The Kiss I Never Should Have Asked For - Chapter 13 – Walking Home Together

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After that afternoon...

I couldn't stop thinking about what Korn's friends had said.

"The senior you always talk about?"

"You like him, don't you?"

The words stayed in my mind longer than I expected.

Not because they surprised me.

I already knew Korn had feelings for me.

He had confessed them himself.

What surprised me...

Was that his friends knew too.

Had he really talked about me that much?

I shook my head.

"There you go again, overthinking."

I whispered to myself.

The following week was filled with exams.

The entire school seemed quieter than usual.

Even Narin, who normally joked through every lesson, spent more time studying.

"This exam is going to kill me."

He dropped his head onto his desk dramatically.

I laughed.

"You've been saying that for three days."

"Because it's true."

"No..."

"It's because you never study until the last minute."

He looked at me with a grin.

"That's why I have you."

Before I could answer, he reached over and stole my notebook.

"I'll borrow this."

"You're impossible."

"I know."

We both laughed.

Watching him smile still made me happy.

Even after everything with Korn...

Nothing had changed between Narin and me.

At least...

Not yet.

That afternoon, after the final exam ended, students poured out of their classrooms.

Everyone looked relieved.

Some were already making plans for the weekend.

Others couldn't stop talking about the questions they had answered incorrectly.

I packed my bag and headed toward the junior building.

Korn was waiting near the staircase.

"You finished?"

He nodded.

"How was your exam?"

"I think it went well."

"You?"

"I survived."

He laughed.

"That's a good answer."

I handed him his notebook.

He gave me mine.

For a few seconds, neither of us moved.

Then Korn asked quietly,

"P'Phawin..."

"Are you going straight home?"

"I think so."

He hesitated.

"My house is on the way."

"...Would you mind walking with me for a while?"

It was such a simple request.

There was nothing strange about it.

So I smiled.

"Sure."

We left the school together.

The streets were crowded with students in white uniforms.

Small food stalls lined the sidewalks.

The smell of grilled chicken and sweet pancakes filled the air.

For a while, we simply walked.

It reminded me of the first time Narin and I had started walking home together.

Back then...

Silence had felt awkward.

With Korn...

It didn't.

He never seemed bothered by quiet moments.

In fact...

He almost seemed to enjoy them.

After a few minutes, he spoke.

"Thank you."

I looked at him.

"For what?"

"For not avoiding me."

I sighed softly.

"Korn..."

"I already told you."

"You didn't do anything wrong."

He smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

"But if I were you..."

"I don't think I'd be this kind."

I stopped walking.

"Korn."

He turned toward me.

"You're important to me."

His eyes widened slightly.

"As Narin's cousin..."

"And as my junior."

"I don't want you thinking you have to stay away from me forever."

For a moment...

He simply stared at me.

Then he smiled.

This time...

It was the brightest smile I had ever seen from him.

"I understand."

"And..."

"I'm happy just hearing you say that."

We continued walking.

When we reached the corner where our roads separated, Korn stopped.

"I'll see you on Monday, P'Phawin."

"I'll see you then."

I watched him walk away.

Just before turning the corner...

He looked back.

Raised his hand.

And smiled.

I smiled back without thinking.

I didn't realize it then...

But somewhere along the way...

Korn had become more than just Narin's younger cousin.

He had become someone whose smile I had quietly started looking forward to seeing.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tzh0UVfAC

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