Squeeze Squeeze
Sometimes it hits me just how shitty the public safety is in Dark City. A gang of guys openly harassing women on the street like this? What the hell are the cops doing!
"Uwaaaak! R-run away!"
"Steel Armor showed up!"
"The notorious S-rank villain!"
The thugs messing with Sujeong-i and the other women bolted like their asses were on fire.
I was tempted to channel Jo Cheon again, just like that time on the road, but Sujeong-i was right there, so I held back. Jo Cheon's a serious bastard who'll do anything for a buck. With the No-Kill Rule off, he'd slaughter without batting an eye—a total monster. If Sujeong-i, who hasn't fully come around to me yet, saw that side, she might freak out and run.
I wanted to look cool, mature, and gentlemanly for her, so I let the fleeing punks go. I could always fuck them up later when she wasn't looking.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Damn. Your clothes are a mess."
"Oh..."
Spotting the tear in Sujeong-i's outfit, I shrugged off my suit jacket and draped it over her. There was another woman whose clothes were total rags, but my target was Nurse Bae Sujung.
As I helped her into the jacket, tears welled up in Sujeong-i's eyes—probably touched.
'Aw, dew's gathering in my little flowerdeer's eyes? My throat's parched... mind if I drink up that dew?'
...Yeah, saying that would shatter the moment.
"Must've been scary as hell. I told you to call if anything happened—why didn't you?"
"Sniff... waaah~!"
My warm words hit home, and she finally burst into tears. She must've been terrified from the ordeal. I gently pulled her into a hug, patting her back to soothe her.
I took Sujeong-i and the harassed women to Karinbia's bar in District 71. Karinbia ran several joints across three districts, raking in solid cash. No idiot dared cause trouble in a bar owned by the ruler of three districts and an A-rank villain, so it was a safe spot for a drink.
The server led me and the four women to the inner VVIP room.
"Rest easy, Big Boss!"
"Thanks. And could you grab some clothes these ladies can wear?"
I slipped the server $5,000 as clothing money and tip. That oughta get some decent stuff.
"Right away, Big Boss!"
He bowed at a perfect 90 degrees, cash in hand, and backed out politely.
Karinbia's crew called him "Boss" and me "Big Boss." It felt awkward at first, but now it kinda grew on me, so I let it slide.
"Whoa..."
"I've never been to a place like this."
"Me neither."
"....."
Sujeong-i's friends gawked at the VVIP room, lost for words. It was billed as a bar VIP lounge, but it screamed five-star hotel. The interior design was top-notch.
While they explored, I sidled up to Sujeong-i.
"Still shaken? You're awfully quiet."
"Ah, I'm fine now. Calmed down."
"Good. Why not check it out with your friends?"
"Later. Um... but..."
"Yeah? Spit it out."
She looked up at me with a grave expression. What was with the heavy buildup?
"First off, thanks for saving us. I almost got in deep shit, but you pulled me out."
"No biggie. Just did what anyone should. So, what's on your mind?"
"Um..."
After a long pause, she squeezed her eyes shut and blurted it out.
"Did you... have me tailed?"
"...Tailed? Nah. Why would I?"
I shook my head. She panicked.
"R-really? You didn't have anyone following me?"
"Nope. I'm not the stalking type."
I prefer rolling in bed and other spots with 'em.
"Then how'd you know to show up?"
"Oh, that? Just coincidence."
"Coincidence?"
"Yeah. I was heading home when I saw the crowd. Peeked in—some punk-ass thugs surrounding you. No way I'd let them touch my Sujeong-i and just walk by."
"Your... Sujeong-i?"
"Yup. My Sujeong-i. You're mine, not someone else's. I told you—I'd claim you someday."
"Ah...!"
I pulled her slim waist close. Our eyes met—mine looking down, hers up. Her baby-soft skin flushed pink. As I slowly lowered my gaze, she fidgeted helplessly in my arms. No attempt to pull away, just stamping her feet in place.
"Eek!"
Then she squeezed her eyes shut. Her lips pouted ever so slightly.
Heh heh heh!
I nearly cracked up inside. So damn cute.
"Oh my, oh my!"
"They're gonna kiss!"
"No way! No way!"
I wanted to seal those lips right then, but I held back. Three nosy aunties were peeking from behind the wall, grinning like idiots. And my oblivious Sujeong-i was still puckering up, clueless.
Screw it.
Maybe pent-up lust was making her lips sparkle extra today. Unable to resist, I lifted my mask and kissed her.
An unplanned drinking party kicked off. Fearless or just friendly, Sujeong-i's pals chatted me up freely despite knowing who I was. Fine by me—bonding with hotties? Hell yeah. My girls are great, but fresh ones hit different sometimes!
"Mister, what's so great about our Sujeong-i?"
The one named Beca tilted my head.
"Why'm I 'Mister'?"
The hell! I'm no 'Mister'! To me, there's only one true 'Mister': Won Bin. And as an honest guy, I couldn't claim to be hotter than the king.
"Huh? So how old are you, Mr. Steel Armor?"
"Thir..."
Almost spilled my real age. Sneaky interrogation! Naughty minx!
"Thir...?"
"Thirty. Boo-hoo."
"""".....""""
