episode_0450

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Playing along with Baek Seo-yeon’s antics ended up taking a lot of time.

With November just a few steps away, daylight had grown much shorter compared to before. Even though it was barely past 6 PM, the sky was already pitch black.

If Baek Seo-yeon had been by my side right now, she would’ve poked at her prideful ego, asking things like: Is it normal to be fucking around at this hour? What got you so worked up this time? Don’t tell me you wanted to do it in the student council room?

That part was a bit disappointing.

Maybe because the sun had set, making it even chillier. The weather was getting cold enough to see your breath. If it’s going to be cold, it should just stay cold—why does the temperature have to swing so drastically?

Grumbling internally as I left the academy, I rummaged through my coat pocket. But the thing that should’ve been there wasn’t.

My phone.

Did I leave it in the student council room?

Thinking back calmly, I didn’t remember using it there. That meant I must’ve left it behind in my rush to pack up and leave the infirmary.

I’d have to backtrack a little, but it was still better than realizing it only after getting home. Letting out a short sigh, I turned back toward the main building.

“…At least I didn’t drop it somewhere.”

Pressing the door lock, I stepped into the infirmary—and there it was, my black smartphone sitting smugly on the desk, as if mocking me. It did feel a little like I was being made fun of, but since it was 100% my fault, I had nothing to say.

Since I was already here, I took a quick look around before grabbing my phone. The screen lit up with a single notification.

A message.

The sender, surprisingly, was Seol Da-bin.

[Seol Da-bin] – If you’re thinking of calling me out, say it as soon as possible. – I don’t want to cancel plans last minute.

The content wasn’t particularly interesting, but it wasn’t hard to understand either. If I called her out while she was hanging out with friends, it’d be troublesome for her.

Still, part of me wished I mattered more than her plans with friends. But given that it had only been two days since we last kissed, maybe wanting more was just greed.

I sent a quick reply saying I understood and left the infirmary.

“Teacher, hello!” “…Ah, yeah. Hello.” “Are you heading home too, sir?” “Yeah, yeah.”

…Ways to deepen my relationship with Seol Da-bin beyond where we are now. Among them, the simplest and easiest—

I thought back to the method that had already worked once before.

450

“I don’t want to cancel plans last minute.”

Contrary to what she said, she had no plans today. Looking back, it made sense.

For the past month or two, I’d been indirectly turning down most invitations from friends—Let’s go out, Let’s eat something good, Let’s check this place out. Lately, the frequency of those invitations had dropped significantly.

But the reason I still sent Seo Woo-jin this message was partly to give a heads-up in case our schedules overlapped later.

And partly because…

[Seo Woo-jin] – Got it. – I’ll let you know by dismissal time at the latest.

‘I was just curious,’ I told myself.

But the reply I got was subtly different from what I’d hoped for.

“…Hmm.”

I understood Woo-jin’s response—It’s only natural—but I lingered on the screen for a while. Buried under thick blankets up to my shoulders. For a long time.

Just to be clear, it wasn’t because I was expecting another reply from him. …Well, not entirely no. But that wasn’t the main reason.

I’m not some elementary schooler. I wouldn’t seriously cling to a one-in-a-million chance like an idiot. …Though it’d be nice if he did.

Not that I’m expecting it.

Still, the reason I kept staring at the screen was… “……”

Was it okay to send a few more messages in this situation? Or would it be more natural—more right—to end it here? I was just hesitating, torn between the two.

“…Tch.”

This would have to do for now.

With a complicated expression, I stared at my phone before finally turning off the screen and pulling the blanket over my head. …But less than 30 seconds later, I threw it off again, frustrated.

By then, no new messages had arrived from Woo-jin.

So… “……”

Something like “Come home by [time] today.” The kind of utterly ordinary message he used to send.

“…Is it because of that sunbae?”

First of all, I’m not saying I want it. It’s just… A few weeks ago, he’d call me out every single day. “Come by 7 today.” “Come by 9 today.” He’d summon me, do all sorts of things, and now—after two days of nothing—I’m wondering if there’s a reason.

But if I straight-up asked, “Are we not doing it today?” Wouldn’t it seem like I’m the one who wants it?

…Of course, that time at dawn when we kissed— Tongues tangled, bodies pressed hard together— My head felt like it was melting, floating. It felt so good it was almost hard to believe…

“…Ngh…”

Forget it. If he doesn’t need it, then don’t do it. I’m better off this way.

