88. What Happened on Christmas
『Wow~ long time no see, Seon-woo. Fancy seeing you here, all eyes on you.』
Hey, lady, signal first... Yeon-su comes in hot with a straight fastball. Grabbing the mic, she hypes it up like it's neighborhood gossip. A famous celeb shows up, claims she knows me, and turns it into a full-blown advertisement extravaganza.
'What the hell, you know her?' Seon-hwa whispers from the side. It's obviously a show hosted by a celebrity, but when she publicly calls out my name, even she looks shocked. Her curiosity amps up, and she cozies right up to me like a girlfriend should. Every time, Yeon-su's eyes narrow sharper, more piercing. And those fox eyes of unknown intent make my back soak with sweat.
『Hmm~ can't hear you? Should I get a little closer?』
Yeon-su grabs the mic and blatantly steps right in front of me. With everyone's attention zeroed in on us, Seon-hwa startles and ducks completely behind my back. I thought she was just shy, but no. This place is crawling with public eyes and cameras everywhere. It might hit the news, a special program, or YouTube live—no telling. If Seon-hwa ends up on screen, it could spark a real scandal. Slim chance, sure, but her standout style would make even a brief clip a problem.
Yeon-su politely holds the mic, tilting her head. 『Oh? Your companion seems super shy. But you're stuck so close together like that—gotta be girlfriend, right?』
"Y-yeah... sorta..."
『Wow~ she looks gorgeous. Mind introducing her real quick?』
Poke-poke! Yeon-su presses with her eyes from the front, Seon-hwa lands physical hits from behind. A signal to somehow escape this spotlight or bail.
"Sorry about that. My girlfriend hates getting on camera..."
My words only make things more entertaining for her—she grins wickedly. 『Oh, really? Then couple events like this might be tough, huh?』
"Y-yeah~ such a shame, instructor."
I play along, whatever the contest is. And I specifically call her "instructor." That's how we met—at her Pilates studio—so it's the most official title. Plus, I need an excuse for Seon-hwa on the way back. If she asks how we know each other, I've got a cover.
"Sorry... let's chat next time."
I smoothly pivot to exit. I'll take Yeon-su's glare later—this is damage control. Just as I turn away regretfully,
『No way, can't let a top contender slip! Sorry to your girlfriend, but borrowing him for a sec!』
"Wha—huh?!"
The gasp from behind isn't mine—it's Seon-hwa. She'd been glued to my back, but as I pull away, she flails, reaching out helplessly. Yeon-su swoops in, links arms, and drags me off. Seon-hwa tries to stop it but covers her mouth for the cameras and backs off. Her face? Pure shock—like watching her nose get cut off wide-eyed, dazed and lost.
I stumble awkwardly onto the wide stage. Couples—guys and girls—are already lined up. Small-scale couple contest, apparently.
『Entry confirmed! You've waited long enough—let's get started!』
Boom! Pop! Pop! The male MC booms from the booth, and fireworks explode on stage.
...Scared the shit out of me.
『Before the main event, warm-up time! Nothing shows love like this—Pepero game! Don't eat it all, just leave the tiniest piece.』
A female staffer hands out Peperos to each team. Ten teams total, including me. One per couple, but I'm solo since I left Seon-hwa behind.
So, 『Last contestant has no choice—looks like it's me and you♥』
...Bad feelings never lie.
Yeon-su sets the mic down, bounces over like an excited fox, mischief all over her face.
『Oof, this okay? Dude, you sure you can handle the fallout with a hot noona like that?』
MC's tease draws chuckles. Crowd thinks it's a scripted gag—little laughs ripple out. Bet one person down there isn't laughing.
『Anyway, start! Kiss to eat—no dropping or hands, or DQ!』
Couples pucker up at the MC's roar. I freeze, but Yeon-su snatches my Pepero boldly, bites one end, and wiggles it teasingly.
"C'mon~ let's go already."
"Wait... this is..."
"What's wrong? We do this all the time, babe♥"
Short sentences loaded with mic-risky bombs—for me or her.
"Or you can't do it with me~?"
"N-no, people are watching..."
"Hmm~ girlfriend, right? Didn't know you kept our little secret so tight."
"..."
"She's pretty, yeah. Gold Lion's got high standards."
She sidles close, hand on my chest. Scandalous enough for Seon-hwa, but Yeon-su tiptoes up, adding coquettish flair.
I stand rigid like a loyal minister. Bracing for backlash, she drops the magic line.
"Hmm~ so jealous, maybe I should spill?"
Whisper in my ear: "Tell 'em how you wrecked me the other day and creampied me full for two days straight...♥"
"I'll do it! Just hold off!"
"Hehe."
No choice—I bite the Pepero. Eyes squeezed shut, can't go full hard with Seon-hwa watching.
Crunch-crunch-crunch... Lips approach with snack sounds.
"(Crunch)"
"..."
"(Crunch-crunch-crunch-crunch)"
"..."
I don't budge a millimeter, but she advances aggressively. As the cracker shrinks,
"Mmm, babe...♥"
"!!?"