My baby talk made Sujeong-i and her friends pull weird faces—like freshmen staring down a 20th-birthday bomb shot laced with socks, spit, and ash.
Fuck, was my lisp that bad? Tears streaming, blurring my vision! Boo-hoo...
Anyway, we poured and chugged until one by one, they passed out. Young folks, total booze hounds. Last ones standing: me and Sujeong-i.
"I wanna drink more."
"Your tongue's half gone. Stop. You'll hate the hangover tomorrow."
"But you kept playing dark knight, so I couldn't drink properly."
"....."
'Only six years older and I'm 'Mister'?'
I pondered seriously. Objectively, Rachel calling me 'Mister' makes sense—19-year gap. But Sujeong-i, just six years younger?
'...Gotta stick to the concept.'
She probably pegs me at 40. I played it up a bit—talked and acted the part. So 'Mister' slips out naturally.
Anyway, I played dark knight, downing her drinks whenever she reached for more. If these weren't Sujeong-i and her crew, it'd be an orgy by now. But since they were, I stayed gentle, gentlemanly, doting on her. Gotta boost that favor.
"Mister..."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks... for today..."
"...Call me next time you go out."
"Why?"
"You're too pretty—wolves drool just looking."
"Pfft! What even."
She didn't hate the cheesiness, beaming as she leaned into me. Flushed ears, shaky breaths, pounding heart. Not just the booze making her bold.
"Mister."
"Yeah?"
"Do you... really like me?"
"Yeah. I do."
"For real?"
"Told ya."
"Not just wanna fuck me?"
"....."
I froze. Nailed it. Wanna fuck? Hell yes! But not a one-night—two-nights, three, lifetime. Possessive as I am, I'd never ditch her after one go.
"Can't answer? So you just said it to get in my pants?"
"Yeah, I wanna fuck you. But forever, with you."
"....."
Her already-red nape burned hotter. One scratch and boom?
"I'll never force you. I'll make you fall for me, confess first. Then claim you. Leave my mark everywhere, make you feel how much I like—love—you."
"....."
She trembled at my raw desire.
"S-snooore..."
Suddenly, she slumped on my shoulder, fake-sleeping. The awkward snore nearly killed me, but I held it in.
A week later, Rachel's school held a theater festival. Snagging the lead role boldly, she stayed late practicing with friends, coming home deep into the night.
Even after her pals left one by one, Rachel kept at it solo. Couldn't practice at home—Mom came back from the mart exhausted daily.
'Mom's tired.'
Gotta let her rest easy at home, right?
At 11 p.m., Rachel realized the hour and hurried home. Didn't forget to greet the night guard.
"Mister, heading out now."
"Yeah. Kinda late—sure you can go alone? Want me to walk you?"
"No, it's fine. Don't worry. House is ten minutes away."
"Alright... Be careful. Scared alone? Call me. Got it?"
"Yes. Night!"
"Careful."
This friendly guard wasn't the old one—rumor had it he vanished in some mess. New guy's always in a beanie, stern-faced, but smiles big at Rachel.
She didn't mind him.
On the way home—
Thud-!
"Kya, kyao..."
"Gasp! S-sister..."
A woman dropped from a tree, smashing her head and passing out.
Rachel jumped but checked her first.
"H-hey? You okay?"
"....."
"Sh-she's... dead...!"
Finger to nose—Rachel's eyes bulged. No breath!
"Hey! Wake up! Hey!"
She rushed CPR. Cheetah-like skin, tail? Didn't register. Just save her—school-taught moves.
"Don't die! Fight, sis! You can live!"
Pumping her chest, Rachel urged—and miracle!
"...Cough!"
"Sh-she's alive! Thank god..."
The breathless woman breathed! Heart thumped strong! Rachel's effort saved her.
"Now what?"
But Rachel's trial wasn't over. Breathing, but out cold. No people, no phone for help. Can't leave her—dangerous world, kidnappers everywhere. Home not safe, street worse. By the time she fetched Mom, this woman could be assaulted or snatched.
"...I'm a hero!"
Decision made, she nodded.
Drag drag drag—
"Nng! Heavy!"
Grabbed both arms, hauled to house. Over 60kg... Kid had strength.
Like I said, Rachel's ordeal didn't end.
"Mmm..."
"....."
"....."
Mom asleep on the sofa—Rachel hushed to not wake her. Waited her out, crashed from fatigue.
Carefully tucked Mom in with a blanket. Emily slept through.
"Now what?"
Outside, Rachel pondered. Bring in? Wakes Mom. Leave out? Catch cold.
"No choice."
Snuck in, grabbed her blanket, covered the woman—and slipped in too.
School lesson: nothing warmer than body heat. This'll keep her safe.
"Don't get sick, don't get sick, don't get sick..."
Stroking her hair, whispering. Feeling safe? The woman instinctively pressed:
Squeeze-!
Squeeze-!
Squeeze-!
Her hand kneaded Rachel's belly.
"Heehee! Tickles."
Grinning, Rachel dozed off.
"The fuck's she doing sleeping outside?"
A man eyed the sleeping Rachel and mystery woman, face grim. Couldn't let anything happen—had to stand watch outside too.
Bam!
Drooping his head, moonlight gleamed off his scalp. Bald as a cue ball, skull tattoo etched there.