#08 Unexpected Discovery 1
Hyunwoo's suicide was quickly wrapped up. Police even came to the academy to question Nayae and Yuchan, but with no concrete evidence, there was nothing they could do to him. Yuchan had an impeccable reputation among those around him, and above all, Hyunwoo's history of blackmailing Nayae, the pressure from his superiors over missing drugs he was supposed to sell—or rather, the ones Yuchan had taken—and the autopsy revealing alcohol and narcotics in his system all pointed to suicide as the suspicious cause of death.
Afterward, whether from shock or not, Nayae took a week off from the academy. No matter how toxic their relationship had been, she'd feel guilt knowing her ex-boyfriend had taken his own life because of her. How long that would last was anyone's guess.
Five o'clock. Finishing up the counseling logs scattered on his desk before dinner, Yuchan stood from his chair. The sun was starting to set later now. Just a month ago, it would have been dipping low already. Thinking of winter's end and the fresh floral scents soon to tickle the air put him in slightly better spirits.
"Excuse me."
The voice came with a knock—it was Nayae. Yuchan paused, studying her. Her hair, usually in twin ponytails, was tied into a single braid draping over one breast today. No sign of her usual gold-rimmed glasses. He knew she'd been taking them off more lately since she wasn't buried in books for hours; he'd been keeping close tabs on her these past few days. Just in case she tried anything suspicious—he'd stop her immediately.
"Teacher, could I get some counseling? Is that possible?"
Her expression showed exactly what it meant to cry without tears. Dark circles she'd never had, even during intense study sessions from her meticulous self-care, now faintly shadowed her eyes after a full week holed up at home. Proof of how much she'd tormented herself. Partly because he'd massaged her body every night in a semi-awake state under sedatives, of course. Pitiful, really. Being around this academy somehow made paternal instincts sprout in him like weeds. To feel such clear pity for a poor student...
But Nayae would shake it off soon enough. Her Black Box showed colors a bit dulled, but the salmon symbol itself was intact. Fragile as she seemed, she was strong. The polar opposite of Yujin.
"Sure, it's been a while. How have you been holding up?"
Nayae stared blankly at Yuchan as he gestured to a chair. He spoke into the inscrutable gaze.
"I wonder if you should be back at the academy already. It's not even March yet. No need to push yourself."
"I came to see you, Teacher. I'm still... a bit confused about some things."
"What sort of things?"
As their eyes met persistently, Nayae looked down, a touch uncomfortable. He was the usual kind teacher. Always creating a comfortable space to talk, sparing no effort to solve his students' worries. Nayae started to feel her suspicions might be misplaced.
"Could we talk somewhere else, not here?"
"If that's easier, sure."
Yuchan's schedule was flexible anyway. The director rarely interfered, and stepping out to counsel a student who'd just gone through something traumatic? No one could complain.
Yuchan grabbed his trusty sports bag and followed Nayae out.
"Where to?"
This was only the second time he'd have her in his car. Unlike the chaotic previous ride, she now sat clamshelled tight-lipped, speaking only when necessary. Wary, perhaps? She knew his last meeting with her ex had been with Yuchan. So it made sense she'd question whether Hyunwoo had really slipped away on his own... or been pushed.
"Somewhere other people can't overhear us."
Wouldn't the counseling room suffice? Yuchan quelled the fleeting doubt and tossed out bait casually.
"How about my place, then? Not much to offer a guest."
"Your house?"
Nayae's eyes widened. He'd disposed of the problematic corpse properly, and the booby-trapped crossbow by the door wouldn't show if opened right. A lone girl might hesitate at a male teacher's home, but she'd trust he had no ulterior motives. He'd always drawn strict lines between counselor and student, avoiding even the slightest hint of impropriety. By now, her mind likely held the seed: 'Teacher sees me not as a woman, but purely as a student.'
"Okay."
"Then let's hit a gas station first. That cool?"
"Sure."
Smart as she was, any doubts about Hyunwoo's suicide were faint as perfume he'd spritzed two days ago. Show her some mature reassurance amid her confusion, and she'd trust him again. If suspicion ran deep, she'd have politely declined the home invite outright.
Truth be told, Yuchan barely cared what she wanted to say. He was curious only how her body—conditioned to link scents and memories—would react alone with him.
He took a deliberately longer route to a farther station, leisurely observing her. Her body, ravaged all night by his tools and drugs, was primed to ignite. Surveillance showed her heading straight to the shower upon waking—a long one, too long for just washing. She'd likely relieved herself there. An inexperienced girl like her couldn't fully quench the flames he'd lit with solo climaxes. A hefty backlog of refined lust must be piling up inside her.
