Chapter 195
She was really sexy back then... "...But y'know."
"Yeah."
Yoo Seol-ah's face had finally cooled off a bit. If we kept up that vibe until the others came back, we'd probably get all sorts of suspicions, so I answered with a quiet sigh of relief.
"...Since we're making them anyway, can't you make one for me too...?"
"For me?"
Her eyes sparkled again, and it hit me—Yoo Seol-ah wanted to see me in my old outfit just as badly as Yuna unnie did.
But I didn't mind at all.
"No problem, but mine's just a hoodie, right? Done."
Yoo Seol-ah's had that subtle shoulder exposure and an X-belted skirt-dress vibe. Yuna unnie's was straight-up uniform-plus-robe, screaming cosplay no matter how you sliced it. Mine? Not so much.
Sure, there were mana-amplifying runes etched in here and there, but it was basically a black hoodie jacket—the kind I wore all the time in Korea. A few might think the patterns were unique, but cosplay? Nah. No one would clock it.
An assassin advertising themselves with their outfit? Ridiculous, Klein always said. The guy himself just rocked a plain shirt everywhere.
"So for yours, I was thinking of fixing up a hoodie jacket... You'll wear it?"
"If it's comfy, sure. I could even wear it daily."
I'd always favored black anyway. Sure, after Seol-ah's fashion boot camp, I'd branched out to other colors, but black or white still felt the most natural.
She flashed a little smile at my easy agreement. Maybe because we'd both fallen for each other back in Astasia—we both craved that glimpse of the past. It'd be weirder if she didn't want to see it.
Grinning ear to ear, she jumped in first. "Haven't made clothes in a while anyway... And back then, you were so se—"
Sex? She slapped a hand over her mouth with a sharp gasp, eyes darting everywhere. It was getting hard to hold back a laugh.
Probably "sexy." The pronunciation was different from the color—definitely had that extra punch.
I didn't think it was anything to be embarrassed about, but maybe "sexy" meant something else in her head?
"Sex what."
"N-no, just... cool. Y'know, like that..."
"Cool" was a solid compliment, sure, but it hit way different from "sexy."
I shook my head slightly and stared her down. She broke eye contact, nibbling her lip.
"Why stop mid-sentence?"
"Ugh, seriously...!"
Back then, he was so damn sexy...! Why does this tsundere act of his piss me off and turn me on at the same time? I already know what he heard—why make me say it out loud...?
Of course, I could just toss out a casual "sexy," but what slipped out wasn't the everyday "attractive" version people throw around. That was raw—full-on seductive. Lust-inducing. Aroused.
"But was the outfit sexy?"
"...Forget it if you don't get it...!"
He tilted his head innocently, missing the point entirely. Good—he didn't catch the real meaning.
The clothes suited him perfectly, yeah, but truth be told, I missed him in them. The him soaked in demon blood, emotionless as he toyed with his dagger. To me, that was drenched in raw sex appeal.
Back then, survival and getting home to Earth were all that mattered—no dirty thoughts. But now? Recalling it sent shivers straight to my core. I got why doujin scenes went "kyun~."
I wasn't this masochistic before. Most of my fantasies had me on the receiving end, all because that image burned so deep. Blame Baek Sion—he turned me into this pervert. And now he had to take responsibility.
"Why're you staring like that?"
"Doesn't matter."
Still clueless, just cocking his head adorably. It was cute in its own way, so I swallowed a smile. That icy expression only showed up covered in blood anyway.
These peaceful days with him were bliss, and yeah, the jacket's fit was killer too. Wonder if there's anything that doesn't suit him.
"Seo-yeon's asking what we wanna eat?"
"Oh, yeah!"
Yuna unnie's voice drifted up from the stairs, slow and steady. I quickly stepped back from Sion.
As I dove back into menu thoughts, she tilted her head from afar.
"Sion, something on your cheek..."
"Hey, why're you always getting stuff on you..."
"......"
Before unnie could get closer, I tiptoed up and wiped the pink smudge off his cheek. Even if her epithet was All-Seeing Eye, that wasn't literal eyesight—how'd she spot it from there?
I'd slathered on colored lip balm today, excited for the outing. Must've transferred during that quick kiss earlier.
...Getting caught making out secretly at someone else's place? Total idiot couple confirmed.
Sion eyed me like I was passing the buck, but dodging his gaze was all I could do.
Though he started playing with me this morning first. A little shamelessness was fair game.
I ignored his stare and headed to Yuna unnie. "...Pasta sound good right now? I like most stuff, honestly."
"Liar. You hate veggies."
"I eat onions fine!?"
He wouldn't let it slide. What, did he think I had a kid's palate...!? Roasted onions, garlic, lettuce, perilla leaves—totally fine. Raw cukes, carrots, scallions, namul? Pass. But not kid-level.
"Oh, I don't love veggies either."
"Right, unnie? You're the understanding one."
"Pasta it is, then? Sion?"
"Works for me."
Unnie tapped her phone, probably texting Lee Seo-yeon, then looked up. "...But does Seo-yeon even cook well? Parents being CEOs doesn't mean the kid's a chef."
Fair point usually. Heir kids these days went celeb or idol routes more often.
"Seo-yeon could go pro right now."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
She'd always loved cooking, even got dragged to Michelin spots by her parents.
"Pasta?"
Speak of the devil—Lee Seo-yeon's voice from the entryway. Still keeping a bit of distance from Doyun oppa.
"Seo-yeon-ah, they say your cooking's amazing."
"...Just decent..."
Modest, but her "decent" would shutter 90% of restaurants.
"Pasta and pilaf okay? Got chicken steak too."
"Yes! Love it."
"Got it, hang on."
I grabbed her arm before she bolted to the kitchen.
"Huh?"
"Alone's a hassle, right? Take someone."
She could probably handle it solo, but I had plans.
I subtly drew up mana, sending intent only to Sion and Yuna unnie. Rock-paper-scissors.
Both unflappable pros—no flinch at my voice in their heads.
"Rock-paper-scissors?"
Doyun oppa stuck out his hand reflexively. No helping it if he threw paper.
Rigged games with cheats were the most fun. My mage tower lord mentors always preached: A mage's never honest.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
"...Doyun helps, then. We'll chill~"
Luckily—or not—he threw scissors. Yuna unnie hammed up her relief like she'd dodged a bullet.
Perfect—cozy kitchen time for two. Seo-yeon's lips twitched up; she clearly liked the idea.
"No turmeric allergies?"
"I'm good."
"Me too."
I loved curry anyway. Curry pasta? Sign me up.
The pair vanished into the kitchen, buzzing with anticipation. Sion nudged me.
"Smooth rigging."
"Pfft, says the assassin whose life's all lies."
Sparks flew instantly.
...But he poked first this morning...!
"Kids."
Yuna unnie stepped in like the adult she was, nipping the fight short.
"Wanna fight? I'll make space."
"...Unnie?"
"Can't wreck the house."
...Not mediating after all?