Don't Throw Me Away
Ugh... Please don't throw me away...
It's been ages since the value of money plummeted below scraps of paper with the world's collapse. In an era where survival came first, the only truly valuable commodities were water and food. People would rush into the wilderness, risking their lives just to wet their throats a little, or kill without a second thought to stave off hunger... A desperate, hellish world. For humans reduced to lives little better than beasts, pleasure was nothing but a luxury. And right now, I had that luxury right in front of me.
Gulp. A bottle of liquor in a transparent, crystal-shaped flask. No, two bottles, three... I couldn't even count them. Bottles worth a fortune unimaginable on the surface were lined up here like common stock. This one room was basically a liquor warehouse. And what was in front of me now was far more precious than water or food.
My jaw wouldn't close. My mind was already lost to the sparkling allure. No label, so I had no idea what kind it was, but... who cares? It looked expensive as hell—no need to overthink it.
"Yura, is this company welfare too?"
"Well... it's not exactly company welfare. An acquaintance of mine hoarded it. Total alcohol addict..."
"R-Really, can I have some...?"
"Doesn't matter. I don't drink much anyway. Someone's gotta drink it eventually."
Let me rewind the clock a bit. It started as a joke. We were having dinner together, but something felt missing. Even with the pork belly, an itch wouldn't go away, leaving me unsatisfied. Sure, surface-dwellers would've laughed if they saw me—calling this "full"—but I couldn't help thinking about it.
Ah... just one shot of soju would be killer right now... I knew it was crazy. I'd eaten more than enough. What more could I want? I knew better than anyone it was ungrateful, but after living by instinct for so long, the words slipped out unconsciously.
"Kya... I wanna drink..."
"Drink?"
"Ah, no, I misspoke..."
Idiot—mistaking water for booze and blurting it out. Not something to say in front of someone providing bed and board.
"I-It’s just an old habit. Don’t mind it."
"..."
Too late to take it back? Yura stared at me blankly. She stroked her chin thoughtfully for a moment, then grinned.
"Wanna drink, then? Booze?"
"???"
And that's how we got here. I never dreamed it was real. Figured maybe one or two bottles at most, but this? Enough to last a lifetime and then some.
"Told you—I've got everything. Mind blown, right?"
"Yeah... totally blown."
Was this how dogs felt the first time humans domesticated them? My hands trembled as I held the bottle, cradling it like a baby to my chest.
"You wanted soju with pork belly, right? Let's go."
"Y-Yeah, l-let's!"
I offer my sincere thanks to whatever friend might be out there somewhere. Who knew he'd light up like a kid over just one bottle? If I'd known, I'd have pulled it out sooner... Well, learning these little things about him one by one isn't so bad.
His eyes sparkling, grinning ear to ear as he watched me—I couldn't help smiling back. Yeah, just keep eating well and staying put. I didn't ask for much. Just someone to soothe the loneliness. That was enough.
Seohan stuffed a wrap in his mouth, chewing away. Maybe the booze was hitting him—he scooted right up next to me.
Huh? Eh? D-Distance?! For Yura, who had zero tolerance for rationality in moments like this, it was sudden chaos. He shook the bottle playfully, thrusting his face so close his lips nearly brushed hers.
"Y'know, I've been curious since before... How old are you, Yura?"
"M-Me? Uh... 2, 28."
She had no idea where to look, flustered. He'd always been defenseless, but now booze amplified it, pheromones leaking everywhere. Her heart pounded like it might burst.
"Oh, noona, huh. Noona... You not drinking, Yura? You've just been eating meat..."
"Booze? N-Not really my thing. I don't get drunk easily anyway."
If she were drunk, she'd have pounded it. Her family had strong alcohol tolerance—nothing short of a ton would faze her. Plus, she was too full to force it.
"Really? You don't get drunk easy... Then... you hate drinking with me?"
"..."
For a split second, Yura's reason snapped like a fuse. Drunk and throwing a tantrum now? Completely oblivious that he was seducing her.
