Chapter 74
Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Today, I Only Planned to Allow a Kiss...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A week had passed since Im Haeun received a massage from Jang Hyunwoo.
She had counted down the days to this one, putting extra effort into taking care of herself.
Though eyes were increasingly drawn to Jang Hyunwoo instead of her, her narcissistic streak hadn't vanished.
If anything, it had grown stricter.
Diet, exercise, beauty routines.
And even the outfit she'd wear a week later.
To impress the man who would become her boyfriend, she whipped herself harder than usual.
It was tough, yet not tough at all.
Just like how she lost herself gazing at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, seeing Jang Hyunwoo unable to tear his eyes from her looks or figure filled her with uncontainable joy.
She wanted to make him feel that way on their date, too.
'Ever since getting massages from him, taking care of myself has gotten easier. Is it thanks to the massages and those supplements? Supplements... Haah, I want more... No. Hold back, Im Haeun.'
She could eat a bit more without gaining weight, and even light workouts showed noticeable results. No more stomach issues, and even in this summer heat, her skin was flawless.
No more days of shoulder pain or body aches.
How could she give up those massages?
How could she not fall for a talented guy who gave them?
Of course, that wasn't the only reason she had feelings for Jang Hyunwoo, but she couldn't deny it played a huge part.
So she worked hard for that week.
And the day before.
Friday evening.
"Pocket money? For your date with Hyunwoo?"
"Yeah, and... whatever. I'll pull from my allowance or pay you back from my part-time job, so just spot me one more time."
"It's your first romance, so Mom's gotta help. But what if you don't come home tomorrow?"
"......"
"Oh my, oh? Look at you. Don't tell me..."
"...I'm not a kid. I might come home late sometimes. I'm twenty-three."
"True. When did you grow up so fast? Anyway, about your date with Hyunwoo..."
"What? You like him too. He gives great massages and he's sweet."
"Sweet... Heh, yeah. We'll see after watching him a bit more, but... You're young, so trying out different guys isn't bad."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. Have fun. I'll transfer the money. Mom's rooting for you."
"Thanks."
"But don't forget protection... Or maybe forgetting's fine? Grandkids sooner would be nice."
"What the hell, seriously. Ridiculous."
She borrowed money from her mom, Yoon Na-yeon.
Though she bristled inwardly at being treated like a kid and put on a show of bravado, Im Haeun smirked to herself.
'We're starting to date tomorrow. No way it'd go that far right away.'
Even without massages, just touching hands with Jang Hyunwoo made her body heat up instantly—that much was true.
But that was that, and she didn't see herself as the type to allow sex on the first day with her new boyfriend.
Her line in the sand... yeah.
'A kiss, maybe. If he begs for it.'
A kiss.
Im Haeun touched her lips, imagining them overlapping with Jang Hyunwoo's.
A smile crept across her face. Her heart pounded, and a tingle stirred between her legs.
She could allow a kiss.
No, she wanted one.
She couldn't wait for that romantic moment right before parting after a date with the guy she liked—lips meeting.
It would surely look beautiful, her kissing her boyfriend.
Too bad she couldn't capture it in a photo.
'...Just a little? I have to wake up early tomorrow, but like this, I won't sleep.'
She needed to cool her heated body, thinking of Jang Hyunwoo.
On her way back to her room for that, her twin brother emerged from his.
"Haeun. Date tomorrow? Hyunwoo's super excited."
"Duh, why state the obvious? It's not like he's liked me for just a day or two."
"True. But you seem excited too?"
"Not really? Same as always."
"Really? Can I tell Hyunwoo that?"
"...Im Hamin."
"Kidding. Hope you two work out."
Im Haeun had no comeback for her twin brother, who grinned teasingly.
He'd been her closest friend, confidant, precious family since childhood, and above all...
"Thanks for the loan. I'll pay you back soon."
He was the creditor who'd lent her most of her allowance.
"No rush. I don't spend much anyway."
"You get massages from Jang Hyunwoo too. You and Moon Seokho can always snag a spot whenever, right?"
"Grateful for it. But I only do shoulders, so it's fine. Can't live without one a week now, though."
"I need one every three days. Otherwise, I can't cope."
"But you skipped this week? For the date?"
"...You're one to talk. Hanging out with that senior lately? The one who's liked you since high school. Gonna date her?"
"Hmm, not sure yet. I'll tell you when it's definite."
"Cool. Then maybe the four of us can hang out sometime."
With a boyfriend now, she started noticing how much her twin had always looked out for her.
Just as Jang Hyunwoo adored her, there was a senior—a year older—who'd steadily pursued Im Hamin since high school.
Im Haeun knew Im Hamin liked her back.
Yet he'd kept his distance until now.
She'd only recently realized it was to avoid making his sister—who loved hanging with him—feel left out.
That realization made it hard to face her brother, who supported her romance up close.
Sure, the senior was a bit rough around the edges and smoked, so not 100% ideal as a girlfriend in Im Haeun's eyes.
But her unwavering devotion, avoiding other guys, and her beauty that even Im Haeun admired? That was appealing.
'But he says he's not sure yet. If I start dating, will he finally go for her without worry?'
She was finally "graduating" from clinging to her brother a bit late, but she didn't get his hesitation.
Anyway, bolstered by her brother's cheers, she grabbed her change of clothes and headed to the bathroom.
And midway through her shower...
—Squish, squelch, squelch...
"Mm, ungh..."
Recalling the hand he'd held, how he'd earnestly called her pretty.
His firm chest muscles and abs that had stolen her gaze.
'If we kiss... what if he sneaks in more touching during?'
Imagining kissing him—and maybe, though she had no intention, letting things go a step further.
