Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

Lately, it felt like time was slipping by incredibly fast.

Preparation for the September mock exams, the September mock exams themselves, early college admissions applications, and studying for the College Scholastic Ability Test.

As soon as one was over, another came crashing in.

In the midst of this relentless cycle, before we knew it, it was already mid-October.

The CSAT was now just about a month away.

Honestly, I was feeling a bit drained, but just one glance at Han-gyeol beside me was enough to make me pick up my pen again.

Just a little longer, and we would be twenty and together.

Once the CSAT is over, we’ll have fun to our heart’s content, as if the world belongs to me and Han-gyeol.

For that day, now is the time to grit our teeth and endure.

“Han-gyeol...!”

“Yeah? Lately, your gaze seems particularly fierce, Eun-ha.”

“When we turn twenty, I’ll make you happy!”

“I’ll make you happy too~”

“No, I’ll make Han-gyeol happy! Because your happiness is my happiness!”

“Alright~ I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah! Look forward to it!”

Fuelled by Han-gyeol’s expectations, I studied hard.

Han-gyeol, too, was silently solving problems beside me, pen in hand.

‘Just you wait and see.’

Because when we turn twenty, I’ll devour everything.

I’ll devour Han-gyeol, and Han-gyeol, and Han-gyeol.

Han-gyeol always calls me a beast, so he’ll understand.

Honestly, I’m not really interested in anything else but Han-gyeol.

Ah, I can’t wait to go on a trip with Han-gyeol.

To eat delicious food, see beautiful sights, and just be together...

I’ve decided to stop my imagination here.

As I returned to the workbook, something fell from my nose with a plop.

The moment a red droplet hit the textbook, Han-gyeol looked over at me.

“Eun-ha, you have a nosebleed!”

“Huh?”

And I wasn’t even having any dirty thoughts!

As I attempted to tilt my head back, Han-gyeol stopped me.

“Let it bleed. I’ll grab you some tissue!”

“Ah...! Okay..!”

Han-gyeol hurriedly brought over some tissue and held it to my nose.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately...!”

“It’s fine. Nosebleeds can happen when you’re studying, right~”

“Let’s call it a day and rest. And take it easy tomorrow too.”

“Huh? But I still have more to do today...!”

“No, you need to rest today.”

Han-gyeol was firm.

“Come here, let’s take care of that nosebleed first.”

“No, it’s okay! I’ll handle it in the bathroom.”

I stood up and headed straight for the bathroom.

I couldn’t just sit in front of my boyfriend with tissue stuffed up my nose.

In the bathroom, I cleaned up the blood and stuffed my nose with tissue until the bleeding stopped.

Luckily, the nosebleed stopped quickly, and I emerged from the bathroom.

“Did it stop?”

“Yeah!”

“Let’s just relax for the rest of the day.”

“Then, can I lie on Han-gyeol’s lap?”

“You never miss an opportunity, do you? Come here.”

I scurried over and laid down on Han-gyeol’s lap.

“Ah~ this is comfy.”

“Go to bed early today, okay? And sleep in tomorrow.”

“Got it. Sorry for worrying you~”

“Yeah. With the CSAT a month away, you need to take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well.”

“Don’t worry~ I need to stay healthy to have fun with Han-gyeol after the CSAT.”

“What’s the first thing you want to do after the CSAT?”

“We’re like walking discount coupons, right? We can do anything.”

I said with a smirk, and Han-gyeol laughed.

“Walking discount coupons, what’s that? That’s funny.”

“What do you want to do with me after the CSAT, Han-gyeol?”

“Hmm~ There’s so much I want to do? I just want to dress up nicely and go on a date.”

“Sounds good. I want to see you in a coat.”

“A coat? I don’t think I’d look good in one.”

“Being modest, as usual~ You look good in anything.”

“You’re making me blush.”

“Hehe. Cute.”

I reached up and gently cupped Han-gyeol’s cheek in my hand.

“Will you tell me I’m cool?”

“How can I when you’re this cute?”

“I’d rather hear that I’m cool than cute~”

“It’s cute that you say that.”

I grinned, and Han-gyeol laughed in response.

