episode_0124

Since turning into a vampire, I couldn’t muster up the courage to go to the beach because of my photosensitivity and numerical obsession.

Going there felt like walking into a raging fire wearing a fireproof suit, so I was honestly very worried as I made my way to the destination.

“…Well, aside from being hesitant to go near the water, it’s not that bad.”

To my embarrassment, the beach had no effect on me whatsoever.

At most, there was a subtle aversion to the water as I had mentioned before.

“If I knew it would be like this, I would have come sooner.”

The fatal weakness of vampires, bursting into flames when exposed to sunlight.

Because of that, I couldn’t experience the true beauty of midsummer flowers, which was a bit disappointing.

Well, the evening sea had its own charm, so the disappointment quickly faded away.

It had a serene and charming atmosphere, I would say?

It was the kind of atmosphere and feeling that I liked, so I found it quite nice.

“I should grab a bite to eat and take a walk on the beach.”

After getting off the bus, we walked towards the meeting place while admiring the sea.

We chatted non-stop about our plans until we reached the meeting place without even realizing it.

“Hey, lost couple? How far do you plan on walking? Here, over here!”

“Oh, we’re already here? Yeah, it’s been a while… well, not really, only three weeks have passed, so it’s not that long. Anyway, how have you been?”

“Haha! Darling and I have been naturally lovey-dovey! But you two… the atmosphere seems a bit different?”

“…There’s been some changes. Let’s talk over dinner. We skipped dinner and came here hungry.”

“Haha, I knew that would happen, so I found a good restaurant! Let’s go! Let’s eat some grilled clams!”

After enjoying the comics event together, we reunited with the angel and the demon after three weeks.

The ending wasn’t great due to a failed bomb prank, but were we continuing with jokes and banter through text?

We were able to have a conversation without any awkwardness as usual, and as soon as we met, we started moving to fill our hungry stomachs.

Perhaps because it was quite close by, we arrived at a modest restaurant not long after.

I sat down and ordered soju and grilled clams, playfully opening the conversation with a teasing remark.

“I saw the photos you posted in the group chat, you guys seem to be having a lot of fun without us? Are you that happy without us?”

A mischievous joke to make the other person feel guilty.

But the demon just chuckled and with a response that surpassed my imagination, he made me feel awkward.

“We were happy, you know? Spending quality time with your loved one naturally makes you happy. But asking about this… are you hoping Hyeeun and I will drift apart?”

“…Damn, you bastard. What are you trying to say? I’m sorry! Are we good? Huh?”

“It seems insincere… well, because we’re seeing our lovely angel, I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Ugh, it’s so cringeworthy.”

Damn, what happened in the past two months that made him change like that?

I felt like I had swallowed a stick of butter whole.

Trying to erase that feeling, I dipped my chopsticks in the sauce and tasted it, when Hyeeun, with a gleam in her eyes, asked us a question.

“It’s an extension of our earlier conversation… what happened to you guys? It seems like you’ve changed a lot from three weeks ago.”

“What makes you think that?”

“The distance between you two? And the occasional tender glances you exchange, also…”

“…Anyway, I’m very perceptive when it comes to these things.”

Raising his eyebrows, the angel began to recite the changes that had occurred.

Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but tease him about the fact that I was openly dating Jaehyuk while linking arms with him.

“We started dating about 2 weeks ago. I was thinking about it more, but… I don’t know. Anyway, I gathered the courage to confess, and Jaehyuk accepted.”

“I thought it was just a matter of time, after all! But still, surprising, right? I thought Jaehyuk would confess again.”

“As for that… well, since it was a one-time thing, he became more cautious. If he gets rejected here, there won’t be another chance, right? So he kept hesitating.”

“Haha, I think I know how he feels! Indeed, if that’s the reason, then Jaehyuk might as well confess first!”

Crackling sounds filled the air as the clams began to open one by one.

After clinking glasses and taking a sip of alcohol with a clam as a snack, the angel spoke with a mischievous expression.

“So… how far have you two progressed? Judging by how casually you link arms, it seems like quite a lot.”

“No comment.”

“Aw, come on ~ Let’s see, a hug?”

“…”

“What, did it go further than that? Then kiss… Ouch, that hurts!”

“I’m not telling you, okay? Stop asking and eat a clam, you brat!”

“Tsk… no fun.”

Not fun! Who has time to be embarrassed about just revealing that they’re dating!

After lightly teasing Hyeeun, I washed away my embarrassment with a glass of soju and quickly changed the subject.

“Well, school starts in a month, right? Are you both going back to school?”

“Well, I think I’ll take a break for a semester. I want to take some time off and explore other paths.”

