#81.

The quiet of the apartment complex settled with the darkness. Kang Ji-won’s footsteps echoed softly on the asphalt. Her hand fiddled with her cell phone in her pocket. The temptation of a cold can of beer swirled in her mind as she headed toward the convenience store.

“Haa…”

A long sigh escaped from Kang Ji-won’s lips. Her heart ached at the thought of returning to an empty house alone. It had been a week since the breakup. It felt like her scent would still linger on the bed sheets.

‘A child, huh…’

Kang Ji-won shook her head. Her ex-lover’s face flashed before her eyes. That moment when she had said, with pleading eyes, to have a child. A sharp pain pierced Kang Ji-won’s heart.

“To raise a stranger’s… child?”

Her muttering voice was mixed with anger and disgust. Even if it was an in vitro baby, it was still a stranger’s sperm in the end. Kang Ji-won felt goosebumps all over her body just thinking about it.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the darkness. Kang Ji-won’s steps faltered. Her heart began to beat rapidly. She gripped the cell phone in her pocket tightly.

‘Who is it…?’

As she cautiously approached, the figure of a woman sitting on a bench came into view. Her face was faintly visible under the streetlight. Tears glistened on her cheeks.

Kang Ji-won’s tension eased slightly. But at the same time, a strange emotion tickled her heart. The woman’s sorrowful appearance felt strangely alluring.

“Are you alright?”

Kang Ji-won’s voice cut through the darkness. The woman raised her head. The tears pooled in her eyes reflected the moonlight, shining brightly.

For a moment, the two women’s eyes met. Kang Ji-won’s heart seemed to sink. The sadness and loneliness dwelling in the woman’s eyes were conveyed directly to her.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

The woman’s voice was soft and sweet. She quickly wiped away her tears and stood up. Kang Ji-won took in her slender silhouette.

The woman bowed slightly and disappeared into the darkness with hurried steps. Kang Ji-won stood there as if rooted to the spot.

‘Who is that woman…?’

A strange emotion stirred in a corner of her heart. Excitement? Curiosity? Or just simple sympathy? Kang Ji-won couldn’t accurately grasp her own feelings.

—

Around evening, the management office was filled with a strange tension. Han Soo-jin, Kim Eun-ju, and Lee Han. The subtle air flowing between the three filled the room. Lee Han’s eyes darted between the two women. A faint smile lingered on his lips.

Han Soo-jin stood up from her seat. “I’ll take Jin-woo for a walk for a bit.” There was a certain meaningfulness in her voice. Lee Han nodded.

As soon as the door closed, the office became quiet in an instant. Kim Eun-ju and Lee Han’s eyes met. An invisible current flowed between them.

Kim Eun-ju slowly got up and approached Lee Han. Her gait conveyed both elegance and wildness. Lee Han opened his arms towards her.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Lee Han’s voice was low.

A smile spread across Kim Eun-ju’s lips. “We don’t have much time.”

Lee Han’s touch slowly moved along Kim Eun-ju’s body. As his fingers brushed against her chest, a small sigh escaped from Kim Eun-ju’s lips. Lee Han’s hand passed over her stomach and moved further down.

“Ah…” Kim Eun-ju’s eyes slowly closed. Her body trembled slightly in response to Lee Han’s touch.

Lee Han brought his lips close to Kim Eun-ju’s ear and whispered. “Shall we hurry?”

Instead of answering, Kim Eun-ju slowly knelt in front of Lee Han. Her fingers carefully began to lower Lee Han’s pants zipper. Lee Han’s breathing became rough.

Kim Eun-ju’s lips touched Lee Han’s lower abdomen. Her tongue slowly began to move. Lee Han’s hand gently gripped her hair.

“Eun-ju-ssi…” Lee Han’s voice was low.

Kim Eun-ju slowly raised her head and looked at Lee Han. Her eyes were mixed with desire and anxiety. Biting her lip slightly, she carefully stood up. With trembling hands, she lifted her skirt and began to take off her panties.

Lee Han took a breath and sat on the sofa. His eyes held longing and guilt at the same time. Kim Eun-ju approached him. The two people’s eyes met. In that moment of silently looking at each other, the world seemed to stop.

As Kim Eun-ju slowly lowered her body, her whole body trembled with tension. The moment she touched Lee Han, her breath hitched. A hot heat started from her lower abdomen and spread throughout her body.

