My Unrequited Love Is an Absolute Secret - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 92

Though Aemerus himself refused to admit it.
Whenever I thought of him, a smile bloomed naturally across my face without any effort.
[Even Grandmother would fall for him at first sight.]
He was especially magnificent on the ice rink.
I could say this with certainty because I’d searched for his championship match footage in the car earlier.
In the process, Tyler had broken his front teeth again, but regardless….
[If I fall for him, that would be a disaster.]
[Well, that’s true, but….]
As I trailed off while sniffling, Grandmother burst into delighted laughter.
[You’ve got a boyfriend now, and you’ve truly grown up.]
Grandmother gazed at me anew with eyes brimming with emotion.
As if I were the apple of her eye.
[I was thinking about giving this necklace to your mother. But after thinking it over, I realized you’d have more occasions to wear it than she would.]
I reluctantly accepted the necklace Grandmother offered.
[A hoodie with a pearl necklace, huh.]
It was an odd combination, but seeing Grandmother’s delighted expression, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
As I carefully fastened the necklace around my neck, I spoke.
[Thank you so much, Grandmother. It’s truly beautiful. There’s a graduation party coming up soon, and I’ll wear this then.]
[Good. Don’t even look at any man who gives you a gift any less special than this. Understand?]
[Yes. I will.]
I answered with a smile.
Every word from Grandmother was overflowing with affection.
[You have to live a long life, Grandmother.]
[That’s right. I need to live long so I can soak in the hot springs of Canada with my granddaughter.]
I suddenly pulled Grandmother into an embrace and kissed her cheek.
Being apart from Aemerus was difficult, but I was glad I’d come to Korea.

***

After spending a night in Yangpyeong, I accompanied Aemerus’s Grandmother to Jeju Island.
It was warmer than Seoul and the sea was beautiful, making it perfect for a brief getaway.
Climbing Hallasan with my parents was somewhat exhausting, but….
‘I’m just glad everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.’
It would have been too strenuous for Aemerus’s Grandmother, who was elderly, and Robin, who was young, to hike.
So my Aunt and her husband spent time with Aemerus’s Grandmother and Robin instead.
They went on a tangerine-picking experience, and I was shocked when they brought back an entire box of them.
Anyway, on the night we returned to our lodging after eating mackerel sashimi for dinner.
The moment midnight struck, Aemerus called me.
“….”
I peeked cautiously beyond the wall.
The room connected by the adjoining door was quiet.
Except for the sound of my father snoring from the exhaustion of hiking.
It seemed I wouldn’t be sharing this conversation with Aemerus with my parents either.
After confirming my parents were deeply asleep, I stepped out onto the terrace and answered the call.
-Happy birthday, Harry.
The moment I answered, Aemerus offered his birthday wishes.
Technically it wasn’t my birthday yet by United States time, but he was calling early after calculating the time difference with Korea.
“Thank you.”
-I wanted to be the first to congratulate you.
So he was thinking about that. How sweet.
I laughed aloud.
I decided to keep secret the fact that Aemerus’s Grandmother had actually wished me happy birthday first.
-Not much time left until you return home. How’s the trip?
“It’s great. I’m a bit tired from hiking today, though.”
-Oh, I saw your photos. The scenery was amazing.
“That’s the kind of view you can only see after struggling to climb up.”
I laughed while grumbling.
“What about you? What did you do today?”
-I missed you while looking at your photos.
“Don’t say things like that, you fool. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve in the United States. What are you going to do?”
I wondered if the Huntington Couple would be busy even on Christmas.
As I was pondering this, he provided the answer.
-My parents received an invitation from the Williams Family. I’ll probably have dinner there too.
“Wow…!”
Now that I think about it, Aemerus had mentioned before that his parents had a connection with the Williams Family.
“Have you been there often?”
-No. This is my first time. The Williams Family’s gates only recently opened.
“I think I’ve heard about that. It’s because their youngest son died in an accident, right? That’s why they don’t appear in the media much.”
-Yes. It was a long time ago.
Aemerus let out a soft sigh.
-It shouldn’t be too awkward, actually. Blake Williams’s girlfriend is Korean too. At least we’ll have something to talk about.
Harry, who had been nodding along, suddenly froze.
“Aemerus, did you know you said the exact same thing before?”
-I did?
“Yeah. The day we played against Minnesota and came to my parents’ restaurant. You saw Blake Williams there.”
-Oh, right. I remember now.
“You said the same thing back then. That Blake Williams had a Korean girlfriend. Even though we weren’t dating yet.”
His words had struck her as odd at the time, and the memory had lingered with her ever since.
-Oh no….
Aemerus laughed as if he’d been caught red-handed.
-I guess I failed at hiding that I liked you. I didn’t even realize what mistake I’d made until you just pointed it out.
“That’s so stupid.”
Harry teased him playfully, but the relief of finally solving a long-standing mystery made her feel completely satisfied.
Continuing to talk with him like this felt nice, but there was something important she needed to tell him today.
“You know, Aemerus.”
-Yeah?
“While we’ve been apart, I’ve realized two things.”
-What are they?
“One is that I like you more than I thought I did.”
Through the phone, she heard Aemerus take a sharp breath.
Harry gazed down at the darkened sea and smiled softly to herself.
“The other is that I don’t want to waste any more time using you as an excuse.”
-…Is today my birthday?
“No.”
-Is it a Christmas present then?
At his reaction, as if he’d actually received a gift, Harry giggled.
“Will you pick me up at the airport when I arrive in the United States? I really want to see my boyfriend’s face.”
-I could go to Korea right now if you wanted.
“No way. What if we end up missing each other?”
Besides, I’m heading back to the United States in a couple of days anyway.
There was no reason for him to come to Korea at this particular moment.
-Got it. It’s not hard for me to pick up my girlfriend from the airport. I was planning to do that anyway.
“Thank you.”
-Don’t mention it. You’re my girlfriend, after all.
It wasn’t the first time he’d called her his girlfriend, yet her heart still raced wildly.
Of course, the previous times he’d called her that, they weren’t actually dating, and there had been other circumstances involved.
‘What do I do? I like Aemerus so much.’
Even as silence settled between them, her mind swirled with countless thoughts and emotions.
They hadn’t even held hands or kissed, yet could she really be this thrilled?
Feeling her heart pound rapidly, I closed my eyes tightly.
My focused ears even caught Aemerus’s breathing.
‘Aemerus is happy too.’
I could tell without seeing his face. I simply felt it.
“I can’t wait to see you.”
-Me too.
Soon after, he added carefully.
-I love you, Lili.
Though my birthday hadn’t even ended yet, I had a premonition that today would become the greatest birthday of my life.

