Misaligned Hearts (2)
Yujin took a taxi home and stepped into the apartment. Unlike the ordinary Ilsan apartments where the entrance and lobby were nothing special, this place boasted palace-like luxury. When she brought friends over, they always gaped in awe. Even Seohyun, who was used to it now, had once grabbed Yujin by the neck and shaken her in relative deprivation.
Among them, Yujin lived in a penthouse created by knocking down two top-floor units. She hurried to the private lobby and let the smart key scan her. Born into wealth beyond mere affluence—practically with a silver spoon in her mouth—she didn't even recognize it as privilege. As always, she pretended to be exhausted from studying as she entered the house.
"Yujin, is that you?"
Her mother's voice. Right now, Yujin didn't particularly want to face her. She felt her face involuntarily twisting into a frown.
"Yeah, I'm home."
After Dad passed away early, Mom threw herself even more into work. Otherwise, it was like she had no reason to live—she left Yujin to her own devices, obsessed solely with business, business, business. Living like this, she'd already made more than enough money, so why the frenzy? Yujin couldn't understand it at all.
The sound of slippers scraping the marble floor announced her mother's arrival at the entrance. With her sharp-featured glasses and short cut, she looked every bit the female CEO. That kind of charisma and force was what it took for a woman to build a big business. As a kid, Yujin had vaguely admired her, wondering why she couldn't be born like that. Now, she loathed even being family.
"You're studying properly, right?"
"I'm tired."
It felt like a week since she'd last seen her face. And even after so long, no greeting—just straight to quizzing her studies. As Yujin bowed her head and tried to brush past, Mom grabbed her wrist tight.
"You're getting more ill-mannered by the day. Ignoring your mother right now?"
"I'm tired and going to bed."
Desperate to escape the conversation, Yujin pulled away, but her mother stared intently and spoke.
"Lately, you've just been doing makeup and buying tons of clothes. I let it slide thinking you were relieving stress. Got a boyfriend or something?"
"What boyfriend?!"
"Hand over your phone."
A dark lump swallowed in her gut. But dodging her mom's routine inspections could backfire and leave her exhausted for days. Yujin sighed deeply and handed over the phone. Mom unlocked it immediately and scrolled through messages and SNS.
"Yuchan? Who's this?"
"Give it back!"
The moment "Yuchan" left her lips, Yujin lunged for the phone. Her overreaction hardened her mother's face. Yujin's outstretched arm went limp.
"He's the counselor at the academy... We just KakaoTalk sometimes."
Seeing Yujin's deflated look, Mom nodded slowly and returned the phone.
"February and March passed without issue. You know it's time to get serious about exam prep, right?"
Someone or other went to Seoul National University as a regular admit—every conversation made her want to die of shame. If it doesn't work out, why not prep for studying abroad? You can't expect good results without real effort. You can doll up after college; focus on the CSAT for now.
The full nagging began. Somehow, her mom always knew kids better than her—one comparison after another from first to last. Things Yujin would normally shrug off were unbearable now. Her heart felt torn by apathy.
"You know your heart isn't great! You wanna keep stressing me out?!"
Why was she born to a mom like this? She knew it was immature, but the thought wouldn't leave.
After showering, Yujin flopped onto the living room sofa in her room. She wanted to crash right then, but she couldn't. She needed to check for messages from Seohyun. Fear of confirming the truth had made her avoid both Seohyun and Yuchan. But the image of them walking arm-in-arm lingered on her retina. Her throat burned; she chugged water.
She knew Seohyun had been struggling with a stalker and gotten counseling and help from Yuchan. The first time she heard her closest friend had turned to the man she adored, Yujin had swelled with pride—like her own boyfriend had shone. No suspicion at all that Seohyun had met Yuchan alone without telling her. Who was Seohyun? Her friend of 15 years, closer than family. The mere idea that she'd steal Yuchan felt like an insult to their friendship.
So why were they alone in a busy street? Why was Seohyun clinging to his arm, and why was Yuchan holding her waist?
Yujin knew she'd been forward with Yuchan—pushy, even. She visited him daily, chatted endlessly, even maneuvered dinners together. But he always drew the line. The night Mom was away, when she suggested drinks at her place, he politely convinced her to go home. His earnest scolding only made her fall harder. Back then, she'd thought it wise, considering their age gap and positions.
So what was this with same-age Seohyun? Dating?
"Seohyun's an adult, and I'm just a kid?"
Resentment welled up. She'd thought he was interested, but now his rejections felt vague excuses. No, too soon to judge. She hadn't heard from Seohyun yet—better to wait. Maybe during counseling, they'd drunk, gotten awkward, and he'd helped. At least, Yujin still firmly trusted Seohyun. If something happened with Yuchan, Seohyun would contact her to clear misunderstandings—right? If it was just drinks with her friend's crush and no feelings involved, she'd reach out later.
