[No title provided]
The goodnight kiss... I didn't get the full details, but it seems like Aisaka went with joining up in the end, too. Even if they can't pour time into the game every day like us, just being able to share opinions now and then is more than enough. As illustrators, I'm really looking forward to bringing out the beastkin characters' personalities even more.
No matter how fun the project looks, it's only natural to be grateful.
"...But unnie, you're really not busy?"
"We're both a bit workaholic, so we knocked out a ton of progress ahead of time. Should be fine for a while."
"I see..."
...Pros really are on another level. Since they serialize on personal pages, they probably won't face any backlash from above even if they skip uploads for a bit. The only ones who'd be sad are the waiting fans.
Lee Seo-yeon, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, chimed in softly while staring off into space.
"That's not how it goes in real life, huh."
"...Seo-yeon?"
Lee Seo-yeon just screams dealer no matter how you look at her. Roha unnie shot her a sudden glare with teary eyes as Seo-yeon murmured low, holding back a laugh.
Maybe the fact that she and Aisaka made zero progress over those three years is unnie's sore spot? Even considering their awkward history after breaking up once, their real-life progress is painfully slow.
"...You know I'm joking, right?"
Realizing she'd hit a nerve, Seo-yeon immediately pulled Roha unnie into a light hug to apologize. As someone who's been on the receiving end plenty of times, I have to say Seo-yeon's hugs feel a bit like cheating. Especially since she's so tall—when she wraps up shorties like us, that soft sensation against your face melts away any tension in seconds.
It's not just guys who fall for "wanna touch?" lines. The plush feel of boobs has this universal mood-boosting effect. And Seo-yeon even smells amazing, different from Baek Sion in a good way. We're both women, but she feels like a whole other species... like Astasia's elves with that figure.
Roha unnie's irritation vanished in an instant, proving Seo-yeon's ultimate move works on anyone. It's hilarious that she can't even manage small skinship with her main target, Doyun oppa.
"So, what now?"
"It's not that late yet... Did you bring swimsuits?"
"...Swimsuits? No...?"
Come to think of it, I'd heard the hotel pool was amazing, but since we were matching Roha unnie's schedule, I hadn't planned on going. We weren't this close before meeting in person, and I'm not outgoing enough to hit the pool with near-strangers.
But now? It'd be a blast.
"Wanna go buy some? We can grab 'em today and hit the pool tomorrow."
"But unnie, can you and Aisaka even get in?"
"Yeah. It's pricey for just pool access, but doable."
Money really does solve almost everything. They prioritize hotel guests, so of course it's expensive, but cash isn't an issue for them.
The hotel's so massive, you can spot the pool right away from the windows—it looks incredible. We played around today, sure, but it was a big day recruiting talent. Tomorrow, we can go all out.
Roha unnie glanced at the guys and asked cautiously, "Did everyone forget swimsuits?"
"...Probably. Don't think they packed any."
I know for a fact Baek Sion didn't. I answered without thinking, but Seo-yeon pulled that look again.
"Ooh... living together flex..."
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
If I had to pick the person whose real job in Astasia matches their personality the least, it'd be Seo-yeon, hands down. A saintess? No way... Fallen saintess, maybe. She's firing shots left and right even now.
"Go ask them quick."
"Huh?"
"If they have swimsuits."
We decided to send Seo-yeon over, and she hopped up right away.
"Guys, got swimsuits?"
"Nah."
Figured as much. Guess we need a mall run. Big ones have swimsuits galore. And pretty ones would be fun to browse.
The girls, including me, were hyped and ready to head out, but the guys looked wiped. Can't stay cooped up if the host is leaving, though, so we all followed to the mall.
Seo-yeon, watching the guys, approached Doyun oppa as our rep.
"You're just grabbing any old swimsuit, right?"
"As long as it's comfy."
"They say floor 5 has tons to do. You three go play."
The guys' faces lit up instantly at Seo-yeon's words.
...They really hate shopping. Makes sense—we'd take over an hour trying stuff on, leaving them stuck buying the first thing and waiting.
Plus, swimsuits are best revealed with a ta-da! at the pool. Easier to pick without guys around.
The guys beelined to a swimsuit store, grabbed bags in minutes, and vanished into the elevator.
"...Did they even pick?"
"They probably chose by their standards."
Living with Baek Sion taught me guys' shopping logic. If something seems fine and not ridiculously pricey, boom—done. Maybe try two or three more. I've never seen him try on five like I do. Shopping's about buying, not browsing, for them.
