The Shameful Hands-On Lesson
Suddenly hit with that unexpected question, I was inwardly panicking hard. Why the hell would he ask me something like that out of nowhere...?
"Ah, don't get the wrong idea. Sorry. Looks like my explanation fell a bit short."
"..."
Uncle Minwoo looked genuinely apologetic, giving an awkward smile as he continued.
"Truth is... there is a solid way to resist incubus mind manipulation magic, but... it's kinda tricky for me to do it directly to Sera myself."
"Tricky how...?"
What kind of method could be so awkward that even he couldn't handle doing it? And why bring up Ares? Before I knew it, my ears perked up as I leaned in, hanging on his every word.
"It's a surefire method, but... having a total stranger like me do it might be... well, kinda embarrassing and humiliating for the one on the receiving end."
"Embarrassing and humiliating...?"
Even as he said it, I couldn't quite picture it.
I must've looked confused because Uncle Minwoo scratched his head roughly and muttered like he was done explaining.
"Yeah, well... to put it bluntly, it involves me touching various parts of the body directly."
"Touching the... body...?"
For a second, I couldn't process his words and tilted my head.
"But you're already giving Sera massages, right? Wouldn't that work?"
Uncle Minwoo shook his head side to side at my question.
"Massages are just for beauty and health. What I'm talking about is way more... explicit, in a sexual sense. Touching those kinds of spots outright. I tried to beat around the bush, but you get it, yeah?"
"I... I see..."
Only then did it click, and I ducked my head slightly. My face burned hot. Topics like this weren't exactly my forte.
Uncle Minwoo nodded understandingly and went on.
"Honestly, I haven't told anyone else about this yet. You're the first."
"Okay..."
"So, back to that earlier question—are Ares and Sera dating?"
"..."
Ah, of course. That's why he asked. If they were lovers, mutual touching like that wouldn't be an issue.
A strange gloom settled over me as I replied.
"...No. They're... not dating."
I almost added not yet, but clamped my mouth shut.
"I see... Good thing I talked to you first, then."
"...?"
What did that mean? Good that he'd come to me?
"From what I could tell, they didn't seem like a couple, so I figured you were the next best option. Glad I was right."
"Uh-huh..."
"Anyway, back to the point... the way to resist incubus mental attacks. If Ares were dating Sera, I'd have asked him, but since that's not the case, you're the perfect candidate, Luna—even if it's plan B."
"No way..."
A bad premonition hit me. And it was spot on.
"Yeah. Instead of Ares, you need to learn this method directly and teach it to Sera yourself."
I swallowed dryly.
...I'd only come for a casual massage, and now things were veering into seriously heavy territory.
"But... what exactly does this method entail...?"
"Ah... Don't worry, I'll explain every detail step by step."
With that, Uncle Minwoo led me behind the curtain. Inside was clearly set up for massages—a simple bed big enough for one person smack in the center, with glass bottles of clear liquid and mysterious tools scattered nearby.
"First off, no misunderstandings—this is all for Sera's sake. Got it?"
"...Yes."
For Sera. I nodded solemnly at his words.
"Good. Then strip down and get on the bed."
"...Huh?"
I thought I'd misheard and asked again. But Uncle Minwoo just urged me on, like why are you standing there gawking?
"What're you waiting for? Strip already."
"W-Why do I have to... take my clothes off...?"
"Obviously. How else can I show you exactly what to touch? You'll have to do the same to Sera later. Clear?"
"Th-That's true, but..."
It made perfect sense, yet doubt lingered in my mind. I couldn't figure out why.
Uncle Minwoo stared at me steadily.
"Luna... You're not embarrassed about me touching you, are you?"
"N-No, it's not...!"
I stammered in a fluster. I wanted to deny it outright, but the words stuck.
Seeing my hesitation, he nodded.
"Yeah... I get it. Sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. I thought you could handle it, that's why I brought it up..."
"Ah...!"
Only then did I realize things were going south.
His expression darkened as he continued.
"You're a girl too, so feeling shame is natural. My bad for not thinking it through. Sorry for even bringing it up. I'll talk to Ares instead—you can head out and rest."
"N-No...!"
I panicked, words failing me.
He wasn't wrong. To save Sera, I'd do anything. If I chickened out over showing some skin and failed her, I'd regret it forever.
"I-I'll do it! I can handle it...!"
Too late, I blurted it out, but he kept shaking his head.
"No need to push yourself. It was my mistake. No girl would just flash her body to some random old guy she barely knows, even for a friend. I'll apologize properly—just go rest."
"No! I... I can do it...! Please... let me do this...!"
"..."
By now, my voice was a desperate plea, echoing louder than I'd ever spoken since coming to this world.
Uncle Minwoo eyed me intently, then spoke.
"You sure you can really do it?"
"Yes... I really can...! Please... let me be the one...!"
"Then say it clearly, so I know you're serious."
"Clearly, you mean...?"
He leaned in and whispered something. My face flushed crimson at the words.
"Th-That's...!"
"If you don't want to, no pressure. I'm not forcing you."
"Nngh... N-No, I will..."
In the end, eyes squeezed shut in shame, I shouted exactly what he'd said.
"Please...! To protect Sera from the demon... touch my naked body however you want...! I beg you...!"
...
"Hoo... Well, that's... unexpected..."
"Wh-What... is it...?"
"Nah, nothing."
I'd stripped off my uniform top and bottom, now in just my underwear, perched on the edge of the simple bed. Uncle Minwoo gazed down at me silently.
I had a hunch he was staring at my chest. And I was right.
"Quick question first... That thing on your chest—is it getting in the way of movement?"
"Y-Yes. You know it well."
"Yeah, figured..."
He nodded slowly, eyes still glued to my chest like he was drilling holes.
Even though it wasn't exposed yet, his gaze made my face heat up fiercely.
But... I had to endure. No matter the shame... for Sera.
"Anyway... we'll have to unwrap that to proceed. Can you do it yourself?"
"Ah, yes... It's easier with help, but I can manage alone."
"Hoo... Alright then. To get you used to my touch, I'll undo the binding myself."
"...O-Okay."
I nodded without protest, afraid any weakness might make him back out again. Unwrapping a bandage was no big deal anyway.
He circled behind me. Up close, his scent wafted over—subtly comforting, for some reason.
Maybe this was what adult men called charisma. I'd only soured on boys because of those jerks harassing Sera; I didn't hate men or anything.
My dad was someone I deeply respected. Uncle Minwoo gave off a similar vibe—not quite the same, but that steady presence brought this ease. And stepping up like this for Sera? Incredibly grateful.
"So... where's the knot on the bandage?"
"Uh... You probably can't see from there, but it's tied at the center bottom of my chest. Undo that, and it loosens naturally."
"Got it. Mind lifting your arms up high for a sec?"
"Sure..."
I raised both arms overhead as instructed, and soon felt his hands slip under my armpits. It tickled oddly, making me shiver a bit.
Moments later, his fingers brushed the underside of my breasts.
"Hngh...!"
"Hmm... Where is it..."
Like a blind man reading braille, he carefully trailed his fingertips along the bottom curve of my breasts, slow and deliberate.
The strange sensation made me hunch my shoulders again.
"Nngh... Center... a bit to the right..."
"Right side... here?"
"Hyah...! N-No, not there... the other way..."
"Oops... my bad. Mistake... Ah, this? Feels bumpy, sticking out."
"Hiyaang!?"
In that instant, the sudden unfamiliar jolt made a weird noise burst from my lips.