Hara stirred awake, finding the house enveloped in silence, indicating that Yuto might have already left for work as usual. With her hair in disarray and a sleepy yawn, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast. She decided to start her day with a warm cup of coffee and the delicious aroma filled the air as the coffee machine hummed softly.
As Hara let out a sigh, she couldn't help but predict that she might end up feeling bored again after cleaning up the entire house. With Yuto busy at work, she anticipated having some free time on her hands.
As Hara sipped her coffee, she suddenly became startled by the appearance of a figure in front of her, almost dropping her cup in the process.
It was Yuto, with his messy hair and half-opened eyes, looking like he had just woken up. Observing her surprise, he softly asked, "I surprised you again, didn't I?" He then yawned and rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep.
"Yes, you did," she replied before taking another sip of coffee, "You're becoming quite good at it."
Yuto stretched his arms once more, but this time, another yawn led him to the sofa, where he settled for another quick nap.
"You're not going to work?" Hara inquired, slightly amused.
"Hmm," Yuto mumbled drowsily, before a soft snore escaped him, indicating that he had already drifted off to sleep once more.
Hara couldn't help but chuckle softly at Yuto's adorable behavior. She covered him with a blanket, making sure he was comfortable, and then continued to enjoy her coffee.
As Yuto noticed Hara's lack of appetite and boredom during lunch, he became concerned for her. He gently asked, "You're not hungry?"
Hara replied casually, still playing around with her food, "No, not really."
Yuto nodded, understanding her feelings. He knew that staying at home all day might not be the most exciting thing for her. After a moment of thought, he came up with an idea. "Let's take a walk around the local park later," he suggested.
"Really?" Hara's face lit up with excitement at the prospect of getting out and exploring. The boredom that had plagued her earlier seemed to dissipate in an instant.
"Yes, really," he confirmed. "I thought it would be a nice way to spend some time and enjoy the outdoors."
Hara's eyes sparkled with gratitude, and she reached across the table to hold Yuto's hand. "Thank you," she said warmly, "I really needed a change of scenery."
Yuto, with his mouth full of food, suddenly coughed as Hara grasped his hand. He quickly put down his utensils and reached for a glass of water to soothe his throat.
"Are you okay?" Hara asked, concern evident in her eyes.
Yuto nodded, taking a sip of water to clear his throat. "I'm fine," he reassured her. "You just caught me by surprise, that's all."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Hara quickly apologized as she became aware of her tight grip on his hand.
Yuto glanced at Hara, noticing her embarrassment after she withdrew her hand from his grasp. He sensed that the moment had affected her too.
"No, it's fine," he reassured her gently. He continued to eat his food, hoping to convey a sense of ease to her.
As they finished their lunch, Hara's appetite seemed to improve slightly, knowing that an exciting outing awaited her. The rest of the afternoon passed with a sense of anticipation, and when the time came, they set off for the local park.
The local park was bustling with people of all ages. Laughter and chatter filled the air as many university students gathered on the grass, enjoying their time together. Families were also relishing the pleasant day, making cherished memories.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, Hara couldn't help but smile, feeling the positive energy that surrounded her. The park was a place where people came together to unwind, share joy, and create beautiful moments. It was a reminder of the simple pleasures in life and the beauty of human connections.
Hara's eyes lit up with excitement as she spotted an ice cream vendor in the park. Turning to Yuto with a beaming smile, she said, "Yuto, let's buy some ice cream!"
Yuto chuckled at her enthusiasm and nodded in agreement. "Sure, sounds like a great idea," he replied.
They made their way to the ice cream vendor, where a colorful array of delicious frozen treats awaited them. Hara couldn't decide which flavor to choose, as they all looked tempting. Yuto suggested they get different flavors so they could try each other's choices, and Hara happily agreed.
As the sun set, casting a warm and golden glow over the park, Hara and Yuto walked beside each other, enjoying the serene beauty of the evening.
"Yuto!—"
Suddenly, a distant voice called out Yuto's name, catching their attention. Turning to look, they were surprised to see a very familiar figure approaching them.
It was Ji-Eun, waving with a bright smile on her face, accompanied by Shen Lu. Yuto's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected encounter, but he tried to remain composed.
"Yuto! Hara!" Ji-Eun called out again as they drew closer. "It's so good to see you both!"