“Is it just me?”

“Do I seem that cute to Han-gyeol?”

“Yes. So cute I want to carry you in my pocket.”

“That’s a bit much~ But after the CSAT, I really will be by your side every single day.”

“You’re not planning to sneak over at night, are you?”

“Maybe I should kidnap Han-gyeol!”

“You couldn’t lift me if you tried.”

“With the power of love, anything is possible~ Or would you prefer to kidnap me? I’ll give you my house’s passcode and the perfect timing.”

“That wouldn’t be kidnapping then, would it?”

“Is that so?”

“When will you tell me?”

“I’ll call you when the time is right~”

Even during this incredibly tense period, having Han-gyeol by my side meant I hardly felt it.

I believe that no matter what happens in life, as long as Han-gyeol is with me, there won’t be much to worry about.

Together, we drew strength from each other, making it through to the day of the CSAT.

***

“Don’t be nervous. I’ll give you something good.”

“If you flip me off, I’ll chop you off in an instant.”

“I’ll give it to you after the CSAT, so just go and come back relaxed. You got your admission ticket, ID, watch? Everything’s packed?”

“Yeah. I just checked everything in my bag a little while ago.”

“Alright. Take care.”

My brother was unusually kind today.

It was so out of the ordinary that I had to ask my mom about his behavior.

“Mom, what’s up with brother? Did he eat something strange this morning?”

“You... If your brother is trying to encourage you, just say thank you.”

“Really? Thanks. But I’m not nervous. I’ll be back.”

“Tell Han-gyeol to do well too.”

“Yeah. We’re meeting up after the CSAT. Don’t worry~ I’m off now?”

“Go on, then.”

I descended to the underground parking lot and got into Mom’s car.

“Are you really not nervous?”

“Nope. Just thinking about Han-gyeol makes me not nervous at all.”

“Is Han-gyeol some kind of talisman?”

“To me, Han-gyeol himself is a talisman. Ah, I can’t wait to see him after the CSAT is over.”

“Really? Here’s my card, go out and have dinner together afterwards. Got it?”

“Can I eat something expensive?”

“Of course~”

“Thanks.”

I wanted to call Han-gyeol but held back. I wanted our next call to be filled with laughter after finishing the CSAT.

“I’m off then.”

Upon arriving at the exam site, I greeted my mom.

“Sweetheart, take care. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay. I’ll be back~”

I entered the examination hall with confidence.

I walked into the unfamiliar classroom and took my seat.

I laid out a few alphabet chocolates on my desk and quietly closed my eyes.

It was a brief yet long journey.

Reflecting on the past year, it feels like Han-gyeol was always by my side. And when I think about the time we’ll spend together in the future, this seems like just a fleeting moment.

As the exam began, I gathered all my focus and dove into the test.

The Korean language section, which I felt confident in, went smoothly, and the challenging math section, where I had received a lot of help from Han-gyeol, also passed quickly.

The atmosphere was much heavier than any mock exam, but thinking of Han-gyeol, I persevered steadfastly.

After completing both the Korean and math sections, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew...! Thank goodness.”

I think I did well on both the Korean and math exams.

I felt I could proudly share my scores with Hyun-joo Unnie and Han-gyeol.

I ate the lunch Mom packed for me and sat quietly at my desk, thinking of Han-gyeol.

I wonder how Han-gyeol did in his Korean section? He found it quite challenging. But I’m not worried about the math. Han-gyeol has always been good at math.

As each exam came to an end, the moments I would spend with Han-gyeol became increasingly vivid in my mind.

In just a few hours, we would no longer be students preparing for entrance exams but prospective college students.

A sense of anticipation filled my heart.

Soon after, the English exam began. When memorizing English words, Han-gyeol and I would call out words to each other and recite their meanings.

Each time a word we had studied together appeared on the exam, a smile naturally crept onto my lips.

No, this isn’t the time to smile.

I calmly and swiftly identified the correct answers.

Holding onto my slightly waning concentration, I completed all the elective subjects, including Korean history. Although I hadn’t scored them yet, I felt incredibly positive.

It was done.

I had succeeded.

