episode_0429

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It seems a friend called her out for some nighttime errand.

For instance… perhaps too many friends were drunk, forcing Da-bin to step in and help.

Frankly, it doesn’t make much sense, but it’s plausible enough to grudgingly accept, right?

So it’s probably nothing serious.

Just confirming where she’s going and who she’s meeting—that’s all.

Admittedly, it feels a bit like stalking, but not checking at all would make me look…

…too much like an idiot.

Swearing to myself that I’d only verify the basics, I trailed after Da-bin.

Leaping down the emergency staircase railing, I caught up to the elevator in no time.

But outpacing an elevator already near the first floor was impossible, so I muffled my footsteps as much as possible, timing them with the machine’s halt.

Creeping down the stairs, I heard footsteps on the first floor—not mine, but someone else’s.

Hard to identify from sound alone, but the soft, sweeping noise suggested sneakers.

The footsteps headed outside the apartment.

Assuming it was Da-bin, I quietly followed.

After the automatic door slid open, I counted to ten before stepping out.

Unless she started running, she wouldn’t vanish from sight, even if slightly obscured by foliage.

And sure enough, outside, beneath a large plastic umbrella…

A familiar lock of hair was visible in the distance, walking away.

Unless this was some absurd coincidence, it had to be Da-bin.

Yeah. Up to that point, no major issues.

What nagged at me was her outfit.

Nearly identical to what she wore when we met at the pavilion earlier, but with slight differences.

…Why was she wearing that pitch-black cap?

Sigh…

“To avoid being recognized by others.”

That was the first explanation that came to mind, but I couldn’t be sure.

I’d seen her wear that cap before when she went to convenience stores, claiming she hadn’t washed her hair yet.

Of course, when we met at the pavilion earlier, she looked perfectly presentable…

…I don’t know. Confirmation comes first.

If she’s heading this way, the subway is likely her destination.

Fortunately, I have my card and phone, so following isn’t hard.

Still, what if she’s going somewhere else in the same direction?—I considered it, but ultimately, Da-bin arrived at the subway entrance.

From here on, bright lighting would make dark clothing stand out more.

Since this was my first time doing something like this, I’d only worn dark clothes.

Best to act natural and avoid drawing attention.

All I confirmed was that Da-bin entered the platform for Line 3, heading toward Ogeum.

Too afraid of being spotted to get closer, I tried to think of what lay in that direction—but there were too many possibilities.

Even excluding the Express Bus Terminal, there were too many transfer stations along the way.

What do I do?

From this point, keeping up will be near impossible.

I knew that, but giving up here felt unbearably frustrating.

So, clinging to the faintest hope, I boarded the same subway as Da-bin.

Of course, I couldn’t ride the same car—the best I could do was stay one car apart.

Still, if I watched her through the connecting window, I could somehow keep track—

“……”

…I can’t see her.

Move a little to the side. Please…

429

I gambled, hoping she’d get off at a reasonable transfer station, but it ended in spectacular failure.

Returning home, I tossed my sweat-drenched clothes aside and finished showering.

You can’t fill your stomach with the first drink, but I still wanted to know her destination.

Was it just a quick meetup with a friend?

Or was there another purpose?

If another purpose, then perhaps…

Lost in thought, I roughly threw on pajamas and collapsed onto the bed.

A glance at my phone: already 9 PM.

Not too late for an outing, but not early either.

At this hour, the only options are drinking or…

Speaking of drinking, maybe a rock bowling alley.

Or a PC bang… though Da-bin doesn’t like those.

That leaves…

“……”

Am I just being paranoid?

Recalling that brief call from before, I unlocked my phone.

The easiest way to clear up misunderstandings: conversation.

If I talk to Da-bin about that call, the misunderstanding could be resolved.

Same applies now.

Knocked on the wall—no response. Are you out right now?

Where’d you go at this hour?

Just asking would prevent this from spiraling into baseless delusions.

With the simple solution in mind, I dialed Da-bin’s number.

Now, all I have to do is press call.

That’s it.

“…This is driving me insane.”

After a long pause, I erased all the numbers.

“Seriously, what should I do…?”

It’s not because I trust Da-bin.

If I truly did, I wouldn’t have secretly followed her today.

Honestly, I’m a little suspicious.

It’s not that I wouldn’t care if Da-bin had other intentions.

Even if it doesn’t mean “Da-bin must stay by my side,” …I’d still prefer her to remain there.

Because I clearly… like her.

Yet, the reason I couldn’t call was…

This might sound strange, but…

“……”

I hoped the first sound after calling wouldn’t be the rowdy atmosphere of a bar…

…but something hushed, as if hiding.

Or, in another sense, I hoped for unmistakable moans.

Disgusted by my own absurdity,

if those idiotic delusions I’d harbored for days turned out to be just that—delusions—

and everything returned to peaceful normalcy,

…only for me to still…

…fail to get hard.

I don’t know what to do.

Wondering if saying I “like” Da-bin in this situation

is somehow twisted.

Before calling, I set my phone down, feeling the need to calm down.

Adjusting the already uncomfortable waistband of my pants,

“……”

I tore open yet another roll of tissue,

already worn thin over the past few days.

