Chapter 45
Liking Choi Yujin sunbae from the heart would surely hurt someday. They were just too mismatched for that. He felt sorry for her, but sticking to just physical attraction was better for him in the long run.
If he truly fell for Choi Yujin sunbae, the fall would hurt just as deeply.
Meanwhile, Choi Yujin sniffled, lost in her own worries. She couldn't promise Han Yaseong anything. It wasn't like she liked him as a boyfriend, nor could she guarantee he'd become one someday.
To her, Han Yaseong was just a first-year underclassman she had a bit of interest in. Nothing more, nothing less—at least for now.
That's why she couldn't make any promises or give him a firm answer.
But there was one thing she could give him right now. Exactly what he wanted.
So Choi Yujin decided to give Han Yaseong a special gift.
"I'll give you a present."
"What?"
"My body."
"......"
"Take as much as you want today. Do whatever you feel like. And we'll figure out our relationship tomorrow."
"......Is that really okay?"
"Yeah. I haven't figured things out yet either. What we are to each other... So let's spend one more day here. By tomorrow, I'll know."
Han Yaseong thought that wasn't a bad deal. No matter what happened tomorrow, he could have her all to himself today.
The excitement made it swell a little.
Feeling it press against her stomach, Choi Yujin let go in disbelief.
"You get hard that fast?"
"Ah, I... Sorry."
"Seriously! Forget it. You're a bad boy. Getting all stiff right away and... ugh."
It was embarrassing how her tears from moments ago meant nothing compared to his erection.
Annoyed, Choi Yujin shot up from the bed.
"I'm leaving now. We're done. I must be crazy to stick around with a guy like you..."
As she really started to go, Han Yaseong panicked. He had to stop her, no matter what.
He grabbed her from behind, hugged her tight, and pushed her down onto the bed.
"What the hell? Let go!"
Forced onto the bed, Choi Yujin struggled and kicked.
But Han Yaseong pinned her down with his body weight, refusing to let her slip away.
No matter how much of a herbivore he seemed, he was still stronger than Choi Yujin. Or rather, ever since crossing to that other world, he'd become a carnivore in herbivore's clothing.
Despite her efforts, her wrists stayed glued to the bed.
She ended up lying there, shocked.
What kind of strength is this...?
She was pretty strong herself, but she couldn't budge.
The situation made her heart race like she was moments from being raped.
That's when Choi Yujin realized Han Yaseong wasn't ordinary.
He could rape me anytime he wanted...
True herbivores couldn't even dream of it—they lacked the strength and the guts. They might mob up somehow, but alone? No chance.
But Han Yaseong? If he decided to, he could take her whenever.
She could feel that raw power.
She'd thought she'd win in a fight, but clearly not. He'd been hiding his true strength all along, playing meek to win her favor.
So Choi Yujin gave up resisting. No point wasting energy when she couldn't win by force.
Instead, she stared straight up at Han Yaseong, who loomed over her, pinning her wrists to the bed.
"What do you think you're doing? Gonna rape me?"
"No."
"Then why? Let go already."
"Don't wanna."
"What?"
"You said you'd be my present today. I'm taking it."
"Hey, you..."
"You're not leaving today."
Han Yaseong boldly gave in to greed. She'd offered herself as a gift, after all. Tomorrow was uncertain, but today, he wanted her completely.
They were so close now—he couldn't let her run off to Seoul.
Worst case, he'd rape her to keep her here. That was his resolve.
Choi Yujin saw that sincerity in his eyes. If she kept fighting, he'd really do it.
That gaze showed just how badly he craved her body.
It was a shame he didn't want her heart, but his fierce desire still made her heart skip a little.
His assertiveness stirred something new in her.
If he'd just begged and pleaded pathetically, she'd have been even more disappointed.
This made her feel like a woman.
Her threat to leave and head to Seoul had been nothing but a tantrum, testing how he'd react.
But that was something you did with a boyfriend...
Did she see him that way without realizing?
Her head spun with confusion, draining her strength further.
"Fine. I won't go. Now let me up."
"For real?"
"Yeah. I'm starving. If we're gonna fight, let's eat first."
She hadn't eaten since dinner last night, and now it was past noon. Her stomach growled fiercely.
A meal might give her the energy to think straight.
But Han Yaseong was still uneasy. What if he let go and she bolted?
Choi Yujin frowned up at him from below.
"What're you waiting for? Let's eat. Or do you wanna do it like this?"
"No, not that, but..."
"Then why? Scared I'll sneak off to Seoul?"
"Yeah..."
"Why worry like that? You're so weird. I'm not a criminal or anything—I wouldn't ghost you. If I go, it'll be after we talk it out. Relax."
"Okay......"
Reluctantly, Han Yaseong released her wrists.
Choi Yujin sat up on the bed, rubbing her sore wrists.
"Always so suspicious... Who dumped you before?"
"......"
His expression gave it away. Choi Yujin's eyes widened in surprise.
"For real? Someone dumped you? Who? Ex-girlfriend?"
"No. Never had a girlfriend..."
"Then who? First love?"
"No."
He'd been humiliated by his first love, but not dumped.
Choi Yujin was dying to know who had abandoned Han Yaseong.
"Who was it? Your parents?"
She'd just blurted it out as it came to mind.
But at "parents," Han Yaseong gave a bitter smile.
Anyone but a fool could read between the lines.
"Your parents for real? They abandoned you?"
"Not exactly abandoned..."
"Then what?"
"They just divorced and left me on my own."
"You alone? Neither took you?"
"Yeah."
"Ha..."
Choi Yujin was floored. Divorce and leave the kid solo? What kind of monsters were they?
"How long you been alone?"
"Since middle school."
"Ha......"
She was speechless. Middle school—that's like 14. Alone since then? No parents?
It didn't make sense.
"They really didn't take you after the divorce? You didn't insist on staying alone?"
"Yeah. They just said since we're divorcing, you live on your own... They got me an apartment."
"They're insane. How do you leave a kid—a middle schooler—alone? Do they visit sometimes?"
"......"
"They don't."
"They still deposit money. Paid my college tuition too..."
"That's not the point! How can parents do this? Even animals wouldn't. If you're apart, you check in—see how they're doing. God, it pisses me off just thinking about it. My dad cheats on Mom all the time with other women, but he always asks if I'm home safe, going to school, eating okay—either in person or on the phone."
"Your dad cheats?"
"Huh? Yeah. Total playboy. Women have shown up at our house making scenes more times than I can count. Even a dad like that looks out for me. How could yours not?"
"They never got along. I've felt it since I was little... I'm used to it now."
"......"
Choi Yujin's chest ached. Now she saw it—Han Yaseong had completely given up on his parents.
Worn out from waiting so long for their love.
That explained why he hated waiting. He'd tired of it with his parents and didn't want to do it again with her.
He'd been utterly neglected by them.
That faint shadow always on his face? Definitely from this. Parental love deprivation.
Choi Yujin felt even guiltier for treating him like a disposable fling.
Maternal instinct kicked in, and she blurted something she shouldn't have.
"Okay. Here's my phone—call anytime. I'll come running, no matter what. Just think of me as your personal call girl."