Rooftop Defiance and Balcony Kiss
Namgung Mir Building. Rooftop.
Brushing back her windswept hair, Jeon Dam-bi pulled out her lighter. Click, click. It wouldn't light properly. Just as she wondered if the gas was empty, she noticed a hand offering a working lighter from the side.
"Here, use this."
"Thanks."
Jeon Dam-bi lit up with Choi Siwoo's lighter and took a light drag, exhaling with a soft whoosh. Gray smoke swirled into doughnut shapes, drifting up into the sky.
"Valencia?"
"Yeah, a limited edition new release."
Gulp. At Jeon Dam-bi's explanation, Choi Siwoo swallowed unusually hard, his desire plain as day. She silently offered him the cigarette pack.
"Want one? I've got plenty extra…"
"…I…kinda…do…but…"
He scratched the back of his head with a wry smile.
"I'm a minor."
"Surprising. Most kids that age sneak around with them, don't they?"
"I…kinda want to…but yeah."
Choi Siwoo trailed off, glancing warily at Namgung Ryun, who was glaring daggers at him.
"Absolutely not!"
Namgung Ryun is right! Absolutely not, Master!
‘…Tsk.’
He'd hoped for just one sweet drag after so long, but with both women interfering, there was no way around it.
"So…"
Tapping the ash off the end, Jeon Dam-bi turned to Namgung Ryun and made a throat-slitting gesture.
"I don't get why you're following me all the way here. Aren't I supposed to be snip snip?"
"…Vice President Jeon Dam-bi. This is your last chance."
"A chance?"
Namgung Ryun nodded and pulled a new employment contract from her pocket. Jeon Dam-bi read it over carefully, her eyes flashing with surprise.
"Demotion's a given, but… asking me to be your direct subordinate? That's unexpected. And the pay… it's even higher?"
"I'll pile on the work accordingly. Expect a ton of extra duties for a while."
"Oh, you mean like kneeling every night to lick your feet?"
"What the hell kind of nonsense is that!!"
Namgung Ryun bristled at Jeon Dam-bi's gaze, which seemed to question if that was her kink.
"Obviously a joke, and you're getting all worked up…"
"Anyway! Considering your abilities, it's only fair treatment. You've been underpaid until now. I saw most of your earnings went to the board."
"They're the type that never gets full, no matter how much you feed them."
Jeon Dam-bi pulled out a fresh cigarette.
"So why go this far for me? I'm the one who stabbed you in the back."
Namgung Ryun sighed, emphasizing that public and private were separate.
"As you know, I only recently overcame the curse."
"Honest of you. No worries I'll exploit that?"
"Doesn't matter… You're not that much of a bitch."
Jeon Dam-bi stared in disbelief, but Namgung Ryun pressed on undeterred.
"So I need someone reliable for finances in the meantime."
"And that's me?"
"Yes. Handle this well, and I'll wipe the slate clean on what you prepared to oust me."
"……"
Jeon Dam-bi narrowed her eyes, her gaze inscrutable. Namgung Ryun swallowed dryly without realizing it.
It had been like this from the start. She couldn't read this woman's thoughts at all.
‘I should have her cornered…’
So why that relaxed attitude? It almost felt like she was the one trapped.
‘No…’
Not relaxed. That was…
‘…anger?’
Tap. Jeon Dam-bi stubbed out her half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray. She glanced at Choi Siwoo, who smacked his lips regretfully, then turned to Namgung Ryun.
"No. Guild Leader. You can't do that."
"…What?"
"That pathetic method. That weak, spineless forgiveness. I can't understand it."
Jeon Dam-bi leaned in until her mouth was inches from Namgung Ryun's. The sharp perfume hit hard. Her eyes, cold and murderous, drew eerie concentric circles.
"I lost. You won. You don't feed a defeated dog. You watch it starve to death."
"…Vice President Jeon Dam-bi. What the hel—"
"—Excuse me. This isn't productive anymore."
She handed over her pre-prepared resignation letter.
I hereby submit my resignation from my position as Vice President, effective immediately.
"Don't worry about finances. I've passed my know-how to my team. Use them—they'll match my efficiency."
Brushing past them, she paused with an ‘Oh, right…’
"Lady Luck."
"…What?"
"Guild Leader, you're so lucky. A perfectly laid trap. A fate you couldn't escape. Yet you turn it around right in front of everyone…"
Her gaze shifted to Choi Siwoo. The cold stare bloomed into a radiant smile, then twisted into rage.
"Heaven? Is it heaven? Yes. It's heaven."
"…Hey, Jeon Dam-bi. Speak plainly—"
"—I'll watch how long heaven's favor lasts, Guild Leader. So… today's victory is yours."
She answered on her own terms and walked out. Finally, irritation boiling over, Namgung Ryun flung the resignation letter to the floor.
"Argh, what the fuck!!!"
"……"
Meanwhile, Choi Siwoo silently watched Jeon Dam-bi leave. Even after she was gone, her heavy perfume lingered, narrowing his eyes.
* * *
Sizzle. The sound of meat grilling golden-brown on the hot plate filled the air. Brown oil droplets fell one by one, their glistening allure releasing a savory aroma that tempted like heaven itself.
‘Muahaha!’ Kang Him-chan wielded his tongs, flipping the pork wildly.
"Smells amazing, right? What do you think, Ye Dong-tak?"