Think of it like cigarettes. It’s bad for you. You should quit now—or at least cut back.

I’ll just stick with Baek Ji-ho and… “……”

…No, he’d rather waste his cum on other girls’ videos than with me anyway.

I can just take care of myself too. Rubbing my clit with my fingers—it’s not that different from what Woo-jin does.

Even though I’ve experienced sex being way better countless times, I stubbornly told myself this before yanking the blanket back over my head.

“…Phew…”

30 seconds later. I threw it off again, complaining about the stuffiness.

I glanced at my phone screen once more. Nothing had changed, which annoyed me a little.

I wanted to ask directly, “Are we not doing it today?” But I let it go.

Forcing myself to pretend I didn’t care, I—

…Looking back now, even that Seo-yeon sunbae had used ridiculous excuses like “cleaning the student council room” to meet Woo-jin.

Meanwhile, I’ve just been sitting still.

After feeling that unpleasant superiority over her before, it took me a full five days to realize this:

Woo-jin’s sex partners aren’t limited to just Seo-yeon sunbae. He’s probably tending to Ha-yoon and Ji-yoon too. Time is limited, and the choice is Woo-jin’s to make.

Only then did it hit me.

– Well, even if I told you, it’s all just construction site stuff right now. Not very interesting. “Still, there must be something fun if you listen long enough?” – Hmm… I think academy stories would be better. “The academy’s been pretty quiet. …Oh, except the student council president change?” – Baek Seo-yeon? That’s earlier than I thought. It’s only early November. Wasn’t the election supposed to be around December? Did something happen? “N-No, not an incident. Just the academic schedule. Maybe you misremembered, Ji-ho.” – Really?

It wasn’t an incident. Well, it was, but only I got caught.

Stammering through my answer, I kept the call going.

For five days, Woo-jin didn’t reach out. In a way, it was the same pattern as before.

Back when Baek Ji-ho had briefly returned home, Woo-jin had acted the same way. That was around the time I saw Seo-yeon sunbae in just a shirt.

But back then, there was a justifiable reason for him not to seek me out. Now, the situation was completely different, so I couldn’t understand.

If he wanted to meet, he could at any time. Yet, since last weekend, he hadn’t contacted me once all week.

What this likely meant was— Just like when I saw Seo-yeon sunbae’s cute little lie before— His other sex partners were probably doing similar things.

– Anyway, you’re at home now, right? “…Yeah?” – You used to always go out with friends. Is it because it’s cold lately? “…Uh, yeah. That’s part of it~”

Right now, I’m the only one lying to my boyfriend. The only one rejecting friends’ offers under false pretenses, waiting at home in case Woo-jin contacts me.

Everyone else is probably doing the same thing. Which is why he has no reason to seek out me—the one who always says things he doesn’t like during sex.

– You there?

My vague answer must’ve bothered him because Baek Ji-ho pressed further. I kept my tone light, like it was nothing.

“Some weirdos keep bothering me when you’re not around.” – …Ah. Weirdos. “So I’ve just been resting at home lately. …Good, right?” – Good. Yeah. “…Ji-ho, you too, okay? Don’t do anything weird just because I’m not there.” – What kind of weird… “You know, old men like that stuff, don’t they?” – …I get what you mean, but no. I don’t. …Not interested in the first place. “…Hmm.” – What about you? “Huh?” – Da-bin, are you okay? …You said it earlier too. That weirdos were bothering you. “……”

The truth is—

Not with some stranger, But with Ha-yoon’s boyfriend. With the popular health teacher you know too. Tongues tangled in ways we’ve never done. Taking him in places I’ve never allowed you. Moaning sounds I’ve never let you hear.

And even—

“O-Of course not. …I told them all to get lost.” – …Sounds like you.

…Never mind that right before this call, I’d been thinking of him while desperately fingering myself. Never mind that a dildo, soaked to the root, was lying right beside me.

I played innocent.

The sting of guilt— I shoved it onto something that wasn’t even a sin: You’ve secretly jerked off enough to fill a trash can too, Ji-ho.

– Since I’ve been away so long… I thought even if you made that choice, I wouldn’t have the right to say anything. “…D-Don’t say weird stuff. Just focus on work, you idiot. …Are you telling me to cheat on you or what?” – …As if I would. “…Sigh…”

I mixed in a few unnecessary coughs as I spoke.