The Housewife's Secret Desire
Today is Saturday.
And it’s my day off.
Normally, this would be an exciting day.
It should have been…
But I’ve been staring at my phone screen since the morning—no, since dawn.
Hoping that Mijin would read the text I sent her…
After we left the motel yesterday, I had sent her a message.
6:55 AM.
She still hasn't read the text.
I toss and turn in bed.
Come on, please…
Ugh, I should at least take a shower.
Whoosh.
As the cold water hits my body, I snap to my senses.
She probably just hasn't woken up yet, which is why the reply is late.
Yeah, I definitely didn't do anything that would cause a misunderstanding yesterday.
I had to support her, but I kept physical contact to a minimum.
I have a clear conscience.
After self-hypnotizing, I finish my shower and step out.
Even the air feels refreshing!
Alright.
Ding.
A text notification?
Is it Mijin?
I check my phone immediately.
…
It’s an illegal gambling ad…
The famous meme, “Why is this your money?”, flashes through my mind.
Delete.
I shouldn't even look at things like this.
Huh?
Mijin read the text.
The number is definitely gone.
But… there’s no reply.
This feels even more unsettling.
She made it home safely, right?
What if she ran into some weirdos after leaving in the middle of the night…
Should I have stayed with her yesterday?
No, that would have been dangerous in its own way.
Let’s wait a little longer.
She might be washing up.
But even after an hour, my phone doesn't ring.
Sigh, I have no choice.
She might not like it, but I have to check.
You never know.
What if something happened?
Beep, beep, beep.
Ring… ring… click.
She picked up.
“Ah, Mijin, hello.”
“…Yes, Jeongsu.”
Her voice coming through the receiver doesn't sound good.
“I… I was just wondering if you got home okay…”
“Yes. I’m fine. I’m just about to get ready for work.”
Right, she wasn't off today.
It feels different from usual, but since it seems like nothing is wrong, I’m relieved.
“Ah, I see. Well, have a good day at work.”
“…Yes.”
The very brief call ended.
I’m relieved, but her attitude is cold.
The atmosphere was definitely good yesterday.
Why… why!!
Is it really because of the motel?
I’ve always been like this.
I just have too many stray thoughts.
I worry about what others think too often.
If someone says something hurtful to me, I can’t even sleep properly.
When the other person’s attitude toward me changes, I get anxious even though I know I did nothing wrong.
That’s exactly how I feel right now.
I am definitely innocent.
But the person receiving it might see it differently.
Yeah, I’ll go see her in person and apologize.
The time is…
8:10 AM.
Let’s go to the hospital.
The subway on a weekend morning is better than on a weekday.
Weekdays are truly… hell.
I hear the announcement and get off smoothly.
I feel depressed because it feels like I’m going to work.
Beep.
After passing the ticket gate and walking toward the exit.
Someone calls me from behind.
“Nurse Jeongsu?”
This voice is…
“Ah, hello. Head Nurse.”
She must have taken the same subway as me.
It reminds me of my first day.
“Weren't you off today?”
“I am off. I left something at the hospital…”
“I see.”
Then she just walks away, whoosh.
Still cold.
Even though we’re going the same way, I have no desire to walk with her.
Watching her back as she walks ahead, yesterday’s events come to mind.
‘Do you know I’ve wanted to sleep with you since the first day?’
The line I blurted out also comes to mind, and I feel embarrassed.
I’m not the type of person to say things like that.
Why did I do that?
While lost in random thoughts, I arrive at the hospital before I know it.
9:10 AM.
I went to the restroom because I was nervous, and there’s no one in the ‘Nursing Department’ anymore.
They must have all gone up to the ward, right?
I stopped by the XX Cafe and bought an iced Americano for Mijin.
Phew. I’m nervous.
On the way to Building 2, the nurse in charge runs into me and speaks up.
“Oh? Aren't you off today?”
“I left something behind.”
The same answer as I gave the Head Nurse.
She doesn't pay much attention.
“Aha, I see.”
After greeting her with a smile, I went to Mijin.
Mijin is looking at her monitor.
Is she doing paperwork?
“Nurse Mijin. Hello.”
She looks at me and then turns her head away sharply.
This is 100% anger.
“I… about yesterday…”
“I’m a bit busy right now.”
A dismissal.
There’s no point in lingering here any longer.
“Here, have an iced Americano while you work. I’ll be going then.”
I fled the ward as if running away.
Trudge, trudge.
My footsteps are heavy.
Ahhh!!
I want to go back to yesterday!
I shouldn't have drank!!
It’s already in the past.
Nothing I can do.
Suddenly, I realize I’m standing in the hallway of Building 4.
This is…
Next to the storage room, the sign that said 『Sex Counseling Room』, which had disappeared yesterday, is hanging there.
Since I’m here, should I check out what I was curious about?
As I open the door, I’m enveloped in a white light just like yesterday and sucked inside.
Welcome, Operator.
The same blue window as yesterday appears.
I looked around, but nothing seems to have changed.
An ordinary examination room.
And the [Room of Lust] next to it.
I press the call button.
“Yesterday, in the [Room of Lust], it was my appearance, but it didn't feel like me. Ah, the size of my genitals was different, too. Why is that?”
[In the Room of Lust, the operator transforms into the patient's ideal type and acts naturally according to the patient's desires.]
