Lilium Casablanca (3)
Seohyun had moved out the moment she turned twenty, now living alone in an apartment near Madu Station. As a fixed model doing well in the fit life scene, she was making decent money. By scraping together every penny she'd earned in high school, she'd managed to cover the deposit on an 18-pyeong apartment. Sick of the dingy house and her parents constantly at each other's throats, she'd bolted like she was escaping. She'd even eagerly shouldered two million won for interior work, turning the place into a sweet, cozy haven that even Yujin found cute and charming. No wonder she flaunted it all over Instagram. Yujin envied Seohyun deeply for breaking free from her parents and carving out her own space. Looking at her, Yujin wondered if she should've started working together after high school graduation.
A massive sheepskin rug covered the living room floor, and the walls gleamed with fresh, modern white wallpaper. Mood lights and colorful succulents dotted the space, perfect for sinking into sentimental moods on dreary days.
"These damn bastards..."
Yujin, who had come home with her, showered, and changed into pajamas Seohyun lent her—ones so oversized they swallowed her up comically, making her look adorable. After some cozy chit-chat, Yujin spotted the computer and pounced, installing her favorite FPS game on the spot.
'Watch this! I'll show you sis carrying the team!' she declared, grabbing the mouse with bravado. But Seohyun had bought an office PC meant only for work and browsing, so it couldn't match Yujin's rig. At least the well-optimized game ran smoothly on the lowest settings without lag.
"Lost again?"
"Wait! Next round, I'll win for real."
Team luck was abysmal today. After four straight losses and a demotion, Yujin turned to Seohyun with teary eyes and a pout. Seohyun lounged on the eggshell sofa, yawning lazily. She'd watched with interest at first, but Yujin's nonstop defeats dulled the appeal, so she'd switched to casual solo drinking. Yujin resisted shotgunning the keyboard a few times, remembering it was Seohyun's, and vented at a dying teammate instead.
Internet newbie Yujin, whose insults topped out at "idiot" or "dummy," struggled against the 2v1 flame war. Her mentality shredded, she rage-quit with fury.
"Kwaaaang! Team-carrying trash game, just die!"
The effect was negligible! Red text splashed the monitor once more. Yujin, now sulky, quit the game and flung herself into Seohyun's arms.
"They're all picking on me."
"Aww, poor baby, yeah?"
Seohyun chuckled, pulling her close. Thank God she was born a woman—only then could she share this effortless skinship with Yujin. In Korea, guys holding hands got weird stares, even if it was just affection.
"Ahh... Seohyun-nyang's embrace is so warm..."
"Told you not to call me that."
She lightly twisted Yujin's ear in punishment. Fresh from the shower, Yujin smelled sweetly of soap. After squirming in Seohyun's lap for a while, she settled, snoring softly.
"Hey, wake up."
If she didn't, Seohyun couldn't move either—Yujin had her pinned like a chair blanket. But she couldn't just sleep like this.
"...Zzz."
It was already 2 a.m., and they'd shared soju after getting home—plenty to tire her out. Seohyun gazed at Yujin's sleeping face, now deep in slumber. How was she still so babyish? Porcelain skin free of acne scars or blemishes. Those huge eyes, taking up half her face, now peacefully shut.
"Yujin."
She sighed. Had to wake her before she slept too soundly. An odd silence hung; Seohyun wet her lips. Yujin's face loomed close on her chest. Her heart pounded—not just from booze.
"Yujin?"
No response, just mumbles. Steady breaths confirmed deep sleep. Seohyun pulled her waist closer instead. Soft fingers sank in. If only time froze like this forever. Carefully, so carefully not to wake her, Seohyun leaned in. She knew this was the worst thing—kissing an unconscious friend, a same-sex friend. But the massive impulse dwarfed her tiny guilt.
Up close: long lashes, softly bitten lips.
"Sorry..."
