Sincerity in the Steam
"The scent is lovely."
I sat side by side with Seoyeon in the steaming bath.
"Yes..."
"Is this cypress?"
According to the frantic searching I'd done before coming to the hot spring yesterday, hinoki meant cypress.
"Yes, that's right..."
Seoyeon, looking at me from beside me with an earnest expression, seemed somewhat sorrowful.
A chuckle escaped me as I watched her fidgeting with her fingers.
"Do you want it?"
Gulp. "Yes..."
When I asked playfully, Seoyeon swallowed hard and nodded.
This was about the promise I'd made earlier—to kiss her and make her climax. I had told her I would do it once we got into the bath, and I'd been putting it off until now.
"It's not hard to do. But... this time, we're going all the way."
"..."
How would she react?
Even though I was confident she wouldn't refuse, I was secretly a bit nervous.
Slide.
Seoyeon raised her hand toward my face. Whether it was because of the warm water or because her hands were naturally warm, the sensation of her touch on my cheek felt wonderful.
"Can you promise me... that you'll put your heart into it?"
"..."
Seoyeon didn't just want a collision of raw lust; she seemed to yearn for an emotional connection. Her eyes, as she spoke, held a powerful desire, yet they also looked inexplicably forlorn.
It was painfully obvious she feared I was only after her body. She was worried that, like a trophy displayed on a shelf, the virginity of a beautiful woman named Ju Seoyeon would simply become a decorative piece in my collection. Placed somewhere out of reach, gathering dust after being acquired.
That was what she seemed to dread.
Yet even that vulnerability was incredibly endearing and lovely.
So, instead of plucking the fruit immediately, I decided to take my time.
"As you probably know, I have a lot of women."
"..."
Because of that, I didn't know if this choice was the right one.
I had no idea how much of a detour this decision would force us to take, or how much longer it would take.
"If you ask me if I love you as much as them... well."
"..."
Even as I uttered words that would have earned me a back-and-forth slap anywhere else, Seoyeon remained calm, proving her naturally gentle character.
"But it's a certainty that I like you. And I'll do my best to love you even more."
Honestly, no matter how beautiful and kind a woman I met today was, there was no way I could love her as much as my family right off the bat. But from Seoyeon's perspective, my personal circumstances shouldn't matter.
If Seoyeon refuses here...
Even so, she would eventually surrender her virginity to me. Beyond that, I would train her to become my sex slave. If that happened, I would certainly succeed in my mission, but...
"...I really didn't expect you to be such a playboy."
I might never see this smile again.
And so, I hoped.
I hoped this kind woman would love me for who I was.
"I didn't really know either."
"...Know what?"
Neither a rejection nor an acceptance. I dithered for a moment, caught off guard by her ambiguous answer, before responding.
"How I felt about you, Jihan... I honestly thought I had gone completely mad."
I gave up trying to make sense of her cryptic words.
"Ever since I first saw you, whether I was cooking or washing dishes—no, all day today, I couldn't stop thinking about you."
I just thought I was a hopeless sucker for a handsome face—
I barely held back a chuckle at her follow-up.
"But... now I know."
Her body drew closer.
"Because..."
Slide.
The single hand resting on my cheek was joined by her other hand.
"Hearing what you just said made my heart ache so much."
Grab!
I felt her hands firmly grip my cheeks, locking me in place and turning my face directly toward her. Without realizing it, I must have been looking away. Was it guilt? I didn't know.
"And... seeing how I immediately thought I need to do whatever it takes to make you like me..."
Her round face. Her delicate features nestled on her small head. Her flawlessly clear skin and her pure, innocent eyes. Every single part of her possessed a magical charm that could captivate any man. But right now, my entire focus was locked on the red lips beneath them, waiting for her next words.
"I think I..."
Thump, thump.
My heart beat rapidly. To think I would feel such a fresh, fluttering excitement, rather than the vulgarly sticky lust of the succubi.
"...like you, Jihan."
Let me correct myself.
It wasn't that I couldn't love Seoyeon as much as my family.
"Let's work hard together. So we can like each other more... so we can l-love each other."
Thump!
It seemed I already loved her.
The one who fell in love at first sight wasn't Seoyeon—it was me.
"..."
Having spoken her true feelings at length for the first time in a very long while—perhaps ever—Seoyeon stared blankly at the man before her.
When he first babbled about having many women and not loving her to that extent... honestly, she had felt a sudden urge to slap him across the face.
But the way he confronted her with absolute, unvarnished honesty in both his words and actions melted her heart. The lingering resentment vanished, replaced by joy and ecstasy.
