Chapter 16, Excessive Flirting
Chapter 16, Excessive Flirting
An awkward silence flowed.
Even though it was summer, the air felt frozen solid.
It had been about 10 minutes since I'd removed my hand from her thigh, thinking it was the gear shift.
I slightly turned my gaze to check Ji-hye's expression.
"Oppa. Eyes on the road ahead."
"...Yes."
Her tone was a bit stiff, but it didn't sound like she was upset.
For now, focus on driving.
A little while later, Ji-hye cleared her throat and spoke up.
Her voice was just a tiny bit husky.
"...Oppa, don't worry about it too much and just keep practicing your driving."
"Huh? Y-you're okay?"
"We still have an hour left. Touching my thigh didn't bother me at all, so just practice driving."
"Y-yeah! R-right! Gotta practice!"
I nodded my head like crazy at Ji-hye's words.
She didn't seem like she had any intention of chewing me out at all.
Her flushed face had already returned to normal.
She didn't seem to think much of the act of me touching her thigh in the first place.
And so, our awkward driving lesson resumed.
This time, I really buckled down and focused on the steering wheel.
After practicing for about another hour like that...
Before learning to drive, I'd wondered if I could really do this.
I'd ridden a bicycle, sure, but never a motorcycle or anything.
But now... I was pretty damn skilled.
I could maintain my lane perfectly, and even parking was no problem.
'Hmm... Since the easy stuff is doable, the hard parts must be coming up?'
And what can I say.
This thing called "car width sense" wasn't as tricky as I'd thought.
Before sitting in the driver's seat, it confused me a bit, but once I was actually gripping the wheel, the car's dimensions became crystal clear.
"Oppa. Wanna try parking over there real quick?"
Ji-hye pointed to a spot in the corner of the parking lot.
Just like she'd taught me earlier, I pulled up close, eased forward a bit, then shifted to reverse and turned the wheel.
The car slid in suruk, like it was being sucked right into the parking space.
"...Wow."
Ji-hye let out a small exclamation.
Looks like I'd nailed it.
"Hey, what are you? Why are you so good at this?"
Kang Hyuk hyung, who'd been watching from outside, came over in surprise.
Guess I really was good.
"Since you're this good, let's check if you can do a T-parking too."
"T-parking?"
"Yeah. The flower of the driving test. Everyone struggles with it."
Then Kang Hyuk hyung disappeared.
A moment later, he came back dragging a bunch of cars with some other staff members.
There were luxury cars and even a compact one.
'Where'd he get these from?'
Bringing over a whole fleet just for driving practice.
Kang Hyuk hyung has no idea what "moderation" means.
Kang Hyuk hyung casually parked a few cars to create a practice area.
Even to me, who'd never been to a driving academy, it looked exactly like a T-shaped space.
.
"There you go. This is the flower of the in-course driving test. The hellish T-course."
"Oppa, don't underestimate it. I failed this three times because of it."
"Three times? Can I even do it?"
Didn't Ji-hye go to a driving academy?
Failing even after that means it's tough.
"Psh, of course you can't do it. Even if you fail, I'll teach you properly later, so just give it a shot."
"A-alright."
With Ji-hye's encouragement, I took a deep breath and gripped the wheel.
Released the parking brake, put it in D, and Ji-hye started rattling off the formula from the passenger seat.
"First, align your shoulder with that line as you enter. Full lock on the wheel and..."
Seems like because the T-course is so hard, there's a formula where you just follow the curbs and mimic the motions.
For now, I'd do exactly as Ji-hye said.
'Align shoulder, two full turns on the wheel, forward...'
Entering the T-course with a right turn was super easy.
Turning the wheel two full rotations to get in was actually more of a hassle.
"And just go straight in like it's no big deal..."
Slightly angle the wheel and go straight a bit.
"Then two full turns on the wheel to reverse at an angle."
No rear camera, but the side mirrors were plenty.
Right before the car hit the curb!!
"Before reaching the curb, time your brake perfectly."
Kkiiiik.
Neutral on the gearshift, pull the parking brake.
That's how it's done in the in-course test, apparently.
