[Business Trip - 22]
Ji-wook stared at his reflection in the mirror, tracing the faint, distinct handprint still visible on his cheek.
When was the last time he’d been scolded for not brushing his teeth after waking up?
He couldn't recall a single instance, save for when his grandfather had reprimanded him as a very small child. It was such a basic, fundamental task—something he never failed to do unless he was in an incredibly dire, emergency situation.
“And it had to be with Noona of all people….”
He hid his face behind his palms.
“Ughhhhh…!”
So embarrassing!
And the atmosphere had been so perfect, too, before that…!
He pictured Jia’s expression—the way she had glared at him with such utter contempt. Recalling the way she had pulled back and distanced herself from him, Ji-wook writhed, his entire body twisting in a silent, agonizing scream.
If there were a hole—a mouse hole, a guillotine hole, anything—he wanted to shove his head into it. His ears turned a deep, burning crimson at the sheer weight of the shame washing over him. How was he supposed to face Jia Noona after this?
“I just want to turn into mold right here….”
He wanted to become nothing, to be forgotten in a place no one would ever look, just like the black mold growing in the unreachable corner behind the toilet bowl.
But Ji-wook knew that wasn't an option. He couldn't just sit in the bathroom forever.
He had resolved himself several times to just go out there, take whatever verbal lashing she had for him, and beg for forgiveness, but he couldn't bring himself to actually do it. Was he afraid of what kind of reaction he’d get?
That was part of it, but—
“...Just one more time.”
He cupped his hands over his mouth, blew into them, and sniffed. *Sniff, sniff!* He checked his breath again.
Over and over. He had already brushed his teeth three times, yet he was contemplating a fourth, convinced it still wasn't enough. If he went out there and she told him he still smelled, he really would turn into that mold in the corner of the bathroom.
“...What am I even doing?”
No, there was no need to ask. He was just acting like a fool because he wanted to impress her, wasn't he? He was so mortified by the pathetic display he’d shown Jia Noona that he was struggling desperately to show her only his best side.
He wasn't some adolescent boy who had just discovered the concept of love. He let out a weak, self-deprecating laugh.
“No wonder people call me cute.”
The Jia he knew wasn't the type of woman who would give you points just because you tried to act cool. Conversely, she wasn't so narrow-minded that she’d deduct points for seeing his unvarnished, everyday self.
Realizing this belatedly, he stepped out from behind his hands and faced his reflection in the mirror once more. The handprint on his cheek was no longer visible.
“Stop moping around in here and go out there. Apologize, or do whatever you have to do, you idiot.”
It’s not my fault I forgot to wash up because Noona was just too damn hot! It’s all Noona’s fault! You have to take responsibility!
Determined to at least try and throw out a shameless joke, he steeled his heart, turned on his heel, and left the bathroom.
“I’m all washed up, Noona.”
“What~? I thought you were going to live in the bathroom, but you’re already out~?”
Thankfully, her voice was playful, suggesting her anger had subsided. She walked toward him with quick, light steps, wiping the water from her hands onto her apron.
Had she been preparing a meal since she came from the kitchen? More importantly, that apron suited her so well. It was just a plain, beige apron, but it looked entirely different on her.
The way it cinched at her waist to accentuate her curves, the way her exposed shoulders looked—the external details were dazzling enough, but what really caught his eye was the atmosphere she exuded.
How to describe it? It was a blend of everything: the fresh, adorable, lovely feeling of a girlfriend, combined with the cozy, warm, and all-accepting embrace of a mother….
How could he describe this exquisite mix of two polar opposites that should never coexist? Hmm… ah!
A blushing bride, radiating the scent of a newlywed.
Yes, that’s it. Ji-wook felt a sense of relief, as if a blockage in his mind had finally cleared. She tilted her head, unaware of his thoughts.
“What are you doing?”
“Just being grateful. Thanks to you, Noona, I’ve seen something wonderful.”
“What is this kid saying? Never mind that. You look properly washed now, so let’s eat.”
“What are we having?”
“Leftovers from yesterday.”
“In that outfit? Isn't fried rice the national standard? The kind of sloppy fried rice where you try to cook something, fail, panic, and just throw everything into the pan? With a fried egg on top so it doesn't look too pathetic,”
“Do you want to get hit until I draw a heart shape with ketchup?”
She walked away, telling him she wouldn't feed him if he kept talking nonsense. Ji-wook watched her go with a look of regret. Then, he spotted something. His eyes widened, and he retreated behind his palms, raising his voice.
“Noonaaa!!”
“So noisy~.”
“The naked apron!!”
The back view of her as she turned away was far too empty. It was nothing but skin. From her clean back down to her buttocks, there was absolutely nothing covering her.
“Why are you naked?!”
“I’m wearing an apron, aren't I?”
“The apron doesn't count! You shouldn't be walking around without clothes!”
“What~? You’re the one who stripped me down, and now you’re trying to play dumb?”
“That’s news to me?!”
“I was feeling all sticky from the sweat after working out, and because of you, I’m all gooey both up top and down below~.”
“Urk?!”
“My leggings were completely soaked with yours and my fluids, so I felt like I’d get pregnant just by wearing them, so I took them off~. And even now, like this,”
“……?!”
The hem of the apron, caught by her fingertips, began to lift. He was captivated by her thighs, which began to reveal themselves from the knees up.
The sight of her fair, firm, and toned thighs alone was enough to make his heart race, but between them—the transparent thread of fluid glistening between her thighs struck his crotch like a physical blow.
As he hunched over, his waist buckling, she let out a playful, giggling laugh and gave him a sultry, eye-smiling look.
“Aww~, my pussy is leaking female nectar~. It’s dripping and begging, asking when you’re going to put your cock inside, isn't it~?”
“……?!!”
“Just now, when you were masturbating me with your fingers, it reminded me of how good it felt last night~. If I’m like this, I get wet just by putting on panties, so how are you going to take responsibility for that~?”
The apron fluttered, but her vulva remained just out of sight, teasing him. If she lifted it just a little more, he’d see it! Her soaked, pulsing pussy behind that apron!
He leaned in, wondering if he could see it if he just bent his waist a little more, but before he could, she let go of the apron. As it fell back down with a *flap!*, he let out an involuntary sigh of disappointment.
“Kuh!”
“Ahahaha~! Is it that disappointing~?”
“I want to see it!”
“No way. I haven't forgiven you yet, Ji-wook~. Until my anger cools, looking and touching without