episode_0315

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The once-blue sky had now been painted over like a child had smeared it with crimson crayon.

Had someone handed that important crayon to a little kid or something?

Leaving lazy patches of blue here and there, the color stretched high enough to cover even airplanes.

Under that crimson sky, the streets were busier than before—perhaps because it was that time of day.

Elderly people strolling slowly wherever their feet took them, as if they disliked the loneliness of their homes.

Office workers dragging themselves like strands of seaweed, as if they had just gotten off work.

A few students whose light steps made it seem like they had skipped cram school.

Amidst them, I captured a single tiny fool in a photo.

A girl who constantly complained about her long hair being a nuisance,

yet showed no interest in a short cut that would probably suit her just fine.

The focus was off, and an ill-timed gust of wind blew her jet-black hair to one side,

but her signature mischievous smile was unmistakably preserved in the photo.

“Did you take it?”

“…Yeah.”

“Hmm… It should’ve turned out pretty~”

“The wind ruined it. And I’m not used to taking photos.”

“Take more from now on. Delicious food, good drinks, beautiful places. And, well… A pretty girlfriend, maybe?”

“…Look ahead when you walk. Don’t walk backward.”

“It’s not like we’re near a crosswalk. What’s the big deal?”

“…Anyway, I’ll send it. Your photo.”

Fortunately, Lee Jiyoon seemed to think this incident was an unavoidable act of God.

Judging by her grumbling about “that Yorha girl…,” she must’ve had some trouble sharing a classroom with her.

A childish thought popped into my head—what kind of reaction would Jiyoon have if I hugged her and Yorha together?

But since that was a story for the far future, I erased it from my mind.

Besides, the more likely future was Jiyoon scolding me to death.

“What did Jiyoon say?”

“…She said you’re annoying.”

“Pfft… Oops, my bad? Her boyfriend’s gonna spoil me rotten later.”

“Stop saying weird things and lower your voice. We’re still outside.”

“Why? If I were you, I’d wanna brag to everyone…”

“…Confident, aren’t you?”

“Of course. I’ve got the body to back it up, right?”

Yorha grinned cheekily after saying that.

A moment later, she glanced around before gathering the excess fabric of her loose white T-shirt and pulling it taut against her left waist.

The white bra visible through the fabric.

The figure blatantly outlined by the clinging shirt.

I knew exactly what she was trying to say.

Very much like Yorha.

But I’d prefer if she didn’t embarrass me in public.

Blocking her from others’ view, I stepped closer and gave her a light flick on the forehead.

Now that I thought about it, her head was really small.

“Don’t do this outside.”

“Ehehe… Okay! I won’t do it again. I’m the new, well-behaved Yorha now.”

“…Sure you are.”

Though it was early summer, the weather was far from pleasant—more like a screw had come loose somewhere.

But with the cool breeze and our idle chatter, we soon found ourselves near Yorha’s place.

But even if I knew the area well, I couldn’t just walk ahead.

So I trailed behind an excited Yorha, soaking in the nostalgia of ten years ago.

About a minute away from her apartment.

In the distance.

A convenience store came into view.

“…Ah, let’s stop by the convenience store before going in.”

“Need something?”

“This and that.”

As we entered, a male clerk organizing something greeted us warmly.

Not that it mattered, but judging by his age, he was probably the owner.

Passing him, I headed to the fridge and grabbed a few bottles of soju and canned beer—Yorha’s favorites—before walking to the counter.

Beep— Beep—

Over the sound of the barcode scanner, Yorha’s voice overlapped.

“…You told me to drink less earlier…”

“So, you don’t wanna drink?”

“……”

Her eyes had been sparkling ever since we neared the fridge.

If she had a tail, it would’ve been wagging furiously by now.

But while she stared holes into the soju, she barely reacted to the beer—must’ve been before she got into it.

Back when she was hooked, she’d drink it with me almost every day.

…Would the memories tied to this beer change this time?

Lost in thought, I pulled out my card—

Then went, “Ah—”

Remembering something.

“This too.”

“……”

A small box of condoms from the shelf right behind me.

Come to think of it, we might run out.

I grabbed two more boxes and placed them on the counter.

These.

Yorha’s place probably didn’t have any.

The ones sold here were a bit small and uncomfortable, but they’d do.

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go, Yorha.”

“…Yeah.”

After the transaction.

Holding the jingling plastic bag, I followed behind Yorha as before.

But the earlier excitement had vanished.

