A Relationship Where Dominance is Set (8)
Two days after changing his profile picture, Seo Joo-hwan suddenly realized just how wide his social circle had become. Before his regression, the only person he messaged on KakaoTalk was his editor, but now it wouldn't stop buzzing.
- Is that why you haven't been coming to the gym lately? Afraid to see me?
- Your noona had no idea…
It was hard to tell if she was teasing or actually sulking. Seo Joo-hwan replied right away, but the "1" next to his message lingered for a full hour. He finally called her and learned it was just playful ribbing—Im Su-hee hadn't replied because she was in the middle of a workout.
She burst into laughter.
"Ahahaha! Of course it was a joke! You think I'd get upset over that? You're more innocent than I thought~ Is it because of your age?"
Im Su-hee was always decisive, cutting straight to the chase. Her attitude toward him hadn't changed since the day they'd first hooked up.
Seo Joo-hwan grumbled, feeling like he'd overreacted on his own.
"No, anyone would misunderstand a message like that. And yeah, I did feel bad about skipping the get-together…"
"Pfft. If you have a girlfriend, I would've been really disappointed if you'd shown up. I didn't call you just to drink, you know."
"……."
Suddenly, the image of Im Su-hee's firm, bouncy ass flashed in his mind. If he'd gone that night, they probably would've spent it in a wild, messy romp. He'd hesitated back then, but now he was glad he hadn't.
Im Su-hee giggled for a while, teasing him mercilessly.
"Still, it kinda sucks you haven't been to the gym lately. Working out hard at home?"
"Yeah, I've put on a bit of weight lately…"
"Eish. Your girlfriend that great?"
"Nah, it's just exam season's been crazy busy."
"You weren't coming even before that—excuses. So you'll come after exams?"
"Uh… I have a girlfriend, so…"
"Oh my. Listen to you. You'd think I was gonna eat you alive. Just come work out."
Why did "workout" sound so suggestive coming from her? Seo Joo-hwan scratched the corner of his eye awkwardly before agreeing.
"Bring your girlfriend if you want~"
"Yeah. Talk later, noona."
"Oh, right. Joo-hwan, you know about that?"
"Huh?"
"They say switching positions during sex is super effective for that 'sex diet'~"
"Noona!"
"Whoa, gotcha. Just kidding, kidding. Hehe."
Seo Joo-hwan stared at his phone after the call ended, letting out a hollow chuckle. When they'd first met, she'd lied about her age and played the "friend of a friend" card, but after sleeping together once, she showed her true colors—a sly, spicy thirty-something. Not that he minded.
He had to deal with a barrage from others after that.
His little sister Seo Joo-hee, calling after ages just to piss him off.
- Ahem. Bring her over sometime, and Dad'll show off his skills.
(teary Shih Tzu emoticon)
(wailing Chihuahua emoticon)
(serious Jindo emoticon)
(snarling Doberman emoticon)
(girl stabbing teddy bear emoticon repeatedly)
;ㅅ;
- Too much description. It adds weight to the writing, but it doesn't fit web novel pacing. I wouldn't say this to other authors, but I know you can handle both.
- You're not too busy dating to write, right? I don't care if you date, but don't let it affect your work. What I'm saying is…
Even Choi Mi-hwa sent a novella-length message of about 5,700 characters. Seo Joo-hwan broke out in a cold sweat replying to everyone, starting to regret the profile pic change. Maybe he should've just left it alone.
*
"Billiards today?"
Lee Seok-chan said, sucking hard on his cigarette.
Yoo Ji-kyeong hesitated at the mention of billiards.
"I've never played."
"No worries. We'll teach you."
"Hmm. I have work today."
Yoo Ji-kyeong worked weekends and weekday evenings alike. She got a little pocket money from her parents, but starting next semester, she'd need student loans. Factoring in living expenses, she had to work to avoid hardship later.
"What about Joo-hwan oppa and noona? I have a bit of time before work."
Yoo Ji-kyeong glanced at Seo Joo-hwan and Jeong Ha-yeon. Seo Joo-hwan waved it off casually.
"Sorry, pass."
"…Then I'll skip too. Next time."
Jeong Ha-yeon naturally bowed out after Seo Joo-hwan's refusal. The two headed back to the classroom first.
Lee Seok-chan clicked his tongue at the empty spots, looking displeased.
"Tch. That's not how you do dating."
He'd only recently started enjoying single life, but from middle school puberty to now, he'd dated seven or eight times at least. To him, their relationship looked shaky.
