Chapter 16: Your Muscles Are Really Tense
Chapter 16: Your Muscles Are Really Tense
The vibration in my pocket confirmed the payment had gone through.
"Would you like a receipt?"
"No, you can throw it away."
"Yes."
I could always check the payment details on my phone anyway. No need to carry around extra clutter.
"Thank you. Please come again."
"Thanks. Hope you sell a lot."
I took my card back and stepped out of the butcher shop. As I walked home, I glanced at the bag in my hand.
'This should be enough for three people to eat their fill. Definitely cheaper than eating out.'
For the price of a single serving at a restaurant, I'd gotten 750 grams.
'Cleaning up is gonna be a hassle, but... I'll worry about that later.'
I left the cleanup to Future Me and walked home with light steps. By the time I reached the rooftop, the sun was dipping low.
"You're back?"
Ha-rin peeked down from the stairs.
"You were up here?"
"Nothing better to do. I was waiting."
Black cotton tee, gray dolphin shorts. My gaze instinctively flickered toward her pale thighs before I forced it away.
"Where's the meat?"
"Here."
I handed her the bag.
"Whoa, why'd you buy so much?"
"The separately packed portion is for your mom."
"Mom?"
"Yeah. Can't just keep taking without giving back. Is she home?"
A one-sided relationship wouldn't last.
"She went out for dinner plans."
"She left?"
"Yeah. Should I put it in the fridge?"
"Whatever's easier for you."
"I'll leave it there. Just give her this later?"
"Yeah, that'll work."
Ha-rin took the meat and headed downstairs. I turned and opened my door, hanging my jacket on the rack. Feeling lighter, I went to grab the portable gas burner.
'Pretty sure I left it here.'
Found it quickly. The butane canister too. I carried both outside. Better to eat on the terrace—less lingering smells, and the view made it more romantic.
A plate on the table caught my eye—rice and fresh greens for wraps.
'Ha-rin must've brought these.'
I set up the burner and attached the butane. Footsteps echoed from the stairs—Ha-rin was back.
"You've already got it ready."
"I'm hungry. Let's get this going."
"Need the frying pan?"
"Yeah."
I headed back inside.
"Grab some chopsticks and spoons while you're at it. And the side plates."
"Got it."
'Gas is working fine.'
"Two plates enough?"
"Yeah."
With both of us working, prep was quick. There wasn't much to begin with.
We sat across from each other, placing the meat on the sizzling pan.
The sound of searing fat and the rich aroma made my mouth water. I swallowed hard and added the last pieces.
"You got pork belly and... what else?"
"Neck."
"Neck has more protein, right?"
"Probably?"
I wasn't entirely sure.
"Then I'll eat a lot. For you, Oppa."
"Gonna use me as an excuse?"
"Yep."
She grinned. I chuckled and flipped the meat. Ha-rin, restless, did the same.
Soon, the meat was golden brown.
"Want a drink?"
"I've got work tomorrow. Just cola."
"Cola's fine too."
"Watch the meat. I'll grab it."
"Okay."
I handed her the tongs and went to the fridge inside, pulling out two cans.
"Here."
"Thanks."
I cracked open a can while checking the meat. The hiss of carbonation sounded from her side too.
"Cheers?"
"Cheers."
We clinked cans and took a sip. The sweet, fizzy chill slid down my throat.
"Refreshing."
As we drank, the meat finished cooking.
"Ready to eat."
"Thanks for the meal."
"Eat up."
'She's making wraps, huh?'
She grabbed a lettuce leaf from the side plate, adding two pieces of meat, ssamjang, garlic, and a bit of rice. She rolled it and held it out.
"You worked hard today. Say 'ah.'"
"That's for me?"
'Weird. She usually prefers perilla leaves.'
"Who else is here?"
Fair point. I opened my mouth, and she stuffed the wrap in.
"Good?"
"Of course."
The tender meat and ssamjang paired perfectly, the rice adding just the right texture.
While chewing, I grabbed a perilla leaf, stacking meat, ssamjang, and rice before rolling it.
"Your turn. Say 'ah.'"
"Ah..."
She opened her mouth eagerly, cheeks puffing as she chewed.
'Cute.'
Like a hamster storing sunflower seeds.
"Tastes better when you make it."
"Then try this."
I offered her a leaf stuffed with just garlic.
"...You trying to kill me?"
Her smirk was terrifying.
"Kidding."
We joked and chatted as we ate. By the time we finished, only a few pieces remained. Ha-rin set down her chopsticks.
"I'm done."
"Full already?"
"Yeah. I'll burst."
She patted her stomach, though her outfit hid any actual change. She caught me looking.
"What're you staring at?"