The Yorha who had been chattering non-stop was gone, replaced by one who now seemed unable to even look at me properly.

…It couldn’t be because of the alcohol.

That left the condoms.

Was Yorha really the type to get shy over something like this?

I pondered briefly.

At the lone crosswalk, the light turned red.

I bent down slightly to meet her eye level.

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“…Huh? Wh-what?”

“I said, what’s wrong? You’re acting unlike yourself.”

“…What did I do?”

“It’s not what you did—it’s that you’re not doing anything.”

“……”

Yorha, who had been trying to glance at me, stiffly averted her gaze.

It felt less like dealing with the usual playful Yorha and more like handling Baek Seoyeon when she was still awkward around me.

Not that it was unfamiliar, given recent events.

“L-let’s go. The light’s green…”

“…”

This side of her.

Was it because I’d never seen Yorha like this before?

As if it had rubbed off on me.

I suddenly felt mischievous.

“Is it because of the condoms?”

“…! N-no, it’s not that…! I just… didn’t have anything to say…”

“Nothing to say, huh…”

Yorha scurried across the crosswalk, stumbling over her words before firmly pressing her lips together.

Then she walked briskly toward her now-visible officetel.

But no matter how fast a girl 20 cm shorter than me walked, I’d catch up in just a few steps.

“Yorha.”

“…”

In front of the building’s entrance.

Adjusting the rustling plastic bag, I took a breath and spoke.

“You weren’t this shy about this stuff before.”

“……”

“So why now?”

She didn’t answer immediately, but it didn’t matter.

I was just happy to see Yorha so flustered for the first time.

The way she got shy over something as trivial as condoms was unexpectedly cute.

I’d enjoy it for a bit, then forget about it.

No deep thoughts needed.

“…It’s… sinking in…”

“Sinking in?”

“…This is the first time I’m having sex… because we like each other…”

“…”

“Sex where I pretended to hate you… Sex to teach Han Sua… Sex to mess with Seoyeon… It’s always been like that, but now…”

“…”

“…We’re doing it because we like each other…”

Maybe that’s why.

I missed the right moment to respond.

“…That’s… kinda embarrassing… Hehe.”

“……”

Even as the elevator reached the first floor.

We just stood there, gauging each other.

In the end, the one to break the silence was—

As always—Yorha.

“C-come on. Let’s not just stand here…”

Grabbing my wrist, she pulled me into the empty elevator.

The softness of a girl’s palm.

The warmth seeping into my wrist.

…Maybe my blood was rushing.

My head felt a little.

Muddled.

“H-hey… …Ah…”

There were probably CCTV cameras.

Someone might stop the elevator midway.

But I bent down and shared a heated breath with Yorha.

I pressed the button to close the doors that refused to shut.

Belatedly remembering I hadn’t pressed the floor, I hit the button for the 7th floor—just like when I used to carry her.

Still tasting Yorha’s pliant tongue.

Locking eyes with her half-lidded red ones.

This girl, cuter than I remembered.

Devouring her.

Greedily.

“Fhah… …Nn, ngh…”

When I did this with Han Sua, it was because of you, Yorha.

Now, too.

Pinning you against the cold elevator wall.

Trapping you.

Our kisses, nothing but pleasure.

You, still unskilled, tapping my chest as if suffocating—until our lips part, a string of saliva between us.

…Probably near the top.

Where the CCTV would be.

You, cuter than usual as you glance up at it.

The floor display flickers in my periphery.

You, closing your eyes and parting your lips, asking for more.

So unbearably lewd.

Again.

I devour you.

Until you’re loved.

“…Chu… Hah… …Nn…”

Your floating body grows heavier.

The elevator announces the 7th floor in a friendly voice.

Your eager tongue, as if desperate to please, scratches at my mind.

Only when the doors are halfway open do I pull away.

But the hallway beyond is deserted.

You, unmoving.

Our lips meet again.

Even if the elevator, thinking everyone’s left, closes its doors.

You, clinging to my neck.

So we can exchange saliva to our fill.

When the doors finally close.

I press the button to reopen them.

Dragging out a panting Yorha, whose smile makes it obvious what just happened.

Left here.

Past two doors.

The very next room.

I walk ahead down the hallway Yorha should’ve led, lifting the door lock.

“……”

Beep. Beep-beep. Beep.

A sound as familiar as my own.

After Yorha punches in the code, I close the lock and step inside with her.

Setting down the heavy convenience store bag.

To lift.

Your even heavier heart.