Chapter 108: King of Learning (8)
We finished our drinks and dessert, then stepped out of the café and strolled down the street. Jeonghwa insisted on staying at least a step away from me, just in case. Rather than trying to convince her otherwise, I stayed quiet and let her do as she pleased. In time, she'd realize it herself—that no one around us was paying me any mind.
"...They're really not staring at all."
I caught her mutter with my sharp ears and closed the gap in one quick stride, snatching her hand. Our fingers intertwined, locking in a tight grip.
"Eek!"
"See? Told you no one's looking."
"Hey! This is dangerous. What if someone takes a picture?!"
Even with the evidence right in front of her eyes, Jeonghwa freaked out at the idea of walking hand-in-hand like this.
"At least put on a mask then. Please?"
"Fine. But no complaining if we're holding hands once I do. Got it?"
"Yeah, deal!!"
She finally got me to wear a mask, like she was soothing a fussy kid. Once it was on, her tension eased, and she offered her hand without protest. Clearly, she didn't mind holding hands with me one bit.
"Still full from dessert, right?"
"Yeah."
"Mind if we head somewhere I want to go?"
"Where to?"
"An exhibition."
I'd asked Jua noona about it. Jeonghwa was hugely into art. She'd loved it but gave it up for a stable job to make ends meet. She hadn't gone into anything art-related professionally, but she kept at it as a hobby, painting on her own. So today's date plan was the art gallery for some paintings, followed by a nice dinner.
"The Paolo exhibition! We're really going here? I've always wanted to!"
Jeonghwa's eyes sparkled, her excitement bubbling over. I could feel her joy radiating from every inch of her. Made me proud I'd planned this.
"Heard great things about it."
"I love Paolo's work. Total fan."
"I don't know much about art, so you'll have to explain it all to me."
"...O-okay."
Her face flushed as she ducked her head. She was embarrassed, but who could peg this woman for late forties? With a piercing, she'd reclaim an even more stunning version of her youthful beauty.
"Thought any more about it?"
"About what?"
"The piercing."
"!!"
Walking beside me, she squeezed my hand hard. Looked like nipple piercings were the last thing on her mind.
"Not gonna work?"
"Th-they say it hurts like hell."
I'd bought it with coins—no way it'd cause pain or side effects! Items like that came with refunds if they did.
"Don't worry. I'll make it painless. But hey, no pressure. If you really hate it, just say no."
"...If it doesn't hurt, it's fine."
She finally gave the okay! Her expression didn't scream reluctance; she seemed genuine. Grinning ear to ear, I pulled the pre-bought piercing from my pocket and placed it in her palm.
"Ta-da~"
"No way...?"
"Your piercing."
"Oh my god, you were carrying this around already?!"
She sighed like she was dealing with an incorrigible prankster.
"Didn't plan on handing it over on the street. Meant to do it somewhere nicer, but I got too excited."
I wanted to show her off. I'd given Jua noona a ring, and of course, she'd bragged to her mom. I'd played it cool, but I remembered Jeonghwa's envious look crystal clear. That's why this gift felt so right.
She opened the tiny box, eyes widening at the piercing inside.
"This isn't... real, is it?"
"Of course it is."
"The ring for Jua was like that too... You're spending way too much. Save some money."
"I'm earning plenty."
The company's investments were hefty, but I hadn't raked in massive profits yet. Thing is, this cost coins, not cash.
"It's too extravagant."
"First gift from me—won't you take it?"
"...It's not exactly the first."
"Huh? Oh...! Haha, right, not the very first."
Come to think of it, I'd given her stuff before—like the collar bell or tail. I'd called them "gifts," sure. But since they were adult toys, neither of us had thought of them that way.
Guess I gave 'em to feel good myself.
Didn't expect her to see them as real presents.
"Those were adult toys, though. I wanted to give you something precious and nice. And honestly, I gave them for my sake, not yours."
"......"
I whispered it low—no way I wanted strangers overhearing and getting the wrong idea. Jeonghwa's face turned beet red.
"You've put them to good use, right? Now just the bell sound gets me hard thinking of you. Doesn't count as a proper gift. A real one should be for the receiver, not the giver."
"Th-that's..."
"Even this one? Pure selfishness. I want to mark your breasts as mine."
"!!"
