A Relationship Where Superiority is Decided (9)
Women's periods vary greatly from person to person. Some women feel only mild discomfort, but those with severe cramps describe it as feeling like their insides are being scraped, making it hard to even move. In rare, extreme cases, it goes beyond mere sensitivity, plunging their mood to rock bottom like clinical depression.
No wonder there's even a term like premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In contrast, Jeong Ha-yeon usually had a relatively smooth time during her cycle. Her periods came like clockwork, and while the cramps weren't entirely absent, they never interfered with daily life. She could count herself lucky as a woman.
That's why this was all the more bewildering. Her cycle was thrown off, and intense pain had hit her—something utterly foreign.
"Ugh."
Another wave of pain hit, and Jeong Ha-yeon grimaced with a soft groan. The sudden onset that morning had made it impossible to focus on the lecture. As she barely endured the throbbing ache, she felt something slithering out from below.
Drip.
She quietly rose from her seat and headed to the bathroom. One of the few perks of university was that professors didn't stop you from leaving during class.
Sitting on the toilet, she looked down. Sure enough, a considerable amount of blood stained her pad. Pulling a spare from her pocket, she muttered,
"Damn. This doesn't feel like just blood..."
Mixed in with the menstrual blood was something white and sticky. No need to think—it was Seo Joo-hwan's semen. Remnants from the loads he'd poured deep inside her all night, now mixing with her flow. No wonder there was so much more than usual. And it hadn't even been half a day yet; the rest of it worried her.
"This sucks..."
Irritated by the unfamiliar pain and frustration, Jeong Ha-yeon grumbled. An unprecedented foul mood made her nerves fray.
At least I'm not pregnant.
That thought eased the surging annoyance a bit. She'd spent the last few days in quiet dread. When her period started that morning, what had been a mere nuisance suddenly felt like a relief.
She changed her pad cleanly and headed back to the classroom.
I need to be careful.
She'd noticed herself being especially sensitive during this period. But taking it out on others was out of the question, so she resolved to tread more carefully than usual, steadying her mind.
*
Seo Joo-hwan placed a fresh serving of seasoned greens on top of Jeong Ha-yeon's rice.
"Here, Ha-yeon, eat some of this too."
"Oh? Ah, thanks."
She accepted with a small smile. Watching them, Lee Seok-chan grumbled jealously.
"Can't we just eat in peace? Damn, you two are making my meal taste worse today."
"Right? Makes single folks feel so pathetic. Tch."
Yoo Ji-kyeong chimed in enthusiastically. But ironically, those two ate the best. They were faster than even the silently munching Jang Deok-hoon.
Jeong Ha-yeon, however, was picking at her food today, her appetite gone. It wasn't like her to pretend daintily—she usually ate heartily.
That's why he was fussing over her in a way he normally wouldn't. Seo Joo-hwan eyed her with concern.
It wasn't just because of her period.
Good that she's not pregnant, but...
His promise to take responsibility was sincere, but the odds had been slim from the start. They'd used a condom once, and otherwise relied on items guaranteeing 100% contraception. Still, one thing nagged at him.
The Pheromone Boost effect is almost gone.
It would wear off by tomorrow evening. That worried him. Seeing her affinity drop in the status window only heightened it.
Already down to B.
Normally, it held at A-rank for the first two days after use. B+ on days three and four, dropping to B when it ended. But this time, it had hit B already on day four.
Is there any way to fix this?
Anxiety crept into Seo Joo-hwan's heart. Unbeknownst to him, it dredged up memories from his distant childhood.
*
"I want to have sex."
Surprisingly, it came from Jeong Ha-yeon's mouth, not his. She lay alone on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Normally, she'd be with Seo Joo-hwan, but severe cramps had sent her straight home after class. This was day two.
Snapping out of her daze, she realized what she'd muttered and let out a hollow laugh.
"I've turned into a total pervert."
She'd never felt strong sexual desire before. She'd masturbated, sure, but without much interest. That was until Seo Joo-hwan.
She idly clutched at the air with both hands.
About this size, right?
After a solid month of relentless sex, she could picture it vividly even without it there. Too massive for one hand. That iron rod had plunged in and out endlessly, reshaping her insides to fit it perfectly. Or rather, their compatibility was so uncanny that she'd simply grown accustomed.
As she imagined its shape, a pathetic feeling washed over her, and she dropped her hands. They sank limply into the mattress.
Is it okay to keep going like this?
A recent recurring thought. Their three-plus weeks together were nothing like she'd imagined. Aside from the first date, it was nonstop sex. She couldn't tell if they'd become lovers or just fuckbuddies.
