episode_0309

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A few days ago.

I had sent Seoyeon—who was sleeping soundly, completely unaware—a “gift” I personally recorded…

…No, it was actually a little later than that.

It happened after we’d gone through all sorts of fun things together.

So… There were times when I’d cling to Seowoojin, still dirty with cum, trying to tease him, only to be lightly pushed away with one hand.

Or moments when I’d playfully brag, “How is it? Better than your bathroom, right? Wanna move in here?” while spraying shower water all over him.

Singing “The bathroom echoes so loud—” as I floated around lazily…

…Only to end up panting heavily, my voice breaking uncontrollably instead. Mmm.

Then, as if tired, I’d tangle playfully with a slightly annoyed Seowoojin before finally stepping out of the bathroom.

Since it was late, I followed him as he prepared to leave, barely drying my hair before slipping my feet into slippers and walking out.

I even leaned out into the hallway outside the front door, waving energetically as I saw him off.

And then.

“…….”

Leaning against the now-closed door, I slowly slid down to the floor, curling up.

Pressing both hands against my chest, I let out a long, deep sigh.

“……Haaaaaah….”

Back then, my only goal was something as simple as “I want him to rape me.”

Even though all I ever thought about was how to piss Seowoojin off.

Even though I was such an idiot that I’d masturbate furiously to the idea of being discarded for being annoying.

Even though I’d arrogantly told myself, “I don’t need a guy like him,” and that I could just find some other trash even worse than Seowoojin.

“…Hehe.”

Far from forgetting, I kept masturbating to the same memories every day.

And then there was what I’d carelessly blurted out earlier in front of Seoyeon’s place…

That question—”How many points would you give a well-behaved Yozora?”

The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I felt.

…But at the same time.

“…….”

His short, curt reply—”Full marks.”

It made me feel…

…Good.

“Hueheheh…….”

There are girls as stunningly pretty as Seoyeon.

And girls like Sua, who are not only pretty but also sweet and innocent.

Realistically, he might’ve just said it to flatter me since I was the only one listening.

But still, just hearing Seowoojin praise me made me so happy.

I stayed like that for a long time.

The cold chill of the hallway floor—nothing like the heat of the bed—

I didn’t feel it at all.

—

309

Hongdae, Apgujeong, Itaewon.

There were countless places perfect for mindless wandering or drinking, but surprisingly, Yozora’s choice was just near her own place.

From what I remember, this wasn’t exactly a fun neighborhood.

Having been dragged here countless times over the past ten years, I knew it well.

There were a few places to drink—soju or cocktails—but not much else to do…

You could call it just another ordinary, unremarkable area.

Well, I guess she didn’t feel like going far.

I didn’t mind either—less hassle for me.

Without asking much, I just changed clothes and headed over, pulling out my phone near her place.

[Seowoojin] – Where are you?

[Psycho Bitch] – Where else? – Home, duh.

[Seowoojin] – Come out. I’m right outside.

I wondered if that came off a bit curt, but I quickly forgot about it.

This was just how things always were with Yozora—no point overthinking it now.

With a bored sigh, I walked toward the office-tel entrance, bathed in the evening glow, and out of habit, my hand went to my pocket.

But of course, there was nothing there.

When Yozora called, I’d go to her place.

When I got there, I’d pull out a cigarette and light it.

By the time I finished, Yozora would come strolling out from inside the building, stretching like a cat.

It was such an ingrained routine that my hand moved on its own—but now, there was nothing to grab.

So I just shoved my hands deeper into my pockets, waiting awkwardly for Yozora.

“…….”

Normally, old habits like this didn’t surface.

But with Yozora, they’d pop up in the most unexpected places, leaving me with this odd, fleeting feeling.

Nostalgia? No.

I’d never missed the past—especially not when it was worse than now.

Regret? Even less so.

Amusement?

Maybe.

But that word alone didn’t cover it.

Affection?

No way.

Nostalgia would’ve been more believable.

Déjà vu?

I knew the meaning, but it didn’t fit.

No matter how much I thought about it.

No matter how many times I turned it over in my head.

I couldn’t find the right word.

Not even when Yozora finally walked out and playfully jabbed my arm.

Still.

“こんばんは~”

That annoyingly familiar greeting.

Turning my head, I saw Yozora grinning at me with her usual mischievous smile.

It pissed me off how she looked like she was announcing “The queen has arrived!”—but calling her out would just drag me into her twisted way of talking.

So I had only one option.

Do what I always did.

Exactly how I’d dealt with her for the past ten years.

“Speak Korean.”

