The Bait of Ruin

Sua lapped up my semen from her cupped hands like a cat drinking milk. Frustratingly, she looked so heart-flutteringly cute that I had to force myself to look away. "Just swallow it all at once."

"It's a waste. Especially since you have no intention of cumming for me again anyway." It seemed she was going to keep her promise, which brought a wave of relief, but she had already crossed a line she never should have. No matter how much her libido had exploded toward me under the influence of the wish, she had a boyfriend. Doing this to his best friend was completely messed up. Even compared to Seohye or the other girls, she could have held back if she really tried.

"You should have... just broken up with him first..."

"If I did, would you have dated me?"

"That's..." No, of course not. How could I ever date Sua in front of Taehyun while he was suffering?

"See? You wouldn't even accept my feelings. Since I can't even be Haun's girlfriend, I guess I'll just have to satisfy myself by sniffing and licking up your cum like a bitch." Her self-deprecation stung, pricking at my conscience. She knew me too well—even the exact way to hurt me.

Watching her slowly lick and swallow the semen from her hands was agonizing. At this rate, when would she finish cleaning it up? I wanted to grab a tissue and wipe it all away, but if we ended up bickering and it splattered somewhere, it would be a disaster. It was better to just leave the room.

"Where are you going?"

"To wash up."

"Come back quickly ♡"

"I'm not coming back to the room you're in."

Grabbing my clothes, I peeked into Taehyun's room. The room was neatly organized. Taehyun was fast asleep, tucked neatly under a well-spread blanket on the bed, completely oblivious to the world. It seemed Sua had put the passed-out guy to bed and tidied up the room. It wasn't necessarily because he was her boyfriend, but rather because she was naturally a caring person. I had benefited a lot from that side of Sua's personality myself.

A wave of bitterness washed over me at the thought of distancing myself from the two of them. But what choice did I have? Seeing them would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only bring pain. Stepping into the bathroom, I washed away Sua's traces while chewing over her words about how I had pushed her away. I suppose she could have felt that way. I had turned a blind eye to her because I was afraid my own desires would be rejected and hurt again. Actually, before she started dating Taehyun, I had masturbated to the thought of Sua a few times. Would she be happy if I told her that now? No, absolutely not. Why am I even thinking this? Today, and back then—none of it exists. It never happened. Even the fact that Sua and I were close friends.

When I finished my shower and came out, Sua was asleep. The bed was neatly made, and she had a blissful expression on her face as if she owned the world. I went into Taehyun's room and lay down on the hard floor. Even if it wasn't something I wanted to happen, it was the perfect spot for someone who had betrayed his friend. After all, I couldn't deny that Sua had felt beautiful as she squeezed my cock, nor could I deny that the sex with her had felt good.

I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. Guilt weighed heavily on me against the cold, hard floor. Every time Taehyun mumbled or tossed and turned, I flinched. In the end, I spent the entire night wide awake.

Six in the morning. Not much time left until the school gates opened. I got up to escape this sin-stained space. I packed my bag and was about to head to the living room to change, but then I worried Sua might be awake and want to watch me change. So, I pulled out my school uniform and started changing right there in the room.

"Mmm... what time is it?" The rustling sound woke Taehyun up.

"It's only six. Go back to sleep." I instinctively avoided his gaze.

"But why are you already in your uniform..."

"I want to head out a bit early."

"Why? Let's go together."

"Uh... I have some stuff to do..."

"Huh... You? At school?" Since he didn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠believe me, I blurted out the first excuse that came to mind.

"So the two of you can walk to school together." As soon as the words left my mouth, guilt stabbed at me. It stabbed incredibly deep.

When I turned around to put on my shoes at the front door, Sua, who had sat up in bed, was watching me. Seeing her sly, coquettish smile, she had definitely heard my excuse. Damn bitch... Ignoring her, I opened the front door and stepped outside.

The cold dawn air hit my skin, waking up my mind which was groggy from lack of sleep. It gave me a slight shiver, but it was a coldness I quickly grew accustomed to. When I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠arrived at school, fortunately, the gates were open. I had worried they might be closed. If they had been, I might have ended up pounding on the iron gates blocking my way like a madman, venting my pent-up frustration.

They say there is no paradise in the place you escape to. I fled to my friend's house, only to be violated by his girlfriend this time. Getting baited by Taehyun and blowing up in jealousy was ridiculous, and letting my guard down just because Sua wasn't a virgin was equally ridiculous. No. If I hadn't taken the bait in the first place, if I hadn't been consumed by petty inferiority, none of this would have happened. How pathetic. Mocking myself, I arrived at the classroom.