"Eut...♡"
Preparing for that "what if," she carefully teased her pussy beneath her meticulously groomed pubic hair—territory never permitted to anyone.
Until Yoon Na-yeon knocked on the bathroom door, her shower running longer than usual.
And the next day, at dawn.
She washed up immediately upon waking and donned the date outfit she'd agonized over for a week.
Black bra straps peeking out, navel-baring black off-shoulder crop top, high-waist slim jeans.
Not sheer, so not overly provocative, yet not hiding her proud figure—this choice considered everything, including what Jang Hyunwoo had liked before.
After dressing, she stopped by the salon to perfect her hair.
'Perfect.'
No flaws.
Hair, makeup, outfit.
Her best ever. Im Haeun especially loved her face. The expression before a date was unbelievably beautiful.
But...
'...Hyunwoo will like it, right?'
Unlike always, a sliver of anxiety stirred in her chest—because this wasn't solo satisfaction; a date with her crush awaited.
A tiny crack in her lifelong unshakable confidence.
'It's fine. He's always lost it over me. Today won't be different.'
Steeling herself, she headed to the meeting spot.
She arrived an hour early.
Thankfully, the sunlight wasn't harsh, and the weather was mild enough to wait outside.
—Thump, thump...
A pleasant yet sweat-inducing heart-pounding excitement.
'Not my first time hanging out, so why? First time alone with a guy besides Hamin...'
Too antsy to stand still despite time left, she kept checking her mirror, fixing her hair and makeup.
"Whoa, insane..."
"Isn't she an actress?"
Familiar stranger stares felt more intense today, but Im Haeun ignored them completely.
They didn't register.
'If he doesn't call me pretty, I'm out... Tch, just try it. You'll see.'
Grumbling inwardly, she waited for the man who would likely become her boyfriend today.
Jang Hyunwoo was straightforward with reactions; one look at his face would reveal his thoughts on today's her.
She anticipated it—and feared it.
About 30 minutes later, waiting with those feelings...
—Step, step.
Instinct for someone you like?
She sensed from afar those footsteps belonged to the man she awaited.
Turning, she saw Jang Hyunwoo approaching, staring at her with a dazed face.
'Heh, predictable.'
Self-esteem and joy surged.
Seeing him make that foolish face at her sight filled her with unfamiliar happiness.
Anxiety vanished. Her tone rose naturally.
"What, Jang Hyunwoo? Why're you here so early?"
She sounded curt, but her heart hammered.
She couldn't wait for the time ahead—and his confession at the date's end.
She'd time-travel if possible, but that'd waste their first date—
As she thought that...
"I like you, Haeun. Go out with me."
Jang Hyunwoo skipped the script.
Blindsiding her with a confession, boldly proposing they date in broad daylight, no mood set.
She should've glared and half-jokingly snapped, "Jang Hyunwoo, confessing now? You crazy? Try after 6 PM."
She should have.
"......"
But she couldn't stop her lips from trembling.
Station vicinity, crowds passing by.
Someone overhearing the confession, another waiting for a friend—eyes wide, mouths shut, watching.
All that bustle faded to background noise, the early summer freshness tinting the spring light.
Before and after his confession felt the same yet different. Something had changed.
One certainty: his words thrilled her to her core.
Calming her quivering heart and voice, she replied.
"Fine. Starting our date as official isn't bad. No looking at other girls from now on, or else. Got it?"
"Never, ever. Thanks."
"Thanks for what? I like you too, so I said yes."
"Right... Still, thanks. I like you, Haeun. You've always been pretty, but today... way prettier. Speechless."
His words, face close, dazed yet sincere.
Her boyfriend's words.
"Heh... hehe..."
The tough week without massages, the ordeals for her figure and beauty.
All felt rewarded.
Before her boyfriend—who'd grown reliably buff from workouts—her shoulders shook with laughter.
"Let's go."
She extended her hand to the man now hers.
95% ignoring it, but the gasps, applause, gathering stares from the crowd—especially the women—grated.
"Yeah. Let's go."
Jang Hyunwoo took her hand readily.
—Squeeze.
Firm, like he'd never let go.
Heat, thrill spreading from their joined hands.
Just holding hands, yet her body warmed, panties dampening slightly—this sensation made the relationship's joy and happiness crystal clear.
"Shopping as planned first... But you like this coord? Wanna stick with this style?"
She'd planned to overhaul his look entirely to her taste today.
But that vanished in an instant.
Amusingly, ridiculously.
After his confession and becoming his girlfriend, she just wanted to do anything for him.
She'd buy a shirt or pants to match her picks—but now, everything.
'He's mine.'
Overwhelmed, she blurted it; his reply...
"Nah. Match you. Might fall short whatever... But as your boyfriend, gotta step up."
Perfect for Im Haeun.
Made her writhe in joy.
"Fall short? If you like it, that's enough. I'll coord, just follow."
"Please do."
Her hand squeezed tight, boyfriend trailing like an obedient puppy—so cute she could die.
Only at twenty-three did she grasp this dating thrill.
No regrets, though.
She'd never feel this with anyone but Jang Hyunwoo.
'Still, just a kiss today. No sex.'
She vowed inwardly en route to the mall.
The romance's start was happier than expected, but she'd hold the line.
'I'm not that loose or easy.'
Their clasped hands burned like fire, slick with sweat already.
Eyeing her soft, pliant boyfriend, their fresh chit-chat tickling her heart—it was so fun.
But she wouldn't cave on day one.
She vowed repeatedly.
And nine hours later.
Motel room.
The door barely shut, shoes still on.
Im Haeun...
"Haeun..."
"Eut... Jang Hyunwoo..."
Was pinned against the wall, awaiting her boyfriend's kiss.
As foreplay to the sex about to begin.