In front of hundreds, she boldly wraps her arms around my neck. I jolt back in shock—the Pepero tumbles, tiny nub left.
『Oh! No. 10 rejects the sexy noona's dash! Felt the life threat, huh?』
Male MC commentates. More chuckles from the crowd. My life is on the line—shut up already. I wipe cold sweat in this chill, glance down. Outside stage, a blue flame flickers. The queen's blue blaze that burns all.
Her sunglass-free glare pierces through the crowd. Slap waiting post-stage, guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Yeon-su squats, picks up the fallen Pepero, stares wistfully, then sidles close to whisper.
"Invalid this time, so super looking forward to the real game♥"
Real game what...? Dread hits as male MC booms again.
『Warm-up results: No. 4 left the tiniest piece! Culture vouchers for them—now main event! Latest Galaxy Phone and year of couple plan discount!』
Boom! More fireworks. MC lists phone specs openly—not subtle PPL. Christmas fest sponsored by a big corp, makes sense.
『Explanation enough? Who'll snag this prize? Event reveal: Princess carry endurance!』
Princess carry. Literal—hold woman off-ground longest. Yeon-su? I could manage 30 minutes easy. But that's not the issue. Winning or losing? Irrelevant. I'm already losing live.
Another touchy event—headache. Seon-hwa's reaction? Obvious.
'At least thick clothes help...'
She reads my mind, acts.
"Phew, long padding's heavy—gotta ditch for the win?"
—Ooooh! Hot crowd cheers. Under white puffy coat: usual skimpy Pilates gear. Her killer curves on display.
"Up you go♥"
She flashes skin, hops into princess pose. Arms around neck like before, presses close. Cleavage from her outfit quakes my pupils.
"Y-Yeon-su... cold?"
"Huh? I'm fine♥"
Fox eyes smile inches away.
『All set? Ready, set—gooo!』
"Wait—!"
Starts abruptly. Whistle blows—two teams drop. I hold awkward pose. Not endurance issue—internal war raging.
Only option: fake slip, early out! I loosen arms—Yeon-su clings tighter.
"Nng... babe, you wouldn't drop me? ...You know my stamina—drop me, and regret it."
Chilling warning. Obvious now—drop her, she'll be pissed. Bigger revenge later. But my lifespan's draining live. No-win.
Stuck holding steady. Face stiff to deny enjoyment.
"Babe, forehead wrinkles galore."
"..."
"Worried? Sis can counsel?"
She knows, teases. Finger traces wrinkle to temple, cheek, lips. Can't stop—hands busy supporting ass and back. Karma piling for Seon-hwa beatdown.
But distance from Seon-hwa lets me clear air.
"Sorry... wasn't hiding the girlfriend thing."
"Why apologize? Mad? Just fun teasing."
That's the problem... She wipes my sweaty brow, giggles, glances somewhere.
Stares intently, whispers: "See your girl's face right now?"
"...Not really."
"Pale, death-glaring. Loves you tons?"
"Means high death chance off-stage..."
"Nuh-uh~ can't die. You're my joy♥"
She snuggles shoulders in, smile sweet and deadly. I pray to dark sky for this blissful hell to end.
She squirms, writes on my chest with finger.
"Joking aside, not really mad."
"After all this...?"
"I can do worse? Plus, I know—you're greedy for girls, just proved it... Probably hiding more?"
Guilty. Throat bobs dry swallow—answer enough.
"Bad boy I caught...♥"
"I-it just happened..."
"No need sorry. Hot guys like you? Want more... so tempting."
Neck breath teases—thick, sweet.
"Her jealous glare? Makes me feel young too♥"
Yeah. She's loving it—my misery, Seon-hwa's blaze. Too much—I can't hold.
Not pose—her fox whispers. Seon-hwa's Sauron stare sucks, but she keeps wriggling. Thighs gripped, she sways cat-in-heat, tempting.
"Nng... cold. If not work, stay warm in your arms♥ You too?"
"..."
Endless sultry moans. Skimpy outfit, curled vulnerable—prey tease to hungry beast. Dangerous in public.
Driving me insane...!
Crotch itches unbearable. No—erection here? Game over. Mental anthem, grit teeth, stare sky. Pure grit seals Johnson.
Her handplay, bitten lips bleeding—how long?—
『Match over!』
Salvation rings.
『What?! Winner: last No. 10! Non-couple in couple game takes it—hilarious!』
Shut up! Don't toy with my life...!
"Nng..."
Yeon-su dismounts bored. Free from temptation trial. Long karma ends, breathe easy. Spot Seon-hwa like guilty kid.
Held out—mercy? Down in crowd: blank death-stare. Lips move: 'You're. Dead.'
Villain wrestler throat-slash. No dodging doom.
I tried, right? Didn't cross line. Rub hands apologetic, trudge off stage for defense.
"Where?"
Yeon-su stops me.
"...Contest over. Gotta go."
"Nah. You won."
She grabs dropped padding, slings it, sways hips backstage.
"Winner, follow for prize?"
Dark set shadows: she beckons foxily.
Her prank ain't over.