Min Deulle's Delusion (3)
"What's got me so uneasy?"
I muttered quietly while sweeping the sidewalk in front of the cafe. Stepping out here with a broom in hand was all to calm this restless feeling. If I stayed inside staring at my phone, my fingers would naturally drift to the Dream Manipulation App or my photo gallery. I'd end up watching videos from dreams with Min Deulle, photos of Jangmi noona or Mom, and the pictures Min Deulle sent yesterday. And finally, my thoughts would spiral into worries about whether I should keep using the app like this.
So here I was, breathing in the fresh morning air and moving my body to shake it off, sweeping the front of the cafe.
"Oppa!"
I looked up at the familiar voice. Min Deulle was running toward me, bag slung over one shoulder, her face bright and sunny. Like she was reuniting with someone she hadn't seen in ages. And without slowing down, she threw herself right into my arms.
"Ugh."
"I missed you."
The hand holding the broom hung in the air. Min Deulle wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in my chest. Warm body heat seeped through my clothes. The soft press of her breasts. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't push her away.
"W-what's with the sudden... Deulle?"
"Because I missed you."
Min Deulle laid her feelings bare so honestly. She wasn't usually this bold. Sure, she was daring in dreams, but in reality, she was shy and cautious. She got a bit more aggressive when Ari was around as a rival, but not to the point of jumping straight into my arms like this.
"Oppa."
"Yeah?"
"The pictures I sent last night... did you use them well?"
The photos Min Deulle sent last night flashed through my mind like a slideshow. Of course I used them well. Thanks to them, I got hard and came nicely. But I couldn't say that now.
Why's she been so forward since yesterday?
My thoughts tangled. Had something changed in her? Were dream memories lingering? Or was it because she saw Ari kiss me?
Then, movement caught the corner of my eye. It was Ari. She stood a short distance away, watching me.
"Use the pictures? What the hell does that mean?"
While I hesitated on how to respond, Min Deulle spoke first.
"We made a promise, oppa and me."
Still clinging to me, she turned her head slightly to look at Ari.
"One picture a day. I'm sending him mine."
Ari's eyes narrowed.
"Uju-mong. So you're having Min Deulle send you... what exactly? And where did you use those pictures?"
Chill laced her voice, like I'd tricked Min Deulle into something perverted.
I racked my brain for an excuse, but Min Deulle cut in again.
"Mind your own business, unnie."
Her tone had an edge now. The sunny vibe from before was gone.
"I asked him to take them first. Even if oppa says no, I'll keep sending them."
"......"
"What? Jealous? Wanna send yours too? But you can't, right? 'Cause you've got a boyfriend."
Ari glanced between me and Min Deulle. Irritation, bewilderment, and some complicated mix of emotions flickered across her face.
"Fine. Worrying's just making a fool of myself."
Ari sighed and headed into the cafe. Her footsteps passed by, and the door chimed as it opened.
"Oppa... ♥"
"Uh... yeah?"
Min Deulle pressed even closer. Far from pulling away, she tightened her arms.
"Kiss me."
"......Here?"
I glanced around. Morning meant few people, but it was still the main street.
"Yeah. I want it now."
She lifted her face. No doubt in her eyes that I'd refuse.
I snuck a peek at the cafe entrance where Ari had gone. No sign of her through the glass door. Satisfied, I turned back to Min Deulle. Her eyes sparkled, like she'd been waiting.
"Okay."
I gave her a quick peck. Smack.
"Ah, can't it be a little longer?"
"......Later."
"Eiii."
She pouted. It was cute, but I couldn't do more here.
......
We settled in our usual spot in the cafe corner, the three of us. Ari had her laptop open, focused on work. Min Deulle and I sat side by side next to her, supposedly studying. Well, more precisely, I was the one diligently explaining things. Min Deulle had her workbook open and pen in hand, but her eyes weren't on the problems. She kept stealing glances at me or playfully touching me—brushing my shoulder, rubbing her breasts against my elbow, grazing my thigh. No intention of focusing on studying at all.
She always worked hard on her studies before... Something's off.
Studying had always come first. She wanted to show me her diligent side. She'd even said she wanted to learn coffee or baking to stand by my side. But this was a far cry from the Min Deulle I'd known. Like she'd tossed aside the image she'd built up.
Her gaze drifted to my face again. Our eyes met. She smiled faintly.
Sudden boldness aside... what's the reason? That day, maybe?
While my mind wandered, Min Deulle pulled out her phone and set it on the table. She swiped deftly and brought up an image.
"Oppa, I took a pic of a tough problem from studying alone last night. Can you check this one too?"
I nodded readily and looked at the screen.
This is...
Not a problem. A selfie, close-up on her face and breasts. The exact one she'd sent me last night.
"Oh, this one was tough too."
She slowly swiped. Second photo. Third. Some she'd sent before, some new. As she flipped through, she peeked at my face, gauging my reaction.
Min Deulle... she's turning into Jangmi noona.
Something felt wrong. Not bad, but not purely good either.
"What do you think? From your view, oppa?"
She lifted the phone closer. I studied the pics for a moment, then checked Ari. Luckily, she was deep in her novel, ignoring us.
"Hard to tell from here..."
I kept my voice steady.
"Send them to my phone? I'll look closely and explain later."
Her lips curved up.
"Sure... ♥ I've got more tough ones. I'll snap and send them all."
She beamed. Then—
"Jumong."
Ari spoke up abruptly. Eyes still on her laptop, but clearly addressing me.
"Yeah?"
"I can't remember well, but..."
Min Ari paused.
"Did something happen between you and me yesterday?"
"......"
"Min Deulle mentioned it this morning."
Her voice was even. Eyes fixed on the screen.
"That we... kissed or something."
Finally, she looked up slowly. Our eyes met, and memories from the car flooded back. Her hands cupping my face, pulling me in. Soft lips. Faint alcohol scent. Her pretty smile after, and that whisper.
"Did that really happen?"
"......"
Before I could answer, Min Deulle snorted derisively.
"Yeah."
Her voice sharpened.
"Unnie grabbed oppa's face and went for it before getting out of the car yesterday."
"......"
"Don't worry, though. I put unnie to bed and did it deeper with oppa."
"......What?"
"You probably don't even remember your little peck."
Ari's brow furrowed deeply. Her gaze snapped to me.
"You... and Min Deulle, what the—"
"Earlier too."
Min Deulle interrupted.
"Right outside when unnie went into the cafe."
"......"
"Unlike unnie, I don't need to steal kisses. I can do it whenever I want. Oppa just lets me."
Her tone turned mocking.
"Get it? So drop the drunk excuse and stop trying to toy with oppa. A girl with a boyfriend should know shame."
Silence stretched. Only the clock's ticking filled the cafe. Finally, Ari spoke.
"Writing novels, huh..."
Calm voice, but icy.
"You should be the novelist."
"Ha, yeah. That's unnie for you. Wonder if you could keep that attitude right in front of your eyes."
Min Deulle moved suddenly. Hand on my thigh, arm around my waist. Right in front of Ari. She pressed her breasts against my arm, leaning in boldly.
"Oppa."
She looked up at me, excitement and anticipation in her eyes.
"Can't you do it now?"
"Uh......"
I hadn't expected this level of daring. She'd always respected my feelings for Min Ari. Begged forgiveness with nudes and cookies over similar stuff. Could people change this much?
I glanced at Ari. Arms crossed, staring us down. Go ahead if you dare.
"Do your romance with your boyfriend and stop obsessing over oppa for revenge. Arrogant, right? Acting like you remember nothing while trying to swing oppa around."
"Hold on... Deulle."