Chapter 72
Chapter 72
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Golden Sun vs Older Woman
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“.........”
“.........”
Silence hung heavy in the open-air bath.
Do-yeon and I had been wrapped in it for nearly ten minutes now. I stared off at the distant mountains and finally broke the quiet.
“Do-yeon noona.”
“Ung...?”
“Don't you have something to say?”
“Yeah, you're right, but...”
She trailed off, still skirting around the main point. Personally, I just wanted to wrap this up and bolt.
The longer we lingered in this charged atmosphere, the more I'd lose control over my lower half.
Gulp!
Do-yeon, still tongue-tied, kept pouring from the glass beside her and sipping away. Curiosity got the better of me.
“What're you drinking?”
“Oh, fruit beer. Tastes even better in an open-air bath like this...”
Sip!
She'd been at it nonstop.
But something felt off...
“...Huh, why does this feel so good?”
Do-yeon was starting to look woozy.
Is she already drunk...?
Is that really fruit beer?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -2 hours earlier-
'What, just act normal...?'
'Yeah, forcing it with someone like you would just come off awkward. Stick to your usual routine—I'll handle setting the stage.'
Do-jin hadn't spilled the full details of his 'master plan' to Do-yeon. He figured it'd play out more naturally that way.
Flip!
Do-jin spread a notebook open on his desk. Scribbled inside were the rough outlines of his scheme.
“Step one: create the situation. You always wrap up your day around this time with a soak in the open-air bath. If I can just slip Seong-muk hyung in there...”
It'd be the perfect event to skyrocket their relationship. Do-jin hadn't overlooked the props for the scenario either.
“Step two: you always drink fruit beer in the bath. If I swap it for something stronger...?”
Do-jin rummaged through the house and found just the thing—plum liquor. A gift from one of the data team's female staffers that Do-yeon had made. The alcohol content was too high for her taste, so it'd gone untouched.
'With your tolerance, two or three glasses and you'll be tipsy for sure. And soaking in hot water? That'll double the speed.'
Why get his sister drunk on purpose?
There was a rock-solid reason.
“Step three: drunk, you're a force no average guy can withstand. Your destructive power is off the charts.”
A boozed-up Do-yeon turned aggressively bold, radiating raw sensuality in the crudest terms.
She'd realized her own drunken antics after the fact and stopped drinking around other guys. The only exception was her little brother—and Do-jin was convinced that was his ace in the hole.
“Step four: Seong-muk hyung isn't uninterested in women.”
Sure, he'd turned his life around completely now, but some of those old rumors about him rang true—especially the ones involving women.
Whoever he'd tangled with before, none could match Do Do-yeon's beauty, Do-jin figured.
Even Seong-muk wouldn't hold out if a woman like her came at him full throttle.
These four points fueled Do-jin's push forward. Worst case, it'd make them hyper-aware of each other rationally. Best case, they'd hit it off like wildfire and he'd witness them tying the knot in no time.
“...Hyung mentioned not seeing any family photos in the house, right?”
Creeeak—
Do-jin stepped out of his room and descended the stairs slowly, hand on the wall. He glanced up at the perfect spot on the wall for a photo and grinned.
“Guess we'll have to take one together. A family photo.”
He meant it.
Calling Seong-muk 'brother-in-law' for real.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Huh, ung......”
Now it was crystal clear.
Do-yeon was drunk.
Good and plastered.
“Noona, hold up.”
I leaned in and sniffed the mouth of the bottle she'd been drinking from. Realization hit instantly.
'Plum liquor...?!'
It was in a fruit beer bottle, but that scent was unmistakable.
Someone had tampered with it.
And the culprit was obvious.
'Do Do-jin, you little punk...'
Chewing him out could wait.
First, I had to stop Do-yeon from drinking more. But she beamed at me, offering a glass.
“Seong-muk, wanna sip~?”
“Nah, I'm good.”
“Aww, suit yourself. More for me then...”
“...!”
I snatched the bottle before her hand got there, downing the rest in one go.
Gulp!
“...Whew.”
How long had it been since my last drink?
About 20% left—sweet and tasty.
An athlete chugging booze might raise eyebrows, but Geum Seong-muk was a heavyweight drinker. This much wouldn't faze me.
'He said his limit's five bottles, right?'
Even five bottles of soju barely got me buzzed. Plum liquor was milder, so this was basically juice.
“How's it taste~?”
“Pretty good.”
“Hehe, right~?”
She lit up with that easy smile.
'...Damn, my heart hurts.'
Do-yeon now versus back then? Night and day. At this rate, no red-blooded guy could resist her charms.
“So, noona, what's on your mind?”
Best to cut to the chase and end this. She tilted her head at my question.
“Ung, nothing specific really...”
“Then why...?”
“'Cause I wanna get closer to you, Seong-muk~ Got lots of questions too.”
