Chapter 22: I Need to Break This Habit Completely (4)

[SY____0_0]

[Image sent.]

'Sent it well.'

A photo taken while sitting on the toilet, legs spread apart. Her face was still covered with her hand.

Just like the photos sent on Wednesday and Thursday, she wasn't wearing panties, leaving her pussy fully exposed. She had also taken off her bra, revealing her breasts and pink nipples.

In contrast, she was wearing black stockings, making it look even more obscene.

'I should end this today.'

At this point, it was clear she wouldn't refuse even if I told her not to wear panties.

'Dragging it out any longer is getting burdensome too.'

Honestly, leaving my seat around the same time every day was starting to draw attention.

<Don't wear panties today.>

[But I'm wearing a skirt today?]

Of course I knew. I'd seen the fitted office skirt that hugged her slender waist and wide hips.

<The guys at work are in for a treat. If your skirt rides up, that is.>

[What if someone notices?]

<Just be careful not to get caught, okay?>

<While dressed, lift your skirt and prove you're not wearing panties.>

<If you don't send the photo, I'll spread this one.>

The reply didn't come ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠immediately. I waited quietly. About three minutes passed.

[Image sent.]

'She sent it just as I asked.'

She looked exactly as she had in the office. The blouse revealing her full breasts, the office skirt accentuating her waist and hips, the sheer black stockings showing off her legs.

The only unusual detail was the exposed flesh between the lifted skirt. Just as I'd instructed, she wasn't wearing panties, leaving her groin completely bare.

[I did as you said.]

<Good girl. Now get back to work.>

I sent a quick message and left the restroom. Hurriedly, I returned to the office. Waiting for Seo-yun's photo had kept me away longer than usual.

'Wonder what she'll say.'

I was checking the department head's reaction as I headed back to my seat when a voice called from near the window. My eyes met with Department Head Kim Da-yeon's.

"Dae-hoon."

"Yes?"

"Come here for a sec."

"Sure."

She was probably calling me over to scold me for being away so long. There was no other reason.

'What should I say? That my stomach hurt?'

Running through possible responses in my head, I approached her.

"Where were you?"

"Just went to the restroom. My stomach was acting up..."

"Bodily functions are unavoidable."

"Thanks for understanding. By the way, what did you need...?"

'No way she'd let it go that easily.'

The slight smirk on her lips made it clear she wanted something.

"Well, I went to the records room earlier to look for some documents. It's a complete mess—files in the wrong places, dust everywhere."

"Is that so?"

'Is she asking me to clean it?'

"Yeah. So, here's the thing. Could you tidy it up?"

Just as I'd guessed.

"...I'll take care of it."

"Really? Thanks."

"I'll finish what I'm working on first and clean it this afternoon, if that's okay?"

"That's up to you. It's not urgent."

I gave a slight nod and returned to my seat.

'Actually, this works out.'

Normally, I'd ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hate doing grunt work. But this was perfect—it meant I could be alone with Seo-yun.

'I'll make my move during the meeting later.'

I glanced at Seo-yun. Her face was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flushed as she adjusted her skirt in her seat. An ordinary person wouldn't think twice, but I knew better.

'She must be feeling self-conscious. Not wearing panties and all.'

For now, I had to wait.

Lunch passed, and about two hours later, the department head's voice came from behind.

"I'm heading out for a client meeting. Contact me if anything comes up. The materials are ready, right?"

"Yes."

"See you later."

She left.

'Time to make my move.'

"Deputy Head."

[Deputy Head | Lee Ye-ri]

"Hah... Hm? Yeah."

"I'm going to clean the records room now."

"Oh, right. The department head asked you to. Go ahead."

She waved me off dismissively. I left the office and entered the records room. The musty smell hit me immediately.

'I'll tidy up a bit first, then bring her in.'

People don't believe words alone. You have to show effort. I rolled up my sleeves and started cleaning.

About ten minutes in, sweat began beading on my forehead.

'Time to go get her.'

I returned to the office, furrowing my brow like I'd been working hard, and called the deputy head.

"Deputy Head."

"Hm? What?"

"There's more to clean than I thought. It's too much for one person."

"I'm too busy right now."

'At least minimize the browser if you're going to lie.'

"Seo-yun."

I knew she'd call Seo-yun. A slacker who barely worked but still collected her paycheck—and a sneaky one at that.

"Yes?"

"Are you busy right now?"

"Oh, no."

"Then could you help Dae-hoon out?"

"Ah... Sure."

"Don't make her do anything too strenuous."

"Of course not."

Seo-yun stood up hesitantly, holding her skirt. Clearly, she was worried about it riding up.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

"Sorry. I'd handle it alone if I could, but it's a lot."

"It's fine. I'll help."

'She didn't bring her phone.'

I realized my pocket felt oddly light.

'Shouldn't be a problem.'

'I can't stop thinking about it.'

Even when I tried not to, the slightest movement made me hyperaware of the emptiness between my legs, making it impossible to focus.

Instead of panties, I kept my thighs pressed together. But it didn't fill the void.

