The Fox Play That Crashed Han Jihye's World
The moment those words left my mouth, Jeong Seung-ah froze, her ears clearly doubting what she'd just heard.
'Fox play?'
She was supposed to do fox play. I had no idea where she'd picked up that term, but it didn't quite fit someone who was supposed to be a woman acting toward another woman.
'Whatever, Harang's doing it. It's fine.'
Yeah, that wasn't the point. I needed to understand what fox play actually meant.
'The act of using charm or flirtation to win over a man's heart or attraction. If I strip away the gender part here... charm, seduction.'
That was the conclusion I reached in roughly three seconds flat.
"Yeah, let's go out and try it right now."
It was my plan, and I wanted to get it done before my mind could change.
Walking beside me through the training ground, Jeong Seung-ah's heart was already racing.
She was going to use charm on me. She was going to flirt with me.
'What if I can't handle it? Even if I do everything, I'll probably fall for it... wait.'
In the middle of that happy daydream, a single thought popped into her head.
'By asking me to do this, she must mean it's not actually for me.'
That's right! That had to be it!
She wanted to practice fox play on someone else! I was just the practice dummy here!
Jeong Seung-ah's gaze sharpened. Then, seeing me cheerfully agree to help, she leveled an even colder look at me.
'Who is it? Which man? A guy? Or... a girl? She said she doesn't care who she dates, so I have to suspect every gender...!'
She pulled off an impressively stern expression. It came out lopsided at best, her round eyes and slightly tilted eyebrows the only evidence.
"Harang-ah."
"Superhuman Seo Harang!"
If she had a tail, would it have wagged? The bright light in her eyes and the endless gratitude she poured toward me made Jeong Seung-ah's rigid stance melt like snow in sunlight.
"No, it's nothing. Heehee..."
Too easy, this Jeong Seung-ah. She hadn't even checked her own intentions and had already fallen straight into my plan.
What expression would she make if she ever learned the real reason?
'I was doing fox play for the sake of Superhuman Yeon Byeori!'
Whatever, Jeong Seung-ah would probably be fine with it. Probably.
So we began training.
"Still... thank you for offering to help, but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing here. Could you give me a rough idea of how it feels?"
"Oh! Of course!"
She said it confidently, but even Jeong Seung-ah had never actually tried fox play before.
But it was fine!
'If I just tell her what would make Harang fall for it, everything will be okay!'
She already knew the general flow, right?
"First, we should close the distance."
"Like this?"
"Eek!"
"Jeong Seung-ah Superhuman?"
Without even blinking, I closed in until my face was right in front of hers.
Her vision filled with my presence, and she instinctively stepped back a pace.
Yet the lingering scent remained. My nose prickled.
Already... fifty... no, seventy... wait, ninety percent? I'd already pushed past the threshold!
Jeong Seung-ah was too weak against me. Love was going to strip away her defenses to zero.
"No, it's fine. Just startled for a second."
"Oh, sorry. Anyway, with the distance closed, what exactly are we supposed to do?"
"Um... secret touches and skinship or something."
"That might be a bit difficult."
"I'm your senior, so it's okay! Don't hold back! You can touch me anywhere!"
"Erm... then I'll try once."
"Okay."
I brushed my hand lightly across her shoulder, feather-soft and gentle.
"Ah... ahh..."
Then she jerked back in surprise.
"Ah... it's fine. Just surprised."
Jeong Seung-ah was ninety-five percent conquered.
"I was startled. This one felt a little ambiguous though... is there anything else?"
"Um... charm?"
Jeong Seung-ah was already one hundred percent before I even finished saying the word.
Harang's charm! Her charm!!
Jeong Seung-ah imagined it in her head. Harang pressing both hands to her cheeks and making those adorable little noises.
If she witnessed that beautiful sight, she might even pass out from happiness. Then she would wake up, replay the memory, and devour five bowls of rice. Just from that image alone, she'd be able to live for years longer.
Come on! Hurry! Hurry and conquer me!
Jeong Seung-ah had braced herself to receive every single follow-up charm, but sadly, it never came.
"Sorry. I'm just not really into charm or cute talk."
That was the day Jeong Seung-ah's entire world came crashing down.
"Then I guess we have no choice. Let's think of something else."
But right now, it was just Awakener Jeong Seung-ah standing here. She had already risen steadily, so she could still enjoy the rest of the fun!
"Understood!"
"First, we can lightly brush hands while walking..."
"Like this?"
"Hic."
One hundred and five percent conquered.
"And... and... we can speak closer than usual, like whispering right into the ear. Want to try?"
"Um... like this?"
"Hyaah..."
"Are you okay!?"
"Mmm... I'm fine..."
One hundred and fifteen percent conquered.
"We can smile while talking too."
"I'm not used to smiling with my eyes, but is it okay?"
"It's fine. I'll show you. Just let loose and go for it!"
"L-like this..."
"Kyaaah!"
Three hundred percent conquered.
