Chapter 74: Woo-jin's Room
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 74: Woo-jin's Room
Click.
Usually, coming home brings a sense of peace and stability to one's mind and body.
But today, even as I kicked off my shoes at the entrance and looked at the same old mess of an apartment, my heart was thumping strangely.
“Clean up once in a while, will you?”
That was because Choi I-seo was right behind me.
Stepping inside with a nonchalant air, Choi I-seo let out a sigh and began tidying up my place.
Since she’d been here several times before—and even had a history of staying the night—she moved with practiced ease.
“Hey, go wash up first. You’re all sweaty and haven't had a chance to shower.”
“Ah, right.”
I stopped her from trying to straighten out my blankets and tossed her a towel. Feeling sticky herself, she snatched it and headed straight for the bathroom.
I’d picked up some fresh underwear at the convenience store earlier, so she could wear those, and I decided to lend her some of my workout clothes for the rest.
“Ah, man.”
Choi I-seo was in the shower.
As I listened to the sound of the water, I put the alcohol we bought into the fridge and aired out the room. While cleaning, memories of the past suddenly flickered through my mind.
Since I needed to give her something to wear, I rummaged through my closet. My eyes landed on a large T-shirt of mine that my ex-girlfriend used to wear all the time.
‘...Is giving her this crossing the line?’
But I didn't really have anything else suitable for her to wear.
Besides, to be honest...
A girl in an oversized T-shirt and nothing but panties is the hottest thing in the world.
“Woo-jin, bring me some clothes.”
At her call, I grabbed the T-shirt and walked toward the door.
“I, uh, didn't have any pants that would fit, so I brought a big shirt.”
Creeeak.
The door opened a crack, and I caught a glimpse of Choi I-seo’s face. She gave me a sharp glare but took the shirt without a word.
‘Wait, she’s actually going to wear it?’
Really?
I’d given it to her as a "might as well try" sort of thing, but she was actually putting it on?
I waited outside, my heart racing. It felt similar to the first time Oh Yun-ji came over and showered at my place.
As I took deep breaths of the cold air coming through the window to calm my racing heart...
“I... I told you to fix this door. It doesn't close right.”
Choi I-seo stepped out, looking hesitant and bashful.
Because her hair wasn't dry yet, she had a towel draped around her neck. She was clutching the hem of the T-shirt, pulling it down, but it still ended well above her knees, leaving her thighs exposed.
For a split second, I almost let out a gasp of admiration, but I managed to choke it back.
I covered my mouth with my hand and gave her a thumbs-up in a gesture of profound moved emotion. Choi I-seo let out a sigh, though she didn't seem to hate the reaction.
“You go wash up too.”
“...Holy shit.”
Is she flirting?
Is this an invitation?
I shuffled toward the bathroom, my butt pushed back in an awkward waddle.
Halfway there, Choi I-seo asked why I was walking like that.
“It’s because I’m a healthy man.”
Giving a perfectly rational explanation, I ducked into the bathroom and started my own shower.
“...Whew.”
I intentionally used cold water to get my head straight. Even so, the impact of seeing Choi I-seo just now was so powerful that the "tension" in my body refused to subside.
I decided to commit a taboo.
Squeeze.
I pumped out some shampoo that had been tucked away in the corner.
It was a high-end Romance Shampoo with a striking rose scent. It was expensive, but I never used it; I just kept it stashed away.
It belonged to my ex.
“Now, I am a sage.”
The moment I smelled my ex-girlfriend’s shampoo, my excitement didn't just die down—my brain turned ice-cold.
I was now in a state of near-invincibility.
Choi I-seo had said she wouldn't do anything with me today, and this was my own way of showing my resolve to keep that promise.
Thanks to the rose scent wafting from my head, I felt like my ex was standing right next to me. It was chilling.
When I finished my shower and stepped out, Choi I-seo was lying on my mattress, looking at her phone.
“You’re out? I ordered Jjimdak for dinner. That okay?”
“Sounds good.”
As long as I can eat, I’m happy. Unless it’s something insanely spicy like last time, I don't really care.
“But what do you usually do?”
I was wondering what we should do now, but it seemed Choi I-seo was thinking the same thing.