I can be loved by this man too. I'm worthy of it.
The thought made her almost smile without realizing it. She managed to hide it, thanks to the man looking away—perhaps lost in deep thought or feeling guilty.
Looking at him like this, he really is just a boy.
His tall stature, his muscles, and even his massive cock that had seemed so intimidating. Seeing his youthful, innocent side now made him feel adorable.
That was why she had confessed her true feelings as well.
Kindness for kindness.
Sincerity for sincerity.
It was an attitude she had maintained ever since developing an obsession ten years ago with returning exactly what she received.
"..."
She had braved her embarrassment to appeal to him with her older-woman charm, but his lack of response was a bit mortifying. Seoyeon squeezed Jihan's cheeks with her hands, puckering his lips into a fish face.
"Mph...!"
"What's with you? You're making me embarrassed. Say something."
"Uh, uh..."
Even the clumsy, dazed attitude of the man who always seemed so composed looked cute to her. Is this what they mean by love being blind? she wondered, waiting for Jihan's response.
What would he say this time? Would he confront her with sincere words again? Or would he try to coax her with lies? But the answer that blew away her half-expectant, half-worried thoughts in a single stroke came.
He smirked.
"Then I'll have to work even harder to make you like me more. Because I think I already love you."
"...Really?"
"Shall we head to the bed?"
Nod, nod.
Jihan had snapped back from his dazed state in an instant. The manly composure settled back into his flawlessly handsome face. For Seoyeon, it was impossible to refuse the request of the man who was showing her the exact, perfect image she had fallen for.
I left the bathroom after she told me to go out and wait first. Although her hospitality as the hot spring owner had ended sooner than expected, I didn't mind at all. Because what was about to happen would undoubtedly be the hottest, most intense act possible between a man and a woman who had just confirmed their feelings for each other.
While waiting, I was admiring the scenery outside the window when I heard a voice from behind.
"D-Don't look back yet."
"Why? Feeling shy all of a sudden?"
"Yes..."
"Hahaha."
Leaving the sound of footsteps and rustling clothes behind me, I closed the window. I stood there quietly, facing the wall for a moment.
"Y-You can look now."
The moment those words reached my ears, I turned around.
"..."
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Seoyeon was treating me comfortably now, like a boyfriend rather than a young master. The way she stood there, shyly covering her body with a towel, was incredibly lovely.
Step, step.
As I approached her as if possessed, Seoyeon flinched slightly, but she soon shook her head and looked up at me.
Slide.
Without a word, I stepped closer and pulled the towel away.
"..."
The towel fluttered down, pooling at her knees. In its place, her slender arms crossed to cover her massive breasts. Seoyeon squeezed her eyes shut, her body trembling slightly. She seemed to be feeling a sudden wave of fear.
"Don't worry. I'll be gentle."
I couldn't treat this woman the way I did the succubi if I wanted to satisfy her. I intended to be as soft and considerate as possible.
"...Phew, I'm okay now."
When I pulled her slender body close and gently stroked her back, she let out a sigh of relief. As she did, the arms covering her chest fell away. Even though I had already seen her body, it felt strangely more erotic now.
Seeing her like this, I felt a bit of a lag in my own brain. I should take it slow, step by step, right? Should we start with a kiss? Sensing my hesitation, she let out a soft laugh.
A virgin, yet she exuded the mature charm of an older woman. Standing before her, I felt almost humbled.
"Seoyeon."
"Jihan."
Now that we had confirmed our feelings, there was no need for any more hesitation. When I whispered her name softly, she responded, her cheeks flushing red. I wanted to listen to her beautiful voice forever, but I couldn't hold back any longer.
Chu♥
I pressed a light kiss to her lips and pulled back. Her moist eyes sparkled with a sorrowful longing.
"Are you completely relaxed—Mph!"
"Mmm...! Chu...♥"
Contrary to my plan to lead like a man, Seoyeon was the one who initiated the kiss this time. She pressed her lips against mine so hard I worried they might bleed, but while her enthusiasm was magnificent, she wasn't very skilled.
Still, I didn't push her away. Instead, I slowly began to take control.
Lick, lick.
She was desperately trying to slip her tongue into my mouth, licking at my teeth. When I parted my lips for her, her clumsy tongue began to roam all over my mouth. I chased after it, gently subduing and caressing it as if teaching her how to do it.
Slurp, squelch♥
"Mmm, hah... moan...♥ Phew..."
She breathed diligently through her nose, just as I had taught her. The window was closed, but the light of the full moon pierced through the thin walls, illuminating us brightly.