Ch.339IF Side Story. From the Beginning (107)

I have a few hobbies.

First, listening to music. Actually, this wasn’t really a hobby I pursued seriously, but rather something I chose after considering what entertainment options were available to me at the orphanage.

Well, this hobby can also become incredibly expensive if you start investing money into it, but it wasn’t a big issue for me since I just listened to music using devices I found outside and CDs I could afford to buy.

It’s not a hobby I pursue with great passion, but as I continued listening, I gradually came to enjoy it more.

I still don’t listen while memorizing every singer and performer, but I’ve started to enjoy the music itself a bit more.

As for other hobbies, I occasionally watch movies or dramas. Well, I don’t watch them diligently either. Compared to music appreciation, it’s not really enough to call it a hobby.

I do read books quite a bit.

Or rather, I should say I read novels. Before coming here, in my past life, I read quite a lot of webtoons and web novels.

“Can I play some music?”

“…Sure.”

Perhaps that’s why I enjoy watching movies with soft music playing in the background.

I once thought that listening to music with Jihye felt like a scene from a youth drama, and now I feel like reading a book with classical music playing while basking in the warm sunlight coming through the window also feels like a scene from a movie in some way.

Though I say it’s warm, it’s actually “hot” sunlight, and the reason it’s bearable is thanks to the air conditioner, but whatever.

“Hmm.”

I picked up my phone to read a book, but somehow felt the atmosphere wasn’t quite right.

Yes. Despite everything, I’m a person with a rather fussy personality. When I do various things, I naturally consider the atmosphere and other factors.

Somehow, I feel like I should be reading a paper book rather than an e-book in this scene.

With that thought, I got up and slowly crept toward Chaeyeon.

Her arm apparently not hurting, Chaeyeon was sitting in a corner of the three-seater sofa, holding up a thick book that covered her face.

For some reason, today we’re the only ones in the break room. It won’t be for very long; someone will probably come in within an hour. At least Hayun or Jihye, since their free time usually coincides with mine if they’re not in their rooms.

“Is it okay if I read this?”

“Sure.”

Chaeyeon answered my question. Her voice was no different than usual.

Thinking it wouldn’t be right to hold something too thick for too long, I picked up a relatively thin book. It was a Japanese mystery novel. Even though I say it’s thin, it’s just thin compared to the other books here, so I just skimmed through it casually, knowing I probably couldn’t finish it in this time.

As I skipped through parts that seemed boring, unfamiliar characters kept appearing and tricks jumped around, so I put the book down for a moment.

Hmm.

Chaeyeon was still in the same position, holding up her book. Was it not an Earth book? The language on the cover was one I’d never seen before.

And perhaps interpreting that language while reading was somewhat difficult even for Chaeyeon, as the pages hadn’t turned at all.

“…”

Huh?

When I stared at her, Chaeyeon slightly turned her body. The book cover turned slightly toward me, completely hiding her face.

Hmm.

She’s hiding her face.

I wonder why.

It might be a bit presumptuous of me to think this about Chaeyeon, but while she may be a bit quiet and have a calm voice, she’s not completely emotionless.

She likes what she likes and dislikes what she dislikes.

And one thing I can say for certain is that I am included among the beings Chaeyeon likes. Even as “one of her most favorite things.” Enough that she would initiate a kiss.

However, Chaeyeon isn’t as proactive as the other girls. Sometimes she would climb on top of me and lie down like a cat as if overcome by impulse, but other than that, she rarely makes the first move.

Her quietness means she’s the most introverted among us. The occasional temptations that burst forth probably require a great deal of courage from her.

I continued to stare at Chaeyeon.

Chaeyeon slowly turned her body toward me, completely hiding her face with the book, and was backing away when…

“Ah.”

Her waist caught on the armrest of the sofa. Somehow, her legs were down while her upper body was in a lying position.

For the past few years, I’ve gotten used to others making advances. Lately, I think I’ve learned to counterattack a bit too. The method is simple. I just do what the other girls often do to me.