But the phone stayed silent no matter how long she waited. Exhausted from anticipation, Yujin drifted into sleep.
Finishing sloppy anal sex in the car, Seohyun staggered home. During the exposure play, her senses had been overstimulated—she'd screamed in ecstasy, forgetting they were in a car. Her throat was raw. Her asshole throbbed. Not just pain, but a fiery tingle that reignited lust at a touch.
Yuchan had unflinchingly injected the condom's cum load straight into her belly. She could resign to other things, but not this anxiety. What if she got pregnant like this? Foreseeing future tragedy yet fearing the immediate one, she submitted. When both paths led to hell, bet on probability.
"I'm home."
"You're later than me today? What's up—I thought you'd be here."
Since that day, she'd maintained a so-so friendship with Nayae. Nayae had done awful things to her, but knowing it was Yuchan's brainwashing made it possible. Nayae was just a victim too—any lingering hate had faded. Even Nayae, who once eyed her like a thief cat after Yuchan's spot, now stayed friendly because Yuchan had casually ordered it. Teacher's word was absolute. Nayae grumbled inwardly but treated her normally.
Fresh from a shower, cheeks flushed soft and red, towel on her head, Nayae memorized English words diligently. Seohyun hesitated in the entryway, then headed straight for the bathroom to undress.
"What're you doing?"
"Eek!"
As she tried to close the door, Nayae poked her head in. Glasses off, her face puzzled.
"I... I need the bathroom."
"Why're you still in your coat?"
You could rush to the bathroom, but a coat? Nayae, ever attentive to Seohyun's every move, had reason to find it odd—like policing a cheating lover. Seohyun panicked. Nayae obsessed over Yuchan. He toyed with Seohyun at will, but Nayae saw her as the love thief. Infuriating misunderstanding, but Nayae ignored explanations.
Spotting Seohyun's bare legs stretching from under the coat, Nayae's brows furrowed.
"Take it off."
"...Huh?"
"I said take it off!"
"Nayae... wait..."
Ignoring her, Nayae unbuttoned the coat with stubborn hands, yanking it open. Seohyun stood naked in the bathroom unwittingly. Seeing thighs slick with thick love juices not fully cleaned, Nayae looked incredulous.
Yuchan hadn't fucked her much lately; she'd been surviving on masturbation. Yet here was Seohyun, freshly bathed in his love, strolling in casually.
"I can explain everything. Calm down."
Under Nayae's contemptuous gaze, Seohyun shrank. No real wrongdoing, yet Nayae's obsessive scolding swayed even her. As Seohyun fidgeted guiltily, Nayae snatched the coat fully and tossed it out of the bathroom.
"You were with Teacher just now?"
"Yeah... but..."
Shorter than Seohyun by half a head, Nayae loomed large over her cowering form. Her lips twitched, unable to swallow the anger. Suddenly lunging, she shoved fingers into Seohyun's pussy.
"Ha-ut!"
Having climaxed from the rotor exposure and then ravaged anally in the car, Seohyun's pussy still overflowed with juices. Women's arousal peaked sharp then faded in a gentle curve, unlike men's.
"Teasing Teacher with your filthy hole... feels good?"
"It's not... ngh... like that..."
Gripping Seohyun's wrist as she tried to push away, Nayae wriggled her fingers. Faster arousal than Yuchan's cum—because it was Nayae, who she truly cared for. As Seohyun's torso leaned into her, Nayae yanked her fingers out. Washing them at the sink like they were dirty.
Yuchan had ordered her to confess to Nayae today. But with this hostile vibe, she couldn't open her mouth.
"Nayae..."
Failure meant what penalty next? The thought chilled her to the bone; Seohyun tried soothing her. But Nayae left the bathroom, uninterested.
"Words won't work with you, Seohyun. Too dumb from skipping study? Wash up. If you can't control your lust, I'll play with you."
Through the closing door, Nayae's low mutter leaked.
"Bitch..."
Alone in the bathroom, Seohyun collapsed blankly. She'd endured countless humiliations for Nayae—out of sorry and desire to protect her. Even life-ruining risks. Not expecting thanks, but bearing this hatred from the person herself wasn't easy.
Tears splashed the tile.
"Hic... hu-hu..."
Too harsh. Her justice-driven actions isolated her utterly. How long until escape? Could she even break Nayae's brainwashing? What shell would she be at the end of Yuchan's abuses? All questions, all terror of the unknown.
Swallowing sobs, Seohyun washed the body Yuchan had defiled.