Chapter 170
I want to wear something pretty on dates... Sure, I could probably collect sensations at climax, but realistically, that was impossible for now. Not that I was too disappointed—I hadn't seriously considered it from the start. Even as things stood, after just a few rounds, I could barely hold onto my sanity.
I sealed my lips again, savoring the soothing warmth of the bathwater, when my eyes met Yoo Seol-ah's. She was gazing at me with those sharply curved, sulky eyes. What was that look supposed to mean?
"...Hey, but do you really want it that bad?"
Going all out in one go? I had zero intention of actually doing that. It really did feel like it might kill her, just like she said. I'd heard rumors that continuous orgasms were pretty torturous anyway.
"No?"
"...Liar. Then why are you prying so much?"
"I'm just genuinely curious. The thing about Lee Seo-yeon was a joke."
One hundred percent truth. Yoo Seol-ah shot me a piercing stare, as if trying to discern the lie, but when she found no flicker in my eyes, a hint of disappointment crossed her face.
...Wait, why was she the disappointed one? Suddenly, suspicion shifted the other way.
I held her gaze and counterattacked. "...Well, if you really want to, I guess... we could control it so you wouldn't die..."
"Wh-what nonsense is that? When did I ever say I wanted... something like that?!"
Yoo Seol-ah's go-to reaction when something was utterly ridiculous was a cold, flat response. Like muttering What the hell... or just letting out a soft sigh. Her expressionless face already gave off an icy vibe that was subtly intimidating. So seeing her blush and splash water around like this only fueled my suspicions more.
I already knew her sex drive was on a monstrous level. And practically speaking, she was a succubus descendant—a demon race tied to lust. She'd inherited the Succubus Queen's mana outright.
"I just said it's important for couples to talk about what they each want in that department."
Honest conversations between spouses were crucial in all sorts of ways, I'd heard. Sex included. These days, divorce rates were climbing due to lack of intimacy or mismatched libidos.
"I said no, seriously!!"
She'd been collapsed in exhaustion moments ago, and now she was full of energy. She'd trembled so violently before, yet she craved even stronger pleasure. Succubi really were terrifying in every sense. I hadn't understood why they were objects of fear among other demons, but now it clicked.
"Hah, you're the one getting defensive, so you're projecting onto me..."
Yoo Seol-ah stuck out her lips in a pout, rambling whatever came to mind. Deciding to tease her a bit, I played along.
"......Busted."
She froze instantly. It was just a random toss-out to dodge the situation, but with me nodding along, that reaction was inevitable. We'd never suddenly conceded defeat like this before.
Her eyes widened in fluster as she stared at me. I followed up with my prepared line.
"Truth is, the thought crossed my mind, but you seemed to hate it, so I swear—never again."
No acting skills required. I was blatantly teasing, delivering it in an over-the-top tone that screamed insincerity. If she truly didn't want it, she'd brush it off casually. But a long silence stretched before her reply.
Nearly ten seconds ticked by before Yoo Seol-ah finally spoke. Her words and expression didn't quite match.
"...Hah, I knew it... You always think about stuff like that..."
She loved being tormented, after all. Her options were limited: stay silent or double down shamelessly like this. Having picked the latter, now whenever she wanted that kind of play, she'd have to ask for it herself.
I kinda wanted to see her blush and beg for it. Was living with Yoo Seol-ah warping my own boundaries bit by bit? She had a real talent for turning people into sadists. Especially when she tried to play it cool but her frustration leaked out everywhere.
Right up until we finished bathing, those puffed-out lips never deflated.
I changed first and headed to the bedroom. Moments later, Yoo Seol-ah followed in her usual tank top and dolphin pants.
"...I'm hungry."
She never hid her hunger.
"Me too."
We'd burned serious calories right when dinner time hit—odd if we weren't starving. I'd heard sex torched a ton of calories.
"But didn't you already eat?"
She tilted her head with a puzzled expression, not quite getting it yet. As she mulled it over, her eyes narrowed, and she clenched her fist.
"...I'm a person too, you know...!"
"Sorry, just kidding."
It was half a joke since she always perked up noticeably after sex. Still, eating was a separate matter. She loved delicious food, especially.
To soothe her huffing, I changed the subject.
"But we don't have much to cook with at home."
Aside from long-lasting staples like seasonings, we hadn't brought over ingredients from her old studio apartment fridge.
"Order in? Or we could go out. The complex has some tasty-looking spots."
Not quite Lee Seo-yeon's level, but as a luxury apartment complex, the on-site restaurants looked worlds apart from the dives near our old places. Plus, a new mixed-use shopping mall was just a short walk away.
"...Then wanna go out?"
Food talk was the magic key, apparently. Her sulk had vanished. I nearly burst out laughing at her pondering-what-to-eat face but held it together this time. Good job, me.
"Sure. We should go on a date anyway."
We weren't just club grinders—we hung out in groups plenty, but couple time mattered too. Cohabiting made venturing out for fresh air even more essential. A change of scenery would refresh us for sure.
"D-date? What date..."
I'd meant to hold back, but she was beaming so obviously I couldn't help chuckling.
"Don't laugh...!"
Even she couldn't suppress her grin. We definitely needed more outdoor dates. Realizing she'd shown her hand too much, she bit her lip to hide the smile.
"...Wait a sec."
"Huh?"
As I turned, she slipped back into the dressing room, glancing over her shoulder.
"...Can't go out like this..."
Fair point—even baggy dolphin pants left her thighs fully exposed. Not streetwear, even for next door.
Just before the door clicked shut, a tiny voice drifted out.
"...I wanna wear something pretty for a date..."
Quiet as it was, I heard it clear. Still sprawled on the bed's edge, I flopped backward.
...Wasn't she way too cute? Toying with my heart like this.
No need to check my pulse—my heartbeat had quickened all on its own.
It took a good while before the dressing room door reopened—clearly putting real thought into her pick.
"...Doesn't look weird, right...?"
Weird? She looked stunning. Her tennis skirt and blouse had me floored before, and now with a ponytail? Pure, overflowing freshness.
I froze mid-reply, but she seemed plenty satisfied seeing my slack-jawed stare.
I changed way faster than her and we were soon ready to head out.
"Shall we?"
"Hold on."
I started to ask if she needed more prep, but she had something else in mind.
"...How about we meet there?"
That actually sounded fun. Felt like our first date all over again. We lived together, so separate meetups were rare.
"...Won't that be a hassle...? We don't have to if it's annoying..."
She was gauging my mood, knowing my usual self. But I cut her off—her subtle shyness meant I had to take charge here. Nothing about Yoo Seol-ah ever annoyed me.
"Nah. See you in twenty. Line Street—I'll send the spot."
"...Okay."
We set the time with buffer, so I left first to browse. Five-minute walk to a massive mall—plenty to window-shop.
Mid-stroll, I paused at a plushie shop. A silver-furred cat doll with a cool, aloof vibe. Spitting image of Yoo Seol-ah. Bet she'd love this as a gift... Perfect for our faux first-date vibe. I bought it on impulse.
Time flew shopping. Right before meetup, I headed to our bench. There she was, approaching from afar.
She really stood out, in every way. To surprise her, I hid the hand with the plush behind my back and waited.
She spotted me, flashing an awkward smile. Perfect timing—I whipped out the gift.
But she did the same.
"Bought this 'cause it looks like you..."
"Got this thinking of you..."
I eyed the fox plush in her hand; she fixated on the cat. Silence hung for a beat.
...Hearts in sync, huh. We just grinned at each other wordlessly.
But why was I the fox? The cat for her made instant sense.