“What about Hyeeun?”

“Me too! Now that I’m an angel, it’s a bit disappointing not to be able to use my strengths. So I’m thinking of finding something that only angels can do!”

I may not know much else, but that’s a bit enviable.

Some had to focus on finding a job that prioritized survival and safety rather than utilizing the strengths of their race.

A faint curiosity settled in the corner of my mind.

But I quickly pushed it aside, thinking about my current job and cleanly erasing it from my mind.

Working for a mid-sized company with a high salary that didn’t pale in comparison to others.

Decent employee benefits that didn’t make you feel inferior compared to other places.

And except for peak times, a relatively easy working environment.

…Working in what could be considered a paradise without any exaggeration, jealousy was out of the question, let alone dissatisfaction.

“It’ll work out. When you succeed, remember to treat me to a meal?”

I held back a joke as I poured soju into my glass.

Clang – !

Continuing in the lively atmosphere, we carried on with the drinking session.

—–

“Ah… it’s so refreshing and nice! Looking back, suggesting to come to the beach was a great idea, right? Don’t you think so too?”

“For a spontaneous trip, it was pretty great. It would have been perfect if you hadn’t gotten seasick.”

“Heh, I had too much fun and ended up drinking too much without realizing it. But, are you still going strong?”

“Going strong? If I hadn’t supported you, you would have fallen over a long time ago. That’s a fact, you know?”

“Hehe, I love you.”

“…You’re making me speechless all of a sudden, how cowardly.”

After a much longer meal than expected, I parted ways with Hyeeun and arrived at the deserted beach late at night in a tipsy state.

Walking barefoot on the soft sandy shore, I began to enjoy the cool sea breeze with Jaehyuk.

Was it because I had exceeded my limit? The increasing fatigue and dizziness were becoming unbearable.

Unable to bear it any longer, I shamelessly demanded that Jaehyuk carry me.

“Carry me! Right now!”

“Eojju, but is it a request or an order? If you say it like that, do you think I’ll give you a piggyback ride?”

“Yeah! It’s a request from my beloved girlfriend, so of course!”

“…Fine, I give up. Get on.”

“Hehe, thank you…”

As I climbed onto his back, Jaehyuk took a deep breath and started walking, carrying me.

I expressed my gratitude in a whisper and enjoyed a moment of drowsiness as I leaned against his broad back.

“Hyuk.”

“What?”

“Just calling your name.”

“…You seem really drunk right now. Don’t make a fool of yourself and just go to sleep quietly.”

“By saying that, I feel even less like sleeping.”

“Then don’t sleep.”

“Don’t sleep? That sounds too suggestive. What if I’m a pervert or something?”

“Sigh, let’s just stop talking.”

Just meaningless chatter, a series of pointless conversations.

After rambling on for a while, I suddenly felt a pang of guilt and quietly asked for forgiveness.

“…Sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Just, everything. I feel like my very existence is a nuisance to you.”

“Who said that? That you’re a nuisance to me.”

“Heh, it’s a conclusion based on objective facts. It’s quite credible, don’t you think?”

Without feeding on blood, I can’t even set foot in this exquisite place.

Even if I were to feed, I can’t enjoy it properly because I would burn to death when exposed to sunlight.

Is that all? Even if I wake up early, it’s only five in the afternoon, and household chores are always the boyfriend’s responsibility.

And if I don’t give blood every few days, the vampire bat will disappear, so I have to constantly take care of it.

How is this not a nuisance… If I say it nicely, am I a parasite?

“Haha…”

A hollow laughter that came out involuntarily as I listed everything.

Feeling guilty, did I loosen my grip on his arm slightly?

Jaehyuk glanced back discreetly and then shook his head vigorously to refute my argument.

“If I feed on blood, don’t I keep you safe on the streets at night? I play with you whenever you’re bored, pay half the rent, and do all the leftover household chores. How is this a nuisance?”

“…Is that so? It doesn’t sound like a complete nuisance when I hear it.”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, get off, you’re comfortable because all you do is babble.”

“Wow, just now you sounded like our platoon leader.”

“Shut up.”

As we chatted while he carried me, there was still a slight dizziness and tipsiness.

I asked Jaehyuk to let me down, and after I got off his back, I slyly unzipped the hoodie I was wearing.

And then.

“Can you apply this for me?”

I took out tanning oil from my pocket and handed it to Jaehyuk.

“Uh, what? Oh…?”

Unable to overcome his surprise at the sight in front of him, he ended up looking like a fool.

I chuckled mischievously at his cute reaction.

It never gets old.

Truly a thrilling pleasure.