people kidnap the wrong person, the heir to a powerful family. What should have been... more>> a simple job turns into a tangled web of tension and unexpected attraction. Bound by their initial physical arrangement, neither expects feelings to grow. Over time, however, the lines between desire and affection blur, forcing them both to confront emotions they never anticipated. <<less

During the summer when I was eighteen, I was saved by a delinquent.... more>>

He mistook me for a girl and confessed his feelings to me.

However, I could only tell him that I was also a man.

Enraged, he threw a beautifully made cake straight onto the ground.

Seven years later, when we met again, he wouldn't even look me in the eye. <<less

I possessed the physical healer in an R-rated dark reverse harem game known as the most hellish game of all time.... more>>

But the game completion conditions are…?

Achieve 100% affection from all male protagonists, using my body to do so?

The pure-crying Knight Commander, the Crown Prince with apparent mysophobia, the unhinged Guild Master who threatens to destroy what he cannot possess, and the Tower Master whose silence makes him even more terrifying – four deranged male leads in total.

‘Could this truly be reality?’

I wasn’t afforded the luxury of contemplating further.

[Event occurred! The first main quest “Heal ?? ????” has arrived.]

****

The Knight Commander, who once treated her like a beast, now appears at her bedroom door nightly.

Even the suspicious Crown Prince slips into her bedroom, demanding she settle her debt.

The openly deranged Guild Master, controller of the continent’s finances, speaks utter madness.

And the Tower Master, surely the game’s hidden villain concealing enormous secrets, joins their ranks….

“Ah, anh! W-wait. This contradicts our agreement…!”

“Then cry a little more.”

Who knows. My mind might change.

Upon hearing those words, Evelyn instinctively understood, along with the foreboding sense that she might never escape this game. <<less

Her ex-boyfriend, who she hadn't seen in three years, asked, "So, how am I looking as husband material?"... more>>

He was the kind of guy who just belonged in the top spot. The one even kids from seriously rich families knew to defer to. The apex predator who ruled over everyone, Cha Seonghyeok.

"You're way too good for me."

Young-in couldn't really say anything else to the guy she'd dumped. It was just the truth.

"So, wanna marry me?"

Okay, she could write that off as total BS.

"I never did anything to have a kid with another woman after we broke up, you know. You could call that staying faithful, right?"

This guy, who was so boldly claiming he'd been faithful for three years, definitely seemed crazy.

But, even though he was nuts, she found herself getting butterflies for him again. <<less

I got scammed out of the security deposit I worked so hard to save. ... more>>

The landlord and the real estate agent vanished, and the police don't care.

I'm a Beta, so it would be okay for me to be homeless, but Kwon Yuwon, my only friend from the orphanage, is an Omega and can't do that.

"I'll only do this until I save up for the deposit. At the very least, we need a place to sleep."

I've lived my life without shame, but suddenly, what's this talk about drug delivery?

To make things worse, at the club I visited for the first time, I ran into a terrifyingly handsome man—so terrifying because of his looks.

"This is really my first time! I won't come back again. I swear I won't. Please, just let me go."

"If you mess around in someone else's business one more time, I'll have a drum ready next time. If you don't want cement in your stomach, you’d better behave."

As I was threatened, and as I had resolved, I didn't even dare glance in that direction and simply came to deliver to the next district, but...

"It seems you need to learn how scary the world can be…” <<less

The first confession young Anasha received in her life was the worst.... more>>

The confessing party was her childhood friend, Karcian, who was often sick like a diseased chicken.

"I like you, Anasha!"

"Eek! No!"

After rejecting him so thoroughly, the shock must have been great, as she couldn't see him anymore after that...

But lo and behold, he returned as a full-grown male after six years.

And it was on Anasha's debutante day.

"Sasha?"

“Karr, hiccup! You... have grown a lot?”

As the low, serene voice, like the melody of percussion instruments, pierced her ears,

the abundant s*xual curiosity met with the influence of alcohol, leading to a reckless impulse.

"...Karc, ah, hng!"

The thrusts that pierced deep inside were as rough as an angry bull, yet the gentle lips tenderly explored her skin.

***

After that, whenever she recalled that night, a heat would gather in her intimate parts.

"Haa, ugh, ah! Ha... Karc, Karc...!"

Anasha remembered his member that filled her below while she probed her lower hole.

A situation where her mind rejected it, but her body responded ironically.

"Don't abandon me... Are you going to abandon me...?"

Meanwhile, Karcian kept circling around Anasha like a wet puppy.

