Pandora's Box
Seo Joo-hwan followed her to her apartment. Choi Mi-hwa's place turned out to be even closer to his family home than he'd thought.
"It's really close."
"To your house?"
"Yeah. Wouldn't even take ten minutes on foot for me."
"Really? Then maybe we've bumped into each other before."
It certainly seemed plausible. Not quite neighbors, but definitely in the same neighborhood.
"Have you ever been to our snack bar?"
"Snack bar? Your parents run one?"
"Yeah. Seo Family Snack Bar, right in front of Gwanghyeon High..."
"Whoa! That's your parents' place?"
Choi Mi-hwa's eyes widened in shock.
"I was a total regular there for a while!"
"For real? Then how come I never saw you?"
"Good question. Oh, right—I cut back on snack bar food this year, so I haven't gone much. But I saw your little sisters last time, so I should've run into you."
"...Ah, probably because I was in the army. Joo-hee and Su-ah have different schedules, so maybe that's why."
Seo Joo-hwan gave an awkward smile. His sister and Han Su-ah really did have mismatched timings, so it was likely. But even if he hadn't been in the service, he probably still wouldn't have seen her. Come to think of it, pre-regression, he'd avoided the area around the shop to keep trouble away from it.
Feels like ancient history already.
It had only been half a year since his regression, yet he'd already forgotten how he'd shunned the place. That meant he'd fully adapted to his current life. Those mere six months had etched themselves into his memory more vividly and colorfully than nearly a decade of the past.
If I hadn't avoided the shop... maybe I'd have met Mi-hwa even before regressing.
Fate was a curious thing. Someone who'd been so close all his life, yet they'd never crossed paths—now here they were, bodies intertwined.
Lost in thought, Seo Joo-hwan stared at her intently. Choi Mi-hwa rolled her eyes and looked away. There was something probing in his gaze that made it sting.
"W-Why are you staring like that?"
"Oh, 'cause you're pretty."
"...What? Sudden lip service out of nowhere?"
"Not lip service."
He'd said it almost absentmindedly, like an excuse, but it wasn't a lie. Objectively speaking, Choi Mi-hwa was stunning. Today, her wavy black bob and office look suited her perfectly.
Come to think of it, she was in office wear last time too.
She must like that style. It certainly looked good on her.
"Q-Quiet and just come in already."
"What, noona? Getting shy?"
"I said get in!"
"Why yell?"
"You're such a jerk sometimes..."
Seo Joo-hwan shrugged and stepped inside. Her unexpectedly flustered reaction was adorable.
Once she'd let him into her room, Choi Mi-hwa suddenly didn't know where to start. Should she just strip right away?
Oh, right—shower first!
She'd washed up meticulously before meeting him, but now she probably reeked of food. No way could she overlap bodies like this.
"I-I'm gonna shower first."
"Huh? Jumping right in?"
"Wh-What? No, that's not... I mean..."
His innocent question threw her off. What? Was jumping in bad? Did she seem too desperate? So what should she do? Her head spun as she waved her hands vaguely. Things hadn't felt this awkward at the motel last time!
"Sh-Should I make some ramen at least?"
"Huh... You hungry?"
"I'm not a pig!"
"Whoa, easy. Who said pig? You look plenty slim."
"Th-Thanks...?"
"Pfft—hahaha!"
"What! Why are you laughing!"
Choi Mi-hwa shouted, her face beet red. But Seo Joo-hwan couldn't stop. He chuckled, stroking her hair.
"Just act normal. Like when you used to curse me out and drop sex jokes."
"Th-That was over text—I wasn't seeing your face."
"What's the difference? Just be natural."
"...Only a playboy like you could pull that off."
She pouted sulkily. He scratched his eyebrow at "playboy." He knew it on some level, but labels like Casanova or womanizer still didn't sit right. Still, using the Lust System meant he'd have to accept it eventually.
It's my own greed, really.
Every time he saw women like Choi Mi-hwa who liked him, that thought crossed his mind. The system made normal dating or marriage impossible—or so he could claim. But coldly speaking, it was just his greed. If love truly mattered more, he could abandon his powers. People lived fine without special abilities.
Later.
He pushed the fleeting thought aside. For now, he had no intention of giving up the Lust System's perks. Satisfaction might come far in the future. Until then, as she'd said, he'd embrace being the bad guy.
"Haha."
"...Why laugh?"
Seo Joo-hwan leaned in, locking eyes. Hers trembled like there was an earthquake.
"Wh-What is it, all of a sudden."
How to handle this innocent woman? He recalled the things he'd done early on, drunk on his powers: showing dismay at her virginity, telling her he'd walk away regretfully if she refused.
"What a trash bastard."
"H-Huh? Me? Why?"
"Heh. Obviously me."
"...Why are you trash? You're my benefactor."
She said it cautiously, gazing at him. She'd curse him out one second, then treat him like a savior the next. He shook his head.
"Nah. Like you said, I'm a playboy and a total asshole."
"That's... hey..."
