Chapter 149
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Sua's Resolution
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Her face was that of someone who'd committed a grave crime.
Even though I couldn't read minds, I could see exactly what Yoon Sua meant by those words.
She was more worried about ruining the fun atmosphere by collapsing than about collapsing from her own pain.
That was the case right now too. In the middle of all the excitement, she felt sorry for saying something that might kill the vibe. If her leaving caused my mom to stop having fun, she'd make an even more pitiful face.
"Hey, what do you have to be sorry about? Those who want to keep partying can just do that! Mom's not the type to care about stuff like that, right?"
Thankfully, my mom wasn't that kind of person. She might have picked up on Yoon Sua's feelings to some extent, but she was genuinely someone who could have fun on her own.
And the same went for the people living with Yoon Sua in the studio apartment.
"Then, Mom! Leave Sister Sua to Brother Hyunwoo, and how about you, me, and Aebom sister have a girls-only party today?"
"If it's all right with you, Mother, I think Hana's suggestion is a good one."
I'd been worrying about how to bow out gracefully without getting any complaints, since Yoon Sua alone made me uneasy and I wasn't confident I could handle my mom's rising energy.
Oh Hana and Han Aebom stepped up first to help me out.
People who bickered over the smallest things in daily life always synced up perfectly in moments like this. Guess that's what makes them great girls.
"Sounds good? Then leave Sua to my son! And we'll go have some fun!"
"Perfect! Let's go, Dolly!"
Even as the situation sorted itself out, Yoon Sua still couldn't lift her head easily.
Watching her, I quietly smacked my lips.
A bitter taste lingered in my mouth.
*
The party split into two: one heading back to the studio apartment, and the other going to karaoke to keep the night going.
I was with Yoon Sua in the group returning home.
「Thud, thud.」
With Mom and Oh Hana—who'd been responsible for 90% of the noise—gone, it was suddenly too quiet the other way around. The dejected, gloomy footsteps and deep sighs rang clearly in my ears.
"Um..."
I tried to offer some small comfort since I couldn't stand it anymore. But at the same time, Yoon Sua spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Hyunwoo. Because of me, you can't have more fun either."
"What are you talking about? You saved me. I was racking my brain over how to slip out right when it was getting good."
"...Really?"
"Really. I wouldn't lie about something like this. Mom doesn't cling to me demanding to play whenever we go down to Busan for no reason. It's because I don't play with her."
"I see."
When I spoke with about 90% sincerity, Yoon Sua's expression eased up.
"Me."
"Yeah."
"I wanted to keep going more."
"Really?"
I tried to make it as easy as possible for Yoon Sua to speak. Her face screamed that she wanted to pour out everything bottled up inside.
"Yes, really. Honestly, this is the first time I've gone out for a casual meal feeling this relaxed since I collapsed at a restaurant once."
"..."
"It's a secret from my family, but while I was out cold, I saw their faces. They were all so shocked. We'd come to laugh and chat happily, but in an instant, their faces went pale... It turned into the worst gathering ever."
I wanted to chime in with a casual "Really?" but my mouth wouldn't move.
How could there be a story this heartbreaking?
I was the type to get emotional even at cheesy melodrama with touching BGM, but Yoon Sua's tale went beyond sad—it hurt me too.
"Looking back, it felt tense from the start because I could collapse anytime. My dad doesn't hate alcohol, but he never touched a drop around me. Just in case an ambulance had to come—even though it usually did—he was scared of any unexpected situation where he'd have to drive."
"..."
"Same with Mom and my sibling. Knowing that, I haven't gone out to eat with the family since that day. So today was amazing. Your mom is so kind and fun, and most of all, thanks to your 'magic,' I felt this know-how assurance like, 'Ah! At least I won't collapse here.' I could enjoy it with peace of mind. Heehee."
"There's know-how for pain too?"
I forced a casual smile, but my lips twitched. The word 'magic' echoed in my ears over and over.
If I really could use magic, I'd wipe away all her pain right now.
Suddenly, I got why so many people were obsessed with 'magic' and 'miracles.'
When things feel hopeless, that's how it goes.
"There is! But lately, even that know-how feels a bit iffy."
"Why?"
"Why? Hehehe, it's because of you, Hyunwoo—I've gotten a bit healthier than before! No joke, every night before bed and when I wake up, I pray thanks to you."
"Cough!"
I was so startled I choked. No wonder I'd seen Yoon Sua clasping her hands in prayer sometimes lately. It was for me?
"I didn't do anything that amazing."
"To me, it was."
A few steps of silence passed before Yoon Sua spoke first.
"Since it's something that amazing, it's ridiculous for me to get greedy for more."