I hadn’t done it that often with Seol Da-bin.

Just twice.

After obediently coming to my place, she’s still busy glaring at me while I finish inside her, enough to make my waist ache.

Of course, she’d never allow creampies—always with a condom, as usual.

Still, judging by the mood, it didn’t seem like she disliked the act itself.

Doing this behind her boyfriend’s back made her feel guilty.

Societal norms say it’s wrong, so it’d be better not to.

But when I undid her clothes at the entrance earlier, she muttered “no” yet let me continue.

Or after sex, before I told her to clean me with her mouth, her lips were busy gasping, hah, hah—

If she truly hated it, she wouldn’t react like this.

So, given a few weeks or months, I could probably make Seol Da-bin almost mine…

But that carefree timeline didn’t sit well with me for a few reasons.

“…Oh, you bought orange juice?”

“Not for you. Another sex partner likes it.”

“Another sex partner… Every time I hear that, it’s absurd. That’s not a word you can say so shamelessly.”

“Between us, it doesn’t matter. What we’re doing isn’t shameless either, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

“Anyway, drink it if you want. You like sweet stuff, right? Like ice cream.”

“…You’re not gonna come after me for stealing it, are you?”

“That one prefers alcohol over juice. You’re probably safe.”

“Alcohol…”

A few months?

First, that’s longer than I thought.

And “almost mine” means…

…she’ll never be fully mine.

Because—

“Anyway, I’ll just have a little. It’s not good for the body.”

“Just live carelessly, and if something breaks, ask me to fix it.”

“That might work now, but real recovery means changing habits and lifestyle.”

“True, but one glass of juice isn’t worth overthinking.”

“Anyway.”

To me, Seol Da-bin was just “a woman I wanted to steal once,” “a woman I wanted to take behind her boyfriend’s back and fuck full of betrayal sex.”

Maybe it’s because of how she always acts to avoid her boyfriend finding out.

Or just her looks.

…I thought she was just another worn-out rag,

but realizing I was her first changed things.

Somehow, I genuinely started wanting her.

That’s why I called her over the moment I had time.

“I’ll use the shower first. Don’t want to miss the last train.”

“Go ahead. You don’t need permission.”

“It’s a warning. Don’t come in, you pervert.”

“……”

Despite her harsh words, her honest reactions during sex

or how she hesitates but still comes when called—

Given time, she’ll break eventually.

Maybe sooner than I think.

But waiting indefinitely might drive me mad first, like Baek Seo-yeon…

Ah—… Seriously.

What can I do to speed this up…?

I was groaning on the bed where I’d just had sex with Da-bin when—

Bzzzt—

A call came to Seol Da-bin’s phone.

The caller ID clearly displayed: Baek Ji-ho.

…I can’t answer this.

But ignoring it feels wrong, so I should let Da-bin know.

Picking up the phone, I knocked on the bathroom door.

“…I told you not to come in. …Don’t tell me you’re already hard again…?”

“Phone call. You should take it.”

“Huh? A call? Who? Parents?”

“Your boyfriend.”

“…Huh?!”

Must’ve rushed to dry her hands.

The sound of vigorous towel-patting came from inside before the door opened.

Couldn’t she have taken it in there?—Maybe she stepped out to avoid echoing voices raising suspicion.

Not overthinking it, I handed her the phone.

“…Hello? Why?”

– Ah, I knocked on the wall but no answer. Thought you weren’t home.

“O-oh. I’m out… meeting a friend… I’ll be back soon.”

– I see…

Being close, I could faintly hear Baek Ji-ho’s voice even without speakerphone.

In this situation, the opposite of last time—imagining him jerking off to this call—was just a passing thought.

Staying silent to avoid leaking sound, his voice grew slightly clearer.

– Which friend?

She could’ve just said who it was.

Or ended the call here.

But instead, it felt like…

…he was probing.

“…Which friend? Middle school? High school?”

– …Ah… No, just wondering if it’s someone I know. Haha… Just a random question. Don’t mind it.

“…It’s academy friends. You know some of them…”

– I see. Academy friends…

He could’ve pushed further.

Asked where she was now. Or at least demanded to hear the friend’s voice.

But he left her endless room to escape.

From my perspective, it was bafflingly indecisive.

– Come back before it’s late. If my mom scolds you again…

“I’ll go. Yeah. About 30… 40 minutes? Maybe an hour…?”

– Isn’t that too late? Should I come meet you? You’ll get scolded more if you’re out with friends.

“It’s fine! As long as it’s not past midnight, she won’t say much…”

– No, I was thinking of grabbing something from the convenience store anyway. You said 40 minutes? Or an hour?

“…Yeah. But an hour might be…”

Baek Ji-ho.

Has he half-figured it out?

Is that why he’s testing the waters now?

…But if so,

“…Help me dry my hair.”

“What about the shampoo smell? It’ll be obvious.”

“It’s not exactly the same as home, but close enough… …It’ll be fine. Probably.”

“…It’s drizzling outside. Maybe get a little wet on purpose.”

…it’s all

too sloppy, isn’t it?