He'd doused the car in his usual cologne. Nayae's nose had been twitching since they got in; her cheeks now faintly flushed. That scent—she'd inhaled it desperately every time her body craved climax, arousal peaking. The experiment tying specific smells to lust seemed a success.
"You've gotten so thin."
Yuchan reached out, brushing her feverishly red cheek with his knuckles. Warm. From her view, his first initiated touch since they met. Her body stiffened. Her wavering gaze locked on his hand. The heavy cologne on his wrist mingled with his natural scent, seeping into her.
Frozen like a snake had latched on, she thawed only when she saw deep concern in his eyes, her body relaxing back into the seat.
"Ah, sorry."
"N-no... Thank you for worrying."
Stroking her innocent hair strands, she couldn't hide her fluster. Eyes darting to empty air, cheeks burning, fidgeting with her hem. Knees that had been casually parted now clamped shut. A sign of unease. Or maybe her thighs rubbing from the pre-work her body was heating up. Which was it? He couldn't tell.
2. No real conversation passed as Yuchan led her into his officetel. Nayae glanced around restlessly, inspecting the room. She'd never imagined visiting her teacher's place alone. For a single man's home, it was impressively tidy. Not a hair on the spotless floor; the living room evoked a model home.
Yuchan watched her intently. Not wanting to seem too obvious, she didn't whip her head around, but her eyes darted ceaselessly. Mature as she tried to act, still just a kid.
He took her outer coat, hanging it up, and since it was dinnertime, asked, "Eaten yet, Nayae?"
"No."
"I'll brew some simple coffee for you, then. Teacher will cook."
He had confidence in his cooking. Back in the day, he'd lured women home with fancy courses to win favor.
"No, let me help if I can. Living alone's improved my skills a bit."
"Appreciate that."
She pattered over, standing beside him. Her eyes widened at the shelf holding about twenty knives. Her gaze stuck on his handmade recipe book—stuck neatly among them—and the fancy dishware you'd see at restaurants.
"Cooking a hobby, Teacher?"
"Not quite. But a guy living alone should eat well, right? Practiced till it got like this."
His light banter drew a small laugh, hand over her mouth.
"Shall we check ingredients first?"
Oh, right—some meds in the freezer. He'd bluff his way through.
"Oops."
The fridge yawned empty. No home cooking lately; he'd forgotten to shop.
"Sorry, Nayae. Mind helping with groceries? Or should we just order in? Thirty minutes tops."
"No, feels bad just freeloading. I'll go with you."
"Hate pulling you from your time."
"Not studying anyway these days."
She shrugged on her coat nonchalantly, handing him his.
3. At the nearby big-box store, he planned to stock up for half a month. Nayae played the wise housewife, meticulously comparing prices, hunting discounts, filling the cart heavy.
"Teacher, this one's got 100g more than that one for just 2,000 won extra."
"I'll swap it."
"No! I'll go."
For beef Wellington, she scrutinized bacon to wrap the tenderloin, eyes bulging. Adorably so, as always. Seemed solo living ingrained thrifty habits. She even collected receipts for a little ledger, he'd heard. Back beaming with a thick bacon pack, she hovered, face begging praise. From sullen earlier, quite the mood shift—relieving as her counselor.
"Shopping alone with you feels a bit..."
Her pleased face halted mid-sentence. He could guess the rest: 'Like a couple living together~' or 'Like husband and wife~'. Hesitant to cross a line.
Teasing knowingly, Yuchan prodded, "A bit what?"
"N-nothing. Ah! I'll push the cart. You just pick stuff easy."
Flushed, she stared at the handle, shoulders hunching suddenly. Shy. Holding back a laugh at her innocent charm, Yuchan said casually,
"Been ages since I shopped with someone. Always solo this past year. Feels nice, like newlyweds."
His playful tone left her flustered; she elbowed his solar plexus lightly. No real force.
"What're you saying? So embarrassing."
Even prim Nayae acted Yujin-like when embarrassed. While distracted, he picked mushrooms for the Wellington. For her, cooped up brooding, this outing was unexpected healing. Maybe missing the point, but he was content she'd found solace with him for now.
"Huh? Isn't this what we bought earlier?"
Yuchan's torso pressed close to Nayae gripping the cart. Pretending to rummage. His scent wafted strongly. Unaccountably familiar, it shook her heart. Pulse racing suddenly. A tingle between her legs, gut twisting sharply.
"You okay? Feeling ill?"
Her body feverish in an instant, Yuchan touched her forehead gently. Burning hot where they met.
"N-no! I'll get the mushrooms!"
She jerked away, bolting to the display. Yuchan followed her fleeing form with a suppressed smile.