Drops on the Tatami, Hearts Ablaze
Tuk, tuk. Cold water droplets fell onto the tatami floor.
Han Sea, finally coming to her senses, belatedly noticed the hot spring water dripping from my clothes.
"Your clothes are soaked. You're gonna catch a cold."
She tugged at the end of the large towel wrapped around her body. Then she started roughly wiping the moisture from my face and the back of my neck.
After fussing over me for a while, she fiddled with the wet collar of my yukata this time.
"And this is all heavy from being soaked. Before you actually catch a cold, why don't we just take it off?"
A chill was already creeping in.
"Yeah. Guess I should change."
I stood up and headed to the wardrobe, opening the door. But the empty wooden shelves were spotless—not a speck of dust.
No spare clothes.
In the end, I picked up the receiver from the phone in the corner of the room. I spoke in my pre-translated, clumsy Japanese.
"Hello, front desk? Our yukatas are wet..."
No sooner had I set the phone down than a cautious rustle came from outside.
Moments later, a staff member arrived with a tray holding a crisply ironed new yukata.
"They're fast," Sea said in admiration.
"Look away for a sec. I need to change."
But Sea's eyes showed zero intention of looking anywhere else.
"Just change. I've seen it plenty of times already."
"Jeez. Do whatever."
I turned my back and yanked at the damp sleeves. The thin, sopping fabric clung stubbornly to my skin, refusing to budge. The more I pulled, the tighter it stretched.
Sea, watching from behind, stood up and approached, smacking my back lightly.
"Hold still. You're gonna rip the fabric."
"Ow, let go. I can do it."
"Put your arms back."
She gripped my shoulders firmly and yanked the wet cloth downward with force. After a tug-of-war, my yukata top finally slid off below my waist.
I hurriedly covered my front with my arms, but it was too late.
Sea’s eyes blatantly scanned my bare upper body.
"Oho. First time seeing it this close up."
"Turn around already!"
I snatched the dry yukata, shoved my arms through, and tied the sash tight. Only then did I exhale in relief.
Sea, now fully alert with color returning to her face, smacked her lips regretfully.
"Was getting good, too. What a shame."
"Good my ass."
"Hey! Let's get back in the hot spring?"
She brazenly grabbed my dry sleeve and tugged me toward the open sliding door.
"No way. After I almost passed out?"
I resisted firmly, and she pouted her lips.
"Then just our feet. Just feet."
"Nope."
"I swear, just feet."
Her persistence wore me down, and I gave in.
We sat side by side on the smooth stone edge of the outdoor bath. Warm waves gently lapped at our ankles.
As we stared into space in silence, her bare foot brushed my calf underwater.
"Hey. Cut the games."
"What games?"
Playing innocent, her toes playfully nudged the top of my foot this time. The splashing water echoed louder than it should.
"I said stop."
"I didn't do anything?"
She laughed out loud and swung her legs lightly back and forth. White steam rose from the surface.
Splash, splash. The rhythmic water sounds filled the quiet.
"Hey. Yoon Dojin."
"What."
"This... how long are we gonna keep it up?"
"What?"
"The fake engagement play."
Sea pulled her knees up and rested her chin on them as she asked. Her question stung my chest.
It was a play that had to end someday.
"Until you say we're done."
"What if I never say that? You gonna live like this forever?"
Her words cut sharp. I hesitated, unable to answer right away.
Sea let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"Yeah, right. I'd get on your nerves. Always doing whatever, throwing tantrums."
"Who said you're a pain."
I snapped back louder than intended.
"You're not. If anything..."
I trailed off, and her eyes sparkled as she pressed.
"If anything what? Fun? Exciting?"
Her toes teasingly scratched the back of my ankle. A thrilling shiver shot up my leg.
"......I've gotten used to you. Can't imagine life without you anymore."
At my honest confession, her face flushed red—not just from the steam, it seemed.
"So even without a contract... you'll stay by my side?"
"I'll try."
"Tch. Don't dodge. Say it clearly."
She splashed water at me with her feet.
After spilling my guts, a wave of uncontrollable embarrassment hit me late. My ears burned hot.
I cleared my throat awkwardly and sprang up from the rock.
"Ah, before we catch colds, let's head in."
As I turned to flee toward the sliding door, Sea grabbed my yukata hem tight.
"Your face is super red."
"It's not. It's the steam."
I pried her hand off and stepped forward. She tailed me closely, relentlessly teasing.
"Don't run! Say it again!"
"Shut up. Let go."
I shook off her hand roughly, flung open the sliding door, and entered the tatami room.
But my steps halted dead center. While we'd been soaking our feet outside, the ryokan staff must have quietly come and gone.
Two thick futons lay perfectly side by side on the floor, not a gap between them. Clearly set up with care for a couple.
"......"
I froze like a statue, speechless.