***

Two days later.
I arrived back in New York after passing through Jeju Island and Incheon.
Though I’d only been away for a week, it felt like I’d been gone for ages.
[Ugh, I really can’t stand flying.]
[I know what you mean.]
I nodded in agreement with my mother’s words and let out a long yawn.
I wanted to get home quickly, wash up, and sleep, but thinking of Aemerus waiting outside gave me a sudden burst of energy.
「I’ve arrived」
「Waiting in the immigration line」
「Okay」
「Do you need coffee?」
Coffee… did I need coffee?
Just seeing Aemerus’s face would instantly wash away all my fatigue…
I was sending my reply while thinking of a thought that would have earned me endless teasing from my parents if they’d heard it.
Finally, it was our turn.
The officer sitting in the elevated chair scrutinized our passports and us with a stern expression.
When our eyes met, I flashed what I hoped was the most innocent smile possible, but sadly it had no effect.
“You went to Korea and came back?”
“Yes. Our home is here.”
The interrogation continued despite my father’s composed response.
“What was the purpose of your visit to Korea?”
“We visited relatives. It had been a long time since we’d seen them.”
“Is that all?”
“Ah… My daughter did sign a contract with a company in Korea.”
The officer’s expression noticeably hardened at that moment.
“What kind of contract? Who is your daughter? Come forward.”
Something about the atmosphere felt off.
Usually when families entered together, there wasn’t this kind of intense questioning.
I’d heard that immigration screening had been tightened recently, but I never expected it to be this rigorous.
“That’s me.”
I stepped forward with my hand raised, unable to hide my nervousness.
“Your name.”
“Harry Lee.”
“You found work in Korea, so why have you come to the United States?”
Because this is my home, of course!
I couldn’t believe such an obvious question was being asked.
But the moment I started to argue, the situation would only grow more serious.
So I answered obediently.
“I’m planning to enroll in university soon.”
“Which university?”
“NYU.”
The examiner’s tone grew increasingly curt, shifting into commands.
“You said you’re planning to enroll. Then show me your acceptance letter.”
“Ah, well….”
“You don’t have it?”
Cold sweat began trickling down my back.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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