Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Cheek Kiss Mission and Blackout
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We spread the meal out on the living room table.
The mackerel sashimi and fresh shrimp we'd bought from the market gleamed with a brilliant luster.
"Whoa, this is insane. It literally melts in your mouth."
Sea popped a piece of mackerel sashimi wrapped in seaweed into her mouth, her eyes going wide.
Not one to be outdone, I peeled a shrimp and dunked it in the dipping sauce.
The chewy flesh burst with sweet flavor the moment I bit down.
"This is on another level from what you get in Seoul. The booze just goes down easy."
With appetizers this good, the soju flowed like water.
We were already two bottles deep into the Hallasan soju.
"Hey, check this out. All the remaining missions are super spicy."
Sea tapped her phone screen with chopsticks dangling from her lips.
The list was a sight to behold.
[Princess Carry], [Back Hug While Watching the Sunset], [Lie Face-to-Face on the Bed], [Pose with Lips Almost Touching].
"...This is crazy. Who made this app? Way too blatant."
Of course, for a real couple, these might just be casual skinship.
But for us faking it, every single one was high difficulty.
"......"
A brief silence fell.
Sea tapped the screen again and spoke up.
"This one's the least bad, I guess. 'Cheek Kiss Proof Shot'."
She propped her chin casually, like it was no big deal.
"It's just work, right? Let's knock it out quick."
"What? You mean right now?"
"Why? Don't want to?"
"No, it's not that I don't want to... but we're in the middle of eating?"
I hemmed and hawed, dodging a straight answer.
Sea narrowed her eyes and curled her lips in mischief.
"Come here. You need a little scolding."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, she grabbed my head with both hands.
Her flushed face from the booze loomed close.
She puckered her lips like a fish and charged.
"Hey! I haven't turned on the camera yet!"
"Turn it on quick."
I fumbled for my phone and hit the button.
[Recording mode started.]
Our faces filled the screen.
"Don't look at me. Look at the lens."
She squished my cheeks with both hands, locking my gaze.
My cheeks bunched up, and I stared at the screen like an idiot.
The air carried the sharp tang of soju.
"Smile."
Flash exploded.
Mwah.
Sea's lips touched my cheek and pulled away.
A soft, warm sensation lingered vividly.
"......"
I grabbed a piece of sashimi with my chopsticks, acting nonchalant.
Blushing here would mean defeat.
Sea seemed annoyed by my lack of reaction.
"You're not even reacting?"
"React to what? We got the photo. Done."
"God, you're so boring."
She pouted and poured soju into her empty glass.
"We've already kissed at school. What's a cheek peck after that?"
"Oh, really?"
A strange glint sparked in Sea's eyes.
"Then lip pecks should be fine too? It's on the list."
"No way. That's crossing the line for real."
"You're funny. You did it first last time, remember? Lip peck!"
I nearly spat out my water.
"Ugh, you mean... it actually touched back then?"
"Yeah, you idiot. It did."
Sea pounded the sofa cushion in mock outrage.
"Argh, this is ridiculous. You stole my first kiss like that."
"What are you talking about? We've done everything already. Deep kiss and all."
"You psycho! That was fake for the contract!"
"What's fake and what's real then?!"
"Ugh, shut up!"
Thwack.
The cushion she hurled smacked me in the face.
"Ow, hey! Are you nuts?"
I snatched it back and shoved her shoulder.
"You started with the nonsense!"
Like little kids, we tussled on the living room floor, pushing and pulling.
The booze amped up our strength more than usual.
The childish scuffle ended with us tangled up, tumbling onto the plush carpet.
"H-Hey...!"
Thud.
When I came to, I was pinning Sea down.
Her hair splayed across the floor.
A mix of booze and shampoo scent teased my nose.
Sea's eyes gazed up at me steadily from below.
She didn't look away.
Instead, she loosely wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Why'd you stop?"
Her hot breath ghosted my lips from the close distance.
"Aren't you about to pounce on me right now?"
Her voice dripped with playfulness.
My throat went dry.
I wanted to crush her in my arms right then.
Hug her so tight she couldn't breathe, devour those taunting lips—the urge flooded my mind.
I'd fought this impulse painfully every time.
But no.
I was too small to fully embrace Sea.
Could a nobody like me handle the sole heiress of Hanul?
The gap between us was beyond mere inferiority complex.
I bit the inside of my cheek and pulled back.
"......"
An awkward silence settled.
Sea just lay there without a word.
"I-I'm gonna shower first."
I bolted up and fled to the bathroom without looking back.
I cranked the cold water on the sink the moment I shut the door.
What a lame excuse, even to my own ears.
