Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Soft and Squishy
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“Fwaaah... That hit the spot...”
Seol-i patted her belly with a blissful smile.
Watching her like that, I couldn't resist tossing out a playful question while gazing at her.
“Aren't you gonna end up crashing during self-study 'cause you're so stuffed?”
“Of course not...!”
She shook her head vigorously.
Yeah, Seol-i was the type who'd pinch her own arm to stay awake if she got drowsy. She was that diligent, that upright.
I gathered up the empty bowls and took them back to the counter.
The lady there took them with a warm smile and handed me something.
Fresh mint candies.
“Oh dear, do kids these days even eat these anymore?”
“N-no, we do. Thank you so much...”
I bowed my head and accepted the two candies, passing one to Seol-i.
“Here, Seol-i, mint candy.”
Since she'd been watching the whole time, she knew exactly where it came from.
Sure enough, she turned to the shop owner and bowed politely.
“Thank you...!”
The lady just chuckled at Seol-i's bright energy and waved us off with a smile.
We both bowed once more and headed out. Or tried to.
“Seol-i.”
“Yeah!”
“Hold on a sec.”
I grabbed a napkin from one of the tables and gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
She'd wiped it herself once, but something red still lingered a bit.
As I cleaned her up, she stared at me obediently, blinking.
Maybe it was because she looked so adorable like that, but I slipped up in the moment.
“There we go, good girl.”
I'd treated her just like I do with Da-som.
Like when I brush her teeth or wipe something off her mouth. Da-som stays still and waits patiently for me to finish.
Every time, I tell her she's a good girl or did great.
And she beams, nodding like crazy.
The problem? Seol-i isn't Da-som.
No matter how much I treat her like a little sister, she's a friend—not family.
I knew that all too well, so I apologized right away, feeling even worse.
“...Sorry, that was a slip-up.”
I apologized immediately, but Seol-i pursed her lips, looking hurt.
Then she stormed out of the shop.
“H-hey, Seol-i, wait...!”
I tossed the napkin in the trash, said goodbye to the lady, and chased after her.
She seemed seriously pissed...
...Gotta beg for forgiveness. She might cool off if I do.
After that, Seol-i marched ahead briskly, and I trailed behind, watching her cues.
Once we crossed the overpass and hit the path to school, she finally turned to me.
“Seol-i, sorry. That was a slip of the tongue earlier.”
“Slip of the tongue...?”
“Yeah, uh... the 'good girl' bit.”
She pursed her lips again, thinking it over.
The silence didn't last. Her hand went to her waist.
Swish...
My jacket, tied around her waist, came loose into her hands. She handed it to me.
“......Here.”
I took it, but froze for a second, scared she'd blow up for real.
...Luckily, no.
How do I know? Because...
Squeeze.
She'd sidled up and taken my hand gently.
“Seol-i?”
“......Earlier, I just panicked. I'm not mad or anything.”
She grumbled it out, letting me know not to worry.
I thanked her silently for that.
Honestly, I'd been rude. Treating her like a little kid right to her face.
I sent up a bunch of mental thanks for forgiving me and replied.
“...Thanks.”
Shorter than my inner monologue, but I hoped she got the point.
*
I was shocked.
Ha-neul suddenly wiping the corner of my mouth.
His hand—big and rough, nothing like mine—held the napkin and cleaned me up so carefully.
It brushed my lips, my cheek, and my mind went blank with confusion.
Amid the chaos, one thing was crystal clear.
If he saw my face right now, he'd know everything. My feelings, too.
So when he said something, I bolted.
I couldn't let him see this face.
Hearing “Sorry, that was a mistake” just made it worse.
What was the mistake? Wiping my mouth?
Yeah, maybe. That's something lovers or family do—not friends.
So was he apologizing because he doesn't see me that way?
If so... I hate that. I don't want that apology. Not at all.
I want to be Ha-neul's lover. Even family.
But accepting that apology would feel like denying my own heart. That's why I hated it.
To hide my embarrassment and dodge answering, I ran from him.
After crossing the overpass and descending, I finally remembered his jacket around my waist.
No choice—I went back to him...
It was a slip of the tongue, he said.
Not a mistake—a slip of the tongue.
I double-checked, worried I'd misunderstood. He meant the “Good girl, well done.”
Words I'd never heard from him before.
Suddenly, it all clicked.
That's exactly what a big brother would say to a much younger sister.
Realizing my small misunderstanding—and that my worries were baseless—I handed back the jacket and told him.
It's fine. I'm not mad.
Another lie, really. What I should've said was “Sorry for misunderstanding.”
But sweet, clueless Ha-neul didn't catch on and thanked me instead.
Even that kindness, that innocence...
I love you, Ha-neul.
Maybe because he went out of his way, or the full belly catching up...
I'm getting sleepy.
...Gotta not nod off.
Still, if I do, Ha-neul will wake me for sure.
He's super diligent.
*
Zzzzzzz...
I'd worried, but when it actually happened, I panicked anyway.
Seol-i had succumbed to food coma and drifted off to dreamland.
[]
“Hmmm...”
What to do? Let her sleep? Wake her?
Normally, I'd wake her. It's the right call all around.
For her, staying for study hall. For the other kids here to study.
But she looks exhausted. Haven't seen her sleep this soundly in ages.
Plus, tucked in this corner, no one's spotting us. And the gym teacher supervising today straight-up said before self-study started: “As long as you're not leaving or disturbing studying, it's cool.”
She's not bothering anyone.
So, do I really need to wake her?
Maybe letting her sleep is better?
...After agonizing, I decided on a little mischief.
A selfishly naughty one, to satisfy my greed.
What?...
Poking Seol-i's cheek.
It satisfies my urge and puts the choice on her, too.
If she wakes from a light poke, great. If not, she sleeps on.
Yeah, BS. Truth is, I just wanted to poke her cheek once.
Da-som's super soft, squishy cheeks? I can poke forever. She loves it.
But Seol-i's a friend, even if I treat her like a sis. Touch without permission? Harassment.
That's why now, while she's out. Light poke. Super naughty. Kinda gross, if I'm harsh.
But this much should be fine? If caught, I can say I was trying to wake her.
It's “unavoidable” to wake her. Yeah.
After rationalizing to myself a ton, I... cautiously, super carefully extended my finger toward Seol-i.
And...
Squish.
...Insane softness. Pure squish.
Like when we were kids—no change.
Slightly different from Da-som's, too.
I used to think Da-som's were softer, but this rivals it. Incredible.
Poke more? Might wake her for real.
Brain agonized, but hands were honest.
Squuuish.
Squish.
A bit harder this time. To feel that softness deeper.
It multiplied. Wow. So this is Seol-i's cheek.
Want more. Poke, stroke even.
Thankfully, something snapped me out before I went full perv.
“Mmmph...”
She was stirring.
Her voice jolted me. I shook my head hard.
To erase that heavenly feel from my brain. To break the spell of her cheeks.
Luckily, that worked. And she stayed asleep.
Everything perfect. “Dodged a bullet,” level.
I sighed in relief and draped my jacket over her as atonement.
Thank god she didn't wake. Seriously.