Chapter 235
You came to see swimsuits? ...It took quite a while to erase the word "soft and squishy" from my mind. To be honest, before meeting Baek Sion, I'd never even slipped a finger inside, so no one but him could comment on how my insides felt.
"...Hoo."
Taking a deep breath, I finally regained my composure, and a sense of relief washed over me. At least from what he'd said, it seemed like he really enjoyed it. It's common knowledge that if only one partner is satisfied in a couple's sex life, it can harm the relationship. No matter how you slice it, I naturally wanted to live happily with Baek Sion forever.
"But seriously...!"
"...Ugh."
But saying "soft and squishy" right in front of me!... The thought popped back into my head, so I landed one final pillow punch before heading to the bathroom to wash up and get ready for the day. After escaping the mana-drained sheets, Baek Sion's reflection soon appeared in the bathroom mirror.
"...When are we hitting the pool today?"
"We can go right now if you want."
"What about breakfast?"
"We can grab the buffet. I hear it's pretty good."
To be honest, this was my first real trip as an adult, so planning the itinerary felt awkward. When I was little, my parents usually took me everywhere. I hadn't told Baek Sion, but I had no idea where the breakfast was even served. I'm meticulous in some ways, but a bit scatterbrained in others.
"Then let's go eat. We should at least once."
"Got it."
"Do you know where it is?"
"......"
His expression made it clear he knew I had no clue. ...It was a little annoying that he saw me that way inside, but since it was true, I couldn't argue. I just shook my head obediently. Baek Sion continued without mocking me at all.
...Not mocking me somehow made it even more embarrassing.
"Get ready and we'll head over slowly."
"What about the others?"
"I'll text them."
Baek Sion turned around and started tapping on his phone. I just finished washing my face and trailed after him like a duckling. We found the restaurant—a vast space with floor-to-ceiling windows along one wall, tiered seating so every table had an unobstructed view.
"...Is this how 6-star hotels are?"
"First time seeing anything like this for me too."
I'd heard that 6-star was just a self-proclaimed title beyond the official 5-star max, but seeing this made it somewhat understandable. And apparently, there was another identical breakfast buffet on the opposite side, hinting at the hotel's massive scale.
"Seol-ah, you're cute even in the morning..."
"...What kind of line is that, straight out of the '90s..."
"Seol-ah wasn't around in the '90s."
"......"
Suddenly, someone kneaded my shoulders. Turning around, I saw Yuna unnie looking a bit sleepy. Lee Seo-yeon and Doyun oppa were strolling up behind her. Even disheveled, Yuna unnie somehow looked effortlessly stylish, which was the real mystery.
Once everyone gathered, Baek Sion collected our meal tickets, chatted briefly with the staff at the entrance, and we were in. Yuna unnie, overhearing Baek Sion, asked me,
"...Sion speaks Japanese well too?"
"Yeah. He took it as his second language in high school."
But even to me, confident in my own Japanese, his level was way beyond high school basics. Conversational fluency was no issue, and his reading and writing were near-native for daily life. He tossed around words that never show up in anime, so he'd clearly studied extra on his own. Unlike me, he was just naturally good at studying.
"You guys go ahead."
"Okay."
With five of us, Baek Sion and Doyun oppa took a two-person table while the three of us girls headed to grab food first. Truth be told, my buffet picks are always the same: meats, fried stuff, noodles, fried rice—the obvious crowd-pleasers. Fruits and salads? I never bother at buffets.
We returned to the table around the same time, and Lee Seo-yeon eyed my plate with commentary.
"Perfect diet for a growing kid."
"...Even non-growing people can eat this...!"
If I could grow just 3.1cm more, I'd eat double this. Sadly, my growth spurt's long over.
Unlike me, the other two had salads, bread, soup—proper breakfast fare.
"...Now I look like the picky eater."
"You are picky. You never eat veggies."
"......"
But veggies have never tasted good to me—what can I do? Instead of explaining, I popped a chashu-like piece of meat into my mouth. Lee Seo-yeon, who'd been staring, tilted her head.
