Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Junny
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Since there was no one around anyway, Doyoung kicked off his pants with his feet just like he did when heading from his room to the bathroom, leaving them on the beach like a shed snakeskin, and waded into the sea.
He threw himself into the water as if embracing it. He rinsed off lightly and then swam slowly. The sky was blue, and the sea was blue.
Doyoung dunked his head underwater, then surfaced and swept his hair back. Transparent water droplets trailed down his body, clad only in black drawers.
Just then, something slipped past him, and he instinctively turned to look. Gamal was gliding by like a water snake—buck naked.
Even submerged, her bare body undulated clearly beneath the transparent surface. Doyoung was so flabbergasted that he asked,
“What are you doing?”
Gamal looked at Doyoung.
“Swimming.”
“Can’t you see I’m wearing underwear? Why’d you strip completely?”
He’d held back because there was a woman present, after all.
“The Major’s naked too.”
With that, Gamal leaned back and paddled her arms. The water was so clear it was all visible, but her nonchalance made it feel anything but erotic.
White and smooth—like, yeah, exactly like a boiled egg. Doyoung was in that kind of thoughtless state.
Doyoung looked at the back of Gamal’s head as she swam doggy-paddle style behind him and said,
“Sorry, but I’m a civilized person.”
“The Major keeps going on about being civilized. Doesn’t seem that great.”
“Where’d you pick up a word like ‘going on’? You really suck at French, huh? But why not?”
Doyoung asked without looking at her, washing his face with seawater.
“There’s too much you have to know and do.”
Splash, splash. Gamal kicked her feet, swimming backward as she replied.
“But you’re not lonely.”
“Then I wouldn’t be lonely either? If I became civilized?”
“At least better than living alone on this island.”
Doyoung lifted his head, gazed out at the ocean with one hand on his hip, and swept his hair back. Facing the open horizon nearly naked, a sense of liberation washed over him, as if he were free from all worldly troubles.
“But I’m not lonely anymore.”
Her tone suddenly turned serious, so Doyoung turned to look.
“Because the Major’s here.”
She’d swum backward until she reached shallow water and was now sitting on the beach with the waves lapping at her waist. Like a mermaid who’d accidentally beached herself, her white, dazzling upper body was on full display as she gazed at him.
Her black hair, wet and clinging to skin that gleamed whiter than the sunlit sand, and her eyes sparkled innocently.
She must have frozen like that for a while. A droplet trailed down Doyoung’s neck, reminding him of the passage of time.
Doyoung’s face suddenly turned fierce, and he strode forward, kicking up huge splashes. The muscles in his body rippled as if angry too.
“Why…”
Gamal’s startled words were cut off as his shadow fell over her.
The next moment, Gamal was lying down, receiving a kiss from Doyoung. He lay long atop her. Gentle waves rolled in and out between their tangled legs.
The weight pressing down on her felt good. Instinctively, Gamal wrapped her arms around Doyoung’s neck. He pulled his lips away and said roughly,
“You say that cute stuff to all the guys who come here?”
Gamal’s eyes wavered.
“You’re the first, Major.”
Doyoung kissed her again.
He couldn’t define the jumble of emotions he felt for this enigmatic vampire—hate, pity, suspicion, affection—all tangled up, goading him on.
***
The firewood crackled to life. Doyoung stared at Gamal’s profile in the firelight and thought,
‘It’s hard to believe she’s detaining me here for some scheme.’
She had her reasons, but they seemed more personal than anything to do with him. Maybe some shady stalker was after her.
If so, given how long she’d lived on this island, that stalker was probably a vampire too.
She was probably trying to keep him from leaving the island out of fear that stalker would do something to him. Honestly, looking at Gamal, it wouldn’t be surprising if creeps followed her around. She was cute and lovable despite her looks.
“My name’s Doyoung.”
Doyoung said suddenly. Gamal turned, looking puzzled, and asked,
“You’re the Major, aren’t you?”
“That’s my rank, dummy.”
God, how long he’d wanted to say that—it felt like heartburn melting away.
“Rank?”
Gamal tilted her head.
“I’m a soldier.”
“Soldier? Warrior?”
“Close enough.”
Gamal nodded.
“That’s why you could fight me.”
Doyoung smiled bitterly.
“Even though I got crushed. Guess there’s no bridging the gap between humans and Luas.”
“I tried hard.”
Doyoung said incredulously,
“You think I didn’t?”
“Really hard. Every day.”
Gamal was earnest.
“Why? Vampires have superhuman strength by default—why go that far?”
Gamal’s face fell like she’d slipped up, and she clammed up again. That seemed connected too—to whatever was keeping him on this island.
To change the subject, Gamal asked,
“So the Major’s name is Doyoung?”
“Yeah. Doyoung de Fer.”
“Doyoung de Fer…”
Gamal savored the name, then beamed.