“Ah…” With a small moan, Kim Eun-ju’s lips parted slightly.

A sense of fulfillment overwhelmed her. Her waist instinctively contracted with the electrifying sensation as if a current was running through her entire body. The moment she became one with Lee Han, all of Kim Eun-ju’s senses were focused on that point.

Her heart began to beat like crazy. Heat surged beneath her skin, and her cheeks flushed red. Kim Eun-ju closed her eyes. It was as if sparks were flashing before her eyes.

As she slowly began to move, a new wave washed over her. Her fingernails dug into Lee Han’s shoulders with the intense stimulation felt every moment. Her waist began to move in rhythm with Lee Han.

“Haa…” A rough breath escaped from Kim Eun-ju’s lips.

Her whole body was filled with Lee Han’s presence. His body temperature, his breath, and even the intense stimulation transmitted from the point where they were connected as one. Everything overwhelmed her.

Kim Eun-ju was completely immersed in this moment, in this sensation. It was as if everything in the world had disappeared and only she and Lee Han existed. The flames of pleasure began to burn at the end of all her nerves.

Kim Eun-ju’s fingernails dug into Lee Han’s back, and Lee Han’s lips traveled down her nape. As Lee Han’s hand slowly stroked down Kim Eun-ju’s back, her body arched like a bow.

Their movements became faster and faster, and their breathing became rougher and rougher.

“Eun-ju-ssi…” Lee Han whispered in her ear.

“Lee Han-ssi…” Kim Eun-ju’s voice trembled.

Time seemed to have stopped. It was as if only the two of them existed in the world. But at the same time, the tension that someone might come in at any moment made their senses even more sensitive.

Finally, the moment of climax arrived. An unbearable moan escaped from Kim Eun-ju’s lips. Lee Han’s arms tensed.

After a while, the two were catching their breath in each other’s arms. Kim Eun-ju’s head was resting on Lee Han’s shoulder, and Lee Han’s hand was gently stroking her hair.

How much time had passed? The sound of the door opening was heard, and Han Soo-jin came in with Jin-woo.

Lee Han was sitting at his desk, and Kim Eun-ju was fixing her hair in front of the mirror. But the strange heat remaining in the air and Kim Eun-ju’s flushed face hinted at something.

Han Soo-jin’s eyes narrowed slightly. She took Jin-woo to the sofa as if nothing had happened.

Kim Eun-ju approached Jin-woo. “Shall we go home and have dinner now?” Her voice trembled slightly.

Jin-woo smiled happily and nodded. Kim Eun-ju put Jin-woo in the stroller and left the office. Her gait was awkward. The way she waddled her hips caught Han Soo-jin’s attention.

Han Soo-jin gave Lee Han a meaningful look. Her lips twisted slightly. She left the office, sending an unspoken message of ‘I’ll get back at you later.’

Lee Han was left alone and let out a deep sigh. He couldn’t predict where this complicated relationship would lead.

—

Late at night, Kang Ji-won was walking alone in the apartment complex. Without a specific destination, she moved her feet, simply hoping for a chance encounter. The image of the woman she had met on the bench last night kept coming to mind.

‘Another fruitless night, huh…’

Just as she thought that, she saw someone walking towards her from the opposite side. Kang Ji-won’s heart dropped.

The woman who revealed herself under the streetlight was like a painting. Her soft, light brown hair fluttered in the night breeze, and her clear blue eyes sparkled like the stars in the night sky. Her slightly flushed cheeks on her fair skin looked incredibly lovely.

A plastic bag in the woman’s hand caught her eye. Kang Ji-won unknowingly approached her.

“Hello.”

At Kang Ji-won’s greeting, the woman tilted her head as if puzzled.

“I… I saw you briefly on the bench last night.”

The woman’s expression brightened. “Ah! You were that person then. I’m sorry I left without saying hello. I’m Park Min-ah. Thank you so much for then.”

Kang Ji-won’s heart fluttered at Park Min-ah’s smile. She also said her name.

Kang Ji-won’s gaze went to the plastic bag that Park Min-ah was holding, and she saw a can of beer.

“Are you going home now?”

“Yes.” Park Min-ah smiled brightly once again.

Park Min-ah thanked Kang Ji-won once again and disappeared with hurried steps.