"...But why's your skin so flawless now?"
"......"
"It's always been great, but today it's like porcelain."
Caught up savoring the umami bomb, I replayed her words and panicked.
"Kek!"
"...Here, drink this."
Lee Seo-yeon and Yuna unnie thrust their juices at me simultaneously. I grabbed the nearest one, chugged it, and calmed my choking.
"...Thanks, both of you."
"Just drink it. But is that such a shocking question?"
"...N-no, it just went down the wrong pipe..."
Then it hit me: This was the first time I'd tumbled in bed the night before and met people right after waking up. The essence absorption effects hadn't fully worn off yet, so my skin probably looked even better than usual. I sometimes scare myself in the morning mirror—glowing without a drop of skincare.
Of course, I couldn't say that outright, so I mind-controlled myself into a vague reply.
"...Probably 'cause I washed up before coming out."
"I rolled straight out of bed when you texted. You're so diligent."
Luckily, Yuna unnie bought it. But locking eyes with Lee Seo-yeon sparked an inexplicable unease.
"......"
Did she notice something...? She wasn't saying anything, but her gaze screamed it. She didn't know about my succubus perks yet—did my fluster give it away?
...Why's her intuition so sharp when it's not about her?
I don't expect much from hotel breakfast buffets no matter the price, but this one was surprisingly satisfying. The ramen especially—unlimited refills on order, and tastier than back in Korea.
I noticed Yoo Seol-ah dodging glances from me and Lee Seo-yeon, but she's the type who gets weirdly self-conscious sometimes, so I didn't dwell on it.
"Hyung and Nagi say they'll head out soon."
"Wanna kill time somehow? There's bowling, karaoke, stuff like that."
"Let's check it out."
The hotel was huge, packed with time-wasters like bowling alleys and karaoke rooms. Majority vote: karaoke for all five. My voice was still rough from morning, so I focused on tambourine duty.
Yoo Seol-ah was shy at first but sang along fine—clearly comfy with this crew.
"Ah, unnie's here. Gotta go to another building anyway?"
"Yeah. Grab swimsuits and meet there."
We popped back to our rooms for swimsuits and gear, then headed down. Do-yoon hyung and I linked up with Tsuki hyung and hit the men's lockers to change. Simple swimsuits and rash guards—no fuss, quick pool entry.
Girls would take double the time, so we snagged sunbeds and slipped into the near-empty pool. Perfect timing—everyone else was out touring.
"You guys swim much?"
"I'd have medaled at the Olympics."
Guy talk. The pool was classic, no frills, so we all prepped in the water like it was a race. I held my own, but Tsuki hyung crushed it.
"...How are you this fast...?"
"This is real doggy paddle."
Freestyle, no beastkin powers obvious, but he invoked his breed, so I nodded. Funny how cat-type Yoo Seol-ah loves water.
"Already playing around?"
Deep in swim debate, Yuna noona called from above. We surfaced to help with bags. She smirked, claiming a whole sunbed. Three left.
"Couples share the rest~"
Yuna noona's all about pushing pairs. Only one official couple (us), but her chipper tone had everyone pairing off naturally. Tsuki hyung's awkwardness was hilarious.
Yoo Seol-ah caught my eye briefly, then shared some intel, misreading my gaze.
"I picked a super cute one for Roha unnie."
"For real?"
"Yeah. But it's to hook Aisaka-ssi, so don't stare too hard."
"I came to see your swimsuit anyway?"
Everyone was rash-guard-clad for now. Not lip service—this was chance two to ogle Yoo Seol-ah's suit. Rare opportunity, not enough eyes for her perfection. She'd picked it herself, and her fashion sense never fails.
Thought it was a solid answer, but it hit her hard.
"...I-if you say that, taking it off feels too intense...!"
"No swimsuit wouldn't suit you."
"U-ugh..."
Double whammy floored her—she didn't even remove the rash guard, just zombie-stumbled away, splashed into the pool, and floated off back-first.
...Drifting like a corpse with just her back showing is kinda spooky. Strangers might think accident.