Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Siwoo; Romance Manipulation Squad (8)
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Once again, I had to admit it—Joseph was stunningly beautiful, even in his male disguise. Those long eyelashes, his flawless white skin, and cheeks that looked soft like a child's. Just a moment of carelessness, and you'd want to pull him into a hug. Joseph was utterly lovable, even as a guy.
Was this what they called an otokonoko?
Though his chest was flat due to the disguise, the faint glimpse of his collarbone carried devastating power. And those legs... starting from the cute calves to the soft-looking thighs, they had an allure rivaling any girl's.
"Hmnya, uum... uhehehe..."
But... why was I the one feeling this charm? As morning came and I woke from sleep, I stared at Joseph dozing peacefully beside me, a question bubbling up in my mind.
"Huuung, umnya..."
According to plan, Siwoo should have been the one waking up to an unguarded Joseph and feeling his heart race... but like this, everything had gone off the rails from the start. I'd clearly put the two drunks in the same bed... so how did this happen?
Did Siwoo talk in his sleep or something?
Did that make Joseph uncomfortable enough to switch spots?
Either way, I'd blown a golden opportunity.
"Haam, uum..."
Still, it wasn't just today. No need to rush. Shaking off the regret, I got out of bed. Tomorrow would bring tomorrow's chances, right? As the saying goes, haste makes waste—better to take it slow now.
"Haaaam... uum? What is it. Mr. Dirk, you're up early."
"Yeah, thanks to someone."
"Pardon? ...Oh, right. You slept with Joseph."
"Someone right in front of me has terrible sleeping habits—woke up and there he was, right next to me."
"Haha... sorry about that. Must've been uncomfortable. And the bed's so small."
"Whatever. From tomorrow, you're in charge of him. Or switch to a triple room."
"Huh? There's no triple room here."
"That's why you handle him."
"Ahh... got it, sir."
"I'm heading out first. Going to check the morning market, so wake Joseph and get ready."
"Yes, take care."
-Thud thud
-Slam...
Phew... he's really gone? Confirming Dirk had stepped outside, I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Luckily, he seemed oblivious to what happened at dawn. He looks so perfect, but he's got his dense side after all? That made last night's deed a perfect crime.
Me caressing Dirk's face... and sneakily holding his hand without him knowing... Actions so wildly lewd and lascivious that my old self couldn't even imagine them.
Haaa... Dirk's hand was so big and firm...
It was absolutely something I shouldn't have done, but I couldn't hold back and sinned anyway. Recalling the feel of him, I writhed on the bed. The guilt was there, but the thrill of the forbidden act was too dizzying and electric to just feel bad.
Ugh... I've turned into a total bad girl...
Four months and eighteen days after running away from home, I'd become a sex offender.
Ha, but there were extenuating circumstances!
I was drunk, that's all! I swear, if I'd been sober, grabbing his hand would've been enough. And another thing—I thought it was a dream! I swear, if I'd known it was real, I wouldn't have even touched his hand.
...Wait, or would I have? Even knowing it was real, since Dirk was asleep... maybe I'd have grabbed it anyway?
Ahem, anyway! It wasn't all my fault.
And really, the biggest issue was mixing up the beds, but if I hadn't drunk, I wouldn't have gone to the bathroom. So the drinking party was the root problem.
Of course, I did wander closer to get a better look at sleeping Dirk's face... and accidentally mixed up the beds... b-but still! Doesn't getting a little turned around come with the territory when you're drunk? I screamed excuses at myself in silence.
"Fuuu..."
And thinking about it, Dirk was at fault too.
No matter that I was in male form, he was way too defenseless! Sleeping with his abs exposed—that was the problem. Me turning lewd was all because Dirk was too sexy. If he'd slept properly like Siwoo, I wouldn't have gotten excited. So it wasn't solely my fault.
Um, so in summary... couldn't you say it was everyone's fault?
"Hehehe..."
