Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Hoping to Get Closer (2)
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Right after the first afternoon class ended. Luckily, all three of us had a free period, so we sat down at a nearby café and started chatting away.
"Oh yeah, didn't you say last time you became the husband of a World Tree or something?"
"Yeah, I've been curious about that."
As I casually responded to the topic that came up naturally while sipping coffee, Si-woo spat out his drink.
"Pfft, ack! Cough, cough. Oh, that? Yeah, it's true... but it's no big deal."
"No big deal? It was all over the news articles. Look at this."
📰 Breaking News A dashing photo of Si-woo alongside a reporter's glowing praise filled the article Azalea pulled up. 💬 Comments — ㅇㅇ (152.44) Damn, this reporter was sent to write an article and comes back with straight-up praise lololol — ㅇㅇ He's the World Tree's husband lololol You wanna get fired for trash-talking? — ㅇㅇ Si-woo again? Hey Si-woo? — SiwooOppaForever Oppa, you're so handsome! — ㅇㅇ ↳ Reply (idiot) — SiwooOppaForever ↳ Reply What the hell- Don't believe her, oppa. — ㅁ ↳ Reply Yeah~ Si-woo doesn't even know your name lol Ah, this familiar vibe.
The snarky tone you see online sometimes made me feel all warm inside, like I was back home.
"Well... yeah, it's true? But really, it's nothing."
"How'd that even happen?"
"No idea. I was training, and suddenly—bam—a weird hologram window popped up or something. It told me to become her husband."
"Oh right, I heard this batch of husbands uses the system? So what, does that mean you'll get to meet the World Tree later?"
"Ahem, uh, more than that, I'm curious about Si-heon's mask. What about it, Si-heon?"
Why'd the conversation suddenly turn to me? My face, which had been grinning at the chance to mooch off World Tree talk, froze solid.
How was I supposed to explain this? I couldn't just say it was an artifact, so after agonizing over it, I came up with an answer.
"It's nothing special. Just a keepsake from my grandfather."
"Oh."
Excuse Mastery Technique #1: Deflect-a-lula. Same trick I used last time.
It seemed to work—Si-woo's expression turned awkward as he looked at me.
"So, Si-woo. Have you met your World Tree yet?"
Azalea quickly changed the subject to lighten the mood, and Si-woo shut his mouth with a wry smile.
He didn't seem keen to talk about it. Maybe I should rack up some points here.
"More importantly, you were great with spirit arts earlier. When did you learn that?"
"Oh, uh, yeah, true. You're really good at spirit arts."
I shot Si-woo a subtle glance, and he flashed a grin, clearly touched by the small gesture of consideration.
[Current Friends: 0 → 1] The friends list updated right away. Favorability jumped to 42 too. Guys are easy.
Just two more to go.
"Spirit arts? I've had a talent for it since I was little, so I picked it up. It's not that hard."
"Really? Oh, I gotta hit the bathroom real quick. You two chat."
Si-woo got up from the seat next to me and headed to the restroom, cutting Azalea's smooth talk short.
'She seems into Si-woo. Maybe use that to break the ice?'
Play Cupid to get closer naturally. But first, I had to fix this damn low favorability.
So, how?
I remembered hearing at the club that when picking up girls, complimenting looks beats digging into backgrounds.
But compliments from an ugly guy just scream stalker or creep.
"...Um, did you have something to say?"
Sensing my stare, Azalea furrowed her brow slightly and spoke up.
Déjà vu. It felt just like when we first met.
"Just... you're really pretty."
"Ah... yeah."
Her trailing voice dripped with bewilderment. I clamped my mouth shut.
Hoped for the best, got the worst. Labeled a creep.
Maybe it'd be better to just lay it all out instead of this lame favor-grinding bullshit.
"You and Si-woo seem close. Old friends?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"No reason. It's just awkward always being so formal. We'll see each other a lot, so how about dropping the honorifics?"
"Do what you want. I prefer formal."
"You use casual with Si-woo just fine."
"......"
Even I thought I was being persistent. She could snap at this point and it'd be fair.
But what could I do? My closest "friend" was this girl.
Azalea pondered for a long moment, sighed, and downed her drink.
"Sorry to say this, but... it's kinda uncomfortable."
Her pink eyes looked troubled.
Straight ball to the face.
No choice, huh.
I hadn't expected a home run on the first swing anyway.
"Sorry."
I started with an apology, then put on a serious face.
"I wanted to be friends. Got ahead of myself."
"......"
As I made my excuses, a surge of unfair frustration tangled in my chest.
I wasn't doing this because I wanted to. I knew my place, but this damn World Tree kept pushing me to overstep.
