Nightmare (2)
"Min Ari."
"Ah, Mong. What... How'd you get here?"
The outdoor table at the convenience store. Min Ari had claimed one of them, huddled there gripping a warm coffee. Several unopened hand warmers lay scattered on the table—probably because it was so damn cold.
"How'd I get here? You called me to come pick you up."
"Why would I do that?"
"Why are you asking me..."
He scooped up the hand warmer wrappers littering the ground. She'd already torn open three or four; the empties had blown away in the wind, strewn across the pavement.
"Mong~ Can we stay and drink a little longer?"
Min Ari flashed a sloppy grin, her voice laced with aegyo. It was hard to look away—did she still harbor feelings for him after all this time?
"We gotta go home. What are you talking about?"
"It's fine. I'm a freelancer. I can take a day off."
"What about me?"
"You're Uju-mong."
"..."
Trying to have a serious talk with a drunk person was his mistake. Her face was already flushed, her words slurring badly.
"Grab your hand warmers and get up. I'll walk you home."
Ari dipped her head for a moment, staring blankly at her canned coffee. Up close, it was surrounded by hand warmers. She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his, then spoke.
"Huh? It's Jumong. What... How'd you get here?"
"You're not some NPC."
He had no choice but to sit beside her. He tore open a hand warmer, slipping it into his pocket, then another, rolling it between his palms.
"Hey, that's mine. Why're you using it without asking?"
"It's cold."
"Yeah... you're right. It is cold."
She nodded, her voice softening. If he left her like this, she'd probably pass out. He spoke up again.
"Don't fall asleep. You'll slur even worse."
"Fall asleep?"
"..."
The words caught in his throat. He figured he'd stick around until the booze wore off a bit. If he put her in the car now, she'd conk out inside for sure. But maybe in this state, letting her sleep it off right here was the better call.
"This won't do. Come on. Can you stand?"
"I can't stand 'cause I can't stand."
She turned her head, her gaze drifting to the space between his legs. She never joked like that sober—yeah, she was wasted.
"No, you can stand. In more ways than one..."
He stuffed the remaining hand warmers into his pants pocket and helped her up.
"Ah..."
Sliding his arm under hers, he lifted her. In the process, he subtly cupped her breasts with a few fingers.
I want to grab them outright... but nah, can't go there.
The old him never would've dared. He'd have waited for her to sober up or gently supported her shoulder.
"Stand straight. Can you walk?"
"Uh... no? The ground's shaking... Can't walk."
"Then wrap your arms around my waist."
"..."
She hesitated for a second, then obediently reached out. He slid his hand higher, pushing up her breasts. Luckily, she didn't react. She just leaned into him, quiet and compliant.
God, I want to grope her freely already...
As they shuffled along slowly, he recalled the dream he'd crafted before. At the cafe entrance, fondling Min Ari's breasts to his heart's content. Forcing a kiss, slipping his hand inside her bra and squeezing hard... He'd ignored the scripted scenario and indulged multiple times.
Only 3 Drim Coins left now. To carry Ari every day, I'd need 27 more.
They weren't accumulating like he'd hoped. When he'd added Jangmi noona, he figured he'd rake in two a day easy. But no new dreams unlocked, and the ones available were way too pricey.
Was that last one a million won? 'Nightmare'—no clue whose it is. If it's got Ari in it, might be worth the splurge.
Ari grew quieter as time passed, just clinging to him and stumbling along.
"Almost there. Just a bit farther."
Was it because she was barely conscious? Or that she didn't protest his hand on her chest? Or maybe the pointless confidence from banging Deulle and Jangmi noona? Whatever. He slowed his pace and fully gripped her breasts.
Should I take the long way...?
...
"Ari. Snap out of it. Gotta get in the car."
"Mmm..."
Min Ari groaned, reeking of booze. He opened the back door and eased her in carefully. But she couldn't even sit up straight—flopped right over sideways.
"If you're gonna lie down, do it properly. You'll wreck your back."
He pushed her deeper into the backseat, of course taking the chance to caress her soft body.
"There should be a blanket around here somewhere..."
While pretending to hunt for it, he rested his hand on her thigh. The blanket was right there, but he dragged it out.
"Mmm..."