Hara smiled warmly and greeted them. Yuto, though a little taken aback, greeted them politely as well. Shen Lu exchanged pleasantries with Hara, and the four of them engaged in friendly conversation.
After their conversation with Ji-Eun, Hara observed Yuto walking in front of her, and she couldn't help but notice a hint of sadness in his expression. Despite his attempt to hide his emotions, Hara's intuition told her that he might still have lingering feelings for Ji-Eun. She let out a soft smile, silently acknowledging his emotions, and decided to take the initiative.
As Yuto was lost in his thoughts, Hara ran ahead to get in front of him, calling his name to get his attention.
"Yuto—," Hara called out as she walked backward in front of him.
Startled by her sudden appearance, Yuto's heart skipped a beat. His mind was filled with the conversation that he had with Mr. Chen about her younger brother, and now Hara's unexpected actions left him a little flustered.
"Go find a place to sit," Hara said with a soft smile, taking charge of the situation. "I'm going somewhere for a little bit, wait for me!"
"W-wait—"
Before Yuto could respond, she bolted away, leaving him alone and slightly bewildered. He tried to catch up to her, calling out her name, but it seemed like Hara was incredibly fast.
Confused yet intrigued, Yuto found a spot to sit and waited for Hara, wondering what she had in mind.
As Yuto sat lost in thought again, he was startled by a sudden, cold touch on his neck. Looking up, he saw Hara standing before him, holding two bottles of strawberry milk in her hands. Her sweet and caring gesture caught him off guard.
"Cheer up," Hara said gently, offering him one of the bottles. Even though Yuto often drank tea in his free time, it wasn't actually his favorite drink. According to what Hara recalled from the novel, his true favorite was strawberry milk. However, he felt that drinking it might make him appear more childish in front of Ji-Eun, so he rarely allowed himself to indulge in that preference.
Yuto gratefully accepted the strawberry milk, feeling touched but slightly taken aback by her sudden gesture.
"Thank you" Yuto briefly said.
"You're welcome" Hara replied, smiling warmly at him.
He took a sip, relishing the familiar and comforting taste of the drink. It had been a while since he had allowed himself to indulge in this small pleasure.
As he drank the strawberry milk, Yuto realized how much he had missed it.
Hara smiled as she saw him enjoy the strawberry milk. She knew how much he liked it, and it made her happy to see him relaxing and embracing his true self.
As Hara admired the scenery before her, sipping her drink, Yuto couldn't help but steal glances at her side profile. His gaze was not cold but filled with affection, watching her with a sweet expression.
Unbeknownst to them, a discreet person had captured the moment in a candid photograph.
As they were preparing to leave, they were approached by a man.
"Hello—" the guy said.
Yuto and Hara exchanged wary glances, unsure about the sudden encounter.
"Don't worry, I'm actually a street photographer. I took pictures of people sometimes" the photographer assured them.
"Oh and this—"
With a bow, he handed Yuto a business card and showed them a picture he had taken earlier.
Looking at the photograph, Yuto's face turned a deep shade of red. He appeared to be looking at Hara with a gaze of affection and adoration, while she was captured smiling and enjoying her drink.
"You guys look like a very lovely couple" the photographer smiled.
"Ah! Thank you very much," Yuto said politely, accepting the picture from the photographer.
Hara looked at him curiously, her eyebrows slightly crumpled. "What's that? I want to see it," she said, eager to take a look at the photograph that had caused Yuto to blush.
Yuto hesitated for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed about the picture.
"It was nothing," Yuto reiterated.
Hara playfully persisted, trying to take the picture from his hand. "Come on, let me see," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
The photographer, amused by their interaction, bid them farewell. "I'm leaving now. You guys are amazing," he said with a smile.
Yuto continued to avoid Hara's attempts to take the picture, but she was determined to see it. Despite Hara's persistent efforts, Yuto managed to protect the photograph throughout their time at the park. He held onto it with a determination, not ready to reveal the candid moment.
As they made their way back to the car, Hara continued to pout, still eager to see the picture that had caused Yuto's cheeks to turn red. She playfully teased him, trying to convince him to share the photograph with her.
Yuto chuckled, enjoying her playful antics. "You'll see it eventually, I promise," he said.
Hara huffed in mock annoyance, but deep down, she knew some of his personality. When something or someone embarrassed him, he had a tendency to keep it to himself.