It felt strange and awkward to be completely alone in this space where I spent most of my daily life. I sat in the very back seat by the window—Juran's designated spot. I wanted to bury my face in her chest, which was always so warm and soft despite her violent nature. If I did, I felt like I could forget this horrible feeling. But then again, did I even have the right to do that?

—I thought, but Juran already knew I was promiscuous anyway. Still, I never expected to become such a slut that I'd sleep with my friend's girlfriend. Before worrying about rights or whatever, I'd have to ignore her for now even if she came to school.

Keeping my eyes on the window, I rested my head on the bag I had placed on the desk. Despite the chilly air, the sleep I had missed all night finally caught up to me, and my eyes slowly closed.

When I opened my eyes again, I felt a cozy warmth. A soft texture was touching my neck and arms where they were exposed outside my uniform. *Scribble, scribble...* The calm sound of graphite scratching against paper filled the air. I sat up and looked at the seat next to me. Seohye was sitting with perfect posture, studying, completely unbothered by my rustling.

"It is still a chilly season in the morning. If you sleep like that, you might catch a cold." Without looking at me, her eyes darted between her book and notebook as she clicked her mechanical pencil. A light weight rested on my shoulders.

"You put the blanket over me... Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Her strangely cold attitude actually put me at ease. *As expected of the President. She moves on quickly.* While I took off the blanket and folded it to return to her, Seohye set down her mechanical pencil, as if she had finally solved the problem she was working on.

"That is the seat Student Juran always sits in, isn't it?"

"Ah..." I felt like I had been stabbed in a vital spot, and the words caught in my throat. Seohye raised her head and directed her cold gaze toward me.

"The restraining order. I am thinking of lifting it."

"Uh... why?" I was already dazed, and this sudden proposal felt like a succession of heavy blows landed on me before I could even raise my guard.

"Do you still think the restraining order is necessary, Haun?" Did she know what happened between Juran and me? Or was she just guessing because I fell asleep in Juran's seat? "You are hesitating." I was completely overwhelmed by her eyes, which seemed to pierce through everything.

"Then let me state my opinion first. Although it was for a short time, Student Juran has faithfully complied with the restraining order. I judge this to be sufficient evidence of reflection. This measure places the burden of being a monitor on all fellow students. For the sake of the academic atmosphere, there is no benefit in prolonging it."

I gathered my thoughts while listening to her opinion. Seohye clearly seemed to know there was something between Juran and me, but she didn't bring it up directly. This meant she had no intention of confirming it, and she wasn't the type to spread unconfirmed rumors. In other words, whether Seohye knew about Juran and me didn't matter. Asking her if she knew about our relationship just to make things clear might needlessly reopen her wounds, which were currently healing as she tried to move on from me.

"I'll follow the Student Council's decision." The important ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thing was that it shouldn't be my decision. If we met in secret and rumors spread to Hayeon's ears, it would be over. It would be better if being together was treated as natural so I could at least make an excuse. She wouldn't cut the leash she held over me just for that.

"Instead, make it clear that I only agreed to it."

"Understood. Since we have the victim's consent, the Student Council will implement the internal decision immediately. We will announce it via broadcast during homeroom."

"Thanks. For looking out for me." She probably didn't want Juran and me to get close.

"If you are going to be close with Student Juran, it would be good if you could help her get along with the other classmates as well, Haun." *Juran, it seems Seohye cares about you too. I want to hear about the history between you two someday. And I hope I can help you reconcile.*

*Screeech...* Seohye stood up, pushing back her chair. "Well then, I will head to the Student Council Room." Looking down at me as I handed back the blanket, she smiled for the first time today. "If you ever need my help, please feel free to find me." But... why did that smile feel so chilling? Perhaps the lingering resentment she had toward me had slipped out. It was only natural.

As soon as she left the classroom, I sent a Kkotok message to Juran. I made sure to clarify that the President was the one doing it, hoping the two of them would reconcile.

But Juran didn't seem to care about that at all. She immediately called me to confirm it over and over again.

"It hasn't been announced yet. There's no need to cause unnecessary misunderstandings, so just take your time and come by homeroom."

She hung up immediately, probably to get ready for school. I felt a bit uneasy because she seemed way too excited.

I sent her a Kkotok message. I needed to warn her, just in case.