"So don't like me?"
"You trash bastard!"
Slap!
A stinging slap landed.
*
Seo Joo-hwan rubbed his smarting cheek, deciding against offering the other one—it hurt more than expected from her small frame. She probably wouldn't have hit again anyway; she looked flustered herself.
Choi Mi-hwa mumbled hesitantly.
"Sh-Should I put some ointment on it?"
"Nah, it's already settling."
It was a bit red, but a swipe of Holy Touch cleared it right up. He shrugged and headed for the shower first, giving her time to think.
When he emerged, Choi Mi-hwa had a resigned look, like she'd made peace with something. She approached and pinched his forearm.
"Ow!"
"Drama queen."
"No, that hurt."
"You deserve a little pain. Hmph."
With that, she vanished into the bathroom.
"Tch."
Seo Joo-hwan plopped sheepishly on the bed. From her perspective, getting off this easy was lucky—he had no complaints. Better to take it when due.
Choi Mi-hwa took forever in the shower, scrubbing so thoroughly it seemed she'd never emerge. Bored of waiting, he reached for his phone.
"Where'd I put it?"
He'd set it somewhere, but it wasn't in sight. It happened sometimes—mindlessly misplacing things. Luckily, he found it quick this time.
"There it is."
Memory kicked in: he'd left it on the shelf with his clothes before showering.
"Huh? What's this?"
Next to his smartphone sat a large box, not fully closed—something protruded from it.
"Careful."
Balanced precariously on the shelf's edge, it looked ready to fall. He pushed it back and, on impulse, peeked inside to tuck the thing away.
That instant...
"......"
Pandora's box flew open.
"Joo-hwan, sorry to keep you waiting...? Aaah! Kyaaah!"
Choi Mi-hwa screamed at the misfortune and despair bursting from the box.
*
Choi Mi-hwa clutched the box, sniffling.
"Wh-Why'd you open it without asking! In my house! No permission and you just...!"
"Sorry, I..."
"You asshole! You jerk...!"
"Noona, it's not embarrassing. Everyone uses toys when they're lonely..."
"Shut up!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Shocked silly, she'd hugged the box without even putting on underwear. Her towel was slipping, exposing bare skin.
"Waaah... Now I'll never get married..."
Seo Joo-hwan smiled awkwardly, scratching his eyebrow.
If toys mean no marriage, what about doing it with me...?
He wisely kept that thought to himself. He waited patiently for her to calm.
His mind replayed the contents: nothing wild, just a dildo and electric vibrator—standard guy porn fare. Plus cute stuff like gels and love rings.
Whips or cuffs might freak her out.
She'd probably bolt before candles even came up. Or maybe not—interest in solo toys suggested otherwise?
Calmer now, she peeked up at him, face flushed, fresh from the shower and glistening erotically.
She stammered excuses.
"I-I haven't used them."
"Huh? So what if you have? Adults use adult toys..."
"I said I haven't!"
"Got it."
"Just... fingers a little..."
"Ah."
Fingers meant the love ring. He stroked his chin, then burst out laughing.
As she flinched, he scooped her up—box and all.
Damn, shouldn't tease when she's teary.
Grinning wickedly, he gazed at the woman in his arms.
"Bought 'em but never used? Waste."
"...Stop teasing. I was just curious... Gonna toss 'em today."
"Why toss? I'm curious too—let's try 'em."
"...Huh?"
She stared, wide-eyed.
"Waste to throw unused. Gotta test 'em out."
"N-No, it's fine..."
"I'm curious. Let's use every one tonight."
"......"
She hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. Deep down, she hated wasting them too. They'd felt too taboo to use alone. A sex pro like him might make use of them.
Then Seo Joo-hwan piped up.
"Oh, right."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Gonna open up a bit myself."
"...About what?"
"My tastes. Think you could... wear stockings? Maybe a footjob if possible..."
He smiled awkwardly, meeting her eyes.
"Ahem. Don't look at me like that."
"Pervert."
"Me? Or you, noona?"
"Ugh..."
He chuckled, setting her on the bed.
*
He'd first suspected his foot fetish after seeing Yoo Ji-kyeong in a garter belt and fishnets. Yoo So-jeong at the pension had confirmed it.
As requested, Choi Mi-hwa sat on the bed nude except for flesh-toned stockings. She looked baffled, but after the toy exposure, refusal was off the table.
"Noona's feet are small."
"R-Really? I think they're average."
At 245mm, they were typical for Korean women. But to Seo Joo-hwan—with his huge hands and 285mm feet—they seemed tiny.
Smaller than So-jeong's.
Yoo So-jeong's 260mm feet were big for a woman. Here, he confirmed his preference: small over large.
"Mi-hwa's feet are hot as hell."
"...Fucking pervert."
"Love 'em?"
"......"
She flushed without answering. Her mouth cursed, but her body thrilled at the situation—just like his.
She'd expected vanilla sex, not this. She pulled out the love gel from the box, slathering it generously on his dick.