[No title provided]
Are you really gonna do that to your cute wife...? Of course, I'd put a ton of effort into picking out my swimsuit for my own satisfaction—and for Baek Sion's sake too. But with him staring so blatantly, my plan to show it off casually just went up in smoke...
I'm the type who gets super timid whenever someone sets the stage for me, so stripping off the rash guard in a situation like this? Impossible.
"Ughhh..."
If I'd been born a cat, I definitely wouldn't have been a water-affinity one. Like when Baek Sion teases me in the tub and I duck underwater to calm down, floating around in the pool helped me steady my nerves bit by bit.
But saying stuff like 'No swimsuit looks bad on you' right in front of me... He gets embarrassed easily too, but he knows it hits me harder, so he pulls out lines like that for mutual destruction sometimes. It pisses me off.
"...Phew."
I felt my lips twitching up unconsciously, so I did a full somersault underwater and surfaced again. As I enjoyed the fresh air for a moment, Baek Sion's voice came from above.
"What was that? You swim pretty well, huh?"
"If I'd gone to the Olympics, I'd have rewritten Korean swimming history. I skipped it for balance."
Baek Sion had swum right up to the pool's edge. Was he reacting to my spin? I tossed out a casual reply, but he made some weird face after hearing it.
"...Why the face?"
"Nah, just felt like we were in a time loop or something..."
What in that convo could've given him déjà vu? But then Doyun oppa's voice came from behind him, and I got it.
"Guess it's true what they say—real couples start looking alike. Even personalities."
"...What're you talking about?"
I shouted back loud, but Doyun oppa just smirked. No way... Did Baek Sion say the same thing when they were hanging out without me? ...That I'm on the same level as Baek Sion when he's with the guys? I love the guy, but getting treated like some childish dude stings my pride a bit.
Lee Seo-yeon, who'd heard the story next to Doyun oppa, came over to me with a thrilled look.
"You two are both Olympic-level medal contenders, so just race each other."
"......"
Hearing they'd really said the same thing gave me a twinge of self-loathing. Technically, my birthday's earlier, so if we argue technicalities, I'm the older one.
"I was just kidding. Not on Yoo Seol-ah's level..."
"Obviously I was joking too!? My mental age is way higher...!"
"...Ah, sure."
"Eek!..."
I fired off a barrage of tiny water splashes at Baek Sion to hide my fluster, and he squeezed his eyes shut without even blocking, turning into a drowned rat.
"...Phew..."
After that, instead of chasing me right away, he glanced around. The spot we'd claimed wasn't great for photos or views, so no one else was around yet besides us. Just a no-diving sign, no lifeguards or anything. I'd checked on the way over—people were at the infinity pool and kids' area.
Fewer people the better for me, so good spot choice.
"You're done for if I catch you."
"Kyaa!?"
Confirming no one nearby, Baek Sion jumped in to grab me. I'd half-expected it and had been backing away slowly. He followed the no-diving rule strictly, climbing down the ladder nice and slow, so I gained some distance.
We weren't really swimming—more like splashing around underwater—so the gap didn't close or widen super fast. But his longer strides and strength meant he was inching closer anyway.
"...Wait, but you started it..."
I realized the pool wall was at my back and tried negotiating, but wrong opponent.
"Who was the one making that super shocked face?"
"...Don't remember that... S-seriously, stop coming closer?"
I splashed wildly to blind him, but he ignored it, barreled through the water wall, and ended up right in my face.
...No answer for this guy? Considering us, no classic romcom 'Catch me if you can' or 'Kyaa~' vibes. Baek Sion's probably plotting to lift and toss me.
I racked my brain, then swallowed my pride, cleared my throat, and went for it.
"...Y-you really gonna do that to your cute wife...?"
Me, Yoo Seol-ah. Second daughter of a family that's gotten plenty of cuteness points. But unlike my super aegyo-heavy big sis, aegyo just doesn't stick for me.
Even after meeting Baek Sion, I'd go for other affection over cutesy stuff—super rare for me. But with him eyeing me like he was gonna dunk me, I had no choice but to go full aegyo to melt his heart.
"...Ha..."
Baek Sion froze for a sec, then tried playing it off with a dumbfounded look while hiding his smirking lips. Super embarrassing, but no way it doesn't work on him.
But my husband? Not normal at all.
"...Hey, what're you doing?"
"......"
Bad vibes—I checked near his heart and realized he'd spread killing intent all over his body. He'd once explained to me that killing intent comes from mental calm, and with enough mastery, you can reverse it to regain composure.
But why now...? "...No need to go that far... Seriously, stooop!..."
Back to his normal face, Baek Sion slapped a hand on my shoulder. No big spells with people potentially around, so no escape for me.
"Kyaa!?... Ah, put me down for real...!"
He scooped me up princess-style. But when I begged to be put down, he raised his arms higher and straight-up floated me in the air.
"Seriously, save meee...! Don't just watch, help!..."
On rides, the scariest part's not the drop—it's the moment right before. With his height, I was clearly 50cm above the water. I froze to avoid slipping, begging the people outside the pool, but they just smiled warmly.
These people are evil... If this looks all lovey-dovey, your eyes are busted...! Plus, he was boosting his strength a bit—he could hover me for hours if he wanted.
Smug as hell, Baek Sion tossed me a pissy proposal in a triumphant voice.
"Last chance. One shot."
I didn't even start this—bow to that? "Sorry. I'll reflect forever... Hic!?"
...Shit. He didn't just drop me—he bounced me up like a trampoline. Felt like a full second airborne.
"You crazy bas— Mmph!..."
Couldn't finish—world went dark in a flash. When I resurfaced, my hair was plastered to my face like seaweed.
Baek Sion burst out laughing at me slowly combing it out.
"Hey, funny?"
"...No, sir."
His smug vibe vanished now that he had no excuse. But like rides, it was kinda fun after. Honestly, wanted seconds. Gets why kids love airplane games. Our kid, if we have one... Baek Sion'd be great at playtime.
"Whoa, doesn't look chilly at all?"
Yuna unnie's voice snapped me out of my daydream as she slipped into the water.
"Unnie, it suits you perfectly."
She'd turned a crop top and shorts into swimsuit vibes—one of my faves. Not her usual style, so her straight abs popped—sexy and fresh even to me as a girl. Cool faces pull off this coord so well.
She splashed me shyly, then flipped the question.
"Ehehe... Seol-ah, not taking that off?"
"...Oh, this."
Wasn't planning to keep the rash guard on forever, but stripping right after that chaos? Pride hit.
"...Someone dunked me, so nah."
"......"
Baek Sion looked subtly sulky. Yuna unnie smiled faintly, tilting her head.
"...You picked like ten and asked which was prettiest yesterday. You're gonna show Sion anyway... Pfft..."
"What the hell!?..."
True, I did work hard on it...! Sounded innocent, but she was totally teasing on purpose, so I splashed to shut her up.
"Quit that face...!"
Front or back, they were all smirking like they were holding back laughs. I decided to climb out again.