Seohyun gently pressed her lips to Yujin's. Their breaths mingled like biting a poisoned apple—sweet venom spreading. Hiding her racing pulse, she pulled back slowly. She touched her still-burning lips gingerly. Never done this before. Plenty of situations and thoughts, but acting? First time.
"I'm the worst..."
Was it because Yujin suddenly had a crush? Had her hidden desires reared like a starving viper? Or just impatience?
"Nngh..."
Yujin's innocent sleep-talk and fidgeting brought belated regret flooding in.
2. Seohyun roused the bleary-eyed Yujin, fed her breakfast, and shipped her off to the academy. Yujin whined and flailed, but Seohyun mercilessly sentenced her to cram school. Building trust with "Auntie" was key for future sleepovers. After her morning shower and bathroom routine, Seohyun stepped on the scale. Shouldn't have drunk last night. The number ticked rightward; she sulked. The suddenly empty house felt emptier—though she usually thrived alone. Time for a workout. Lounging on a rest day would just amplify the gloom.
She grabbed black leggings and a fluorescent orange tracksuit from the closet. Throw on an aviator jacket, and cold was no issue. After brows and basic skincare, she checked the mirror, then hit the elevator. She glanced around. Hadn't told Yujin to avoid worry, but lately, a headache: a stalker. Not new, but this one's quality sucked. Always in a red cap flipped backward. Glimpsed everywhere, never approaching. If he went aggro upfront, she'd call cops for a restraining order or zap him with her stun gun. But circling like a bald vulture around a corpse? No pretext.
"Hah, what'd I do wrong?"
Anger flared. She gripped her pocket stun gun tight—company gift after venting about stalkers a few times. Tiny but effective; one test bought time till police arrived. Early morning luck: no stalker. She hurried to the nearby gym. New spot on a friend's rec—better facilities, fair price, so she signed a year.
Changed in the locker room, ditching the jacket. The trainer, dozing at the counter, perked up with a greeting, eyes raking her tight-clad figure. Gross.
"Oh, member! Early today. You usually come late nights."
"Nothing to do, so here."
"Want form checks? I'm free."
"No thanks."
Seohyun snubbed the flirt—hated that type—and cut it short. Her stunning looks drew monthly double-digit number asks on streets, hence late nights. But day one here? Bad luck. The trainer slunk back, dejected.
"Hup...!!!"
Stretching, a muffled grunt from the corner. Mirror showed an Under Armour guy powering through. Bent over, pulling a barbell to his chest—muscles rippling on each rep. Weight like Yujin and Seohyun hanging off each side, form flawless. Drops thudded the mats annoyingly.
"Huh?"
Familiar face—Yujin's crush from yesterday. Yuchan, right?
"Hey."
Too focused to notice her approach. She waited out his set, spoke after he racked it.
"Something wrong...? Ah!"
He turned; yesterday's chaos hadn't let her see his face properly. Annoyingly handsome. If she liked guys, she'd fall too. Swallowing rising ire, she forced a smile.
"Hi."
"Yujin's friend, right?"
His warm smile irked her. Guys smirking like that. He charmed her with that face. Not purposeless, though. Yesterday lacked time, and Yujin was there—no read on him. Chance encounter, but alone now? Heaven-sent.
"When you wrapping up? Wanna chat."
Sounded creepy on second thought.
"Almost done. Chat about what...?"
Yuchan had calculated everything. He feigned confusion, head tilt perfect.
Seohyun hesitated. Strangers—even after brief intro—suddenly chatting? Weird. "Uh, you... Ah! You're the student counselor, right?"
"Yeah, basically."
"I'm not a student, but same age as Yujin, and from what I heard yesterday, you're great at counseling, so some worries..."
Lame too. No free sessions, and even if money wasn't it... Still off. Should've thought more before blurting. Impulsiveness sucked. Yuchan glanced at his watch.
"If quick, sure. Not usually this flexible, but Yujin's friend."
His nice-guy face stung. Snooping was her solo jealousy play—no Yujin request. Made her seem petty. High self-esteem aside, this meddling felt pathetic. Workout done, they headed to a nearby café.