Chapter 187
Far from a lie detector, Yoo Seol-ah dove under with a splash and showed no signs of resurfacing. The tub was a good one, holding its heat well, so I figured submersion might not be too hot—but even outside the water, her face was probably burning up anyway. If it got too steamy, she could always cool just around her cheeks. Sure enough, she had no intention of coming up anytime soon, conjuring a massive air bubble around her face like it was second nature. Big enough to scroll her phone in there. It reminded me of that squirrel character from the famous underwater city anime, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Seol-ah must've been watching me from below, because her mouth started flapping open and shut. What're you laughing at? Her pouty glare was back, tsundere eyes replacing the teary ones from minutes ago. Made me want to mess with her again.
I had no idea what spell it was exactly, but could I poke a hole in that bubble? I extended one finger and slowly reached toward it. The result was simpler than expected.
"...It won't pop, huh?"
I'd imagined it bursting like a balloon or water seeping through the pinhole when I pulled back. Probably a persistent space magic on the bubble itself. At my disappointed tone, Seol-ah finally surfaced. Her hair was soaked from the initial dive, so she roughly combed her bangs back with her hand and snorted.
"Wow, check out this childish crap. You think I'm that sloppy?"
"......"
"Why aren't you answering...?"
I had to admit the spell's precision, but Seol-ah herself was full of slip-ups. If I had to name the clumsiest in our club, it'd be her hands down. I clamped my mouth shut, and she sighed, summoning a water orb and floating it up.
...You think I'll fall for that so easily?
My face stayed blank, so she flicked her wrist, launching it at me. I blocked the incoming orb with my palm, shattering it. Water sprayed everywhere, obscuring my vision—but I'm not one to rely heavily on my eyes. They're too easily fooled. The real attack was the second orb, but I already knew, so no threat. Eyes closed, I didn't burst it—instead, I redirected its momentum right back at her.
"Pfft?!"
A weird squeak escaped as she clutched her forehead for a while. Peering through dripping fingers, her eyes looked utterly baffled. Couldn't be helped. I knew her fighting style too damn well.
The winner is the strongest. That's her motto, and fair fights were never her thing—especially against demons. She loved blasting magic from outside your sightline, often layering illusion spells to mess with vision.
"...Hah."
She snorted in disbelief, staying still for a beat before cracking up herself, unable to hold it in. Like laughter at odd timings, it took forever to subside.
"...Ow, my stomach hurts..."
"They say light cramps are common early in pregnancy."
"Pffft?!"
I'd been looking up random stuff occasionally, so the offhand joke hit her forehead again. Moments later, she splashed water at me by hand, but I just took it. Reactions were too good to stop.
"...You're insane... Not happening anytime soon!"
Our little inside joke—I nodded obediently. Without her magic, we'd need protection either way, but pills were bad for her body, and condoms dulled pleasure from what I'd heard. Magic birth control was a godsend.
"...But why hasn't it gone away yet? You said it'd vanish soon."
Her tail still swished behind her back. Last time she said she could summon it, but this auto-spawned one might be different?
Seol-ah bit her lip, glancing away, cheeks tinting pink.
"...You went too hard... My normal body couldn't handle it, so the succubus form kicked in automatically..."
Not sure if it fit perfectly, but like a car's airbag—an auto-protection spell for overwhelming pleasure. She trailed off, embarrassed, but it lingering longer than expected probably meant today's ecstasy was way above average. She rarely summoned it voluntarily, so might as well enjoy it while it lasted.
"What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?"
She blinked in confusion at the sudden shift but dove into menu brainstorming like the foodie she was, beaming happily. Real reason? I'd figured out the tail's function earlier. Bonus: settling the menu too.
"Pasta?"
Her tail swished at the light suggestion.
"Sounds good, but maybe lunch or dinner instead of breakfast?"
"Sandwich?"
Swish slowed to a halt. Pass on sandwiches.
"I don't love sandwiches that much anyway."
"What's good for breakfast...?"
I eat similar portions morning or night, so I rattled off whatever came to mind.
"Bulgogi."
Swish turned to eager flaps. Bulgogi was a finalist.
"Bulgogi's great... Meat's always the answer."
True to her "pork stir-fry, pork cutlet, or soup anytime" vibes.
"Salad, sausage, eggs on the side would work too."
Movement slowed again—veggies not appealing. Probably why sandwiches were out too.
"Skip the salad."
"Salad's not even a meal..."
...My bad. She froze in panic, then clocked where my eyes were.
"You keep staring there while talking... Ah."
Pity. The tail followed instincts perfectly—ideal for menu picking.
"What, not even a lie detector? Come on!"
"......"
She sighed deeply, focusing until the tail vanished—probably stiffened upright behind her.
"Ttukbaegi bulgogi then?"
"......"
Swish swish. Even with focus, ttukbaegi's power won out? Breakfast decided: hot pot bulgogi. Weekend anyway—shop after waking.
"When the hell is this thing going away...!"
Frustrated at her tail's surrender, she grabbed the tip tight.
"Eek."
Silence blanketed the bathroom. Just sporadic drips from the faucet. Seol-ah flushed cartoonishly from the neck up.
...See? Total klutz. I'd guessed from her "don't touch" warning, but yeah—the tail was sensitive too.
Quite the eventful bath later, we toweled off crisp and slipped into pajamas, sprawling on the bed. The tail Sion had toyed with was mercifully gone now.
...Keeps reading my mind. Gotta practice full control.
"Past one already..."
"Yeah."
Sion's eyes drooped—he was beat. Insanely packed day: school on a weekday, date, met Yuna unnie. Hours just in bed. I'd been pissed at the time, but looking back, it felt insanely good. The forced succubus form proved it. And Sion didn't know, but I'd absorbed so much essence from that sex—body felt amazing despite the drowsiness. Honestly, I could go another round, no problem.
...But telling that to sleepy-eyed Sion? Too mean.
"Time to sleep?"
"Yeah."
Forceful play's fun, but this—cuddling under warm covers—was bliss too. He usually said goodnight, but exhaustion hit fast; his breathing evened out. Confirming he was out, I propped up and pecked his lips lightly.
...We skip kisses when I'm on the receiving end, so yeah—craving it.
I pulled back quick, then smooshed the fox and cat dolls together by the bedside.
...There, perfect.
"Goodnight."
No reply, but his dopey sleeping face was enough.