The problem is, I don't hate it.
More precisely, hate turned to like. Dissatisfaction reared up, only to melt away after sex. Especially when his thick semen filled her womb—that deep satisfaction was unmatched. Refusing it felt stupid, so she'd surrendered to the ecstasy.
"Ugh!"
A sudden groan escaped her.
"Ahh..."
It felt like her guts were being scraped down. The period that started yesterday morning was worsening. The familiar yet alien pain swept away her brief arousal. Her all-day gloom deepened further.
"Whatever..."
Too lazy to think more, she skipped dinner and tried to sleep. Thankfully, sleep came quickly.
Snore— Snore—
Soft breaths filled the room. Time ticked on.
Subtly suppressed emotions began to leak out.
*
Seo Joo-hwan's fears came true. Checking her status window that morning left him reeling. Her affinity oscillated between C and C+.
This is bad. Need to use an item quick.
Pheromone Boost had expired yesterday. Seeing the plummeting rank fueled his anxiety. He felt inexplicably urgent.
But the anxiety dissolved into unexpected fortune.
His face lit up. A blessing he hadn't seen in ages.
The luck from Mongma's Blessing was more reliable than any item.
Today's gonna be good.
Pulling a blessing sparked vague optimism. It always guided him to fortune.
Her affinity will bounce back soon.
It was just a dip. People's hearts shifted on whims, after all. Especially now, with her emotional volatility.
He pushed down the unease. Arriving at school, he scanned the classroom. Oddly, Jeong Ha-yeon—who always arrived ten minutes early—was absent.
Overslept?
But she didn't show even as class started.
*
Her absence worried him. Texts and calls went unanswered. Asking Lee Seok-chan yielded nothing.
Contact came as he debated skipping the rest for self-study.
He exhaled in relief. Hearing her voice eased him. Not seriously ill—good.
Then, her voice dipped low.
"Joo-hwan, can you come to my place later? Or should I go to you?"
"Huh? No, I'll come. Why move when you're sick? Want me now?"
"No need. After class. See you."
"Yeah, okay. On my way later."
He stared at the now-silent phone. She said she was better, but her voice lacked energy. Still not great.
Gotta grab porridge. Rub her belly with a skill too.
Holy Touch would ease pain temporarily. He hadn't used it the last two days—she'd insisted on being alone.
Strong luck regarding sex is in effect.
Mm. Feels right.
*
Jeong Ha-yeon stared glumly at her phone.
Her claim of oversleeping was a lie. She'd woken earlier than usual. But after hours of thought, she'd skipped school.
Body's better. Bleeding's way less. But...
Her heart wasn't. More tangled than the last two days.
Period's fault?
Many women got sensitive then. She'd never, but this time her mood was unpredictable.
She shook her head, rejecting the excuse.
Not the period.
Biting her lip, she knew the real source of her turmoil and foul mood. Blaming it dodged the issue—problems didn't solve themselves.
Avoiding tough stuff wasn't her style.
Why was I such an idiot?
Memories of pandering to him surfaced. Unable to voice opinions, just following his lead.
"Pathetic."
Not his fault. She could've refused but didn't. He hadn't ordered her.
First relationship? Or because she'd confessed first?
Better not to date at all.
One-sided catering? Not why she'd confessed.
She hated lopsided sacrifice.
Mom's enough of that.
Unilateral care hurt both sides eventually. She'd learned that young.
...But their relationship now? Physically close, sure—endless sex. But emotionally? Friends felt closer, more thrilling.
Lovers vs. friends—which was stronger?
Resolve hardened in her eyes.
Go back.
To better times.
Strong luck regarding sex is in effect.
Right after class, Seo Joo-hwan grabbed porridge and headed to her place. The door was open; he entered.
"Ha-yeon."
"Ah... you're here?"
She sat on the bed, greeting him. He held out the bag.
"Porridge. Eat up and recharge."
"Ah... sorry. I'm much better."
"Still, eat. You haven't been eating well."
He spotted a small table and set it up, pulling out spoon and bowl. She stopped him.
"Joo-hwan, I have something to say."
"Eat first, then..."
"No. Now. If not now, I won't say it."
Calm, firm tone. Déjà vu hit him. Totally different, yet it recalled her confession night.
"...Okay."
He set the bowl down and met her gaze. Her eyes trembled as she parted her lips—but no sound came.
Words stuck.
No way.
Why the premonition, like he'd already heard?
He'd sensed what was coming. Desperately, he spoke.
"Ha-yeon, let's eat first."
"...No. Joo-hwan, I'm sorry."
Bad feelings never miss, they say?
"Let's break up."