Perfect—situation neatly resolved. I stopped pretending to sleep and stretched.
"Oh, Joseph, you're up?"
"Yeah, hehe... morning, Siwoo. Good morning."
"Uh, uh yeah... how's your body? Not tired?"
"Not at all. Totally fine. Haven't slept that deeply in ages, right? Ung... maybe it's the comfy bed? I could sleep here every night... hng."
"I-is that so? Haha, the inn's pretty nice."
Hm, but why's Siwoo acting like that? I thought we'd gotten closer after last night's drinks, but he seemed super awkward, avoiding my eyes. Like he'd seen something he shouldn't. Something on my face? Checking myself, I belatedly realized my outfit was a mess.
"Wait! Siwoo, don't misunderstand! The T-shirt's just too big, I'm wearing pants too. See? Look! I'm not a perv, so don't get the wrong idea!"
"Uh... uh? R-right, got it. Y-yeah..."
Panicking, I hurriedly lifted my shirt to prove I wasn't flashing.
"Um... Joseph. I get it, you don't have to show me..."
"Hehe, so misunderstanding cleared?"
"Yeah..."
Nice going, Josephine. Another crisis averted! Having cleared two trials since morning, I hopped out of bed feeling refreshed.
Though honestly, I'd rather have stayed lying there, reminiscing about Dirk(?).
Still, it wasn't just today. No need to rush. Shaking off the regret, I got up. Tomorrow I'd enjoy tomorrow's Dirk, right? Haste makes waste—better to take it slow now.
Siwoo greeted Joseph good morning—and at the same time, felt a wave of doubt crash over him.
It was because Joseph, who was definitely a guy, looked way too cute. Was he always this attractive? Siwoo knew Joseph was pretty for a man... but fresh out of bed, Joseph transcended "pretty."
And that speech pattern... totally different from yesterday. Yesterday he'd been stiff and awkward, but today's Joseph spoke with a cutesy lilt. The shock hit Siwoo hard enough to make his fluster obvious.
'He's actually cute like that.'
His heart pounding at the sight of a guy, Siwoo couldn't meet Joseph's eyes.
Once he started noticing Joseph, everything about him seemed lovable—his heart kept racing, his face heating up—so Siwoo had to forcibly look away.
But was that the issue?
Misunderstanding something, Joseph lifted his shirt to show off his soft belly. Well, technically to prove he had pants on, but the startled Siwoo didn't register that, fixated on the glimpse of skin.
'He's definitely a guy, right? Skin so white and soft-looking... what if he's actually a girl? If he lifts it a bit more, boobs might... ah, no! You perv! What the hell are you thinking!'
Face flushing, Siwoo hurriedly looked down. But then Joseph's sleek, slender legs entered his view, scrambling his brain further.
'And why are the legs so pretty too... seriously not a girl? Just touch 'em quick? ...No! You idiot! Stop with these thoughts! Joseph's a guy, a guy! And even if he were a girl, so what? I've got Rachel!'
Joseph couldn't possibly be a girl, but his ultra-feminine vibe hit peak-adolescent Siwoo like a truck. No matter what, Joseph was a guy—but his defenseless displays were too stimulating for Siwoo.
'Phew... right, I've got Rachel. Calm down... why get worked up over that? Dating Rachel, I'll see way more intense stuff... ahem, yeah. Thinking like that, this is nothing.'
"Ahem, great! Let's hurry and get ready to head out!"
"Yeah... sure."
'Yeah, it's nothing... it shouldn't be... gulp, he's changing right in front of me...'
So maybe that's why?
Even as Joseph's tone stiffened again, Siwoo still found him cute. ...And seeing the long robe cover those legs, he inwardly felt deep regret.
'Ah, you moron! Snap out of it!'
Still, it wasn't just today, so Siwoo managed to shake off the regret. Tomorrow's legs for tomorrow, right? Haste makes waste—better to take it slow now.
