Chapter 155
...Since she worked so hard, time for a reward. Luckily, Yoo Seol-ah didn't seem to hate being petted as much as I'd thought. Come to think of it, she sometimes asks me to dry her hair anyway. If she hated having her head touched, she wouldn't do that.
Thanks to that, the mood got a little weird right now.
"...What do we need to pack here?"
Yoo Seol-ah shook off the slightly awkward vibe and spoke first. Her day had already started with tennis lessons in the morning, then her brain worked overtime in the escape room, and her body in karaoke. She was building up some fatigue. If things veered into a strange atmosphere, tomorrow could be rough, so I silently thanked her and replied.
"We probably don't need the bed."
"W-What... right."
Last time, she'd said we could sleep separately if I wanted, while trembling like a leaf. Classic case of actions not matching words. Looking at her lips twitching now, her body really was honest.
"...She must want to sleep together...?"
...Her body was honest, so why did the words from her mouth keep drifting further from the truth? Casually implying it was all my influence if we shared a bed. But I let it slide for now. I'm not the type who sleeps better alone anyway, and her warmth and scent actually helped me sleep well. Plus, sharing a bed meant chats before bed.
"And we don't need to take the table either."
I ignored it and got back to business. Yoo Seol-ah looked a bit embarrassed as she replied.
"...Yeah, it wouldn't match the interior there."
"This was cheap anyway. Gotta toss it or give it away."
It was inexpensive but sturdy and decent. Could take it to my parents' house later—they'd use it somehow.
"Clothes go to the dressing room, and the rest we can just move roughly?"
"Can I take a look?"
"Yeah, do whatever."
When it came to interior sense, no one could keep up with Yoo Seol-ah's toes. Entrusting it to the expert meant no failures. She eyed the small bookshelf and the body pillow Baek Sia gave me as a housewarming gift.
"You don't have much stuff, do you?"
"Yeah, just this and what I took to your place."
She nodded like she'd expected that, then dove under the desk to unplug the computer and MIDI keyboard cables.
"I can do it."
"Nah. You'd have to bend way down. I'm used to low stuff."
Her unexpected self-deprecating joke at that timing made me burst out laughing for a second. Once she finished unplugging and stood up straight, she stared up at me.
"...Funny?"
"No..."
Laughing now might get me whacked with the power strip in her hand, so I forced calm. Thankfully, she let it go this time, and we started emptying my studio first.
Using more magic might burden her, so I went with brute strength. A little power, and the desk lifted with one hand like paper.
She saw the wooden desk float like a sheet but joked in a totally unsurprised voice.
"Whoa, you're strong. Can I lift it?"
"You could normally."
"......"
"Not that you're small—it's light."
I'd insured myself in advance, so she shut up. Even with her curves, she could carry it one-handed at the waist. Her suspicious look made me just scoop her up with my other arm.
"Kyaa!?"
A cute scream, a bit of flailing, then she naturally wrapped around my neck. She could handle it normally, but now she felt like a feather. With two portals open, I might as well be her ride service.
She was startled at first, but by the last MIDI keyboard, she was half-draped on my arm like it was normal.
"Put me down now."
"...Tch."
After about ten minutes of piggyback, she was the one reluctant now.
"Everything's moved. Think we can close it?"
"Yeah. I'll handle the rest. You rest."
Once my studio was done, she closed one portal and spoke energetically.
If she were normal, I'd offer help, but my presence would just hinder her magic rearrangements. Last time, she'd rotated furniture 90 degrees like a game sim. Floating multiple items at once was nothing compared to portals—she started levitating and shifting my furniture to the new place.
When Yoo Seol-ah said rest, it meant rest.
"Shabu?"
I started looking for Shabu somewhere in the studio. He wasn't noisy, and without mana talk, he stayed quiet—calling directly was fastest.
Out he came from the bathroom. He wasn't fazed by the wall-portal to the new apartment anymore, just circled me lazily with his tail swishing.
I lay on the bed we weren't moving and played with him.
...Did I fall asleep? Slowly opening my eyes, everything but the bed was gone. Just curled-up, eyes-closed Shabu beside me.
Heading to the living room, I saw Yoo Seol-ah pondering in the new place's living room.
She sensed me but didn't turn.
"Awake?"
"How long was I out?"
"Not long. Like 50 minutes? You were sleeping so soundly, didn't wake you."
Her words had an unusually mature vibe while focusing on decor—like her polite side unconsciously shining.
50 minutes wasn't long, but inversely, she'd nearly finished the interior in just that.
Deliveries had piled up; now the once-empty living room—with just a sofa—felt full and harmonious. Her aesthetic sense was genius-level. Layout was quick with magic, but this harmony? Tough.
"Shabu still sleeping?"
"Yeah. Bring him?"
"Then I'll close this side."
I moved sleeping toast-baking Shabu from the bed to the new sofa. She closed the last portal with a short sigh.
"Good work."
"...Yeah."
Not physical fatigue—mental exhaustion for sure. Just furniture placement would've cracked my head; adding magic was impressive.
After deep breaths, eyes closed, she hesitated like she had something to say. Swallowing shyness,
"...I worked hard, so give me a reward."
"......"
Did something change while I napped? No clue when or why, but she was bold now. What would satisfy her when she said it outright? Petting was done; pick something else.
Candidates swirled, but only skinship would do. I stepped close and lightly hugged her waist.
"...Hng...!"
A slight tremble of surprise, then she buried her face in my chest. Her scent hit hard up close, soft textures blatant.
*Ding—*
Alarms rang from her phone on the sofa and mine in my pocket. Blushing furiously, she pulled away and checked.
Club group call only. Doyun hyung and Lee Seo-yeon were already in the chat, messaging us. She started the call, fanning her face with her other hand.
"Yeah. No, not busy. Moved everything. I-Interrupt? No way? As if I cling every chance!..."
...Who was begging for a reward just now? Who grabbed my wrist for headpats?
"N-No, actually Baek Sion clings to me, I'm totally..."
Her fabrication started; I couldn't hold back and joined the app.
"Ah, hello? Yeah. No, Yoo Seol-ah keeps..."
"Waaah!"
She lunged for my phone, but I'd predicted—arm up high foiled her. Her hand nearly grazed the ceiling-height phone; I doubted my eyes.
...That high off the ground?
Phone tug-of-war ensued instantly.
Clatter sounds made Doyun hyung's voice leak from the phone.
"You two really get along."
"Not really."
"How do you say that now...?"
Their instant retorts just made Doyun hyung laugh good-naturedly.