Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Leopard Print and One-Room Hotel
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#84
It's hot.
My whole body was burning up.
We'd just been locked in each other's arms like we'd been possessed by something, but now, as if it had never happened, our faces were flushed so red it seemed impossible to get any redder. We couldn't even look at each other, our eyes darting away in embarrassment.
Staying like this any longer felt dangerous, so I told her to change first. The moment Han Seo-ah nodded quietly, I bolted out of the dressing room in a panic.
Was I that tense?
The second I stepped out, all the strength drained from my body like a string had been cut. I leaned against the wall.
I could still feel Han Seo-ah's warmth lingering all over me.
Big and soft, big and squishy, bigger than I'd imagined...
—No, why is that all I can think about?
As I happily replayed the sensations from moments ago, Han Seo-ah emerged, already changed.
"...Shall we go?"
...What a shame.
Was it because that earlier sight had been such a shock?
Even now that she had clothes on, the image of her in that swimsuit kept replaying automatically in my head.
"Feeling regretful?"
"Huh?"
"That's exactly the look on your face right now, Junu."
How did she know?
Caught off guard like a thief hearing footsteps, I fumbled for words. Then Han Seo-ah gave a slight smile and intertwined her soft fingers with mine.
"I'm really looking forward to the trip. You?"
"...Totally."
More than I could even express.
#85
Our jaws practically dropped at how expensive the swimsuit was, but we finished paying and left the store.
She was the one who'd be wearing it, but since it was basically what I wanted, I offered to chip in. She stubbornly insisted on paying herself, leaving me no choice but to give up.
As a trade-off, she asked for one favor. I told her anything.
"...I didn't expect this."
Her one favor? Letting her pick my swimsuit.
Fair's fair since I'd picked hers, she said.
Thinking about it, that made sense, so I couldn't argue.
As we browsed the men's swimsuits, Han Seo-ah called me over excitedly. When I approached, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Junu! What do you think of this?"
"...You're kidding, right?"
Han Seo-ah was beaming, holding up what she had in both hands.
It was a leopard-print swimsuit in such a vivid color, it was visible from across the store.
"Why? You don't like it?"
"You serious?"
She really picked this?
I shot back with even more disbelief at her puzzled expression.
"Hmm... I thought you were a tiger, Junu, but I guess not..."
Her playful taunt, muttering if I was a puppy instead, ignited an unbearable rage from my precious 19-year-old lower half.
—You're insane, Han Seo-ah.
Even knowing it was an obvious provocation, there are times a guy just can't back down.
And this was one of them.
"...Hey."
"Yeah~?"
She looked up at me with a bright smile, clearly enjoying the moment.
...You've picked the wrong fight.
"I'll take that one."
"Huh?"
As I held out my hand expectantly, her eyes widened in shock, her face full of panic.
"You're serious?"
Now the roles were reversed. I wiggled my outstretched hand up and down at her anxious question.
"Junu, I picked it, but this might be a bit too much..."
"I'll show you. Tiger or puppy."
She clearly hadn't expected this reaction and was flustered, not knowing what to do. I smirked inwardly.
—Nope. Don't look away.
Daring to mess with my tiger?
Even Han Seo-ah couldn't get away with this easily.
"Junu, I get you're a tiger, so let's pick something else. Okay?"
"Then repeat after me."
"Wh-what...?"
Her eyes trembled as she looked up at me.
"Lee Jun-woo is..."
"Lee Jun-woo is...?"
"A tiger."
"A ti-tiger...?"
She followed along well until the end, but then stared at me like I was crazy instead of a tiger.
I crossed my arms firmly and repeated myself.
"Lee Jun-woo is a tiger."
"...Lee Jun-woo is a tiger. Happy now, Junu?"
She sighed with a grimace, repeating my words. I nodded in satisfaction.
I only realized later.
What I'd made her say in a crowded store.
#86
In the end, my swimsuit was white.
I thought plain black would be safer, but she insisted on matching her swimsuit color, and I had no counterargument. So I just nodded and let her pay.
—Isn't this basically couple's matching outfits?
...The reasons to look forward to the trip kept piling up.
As we waited for the bus home after shopping, Han Seo-ah suddenly piped up like she'd just remembered.
