♡˗ˏ✎*ೃ˚ :Chapter thirteen: :;

"Im scared to love you"

Upon entering her room, Binna placed her personal items on the table, quickly discovering the extended sheet of paper emerging from her Fax machine. With a knitted brow and a feeling of confusion, she approached it and realized that the document was so long that it had coiled onto the floor.

"Could I see you for a second? You should choose when and where"

"Why won't you respond?"

"Are you not home yet?"

"Did your fax machine break, by chance?"

Binna grasped the extensive document, captivated by the scripted words in jet-black ink. In that moment, her heart performed an acrobatic feat, inducing a knot to swiftly constrict her throat. What prompted such profound concern for her? What fueled this fervent longing to lay eyes upon her?

"Are you sick?"

"Did something happen?"

"I'll be in front of your house in 30 minutes. I could see you briefly. Right? I'll wait until you come out"

She suppressed her emotion and approached the window, gracefully drawing aside the exquisite purple curtains. Yi-chan could be seen stationed outside her residence, gazing inward. Evidently, he had endured the frigid temperatures for a considerable duration. Binna exhaled wearily, collected her belongings, and ventured beyond the confines of her dwelling. Her hands quivered as she shuttered the gate, while the sight of Yi-chan's countenance radiant with a broad smile evoked a sense of insignificance and melancholy within her.

"Hi" Yi-chan greeted with a smile, raising his hand. Binna's eyes briefly landed on the necklace he wore around his neck, causing her to swallow hard "Where are you going? Why didn't you come to the show today? I was waiting for you" Yi-chan inquired, signaling with his hands. However, his smile vanished when Binna failed to respond as he anticipated

"Im deaf" Binna employed sign language to communicate, her countenance lacking any trace of emotion, although her larynx was constricted by that repugnant lump

"I know" Yi-chan promptly replied, his gaze fixated on the gestures being made by Binna

Binna pointed again, pressing her jaw, exclaiming "I can't hear"

"Yes. I know" Yi-chan nodded, perplexed by her intentions in bringing all of this up

"Why did you invite me, then?" Binna pointed out, feeling a growing frustration with each passing second. She experienced an intense desire to vocalize her frustration towards him and firmly demand that he respect her need for solitude. The awareness that he was probably with Se-kyung at that moment inflicted immense emotional distress upon her, rendering it exceedingly difficult for her to encounter him without being consumed by a deep sense of sorrow

"Invite? Why did I invite you? Of course, it's because—"

"To mock me? To humiliate me? Because you pity me?" Binna interrupted, her hands swiftly moving, denying him any chance of comprehending her words "You wanted to display your disabled friend to look nice? You wanted to brag about how much fun you were having when I couldn't hear?"

"Hold on. You're going too fast" Yi-chan glanced at her with confusion, but was taken aback by the swiftness of Binna's hand movements "Hold on" he produced a small sign language book from his pants pocket, causing Binna to close her eyes in frustration. Afterwards, he returned it to its place after flipping through its pages several times "You don't enjoy music with just your ears. Music makes you feel with your eyes, mind, and heart" he emphasized gradually.

Binna's countenance momentarily softened, as she had never received such words, intensifying her remorse for her impending actions. Yi-chan exhibited no inclination to release her, and if he persisted, she would be the catalyst in severing their bond, with the aim of alleviating their shared agony.

"Stop acting cool. It makes me sick" Binna pointed out, glancing at her wristwatch "You're done, right?" she inquired, attempting to walk away, but Yi-chan grasped her arm before she could depart

"Why have you been helping our band... I mean..." Yi-chan released her arm, feeling his heart wrenching into two without understanding the motive behind those harsh words "Why have you been helping me? Why did you suggest we become friends? Why... did you say... you liked me?"

Binna said with a trembling voice "The festival is over. Don't come to see me again" She had intentionally chosen not to speak earlier, fearing that she would break down in tears before him "You and I live in different worlds, anyway" she added, bypassing him without turning back to see him again

Nevertheless, upon reaching a significant distance from him, she found herself incapable of mustering the courage to return and express remorse. She clamped down on her lower lip, granting permission for the tears to cascade down her cheeks anew. The profound anguish within her heart was so excruciatingly intense that it consumed her every thought, leaving no room for anything other than the severe and regrettable phrases she had uttered towards Yi-chan.

- -

Binna declined Eun-gyeol's proposition with a discouraged gesture. He had extended an invitation for her to join the band members on a camping trip, yet she found herself unable to partake due to the presence of Yi-chan. Despite Eun-gyeol's reassurance that Se-kyung had not made her choice, granting her a modicum of peace of mind, Binna could not muster the courage to face Yi-chan again, having previously humiliated and maltreated him on a personal level.

"Why? Come with us" Eun-gyeol insisted with pleading eyes, as if hoping to sway her decision "Is it because of Yi-chan, by chance?"

"It's not like that. I'm busy preparing for the exhibition" Binna rebutted, shaking her head and pursing her lips into a straight line. Nonetheless, she was cognizant of Yi-chan being the cause for her preoccupation

"I told you. Se-kyung didn't choose anyone at the festival" Eun-gyeol gestured with his hands, leaning forward on the table "This is your chance. That's why you should come..."

"I know you've been trying hard to set me up with Yi-chan" Binna gently interrupted, fidgeting with her hands beneath the table "But I'll manage myself from now on"

"Don't be like that and go camping with us. I'll help you" Eun-gyeol continued to persist. However, his persistence only served to further frustrate Binna

"It's my life. Not yours" Binna interjected once again, asserting her determination and resolve "I can do it myself. Don't you trust me?" Eun-gyeol responded candidly by shaking his head "Let's study sign language now" Binna proceeded to open the book before her, without further ado or contemplation on the matter.

"But eomma..." Eun-gyeol whined like a little child, causing Binna to furrow her brow in response.

"Cease addressing me in such a manner; we are of the same age, and I am not older than you," Binna crossed her arms tightly. "Furthermore, even if I were older, you would not possess the authority to refer to me as 'mom'."

"I apologize, eomma," Eun-gyeol swiftly covered his mouth before looking at Binna with wide eyes. "I am sorry-" However, a book unexpectedly collided with his face

Author's note;

I love the relationship between Binna and Eun-gyeol, as they seem more like siblings rather than mother and son 🤣I apologize for my recent inactivity here, but I have several draft chapters that I will be updating more frequently. Until then, take care! 💕