Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Cuddle Time
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"Got it, Miss. It's an honor."
We took the bus all the way to her place.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Harumi burst in excitedly at the thought of eating with someone.
"Commoner! Hurry up! You have to wash your hands before eating!"
She's so well-raised, as expected.
I quickly followed her into the bathroom.
"Miss, your hands."
I lathered up the soap and held out both hands. Harumi hesitated for a moment before spreading her palms.
"I'll wash them for you. Meals should be eaten with clean hands."
"Eh? I-I can do it myself..."
She protested, but her hands obediently rested on mine. I gently supported her wrists and rubbed in circles with the foam. The center of her palms, between her knuckles, along the edges of her nails. The suds spread slickly, glistening like a thin film. Glossy, pretty nails. Fingertips flushed pink.
"Here, between the fingers too."
I spread her fingers apart, and her shoulders twitched lightly. I rubbed deep between them with my slippery fingers. Under her skirt, her pale toes curled and uncurled in waves.
"Hee... it tickles..."
She said that, but didn't pull away. If anything, she relaxed her fingertips in time with my rhythm. Each brush of wet skin transmitted faint warmth.
"Jeez, why are your hands so roughed up? I was super careful around the bandages."
"Y-yeah. Sorry. From... the side job..."
"Making those dolls?"
"Uh-huh..."
In the mirror, her cheeks were red like ripe peaches. Damp bangs clung to her temples, her breath coming in shallow shudders.
"There. One spot left. It's still slick here too..."
I intertwined our fingers lightly to rinse the inside of her wrists. Cold water flowed over the soft skin, and Harumi drew in a sharp breath.
"U-um... that's enough now."
Her lips said no, but her hands stayed in mine until the last drops were gone. I took a towel and carefully patted her hands dry. She stared at them in a daze.
Fingers entwined like kissing tongues.
The sensation lingered like an afterimage.
"What are you thinking about, Miss?"
She flinched.
"W-what?! N-nothing, idiot. Let's go eat."
Nothing beats teasing the heroine for that thrill.
As I followed her to the living room, I saw Harumi curiously inspecting the portable gas stove. Wanting to help, she'd taken it out of the box and tried setting it up—but no chance she'd succeed. This was pure commoner gear; a former young lady like her had never touched one.
"See that cover?"
"This?"
"Yeah. There's a hole there. Try sticking your finger in."
She followed my instructions faithfully.
Carefully inserting her index finger into the hole on the butane gas can lid.
"Ah... s-something's blocking it; it won't go deeper..."
"Not that one—the lower hole..."
"Oh~ this one."
Finally finding the right hole, she hooked her finger like a claw and popped the cover open.
"Whoa... so cool."
"Now you put that big one inside. Think you can do it?"
I handed her the gas canister I'd bought earlier.
"Really? Hmm. So that's how it works."
"See that nozzle sticking out at the end? Line it up with the hole inside the stove and push it in. Can you aim right? Or should I do it? Want to try, Miss?"
"I'll do it! First time, but... I can handle it!"
Just like her—wanting to do everything herself.
She fumbled a few times, grunting, but soon got the knack.
A hiss as the canister clicked in.
"Waaah!"
Clap clap clap
"Good job. You're a natural~. I'll grab the pot."
"Hee... okay."
Her place had at least one pot, so I filled it with tap water and heated the instant rice.
Then dumped the water, added the meat-and-potato stew, and warmed it slowly.
The tiny studio filled with the sweet aroma of soy sauce, sugar, and meat. As steam rose, Harumi clasped her hands and peered in. Her eyes glistened, moist from the heat.
"Feels like we're living together."
"W-what?!"
Poke her and she yelps—so cute.
"Just kidding... Haha. Sitting here warming food together feels special. Like, it smells like home."
"Home... smell? This is what home smells like?"
"Yeah. The smell of an ordinary, happy home."
Harumi beamed like a flower in bloom.
Dew formed on the petals and trickled down.
"Yeah... home smell. Hehe..."
She bowed her head briefly, wiped her tears with her sleeve, then casually picked up her chopsticks as if nothing happened.
"L-let's eat! I'm starving!"
We ate in silence, spoonful by spoonful. Soft potatoes crumbled on the tongue, onions melted sweetly. Harumi's eyes went wide.
"So good... Weird. Tastier than fine dining..."