Sea, following behind, let out a short gasp.
"Whoa. Their service is thorough."
I turned in disbelief, but she was genuinely admiring the bedding.
"You think this is something to admire right now?"
"What else? They're made up like this."
"Let's separate them. It'll be cramped."
As I approached to pull the futons apart, she smacked my back.
"Too much hassle. Just sleep. You think I'm gonna eat you?"
"......"
In the end, we awkwardly crawled into the single fused bedding.
With a click, the ceiling light went out, plunging the room into darkness.
The silence amplified the sound of her breathing right beside me.
"Hey. Don't cross the line."
"You don't cross. You're hogging my space."
In the dark, we tugged the covers toward ourselves in a childish battle.
"Stop pulling the blanket."
"You're the one who took it all."
Awkward after our earlier talk, we bickered for a while.
Eventually, exhaustion quieted the room.
How deep had I slept? Cool dawn air brushed my nose, snapping my eyes open.
Even in the thick darkness, steady, even breaths filled the space.
I quietly gazed down at Sea, pressed close beside me. Faint moonlight seeped through the window slits, softly illuminating her forehead and nose bridge.
Staring at her closed eyelids, my hand moved as if entranced.
Holding my breath, I gently brushed aside the hair fallen over her cheek. My fingertips grazed her earlobe, lightly stroking her round cheek.
Snap.
"......!"
The instant my finger brushed her plump lips, Sea clamped down on my index finger with her teeth.
I yanked in surprise, but her molars held the knuckle firm.
Soon, she extended her wet tongue, slowly licking up my fingertip. Hot, slick sensation raced from my finger to my shoulder, electric.
She slowly opened her eyes. Her hazy black pupils pierced straight through me.
"Touching me while I'm asleep? Pervert."
Her sleepy voice dripped with lazy playfulness.
I hid my tangled tongue and replied evenly.
"If you, woke up, make a sound."
"A sound?"
She released my finger with a soft slide and chuckled shortly.
"That'd ruin the fun."
She yanked my wrist harder toward her.
"Wanted to see how far you'd go."
"So. Was it fun?"
I lowered my voice, refusing to back down.
She shook her head faintly.
"No."
Her lips curved into a sly arc.
"Too timid. Disappointing."
No sooner said, she twisted my wrist and pulled me sharply toward her. My palm plunged unhindered into the loose collar of her yukata.
My hand met her hot bare skin. Scorching warmth spread across my entire palm.
As my mind blanked white, she whispered low in my ear.
"If you wanna touch, just touch."
Her provocative breath halted my movement.
I slowly withdrew my hand from deep in her collar. Instead, I gently cupped her flushed cheek and slender jawline.
Her soft skin transmitted perfectly through my palm. Even the bold provocateur Sea held her breath at my heavy touch.
"If you're not serious, push me away now."
My voice sank lower than I'd expected.
Instead of answering, Sea squeezed her fluttering eyelids shut. In the darkness, those tightly closed eyes were clear permission.
I didn't hesitate, softly claiming her lips and slowly ascending. Hot breath tangled wildly between our pressed mouths.
"Haa......"
As the suffocating kiss dragged on, she gripped my shoulders first, gasping.
Without breaking the kiss, I undid her yukata sash in one swift motion. The lightly tied knot unraveled, thin fabric parting helplessly left and right.
I pulled her exposed waist tight against me, pressing her fully into my body.
"W-wait......"
Her urgent voice leaked faintly between our lips.
"I gave you the chance to push me away."
Hearing that, the tense Sea lifted her leg, wrapping it firmly around my waist. A bold move blocking any escape.
"Never asked for a chance."
She exhaled ragged breath up to her jaw, locking both arms around my neck.
I paused, silently meeting her eyes for a long moment. Her black gaze held steady, unwavering.
"We're old friends, right?"
I broke the heavy silence first.
"Yeah."
Her reply was calmer, firmer than usual.
"You know this crosses a point of no return?"
Tension laced my voice again.
"Yeah."
Short answer, then suffocating silence again.
I tried to clear my fogging mind.
"No, wait."
I shook my head urgently, pulling back slightly.
"Even so, we're not even dating. This is too much......"
The thought of breaching our long-held line flashed through.
But my excuse cut off. Sea shoved my shoulders hard.
Before I could steady, my back collapsed onto the soft futon.
She swiftly straddled atop me. Positions flipped; her shadow engulfed my vision.
"H-hey, what are you......"
My stammering words met her clear voice from above.
"Don't know 'sex first, love later'?"
Speechless at her audacity, I shut my mouth.
Without pause, she slid her yukata shoulders fully down. Fabric rustled, flowing helplessly past her waist.
Even in darkness, her bare skin was undeniable, right before my eyes.
Filling my sight, Sea stared down unyieldingly, giving no room to flee.