"..."
"Guess I'm a pretty awful person."
"I don't know about anything else, but that's the most absurd thing anyone's ever said to me."
If Yoon Sua was awful, then there wouldn't be a single non-awful person in Korea... no, on the whole planet.
"Why not! I really think so. I've already had more happiness than I deserve, but I keep wanting more. Shamelessly."
"That's called having a ton of shame."
"Eek! Don't say it like that, Hyunwoo—you'll make me misunderstood."
"Whatever the misunderstanding is, among everyone I've met, you're number one for being kind and good."
"Ughhh! Really! Stop it!"
A smack sounded from my arm. What? It tickled more than a mosquito bite.
"Hoo!"
Yoon Sua let out a few breaths to shake off her embarrassment, then clasped her hands behind her back, looked up at the sky, and spoke.
"I wonder what it feels like to get drunk."
I'd briefly turned into a dog instead of a person not long ago.
I wanted to say it wasn't great, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her that.
"What would it feel like to go bowling or karaoke for round two? Ah, but first, how do you even play bowling? What's karaoke like?"
"Bowling is rolling a ball to knock down pins. Karaoke is basically like Oh Hana singing on the mountain—not much different. Just singing in a room."
"Aha! That kind of thing."
She nodded as if she'd gotten it just from my words, and it was so pitiful. Before that pity faded, Yoon Sua spoke.
"It feels like the same routine every time. How long do I have to be the one receiving consideration?"
"..."
Her heaviest words yet choked me up. Still, I forced my mouth open.
"Soon."
"Soon?"
"It'll change soon... no! Everyone's already showing you so much consideration right now. Hana aside, even Aebom did it for you."
Yoon Sua blinked her round eyes a few times at my words, then flashed a fox-like smile that reminded me of Oh Hana.
"Hyunwoo. When we get back to the studio apartment, want to skip sex?"
Pardon?
I blinked, thinking I'd misheard, but Yoon Sua quickly clarified so I wouldn't misunderstand.
"Because I like you, Hyunwoo. So much. I want to have sex. It's nothing special, but my virginity... I'd like you to take it."
If any other girl said that, I'd just be thrilled. But coming from Yoon Sua, it sounded half like a last will, leaving me a bit dazed.
"Sure."
Still, I couldn't resist sex, so I nodded. Yoon Sua beamed innocently.
*
I half-expected a quest to pop up.
Quests for 'Have Sex' had appeared for both Oh Hana and Han Aebom so far, so by inertia, maybe one for Yoon Sua too. But nothing.
"..."
I quietly smacked my lips. Like earlier, it felt too brazen to hope for a quest now. Where was the me who'd vowed not to be swayed by quests anymore?
'Still, this is harsh.'
This time it wasn't personal greed, which made it feel even more disappointing.
'Elixir Replica... It's not even real, so sprinkle it around already, you bastard! No, please, just sprinkle some. Please!'
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Lately, I'd been realizing a lot. People desperate for something must feel like this—choking up without knowing why, turning servile.
As someone who'd always watched from the sidelines like a coward, I knew nothing. I hadn't wanted to know. I'd just been relieved I didn't show such ugly sides, even mocking others.
You don't understand until you experience it yourself. Same with sex.
'If I'd passed thirty like this, I'd really die a lifelong virgin grand wizard.'
Less than half a year since my first time with Oh Hana, and here I was, about to be with my third woman.
「Splash!」
The shower sound from the bathroom made my heart race faster. I washed my dry face, still dazed.
'Having relations with three women is one thing.'
But were there people who openly dated three at once like me? My well-squeezed junk might not produce anymore, but from friends' stories, multiple partners—even if not cheating—weren't that rare.
Plus, it wasn't that I was the only one who'd never done it forever; Korea seemed way more open about sex than I'd thought.
"..."
In that sense, bluntly, if condoms were banned, wouldn't the birth rate jump from 0.5 to double at least?
'From today, condom use is prohibited for sex in Korea!'
...Imagining someone shouting that seriously made me burst out laughing. This really was a fantasy. No way it'd happen even if the world flipped.
「Click!」
The bathroom doorknob turned, snapping my wandering mind back.
And as the door opened, my dick—barely covered by panties—twitched, already peeking up.
Steam leaked out, but it couldn't hide her massive tits dripping water.
My eyes were first stolen there. Then, feeling like a water drop myself, my gaping mouth sent my gaze lower until it stopped dead.
Yoon Sua's pussy—the one I'd fuck today. A pristine, hairless white pussy.
The oldest sister, yet with the smoothest, most childlike mound staring back, my mind automatically pictured a ripe peach. For real.