Noona's Consultation Fee (8)
A somewhat late morning. Jeong So-ra's pouty voice wormed into Seo Joo-hwan's ear.
"I like that you're not treating me like your company commander now that you're discharged. But now you're not treating me like noona either?"
"……."
He was straddling her prone body, giving her a full-body massage.
"Oh ho? No answer?"
"…You told me not to talk."
"Then why are you talking? Can't keep your mouth shut?"
"……."
"I'm being nice and going easy on you, and you're getting all cocky, trying to push it to the end... Huh? Did you do wrong, or not?"
"…I did."
"I said don't talk. You think my words are a joke?"
"……."
"No answer? Must taste good if you're chewing on it."
"I'm sorry……."
"Talking again?"
It was just like the scoldings from their active-duty days.
Should've gone easy on her.
Last night, her reactions had been so good that he'd gotten carried away. The cold, haughty company commander—noona who loved teasing him from on high. Seeing her whimper with teary eyes had made it impossible to hold back. He'd pinned her down, flipped her every which way, and pounded relentlessly. He'd targeted her most sensitive spots until moans spilled endlessly, switching positions to make her cling to him desperately. Her breathless gasps laced with sobs were still arousing just thinking about them now.
But that momentary indulgence had backfired into PTSD-inducing scolding.
"Do it right."
At least Holy Touch seemed to be working its magic through the massage.
"Yes, ma'am."
Seo Joo-hwan snapped to attention and kneaded her body diligently. He'd suggested the massage to soothe her lingering grumpiness. At first, she'd glared suspiciously, but once he half-forced his way through it, she'd melted into languid relaxation, surrendering her body. Sure, the occasional scolding continued, but her drowsy voice made it less intimidating.
"Haaah... You should be a masseur, not a writer."
"Haha. Think so?"
"Ahh. Finally feels like I'm alive."
I'm the one dying here, mentally.
He muttered under his breath, and she reacted instantly.
"What?"
"Your muscles are really tense, noona."
How had she heard that? Jeong So-ra twisted her head slightly, glaring at him with axe-like eyes. He averted his gaze, and she burst out laughing.
"Pfft. Ahahaha!"
"…Funny?"
"Hilarious."
"That's too much. We both enjoyed it last night, and now..."
"You're really gonna get it."
A cold voice cut in. She'd been laughing moments ago, but her face hardened into iciness in a flash. As expected of her C+ Charisma talent. Chilling.
Meeting her eyes, Seo Joo-hwan flinched. Not quite a frog before a snake, but the tension of a last-year private facing the company commander.
"Heh. Kidding. Come here."
Jeong So-ra chuckled softly, lay flat, and reached out. When he stayed put with a sulky face, she grabbed his neck and pulled him toward her chest.
Squish.
"What's wrong? Mad?"
"…Aren't you being too harsh on me?"
"Aww, our Joo-hwan's feeling neglected?"
"No, it's not that. You're the one who teases endlessly, but when I do it... Never mind."
Seo Joo-hwan trailed off, realizing he sounded like a whiny kid.
Why does explaining make me feel more pathetic?
Objectively, she was the childish one. She loved dishing out teasing but pouted when on the receiving end—classic double standard. Yet somehow, he ended up feeling like the brat. He'd fallen completely into her pace.
"C'mon, cheer up. Don't be mad."
"…I'm not mad."
"Ahaha. Wanna grope my boobs? Just don't sulk."
"……."
No need to say no. Instead of answering, he reached out and grabbed a mound. Softness filled his palm. Waterdrop C-cup, huh. Kneading silently, the squishy texture brought him peace. If people carried these around and squeezed them when angry, history might have no wars...
"Hng. Joo-hwan, your technique is so lewd."
"Huh? Oh, my bad."
It really was a mistake. He'd instinctively triggered Holy Touch's arousal effect.
Jeong So-ra let out a nasal moan.
"Hmng. Mistake, but why keep doing it the same way?"
Because it's no mistake now. Seo Joo-hwan slyly pinched her nipple between his fingers and rubbed gently.
"Noona, wanna go?"
"…Like last night, and I'll die."
"Me? Or you?"
"……."
Jeong So-ra clamped her mouth shut and looked away.
I need a win sometimes for fairness.
Seo Joo-hwan usually didn't mind losing. Winning in bed was enough.
The pair didn't leave the hotel until late afternoon. Jeong So-ra spoke to Seo Joo-hwan trailing beside her.
"I said go in first."
"I'll see you to the station."
"I said I'm fine."
"I'm worried."
"Me?"
Jeong So-ra turned with an incredulous laugh. Was it the skirt with her civilian clothes throwing him off? She was a soldier who could handle most thugs.
Seo Joo-hwan shrugged at her reaction.
"Worried you'll get lost. Forgot taking the wrong train on the way here?"
"Ugh. That was just 'cause it had been a while. I can take a taxi."
"Jeez. So chatty when I'm offering."
"What?"
"Or don't you wanna be with me?"
"No, that's not it……."
Jeong So-ra shook her head slightly. She might be tougher than most girls, but she was still a woman. Who wouldn't like thoughtful care? It was unexpectedly sweet. And that was the problem.
Makes me think unnecessary thoughts...
She acted casual around him, but last night's fleeting idea still lingered.
Dating, marriage, Joo-hwan.
His looks were her type, personalities meshed, careers compatible. He was slimmer now, but she could fatten him up later. With great chemistry too, why not Seo Joo-hwan?
Jeong So-ra sighed softly.
"Haa, bullshit."
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Nothing."