“Usually, I watch Neutube or movies on OTT apps. Or I play games.”
Lately, I’d mostly been gaming.
“Games? What kind?”
I thought she’d ask about movies; I didn't expect her to be interested in games.
“You’re not usually into games.”
“I’m not. I was just curious what you do.”
“...Then, can I play one round before the food gets here?”
When I asked tentatively, Choi I-seo laughed as if it were obvious.
“It’s your house, why are you asking me for permission? Just do it.”
With that, she went back to her phone while lying on the mattress.
She seemed to be Tok-ing with someone—probably Min-ji. I sat cross-legged and turned on my laptop, which was sitting on a folding table.
Since the mattress was right behind me, the laptop screen was in full view, but I had nothing to be ashamed of.
I launched the game and was about to start a match when...
A friend on my list messaged me. A Bronze 3 "Top-laner" with a delinquent-like nickname.
It was Seo Ye-rin.
‘Why is she gaming right now?’
Don't girls like Seo Ye-rin always have plans with friends?
Thinking it was a stroke of bad luck to run into her, I didn't reply and tried to start the matchmaking, but...
I was watching the timer, hoping for a quick match.
Vrrr!
Eventually, my phone started buzzing.
Vrrr!
“Woo-jin, you’re getting a call.”
Choi I-seo asked, glancing at me sideways. Feeling strangely nervous, I cautiously answered the phone.
“Hello?”
— Why are you ignoring me?
Her voice sounded quite grumpy.
“Sigh.”
If the conversation dragged on, Choi I-seo might overhear, so I ended up inviting Seo Ye-rin to the game.
“But I’m not using my mic today, okay?”
— Why? It’s better with the mic. I even bought a separate headset because you kept complaining.
Since we’d played together a few times, I’d complained about her mic quality being terrible.
“My headset is wireless and I forgot to charge it.”
— Can’t we just stay on the phone like this?
“Uh, no.”
Click.
I hung up and started the game.
Fortunately, she didn't find it too weird, and the conversation naturally shifted.
I guess this was the payoff for always being blunt with Seo Ye-rin.
The game proceeded much like any other. Seo Ye-rin, playing Ignite Double Axes, lived up to her nickname by getting two solo kills in the laning phase, but after that, she became a lost beast wandering the map.
As a support diligently protecting the marksman, I was busy moving all over the map.
“Hmm.”
Just then, I felt a weight on my shoulder.
Choi I-seo was resting her chin on my shoulder, staring intently at the screen.
Her breath brushing against my cheek made my body stiffen involuntarily.
“Is it fun?”
‘What’s this?’
Is she mad that I’m gaming alone instead of paying attention to her?
The thought crossed my mind, but based on her tone and the atmosphere, that didn't seem to be it.
She sounded genuinely curious.
“In its own way?”
I answered while focusing as hard as I could on the game. This time, I felt a soft sensation against my back.
Not only that, but Choi I-seo’s arms wrapped around my waist.
I had no idea what was happening, but the danger pings in the game were ringing like alarm bells, telling me to snap out of it.
“This person talks so vulgarly.”
Choi I-seo frowned, but she didn't pull away. Feeling her pressed tightly against my back, I caught my breath and reminded myself.
‘Stay calm, little buddy.’
I was ready to quit the match and "punish" her the moment her hands moved even an inch lower.
Ding-dong!
“Ah, the delivery’s here.”
Just like that, she pulled away and headed for the door.
Thinking the Jjimdak had saved her, I hit the surrender button. The jungler, mid, and marksman—who had been flaming me—all agreed.
With 4 votes for and 1 against, the surrender went through.
Seo Ye-rin, who had been tearing down the top lane, was flustered and tried to demand an explanation, but I quickly closed the laptop and cleared the table.
“I’m going to the bathroom for a sec.”
“I’ll set everything up.”
Leaving Choi I-seo to set the table, I went straight into the bathroom and made a call.
After a few rings, someone picked up.
— Hello?
“What is up with Choi I-seo?”
It was Min-ji, who was currently living with Choi I-seo.
We weren't exactly on the best terms, but we’d cleared the air regarding past events, so we were at least on speaking terms.
Besides, she was the only person who might have the answer to Choi I-seo’s strange behavior.