"Oh, Junu. By the way, my mom and dad want us to have dinner together tonight. That okay?"
She said it so casually, like it was no big deal. Dinner with them was common for me, so I was about to agree lightly when...
"I told them about our trip. They want to talk about it tonight."
For a split second, "I absolutely don't want to go" rose to the tip of my tongue, but superhuman self-control kept it from escaping.
"...You told them?"
"Yeah! I said you'd cover the lodging, so Mom offered to handle the rest."
"...That's a relief. Did your dad—er, sir—say anything?"
The moment "uncle" slipped out, her delicate eyebrows started to furrow, so I quickly corrected. Her eyes curved into happy crescents in real time.
Even amid my worries about the dinner ahead, I couldn't help thinking she was cute.
"Yeah~ Dad..."
"He...?"
"Really wants to see you tonight."
This might be my last supper.
I squeezed my eyes shut at the terrifying future ahead.
With my eyes closed, the darkness felt like my impending doom.
#87
Beep beep beep—
As we opened the door, a delicious aroma spread through the air, mingled with a soft fragrance.
"We're here~"
"Pardon the intrusion..."
Han Seo-ah was all sunshine, while I slunk in like a guilty shadow.
"Oh, you're here already? It's almost ready, so have a seat at the table."
—No, can I wait in the room?
Spotting Seo-ah's dad seated imposingly at the table, head bowed and arms crossed, my breath caught in my throat.
I shot Han Seo-ah a desperate look begging for rescue, but...
"Junu, come sit."
She grabbed my hand and dragged me straight to hell. Tears welled up.
As I sat in the chair that looked like a pit of infernal flames, Seo-ah's dad lifted his head, his eyes hollow.
"...Jun-woo. It's been a while."
"...Y-yes, it has..."
Just exchanging greetings made sweat pour from my body.
"Is the house cold or something?"
"Pardon?"
"You two are holding hands so tightly, I thought it might be chilly."
He chuckled, saying maybe he should turn up the boiler, like it was a joke.
But his soulless tone and dead eyes, not smiling at all...
Staring me down with such intensity that I half-expected to end up as tonight's main ingredient if I didn't let go.
I tried to pull my hand away frantically, but Han Seo-ah gripped it tighter, like no way. I pleaded with my eyes for her to stop.
—Save me.
She just grinned like this was hilarious, shaking her head no.
—I'm done for.
"It's a bit chilly today, huh..."
I muttered in resignation, and laughter rang out from Han Seo-ah and her mom.
The pressure from her dad across from me only intensified, inversely proportional to the laughter.
"Ahem... So, you're going on a beach trip, just the two of you?"
"Yes, after midterms."
"Might be risky for two students traveling alone."
"I'll be extra careful to keep things safe..."
I could almost hear whispers of "The biggest danger to Seo-ah is you."
In this interrogative atmosphere, our suffocating exchange continued. He tapped the table with his fingers, clearly displeased.
"...And your family is covering the lodging?"
"Yes, my parents offered."
"Lodging booked?"
"No, not yet..."
"Yeah, we booked it."
?
I stared in confusion at Han Seo-ah's sudden words. She grinned mischievously, "Hee hee."
—This feels ominous.
What was this unease?
"...We booked our place?"
It was news to me, but I hid my anxiety and asked.
"Yep. Mom and I even reserved it. I forgot to tell you. Sorry, Junu."
—You don't look sorry at all.
Her eyes sparkled like this was her big chance, smiling brightly. An inexplicable dread washed over me.
"...Really? Where?"
"A hotel near where we're going..."
"A hotel...?"
"One room."
Like a kid who'd pulled off a prank.
She said it with such an innocent giggle, utterly adorable.
But since I was the target, cold sweat dripped down.
"There weren't... other rooms?"
"Nope? There were plenty, Junu."
I felt sweat beading on my forehead trickle down.
"Two beds... right?"
I asked, calming my pounding heart with effort. She looked at me like it was the dumbest question.
"Junu."
"Rooms and beds... you only book one of."
As she winked suggestively, I gaped blankly.
Then, with a thud, her dad collapsed face-first onto the table.