As they settled into the car, Hara's pout slowly turned into a yawn, and then she drifted off to sleep. The day's excitement and fresh air had taken a toll on her, and she found herself dozing off in the comfort of the car.
Yuto glanced at her sleeping peacefully. He adjusted the car seat, making sure she was comfortable, and then focused on the road ahead, driving them back home.
As they arrived home, the darkness of the night greeted them. Yuto gently shook Hara, who was sleeping peacefully, to wake her up.
In a daze, Hara opened her eyes and looked around, "We're already home?"
Yuto nodded briefly, confirming their arrival.
Feeling a throbbing pain in her head and an unusual sense of fatigue, Hara leaned back on the car seat and let out a groan. She couldn't understand why she had been feeling so tired lately. It was unusual for her, as she used to have boundless energy and often stayed up late at night.
Yuto noticed her discomfort and became concerned. He guided her out of the car and gently supported her as they walked into their house. Once inside, he made sure Hara was comfortable on the couch, fetching a glass of water to offer her.
"Here, drink some water," Yuto suggested, his gaze fixed on her.
Hara took the glass gratefully, sipping the water slowly. While it offered a little relief, the fatigue persisted.
"I don't know why I've been feeling like this lately," Hara admitted with a sigh. "I've never felt so tired before."
Yuto tried to comfort her. "Maybe you've been pushing yourself too much lately. The wedding, the amusement park, and all our activities might have taken a toll on your energy."
Hara considered his words, realizing that she had been preoccupied with various events and responsibilities.
"I guess you're right," she said, leaning into the soft sofa. "I should rest more."
Yuto only nodded to her.
Hara's eyes shot open, and she found herself in a dark, unfamiliar place. As she cautiously walked, the surroundings seemed endless, creating an eerie feeling in her gut. A sudden presence behind her sent shivers down her spine.
To her astonishment, she faced another person, one with her own face—the original host of this body, the villainess from the book. This 'Hara' smirked mockingly at her, sending a chill down her spine.
"Are you enjoying yourself in my body?" the doppelganger taunted.
Hara felt her heart tighten with fear and confusion. This bizarre encounter with her own reflection was unsettling, and she couldn't comprehend the strange situation.
In a panic, Hara jolted awake, finding herself back in her bed. The room was dimly lit, and she was covered in sweat, her chest heaving with anxiety.
"It was just a dream," Hara reassured herself, feeling relieved that the haunting encounter had only been a product of her imagination.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, she tried to shake off the lingering unease from the vivid dream. Her heart gradually returned to its normal rhythm as she grounded herself in the reality of her bedroom.
As she settled back into her bed, Hara hoped that the unsettling dream would soon fade from her thoughts. She closed her eyes, willing herself to find peaceful sleep once more.
Hara's hopes of finding peaceful slumber were thwarted as her head continued to throb in pain. She clutched her temples, trying to ease the discomfort, but it only seemed to intensify.
The pain was relentless, making it difficult for her to relax and fall back asleep. Worried that something might be wrong, she sat up in bed, her mind racing with thoughts about the strange dream and her persistent headache.
"Maybe I should get some water," Hara whispered to herself, hoping that it might help alleviate the pain. She cautiously got out of bed, making her way to the kitchen.
In the dim light of the kitchen, she filled a glass with water and took a few sips, hoping it would soothe her throbbing head. However, the pain persisted, and she couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that lingered from the dream.
As she sat in the quiet darkness of the kitchen, Hara tried to calm her racing thoughts. She reminded herself that dreams were merely figments of her imagination and that the pain in her head might be due to stress or fatigue.
After a while, she decided to return to bed, hoping that rest might eventually ease her headache. As she lay back down, she tried to focus on her breathing, attempting to relax her tense muscles.
Despite her efforts, sleep remained elusive, and Hara found herself tossing and turning in bed. The pain in her head seemed to be relentless, and she couldn't find a comfortable position to rest.
As the night wore on, Hara became increasingly frustrated and exhausted. She longed for relief from both the headache and the unsettling dream that still haunted her thoughts.
When Hara finally fell into a peaceful sleep, the pain in her head gradually subsided, allowing her to rest deeply. However, as she woke up, she was startled to see that it was already past ten in the morning.
"Oh no, I overslept," Hara exclaimed with a mix of surprise and regret. She quickly got out of bed, feeling a bit disoriented from her extended rest.