Kang Ji-won stood there and looked at Park Min-ah’s back. ‘Park Min-ah…’ Repeating that name, she felt a thrill rising from one corner of her heart. Hoping for the next meeting, a small smile formed on Kang Ji-won’s lips.

—

Kang Ji-won’s footsteps echoed in the soft twilight that enveloped the apartment complex. This evening walk had now become her daily routine. Every day at the same time, wandering the same place, she waited for Park Min-ah.

Days passed and a week went by, and the two people’s meetings became more and more natural. The conversation that started with awkward greetings had now developed to the point where they shared each other’s daily lives.

“Something happened at kindergarten today,” Kang Ji-won said with a smile. “One of the children suddenly burst into tears while drawing.”

Park Min-ah tilted her head as if curious. “Why?”

“Turns out, it was because she didn’t like the picture she had drawn. She said, ‘I want to draw as pretty as Teacher, but I can’t.'”

Park Min-ah burst into laughter. Kang Ji-won’s heart fluttered slightly at that sound.

“What did you do?” Park Min-ah asked.

“I praised the child’s drawing and drew a little more with her. In the end, a picture that the child was satisfied with was completed.”

“Wow, you’re a really good teacher.”

Kang Ji-won felt proud at Park Min-ah’s words. “How was your day, Min-ah-ssi?”

“I…” Park Min-ah paused for a moment, lost in thought. “I started a new project at work today. It’s going to be a bit difficult.”

“Really? What kind of project is it?”

“It’s a new app development. The part I’m in charge of is quite important, so I’m feeling pressured.”

Kang Ji-won looked at Park Min-ah’s worried expression and offered words of comfort. “You’ll be able to do it well, Min-ah-ssi. From what I see, you seem really smart.”

A slight blush appeared on Park Min-ah’s face. “Thank you. It gives me strength to hear you say that.”

The two people shared their daily lives like this and became closer and closer. Kang Ji-won felt herself slowly falling for Park Min-ah’s voice, her laughter. She found herself waiting for this time every night.

“Can we meet at this time tomorrow too?” Kang Ji-won asked cautiously before parting.

Park Min-ah replied with a warm smile. “Yes, that’s good. See you tomorrow, Ji-won-ssi.”

Kang Ji-won’s heart swelled with joy at those words.

Today, as always, they met. The two people sat side by side on the bench, and Kang Ji-won brought up the question she had practiced countless times in her mind.

“Um… Min-ah-ssi, when we first met then… would it be alright if I asked why you were crying?”

Park Min-ah’s expression momentarily stiffened, then she gave a lonely smile.

“Ah… that time? There’s someone I like. But it seems like that person doesn’t like me. So, I just… ended up crying.”

Kang Ji-won’s heart sank heavily. A feeling mixed with jealousy and regret enveloped her.

“Is it… a man?” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled slightly.

Park Min-ah nodded. “Yes…”

Disappointment washed over Kang Ji-won’s heart. But soon after, unexpected words flowed from Park Min-ah’s lips.

“But now… I don’t know anymore…”

At those words, Kang Ji-won’s heart began to beat again. A small spark of hope flared up in one corner of her heart.

“I… I see.” Kang Ji-won tried to answer as if she were calm, but her eyes were already sparkling with anticipation.

A moment of silence flowed between the two people. The cool autumn night breeze fluttered their hair. Kang Ji-won glanced at Park Min-ah’s profile. A small teardrop clinging to her eye sparkled in the dim streetlight.

Kang Ji-won wanted to say something, but she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth. Instead, she quietly reached out her hand and gently placed it on Park Min-ah’s shoulder. At that moment, the two people’s eyes met. Something indescribable seemed to flow between them.

Park Min-ah flinched as if surprised by Kang Ji-won’s touch, but she didn’t shake off her hand. A confused light flashed across her eyes.

“Ji-won-ssi…” Park Min-ah’s voice trembled. “I… I…”

Kang Ji-won quickly withdrew her hand and said, “I’m sorry. I just… wanted to comfort you.”

Park Min-ah lowered her head and wiped away tears with her fingertips. Her expression was tangled with complex emotions. Confusion, fear, and perhaps even a little curiosity.

“Thank you, Ji-won-ssi.” Park Min-ah finally opened her mouth. “You’re a really warm person. But I… I still don’t know.”

Kang Ji-won’s heart ached, but she nodded as if she understood. “It’s okay.”