"You said you'd burst."
"You perv."
She grinned like she'd caught me red-handed.
"How is that perverted?"
I popped the last piece of meat into my mouth.
"Let's clean up."
"Okay."
It wasn't hard—just plates, utensils, and wiping the pan with a paper towel before washing.
Just tedious.
'Finally done.'
The pan was spotless, smooth and squeaky clean.
"All done? Even the table?"
"Obviously."
"Good job."
Bending over the sink left my neck and arms stiff. Rolling them helped a little.
"Neck sore?"
"Yeah, must be from hunching."
"Want a massage?"
"You know how?"
I didn't recall her ever training professionally.
"Not professionally. Just basics."
"Sure, why not?"
"Lie face down on the bed. And take off your shirt."
"Why the shirt?"
Hard to take that at face value. Past experiences colored my suspicion.
"I need to apply lotion. What're you thinking, you perv?"
"Really?"
I stripped off my button-up and white tee, then lay down. Ha-rin climbed on top.
"Your head's full of weird ideas."
The sound of fabric sliding off. Her black tee landed beside the bed.
"Then why are you undressing?"
"...Lotion stains."
Another item dropped—gray fabric. Definitely her dolphin shorts.
"Pants too?"
"Yeah. Laundry's a pain."
'This isn't a normal massage.'
Not that I minded. The thought of her in just underwear had blood rushing south. The sound of lotion being rubbed between her hands reached my ears.
"Relax, sir."
"Yes."
Her fingers pressed into my shoulders. The cool lotion made me flinch briefly before she started kneading.
"Your shoulders are really tight."
The "sir" and formal speech meant she was roleplaying.
"Yes, it's been a while since my last massage."
'...She's good.'
Her small hands worked skillfully, loosening the knots.
"You're better than I expected."
"Of course."
The praise seemed to boost her confidence. She expanded her focus to my neck and back.
Her breathing and the creaking bed beneath us were intoxicating.
"You're enjoying this, huh?"
"It's nice."
"Then how about taking off your pants?"
"Why?"
"Your legs need work too. Unless you'd rather not."
"Hold on."
I slid them off. She helped.
"Your legs are really tight."
"Office life, I guess."
'Where next?'
She worked my neck, shoulders, arms, legs, back—everywhere.
"Turn over? I can't reach the front."
"Should I?"
I flipped onto my back. Now I could see her properly.
Her flushed face.
Her eyes locked onto mine.
Her chest, slightly compressed by gravity.
The faint outline of her nipples through her white lace bra.
Her toned stomach and delicate navel.
The matching white panties.
Her lotion-glistened hands, arms, thighs.
"Do you always dress like this for massages?"
"No. Just for special clients ♥"
"I'm honored."
She straddled my hips, kneading my arms. After a moment, I spoke.
"Arms are fine. There's a tight spot here—can you work on it?"
"Where?"
"Here. My tongue."
I stuck it out, curious how she'd react. Her eyes widened briefly before curving into crescents.
"Oh, your tongue's tense ♥ But this area's sensitive—hands won't do ♥ Needs a special treatment ♥"
"Really?"
"I'll take care of it ♥"
She leaned down, lips inches from mine.
"Just for you, sir ♥"
Our mouths met. Maybe from the meat, but I caught a hint of garlic. Then her saliva overwhelmed it as our tongues tangled.
Schllrp ♥ Schlup ♥ Chup ♥ Schluup ♥
After a minute, she pulled back, dazed.
"Garlic breath... ♥"
"Want me to brush?"
I hadn't thought about it. Garlic lingers. For someone who rarely ate it, it must've been strong.
"No, it's fine ♥"
Eyes fluttering shut, she kissed me again.
Jjolp ♥ Jjoop ♥ Haa ♥ Schlup ♥ Schllrp ♥ Bae ♥
'I'm gonna lose it.'
Her saliva dripped with every movement.
Her breath hot against my face.
Her body heat searing my thighs.
It was maddening. I reached for her chest.
"Hng ♥"
She shuddered but didn't stop me.
'Not helping.'
My cock was painfully hard now. The more I touched, the worse it got. When we finally broke for air, she panted.
"Hah... ♥ Haah... ♥"
Her face was even redder as she looked down at me.
"Something's even tighter than your tongue ♥"
Her hand slid to my groin—right onto my erection.
"So stiff ♥ You can feel it through your underwear ♥"
She tugged my boxers down. My cock sprang free, straining upward.
"I'll take care of this too ♥"
She bent over it, nostrils flaring as she inhaled.
"First... ♥ let me use my tongue ♥"
Haa ♥ Lick ♥
Her pink tongue flicked over the head.
'I'm gonna lose my mind.'