Another bright grin from Do-yeon.
I was genuinely caught off guard by the reason.
'Thought it was just gratitude for helping Do-jin...'
I'd pegged us as allies cooperating for her brother's sake, not her wanting to bond with me personally.
Maybe that's why she'd sought me out before the Girin High match. I shook my head.
'Don't overthink it. Handle what's right in front of you first.'
“What're you curious about? Fire away—I'll answer anything.”
Do-yeon blinked at me without replying, then countered with a lazy expression.
“No need to answer everything at once.”
“Huh?”
“Don't you have questions for me, Seong-muk~?”
“......”
Honestly? Yeah, a few.
This vibe made them pop up more too.
I answered straight.
“Of course.”
“Yay~ Glad to hear it... How about we take turns asking each other one?”
“Sounds good. You first, noona.”
“Got it, hehe...”
Do-yeon pressed a hand to her flushed cheek and smiled sweetly. Then she fired her first question.
“Seong-muk, face or body—which matters more?”
“...!”
Straight for the jugular.
I hesitated, genuinely stumped—not just because it was Do-yeon.
“Both for me.”
Tsk! Can't use that.'
She puffed her cheeks like she was scolding a puppy.
I pondered again.
“.........Hmm.”
What wouldn't I compromise on?
After some thought, I settled on an answer.
“...Face for me.”
“Hmm, gotcha~?”
Do-yeon nodded with a beaming smile.
My turn now.
“What was your first impression of me? Be honest.”
“Total delinquent...!!”
“...Cough!”
Hey, wait.
Too brutally honest.
“...Or so I thought, but then—”
“But then?”
“Hehe, ask again on your next turn if you're curious. Got it...?”
Tch, dodging how her view's changed since first impressions, huh.
“Seong-muk, older woman, same age, or younger—which do you like best?”
“...!”
Another tough one.
Truth is, it's the person that matters, not age.
But after my vague first answer got shot down, she'd probably nix anything fuzzy now too.
Better give her what she wants to hear.
“If I had to pick, older women.”
“...For real?”
“Yeah, for real.”
“Hehehe...”
Do-yeon smiled.
My turn again.
'...She said she wants to get closer first, so I should step forward too.'
There was one surefire way to lower walls. I went straight for it.
“Do-yeon noona, mind if I drop the formal speech?”
Switching to casual.
We'd kept it polite so far—going casual would loosen us both up and bring us closer.
“Sure, wanna try right now...?”
“Ahem.”
She agreed readily.
I jumped right in, like I'd been waiting.
“Noona, once you say yes, no take-backs. You sure you won't regret it?”
“...!!”
Her body shivered suddenly.
What was that reaction...?
“Yeah, no regrets...!”
Her face burned redder as she gave a thumbs-up. Calming down, she tossed her next question.
“Seong-muk, just to check...”
“Yeah...?”
“You're not an early birthday kid, right~?”
“...?”
What kind of question is that?
A bit random, but I answered anyway.
“Nah, October-born—not early.”
“So you're turning adult next year?”
“Yeah, that's right.”
“...Hehe, got it~.”
Do-yeon flashed a meaningful smile. I still didn't get it, so I fired off the question I'd been itching to ask.
“Tell me your impression of me now.”
“...Eep!”
The one she'd dodged from my first-impression ask. She startled, then averted her blushing gaze.
'Huh, vibe shifted a bit.'
She seemed embarrassed, avoiding eye contact. Was it that big a deal?
“Not many people to talk baseball with, but you're so knowledgeable for a high schooler—makes chatting fun. Admirable how hard you've studied it...”
“Rumors had you pegged as some slacker coasting on talent, but you're skilled and hardworking—super cool. And your sweat smell... Ah, scratch that...”
“And when you face off against other players, win, and roar in triumph—that's the best, like...”
“.........Best?”
“...Not telling.”
Do-yeon shook her head vigorously.
Teasing me then bailing? Not on my watch.
“Noona, c'mon, that's not fair.”
“Ung...?”
“Then I won't answer next time either. Spill it.”
“But it's embarrassing...”
“I won't say anything. What is it?”
Do-yeon stayed silent a beat.
Her lips finally parted.
“...Sex.”
“Sex...?”
“Sexy, I thought.”
“.........”
Shouldn't have pushed.
Now my face was burning too.
“Ahem...”
Silence settled between us again.
But not the awkward kind from before.
This was... what?
Like the calm before a storm—anything could happen.
And it wasn't just my imagination.
“Seong-muk, my turn?”
“Yeah, shoot.”
“.........”
Do-yeon bowed her head, then slowly lifted it to meet my eyes. Her drunken question hit like a bomb.
“...Can I come closer?”
“............!!”
We were about a meter apart.
My line in the sand for staying rational—and she wanted to breach it.