“Cool.”
It stabbed Doyoung right in the chest. As he stared holes into her, Gamal tilted her head.
“Doyoung?”
Doyoung shot to his feet.
“Bedtime.”
“Already?”
“We ate and brushed. Nothing else to do.”
Pity, though.
***
Doyoung realized the moment he woke briefly that Gamal was sitting beside him, watching. It was ridiculous.
‘What the hell is she doing?’
Lately, Gamal didn’t even try to hide that she’d fallen for him. A five-year-old would hide their feelings better.
It didn’t seem like morning yet. More like he’d only been asleep a short while. Which meant Gamal hadn’t slept at all—just watched him. Was that creepy or cute…?
That’s when it happened.
Thwack.
Something like a rock flew from outside and hit the log cabin wall. Gamal flinched and turned. Then she sprang up silently and slipped out.
Creak.
The door closed with a small sound. Doyoung opened his eyes curiously and turned. He heard rustling outside briefly, then nothing.
Doyoung frowned. He thought about following but waited. Soon Gamal returned. Doyoung pretended to have just woken, rolled over messily, and asked,
“Where’d you go?”
“Awake? Bathroom.”
Then Gamal lay back down innocently. Doyoung rolled over too. Eyes open, he thought.
Now it was crystal clear.
‘Someone’s here, on this island.’
***
The next morning over breakfast, he asked,
“By the way, what’s on the other side of the island?”
Gamal, mid-bite, blinked wide-eyed, swallowed, and said,
“Nothing.”
“Yeah?”
Doyoung didn’t press. After clearing the dishes, he said casually, as if it just occurred to him,
“Bored. Wanna go explore?”
“Huh?”
Gamal blinked. Doyoung stood and said,
“Let’s check out the other side.”
Gamal jumped up.
“No. Uh, there’s scary beasts.”
“You just said there’s nothing.”
“I said that so you wouldn’t be scared. They’re huge and fierce.”
It was the tone parents used to scare kids into bed. Doyoung looked skeptical.
“Never heard any beast cries.”
“You haven’t? Human ears, I guess.”
A beast big and fierce enough to warrant that would’ve been audible even to human ears.
Doyoung shrugged.
“Stuck going back and forth nearby every day is boring. Let’s check it out. And…”
He looked Gamal up and down.
“The most dangerous animal on this island seems to be right here.”
Gamal was troubled. But protesting more would look suspicious. Doyoung was already prepping to head out.
“I’ll borrow this bag.”
He stuffed various items into her crossbody bag.
“Let’s go.”
While she agonized, Doyoung finished packing and set off.
“Doyoung, wait up.”
Gamal hurried after him.
***
As expected, the forest was unchanged from their last visit. Even searching carefully, there were no traces of anything but animals.
“Doyoung, let’s go back.”
Gamal said cautiously. Doyoung glanced back.
“Plenty of time left.”
‘Break his leg again?’
The thought slipped in unbidden, but Gamal shook it off.
Even if last time was an accident, she didn’t want to hurt him on purpose. Plus, he was sharp—if he realized, who knew how mad he’d get.
She didn’t like when Doyoung got mad.
Ahead, Doyoung pushed aside leaves confidently, like he knew the way. Growing anxious, Gamal said,
“Doyoung, sun’s setting.”
Doyoung eyed the orange sky.
With a vampire as guide, no worry of getting lost in the dark—but the issue was he wouldn’t see whatever showed up. Regrettable, but no further today.
“Let’s head back.”
Doyoung said, passing her. Relieved, Gamal caught up and asked,
“What do you want for dinner?”
“Meat.”
“Doyoung likes meat.”
“Who likes it more than you?”
Rustle.
The bushes shook behind where they’d vanished. Then a foot emerged from the foliage. A man’s bare foot, caked in mud.
***
“Good night.”
“You too.”
Doyoung and Gamal exchanged greetings and lay down. The surroundings fell silent.
For a while, Gamal listened to Doyoung’s breathing as he lay on his side. It grew steady and regular. Confirming it, she quietly rose and headed to the door.
Still facing away, Doyoung silently opened his eyes. No trace of sleepiness. He lay still, keeping his breathing even. Any hitch, and she’d notice.
Creak.
Gamal left the cabin. Doyoung waited a beat. Then he bolted up, flung open the door, and called,
“Gamal.”
He sensed a flinch from somewhere. Bushes rustled, and Gamal emerged.
“Doyoung? Not asleep?”
Doyoung jerked his chin toward where she’d come from.
“What were you doing?”
“Bathroom.”
As he headed that way, Gamal subtly blocked him and asked,
“Where you going?”
“Bathroom—what else?”
Doyoung pushed into the bushes. Gamal followed, asking,
“Not too dark?”
“I know the way.”
Suddenly, Gamal took a step back.