Yoo Ji-kyeong nodded in agreement.
"Joo-hwan oppa does it without malice, which makes him even worse. Hard to call him out on it."
"Hmm. With Ha-yeon's personality, she'd have punched him already. Joo-hwan that good?"
Lee Seok-chan stroked his chin, baffled. Then he felt a gaze from the side. Turning, he saw Yoo Ji-kyeong looking at him like trash.
"Ji-kyeong, why the death stare?"
"You know why."
"I do, yeah."
"Ugh. That's why I don't drop the formal with you, oppa. Keep your distance."
"Heh. Still better than Joo-hwan, right?"
"Eww. Seok-chan oppa's a total asshole in a different way. Everyone in the department knows. How many girls have you messed with?"
"Hing. So mean."
"Ptooey!"
"Whoa."
"Ah. Reflex. Sorry."
"It's fine. I've got a big heart. Want oppa to comfort hurt Ji-kyeong?"
Lee Seok-chan made an exaggerated sleazy face.
"Kyaaack~!"
Yoo Ji-kyeong spat again. This time, a loogie.
*
'I wanted to play billiards.'
Jeong Ha-yeon quite liked billiards. She was the best at it in the group. She'd gotten excited at the suggestion, but Seo Joo-hwan's refusal made her skip naturally too.
She didn't realize it herself, but it was due to the item's obedience effect. Obedience meant following others' commands or wishes unquestioningly. Even without him saying anything, she checked his mood. The subtle addiction and obedience had seeped in, influencing her dominant, decisive personality.
'Anyway, I had something to say today.'
But her strong pride rationalized it rather than admit she was minding him. Especially since it was genuinely an important day.
The moment they got home, Jeong Ha-yeon pushed away the clinging Seo Joo-hwan and put on a serious face.
"Hwan, I have something to say."
"Uh… something important?"
"Yeah."
Her utterly serious expression straightened him up—it'd been ages since he'd seen it, making him tense.
'Did I do something wrong? Oh, was it the billiards?'
If so, they could go now. He wasn't trying to micromanage her with the item.
"It's… haa."
Jeong Ha-yeon hesitated, struggling to speak. Finally, her face flushing, she opened her mouth.
"Joo-hwan… my cycle's super regular."
"…Yeah?"
"Like, ridiculously regular. In my whole life, only once has it been off by more than two days."
Her face was beet red now. She bowed her head slightly and continued.
"But it's been a week with no sign…"
Seo Joo-hwan's jaw dropped as realization hit. Only one reason came to mind for suddenly discussing her period.
'Did I ever creampie without an item?'
No, never. Recent gacha luck meant he'd rarely lacked items. Even that one time, he'd used a condom.
> Condoms have a high success rate but aren't perfect. Faulty products or ones not fitting your size properly can lead to pregnancy.
Come to think of it, that condom had felt a bit small. His size had changed since buying them.
Cold sweat trickled down his back. He noticed Jeong Ha-yeon looking up anxiously.
His jumbled thoughts cleared instantly. He pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay."
"…Huh?"
"You should've told me sooner, Ha-yeon."
"I… tested negative. And we always used protection."
Jeong Ha-yeon stammered. Cycles could shift with body or stress—some skipped over a month. She'd had one long delay eight years ago. But first time with a guy, so she worried.
Seo Joo-hwan smiled as softly as he could at her flustered state, activating Holy Touch to pat her back soothingly.
"Good, but you must've been worried. Sorry you suffered alone. And even if there is, don't stress. You know I'm capable, right? I can support you no problem."
He rolled up his sleeve with a grin, prioritizing her comfort.
"Joo-hwan…"
His attitude touched her deeply. She'd been anxious before saying it—getting pregnant at twenty-three was huge. Plus, she'd sensed unease in his recent behavior.
'Guess it was my imagination. Thank god.'
Relief washed away the anxiety. The chest tightness from their long relationship eased a bit.
Seo Joo-hwan grinned, stroking her hair.
"Wanna just make a baby tonight?"
"W-what?! Are you crazy?"
"Haha."
"Protection is non-negotiable!"
He shrugged. Sex was on the table, and protection too—of the 100% reliable kind.
*
The next day, Jeong Ha-yeon woke feeling off. After a quick bathroom trip, she told Seo Joo-hwan.
"Uh… Joo-hwan."
"Yeah?"
"Looks like no pregnancy. Ahaha…"
Her period had started. Pheromone Boost's effect would wear off in 37 hours.