Chapter 108
"When's Seol-ah coming over again?"
"It's been how long since we last saw her, and she's coming already? We need to start thinking about the move anyway, so she should take it easy."
The moment we got home, my parents were already looking for Yoo Seol-ah. It felt like they missed her more than their own son...
"Sia was even singing 'unnie, unnie' songs."
"Well... they're close. But where's Baek Sia?"
"She's probably napping right now. She said she was tired."
Baek Sia was living such a hardworking life that we didn't get to see each other often, but that probably made them miss her even more. They both had a huge soft spot for pretty girls.
"When are Grandma and Grandpa coming?"
"They should be here any minute now..."
And sure enough, the doorbell rang soon after. I went straight to open the door.
My grandparents greeted me warmly.
"Has Sion been doing well?"
"Yeah, have you been well?"
"Us? We're eating well and living well, as always."
They were almost seventy, but they looked so healthy. I subtly checked Grandma's pulse as she held my hand tightly—nothing out of the ordinary.
"Lately, I've been walking a lap around the neighborhood every day following this guy, and it's been great."
"Your grandma walks better than I do."
Some of it was natural, but I was always impressed by how meticulously they managed their health. Even after retiring from their professorships, they never lacked for money but still found little hobbies to keep busy. They always said sitting idle brought nothing good and would stuff my sister and me with pocket money whenever they saw us.
As a kid, I'd say it was fine and they didn't need to, but now that I'm older, I realize they get way more joy from giving it quietly. So these days, I just thank them graciously.
"How's university going?"
"Oh, we went on an MT recently, and it's been fun."
"Good. No thoughts on getting a girlfriend yet?"
They'd always subtly hinted at wanting great-grandkids. They'd half-jokingly say they wanted to see one before they died, but I'd brush it off by saying to pin their hopes on Baek Sia instead. They were so healthy, they seemed like they could easily last another thirty years.
But things turned out like this.
"Ah, I already have someone I'm dating."
"......"
Even my grandparents looked stunned, like they couldn't quite believe their grandson had a girlfriend. Right on cue, my parents appeared behind me.
"Sion's mom, Sion says he has a girlfriend."
"Oh, right. She even came over to our place."
"Well, they say people change once they hit college..."
A bit later, Baek Sia shuffled out of her room with sleepy eyes. The noise outside must have woken her; it took her a moment to fully wake up.
"Ah, Grandma~ Grandpa too. I missed you guys~"
"Sia, is studying tough?"
"Eh, it's manageable. College itself isn't a big deal; the rest is stuff I do because I want to, so it's fun."
"Come on in first. We've got food ready."
And so the meal began. Today was a casual spread. Our house wasn't far, so we often ate together like this, but the main topic this time was mostly me and Yoo Seol-ah.
"Ah, Unnie Seol-ah. She's seriously, seriously pretty. Probably the prettiest person I've ever seen."
"Her name's Seol-ah, huh."
"Yeah, Yoo Seol-ah."
"If Sia's saying that, even I'm a bit curious now. But no one's as pretty as our Sia in my eyes."
"Hehe, but Unnie Seol-ah is no joke..."
I was thinking of showing them a photo from last time, but someone beat me to it—Baek Sia, digging through her phone and pulling up a selfie of Yoo Seol-ah.
...Why did she have a selfie of Seol-ah that even I didn't have? Well, if Baek Sia asked for pics, Yoo Seol-ah would probably hand them out like freebies. I bet she had selfies of Baek Sia too.
"Oh my, is this Seol-ah?"
"Let me see."
Yoo Seol-ah's beauty transcended age and gender. My grandparents' mouths dropped open in unison at the photo.
"She suits you perfectly, Sion. A perfect match."
"Where'd you meet such a pretty girl?"
"She's a friend from the same school. Different majors, though."
"They're getting married. I met her, and she's got a great personality too."
"What great news!"
I didn't have to say much; my parents and Baek Sia filled in the details. I wasn't the type to brag anyway, and it felt good seeing Yoo Seol-ah become a familiar presence in the family.
After the meal and some chatting, as bedtime approached, I got a message from Yoo Seol-ah.
The chat sounded like a whole different person. It'd only been about four hours since we parted, but she was straight-up demanding a call without hesitation. Adorably needy, probably because we were glued together online.