Her eyes stayed shut. Curled on her side, hands tucked together, knees drawn up in fetal position—she was out cold.
She really caught it from Jangmi noona... This is bad.
He spread the blanket over her. He'd cranked the heater preemptively, so the car was toasty enough.
"Why'd you go and date a guy who hates booze... Or maybe this is a blessing in disguise."
If he were Ari's boyfriend, picking her up like this? No way he'd let her go home in this state.
"Kinda impressive, in a way. How do you stay platonic with a girlfriend like this?"
His hand on her waist, he gazed down at her sleeping face.
"Does whatever she wants... Never says what she really craves... Expects you to figure it all out... Looking back, you're a real piece of work."
"..."
"Got a boyfriend, but act all jealous. Messing with my head."
No response, of course. Her steady breathing said she was deep asleep.
"Can't just... pounce on you."
"..."
"Sweet dreams. Dream of me."
He climbed out of the back, into the driver's seat. About 15 minutes home. He'd drive extra safe to avoid waking her—might take longer.
...
"Ari. Wake up. We're home."
Apartment complex parking lot, near the walkway. He parked and glanced back.
"Min Ari."
"Mm...?"
After a few more calls, she groaned and cracked her eyes.
"Huh? Jumong. Where are we...?"
"Don't you remember? You called me to pick you up. We're here."
"Oh... Right. Night."
"No."
She shut her eyes again, pulling the blanket to her chin.
"What the... Fine."
He got out, opened the door by her head.
"Ugh... Close the door..."
"Up you go."
Grabbing her shoulders, he forced her upright. She grimaced, groaning again.
"Quit hogging the blanket."
Pulling it off, he brushed her breasts once more—not squeezing, just a soft downward stroke with his palm.
"Mmm...♥"
"No weird noises."
His hand slid lower to her thigh. Her skirt had ridden up; his fingers dipped into the inner softness.
"..."
"..."
They shared body heat like that for a moment.
Showing me this defenseless side... Does that mean she trusts me that much?
He stroked her thigh gently, betraying that trust.
What do I even want with Ari...?
Normal lovers? Way past that. He'd accepted Deulle without pushing her away. Taken Jangmi noona's lewd games, even cum in her mouth twice. And now, groping Ari's tits and thighs while she was wasted.
His thoughts wouldn't settle. Right now, he just wanted to touch her vulnerable body. Unleash his bubbling lust on her.
"Ari. Time to get up. Not going inside?"
"..."
He murmured like a whisper, inching his hand upward. Claiming the firm inner thigh bit by bit until his index finger brushed her crotch.
"Mm..."
When his hand met her panties, she twitched, body trembling. His heart pounded. Impulsive deviance. Was this the thrill Jangmi noona chased? He pressed his finger higher. Soft fabric over plush flesh. He eased his finger between slowly.
This the limit?
His heartbeat roared. His swelling cock screamed, Don't just touch—shove it in already!
Bzzzzt— Bzzzzt—
His smartphone blared. He yanked his hand from her thigh. Startled, he checked—call from Jangmi noona.
Interrupting even now.
He calmed his racing heart and answered.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, it's noona."
"Hey, noona. Just about to take Ari up. She's so smashed she can't think straight... Can you give me the door code?"
"Ah..."
Noona hesitated, dragging out her words. Not her usual playful lilt—heavy, serious tone.
"No one's home right now. I'll give you the code—can you put Ari to bed in her room?"
"Huh?"
Time check: around 10:40 PM.
"Where's everyone? Out this late...?"
"Hospital."
Hospital?
"Deulle was coming home and got in an accident."
"An... accident?"
"Sudden acceleration crash, looks like. Lucky—no life-threatening injuries. Need more tests for details."
"..."
"She's getting checked out now. Leg's banged up, but otherwise mostly fine."
"Where... are you guys?"
"Why? Coming over?"
"I'll drop Ari off and head straight there."
Deulle's sulky head-dip flashed in his mind. Her promise for a walk tomorrow echoed faintly.
"No. Don't come."
"But—"
"We'll handle admission properly, then I'll tell you. Visiting hours then. You'll just stress everyone out now. Got it?"
He pressed for the hospital location a few more times, but Jangmi noona refused to say.