Chapter 12: Hyeji’s museum

“Oww…”

Dream or reality? I couldn’t tell. The fox was becoming a natural at manifesting. The constant, gentle caress against my mind, like soft feathers brushing my thoughts, brought tears to my eyes.

I was soaked.

“Ugh… Mm…”
“…Nothing good has come of it.”

As dawn broke, the fox spoke.

“…Huh…?”
“…Nothing good has come from your association with that woman.”

Big data? Or just bias? The fox, her… activities… concluded, held me gently, her fluffy tail caressing my skin, her soft ear nuzzling my neck.

“…Haa…”
“…I foresee more unpleasantness. Please, stay away from her.”

There was no possessiveness in her voice, no trace of the frantic heat from five years ago. She was making a sincere request, her voice warm and gentle. I looked at her, my eyes still wet with tears, and stroked her hair.

Such a stark contrast to the desperate clinginess and lust-filled frenzy that used to shatter my composure.

“…Hehehe…”
“…Why are you laughing…?”

My involuntary giggle made her smile, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“…Good…”

Hug

Drained from our… activities… I clung to her, my heart pounding like a drum against my ribs.

“…I like… your voice… your eyes… everything…”
“…”

Holding her like this… It was enough. Was there anything more healing than this? Holding someone you love, feeling their heartbeat against your ear, the warmth of their body seeping into yours…

Jealousy, jealousy. I needed to change the subject. If I had to choose between Hyeji and Hyea, I couldn’t. Hyeji was my best friend, my unrequited first love. Hyea was my first real love, the one I’d sacrifice anything for.

So I avoided the question and sought comfort in her embrace. Hyea, the gentle fox spirit, wrapped her fluffy tails around my waist.

“…Is that so?”

Thankfully, she didn’t press the issue. I loved her possessive side, but I preferred this gentle Hyea. I loved her, a sentiment I could never express enough. To think such a powerful emotion could bloom on something as mundane as a bed…

“…Heehee…”

Stroke

Hyea continued to caress me, her expression full of affection. I loved that look in her eyes. The mix of adoration and a hint of vulnerability, the fear of losing me… It was all there, unguarded and honest. I loved her unconscious expressions.

“…Do you really… have to be with her…?”, Hyea asked
“…”

That question… It scared me.

“…I’ve never felt this way before, not since we made our pact five years ago… But lately… I can’t help but worry…”
“… “

I closed my eyes halfway, my fingers tracing the soft fur of her now-still tail.

“…I told you when we made the pact, didn’t I…?”, I said.
“…”

Hyea’s gaze intensified.

“…I’ll never die, not until I’m old and gray… And as long as I live, my heart will always be yours…”
“…”

It wasn’t the most romantic declaration, but it was my way of expressing my feelings. Back then, I hadn’t known what I was saying. Now, it sounded cheesy. But in that moment… it had meant everything to us.

“…That’s… not exactly what I meant… but…”

Hyea covered her face, looking away, muttering to herself.

“…It’s good to hear…”
“…Heehee…”

I smiled, relieved, and closed the distance between us again. The cold winter air was no match for the warmth of her embrace.

“…But please be careful. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe…”
“…Okay…”

Her whisper, as warm as her touch, resonated within me. Pure love. Was there a better word for it? I wanted to hold her tighter, closer, even though I was already holding her as tightly as I could.

“…So… when are you going to let me be on top…?”
“…”

I whispered in her ear, emboldened by… I don’t know what. An overflow of love? As soon as the words left my mouth, I was mortified. But…

“…Do you want that…?”
“Y-yes…?”

Unlike me, terrified of the impending pleasure, Hyea’s face flushed. Her voice was soft, her touch hesitant.

This was it. This was my chance. I was going to flip her over, pin her down, but…

Grab

“…Don’t get any ideas…”
“Hee…!”

She caught my wrist, her leg sliding between mine, trapping me.

“Hehehe… I-I wasn’t going to… Um… Maybe some water…?”

I tried to play it cool, pretending I hadn’t meant it, still reeling from the afterglow, but…

“On top…? I never thought I’d hear those words… And after living for centuries as a fox… Me… on the bottom…? Ha!…”
“…Haha…”

Hyea’s tail shot up, swishing back and forth.

