Red Strings and a Familiar Shadow
After that, I have no idea how many more times we went at it. That somewhat clumsy yet intense night flew by in a blur.
Under the morning sunlight filtering in, Han Sea lay with her head pillowed on my arm. Her face looked exceptionally beautiful as she breathed evenly in sleep. She was always pretty, but right now, bathed in the clear light, she truly resembled an angel. Unable to hold back the swell of emotion, I lightly pressed my lips to her cheek.
At that faint sound, Sea slowly lifted her heavy eyelids. Her clear eyes, spotting me, curved into delighted crescents.
"Good morning."
She nuzzled her face against my chest, murmuring in a sleepy voice.
"Yeah. Sleep well?"
Sea gave a small nod, fiddling with my arm as she asked,
"But isn't your arm numb?"
"It's fine. Go back to sleep."
She looked up at me with suspicion clouding her gaze.
"Liar. I felt your muscles twitching earlier."
"Really? Well, if it's twitching now, wanna get off quick?"
"Nope. I'm not moving from here all day."
Sea slung one leg over my waist, brazenly leaning her weight into me. She wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, leaving no room for escape. Every shift brought her soft skin against mine, sending prickling heat racing across my flesh. I couldn't budge and raised both hands in surrender.
"You've got stamina. I can barely breathe right now."
"Who said to use nothing but brute force?"
"That's all because you wouldn't stop and kept going..."
"Kept going with what?"
Her bold smile left me speechless, like a mute drenched in honey.
A little later, we started packing our scattered belongings to leave the Luxury Ryokan. Was the post-nut clarity hitting her late? The tenderness from before had vanished, replaced by a stiff awkwardness hanging in the room.
Last night, we'd lost ourselves in each other like wild animals. Images of Sea's flushed face gasping beneath me, our rough touches—they kept flashing in my mind. What the hell did I do? As my head cooled, worries about the future started chaining together.
Han Sea wasn't some casual neighborhood girl I could date carefree. She was a real chaebol 3rd gen, potentially inheriting an entire massive conglomerate soon. It felt like I'd already crossed a line I couldn't handle.
We found a modest local eatery near the ryokan and sat facing each other. Warm food was laid out, but I just fiddled with my chopsticks through breakfast. I couldn't look straight at Sea, sitting so calmly across from me. Memories of holding her kept looping in my head. With my head hung heavy, I poked aimlessly at the side dishes.
"Hey."
"Huh?"
"You've barely eaten. What're you doing?"
"Nah, just not hungry."
She caught my awkward vibe instantly, her dark eyes narrowing.
Suddenly, she speared a big piece of rolled omelet and shoved it into my mouth.
"Mmph."
"Chew. I can hear the gears grinding in your head from here."
Propping her chin, she stared me down and fired a sharp fastball.
"What, now that you've done the deed, you're scared she's a chaebol 3rd gen?"
"Koff!"
She nailed it; I choked, clutching my throat and coughing violently.
"W-what're you talking about? Who's scared?"
She laughed freely, seeing right through me.
"Liar. Worry's written all over your face."
"That's..."
Sea picked up her water glass, continuing in a casual, relaxed tone.
"Don't act all weird now. You charged in without a second thought last night."
"Hey, we're eating. Why bring that up?"
My ears burned; she shrugged, amused.
"It's the truth."
Her unshakable confidence made me force down the omelet with effort.
"You're having a blast teasing me right now."
"Obviously. Your face looks ready to explode."
"And whose fault is that?"
"Can't blame me when you were so eager."
"Hey, just eat. Soup's getting cold."
"You eat up. Don't collapse later."
She piled side dishes mountain-high on my rice. I sighed deeply but cleaned my plate anyway.
After eating, we headed to the station side by side. The awkwardness had eased a bit, but not fully, so I unconsciously kept half a step behind. We were passing a rickety souvenir stand near the station entrance when Sea suddenly tugged my sleeve and darted into the narrow shop.
Moments later, she emerged holding two cheap, crudely braided red string bracelets.
"Gimme your wrist."
"What? Why buy these tacky threads?"
"Shut up and hold still."
She grabbed my grumbling wrist and tied the thin bracelet firmly. Her pale fingers brushed softly over my pulse as she knotted it.
"Now you're officially mine, so wear it nicely."
She tied the matching red string on her own wrist and waved it.
The morning sun shattered dazzlingly over her bright smile. Her proud display of the cheap knot was ridiculously endearing. Those straight black eyes fixed on me held no hesitation. Her straightforward way of easing my worries washed away the tangled thoughts in my head.
I took her hand in mine, and with matching red strings on our wrists, we headed to the station.
Soon, we boarded the train to our next stop, sitting side by side. The rhythmic clacking filled the car, packed with passengers.
Suddenly, Sea leaned her head on my shoulder. Her body tilted fully into me, soft hair grazing my cheek.
"Ah, my back hurts."
Her drowsy voice tickled my ear.
"Hey, lots of people around."
I hunched self-consciously, glancing around.
She turned to look up at me with a mischievous jab.
"Whose fault? Someone went full beast mode last night; I barely slept."
"Hey!"
"It's Korean; who'll understand?"
"Plenty of Japanese know Korean!"
I panicked, checking the other passengers frantically and clamping down my voice. But Sea ignored the stares completely. Instead, she grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers tightly without gaps.
"So what if they hear? Means my guy's got stamina."
"Drop it!"
She burst into playful laughter at my flustered, red-faced flailing.
"You're a pro at making things awkward."
"Not my fault you feel so good."
"I'm seriously thinking of switching seats."
"Go ahead. Try it while gripping my hand like that."
Her words made me glance down. Sure enough, my fingers clutched hers even tighter.
Her clear laugh melted away the lingering awkwardness like snow. Hands clasped firm, we gazed at the scenery rushing by outside.
The train slowed and glided to a smooth stop at the next station. We stood, weaving through the bustling platform with light steps.
A cool breeze brushed us as we exited. Sea tugged her thin jacket tighter, squeezing my hand. Without a word, I pulled her hand into the pocket of my roomy outer coat.
"What, suddenly acting sweet?"
"Not acting—it's real. No whining; just follow."
She giggled happily, pressing closer to my arm. Heading toward the gates, her gaze lingered on an old photo booth tucked in the corner.
She yanked her hand from my pocket and dragged me by the wrist into the cramped booth.
"Hey, why here? This is for ID photos."
"Exactly why. Quit whining and look at the lens."
She fed bills into the machine and burrowed deep into my chest. Our body heat mingled just like last night. At that breath-close distance, my lips dried again.
"You're pushing so much my face is out of frame."
"Then come closer. Bend down a bit."
She wrapped her arms around my neck, rising on tiptoes. Her soft hair tickled my jaw.
"Might bother people; let's snap quick and go."
"Then stop dodging and hold me properly."
Her provocative gaze broke me; I wrapped one arm firmly around her waist. In the tight space, our bodies overlapped seamlessly. Flashes popped in sequence, capturing our tangled poses on the tiny screen.
On the final shot, Sea suddenly pressed her lips to my cheek.
"Hey, you startled me."
"You look thrilled, though."
Her cheerful laugh filled the stuffy booth. We grabbed the printed strip and exited the gates in high spirits.
Stepping into the station plaza, about to head to our next spot, I noticed Sea's gaze fixed somewhere. Following it, I turned my head too.
"What's up?"
"Huh? Nothing. Let's go."
She hurriedly hooked her arm tight in mine, urging me on. But in that moment, a familiar face clearly entered my view.
"Wait."
I gently stopped her frantic shoulder.
"Isn't that your ex-fiance over there?"