Chapter 207

"I'm trash... 'I'm trash... I thought for a second that if it were Seol-ah, it'd really be that kind of thing...'."

From what I overheard, it seemed like when the girls were together, she'd brought up some suspicious story to Yuna unnie again. Sure enough, Yuna unnie let out a deep sigh, looking apologetic as she pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly having misunderstood Yoo Seol-ah.

Honestly, anyone hearing words like "maid" and "sex processing" would have weird thoughts—no one in this group is immune. It wasn't really Yuna unnie's fault. If anything, it was Yoo Seol-ah's word choice while she was pretty drunk.

It even made me wonder if my head was the weird one. But come on, when the one saying it is Yoo Seol-ah, it's easy to misunderstand.

"...Huh? Why? Isn't Plang super cute?"

"...No, Plang is cute. But Seol-ah, wanna try this?"

"What is it...?"

Her speech was a bit slurred, her cheeks nicely flushed. She'd been like this since just two glasses of wine, so "weak to alcohol" doesn't even begin to cover it. At this rate, she'd probably get tipsy off non-alcoholic beer.

But since it hit her faster than usual this time, maybe wine just suits her better. I could force the alcohol out of her system with magic, but she could block it herself if she wanted. Since everyone here was close, she probably figured a little buzz was fine.

No need for me to step in.

"Cider mixed with bokbunja wine. Seo-yeon made some earlier, and it was good."

"...Sounds tasty. I'll have some..."

But letting her drink more changes things. I exchanged a quick glance with Yuna unnie, but she just grinned ear to ear.

"...Seol-ah gets wild when she's drunk, huh?"

She whispered it so only I could hear.

...Couldn't deny it if I tried. She laughs way more, for one.

"Hey, Baek Sion... Try this... Okay?"

That special aegyo tone she only pulls out when wasted—it drives me insane. Of course, she kicks the blankets in regret once sober, which is why she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠holds back normally. You don't see it often. At home, she always stops at one can of near-zero-proof fruit wine.

Even if I sneak in an extra, she just glares.

"...Not gonna drink?"

"...I'll drink."

If I kept stalling, she'd probably shove the glass to my lips or feed me mouth-to-mouth. Both a no-go here. I took the glass quick.

As the fancy bokbunja ade slid down my throat, I realized why she'd insisted I try it.

...It's really good.

"Tasty, right...? Amazing, huh..."

Seeing my eyes widen, she beamed, and the sweetness lingering in my mouth doubled.

...Tomorrow, will she pretend not to remember? Or kick the blankets first thing?

Yoo Seol-ah half-leaning on me, Yuna unnie snickering from across the way.

"...What if I sober her up right now?"

"She'd teleport away and hide somewhere."

Forcing out the buzz externally? She'd bolt to her room, lock the door, and punch the blankets. Lucky for me, Yuna unnie was just curious.

As I calmed my heart watching drunk Yoo Seol-ah nuzzle my shoulder like a cat in her maid outfit, Lee Seo-yeon's voice called from afar.

"Lobster's done! Come eat."

"Isn't that the winner's prize?"

"Oppa said he couldn't finish it alone anyway."

I couldn't hear their full chat, but the savory aroma wafting over confirmed lobster cooking. Good thing Doyun hyung won. I'd have wanted some too.

If sober Yoo Seol-ah had won, she'd probably hit me with "Just one bite, please?" vibes.

"No, stay there. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'll bring it."

Even drunk, the buttery lobster scent hit her hard—she snatched chopsticks like a baby bird eyeing food.

"Here, say if you want more. Plenty left."

From Lee Seo-yeon's words, it was "winner's prize" in name only—they planned to share from the start.

Lobster split in half, topped with creamy white sauce. Garlic butter and cheese mix, probably. Claws intact, the sheer presence with that smell was no joke.

"Looks delicious..."

"It is, so eat up. But why're you so drunk?"

"...I didn't drink that much...?"

Lee Seo-yeon's expression shifted oddly—she'd clocked the level instantly. If she doesn't know how drunk she is, that's all you need to know.

"Eat this, then sleepy folks can head to bed."

Filling up on premium steak like this was a first—like we were at a samgyeopsal joint devouring top-grade beef.

Newbie Yuna unnie ate heartily too, so the grilled meats were running low. Yoo Seol-ah nodding off now and then? Battery low.

"...Haa, ah... Hot...!"

...She's such a kid?

Yoo Seol-ah stuffed her spoon and chopsticks full of lobster meat, then gaped wide, sucking in night air to cool it. Still, she reaped the rewards, chowing down chunks.

"......"

Mouth agape, no words—just demolishing it. Must be that good.

"...Seo-yeon-ah, why's this so tasty?"

"Lobster butter grill's always like this. Good ingredients make it better."

I took a bite too and got it right away. Lee Seo-yeon's skill helped, but the springy, fresh lobster meat? Can't fake that without premium stuff.

She played it casual, but looked pleased inside. Partly 'cause Yoo Seol-ah called her by name.

We usually got full surnames from her. She gets shy dropping them with close folks—even begged Lee Seo-yeon for "Seo-yeon-ah," but no dice. Park Ha-rin too, unless elders. Rare sober treat, thanks to the booze breaking her walls.

"...Seol-ah, not sleepy yet?"

"...Kinda?"

We demolished the lobster like champs. Time to drag her to bed.

"I'll tuck her in first."

"Nah, we'll clean. Rest up."

Planned to help after, but the other three were set. Yoo Seol-ah clinging naturally, I hauled her inside—she dove straight for the bed.

"Brush your teeth first."

"...Hiiing..."

Adorable, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sure, but who's the maid here? Feels like childcare.

I hauled her up, shoved toothpaste-smeared brush in her hand. She finally brushed slow.

Brushing sobers her a bit—habit to make her do it pre-bed. Gargle done clean, she skipped changing, back to bed.

Lights off, I swapped to pajamas and slid in. Half-asleep eyes met mine, she grinned.

"...Master's so handsome...?"

...Wine's rare only from now on. Today's her drunkest, and not that much booze. Way too weak to it.

Drunk mind stuck on daily maid duty? Spouting "master" sober her wouldn't touch.

Staring, she pursed lips, closed eyes, tapped them with fingertips.

...If she were an alcoholic, my heart wouldn't survive.

Quick lip peck, she smiled satisfied and konked out.