“…Leave tonight’s work to the newbies.”
“…Huh…?”

She wasn’t letting me go.

“Seriously…”
“W-wait… I… Eek…!”

Damn it. The afterglow was still lingering. The slightest touch sent shivers down my spine. The sun was rising, and I still couldn’t move.

Was I trapped by a guardian spirit, or a succubus?

“Hngh… Ahh…!”

Thrust, thrust, thrust

The bed, almost dry, became damp again. I’d planned to put up a fight, to turn the tables, but the lingering pleasure from the night before made me crumble, tears streaming down my face.

“Ahh… Hngh…!”

Her forceful movements made my body shake, my hips bucking involuntarily. My nerves were on fire, craving more. Even with my mind half-numb, my body refused to obey.

The pleasure… Oh god…

Rip

“…Haa…”

****

“…”

Around this time, memories always surfaced. The empty classroom, the quiet solitude, the desk and chair I sat in alone. Alone because… because of me.

“…”

Clink

Ice clinked against glass as I swirled the whiskey in my hand. The small sound echoed in the quiet room, painting the walls crimson.

“…”

This wasn’t my room. Not my house. Just a temporary residence, a public facade. My real home was a private sanctuary.

But tonight, I didn’t want to be there.

“…Haa…”

Semin’s face, pushing my hand away, flashed in my mind. It was around this time, just before 6 a.m. She’d been trembling. I hadn’t known how to comfort her.

I’d left school early that day, telling the teacher Semin was sick. It wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t. I thought I’d never see her again, that we were strangers now, destined to live separate lives.

But I couldn’t control my emotions then.

“…”

And now… I refused to be controlled by them. I’d learned a lot since then.

Click

I hadn’t just been mindlessly studying. I’d been thinking. A fight isn’t one-sided. Semin had suffered too. She’d been hurting just as much as I had. And I realized…

“…”

Ring

…I couldn’t let her go. No matter who was with her now, no matter who loved her, Semin had to be mine.

“…I’ll be going now. Please take care of the rest.”

Tap, tap

When I was younger, I only cared about efficiency, about maximizing profits. I avoided anything that didn’t benefit me. That’s how my family operated, how we climbed the social ladder.

But Jeong Semin changed me. She infected me with love, and I fell hard. I didn’t hate it. It allowed me to kill. The inheritance was a mess. My only sister, blinded by greed, killed our mother. I, blinded by rage, killed my sister.

I, the efficiency-driven machine, had become something else. My unemployed, apathetic father protected me, shielded me from the consequences of my first kill.

But even that wasn’t enough. Consumed by emotion, I reverted to my old ways. I eliminated anyone who posed a threat. No one knew about the murders. The bodies were at the bottom of the Han River. The girl who wiped the blood off of her hands simply grew up.

It sounds like a crazy story. But it’s mine.

Ring

Because of what I did, I was free. And ultimately, I succeeded. I was amazing. I was powerful.

And that’s why I had to claim what was mine. The one who made me this way. My Semin. She made me who I am. My beloved Jeong Semin.

“…Haa…”

Tap

I arrived home. I’d wanted to stay away, but my thoughts had led me back.

Click

“…”

I went straight to the room tucked away in the corner of the house.

“… “

The room was filled with photos. Covering the walls, the ceiling, even the curtains. Scattered across the floor. Not randomly, but meticulously arranged, categorized by time, event, expression.

“…Heh…”

This was my gallery, my personal museum. Semin smiling, Semin sad, Semin happy. Semin beautiful, Semin annoyed. I watched her, even when we were apart. It was my only hobby, my last line of defense.

“…”

Slide

I picked up Semin’s jacket from the bed…

Snuggle

…and buried my face in it, inhaling her scent.

“… “

I couldn’t forget the feeling of seeing her again. She’d been worried about me. I wanted to kidnap her, to keep her with me always.

Was I broken?

No.

“…Haa…”

Her scent was so strong. It was like she was right here beside me. I wanted to see her, touch her, hold her, caress her cheek, press my fingers against her skin, ruin her, make her mine. To treat her like my toy.

Oh god. I was a terrible person. I was obsessed, consumed by her. I had a meeting soon, but I couldn’t leave. Just one more hour. Just one more hour with her scent.

In three months, she’d be living here with me. I couldn’t wait.