She shook her head and shot him a side-glance. The guy who'd been so adorably clingy after their first time, begging to date. But seeing him again, he seemed like a different person.
Still cute, though.
Fun to tease with his reactions. But she couldn't see him as just cute anymore. Even without that night he'd taken control.
Should've accepted back then.
He'd confessed once, but that was then; things had changed. He had dating experience now, and from yesterday, he seemed to juggle women. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but she'd overheard calls about "puppy" this and "raccoon" that.
Jeong So-ra's brow furrowed.
Not cute.
Playing Casanova everywhere? Not cute at all. Who'd have thought innocent Seo Joo-hwan would turn out like this. Remote work be damned—if he kept this up, she'd just end up heartbroken.
Dating? Focus on work.
Good thing she'd nipped budding feelings early. She walked on with renewed ease. Time to head home.
Plenty of time before the train left at the platform. Seo Joo-hwan and Jeong So-ra chatted amiably.
"No place has as many different people as the army."
"Yeah. Folks from all over, living differently, crammed into one unit. Some just can't understand each other from birth... But spending 24/7 together for over a year? Drama's inevitable."
"Hm. Army life is uniquely intense. Hard to get elsewhere. Any other weird stories, noona?"
"Hmm. Oh, this one's about officers..."
Jeong So-ra spun tales as time passed. Seo Joo-hwan nodded attentively—not just because they were fun, but because long-brewing ideas in his head were finally organizing.
Eventually, she glanced around and stood.
"Time. See ya, Joo-hwan."
"Yeah. Great seeing you after so long, noona."
"You too. Catch you later."
She waved lightly and headed up the stairs. Then a voice from behind stopped her.
"Noona, wait."
"Huh? What?"
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eye corner hesitantly.
"Uh, can I text you a lot?"
"…Huh?"
Jeong So-ra's eyes widened. How to interpret that?
Does he still...?
But she shook it off internally. Five months since rejecting him. No way now. She nodded casually.
"Of course. Why ask?"
"Haha. You don't text much."
"I reply if you start. Text first."
"Oh, really? Got it."
Seo Joo-hwan beamed and nodded. Jeong So-ra's expression turned ambiguous.
...Just friendly, right? They were close enough to sleep together, beyond siblings-in-arms. Understandable, even if no deeper feelings.
Then he added,
"Oh yeah. Can you send some photos? In uniform."
...Not that? Now photos too? She started getting confused. Her resolved heart from an hour ago reared up.
"Why? I don't take many."
"No worries if not. Not essential."
"…Not a problem, but why?"
"Reason? Oh, sorry. Forgot to say."
Seo Joo-hwan realized his mistake. He'd decided solo and asked without explaining, too absorbed in his idea.
"Planning a new story with army background."
"…New story? Army?"
"Yeah. Was stuck, but army setting solves it. Thanks to you."
As he explained, her face stiffened. She let out a disbelieving scoff.
"So the 'text a lot' was for that?"
"Yeah. Wanna consult you. I know enlisted life, but not officers. Oh, if okay, ask NCOs for me?"
"…Photos?"
"Wanna model company commander after you. Name changed, of course. Cool?"
"……."
"Photos help visualize. But no pressure. Got discharge pics."
"……."
Jeong So-ra pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.
Who's teasing who?
Anger surged. His hesitant "text often?" and photo request—what had she thought? All for novel consultation and refs. Felt played.
No thoughts about me? After yesterday and today? Just me overthinking... Annoying.
Before realistic dating/marriage qualms, her pride stung. She lifted her head with a crooked smile.
Seo Joo-hwan sensed danger and stepped back, but she descended two stairs to face him.
"Joo-hwan."
"Y-yeah? Mmph?!"
Caught off-guard, his jaw was seized. He had to kiss her. Her tongue slipped in, swept his mouth, and withdrew. Platform stares gathered, but she stood brazen.
"…Noona?"
"Shh. Quiet."
On the stairs, she matched his eye level, cupping his cheeks.
"Joo-hwan."
"Y-yeah."
"I'll consult."
"Really? Thanks. Only you could..."
"But prepare one fun story per call."
"Huh?"
He blinked confusedly at the odd condition.
"Anything. Recite poetry, sing—whatever fun."
"…Can't I just pay?"
"Trying to buy noona?"
"No, that sounds weird..."
"Shh. Not done."
She smiled crescent-eyed. Then gasped "Ah," smiled prettily again.
"Send photos too. That'll do."
"…My photos?"
"Any. Funny or posed."
"Consult fee..."
"No pics, no consult."
Unyielding tone. Seo Joo-hwan nodded.
Inside the KTX. Jeong So-ra hung her head.
I'm losing it.
Deep regret over her actions.
No reason to feel wronged.
She'd firmly rejected him before, leaving no room. But just now? Pouting like "Why so casual when I'm shaken?" Her reason knew better. But emotions don't follow cold logic.
Human hearts aren't math.
Nip it small. Or no more sex meets.
Or feelings would grow unwittingly. As she steeled herself again—
Bzzz!
"Eek?!"
Phone vibrated. She silenced it and checked KakaoTalk. From mom, Park Seon-yeong.
"This lady……."
Teasing when she's distressed? To avoid more, better clarify no boyfriend. But next messages erased that thought.
...No more blind dates?
Her face turned thoughtful. Bluffing could dodge setups forever?
No need to tell Joo-hwan. Pretend without naming...
If face demanded, ask Seo Joo-hwan for a video call "boyfriend" act. Consulting anyway—not dating, he'd help.
Train departed; she agonized long before replying.