It'd only been three hours since my post-pool shower.
I splashed cold water on my face frantically.
Finally, the burning heat subsided a bit.
I grabbed the hem of my t-shirt and yanked it off over my head.
Cool air hit my bare skin.
"......"
But my back prickled oddly.
Like someone was staring holes into me.
I slowly turned around.
Oh.
Shit.
I'd completely forgotten this was a glass-walled bathroom.
The living room view was crystal clear through the transparent pane.
And right in the middle sat Sea.
Perched on the bed's edge, chin propped, watching me.
Our eyes locked.
"Hey!"
I scrambled to snatch my fallen shirt off the floor.
Sea didn't avert her gaze—instead, she smirked.
"Oh, Yoon Dojin."
Her muffled voice carried through the glass.
"Why stop there? Keep going."
I hastily covered my torso.
"Turn around!"
"Why? I've seen your upper body plenty of times."
She stood and sauntered right up to the glass.
"Hey, back off."
"I'll walk wherever I want."
"Turn around and leave, now!"
"Nah."
Sea pressed her hands to the glass and leaned in close.
"You started stripping in a see-through bathroom. Your fault."
"Ugh, seriously!"
"You gonna keep covering up like that?"
I let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Are you a total perv?"
"Perv? Call me a gentlemanly deviant."
She fogged the glass with her breath.
Her finger traced a small heart in the mist.
"......"
"Shower before you steam up in there."
She tapped the heart with her finger.
"I'll watch nicely."
Her brazen demand drew a chuckle from me.
"Excuse me, miss. This ain't that kind of place."
"Aw, why not? Want a tip?"
She grinned shamelessly and pressed closer to the glass.
"I'll pay whatever. Finish what you started?"
Who could win against this lunatic?
I grabbed the showerhead instead of answering.
Cranked it to hot and unleashed steaming water on the floor.
Thick steam rapidly filled the bathroom.
The clear glass fogged over white, blocking the view.
"Hey! No fair hiding like that! Cheater!"
Her indignant voice came through the glass.
"Not cheating. I'm showering—go away."
With my view cut off, I finally relaxed.
I sighed in relief and went to hang the showerhead—
Tap.
Sudden darkness swallowed my vision.
Lights out, even the faint hum from the living room gone.
The wind must've knocked out the power to the whole suite.
Pitch black everywhere.
After a few seconds of silence—
"Eek!"
A short scream pierced from beyond the glass.
"Hey! Yoon Dojin! I'm scared!"
Frantic pounding on the glass.
"Stay put! Don't move!"
I shut off the shower hastily.
Groping the wall in the dark, I found the door handle.
The moment I flung it open—
"H-Hey...!"
Something crashed into my arms in the darkness.
It was Sea.
Her arms locked around my waist tight.
"Dojin... I'm scared."
Her voice trembled faintly.
Her face buried into my wet chest.
Still couldn't see a thing.
But my other senses sharpened wildly.
"Hey, your clothes are getting soaked..."
"Don't care."
She hugged me tighter.
Her hot body heat seeped through to my bare skin.
Only ragged breaths tangled in the sealed space.
Her hands slid slowly up from my waist.
Over my wet abs, groping my bare chest.
Her fingertips quivered.
"You..."
Her soft breath brushed my jaw.
"Your heart's pounding like crazy."
Whisper right in my ear.
This was dangerous for real.
I stepped back hastily.
"F-First, let's turn on the phone light."
I fumbled for my phone on the sink corner.
With wet fingers, I finally hit the flash.
Click.
Blinding white light flooded the narrow bathroom.
And I regretted it instantly.
"...Shit."
A curse slipped out in a gasp.
Sea, bathed in the light, was a sight.
Her thin t-shirt utterly soaked,
revealing white skin and dark underwear perfectly.
I whipped my head away, not knowing where to look.
I'd turned off the shower, though.
Must've been from clinging to my wet body.
But was it enough to drench her like that?
She looked dipped in water head to toe.
No time for deep thoughts, though.
"Why are your clothes...!"
I moved to kill the flash—
Sea grabbed my wrist.
Her grip kept the phone from pointing down.
"Why turn it off?"
The light slanted across us.
Far from embarrassed, she stepped closer.
"Hey, everything's showing."
"That's why you're turning it off?"
She tilted her head, still holding my wrist.
Her face full of impish mischief, fear forgotten.
"I look pretty damn sexy right now, don't I?"
"What?"
"You keep this up, your dick's gonna explode."
"You lunatic! Watch your mouth!"
I freaked and tried to shake her off.
But Sea clung like a leech, refusing to let go.