"'Cause we're eating together."
"Hee... maybe."
For a while, only the clink of spoons. I added potato and meat to her bowl; she blinked round-eyed, then mirrored me, piling meat onto mine.
"You need to eat more, Miss. Gotta grow big and strong."
"You too. If you wanna get taller."
"I'd be in trouble if I got any bigger."
Harumi grinned cheekily.
"Thanks for the meal."
As I stood to clear the dishes, Harumi tugged my sleeve insistently.
"...Commoner. N-no... Yu Sanghyeon."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Short, sincere words.
"My pleasure. I'll do the dishes."
Butler duty ain't half bad.
I get why those romance novel butlers serve their heroines so devotedly.
Clatter clatter—
When I returned, she hesitated, then blocked my path.
"A-are you... leaving?"
"Yeah. Last bus'll be soon."
"W-wait... Um, stay over... tonight too...?"
Before she finished, her lashes trembled. Cheeks flushed like they'd been steamed.
I had to head to the director's office tomorrow morning. Crash at 3-chome?
Screw it.
Wake up early, done.
She wants it—who'd say no?
"No reason not to."
"Uh... okay."
Her head nodded; her face sighed in relief.
I always carried a travel toothbrush for heroine-kiss contingencies, so brushing was fine.
"Th-then I'll set up the futon."
"Yes, Miss."
One blanket again. Last time she was drunk and half-asleep, clinging to me. This was different.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
Considerate, so she wouldn't be scared—but she thought otherwise.
"No. Share it. ...It's cold."
"I'll hold the corner then. You in the middle."
"It's fine. I-I can sleep on the edge."
"Won't work. I'm too big."
"D-didn't know! Shut up, you bear!!"
Click.
Darkness made the room feel smaller.
Streetlight filtered through the window frame, stretching across the ceiling.
"Gonna lie down."
I took half the mat. Full body would leave no room for her.
Swish...
Harumi pulled the blanket to her chin, embarrassed. It barely covered knees, leaving my legs out—but not cold.
The blanket smelled like her.
Two breaths wove thin threads in the small room.
About five minutes passed.
Whisper
"Sanghyeon~"
I pretended to sleep.
"Sanghyeon, asleep...?"
Her breath tickled my ear. Her body against my arm thumped with her heartbeat.
"Can't sleep with your heart pounding so loud, Miss."
She jolted!
"Q-quiet...! It's always... like this!"
"Cute."
"Ugh... don't say that suddenly, idiot."
She curled toward me. Faces close. Scents mingled at the blanket's edge—her lemon-sherbet fragrance, soap, and lingering sweet meat-potato stew.
Silence for a moment.
Eyes adjusted to dark; her silhouette sharpened. Long lashes cast shadows, nose tip quivered faintly. Lips gleamed, freshly licked?
"Commoner."
"Yes."
"Today... no, thank you again."
"You said that earlier."
"B-but I have nothing to give... so... reward-wise..."
"Nah, we're past that."
She started to speak, then clamped her lips shut.
After long hesitation, she squeezed her eyes shut and puckered her small lips like a goldfish—then yanked her face back.
Even from afar, her face burned hot.
'...Was she about to kiss me?'
"N-n-no! Nothing."
More honest and direct than I thought. Expressing thanks. Showing feelings. Closing distances, sharing warmth—no reservations.
With rich-girl pride gone, pure affection-seeking remained.
"G-go to sleep!!"
Thinking I'd noticed her kiss attempt, she hid her face and rolled away.
I didn't laugh. No jokes.
From half-buried in blanket, I reached out, groping air till I found her hand's back.
"Eek?!"
"Miss."
"W-what."
"No need to run. Come back."
"U-ugh..."
She fidgeted, then turned toward me again.
Eyes sparkling in moonlight and dim streetlight from the window.
Couldn't see details, but hers met mine.
I naturally cradled her head for a pillow; she took it as a 'signal,' closing eyes tight, lips puckered again.
Goldfish lips quivering.
Pure affection.
I steadied myself, cupping her nape gently.
Her advance didn't stop this time.
Mwah...♡
Tremors passed between us.
"...!"
She smooched sloppily, pulled back, gasped roughly.
Unsatisfied.
Her face was dazed, soul half-gone.
"Haa... more...?"
Once wasn't enough.
I leaned in for her lips again.