“Ehh~ But this is super easy… Anyway, what’s with that face?”

“What face?”

Yozora brushed her fluttering bangs aside as she asked.

I reflexively touched my own mouth, wondering if something was off.

She stared up at me like a stray cat before giggling.

“Kinda looks like you’re in a bad mood~?”

“…Probably just tired.”

“Ah. Because of the midterm evaluations today?”

“Yeah. Probably.”

“Hmm…”

I gave a vague answer and stepped away from her building.

Truthfully, I was way more relaxed than usual—but as long as Yozora bought it, that was enough.

Luckily, she didn’t seem too interested in the details and just nodded.

…Sometimes she seemed sharp, but most of the time, she was surprisingly dense.

Especially when we were just chatting about nothing—she could come off as downright one-dimensional.

“Then we should hurry up and go somewhere!”

“…No option for ‘I’m tired, let’s hang out next time’?”

“Uuum~ Korean is too hard for me~”

“….”

For someone who claimed that, her Korean was better than most natives’.

Since it was an old joke, I just stared blankly.

She grinned back before bouncing toward the sidewalk.

I almost told her to watch where she was going, but I was sick of playing babysitter. With a sigh, I quickened my pace to catch up.

Whether it was Yozora’s excited movements or the cool evening breeze, her black t-shirt fluttered softly.

“Stop messing around and behave.”

“But if I behave, how are we gonna have fun quickly?”

“…So where are we going?”

“Just follow me. There’s a place here you’ll like.”

More like a place you want to go, I thought—but it wasn’t a bad deal for me.

So I quietly followed, adjusting my stride to match her oddly slow pace.

“…….”

“…….”

“Was she always walking slower, and I was the one rushing?”

A pointless thought, followed by a simpler one—”Maybe she’s just tired and walking slow.”

“Woojin. Woojin.”

“…Yeah.”

“…Hmph.”

“If you called me, say something.”

“Oh, well, I was just thinking… You might not actually like it that much~ I mean, I really liked it, but…”

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a secret until we get there. More fun that way, right?”

“Not fun.”

“Not pun~ Phuh…”

“…….”

But telling her it wasn’t fun wouldn’t change anything.

As expected, she just flashed a starry-eyed smile and stared right at me.

And because of that—

Again, I couldn’t help but think:

If only she’d keep her mouth shut.

—

I was willing to humor Yozora’s request to hang out—at least to that extent.

Not that it was purely out of goodwill.

In a relationship stretched thin by recklessness, lubrication was necessary.

And the most suitable woman for that role…

Well, it could only be Yozora.

The fact that she already knew something had happened with Jiyun—without me even telling her—proved how scarily perceptive she was.

The place she led me to was a quiet manga café.

“Why here?”

“I came here with Sua-chan once. Not the exact same one, but…”

“….”

I still didn’t get why that mattered.

But I just sighed and followed her inside.

I guess her idea of “hanging out with friends” stopped at this level.

…Then again.

I’d rarely ever seen Yozora actually hanging out with anyone.

At most, she’d occasionally say, “Gonna go see a friend,” and disappear for a bit.

Looking back now…

That was probably Baek Seoyeon.

“So, what do we do?”

“Grab whatever you wanna read! The genres are all labeled over there.”

After getting a shoe locker key and paying, Yozora chattered away like it was obvious before heading off to pick manga.

But nothing really caught my eye.

I didn’t have this kind of hobby, so I had no idea what to read—or even what I’d like.

Luckily, I didn’t have to think long.

We were only staying for an hour anyway. I’d just keep her company.

“Huh? No manga?”

“Don’t need any. Nothing interests me.”

“I’ll recommend some! I learned a lot trying to get closer to Sua-chan.”

“Pass.”

In a small corner blocked off by curtains, there were thin mats and several plush cushions.

Not enough for an overnight stay, but perfect for lounging.

I let out a quiet sigh and lay down, propping myself up with a cushion—

Only for Yozora to crawl on top of me the moment she returned, holding her manga.

If anyone saw us, they’d definitely get the wrong idea—like she was pinning me down.

So I had no choice but to say:

“…Is this why you wanted to come here?”

“…If I wanted this, I’d have just taken you home.”

“….”

She wasn’t wrong, so I shut my mouth.

Then, very uncomfortably, Yozora flipped over on top of me.

Wriggling around, she ended up using me as a backrest before murmuring:

“I won’t ask for anything else… Just let me stay like this for an hour.”

“….”

“…Okay?”

I didn’t know why.

Well, I had an idea—but it was so unlike either of us that I just nodded silently.