[Couple Maker]
As for me, it's a bit awkward to say it myself, but lately, I've been feeling with my whole body that Yoo Seol-ah is showing a ton of signs that she likes me. So, I half-expected she'd put a ridiculous amount of thought into picking out her swimsuit this time too. I still vividly remember how tense she got before letting me take off her rash guard at the open-air bath during our last trip to Lee Seo-yeon's place—and how she lit up when she saw I couldn't take my eyes off her suit. Of course, it was incredibly stimulating for me too. Crop top on top, dolphin pants below. Similar to what Yuna-unnie is wearing now, but with an even sexier vibe.
But after hearing it confirmed straight from Yuna-unnie, who picked it out with her, I couldn't help the smile creeping onto my face. I fixed my expression too late, though—Yoo Seol-ah was already pouting.
"Ah, don't make that face...!"
She huffed and puffed, blasting water bombs at me like a fire hose while barely flicking a few drops at Yuna-unnie with her fingertips, then stomped off toward the ladder. ...It's kinda ridiculous how I go soft around pretty girls, but I blame it on not being born a pushover myself. I slowly followed after Yoo Seol-ah.
The two almost-couples were still lounging on the sunbeds, chatting away. Yoo Seol-ah, dripping wet from head to toe, alternated glances between our trio and the four over there before suddenly slipping into sage mode.
"...I'm not the only one thinking that, right?"
"That the three of us are the kids?"
"......"
When a big family hits the pool, the little kids always dive right in with stars in their eyes, while the adults claim spots and talk. I felt the same vibe, but hey, keeping that childlike wonder forever is the real win. A voice from behind backed me up perfectly.
"They're the ones who lost their innocence growing up. We're the pure ones."
I and Yoo Seol-ah whipped our heads toward the voice. Yuna-unnie locked eyes with her for a second, then pulled a blatantly hurt face.
"...Sorry. Calling 27-year-olds 'old' in front of fresh babies like you..."
"Ah, no, unnie, it was just a joke...!"
"...Too late."
Yoo Seol-ah floundered as Yuna-unnie moped dramatically. I caught the suppressed grin on Yuna-unnie's face up close—it was pro-level acting that could fool even Yoo Seol-ah. Lee Seo-yeon pulls the same fake-pout routine a lot, probably because Yoo Seol-ah makes such a perfect sandbag. Watching her panic is entertaining enough that I get why they do it.
"...Ah, unnieee..."
Finally, Yoo Seol-ah slyly tugged Yuna-unnie's arm toward her. Those sparkling puppy eyes and extra-sweet voice combo disarmed Yuna-unnie in seconds.
"...Haa..."
Personally, I think Yoo Seol-ah pulling that is straight-up cheating. When you're hit with it, no amount of mind control keeps the smile off your face. Earlier, her aegyo nearly had me tossing her into the pool without even channeling killing intent to snap out of it. She needs that elementary-school-kid energy to keep things balanced. Yuna-unnie couldn't hide her laugh either, flashing a mock-offended look before eyeing me and Yoo Seol-ah back and forth.
"They say cohabiting couples fight a lot, but I bet you've never even gotten mad, Sion."
It's been a good while since we reconnected, and yeah, we've never seriously raised our voices. Not because she defuses my anger—situations that'd piss me off just don't happen. We bicker verbally, sure, but our habits mesh perfectly. I figure it's her thoughtful, considerate side shining through more than anything, but how well we click is still mind-blowing.
"...Yeah, never."
Yoo Seol-ah answered for me, but for some reason, she looked oddly deflated.
Right after Yuna-unnie said it, I nodded along. If I had to scrape the barrel, maybe that one time Baek Sion scolded me for secretly picking onions out of the omelet rice he made. But when Yuna-unnie checked my face, she tilted her head.
"No fights is good, right?"
"...O-of course! ...It's good..."
...Did my face stiffen unconsciously? I plastered on an awkward smile to reset. No way could I admit—even to close Yuna-unnie—that I was kinda hoping Baek Sion would get mad sometimes... Thankfully, she didn't even consider someone might want that, and I seized the lull to hustle toward the sunbeds.
"Not swimming here?"
Listening in, it sounded like game talk. ...Workaholics. Hard work's fine, but you gotta play to de-stress.
Ro-ha-unnie, glancing my way, answered with a shy flush.
"Ah, I'm not great at swimming..."
"...Huh, I am. So if you want... Eek!?"
Before I could offer lessons, a poke jabbed my waist from behind. I yelped, blushing as I spun around.
"...What the heck...!"
"Come here for a sec."
It was Baek Sion's finger, of course, but he didn't bat an eye—dragged me aside instead.
"...Why?"
"Tsuki-hyung is actually great at swimming."
It took a beat, but replaying his whisper, I got my blunder. ...Can't steal a premium event like 'swim lessons' from him. Baek Sion, fellow romcom addict, slid in smoothly beside me.
"Tsuki-hyung is really good at swimming."
"...Really?"
They hadn't gone swimming together since childhood, so this was prime opportunity. Teaching means unavoidable body contact—especially the hand-holding float assist. With Baek Sion nudging like this despite barely talking to him, Ro-ha-unnie locked eyes with Aisaka.
"Teach me?"
"...Sure, if you want."
Luckily, Aisaka wasn't the type to back out, sealing the 1-on-1 lesson.
"You two do it over there. We'll head that way to play."
"...Ah, okay."
Just vacate naturally, and mission accomplished. Lee Seo-yeon and Do-yoon-oppa rose with intrigued grins, following us to the pool's far side. There, Ro-ha-unnie reached for her rash guard zipper. Sound didn't carry, but as her pale shoulders emerged, the air around those two crackled with heat.
...My fashion sense skews guy-like in spots, so it should hook Aisaka fine. Nape, sides, underarms—all subtly erotic exposures hard to ignore.
"Whew, it's hot."
Yuna-unnie, peeking like me, teased at their stiff postures. With the urgent couple sorted, we dove back in, feeling light.
...But why aren't the others in the water? Baek Sion handled that pair; my turn to prod this one. More people means more fun anyway.
"Mom and Dad not coming in?"
Lee Seo-yeon cocked her head, then blushed faintly once she caught on.
"What mom?! ...Your birthday's even earlier than mine."
She grumbled, but clearly pleased—Do-yoon-oppa as 'dad' thrilled her. Teasing couple vibes like this plants seeds for closeness.
"Take off your rash guard, and I'll jump in."
But Lee Seo-yeon countered with a weird condition. ...Fun making couples, but involving myself changes the vibe. Not quite ready to flash Baek Sion my suit...
"...No, Baek Sion's not off either. If he takes his off, I will too."
I roped him in, but Lee Seo-yeon smirked slyly.
"Seol-ah, what're you saying outdoors..."
"Aaaah! ...You brought up rash guards! What's weird about taking it off...?"
She started it, now painting me as the perv. Do I look like a creep? Rash guards aren't sexy anyway.
"It's a bit uncomfortable swimming in it."
"Yeah. You first."
If Baek Sion goes, I can reveal mine more casually. Don't want it feeling staged. With Yuna-unnie off frolicking fish-like, he unzipped smoothly.
...Mm.
"...Wait. Put it back on."
"......?"
Obedient as ever, he gave me a weird look but rezipped. No way could I tell him why. His wet, toned torso—zero flab, ripped abs—stirred weird thoughts. Absolutely not.
"Hoo..."
If I hadn't tasted real succubus mana... I wouldn't have warped from the symbol of purity like this.