"I agree on the meat quality… but what the hell are you doing?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Ye Dong-tak crossed his arms, sighing deeply in disapproval.
"Don't you know flipping pork like that squeezes out all the juices? If you're gonna grill it like shit, give me the tongs."
"Hey! Ye Dong-tak! I let a lot slide, but no one lectures me on meat! I delivered it since I was a kid!"
"And that's how you grill? Unbelievable… Didn't they teach you juices fly out?"
"Tsk tsk, amateurs… Hey, Ye Dong-tak! Stop drooling and fetch the sausages, Johnsonville!"
Second-floor balcony. Ryu Chae-hwa sipped her soda amid the two men's bickering, shaking her head pityingly.
"…Built like mountains, but act like kids."
"Chae-hwa. Darling… Men stay boys no matter the age, nya~."
"Hm…"
Gazing at Namgung Ryun, Ryu Chae-hwa tilted her head.
"That's weird then."
"…Huh?"
"Guild Leader's getting more childish by the day—"
"You little!"
With a hearty laugh, Ryu Chae-hwa bolted downstairs yelling, ‘I'll get more meat!’ Choi Siwoo, watching it all, let out a low chuckle.
"You two get along great. Like sisters."
"Hmph… Always pranking me… Darling, she's the worst little sis with food."
Gulp gulp. Namgung Ryun downed a beer in one go, grinning with a satisfied ‘Kaaah~’
"Tastes so good."
"…Maybe ease up? That's your third."
"Pfft, whatever~"
"…Your tongue's slurring…"
"Hey!"
She scrunched her face cutely and pinched Choi Siwoo's cheeks, stretching them up.
"Y-you cheeky blabbermouth! Namgung Mir's 19th heir, Namgung Ryun, will deal with you herself!"
"……"
‘Hiya~!’ Namgung Ryun flailed her arms in a drunken show. Her drinking habits were unchanged. Familiar alcohol scent wafted from her breath, evoking his past life.
‘But it's different.’
This wasn't the booze to ignore reality or fear death. Choi Siwoo gazed at the flushed Namgung Ryun.
Vitality shone in her beaming smile. Health glowed in her scarless skin. Happiness dripped from sweat on her nape.
Namgung Ryun, staring back, just giggled dopily.
"So cuwte~!"
"…Hand over the bottle. Please."
"Nooo!"
A tussle ensued—one trying to grab, the other clinging. They toppled in a tangle with a thud.
"……"
"……"
Now straddling him, Namgung Ryun brushed the boy's face. Her lips parted. The setting sun painted a magical twilight glow.
Was it that? Or the alcohol? She struggled to suppress surging desire.
"Kiss kiss."
"…Siwoo's fine."
"You… talk."
"Yes? If you get off first, even bet—"
"—Graduate."
"…? Pardon?"
Drip. Saliva trailed from her lips. With sultry allure, she toyed with the boy's lips.
"After graduation… marry me?"
* * *
"……"
In the heavy silence, what flashed through Choi Siwoo's mind was familiarity. The scene distorted. A far more mature she loomed over him.
‘…What did I say back then?’
He couldn't recall. Probably deliberately forgotten. To survive, to move forward, he'd erased memories one by one.
Instead of answering, he stroked her cheek. Namgung Ryun, dazed, belatedly realized her actions. She scrambled up, waving her hands frantically.
"S-sorry! Slip of the tongue! So—"
"Thanks for the proposal, Ms. Namgung Ryun."
"Uh, uh, yeah?"
"But… sorry."
His demeanor left her scratching her head awkwardly.
"Oh… girlfriend? Figures, you're hot…"
"No, not that. Just…"
Words stuck. Two names buried in his heart flickered. Lives that might've called him ‘Dad,’ faint traces.
"I don't have room for anyone right now."
"……"
"So… wait for me?"
"Huh?"
Choi Siwoo smiled gently, taking her hand to pull her up. Night breeze tousled his hair. Namgung Ryun gaped dopily at his flushed face.
Thump, thump, thump.
Again. Her heart raced like a foolish girl's.
"When I have the courage to decide everything… I'll give you an answer."
"……"
Namgung Ryun was speechless. That line… she was rejected, surely. She wasn't dumb. No right to complain. She was the thief at heart.
Who confesses after barely meeting? Still, it didn't suck. Even the refusal came with his smile.
‘Why?’
Lifesaver? Ideal match? Future comrade? Undefined feelings she swallowed with a smile.
"Yeah. I'll wait."
"…Let's head down. Breeze is chilly. Meat looks done below. You left room, right?"
"Of course~ I eat tons."
As Choi Siwoo turned, her voice followed.
"But… something I want first."
"…Hm? What's tha—"
He couldn't finish. Namgung Ryun lunged like lightning, stealing his lips. Her eyes squeezed shut, trembling filled his view.
"……"
Moments later, seeing the stunned boy with mouth agape, Namgung Ryun yelled through rising shame.
"Th-this! It's a bonus! Bonus fee!"
"……"
"Y-you said it! You'd contact soon… Association, Olympus Pharma, all that fighting, need backup! I thought it over—doesn't add up!"
Rambling, she shouted ‘Anyway!’ and fled downstairs. ‘I'm insane, insane!!!’ leaked from her clenched lips.
"……"
Choi Siwoo chuckled softly. Kay's voice rang in his ear: ‘Like it? Huh? Like it?’
As he moved to follow—
Ding.
"…Hm?"