Nightmare (1)
"Alright, I'll head out then."
Min Jangmi gently strokes my shoulder and heads toward the cafe door.
Now it's just the two of us...
Only Min Deulle and I remain in the Dream Catcher Cafe.
"……."
"……."
A strange silence flows between us. The music Min Deulle recommended plays softly from the cafe speakers, and we sit side by side, stealing glances at each other without a word. Of course, she's occasionally scribbling something with her hand. But it's obvious her mind is elsewhere—rereading the same lines over and over.
"What's up? Not going well?"
"Ah……."
I turn toward Min Deulle, lift my right hand, and wrap my arm around her shoulders like I'm pulling her into an embrace.
"B-Because we're... alone... the words... won't... read right……."
Min Deulle briefs me honestly on her situation. Her voice trembles slightly, growing quieter toward the end.
She always gets shy when it's just us. Same as before.
I casually pull my hand away and ask, "Want me to give you some space? So you can focus on studying?"
"Uh……."
Min Deulle hesitates for a moment. She needs to study, but she doesn't want to be apart from me—something like that?
"Um... you know……."
She turns her head toward me, her eyes flicking between mine and my lips. I have a rough idea what she wants, but I play dumb and prompt her. "Yeah? Why'd you stop?"
"K-Kiss... me?"
"……."
I silently peer into her eyes, and she shyly averts her gaze.
"N-No, forget it. It... just slipped out... don't mind me……."
Before she finishes, I close the distance between us. I just tilt my head down a bit, and she turns to match me. Smack. Our lips touch lightly and part. After a few more soft kisses, the sensation feels even more vivid.
"Too... short……."
The moment she speaks, our lips meet again. I kiss her slowly, gently, without rushing. Then we pull back to check each other's faces.
This isn't something just any guy and girl would do...
Is it because I've had too many lewd dreams? Or has Min Jangmi's bold energy rubbed off on her?
"Mmm……♥"
My hand naturally drifts to Min Deulle's breast. I savor the full, firm handful while continuing the kiss. The fabric between my palm and her chest is a bit of a nuisance, but somehow, that makes it even more exciting.
Ting-a-ling.
How long were we locked like that? The cafe door chimes again.
"Ah……."
Min Deulle lets out a reluctant sigh as our lips separate. A thin strand of saliva stretches between us before snapping. The cool tingle on my tongue yanks me back to reality.
"Excuse me."
A woman's voice calls from the counter. I hesitate, unable to respond right away.
"Big trouble."
"Y-Yes?"
"I don't think I can stand up right now..."
"Ah, s-sorry!"
Min Deulle glances between my legs, realizes the issue, and panics.
"It's fine. The apron covers it. It'll be okay."
"I don't think so……."
Pushing aside my regret, I stand up. In situations like this, you point the erection upward, press it flat against your body. The pants and underwear hold it in place, and the apron hides the outline.
"See? All good now. Be right back."
I give Min Deulle one last light peck and head to the counter.
"Yes, hello. What can I get for you?"
Luckily, the customer notices nothing off and orders a drink. I make it casually, hiding my full erection.
This feels so weird. How does Min Jangmi do this every day...?
Mid-prep, I glance under the counter. Naturally, it's empty. The vacant space feels oddly erotic somehow.
……
After that intense makeout with Min Deulle, I stay behind the counter until closing time. It wasn't busy, but if that mood hit again, I might lose control—so I held back on purpose.
Instead, I checked the Dream Manipulation App. Yesterday, I manipulated Min Jangmi's and Min Deulle's dreams back-to-back. It made for an amazing night, and I earned 2 more Drim Coins.
Neither had dreams tonight...
No manipulable dreams for Min Deulle or Min Jangmi. To fuck someone in a dream tonight, I'd need to pay up again.
Problem is, today's shop item is ridiculously expensive.
Only one dream available for purchase. Title: Nightmare. It didn't look lewd at first glance. No, the real issue was the price.
It was 50,000 won yesterday. This can't be right?
Money's not the issue—I have savings. But burning 1 million won on a single dream instead of coins? No way.
Yeah. Some nights, you just skip the dreams.
My phone's full of jerk-off material anyway. Photos and videos from dreams, plus the ones Min Deulle sent yesterday. If that's not enough, I can always ask Min Jangmi or Min Deulle for naughtier pics. They'd send lewd ones without hesitation.
"Oppa."
"Wha—?"
Min Deulle's voice startles me. I casually set my phone down—no point hiding it and raising suspicion.
"Closing time soon. Let me help with cleanup."
"Nah, you don't have to."
"I can do the tables and floor. Faster with two. And... not as payment or anything, but... I wanna take a walk together before heading home……."
She shuffles up to the counter, peeking at me shyly. How could I say no?
"Sure. I'll let you know when it's cleanup time."
"Okay!"
……
Thanks to Min Deulle's help, we close faster than usual. No more customers likely, so we shut the doors 15 minutes early.
"Nights are still kinda chilly."
She's right—the night breeze bites a little.
"It's the kind of weather where... we have to hold hands."
"Not just 'cause you wanna hold hands?"
"Well... yeah, that too."
I chuckle and take her hand.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Just as I start walking, my pocket phone vibrates loudly.
"Hold on."
I grab it with my free hand.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
I answer.
"Hello?"
"Mongie~."
Her voice is completely slurred, laced with a tipsy giggle coming through the phone.
"Can you... come pick me up right now...?"
"It's not even 10 yet. How much did you drink?"
"Dunno. We were talking and... next thing I know, head's spinning. Didn't drink that much."
Ari's weak to alcohol, sure. But she knows it, so she doesn't get this wasted—especially out.
"They're pushing for round three. I bailed 'cause I didn't wanna. The breeze feels so nice……."
"……."
I hesitate. She's coherent enough, but Ari could just drop like a rock. More like passing out into sleep than blacking out.
"Min Ari, don't stand there—ask your writer friends to call you a taxi."
"No way... They're all trying to keep me here. No one's calling one."
Suddenly, Min Deulle squeezes my hand tight. My gaze shifts to her.
"……."
She's looking up at me with anxious eyes—like a puppy caught in the rain. It feels like she knows what's coming, can't bring herself to say "don't go," just clings quietly. It tugs at my heart.
"Where are you...?"
Min Deulle slowly releases my hand.
I picture Ari's location in my head but can't tear my eyes from Min Deulle.
"Got it. Don't stand in the street—go into a nearby convenience store and grab some ice cream or something."
I hang up, and the night air feels heavier. But I can't just leave Ari like that. Ignoring her plea could mean she passes out on the sidewalk—who knows what happens then.
"Tomorrow. Let's walk tomorrow."
Min Deulle adjusts her bag and forces a bright smile.
"Sorry……."
"No need. Why're you sorry, oppa? It's all because of unnie."
"……."
"But tomorrow, we have to walk together. Holding hands."
"Yeah. Tomorrow for sure."
Then Min Deulle spreads her arms wide. Even with my limited dating experience, I know what that means. I step close and hug her tight. She giggles softly, wrapping her arms around my waist.
"Least let me drive you home."
"No. It's a 10-minute walk... You've had a long day, oppa. Don't wanna tire you more."
"……."
We share body heat for a moment before parting. She steps back a few paces, waves with a 'See you!' I watch her until she's out of sight, then head to my car.