I felt a rush of reward for the past year’s efforts.

After the CSAT was over, I slowly walked out of the examination room.

Exiting the building amidst a sea of examinees, I quickened my pace towards the main gate.

Parents were waiting for their children, and I looked for my mom as I reached the gate.

“Eun-ha-!”

I turned towards where I heard my mom’s voice.

“Mom-! Give me my phone! I want to call Han-gyeol!”

I dashed over and grabbed my phone from my mom.

“How did the exam go?”

“Great! I can go to the same college as Han-gyeol!”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Here’s your phone! Let’s head to the car first.”

I hurriedly turned on my phone and climbed into my mom’s car.

As soon as it powered on, I called Han-gyeol, but his phone was still off.

“Come on...! Pick up...! Pick up...!”

Holding onto my phone and on our way home, my mom said,

“Isn’t that Han-gyeol over there?”

“Where? Where?”

I quickly looked around, scanning the surroundings.

“Isn’t that Han-gyeol, the one walking over there on the right?”

As I looked to the side, there was Han-gyeol indeed, walking while holding his phone.

“Mom-! Pull over to the side!”

“We can’t stop here~ We have to go further ahead to pull over.”

I hurriedly rolled down the window and shouted out loud towards Han-gyeol.

“Han-gyeol-!!”

Han-gyeol stopped in his tracks and looked at me, his eyes widening.

“Eun-ha-?!”

“Han-gyeol-! I think I can go to the same college as you!!”

“How can you know that without scoring your exam?!”

“I just have a feeling!! Let’s go to college and become campus couples~!”

“But where are you going?! Can’t you stop?!”

“We have to pull over ahead~! Hurry over-!”

Han-gyeol quickened his pace and soon ran to the intersection.

“Sweetie~ I know you’re happy, but close the window. Mom’s cold.”

“Mom-! Han-gyeol must have done well on his exam too! I can be with Han-gyeol... with Han-gyeol..!”

Suddenly, tears started pouring out.

Now I can really meet Han-gyeol without any worries.

“We can go to the same college...!”

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes-! I’m so happy...! Really... really so happy!”

“Alright~ Hurry to your beloved Han-gyeol.”

As soon as Mom stopped the car at the intersection, I opened the door. I ran swiftly towards Han-gyeol, who was running towards me.

“Han-gyeol-!”

I immediately threw myself into Han-gyeol’s arms.

“You did well, didn’t you~?”

“Yeah! I did well! Thanks to Han-gyeol!”

“How is it thanks to me~? It’s all because of Eun-ha’s hard work.”

“No~ It’s all thanks to Han-gyeol.”

Han-gyeol gently wiped away my tears.

“But you haven’t even scored it yet?”

“There’s something called a feeling~ What about Han-gyeol? Did you do well?”

“I think I did well. You’ve worked hard too-umph!”

Unable to hold back, I pressed my lips against Han-gyeol’s in a kiss. After the brief kiss, Han-gyeol said to me,

“Isn’t, isn’t your mom behind us?”

“She’ll pretend not to see. Do it for me too, Han-gyeol.”

“I’m sure she’s watching, even so...”

“Hurry~! Do it.”

As I jumped up and down in excitement, Han-gyeol reluctantly tilted his head.

The sight of Han-gyeol gently pressing his lips against mine was incredibly endearing.

“Eun-ha, let’s have fun every day now.”

“I’ve already made a list! We’re going to be super busy starting tomorrow!”

“Alright, alright. Let’s do everything on the list.”

“Yes! You’ve done well holding on!”

“You too, Eun-ha~”

As Han-gyeol and I were embracing, my mom’s stern voice cut through.

“Kids! You can’t do that in the street!”

“Looks like she was watching after all...”

I was so grateful to Han-gyeol for being with me through the long journey of our student life.

“Han-gyeol!”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Thank you for coming to me~ I’m so grateful. Don’t go anywhere, stay by my side! I’ll make you happy!”

“I’ll make you the happiest person in the world, Eun-ha.”

“You already are! I’m so happy right now! The happiest in the world!”

And just like that, our life as students preparing for exams came to a complete end.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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