Chapter 34
"What I want to eat... you? 'Pounce...!' Since she can't win with just innocent splashing, Yoo Seol-ah goes all out and unleashes magic.
Before I can even complain about it being unfair or sneaky, warm carbonated onsen water orbs are already hurtling toward my head and upper body. They're not incredibly fast, of course, but each one is about the size of a baseball.
Ever since she got soaked in that basketball bet earlier, I've been fully aware Yoo Seol-ah could whip out magic anytime. That's why I've already prepared countermeasures by the time she was shivering and drenched.
I gather my killing intent, letting it seep into my heart first, then spreading it to my head with a single thump. One deep breath.
"Hoo..."
My stray thoughts vanish with the exhale, cooling my mind to ice. The orbs are still flying at me, but they've visibly slowed. Or rather, my accelerated perception makes them seem slow only to me.
She splits the mass into multiple orbs, targets them, then fires—a combo Yoo Seol-ah used constantly in battle back in Astasia. Those water droplets would chase me to the ends of the earth, so dodging's off the table.
Sure, taking the hits wouldn't hurt at all—just feel like a hot shower—but with my pride on the line, I'm not standing still.
Eleven orbs total. Four coming straight at me, seven curving in arcs to loop back. More targeting above and behind—probably habit. Since vision faces forward, rear attacks are always deadlier against any opponent.
No time to waste, so I burst the highest-flying one first. My umbrella-shaped killing intent shatters it, raining onsen water down around me like a storm. That clears the top; now just front and back remain.
I could pop the rest with a full killing intent burst, but if that were the plan, I'd have thrown up a barrier and called it a day.
Splash!
Palm flat, I carefully control my strength and slap the water's surface. The resulting wave surges high, blocking every incoming orb in a circular artificial swell around me.
Now for the last one, inches from my crown. Yoo Seol-ah clearly had no intent to hurt me—it's laced with just the barest mana for propulsion. Reversing magic takes several times the caster's power, but this much? I could do it blindfolded.
I casually redirect the orb right back at Yoo Seol-ah.
"Tch..."
She'd half-expected me to block it, clicking her tongue as she pumps in more mana to regain control. It's a tug-of-war now—the warm onsen droplet twitching every time one of us adds power, drifting every which way.
It's been ages since I flexed like this. My mind's cool as steel, but my blood's boiling in contrast. Pure pride clash—no one's backing down—so the orb's wobble widens until it veers off entirely.
A moment later, a splatter echoes from somewhere. We both whip our heads toward the sound, spotting Lee Seo-yeon there, hair and face utterly soaked, one hand sweeping wet bangs from her forehead.
"Haa..."
...Oh crap.
"...Both of you, over here."
"...Sorry."
"Sorry..."
We slink out of the carbonated bath like scolded pups, heading to the bath with Lee Seo-yeon and Doyun-hyung. No order given, but we're already kneeling on the bath floor.
"It'd been so long since I used my powers, I got a little carried away..."
"Sorry... But she started it..."
"Does that matter right now?"
"No, sorry..."
Lee Seo-yeon sighs, eyeing us. Then the sparks fly elsewhere.
"Wait, thinking about it—why's hyung totally fine?"
Good point. They were together, so if she got hit, water should've splashed Doyun-hyung too. Not a drop on him, though.
Doyun-hyung explains with total confidence.
"Figured something might come this way, so I was ready to block."
"You knew it was coming and only blocked for yourself?"
"......Obviously you'd block yours too..."
"Truth serum—why'd you only block yourself?"
"Eup!... Thought it'd be kinda funny if you got hit..."
"...Kneel."
"Yes, ma'am..."
Starts bold, ends pathetic. Guy's good at heart, but definitely not all there.
Now three sinners kneeling side-by-side in atonement. Lee Seo-yeon's lecture begins.
"No one's around, so splashing in an empty bath is whatever... but letting it spill over here......"
It dragged on. Gotta avoid pissing her off from now on.
Lecture over, we hop bath-to-bath, savoring the soak. The open-air mix of chilly tops and steamy bottoms is addictive, plus we had tons to chat about—time flew.
"Time to head out?"
"Yeah. It's almost dinner already, right?"
"Yep. You and Seol-ah need to prep."
"Got ingredients?"
"Two fridges full, mostly food. Booze and drinks too."
Cooking class with Yoo Seol-ah it is, then. Her magic suggests skill, but with her track record of weird spells, I'm worried. Gotta teach her right—I've got that romantic itch for packing each other lunches.
"Anyway, we'll shower properly at home and change into PJs, so rinse off quick."
True. Unless we're crashing exhausted, we need comfy clothes—and another rinse. The girls emerge around the same time as us.
Sudden curiosity hits.
"What're we doing after dinner?"
"Got something I've been dying to do. I'll spill after we eat."
It's about 5:30 now. Even with prep and eating, bedtime's far off—plenty of time for whatever Lee Seo-yeon has in mind. Her bubbly personality makes it impossible to guess.
Back home, we shake off post-bath lethargy by sprawling on the sofa and floor. Even rich folks plop on the ground using the couch as a backrest—universal Korean trait?
Minutes later, Lee Seo-yeon groans upright, dragging me and Yoo Seol-ah to the kitchen.
"Lemme explain the setup first."
Perfect—it's huge with every gadget; needed the rundown. Gas stove and induction.
"Seol-ah, stick to induction just in case. Baek Sion, you good with gas?"
"Induction's comfy for other stuff, but not cooking... Used gas at home."
"...You actually cook properly? Less worry then."
Her gaze softens on me. Yoo Seol-ah just tilts her head like "huh?"
"What's wrong with induction?"
Safe, but loaded with downsides for real cooking. Folks like Lee Seo-yeon barely need it.
"No direct flame, no wok tossing, need special pans..."
Yoo Seol-ah looks shocked.
"...You really know your way around a kitchen?"
"Told you I do."
"Thought you were bluffing..."
"Me, bluff?"
Another near-spat, but kitchen's hazardous—I yield. Lee Seo-yeon kindly demos the fridge stock, then heads back.
"Menu's on you. With Baek Sion here, I trust it. I'm out."
"Cool. Rest up."
Bet's a bet. First, menu—easy for four, nothing too tough.
"Yoo Seol-ah, anything you crave?"
"Um... anything's fine..."
"No 'anything'—pick something you want."
She clams up, pondering. Opens her mouth.
"What I want to eat... you? ......No, sorry."
Takes a sec to process, then her slight blush hits me. If you're dropping a sex joke, own it... Getting embarrassed yourself is just ridiculous.
Last time she went wild at night, then shy by morning—daytime prude needing booze, maybe?
Seeing my face, she puffs her cheeks.
"...Why the look? Can't I joke? Shouldn't you like it when I make 'em?"
"Can't cook, can't joke."
"......Hey."
...Too harsh? But she doesn't sulk long. Phones up menus, speaks.
"Tteokbokki seems easy?"
"Solid choice. Tteokbokki it is."
"Love me some tteokbokki."
"Broth style, then. Booze later, so add a few sides."
I grab an apron from the hook, call her.
"C'mere."
She steps up; I loop it round her neck, spin her by the shoulders, tie it neat in back.
Don't care if my clothes get messy—no apron for me. But she grabs a matching one.
Wiggling fingers down—wants to tie mine.
"Don't really need it."
"...God, why so oblivious? Just lean down."
"......"
Height diff says I'd do better tying hers, but refusing feels risky—I duck obediently. She ties a perfect bow, beaming satisfied.
Craving that couple-look vibe... Simple aprons as matching outfits? Her grin's so cute, my lips curl up too.