episode_0072

The next day, I was escorted home by my uncle, bidding farewell to my mom and Minjeong.

On the way, I asked my uncle what he talked about with my mom, but I didn’t dare to open my mouth once I realized it might be something awkward for me to know.

He assured me that he knew everything and not to worry, speaking with a confident face, leaving me unable to say anything.

This uncle is making people nervous for no reason… I should have asked my mom or Minjeong before leaving if I knew this would happen.

“Sis, if anything happens, just rely on Kang Sunwoo. Mom and I won’t be of any help to you…”

Come to think of it, Minjeong didn’t seem likely to speak up easily either, aside from my mom.

I don’t know what happened for him to say that before leaving, but I thought our uncle seemed to have gained Minjeong’s approval, which made me smirk for no reason.

“Why are you suddenly smiling like that? Did something good happen?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just… thought the smell still hadn’t gone away.”

“Well… you did run away without finishing your bath that day, so… but if you leave it for about a week, it should be fine.”

“That day was really intense, right?”

“Hmm.”

As I looked around the uncle’s room filled with the scent of body wash, I felt my body heating up. Especially when I looked at the spots where the wet marks were still visible, the feeling intensified.

There are still handprints on the wall… will those come off?

Well, I didn’t come into the uncle’s room just to witness this scene. I came in because I needed something.

To start work now, I must have the necessary items.

“Well, I’ve got everything I need, and I’ve taken care of breakfast, so it’s best to start right away.”

Returning to the room with the items, I immediately urged the uncle, grabbing his clothes.

“Right now? You must still be tired, so maybe rest a bit before starting–”

“I’ve been holding back since yesterday. I can’t hold back anymore. Get undressed quickly!”

“Oh, okay. Just take it off then.”

With a determined grip, I pushed him onto the bed, and although he looked embarrassed, he soon began unbuttoning his shirt.

Finally, I managed to get him to undress, and I was also fully prepared.

“S-So… shall we start?”

“Are you sure you can do it? I’ve always done it, so you can leave it to me.”

“N-No, I… I’ll do it.”

It’s nice that he’s concerned, but there’s meaning in me doing it myself, so I can’t hand this task over to him.

I’ve always left it to him, so this time, absolutely not.

But I have no idea what to do… Oh, maybe I should move like this and insert it…

“Ugh, Eunhye, don’t… if you force it like that…”

“Ugh, just stay still… I’m concentrating right now… Ah!”

“Oh… blood, blood came out… are you okay?”

“Ugh… I-It’s okay. It just stings a little…”

A little bit of blood starts to seep out from where I pricked. The pain is more stinging than I thought it would be.

I guess I’m really sloppy when it comes to doing things myself… Others do it well, why can’t I…!

“I’ll try again properly… huh? Why isn’t it going in further here?”

“Eunhye… if you do it so forcefully, it might get messed up… maybe it’s better if I do it?”

“Stop… I don’t like it! It’s all my fault that you ended up like this, so I should take responsibility… Ugh!”

Ah, I made another mistake. I didn’t want to make a mistake in front of you, but oh…

“Then is it okay if I help a little? Here, like this… Yes, that’s it. Don’t use too much force like earlier, do it gently… Got it?”

“Okay, like this and then put it here… Is this right?”

“Good, you’re doing well…”

Following the advice of the man, I adjusted my posture and managed to successfully insert it into the hole, feeling a sense of relief and satisfaction as the tension in my body eased.

“But there’s one thing.”

“Hmm?”

As I shifted my gaze towards the man, he looked slightly puzzled. What could be the problem?

“You keep talking like that, and it’s making me feel weird… It’s just sewing a button, you know.”

“Weird? I have no idea what this man is talking about… Ouch!”

I accidentally pricked my finger again while looking away. I had been eager to sew on the button that fell off yesterday, but at this rate, I might end up with more holes in my finger than buttons attached.

Even if I hadn’t uncovered the man’s clothes yesterday, this wouldn’t have happened…

“I guess I should do it. Give it here.”

“Ugh… I’m sorry. I should have learned how to sew if I knew it would be like this.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry too much.”

Normally, I would have been more stubborn, but I gave up early this time, fearing that the man’s shirt might end up stained with blood.

“Alright, it’s done.”

And the man quickly finished the sewing I was struggling with, tidying up the clothes.

As expected, the man is skilled… Well, back when I used to do cosplay, I tried making costumes by myself, so sewing on a button is no big deal.

I might have to sew a button on the man’s clothes again someday, so it wouldn’t hurt to learn sewing in advance.

“Huh?”

Lost in various thoughts, I suddenly felt a hand wrap around my waist from behind, followed by a sensation of something bumping into me.

Turning around, I saw the man embracing me from behind, resting his face against mine.

“What are you doing, sir?”

Perplexed by this unexpected action, I looked down at the man, but he turned away and pressed his body closer to mine.

“Ugh, sir… It’s a bit uncomfortable…”

“Just a little… Let me stay like this a bit longer.”

Murmuring in a low voice, the man pressed his body even closer. It was too tight and suffocating, but with the man’s face buried in my neck, escaping was impossible.

As an adult, I couldn’t understand what this behavior was about, but the man acting like this was oddly cute.

“But holding on like this is tiring… And your breathing is making my heart race.”

Feeling the warmth of the man’s breath from behind and the hand around my waist, my whole body felt like it was on fire.

Looking in the mirror in the room, my face was flushed red. As my heart raced, the man’s breathing became rougher.

“…I’ll take care of everything that troubles you…”

The pounding sound was too loud to hear the man’s muttering clearly, but I didn’t bother to ask, thinking it might just be a soliloquy.

The sound of an unknown heartbeat was echoing throughout the room.

“Just being this close to you feels good, but I want it to get even better… Should I suggest we continue like this?”

As he indulged in inappropriate thoughts while caressing the back of his hand, he happened to look up and meet the gaze of the man who was now looking in his direction.

His eyes were not the indecisive and gentle ones I had seen before, but rather filled with a confidence that seemed to be resolute.

“Eunhye.”

“Y-yes!”

Caught off guard, I responded absentmindedly to his call, but any embarrassment was drowned out by his confident voice.

“Let’s stop pretending to be a fake couple now—”

*gulp*

…

..

.

“…”

Silence enveloped the room.

Neither the man nor I seemed to have any intention of speaking. Perhaps the awkward noise that interrupted his statement had ruined the atmosphere.

“Heh, hahaha—! Come to think of it, lunchtime has already passed by in a flash, hasn’t it? Since going out again is a bit iffy, should I just make some ramen for us?”

Breaking the brief silence, the man looked at my embarrassed stomach and burst into laughter.

“…Make sure not to make too much since we need to save some for dinner.”

With a lowered head out of embarrassment, I responded, and the man politely supported me, leading me slowly towards the dining table.

Honestly, showing such a disgraceful sight in front of someone like him… Why did my stomach have to growl at that exact moment!

“Ah.”

As I silently groaned to myself with my head bowed, I remembered that the man had tried to say something to me earlier.

It seemed like he had something important to say… What was it, exactly?