"Unnie, you're buying too, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Gotta show Aisaka. That's why we're hitting the pool, yeah?"
"...W-well..."
She'd cancel if we hated swimming, but yeah, that factored in. Roha unnie froze up, then mumbled with a flushed face.
"...I've never shown him a swimsuit."
"For real?"
"Just family trips as kids..."
First swimsuit reveal event, then! Impossible not to get butterflies seeing it, so prime opportunity.
"Then we have to shop. We'll pick for you."
"...Okay."
As a romcom artist, she gets the weight of a first swimsuit. Manga creators go all-out on those beach debut scenes in summer arcs.
Seo-yeon and Yuna unnie rock clothes anyway, and as a fashion major, I've got pride to uphold. Time to shine.
We hit the flashiest store, parked Roha unnie against the wall, and started scouting.
"...Bikinis are a bit much for me."
First swimsuit as a super-revealing bikini? Bold, but no. Not summer yet, doesn't suit the season, and she doesn't want it. Pass.
Better: subtle cutouts on the back or sides to grab eyes without overkill.
"Unnie's waist is so tiny, anything'll look great."
"Right?"
Pretty waistline is cheat-mode; hard to find mismatches. But we're aiming to hook Aisaka for sure.
I grabbed two perfect picks while scouting.
"Monokini for sexier vibes, shorts and crop top for cuter... Which?"
"...Both cute? You picked crazy fast..."
"My expertise."
Roha unnie looked impressed. Time to flex my skills.
Frilly ones add volume, but guys often skip frills, so nixed. These two are safe bets.
"This one."
"...Crop for me."
Seo-yeon and Yuna unnie split, so Roha unnie chose. After deep thought, she snatched my monokini.
"...Unnie, bold choice?"
"...J-just this one?"
"Kidding. Monokini's cute—try it."
Her pick: one-shoulder monokini with cutouts on left shoulder and right side. Way less revealing than bikini, but one-shoulders snag eyes instantly. Her shoulders are killer, too.
All factors considered, she'll love it.
"...How's it?"
Roha unnie peeked from the curtain, beckoning. I dashed in, scanned her swimsuit look, and stumbled out slack-jawed.
"...Approved."
No joke—this'd hook anyone sane. The other two peeked, matched my face, and bailed.
Roha unnie loved it too; straight to checkout, no more browsing.
"Now you pick mine, unnie."
"...Sure?"
"You dress great."
With time to kill, Roha unnie got my picks. She came back with a stack.
...Not one or two—fashion show time. Seo-yeon and Yuna unnie were at another store, so Roha unnie got the front-row view.
"Seol-ah really knows romance..."
"...Y-yeah?"
True—among us four, I've got the best results. Only one guy, but first love lasting forever? Ideal.
"Gotta be proactive. Tease a bit to seize chances."
I shrugged into amateur love advice mode. Roha unnie eyed my shorts swimsuit, tilting her head.
"...With that body, aren't you tempting 24/7 without trying?"
"......"
"If I were a guy, I couldn't keep hands off."
High praise, but I froze. Baek Sion leaves me be just fine...?
What is he, then? Roha unnie caught my face and tilted again.
"...Or not?"
"What'd you get for swimsuit?"
"Not showing till tomorrow."
Swimsuit haul and sushi done, back in the hotel room with Baek Sion. Chatting with Roha unnie earlier got me curious...
...What if I slipped him truth serum? Would he pounce like crazy?
He's not asexual—just less revved than me, but still a perv. And I'm still mortified from showing my embarrassing side alone. My bad, sure, but fairness demands his black history too. Plus, two birds...
"...Heh."
Baek Sion was face-down on the bed. I pondered, then ducked into the bathroom to whip up a milder pill. Too strong, and even touching me, he'd sense the magic.
...But how to dose? Mouth-to-mouth highest odds...
Plans swirled, but big gains need small sacrifices. I changed into comfy clothes like prepping for bed, popped the pill in my mouth, and slipped beside him.
...Embarrassing, but endure, Seol-ah.
"Night."
"Night."
"...Just sleep?"
"......"
Our eyes met; he tilted his head.
...Eye contact alone heats my face up.
"The goodnight kiss..."
I'd begged for goodnight kisses when tipsy, but sober? Face-exploding. Luckily, he smirked softly and pulled my nape in gentle.