Abducted After the Kiss
After belting out our hearts in the karaoke room for a good while, I flashed a satisfied smile at Mary as we headed home.
"You really went all out today. I almost feel bad for making you foot the entire bill..."
"......"
"...Yeah, losing those bets must still sting, huh?"
Mary had been silent ever since we left the karaoke place. Just as an uneasy feeling started creeping in, she let out a small sigh and tossed a single word my way.
"It just doesn't sit right with me."
"...Yeah, I should've covered from the tenth song onward."
"That's not what I mean. Do you really think I'd haggle over pocket change like that?"
Pocket change? Tens of thousands of won was no small sum for a student.
"You've always been like this—holding back with me."
Even as she played it cool, Mary seemed determined to air her grievances fully.
"Every time you win a bet, you just take the cash and call it a day... I told you, the winner gets whatever they want, within reason."
"Sure, so asking for some pocket money within reason—is that such a big deal?"
"You know it's nothing to me. Is that really all you want from me? Nothing more... substantial?"
"More substantial, huh... Like what?"
"You know...!"
Mary bristled at my words, then faltered, averting her gaze. In a tiny, almost whispering voice, she mumbled,
"L-Like touching my body or... something weird like that..."
"......"
"W-What? Why are you staring like that?"
"You're not even old enough for an ID yet, and you're talking like that."
"Y-You shut up! You're the same!"
"At least I don't have those kinds of weird fantasies. I'd rather use that time to study."
"Don't treat me like some pervert! You know everything already anyway!"
I knew more than just everything—I'd lived it in my past life. Still, weird stuff? She'd never even crossed my mind that way before. Was she starting to factor that into our bets now?
Of course. She wasn't a kid forever. Realizing how much time had flown by hit me late, and a chuckle escaped my lips.
"I'd never ask you for something like that."
"W-What?"
"I told you. I can't like you romantically, but I don't dislike you as a person."
I'd known her since kindergarten. Watching her grow up beside me, she felt more like a sibling or family than a girl.
Yeah, someone I couldn't even think of that way.
"Don't worry. No matter what bets we make, I'd never make you do anything weird."
I laid my honest feelings bare as we walked, but then I noticed Mary, who'd been following, had stopped. Turning back, I voiced my question.
"Mary?"
Her face held a strange mix of regret. Her fists clenched, as if she'd made up her mind.
"If you don't hate it..."
She looked up at me in that state.
"If you won't push me away, does that mean you'll accept anything I do?"
Anything? Was she plotting to order me around like a slave, even without winning a bet?
"Well, as long as it's something I can handle..."
Of course, if it was just a simple request, I'd oblige. I said so lightly, and Mary made her demand.
"Then close your eyes."
"Huh?"
"It's not something weird. Just close them for a sec."
...This request only made me uneasy. But I'd agreed, and it wasn't hard—just closing my eyes.
"Fine, closing them now."
As I stood there with eyes shut, I sensed her presence right in front of me. Then, soft hands cupped my face, stirring anxiety in my chest.
She wasn't planning to slap me for everything so far, was she? If so, I'd just have to take it. Betraying her feelings would be a grave sin.
Yeah, I'd endure whatever came...
*Mmwah.*
But what touched my cheek wasn't pain—it was soft and moist. Recognizing the sensation from somewhere, I reflexively opened my eyes. Mary's face was right there, her lips pressed to my cheek.
"Uh..."
"H-Hey! What are you doing? I said keep them closed!"
Caught red-handed, she pulled back, hiding her lips. Stunned, I touched my cheek where hers had been and murmured blankly.
"...What does this mean?"
"W-What does it mean? I told you—the bets were too lame. So..."
Her voice trailed off, embarrassed even by her own words. Then, steeling herself, she glared and declared firmly,
"Fine! I pitied you for being too pathetic to demand anything better, so I gave you a special gift! Be grateful! The world's most noble being—me—just kissed your cheek!"
"......"
"W-What? That look! You don't like my gift!?"
"No, it's not that..."
I was just utterly flustered. I'd never expected this, nor did I think it would happen again. I'd assumed she only felt disappointment toward me, but here she was, boldly acting on deeper feelings.
"Next time..."
As I reeled, Mary turned away, unable to bear the embarrassment, and shouted,
"I'll head back for today, but next time, I'll make you say you like me—so prepare yourself!"
Her footsteps faded quickly, leaving silence in the empty alley. Alone, the sensation on my cheek lingered vividly. Realizing what happened, a soft laugh slipped out.
"Not bad effort for you."
Acting this boldly despite her tsundere heart—that was real progress. It made me happy, but a pang tugged at my chest.
The more she showed her affection, the more I realized we could never be together. Even this innocent act would turn to disappointment, then resentment toward me...
"Sorry..."
But knowing that, I still couldn't accept her feelings. With that bitterness, I started home—only for my vision to suddenly black out.
Something tough wrapped around me next.
"Mmph! W-What... Gah!"
Someone had ambushed me. By the time I realized, a bag covered my face, ropes bound my body. Easily inferred, I was soon loaded into something, engine roaring as speed hit.
A full-on kidnapping with a car. Bold in broad daylight, but why risk it for me? Just a commoner's kid—what could they want?
Why?
"Pha!!"
As confusion swirled, the bag came off. Light returned, revealing my kidnapper.
I knew instantly. She had reason enough.
"You've got guts. Pulling a kidnapping in 21st-century Korea, CCTV everywhere."
"Apologies, but we've mapped every camera here. You were in a blind spot—no one saw."
The red-haired maid in uniform spoke calmly, haughtily. She addressed me familiarly; I recognized her too.
"And you know we have business with you, hence this meeting."
Jessie Cage. Maid to the Mary & Chris family estate, Mary's de facto guardian since childhood. We'd met plenty; I knew she resented me.
"Seems you're close with the young miss. Strolling downtown, even forcing impure acts via bets."
"...You saw all that?"
"I must know everything about the young miss. Naturally, I track filthy influences like you."
"It wasn't from the bet. She insisted; I didn't even ask."
"Quiet."
Thwack! A sharp knuckle to the head forced me to bow. The emotional blow nearly dazed me, but I forced a smile and apologized.
"Sorry. If I'd been more careful, I could've prevented her outburst..."
"Insolent, but I respect your remorse. Choose your end: sunk in concrete to the East Sea? Or burned alive, ashes scattered atop Hallasan?"
"...How deep is your grudge?"
"Honestly? Jealousy-inducing. You stole a noble treasure—the kiss from my most precious young miss."
"You're way too invested, lady."
My young miss? Not the words of a mere servant. Sure, born of care for Mary, but after this kidnapping, I couldn't brush it off lightly.
"Enough scary talk of body disposal... You kidnapped me for a reason, right?"
"Yes. I'd love to drag you to the pit in the back hills, but ironically, until my master orders it, I must restrain myself."
How much does she hate me? But her words hinted at who ordered this—few could command the family estate's head maid.
"Prepare yourself. Madam wishes to see you after so long."
Maia Christine. Executive VP at Mary & Chris headquarters, Mary's mother. And someone I found deeply uncomfortable.
"...Can I at least call home to say I'll be late?"
"No need. If we must recover remains, I'll contact them."
She had to unsettle me to the end. Sighing at the thought of being toyed with by that lady again.