No idea why yet.
"...Did I get it?"
I looked at Ji-hye, and she had her mouth wide open.
She looked a bit flustered... no, downright baffled.
"...Oppa, be honest. You already have a Class 1 Large License or something, right?"
"Doing this on the first try? Is this the legendary story of getting your license without academy classes?"
Kang Hyuk hyung tapped his own head.
He said he failed the in-course twice himself.
I just scratched my head.
"I just... did exactly what Ji-hye taught me, and it worked?"
"That's why normal people go to academies—because it doesn't work like that."
Kang Hyuk hyung nodded in agreement.
And with that, my first driving practice session in life came to an end.
*
Quitting time.
Dragging my tired body out of the Civil Complaint Office, there was Ji-hye waiting for me at the entrance.
'Huh... why is Ji-hye...'
Did we have plans to grab a drink or something?
She'd never waited here before unless it was something like that.
My heart suddenly dropped.
Lunchtime flashed through my mind.
She said it was fine during the day, but...
Was she actually pissed?
Thinking it over, it was embarrassing.
Why'd I have to touch her thigh of all places.
'Ah, what do I do.'
The soft sensation from lunchtime came rushing back with a wave of guilt.
I went down as humbly as possible and asked.
"Ji-hye, what's up?"
"Oppa."
Ji-hye cut me off.
"I have something to say. Quietly."
"A-ah, got it..."
No point arguing, so I nodded quietly.
And so, I silently followed behind Ji-hye.
Jeobuk, jeobuk.
The Hunter Management Bureau after quitting time was surprisingly quiet.
Most of the staff clocked out right on the dot.
We headed to a secluded spot, and a quiet park-like area came into view.
Ji-hye sat on the bench next to the vending machine and patted the spot beside her.
"Sit."
I meekly sat next to her.
What was she gonna say?
Then, Ji-hye spoke.
"Earlier... when you touched my thigh."
Here it comes.
I swallowed hard.
But the question that popped out was totally different from what I'd expected.
"...Was it soft?"
"...Huh?"
My ears must be playing tricks.
Or am I losing my mind?
Not demanding an apology, but asking about the texture?
What the...
Ji-hye was staring straight at me.
She was so serious, it didn't even feel like a joke.
Kinda spooked, I started stammering.
"W-what do you mean! I thought it was the gear shift... it was a mistake...!"
"Be honest. Was it soft?"
"..."
Honestly... it was incredibly soft.
Indescribably so.
And it wasn't just any thigh spot.
It was practically inner thigh, almost groin territory—super soft inner flesh.
How many people could touch that and say it wasn't soft?
I hung my head and mumbled in a mosquito-like voice.
"...It was soft."
I told the truth.
Soft enough to make you spring up.
Then! Suddenly, Ji-hye grabbed my hand.
"!"
She held it tight and...
...placed it right on her thigh.
Just like the accidental touch earlier, soft skin pressed against my palm.
And it was gently slipped inside her skirt.
Bare skin.
I was so shocked I stopped breathing.
Ji-hye said, her face flushing red.
"From now on... if you wanna touch, just say so."
"..."
Did I hear wrong again?
"...What?"
"In some secluded spot... I'll let you touch as much as you want."
"..."
"You don't need to pretend it was a mistake like this time."
...But it really was a mistake.
Still, I decided not to say that right now.
That'd be some mood-killing moron shit.
More importantly...
Just say if I wanna touch?
As much as I want?
Ji-hye continued, head bowed.
"I could let you touch... even more intimate spots..."
She blushed even harder saying it.
Her ears were bright red.
Seeing that reaction...
Did I kinda lose my mind too?
My libido had been bubbling up lately anyway.
How could I just sit there hearing this?
I swallowed dryly... and the hand on Ji-hye's thigh...
Very slowly, I stroked it shuk shuk.
Ji-hye's shoulders trembled slightly.
Without stopping... I moved my hand a bit higher...
Slipped it slightly toward her groin.
And my fingertips brushed some fabric texture.
Right under the thin skirt fabric...
Probably... her panties.
Lacy, maybe...
