Ch.127127. Husband, Darling. Which Do You Prefer? [Illustration]

As evening turned to night, we returned to the ryokan after finishing our tour of the hot spring village. The current time was 11:55 PM. After having our meal and enjoying the sights, we’d lost track of time.

“After we sleep tonight, we only have two days left, huh?”

I mumbled as I sat on the bed, having just finished drying my hair. Come to think of it, it was true. Since it was Saturday night turning into Sunday, after one more night, our five-day trip would be coming to an end.

It felt like we’d barely been here a day, yet it was already ending. The saying that happy times pass quickly wasn’t a lie after all.

—Shhhh.

While pondering these idle thoughts, I glanced toward the sound of running water. Next to the bathroom in our suite was a shower room, where Hwa Nabi was currently showering.

She’d been in there for quite a while, so she should be coming out soon. Just a little longer to wait.

—Click.

Just as I thought that, I heard the sound of a door opening and someone moving about. Then came the sound of a hair dryer, and shortly after, the bedroom door opened. Sitting at the edge of the bed, I turned my head to look at her.

“Siwoo. I’m done showering.”

Hwa Nabi called my name, wearing a bathrobe that I was now somewhat used to seeing, her wet hair swishing as she moved her hand through it. I shifted my hips slightly to make room for her to sit.

With a soft thud, Hwa Nabi came over with small steps and sat right next to me. Then, blinking her large eyes several times, she stared at me from up close.

“Is there something on my face?”

“You just showered, so that’s impossible, isn’t it?”

“Then why are you looking at me like that?”

“Hmm… I just wanted to look at you.”

“Really? I wanted to look at you too.”

“Heh, really?”

“Yes, really.”

Pleased with my response, Hwa Nabi smiled brightly, linked her arm with mine, and rested her head on my shoulder. I reached out and gently stroked her hair.

“Your hair doesn’t seem completely dry. Will you be okay?”

“It’s fine. The heating is on, so it’ll dry quickly.”

Slightly damp bangs, upturned eyes, and relaxed cheeks. I could tell what Hwa Nabi was expecting.

She probably wanted a nighttime conversation while we were both a bit tired. That seemed to be what she was hoping for, but before that, there was something I needed to settle.

“Ah, right. Nabi?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Remember what we talked about earlier during dinner?”

“During dinner… What did we talk about?”

“What? You don’t remember? You teased me.”

“…Huh?”

Not expecting me to bring this up during such a pleasant moment, Hwa Nabi looked at me with a slightly dumbfounded expression.

Judging by her reaction, she thought I would have forgotten about it, but I’m a bit petty. I have to return what I receive to feel satisfied.

Having said that, I waited patiently. The punishment could come after hearing her excuse.

“Um… Siwoo?”

“Yes, what?”

“Is there… any title you’d like me to call you?”

“Title? Why?”

“We’ve been dating for quite a while now, but the way we address each other hasn’t changed much since our first year of high school, has it? It feels a bit formal. So I thought maybe we could change it…?”

The way she glanced at me while speaking was quite cute. Smiling, I stroked her bangs and asked.

“Do you have any title you’d like to be called?”

“Is there any title you’d like, Siwoo?”

“Well, but even if I tell you, you might not use it.”

“Hmm, let me hear it first…? If it’s better than ‘Siwoo,’ I might keep calling you that.”

Personally, my first choice would be “oppa,” but that’s something she could only call me when we’re alone, so it’s naturally excluded.

If we were only around people who didn’t know us, it might be different, but people who know us are aware that Hwa Nabi and I are the same age, so calling me “oppa” would create strange misunderstandings.

“But with titles, the opinion of the person using it matters, right? Even if I like hearing it, you might not like saying it, or it might not roll off your tongue easily.”

“So, are you saying you want me to keep calling you ‘Siwoo’?”

“Is there anything else? I don’t think so.”

“Well… there are many others, right? Like ‘honey,’ or ‘husband,’ or ‘darling’…?”

Between those two, the title that appeals more to me would be “husband.” But this title gives me a slight sense of resistance.

It might sound absurd, but isn’t “husband” a bit… much when we’re not even married? Call me a Confucian prude if you want, but that’s how I feel.

“‘Husband’ feels a bit much, but ‘honey’ seems better.”

“Should I call you ‘honey’?”

“It sounds nice, but maybe because I’m used to being called ‘Siwoo’? It feels a bit awkward.”