Agree, and there'd be no turning back. But men are weak creatures.
“Can't I...?”
“Sigh, do what you want.”
Couldn't say no.
Any guy who could storm out cold from this isn't human.
Splash!
She parted the water and slid up beside me. Then, without warning, her delicate fingers pressed against my chest.
“...!?”
“Whoa, like a rock. So firm...”
Her soft fingertips on my bare skin were stimulation enough—but hearing her say it amplified everything.
'...Limit's closing in.'
Last chance.
My final shot at restraint. Fail here, and I'd turn beast.
Grab!
“...!”
I seized both her arms—poking at me—and pulled them away firmly.
“Ease up, noona.”
“...!?”
Serious now, I peeled her off and fixed her with a menacing glare she'd never seen.
“S-Seong-muk...?”
“Noona, why're you so fearless?”
“Just us two here—don't you know how dangerous that is?”
“Ung...?”
“You know I'm an ex-delinquent. Keep acting reckless like this, and I'll turn into a beast and pounce. It's only a matter of time. Think I won't?”
“Seong...muk...”
Do-yeon shrank back a bit at this new side of me. That should get through.
“Phew, let's head back. This is plenty...”
“...Seong-muk, you've been through a lot, huh?”
“.........??”
Sudden tears welled in her eyes.
She pulled me into a tight hug.
“Misunderstood, hurt, struggling all this time...? You don't have to tough it out with me. I'm on your side, Seong-muk.”
Her words struck deep. But right now, they were the worst possible timing.
Squelch!
'...Ah, fuck.'
The dam I'd barely held burst.
Then an alarm blared in my ear.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Stats strengthened by the Solar Divine Meridian! Something surged fiercely.
A bulge formed under my towel around my waist.
Tied tight, it held—but my worst fear had come true.
“Ung...?”
I stood trembling silently; she glanced down curiously. Then froze like ice.
“............”
'It's over...'
All that hiding for nothing.
Standing tall on the field? Just game adrenaline, I could rationalize.
But this?
Getting hard over my bro's sister. No excuses.
Resigned, I stood there as she—still hugging me—met my eyes and asked softly.
“Seong-muk, you hurting bad...?”
“...!?”
I blanked, unsure how to respond. Do-yeon flushed deep, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then tiptoed up and whispered in my ear.
“...If you're hurting, tell noona, okay?”
“...!!”
She buried her head in my shoulder, nestling into me. My patience snapped.
'I've held back plenty.'
Screw the consequences.
She'd crossed the line despite my warnings—I'd cross it too.
Steeling myself, then...
“Hng, hmnya..., pff...”
“Wha...?”
She'd passed out into dreamland.
Overcome by booze, lost to sleep.
“Noona, Do-yeon noona...?”
No response no matter how I called. She'd conked out peacefully in my arms, no doubt.
“...Sigh. Relieved or bummed—hard to say.”
With the most tangled feelings ever, I hoisted her up and left the bath.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Next morning.
Chirp, chirp chirp...!!
Birds sang outside the window.
Do-yeon opened her eyes on her bed.
“Ugh, my head...”
Clutching her pounding hangover, she sat up. Her brother Do-jin slipped in.
“Oh, you're up, noona?”
“What about Seong-muk...?”
“Headed home last night. Didn't wanna impose more.”
“Ah, I see...”
Do-jin answered, then grinned slyly. One thing on his mind.
“So, noona—remember last night?”
“Last night...?”
Do-yeon replayed it slowly. Her face turned beet red as memories surfaced.
“D-Do-jin, you...! How could you pull that without asking me!!”
“No effect, then?”
“.........”
She went mum.
Even fragmented flashes showed she'd closed the gap with Seong-muk big time.
Dropped the formal talk, poked his bare chest up close, hugged him, and finally...
“...........!?!?”
Not certain, but something brushed her. If Seong-muk felt that too...
“See? Worked like a charm.”
“...Do-jin.”
“Yeah?”
“Want a bigger allowance...?”
“...Leave it to me next time too, noona.”
Do-yeon's trust in her brother leveled up. She resolved: hand over romance stuff for a while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Same morning.
I woke in my studio apartment bed.
“Whoa, feeling great...”
Unlike the Olivia fiasco wrecking my condition, the fix was simple.
'Pick stats to boost first, then crash...'
No alarm if I chose, and exhaustion won anyway.
Hot springs worked wonders—fatigue gone. Stretching happily, then a weird sensation hit.
'No way...!?'
I threw off the blanket and spotted the culprit. A curse slipped out.
“Ah, fuck.”
Pants and sheets soaked.
Embarrassing truth: I'd had a wet dream.
Something about the open-air bath in my sleep.
Won't say who was there.
“...Gonna lose it.”
That day, I was late to school.
Reason? Laundry—of all things.