I didn't stop... and lightly touched there.
"...Heut."
A very faint moan leaked from Ji-hye.
Only then did I snap out of it.
I yanked my hand back in a panic.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to...!"
"N-no, it's fine. I have stuff to do, so I'll head out first!"
Ji-hye bowed her head quickly and bolted.
She was gone in less than 5 seconds.
All the way home, I let out heavy sighs.
Lunchtime and after-work.
'What the hell have I been doing?'
To sort out this chaotic mind, I logged into the Hunter Gallery.
Felt like I couldn't hold out without reading some shitposts right away.
Hunter Gallery greeted me with the usual crap today too.
[Title: Ha... Is it this hard to fuck your girlfriend even once?]
[Dated over a year with a fellow C-class hunter. Still only holding hands...]
[Finally got a kiss.]
[Almost broke up asking to touch her tits. Is this normal?]
ㄴFucking loaded talk.
ㄴㄴFor real lol, having a gf at all is a win?
ㄴA year and only hands? Lmao you're just in her rotation, right?
ㄴㄴHunters are surprisingly conservative. You never know when you'll die in a Gate.
ㄴㄴㄴBullshit lol, if you're gonna die anytime, fuck harder lol
ㄴHyung... I'm 6 months in and no kiss... Let's hang in there...
ㄴㄴThis guy's getting played and dumped too lol
ㄴㄴㄴFuck no you romcom bitch
ㄴAfter a year, just ask if she has some sex disability.
[Title: [Breaking] Just escaped eternal singledom lololol]
[D-class supporter, D-class tank from same guild confessed.]
[Day 1 starts today.]
[Jealous, you virgins? Lololol]
ㄴCongrats... but D-class dating, who pays for dates?
ㄴㄴD-class pulls 300k a month... where's a NEET get off
ㄴ(Info) Hunter couples break up 90% within 3 months.
ㄴㄴFact) 90% turn into fuckbuddies.
ㄴㄴNot jealous fuck...
ㄴㄴLemme join
[Title: Can a girl straight-up ask you to touch her?]
[This girl I'm talking to keeps hinting at wanting touches.]
[Green light or just crazy bitch?]
ㄴ??
ㄴNo proof, wtf?
ㄴShut up and touch. Why ask?
ㄴTouch and post update.
ㄴㄴLmao touch and get sued, OP takes responsibility? Lololol
ㄴㄴㄴShe asked you to, why lawsuit? Dumbass?
ㄴJealous af. Wanna touch too.
ㄴㄴThird wheel line up.
[Title: Seeing S-rank salaries hits different...]
[When will I ever make that? D-class life sucks.]
ㄴComparing to S-ranks lol
ㄴㄴFr, just think of them as another species.
ㄴIf D-class, just do admin at Management Bureau. Pays better.
ㄴㄴAdmin looks like shit to you?
[Title: Newbie hunter, license ink not even dry]
[F-rank. Just kill yourself quicker?]
ㄴF-rank is basically civilian. Don't call it hunter.
ㄴㄴF-rank gets hunter pension. Top 1% civilian.
ㄴㄴㄴ30k monthly pension on F-rank is legend lol
[Title: Guild party noona only heals me]
[Always pairs with me for training, gives me the good potions too. Green light, right?]
[I'm D-class DPS, guild noona's A-class healer.]
ㄴLololol dream on
ㄴJust feeding a cute puppy.
ㄴNo delusion ㄴㄴ You're the weakest, that's why.
Of all things, Hunter Gallery's bait was all green lights and dating shit.
Still, it made me realize my situation was kinda weird.
'We're not even dating.'
Even through panties...
I touched her pussy, right?
And Ji-hye didn't get mad or anything...
'...Heut.'
Just let out a soft moan.
Then said she could let me touch even more intimate spots.
Those words kept circling my head.
'Is this... heading toward dating Ji-hye?'
No, do I even get a say?
When would a guy like me date a girl like Ji-hye?
More than that...
Why is Ji-hye going this far for me?
Before even dating, offering to satisfy my urges, taking care of me in all sorts of ways.
My head got even more messed up.