For example,

I slowly moved across the sofa as if crawling. Well, even so, my legs were still hanging down from the sofa, so only my arms looked like they were crawling.

I trapped Chaeyeon’s upper body between those arms.

“What book is that?”

And I asked nonchalantly.

Actually, I’m a bit embarrassed too. My face is a bit flushed. The jazz music playing had passed the quiet part and was slowly speeding up.

When I prop myself up like this, my chest naturally shifts downward following the law of gravity. Even though I’m wearing underwear, I can’t help feeling that way.

My chest, slightly hanging over Chaeyeon’s modest bosom, moved precariously. Almost touching, but not quite. No, it was touching just a little bit. Chaeyeon seemed to notice that too.

The book that had been holding up well in her arms completely collapsed onto Chaeyeon’s face.

The pages are going to be ruined.

“Mmm.”

I pretended to read the book cover while moving even closer. Now it wasn’t just almost touching; it was really resting on top. Modest, but soft and warm. Perhaps it felt more so because we were indoors with the air conditioner on in summer.

From behind the book, not even breathing could be heard. Only the hands holding the book were trembling. Seeing her fingertips turning white, I wondered if she was gripping too hard.

“So, what book is it? Hmm?”

“Cu-culture…”

Chaeyeon said.

“Another planet’s culture…”

So it really wasn’t the text of this planet? Well, that doesn’t matter anyway.

By now, I was practically lying with my upper body overlapping Chaeyeon’s.

With the other girls, I would have to think twice before going this far. Some form of counterattack would fly my way.

But the docile Chaeyeon couldn’t do anything. Rather, she was more tense than when she was on top of me.

“…”

Ah, this could get a bit dangerous.

Even while thinking that, I raised my index finger and pushed up the bottom of the book slightly.

Chaeyeon tried to resist with force, but when it comes to strength, I’m stronger. The book trembled as it moved upward.

Beneath it, Chaeyeon’s light pink lips appeared slightly.

Her mouth was slightly open, and her snow-white teeth were visible below her lips.

“Hee.”

I made such a sound and then pressed my lips against hers.

Warm, soft. And a little moist.

Chaeyeon’s body completely stiffened. With the book between us, we stayed like that, kissing for a while.

“Mmm.”

As my lips parted from hers, Chaeyeon made such a sound and then let go of the book.

The book that had been raised slightly above Chaeyeon’s face rolled off behind her. It made quite a loud noise, but Chaeyeon didn’t seem to care at all.

Chaeyeon, whose facial expressions usually don’t change much, was glaring at me with a bright red face.

Ah, was my prank too much?

“Ah, sorry. I was too—”

As I was saying that and pulling back slightly,

“Mmph!?”

Chaeyeon’s arms flew around my neck.

And she pressed her lips firmly against mine.

Somewhat awkward, like someone who always studies a lot in theory but has never actually done this kind of thing.

A bit surprised by Chaeyeon pushing me with all her might, this time I sat back against the backrest.

Before I knew it, Chaeyeon was on top of me. Sitting on my thighs as I sat on the sofa, with her legs spread and knees on either side of my thighs.

A clumsy kiss, just pushing her lips against mine. Arms embracing my neck with all her might as if determined not to lose. Surprised by this behavior so different from Chaeyeon’s usual self, I couldn’t respond and had my lips stolen.

Since I attacked first, I wasn’t too upset about it.

“Phew.”

Chaeyeon detached her lips.

Her face was still red, but her expression had returned to being expressionless.

“…Did you plan this?”

“…In my own way.”

Indeed, should I call her a strategist?

I laughed at the absurdity.

After that, Chaeyeon pressed her lips against mine about two more times.

Unlike the first time when she just pressed them together, this time it was a bit gentler.

The second, gentler kiss lasted a bit longer.

Seeing her face turn red after parting lips, it seems it was closer to impulse than plan, but well, let’s just let it slide.

If we both enjoyed it, isn’t that a wonderful thing?

The jazz returned to a slower section, and we enjoyed the atmosphere for a while, feeling each other’s body heat leisurely.

It was a bit like a movie.

Or should I say, like a novel?

That would be better.