Exploded.
Jeong Seung-ah could now finish five bowls of rice just from remembering today's events.
It had been a perfect day, exactly on the line I had drawn, tickling her heartstrings in the most platonic way possible.
+++
I probably wouldn't get any good feedback from Jeong Seung-ah.
Whatever you do, I'll say it's right.
Walking together? Great! Secret skinship? Amazing! Before long I was even considering giving permission to kiss.
Of course I wouldn't. There were still senior eyes watching, and besides, we were the same gender on the surface.
The best senior while moving as a team, but right now, when she needed blunt advice, I felt a little regretful.
Of course! I wasn't saying I disliked Jeong Seung-ah! She filled my pride and I was genuinely grateful!
For now, I left after noticing Jeong Seung-ah seemed satisfied with something.
She told me to go ahead since she needed a moment, so I headed back to the living quarters first.
"You're back? What did you talk about with Seung-ah?"
The moment I opened the door, Han Jihye asked as if she'd been waiting. It looked like she was curious why Jeong Seung-ah had pulled me aside.
I glanced at Yeon Byeori. She was still completely lost in her phone, ignoring everything else in the world.
"We talked about what we should do from now on."
"What we should do? What are you talking about?"
"There's something like that."
"What kind of something?"
Han Jihye stood up and shuffled over in her slippers, closing the distance.
Then she grabbed the back of my head in a headlock.
The force wasn't strong, but the overwhelming pressure from her size was anything but playful.
"Ah! Aaaah! Sorry!"
"Heh, even the senior touched me and you didn't even say your name."
"Superhuman Seo Harang! Sorry!"
"If you're sorry, then it's over!"
Obviously I wouldn't stop no matter what she said. It was a good thing I wasn't actually that angry.
...I thought that. But honestly, I didn't know for sure! Han Jihye was normally a laid-back type. Who knew she might be sharpening a knife behind that casual smile?
"Still, it was a relief."
"Relief? Suddenly? What is?"
"When it rains, your tension's usually really low. I'm glad it's Ji-hye noona who's coming to mess around with me."
"Glad?"
Han Jihye asked, clearly unable to believe me.
Lying powerless was far worse than this. Back then it had felt like a ticking bomb about to explode any second.
"Yes."
"...When did you start enjoying being bullied?"
"I wasn't doing that at all!"
"Anyway, since Harang said so, it's great. She has the talent to move seniors, really."
The arm wrapped around my head loosened. Han Jihye finally released me, happy that I'd said the right thing.
My vision, which had been sinking into the depths, slowly came back into focus. The other seniors inside the living quarters came into view. Kim Heejin, who had been watching me, met my eyes.
Ah! Right! There was someone who was exactly right for this situation.
Unlike Jeong Seung-ah, Kim Heejin was the type who could clearly state what was and wasn't acceptable. I could trust her completely. No, for this exact moment, she was the perfect talent!
Consciously involving a senior in personal matters? There was no way. This was about Yeon Byeori! We were family!
Our eyes met, and Kim Heejin quickly looked away. I walked straight over.
"Kim Heejin Superhuman!"
"Ugh! W-why!"
Was that not a reaction she liked? Had my thoughts shown on my face?
"I have something to talk about."
"─What?"
It was a bit blunt, but she still listened.
"First, sit down and talk."
"Understood."
"Not that side. Next to me."
"Eh? Is it okay?"
"Don't make me say it twice."
"Understood."
She was already sitting, but I was standing, so the difference in eye level probably bothered her.
I sat right beside her.
"Whoa, Harang-senior just plopped down."
"Superhuman Seo Harang! Sorry!"
I received a scolding from the senior in the seat next to Kim Heejin and quickly scooted away.
It was now close enough that our shoulders would touch if I moved a little more.
"Ah."
"Hic! Sorry!"
"...It's fine. I wanted you to do that."
Kim Heejin waved her hand at the senior who had scolded me.
"No, what do you mean? Kim Heejin Superhuman and Harang are completely stuck together right now."
"It's fine."
"They look like they're getting along. Sooner or later they're going to kiss."
"Kiss! Same nonsense! Hey! Are you trying to die!?"
"Heehee! Hero Han Jihye! Kim Heejin Superhuman doesn't like me!"
"What do I do?"
"Too much!"
"Too much is informal. You've been crawling all over me lately? Come with me."
"Heehee!"
The senior and Han Jihye walked out.
Kim Heejin watched them leave with her eyes, then turned back to me. She wasn't quite meeting my gaze.
"So? What was the important talk?"
"It's very important."
I felt her mood shift when she sensed how serious I was. Kim Heejin became a little more solemn too.
"This is something only Kim Heejin Superhuman can do."
"What? Don't drag it out. Since you helped me, I want to help you as much as I can."
"Understood. Then..."
─Could you please rate how well I've done with my fox play.
"...Huh?"
Kim Heejin let out a stunned "eh?" that echoed through the living quarters.