“Then… ‘husband’?”

“Hmm…”

“…’Darling’?”

Honey, husband, darling. These titles, sufficient to tickle any man’s heart, came one after another from Hwa Nabi’s lips.

But perhaps because I could clearly see she was trying to change the subject, none of them really resonated with me right now.

We could sort out the titles later when we had time. Thinking that, I abruptly stopped my hand movements.

“By the way, do you know something?”

“Huh? What… Oh!”

I grabbed the wrist of Hwa Nabi, who was looking at me with an innocent face. She seemed a bit flustered by the sudden action.

“S-Siwoo?”

“This won’t get you off the hook.”

Hwa Nabi’s aegyo strategy, trying to charm me with various titles she rarely uses, was good. But this alone wasn’t enough to make me forget what happened at the restaurant earlier. It’s not a fair trade.

“So, I’ll give you one last chance.”

“…What do you want me to do?”

She might seem careless usually, but she’s quite perceptive in situations like this. This approach makes the conversation faster.

I held her wrist firmly to prevent her from escaping and whispered in her ear.

“If you have any excuses or anything you want to say, go ahead.”

I was saying I’d consider her explanation before deciding, and how rough I’d be depended entirely on her efforts.

Hwa Nabi seemed to understand my meaning as she cautiously bit her lip. This made me feel like some kind of villain, but I didn’t dislike the feeling.

“A-Are you serious…?”

“Why, don’t you like it? If not, then I can’t help it.”

Instead, you’ll be screaming all night. I’m in top condition after eating well. In this state, I think I could go all night.

How should I handle my lovely girlfriend who teased me? As I was pondering this, Hwa Nabi suddenly took a deep breath.

Then, looking me in the eyes, she nodded with a determined expression.

“…Alright. But can you give me five minutes? I need time to think.”

“Five minutes? Well, I can wait that long.”

It just means your screaming time will be delayed by five minutes. I released her wrist. Hwa Nabi, who had been sitting with her knees together on the bed, thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up.

The look in her eyes as she gazed at me was unusual, as if she’d just had a brilliant idea.

“Siwoo, can you wait here for a moment?”

“I don’t mind, but you’re not trying to run away, are you?”

“Where would I go at this hour? I just need to prepare something.”

“Prepare? What kind of preparation all of a sudden?”

“…I-It’s something. Anyway, you said five minutes, right? I’ll be back by then.”

“Okay, got it.”

With just those words, Hwa Nabi hurriedly left the bedroom. Left behind, I leaned against the headboard of the bed, stretching my arms to embrace it like I was putting an arm around someone’s shoulders.

“Preparation…?”

I wasn’t sure what she was going to prepare in the middle of the night, but I had no intention of being swayed by anything ordinary.

Actually, I had challenged her to try to seduce me because I knew someone with Hwa Nabi’s personality wouldn’t be able to do it. Though I hadn’t explicitly said it, I was planning to be rough with her all night regardless of how she responded.

I had a good excuse now. I was going to make her lose her mind. As I was making this resolution, I heard a knock at the bedroom door.

“Come in.”

—Creeeeak.

With the sound of hinges, the door opened, and Hwa Nabi took a step into the bedroom.

I wondered why she knocked when she could have just opened the door, but then I was startled.

She entered the bedroom holding a wine bottle and two wine glasses… but that wasn’t what was important.

“……”

Hwa Nabi was wearing lingerie.

Black lingerie that was intense and seductive, the kind that would naturally captivate any man’s gaze.

In that sexy outfit, Hwa Nabi stood before me, revealing her smooth shoulders and white skin, looking somewhat shy.

Nabi, you’re really determined. Given her attire, I unconsciously gulped.

I had resolved not to be swayed by any action less than a minute ago, but already I felt like forgiving her.

“…I’m ready.”

Hwa Nabi, covering her chest area with her arms, slowly approached. But she wasn’t just any woman. The more she tried to cover herself, the more her chest was pressed and changed shape.

It was such an incredible sight that I had the absurd thought: Is she trying to seduce me? Is this a strategy to bewitch me so I can’t think straight?

“Um… Siwoo?”

Hwa Nabi placed the wine bottle and glasses on the bedside table. Then, as if about to sit at the edge of the bed, she carefully approached on her knees.

Having come very close, she placed her hand right next to my thigh and brought her face near mine.

“Then, shall I begin…?”

…Begin what?