Her face burned crimson, like it might explode any second.
"We'll have a fancy dinner, then head to a hotel. I'll put it in for you."
I had full confidence I could devour her from head to toe. I let my eyes burn with the desire to swallow her whole. She wouldn't reject it—I knew she'd embrace my hunger. And I was right.
？？？
Throughout the exhibition, Jeonghwa couldn't hide her flushed cheeks, buzzing with excitement. I'd figured art wouldn't thrill me much, but her passionate breakdowns of the art world hooked me. We both had a blast the whole time.
I knew zilch about this world's famous artists, so she talked nonstop, her explanations endless.
Curator, right?
Seeing her so blissed out, she'd crush it as one. Wonder why she never pursued it, loving it that much.
Might encourage her to try sometime.
Maybe we got too into it, but hunger hit. Perfect timing—I tugged her interlaced hand.
"Ready for something delicious?"
"Mm..."
"What? Not hungry? Wanna do something else?"
We'd spent way longer than expected, so I figured she'd be starving. But she seemed lukewarm on dinner.
She hesitated, then murmured cautiously.
"...Wanna skip to the hotel?"
"Cough—whoa, already?"
Hotel meant sex. Her bold invitation made my heart pound.
"Not saying skip food entirely. They have it there too."
"W-well, not like I'd say no."
"Wanna try on your gift."
She wanted to wear the piercing I'd given her. Her sweetness sent my heart racing into overdrive, raw impulse surging.
Gulp. My throat went dry.
"...Didn't you say it scared you?"
"Still does a bit. But it's so pretty... keeps popping into my head. Am I being silly?"
"No way!"
I huffed, nostrils flaring. It was special as an item, but the piercing's beauty stood on its own. That's why I wanted to see it on her.
"Let's go."
"Ah!"
I grabbed her hand and led the way. She drove, so the hotel was a quick trip.
"Undress me. Give me the piercing."
"O-okay..."
Now that it was time, she looked spooked again.
"Scared?"
"A little..."
"I'll make it hurt-free."
The Ryubia piercing featured a tiny red gem about half the size of a pinky nail. High-class at a glance. "Ryubia" gems were reserved for the "finest ladies" in some dimension—only empresses could wear them. Even nobles lacked the right without rank.
Huge meaning there, but here it'd pass as just a ruby.
The product description hyped it up, so I'd read it. Searched for similars here—red diamonds were close, but not quite. Nothing identical. Unique to this world? Priceless, maybe even above diamonds. But no market, no price. Curiosity satisfied, I dropped it.
Pop!
"Ngh...!"
"Hurts?"
I pierced quick and firm to spare her dread-building fear. Her plump breasts, the prominent nipple at the peak—now adorned with a sparkling red gem, claiming its spot boldly. Fit like it belonged there forever.
"Huh?? It really doesn't hurt."
She'd winced at the sensation but now stared down in bewilderment. Her scared face was adorable enough; the confused one broke me.
I cupped her face and kissed her deep.
"Mmwah, smooch, chu, mmm...!"
"Smooch! It suits you perfectly. Just like I imagined."
The jeweled nipple piercing gleamed on her, stirring the urge to bedeck her whole body in them. Lavish praise and kisses melted her expression completely.
"Y-you startled me with that sudden kiss."
"Couldn't hold back—you're too beautiful."
"Keep calling me Jeonghwa, but why the sudden name switch? Freaked me out when you texted it first."
"Hate it? You never said, so I thought it was fine."
"...Not hating it. Wanted to ask but lacked the guts. Been ages since a man's called my name. Feared you'd stop if I brought it up. What am I, a kid?"
I'd stuck to "mother-in-law" at home because of Jua noona. But noona wasn't here now. This woman was my lover first.
"What's wrong with calling my woman's name? Especially with this mark right here—no backing out. You like it too."
"...You'll keep seeing me as a woman?"
"Obviously. Might not have from the start, but the moment I entered you... you've been my woman."
I stroked her cheek tenderly, then our tongues tangled fiercely again.
Chu! Slurp! Chu! Smooch! Muah!
"Mmwah, mmm... smooch! Mmmph...!"
She'd even let me pierce her for me—irresistibly lovable. Knowing I'd claim her remaining years filled me with profound satisfaction and conquest.