episode_0441

…

After calming my mind, which had been muddled with lust, I checked the messages on my phone again. Seo Woojin had even gone as far as saying this:

“Baek Jiho. When are you going back to work?”

“You’re still at home, right?”

As if he had some vague idea of my recent situation.

If I had just answered honestly with “In two days,” the conversation would have ended without incident.

But why?

Because I had to go and say “I went yesterday.”

And now, this mess.

“……”

At least the hiccups didn’t come back.

But the creeping discomfort was something I couldn’t do anything about.

People usually say their blood runs cold.

But considering how hot my blood had been just moments ago—thanks to all that… imagining—the sudden drop was absurd.

To exaggerate a little, I could practically feel the cold blood congealing in my fingertips and toes.

Thankfully, I didn’t need to pinch my cheeks or thighs to confirm.

My face, which had been flushed red, must be pale now.

…For a brief moment, only my thumb twitched over the screen.

At the same time, what flashed through my mind was—

How will Seo Woojin use the mistake I just made?

“……”

As I said, my blood had already run cold.

But it wasn’t just that.

Staring blankly at my phone, I steadied my pounding heart and began to act on the thought that had surfaced in my mind.

It was obvious what that pervert wanted anyway.

And as it happened, I was in just the right state to give him exactly that.

Pulling aside my panties with my index finger,

I tapped into a phone feature I rarely used.

…Trying to minimize the shame, covering myself awkwardly with my arm and hand.

Clumsily. Awkwardly.

A type of message I’d never even sent to my boyfriend.

Sent to a useless man whose only redeeming qualities were his size and skill in bed.

[Seol Dabin] – Is this enough, you disgusting bastard?

I considered adding something like that but decided against it.

Right now, I was the one at a disadvantage. Even if I played nice with Seo Woojin, it wouldn’t be enough—no need to provoke him further.

…Come to think of it, maybe I should’ve asked where he was before sending it.

But he wouldn’t have contacted me if Hayun were next to him, so at least I avoided the worst-case scenario.

The second-worst would be if the people around him saw the photo too…

But no.

He must be alone if he’s messaging me now.

If worse comes to worst, I can just say I was blackmailed, that I covered all the important parts, and drag him into the mud with me.

After all, both he and I have plenty to lose.

If we both end up falling to the bottom of hell together…

[Seo Woojin] – We’ve already done worse, haven’t we? – Is this really all you’ve got?

…Trash bastard.

Perverted bastard.

Hypocrite, pretending to be kind.

A bastard who only thinks about fucking girls.

A bastard who touches girls with boyfriends.

A bastard who thinks it’s okay to treat women however he wants just because he’s good in bed.

Absolute scum.

Chewing on every curse I could think of, I reopened the app.

Hesitantly pulling my panties aside again…

…The toy I’d been using earlier.

I was about to shove it back in and take another photo to send, but—

[Seo Woojin] – Unless you’re planning to send a video, the photo’s enough. – There’s something else I want right now.

…Again.

He wants that again.

Placing the damp toy back on the towel, I was about to pick up the clothes scattered around the living room when—

[Seo Woojin] – Want to meet up for a bit later? – Around 7 PM… – Near Daehak-ro, where we went last time. – Let’s grab dinner.

A bad premonition flickered through my mind—what does he plan to do if we meet?

But in the end…

[Seol Dabin] – Fine.

I answered obediently.

441

Outside.

If it’s outside, then—public exposure?

Or maybe he’ll just drag me to a motel and try something.

It was easy to guess.

But knowing didn’t mean I could prepare for it.

…At least I should pick out decent underwear.

If he mocks me for being childish, I might bite my tongue on the spot.

Finishing an early shower,

I dressed for the chilly weather outside.

When my mom asked where I was going,

When she added, “Did your evaluation go well?”

I mumbled “Uh—” to brush it off.

Then my phone vibrated again.

The sender? Of course, Seo Woojin.

[Seo Woojin] – I already told Baek Jiho, so he’ll probably contact you soon. – I asked him to grab dinner with us before we go.

…Baek Jiho?

Why is his name coming up now? But seeing Baek Jiho’s message pop up at this exact moment, it must be true.

The health teacher said something about Hanwoo… blah blah…

Basically, he’s so obsessed with beef he can’t see anything else.

And the fact that he’s calling both Baek Jiho and me out at the same time means…

[Seol Dabin] – Is Hayun coming too?

[Seo Woojin] – Would you like her to?

[Seol Dabin] – I asked because I’m sure she won’t.

In front of Baek Jiho.

Without Baek Jiho noticing.

He plans to do something perverted.

Of course, he’d do that eventually.

I’d vaguely expected it.

I just never thought it would play out like this—but given who he is,

I knew it was only a matter of time.

Maybe today’s the day.

Without Baek Jiho knowing… he’ll touch me.

He’ll pick the most disgusting things to do.

Still, I wasn’t that unsettled.

As long as we don’t get caught, it’s not an impossible demand.

And honestly, having Baek Jiho around is more natural than being alone with Seo Woojin…

If I focus on not reacting and hiding it, maybe it’ll end without incident.

Letting out a deep sigh, I leaned back in my chair and replied.

[Seol Dabin] – And honestly, I’d like Hayun to see your trashy side too.