— Ah...
Min-ji’s voice wavered slightly, sounding embarrassed.
Judging by how she’d been Tok-ing with I-seo earlier, they must have been discussing the current situation.
— So... I heard you slept with that Ye-rin girl from your department?
“...”
— I-seo was really determined to punish you for that today. When she heard you were gaming, I even gave her some tips on how to subtly seduce you.
“It was you?!”
No wonder her "demonstration" felt like it was coming from a seasoned instructor!
— B-but I defended you a lot to I-seo! I told her you’d already dated Yun-ji! And that some guys your age go to brothels, so you’re actually wholesome!
“There are guys who go to brothels?”
— ...Some of my friends do?
“Goddammit.”
I let out a sigh at the realization of this grim truth and hung up.
Anyway, I understood Choi I-seo’s intention now. She was trying to seduce me, but the catch was...
‘She said she wouldn't do it.’
In short, it was Choi I-seo’s assassination strategy to make my crotch explode.
I opened the bathroom door and stepped out.
Choi I-seo, sitting on the floor, looked up and told me to come eat.
“What are you going to do if I actually pounce on you?”
Now was not the time for food.
I needed to sort out the "traffic" for today.
Realizing I’d caught onto her plan, Choi I-seo slowly stood up and crossed her arms.
The warm, clingy attitude from moments ago was gone, replaced by a chilly demeanor.
“If I refuse, you won't do it anyway.”
“So that’s why you’re teasing me like this? I’m sorry to break it to you, but I’m a man too.”
At my words, Choi I-seo shrugged and gave a dismissive snort.
“We don't have protection. If you’re going to go out and buy some now, I’m going home.”
So she was acting like this because she was confident I didn't have condoms. She knew I’d at least maintain that minimum boundary.
“Always.”
I pulled a small box out of my pocket that fit right in the palm of my hand. The black box featured a celebrity with a devious smile.
“A man who is prepared.”
“...When did you buy that?”
“While you were picking out the alcohol.”
When I smiled and shook the box, Choi I-seo slapped her forehead and let out a sigh.
Since I was the one who paid, she hadn't been able to check the receipt. Thanks to the convenience store clerk helping me hide it during checkout, I’d pulled it off.
“Surrender and lie down, Choi I-seo.”
“...”
You provoked me too much.
You should have known that wearing just a T-shirt was crossing a major line.
At my words, Choi I-seo gave me a look of utter disbelief and pointed at the Jjimdak on the floor.
“Eat the Jjimdak first. It won't be good if it gets cold. It has glass noodles in it too.”
“...”
It was a bit disappointing, but she wasn't wrong. The night was long. But the moment I stepped toward the table...
As if she were in an action movie, Choi I-seo took a step back, got a running start, leaped over the table, and delivered a kick straight to my solar plexus.
“Oof!”
“Agh! Kim Woo-jin!”
My back arched like a bow as I collapsed to the floor, but I never let go of the condoms.
However, Choi I-seo didn't give up there. She immediately mounted me and started a ground-and-pound.
“Let go! Let go! Drop it! You’re going to break a bone! Let go of it!”
“Gah! Argh! That hurts! You crazy woman! It hurts!”
“Let go! I’m warning you! Drop it right now!”
“I can see your panties! They’re grey, goddammit! I told you to buy a prettier color!”
“Shut up! You weren't supposed to see them anyway! You’re just holding hands tonight!”
“Just give me some!”
“Give you what?! You’re only doing this because you’re anxious about Ye-rin!”
Thwack!
Finally, a punch to my chest drained the strength from my body, leaving me limp.
Snatching the condom box from my hand, Choi I-seo ran to the window, threw it open, and tossed them outside.
“You... you persistent woman...!”
As I curled up, clutching my chest in agony and groaning, Choi I-seo gave a refreshed smile and pointed at the Jjimdak.
“Let’s eat.”
Eat? Eat what?
“You...!”
“What? You got more? If you do, bring it on.”
I didn't.
I should have bought another one.
Feeling a bitter sense of defeat, I shouted my final act of resistance.
“Transfer 6,600 won to my account, you evil woman!”
Give me back the money for the condoms you threw away!