Can Anasha escape the word 'friend' and accept Karcian as a 'lover'? <<less

Since childhood, Cheongmyeong, who has a history of being rejected after confessing to the older neighbor who has lived next door, ends up cohabiting with him due to college. However, this time, the atmosphere feels a bit different…... more>>

“Good job. Now spread your legs.” <<less

As the grandmaster of demonic cultivation, Wei Wuxian roamed the world, hated by millions for committing acts of necromancy. Overthrown by the powerful clans he had attempted to subjugate, Wei Wuxian is supposedly killed by his shidi in order to save the cultivation world. ... more>>

Restored to life in the body of Mo Xuanyu, the local cut-sleeve lunatic, in order to exact revenge on his abusive relatives, Wei Wuxian quickly finds himself spiralling back into his old life when he’s taken away by the cold-hearted, stern, and ultimately quite boring Lan Wangji – who might be harbouring warmer feelings than contempt. Perhaps of the…romantic kind?

But despite his new beginning, Wei Wuxian begins to unravel a decade and a half long mystery that is set to undo the very fabric of the cultivation world as they know it.

A mysterious, action-packed thriller of a ride, this is a journey you won’t want to miss! <<less

The holy Saintess Liliana welcomed her second husband. ... more>>

At the wedding, she had made an indecent wish to Goddess Aurora.

However, before the wedding night, Liliana, who had briefly fallen asleep, woke up wedged between the rooms of her two husbands.

​Soon after, her husbands entered their rooms…

・・・・・

My Goddess, my Mother.​

I deeply regretted having impure thoughts during the sacred wedding ceremony.

My first husband was far too proper, so I ended up throwing a little tantrum.

I prayed that I could have a good time with my second husband — that’s what I wished for.

Of course, I think saying I wanted the three of us together was a bit too much.

But my Mother, my Aurora—

That didn’t mean you had to pin me against the wall… <<less

The Duke’s daughter, Lelouche, received a revelation from God.... more>>

“You’ll die in 100 days.”

There were rumors that her fiancé, the crown prince, had found another woman and was about to annul their engagement.

…Moreover, it seemed that no matter what she did, Lelouche couldn’t escape her death. However, the circumstances and the method of her death could be changed.

After being told that, Lelouche offered a bet to God.

“If I can show you a beautiful death, I want you to reward me.”

“Alright. In your next life, I will grant your wishes.”

…Well, looks like I got my hands full—thought Lelouche.

She couldn’t leave that thieving cat as it was. She also had to do something about her withdrawn brother. She had to prepare something to support her parents.

She had a lot of things to do…!

In the end, she shall regret nothing…!

Thus, a life where she made a bet to a God had begun. <<less

At fifteen, her heart fluttered with a first crush. In college, it ached with her first love. Now, Han Ga-young’s heart aches for only one person—Yoon Taemin. For years, she’s harbored feelings for him, unable to even consider anyone else. Hiding such a deep love is a lonely struggle no one else can understand. She knows she must endure the pain, because if her feelings are revealed, everything between them could shatter.... more>>

***

Her lips, which had been trembling, finally parted in a quiet whisper.

“I… I just want us to be able to see each other for a long, long time.”

“For a long, long time?”

“Yeah. But for that to happen… we need to…”

“Not that! Tell me how you really feel. What’s really the problem?”

“I’m scared.”

Taemin’s mouth fell open at Gayoung’s unexpected words.

“What?”

“I’m afraid I’ll end up like your other women. That I’ll just stay by your side for a while and then get left behind.”

So that was it? Only then did Taemin finally understand why Gayoung had acted the way she did. That was it.

“Han Gayoung.”

“I could end up like that, couldn’t I? I mean, I’m the one you’re with now, so it’s not like we’d break up because of someone else. But if I ever asked to break up, you wouldn’t even look back. And then… we’d never see each other again, right?”

Terror washed over Gayoung’s face. The thought that she could lose Taemin, whom she’d kept in her heart for fifteen years, in an instant like that was even more frightening than the idea of him loving someone else.

“Do you still not understand?”

“I really don’t know. Just having these thoughts is exhausting. If we just stayed friends…”

“Do you really think we could stay friends forever? You want to kill your feelings and just stay by my side for a long time like that? Watching me meet other women, watching you meet other men, and just slowly drifting apart?”

Her hands, clenched tightly in her lap, were turning white. Taemin took her hands, pressed his lips to her fingertips, and held them to his chest.

“Can you feel it?”

Gayoung could feel Taemin’s heart pounding fiercely against her palm.

“My heart races like crazy every time I see you. I only realized recently why I could walk away from other women so easily. Why I couldn’t even stand to hear your name, why I insisted on coming to Seollem and acting that way in front of you. I’m sorry I realized it so late. So let’s try. How will we ever know if we don’t even try?”

“Taemin.”

“If we regret it later, at least we won’t have any lingering what-ifs, right?”

Gayoung squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly opened them and answered.

“Okay.”

Yeah. Even if we end up regretting it, just this once... just this one time, I’ll close my eyes and take the leap.

Taemin squeezed Gayoung’s hand tightly.

The thrill of being with her. The thrill of being with you. <<less