[Seo Woojin] – Something else will probably catch her eye first. – Like, say, a friend who secretly sends me lewd photos.

[Seol Dabin] – If you had any brains, you’d know that photo was a bargaining chip. – I’ll hand you a leash with my name on it myself, so let’s pretend that never happened.

[Seo Woojin] – Which is why we’re peacefully preparing for dinner right now, isn’t it? – You’re the one who sent your perfectly fine boyfriend to another region.

[Seol Dabin] – …You bastard.

I didn’t like his tone, but he wasn’t wrong.

So instead of a proper rebuttal, I could only mutter a short curse.

The same went for Seo Woojin’s subsequent sarcasm.

I handled it similarly—dismissing it as childish, elementary-school behavior.

Maybe that’s why.

Eventually, things settled into a temporary lull, punctuated only by Seo Woojin’s obnoxious emoticon.

…That one. The one Hayun bought months ago because she thought it was cute.

She must’ve bought it before she revealed she was dating Seo Woojin.

“……”

In any case, after that irritating emoticon, no messages came for about 30 seconds.

Scrolling up briefly to check the selfie I’d sent him, I deleted it completely—both from the chat and my phone—just in case Baek Jiho saw it by accident. Then I tapped the screen.

[Seol Dabin] – You’ll do something perverted. – Obviously. – But don’t make it obvious.

[Seo Woojin] – Don’t worry. – I never planned to do anything in front of Baek Jiho anyway.

[Seol Dabin] – ? – Then why call both me and Baek Jiho out?

[Seo Woojin] – Hmm… – Just because? – That feels like the most accurate answer.

[Seol Dabin] – Ha…?

…How much of that can I even believe?

I have no idea, but whatever.

…So.

After walking and walking, we arrived at a surprisingly upscale place for a barbecue restaurant.

Following the teacher who held the door open for us, Dabin and I went inside together…

“This isn’t even 200g, why does it cost nearly 70,000 won?” I muttered some nonsense like that,

But I was also grateful for the teacher’s words—”Eat well and stay strong.”

…And as for Dabin, who I’d been suspicious of, maybe it really was just a one-sided crush.

For now,

I ate as recommended.

Added some Yukhoe and ate that too.

Ate until I was genuinely full.

…Then the teacher started talking about traditional Korean liquor, distilled spirits, and all that,

So, just in case,

I deliberately drank more than I should have.

“Ugh…?”

…But even so,

Why does my head feel like it’s splitting open?

Why is it already bright outside?

How the hell did I even get home…?

Did Dabin help me?

Or was it the teacher…?

“Ugh, wait… This hangover…”

I think I heard someone say this liquor doesn’t give hangovers or something,

But my memory from last night is too hazy to be sure.

Some liquors might actually be like that, but judging by my state, I must’ve mixed it with something else.

Knocking my forehead and temples with my wrist, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the living room.

I needed water—something—or I might actually die.

And there was something else I needed to check…

“You’re awake? Son?”

“Yeah…”

“Want me to make you some ramen for the hangover?”

“No, no. I’ll handle it myself. You rest. …Actually, I wanted to ask…”

“Hmm?”

“How did I get home yesterday…? I don’t remember…”

“Oh, that—”

…Dabin and the teacher.

What happened to those two?

“Dabin brought you to the front door, remember? You really don’t recall anything?”

“…Wasn’t there another man with her? That… who did he look like again…”

“A man? …Oh, you mean that tall guy?”

“Yeah, yeah, must be him. He was with us, right? …So, do you know where he went?”

“Dabin said he’d sleep on the living room couch for the night? Something about not knowing where he lives.”

“…What?”

“He was completely wasted too. Anyway, Dabin kept calling ‘Auntie~ Auntie~’ so I opened the door, and there she was, dragging two men by herself…”

Without even waiting for my mom to finish, I headed for the front door.

My head was pounding so hard it took me five or six tries to even slip on my slippers, but right now, all I cared about was the situation at Dabin’s place.

Leaving the door open behind me, I stepped into the apartment hallway and walked straight to the unit next door—Dabin’s place.

I wanted to slam the doorbell repeatedly, but… causing a disturbance this early would be rude.

So just once.

Unconsciously holding my breath, I pressed the doorbell once.

With my heart pounding like it was being crushed, I waited about ten seconds.

Faint footsteps from inside.

It really did feel like my heart was being squeezed.

“…What is it? What’s going on this early?”

…The face that appeared at the door was—

Dabin, her hair messy like she’d just woken up.

“Oh, uh… Mom said you brought me home. Just wanted to say thanks.”

“It’s fine… It was embarrassing, but not exactly hard. …And, um, breakfast? You said you’d eat?”

And then.

“If there’s food to spare…”

“Yeah. Yeah. There’s plenty. Just say ‘Thanks~’ and eat. Your mom—no, your aunt—said there was food earlier, right?”

“……”

Had she just washed her hair?

The shirt that had been neat yesterday was gone,

Revealing a not-bad body.

With a towel draped over his head,

The teacher walked out.

“…Ah, good morning.”

“…Good morning, Teacher.”

“Sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have pushed the drinks…”

“……”

Smiling as if nothing had happened, the teacher carried the same scent I always associated with Dabin.

I couldn’t tell what else it was,

But the shampoo smell—

That much was certain.