[If the patient has no physical data for their ideal type, the system provides a body imagined by the patient.]
[The operator can intervene to some extent, but cannot deviate from the big picture.]
[Instead, in the Room of Lust, the patient absolutely follows the operator's commands.]
That’s a bit contradictory, isn't it?
Then who has the initiative?
When I asked about this, I got the following answer.
[The direction of action is determined by the patient's desire, but the initiative of the progression lies with the operator.]
I see.
Anyway, that means my appearance yesterday was what the Head Nurse wanted, right?
Even that vulgar way of speaking.
Wow… she was a virgin, but a bit of a pervert.
Is this everyone’s sexual fantasy?
Is that how it is?
“Then, is the patient physically summoned here?”
[That is correct. Instead, a 'Dummy' is left in the original location.]
“Is it like a swap when the consultation ends?”
[You can think of it that way.]
The manual said 1 hour here is 1 second in reality, right?
Well, it would be weird if a person disappeared for even a second.
That means it can interfere with the outside world, too…
Let’s not think too deeply.
This room in front of me is already unrealistic anyway.
I asked several other questions, and the window answered them faithfully.
Phew, let’s go out now.
Let’s go home and get some rest.
Click.
…Ah.
A phrase from the manual pops into my head.
‘The operator can leave the room once the patient is satisfied.’
Does this mean I can’t leave if the patient isn't satisfied?
Call!
“Can’t I leave if the patient isn't satisfied?”
[There are two conditions for leaving: patient satisfaction, or automatic exit after 10 hours.]
10 hours?
Of course, it’s 10 seconds in reality.
But what I feel is 10 hours, right?
What am I supposed to do here for 10 hours?
It would be one thing if I had internet.
I checked my phone just in case, but as expected, it was out of service.
No data connection either.
Should I have installed some offline games?
While blankly looking around the room, my eyes drift to the phone without me realizing it.
Button number 1…
It’s the button to summon a patient.
Yeah.
They get to satisfy their desires, and I feel good, too.
I don't have to worry because they’ll think the memories here are just a dream.
Isn't this a win-win?
After finishing my self-rationalization, I immediately pressed button number 1.
Beep… static… crackle…
[Today's patient is Park Inyeong.]
Park Inyeong?
She’s not among the nurses?
But it’s a name I’ve heard before.
While I was thinking, a woman was already sitting in front of me.
Huh?
Is this Haeun’s mother, whom I saw yesterday?
Only then did I remember Haeun telling me her mother’s name.
‘Mom. Mom’s name is Park Inyeong.’
Yesterday, it was the Head Nurse.
Today, it’s Park Inyeong.
To think both of them are people I know.
This must be a coincidence, right?
Since it said it was random among the people at the hospital.
“Hello, teacher.”
“Yes, hello.”
Unlike yesterday when I was flustered, I greeted her calmly.
“I am…”
Park Inyeong hesitates as she tries to speak.
The Head Nurse spoke right away; is this different for everyone?
“It’s okay. Please tell me everything.”
I reassure her.
“I am a 38-year-old married woman.”
I was surprised because she didn't look that age at all.
Her figure also looked quite good…
Her beauty is also a typical ‘missy’ style that wouldn't lose to anyone.
While I was surprised, she continued.
“I married late and have one young daughter.”
That must be Haeun.
“But the truth is, I want a second child.”
??
How can I help with a desire like this?
Do I have to get her pregnant, spend 10 months here, and watch the birth?
I even had such absurd imaginations, but fortunately, it wasn't like that.
It’s a 10-hour limit here anyway.
“My husband was the same as me at first.”
“If you say at first… then you mean your husband’s mind has changed now?”
“Yes, teacher.”
She looks sad with her head bowed.
“He says let’s give up now, and he doesn't even have relations with me these days.”
“Oh my…”
“The IVF also ended… and I’m at an age…”
“In the end, you want your husband to actively hold you so you can have a second child.”
Nod.
“Yes, teacher.”
“By any chance, have you tried seducing your husband?”
Her surprised expression.
“No… I was shy…”
“So you haven't been active?”
“…Yes.”
“Then next time, try wearing something like ‘victory lingerie’ and seduce your husband.”
Her face turns red.
“Vi… victory lingerie?”
“Yes, like lingerie. You know, some sexy underwear.”
“How can I wear that and…”
She’s a novice.
How did she have the first one…
“Are your parents or your in-laws nearby?”
“Yes, my parents live in the building right in front.”
“Then let’s do this.”
Gulp.
She swallows hard.
“On your ovulation day, leave Haeun with your parents.”
“Yes.”
“It’s important to have time just for the two of you.”
Nod.
“Prepare food that’s good for stamina for your husband, and…”
“Yes.”
She has the posture of someone who would write it down if she had a pen and paper.
“When your husband comes out after washing, wear the victory lingerie in the bedroom and seduce him.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
“It would be good to practice some sexy expressions, too. As if you’re seducing him.”
This really feels like I’m doing sex counseling.
It’s completely different from when it was the Head Nurse.
As I thought, it seems the style is different for each patient.
“Ah, there will be many helpful things on the internet, so it would be good to study them as well.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Creak.
The [Room of Lust] opens automatically.
Whoosh.
As she enters the [Room of Lust], a window pops up.
[Please satisfy Park Inyeong's lust in the Room of Lust.]
Huh?
If it’s Park Inyeong’s lust…?