FBF chapter 12 part 6

However, I know that the wave is not the sea. No matter how the waves come, beneath them lies a deep trust and affection towards Lee Jihoon. I realized that I was afraid of being caught by the sound of the waves in my heart, so I never even let him know that I was always standing here like the sea.

“I’ll tell you.”

I awkwardly tried to smile while looking into Lee Jihoon’s surprised eyes.

“As you said, I’m not good at that kind of thing. I find it hard to say I’m struggling and to ask for help.”

“…..”

“But still….”

I reminisced about the time we spent together. It might be a short time for someone, but those five years were the most meaningful moments of my life. In front of Lee Jihoon, who seemed to say that affection is the same regardless of its form, I mustered the courage to show him the smallest piece of my heart. I pulled up the sediment that had sunk to the deepest part of the sea and polished it until it shone, making sure it wouldn’t be mistaken for something dirty.

“I’ll try for you.”

I didn’t want to remain a cowardly and selfish bastard just for him.

“I’ll say when it’s hard….”

“…..”

“I’ll ask for help. You won’t have to worry about it in advance.”

This was the smallest piece of heart I could offer to Lee Jihoon. It was precious because it was the only thing I could give. I hoped he would consider this small and beautiful piece of my heart as friendship.

Lee Jihoon, who had been quietly looking at me, reached out his hand.

“Swear?”

At the moment I confirmed his unbent, long pinky finger, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was something Kang Youngsoo might do, and I almost got pulled into it an hour ago in a taxi because of him. Even seeing me laugh, Lee Jihoon did not withdraw his hand and pushed it out further as if urging me. Unable to resist his playful raised eyebrow, I raised my hand.

“What is this childishness between men….”

I put strength into bending Lee Jihoon’s pinky finger. It looked no different from when I made a fist. Lee Jihoon, who was looking down at his hand, asked.

“Am I a man?”

“…Then are you a woman?”

As soon as I asked back in disbelief, our eyes met. Even though I threw out such nonsense, Lee Jihoon avoided my gaze as if pretending to be uninterested. Ignoring him, I brought my hand, which was folded in the same way, closer to his hand. Our fists lightly bumped against each other.

Finally, I could say the words I had practiced since the taxi.

“…Swear.”

I said it softly, but Lee Jihoon, who was close, probably heard me. As expected, Lee Jihoon chuckled lightly and nodded. His fist collided with mine more slowly and gently than before. Without taking his eyes off me, he whispered secretively, as if to himself. His eyes, devoid of any rippling waves, twinkled playfully.

“Swear.”