Yura stood quietly, grabbing a soju glass from the shelf. Damn tease of a male! Wagging his tail like that. Right now... right now... ugh! She slammed the glass on the table with a thunk! Legs spread wide like a boss, she shoved it toward Seohan.
Shut up and pour, you cocky stud!
"Got it. If you wanna drink that bad, pour me one."
"Hehe... Yeah, Yura. I'm the kid here—you gotta pour for me. Of course...!"
Seohan clutched the bottle with both hands, carefully filling the glass to the brim. It was maddening. His cautious movements, worried even a drop might spill in his drunken state, stimulated her in every way. Drag him to bed already. She shook her head. No matter how hard it was to stay sane, she couldn't. Not until mutual consent. Not much longer now. She'd endure for that day.
Clink! Glasses touched. Seohan downed his in one go, Adam's apple bobbing. A few drops escaped, trickling down his chest. To match the mood, Yura slammed hers back too.
"Ahh, this is the best... Should've asked sooner if I knew you had booze."
Yeah, if I'd known you loved it, I'd have fed you ages ago...
"How's it for you, Yura? Good, right? Been forever since I drank—feels all floaty and nice, yeah?"
Good? Amazing... Drinking with a guy next to her—who wouldn't feel great? Unconsciously, she wanted to grope him. And...
"Yura, got a question."
"Question?"
Grab!
"Guh!"
A momentary lapse. In a flash, Seohan reached out and groped Yura's breast. What?! What the—?! What's happening?! Before she could react, he kept kneading.
"What's this? Been wondering forever but too awkward to ask... It sparkles all cool..."
"Sp-Spark... sp..."
Her brain short-circuited. She'd never felt so utterly blank. How drunk was he to shove his hand deeper inside her white coat?
"Y-You're talking about the power suit... ngh... right?"
"Suit... yeah... suit..."
The metallic coding clung to her body, amplifying physical abilities with minimal power. The faintly blinking blue circuit network must've piqued his curiosity.
"Whoa... a real power suit? Like in the movies?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Can you lift super heavy stuff with it?"
"Usually up to three times your body weight, no sweat... hah..."
Insane. A man's... a man's hands all over me. Her breasts were sensitive enough already... Sweat poured like a waterfall.
"Whoa, like a superhero. So cool! Huh? Yura... the sparkles are turning red? What's wrong? Is it broken...?"
"N-Now, now, let's drop it and have another! Clink!"
Clink!Gulp gulp. She got drunk. Not usually this fast, but the combo of factors raced the alcohol through her veins. They kept eating, drinking, chatting. When she came to, four bottles were nearly empty.
What was the proof on that? Not regular soju. Her acquaintance's custom brew—around 20%, a bit stronger than regular, she thought...
"Ugh... ugh... hic..."
Seohan wobbled, off-balance, hiccuping nonstop. Anyone could see he was on the verge of collapse.
"Time to stop?"
"I'm fine. Can drink more... hic."
"You look pretty wasted."
"Not wasted. Hic..."
Not wasted? Looking like that? Couldn't even stand straight?
"Yura..."
"Yeah?"
"Don't throw me away."
"What?!"
"I don't wanna go back out there. I'll do whatever you say... just please don't throw me away."
Different vibe from before. His drunken sincerity rang out pitifully.
"I-I won't."
"..."
"If I was gonna throw you out, why would I..."
"..."
He nodded off, head drooping. After all that fuss, on the brink of passing out. He swayed, then rested his head on Yura's shoulder.
"S-Sleeping?"
No movement. Just steady breathing. Yura slowly slipped her arm behind him, wrapping around his waist. A long silence stretched between them.
Noah, tidying the table, approached cautiously.
Administrator-nim, Baek Seohan-nim is currently in a state of complete intoxication. He likely won't remember anything that happens from now on.
"..."
Personal opinion, but I recommend quietly taking him to your room and consummating the deed. It might even help relieve your stress, Administrator-nim.