-Step step.
Si-woo was coming back right on cue.
"Back."
Seeing Azalea's slightly drained look, Si-woo tilted his head.
"What were you guys talking about?"
"Nothin' much~"
Azalea glanced at me, clearly hoping I'd play along.
"Yeah. Nothing."
For a split second, I'd dreamed of making a friend today since things were going well.
Goddamn it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Why the long face?"
"A tree pissed me off."
After classes ended that evening, I called Lee Se-young out and found a decent pub.
I'd never drunk here before, but this time I couldn't hold back.
Fuck, saying "I wanted to be friends. Got ahead of myself" like some sweet guy? What bullshit.
Self-loathing over my screw-up bubbled up fiercely.
"But you actually came when I called?"
"You got no friends. Teacher's gotta look out for this stuff."
"Ah... yeah."
I chugged the fresh pint the owner brought. Long time no booze, but it went down smooth as honey.
"You wear the mask even when meeting your girls?"
"Gotta keep it on always."
"Ugh, figures for a rapist. Paranoid about safety. Even with your teacher?"
"Yes. But how close are we for you to act buddy-buddy already?"
"...What? You called me."
Se-young grumbled as she stuffed her mouth with piping hot fried chicken.
Nom nom. Watching her happy face, I suddenly recalled her expression when I raped her that day.
Come to think of it, she loved it back then.
We chatted as I switched to soju midway.
The booze loosened my tongue.
"Hey, rapist. You drunk?"
"Fuck. Don't call me rapist here. You got rape fantasies too."
"Wh-what? Who has that kinda fantasy?"
"Right here... heh heh heh."
Buzzed and feeling good. All the suppressed shit was bursting out now.
Getting hit with "otaku" truth bombs tanked my self-esteem hard.
"What're you even saying."
Se-young put on an angry face and shot back coldly.
"For real?"
"What."
"You like getting raped."
"What bullshit."
"...Wanna test it?"
She scoffed in disbelief, downed her beer, and blew out a forceful breath.
I slid casually to the seat beside her.
The last customer had just left.
"All talk and no action. Teacher gave you one taste and now you're cocky—mmph!"
Just like before, I lifted the mask slightly and stole her lips.
"How's that?"
"F-fuckin' hate it."
Her eyes went wide as saucers in shock, spewing curses.
But despite the serious vibe, her slightly bent fingers trembled stiffly from tension.
"Got it. Not your thing?"
"D-duh, who the hell do you think I—"
"But I like you. Wanna fuck you."
"—Hmph!"
I whispered into her ear.
"Come with me."
"You... you're dead."
Dead from what? Same threat last time.
Our thing with Se-young started twisted from the jump. I had to fuck her or die, and luckily her kink matched, forging this weird bond.
I stood, paid for the food, stepped out, and breathed the cool night air.
'Friends, huh? Fuckbuddies count as friends too. Shit.'
Se-young followed reluctantly, looking uneasy.
Her eyes quivered, gaze darting everywhere like a kid about to beg for something.
Where to? Motel? Nah.
"Get in."
"This is..."
My feet stopped at the men's restroom in the park.
"Y-you crazy? Snap out of it..."
"I said get in."
I gripped her shoulders hard, shoved her inside, shut the door, and locked it.
-Bang!
Clean single-stall restroom.
One step toward her, and she backed away, shrieking.
"Stop! Y-you can still pull back now."
Never done this play, but I recalled porn tropes and went for it.
Grabbed her hair lightly, yanked her to me.
"...No."
Barely any force, but she yelped short. I hugged her from behind and took her lips.
Our tongues ravaged each other's mouths.
Her throat pulsed shyly under my firm grip, no nail marks.
"Ha... hmph. Mm."
Ragged breaths leaked out.
I ripped open her dress shirt. Buttons flew.
"Eek!"
Ignoring her light shivers of resistance, I squeezed her huge tits hard.
Pale flesh spilled between my fingers.
"Hurts... go easy."
"Use honorifics."
"Please go easy..."
"If you ask nice, sure. But put some effort in."
"...Huh?"
Tripped her lightly with my leg. She crumpled, eyes glazed over.
Shirt hanging off exposed her navel and pristine skin fully.
-Click.
Unzipped my pants. Her pupils dilated.
"You know what to do."
Gulp—swallow audible.
Her eyes fixed on my cock trembled once, then she whispered desperately.
"I-I know."
Too much?
Nah, a handjob's fine.
One hand over her chest, she approached and glared.
"You bastard."
Then she opened wide and took me in.
A wave of electric pleasure crashed over me.
Never saw this coming.