I texted back that I'd call now and hit the button.
"...Hello?"
"Yeah, honey."
It was just a tease, but suddenly there was a splash, then bubbling from underwater.
She really loved talking on the phone during baths, like last time. Come to think of it, the master bath in the new place had a big tub. We could bathe together there.
"...Haa, don't pull that lame joke..."
Her voice had a hint of laughter. And she loved dad jokes like that.
"Whatcha up to?"
"Just drawing, now washing up. You at home?"
"Yeah, saw Grandma and Grandpa, talked about you too."
"...How'd they react?"
"They approved. They've been dying for great-grandkids."
"R-Really. Hmm... great-grandkids..."
Her voice trailed off seductively. The echo in the bathroom, maybe. Wait, hadn't we gone three days without it? MT night was a skip, next day we were busy, today we parted quick, and I'd be stuck here till tomorrow... Four days. That might be tough for her.
I didn't think she was a total perv, but her libido was strong, will or no will. After a month backed up, she went berserk; even five days shook her self-control.
We hadn't agreed to hold back this time, so she'd handle it herself if needed.
"...Hngh, mm..."
The line went quiet, her breathing ragged. No way the call dropped these days.
I called her name softly. "Yoo Seol-ah?"
"...Ah, yeah. W-What's up?"
This unnatural reaction. Was she... handling it during the call? Maybe she was a perv.
"Nah, you sure you're not doing something else?"
"W-What? Why make me sound weird?!"
I'd just said "something else," not anything naughty. Her jumping to that was suspicious. Breathing normal now, like she'd started then snapped out of it. But in the bath, no visuals—what triggered her?
Once her voice steadied, she spoke.
"...Hoo, can't see you Monday, right?"
"Probably. Let's do Tuesday."
"Got it. Gotta draw now. Gotta row when the water comes in..."
"Yeah. Call tomorrow. Night."
"...You too."
Cute to the end. Tomorrow we'd probably take Grandma and Grandpa out for dinner. The bed felt weird without her scent, but the fluffy blankets helped me crash quick.
"We were gonna eat dinner too, but your aunt wants to check the field. Gotta plant lettuce and potatoes now."
"Ah, got it. Bring any leftovers next time, Mom."
"Sure. Take care, Sion and Sia."
"Come visit often~"
"Drive safe."
We'd planned buffet lunch, sightseeing, then barbecue dinner, but they left right after lunch. Afternoon freed up.
"Didn't you say you had moving to do? Go ahead. Seol-ah's waiting, right?"
Staying overnight would've been late anyway, and with Yoo Seol-ah subtly pining, better head back early.
"Got it. See you next time."
"Yeah. Bring Seol-ah next time."
"I'll visit after the move. Housewarming."
Short send-off from parents and Baek Sia, then straight to Yoo Seol-ah's studio.
Surprise visit might startle her—fun.
Quick arrival. Door unlocked fast; thudding from the bedroom.
"You okay?"
She wouldn't hurt herself, but rushing in, Yoo Seol-ah was under the covers with an awkward smile.
"...W-Why're you here now? School Tuesday..."
"They had stuff, so I came early. Why's your face so red?"
"...Is it? Nah, nothing..."
Super suspicious. As I stepped closer, she waved frantically.
"D-Don't come closer! I warned you...?"
Flushed face, heavy breathing—obvious. Clothes on, but vibe screamed it. I yanked the blanket.
A familiar item near her hand: round orb on the handle—a massager, sure.
I stared between her and it wordlessly. She gulped, then spoke.
"...Actually, my body's been stiff... Just, y'know, massaging..."
"Massaging...?"
"Yeah. It's just a massager, right?"
"I know."
"Right...?"
Privacy mattered, but that trembling face was too much. Perfect way to bust her lie popped into mind.
Playing along, I snatched the massager in her frozen moment.
"H-Hey, what're you—"
Slowly raising it to my face, about to sniff...
"-----! -----! Y-You crazy bastard...!"
Innumerable magic circles unfurled in an instant—too fast to even read.
Yoo Seol-ah teleported right in my face. Her mana-charged fist slammed my solar plexus before I could react.
"Guhk... ngh."
...Can't breathe.
Taking damage I couldn't tank for the first time in ages, I crumpled to my knees.
She's seriously strong, Yoo Seol-ah.