'Should I just secretly put some on?'

The thought was fleeting.

'No, if he finds out, he'll demand something worse.'

Without absolute certainty I wouldn't get caught, I had no choice but to endure.

'I can't concentrate.'

Working in an office full of diligent colleagues—without panties. The Excel sheet on my monitor might as well have been invisible.

This feeling was nothing like posting photos on SNS.

'I really am a pervert. Just like he said...'

A shiver ran through me. My toes curled restlessly. Then, Dae-hoon entered the office. Sweat glistened on his forehead—he clearly looked exhausted.

"Deputy Head."

"Hm? What?"

"There's more to clean than I thought. It's too much for one person."

"I'm too busy right now. Seo-yun."

"Yes?"

I turned at the deputy head's call.

"Are you busy right now?"

"Oh, no."

"Then could you help Dae-hoon out?"

"Ah..."

'I'm not wearing panties... but it should be fine.'

If I was careful, no one would notice. If I was careful.

"Sure."

"Don't make her do anything too strenuous."

"Of course not."

I followed him to the records room. The disarray suggested he'd already started cleaning.

"What should I do?"

"Organize the files up here. If anything's misplaced, put it where it belongs. If you can't reach, use this step stool."

I'd been here a few times before.

"Okay."

'No one will see, right?'

I stepped onto the stool and looked down. If I kept my legs tightly together, it should be fine. Unless he deliberately looked. I started sorting the files.

"Phew..."

'He's working hard.'

Sweating profusely, he focused ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on organizing. It was almost inspiring.

'I should work hard too.'

I got the hang of it quickly—moving the stool less, stretching to pull out and slot in files where I could.

'Almost there...'

They say accidents happen when you least expect them. Just as I was reaching for a stack of documents, I realized—

"Ah—?"

My center of gravity had shifted too far forward. I tried to brace myself, but it was too late. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for impact.

"?"

My body stopped before hitting the ground. I opened my eyes.

"I knew you were moving dangerously. Be careful."

"Th-thank you, Senior."

Thump-thump.

'I think I'm falling for him again.'

I worried he might hear my pounding heart.

"Let's finish up."

"Okay."

I was extra careful, making sure not to fall while sorting, when I felt a bump against my back.

"Huh?"

By the time I realized I'd collided with him, I was already falling.

"Seo-yun!"

I closed my eyes as he rushed toward me. But again, no impact came. Instead, a pained groan.

"Ugh, ouch... That was close."

He was beneath me, cushioning my fall.

"Thank you."

Was this fate? Then—his gaze flickered downward. His face turned red, like he'd seen something embarrassing.

"Seo-yun. Your panties..."

"Ah...?!"

At the word "panties," I instinctively clamped my legs together. Too late, I remembered—I wasn't wearing any.

"I—I'm sorry."

I bolted from the records room, sprinting toward the office.

'What do I do? Oh god, what do I do? He'll think I'm a pervert. Definitely.'

He must have seen everything. Without panties, it was all out in the open.

'From now on... How will he look at me?'

I couldn't face him. Tears blurred my vision as I wiped them away and entered the office.

'I should leave early.'

In this state, I'd only make more mistakes. But when I reached my desk, the deputy head was gone.

'Where did she go...?'

The most likely place was the restroom. I left again and checked, but she wasn't there. Or the terrace.

'Where are you, Deputy Head? You're not answering...'

I had no choice but to return. Dae-hoon still hadn't come back—the shock must have been severe. Desperate, I turned on my phone.

[K]

I messaged the person responsible for this mess. Maybe he'd help me figure it out.

<By>

<My teammate.>

<What do I do?>

<Seriously, what do I do?>

Spamming messages calmed my panic slightly. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a phone screen light up and turn off.

Just for a second.

<What do I do?>

<How will he see me now?>

<Solutions?>

<Don't you have any ideas?>

I bit my lip and looked again.

'...?'

The phone screen lit up once more.

[Employee | Park Dae-hoon]

It was his phone.

'Why is his phone turning on? Without any sound.'

It was strange. Like a bug in an app I knew.

<Hello?>

Blink.

The moment I sent the message.

<Answer me.>

Blink.

'No way.'

The screen lit up.

'How does he know?'

I remembered the CCTV footage from the security room. How he'd leave shortly after me every time.

'How did he know...?'

The scheduled messages he'd sent, predicting my actions. How he'd head to the pantry when I didn't respond.

'How...?'

And now, his phone lighting up every time I messaged K. The disconnected clues all pointed to one person.

'What kind of notification is it? Maybe it's important.'

I glanced around the office. Our team was empty except for me. Almost trance-like, I stood and walked to his desk.

'If it's urgent, I should let him know.'

I reached for the power button.

'I'm not doubting him. Really.'

I pressed it. The screen lit up, displaying notifications. At the top—

[SY____0_0 | Answer me +21]

'Ah...'

My SNS account. First on the list.

'It was him... The blackmailer.'

Unconsciously, the corner of my mouth twitched upward.