Song Ji-won, Kim A-ran, Yoo Eun-kyung, and the Unilateral Partner Declaration
The door opened carefully.
The metal handle clicked with a faint scraping sound.
Min-gyu and Eun-kyung's conversation stopped instantly.
Min-gyu turned his head reflexively.
And the moment he saw the person stepping through the gap, his eyes trembled slightly.
It was Song Ji-won.
White running shoes. Gray-lined training hot pants. A tight white tank top tied so her navel peeked out just a little.
Her gaze was fixed on Min-gyu.
Her face looked faintly excited, and a softer smile than usual greeted him first.
But that smile didn't last long.
Right beside Min-gyu, a little behind him, a girl was twisting her body with her back slightly hunched.
Yoo Eun-kyung, her cheeks flushed red, both hands fussing with something beneath her skirt.
In her hands was a transparent zip bag containing Ji-won's swimsuit.
Ji-won's eyebrows twitched for a split second.
But she quickly returned to her teacher's expression.
"Oh... Eun-kyung, you're in the swimming club too?"
Her voice was calm and low.
Eun-kyung only then seemed to notice Ji-won's presence and bowed her head slightly in greeting.
"So you're the supervising teacher too, ma'am. Hello... I was... suddenly today... kidnapped? Selected? Picked up...? Something like that, I think."
Ji-won chuckled inwardly. Her expression remained perfectly composed.
A-ran must have dragged in another passing student again.
She naturally turned her gaze toward Min-gyu.
But something felt off.
Min-gyu couldn't look straight at her. His shoulders had stiffened slightly, and his lips were pressed together while his eyes wavered.
...Why that expression?
She looked at Yoo Eun-kyung again.
The girl was wearing her uniform neatly. She even had her blazer properly on over her blouse, yet her skirt was hiked up well above her knees, shortened as much as possible. Low pumps on her feet. Overall she looked tidy, but that short skirt length was impossible to ignore.
Ji-won pretended not to care as she looked away, thinking to herself.
Is there really a student these days who wears her uniform like that? And that skirt length... it draws the eye whether I want it to or not.
The outfit didn't stand out, yet it strangely caught her attention.
Eun-kyung kept her eyes lowered, and the distance between her and Min-gyu was... close.
Yoo Eun-kyung... right. She used to take my classes sometimes. Modern dance major, quiet and well-behaved.
Her way of speaking is soft, and she can seem a little timid... but depending on how you look at her, she can appear quite feminine. She's kind to everyone. Even if she seems quiet and shy on the surface, when you talk to her she responds slowly and warmly...
Girls like that... even if they're hard to approach because of their looks, once you start talking, guys tend to fall for them for no reason. ...Could Min-gyu be one of those guys?
At that thought, a strangely uncomfortable feeling welled up inside her.
"T-Teacher..."
It was Yoo Eun-kyung who spoke first, slowly. She turned her head slightly toward Song Ji-won, both hands clasped in front of her skirt.
"Are the only club members... me and Min-gyu?"
Ji-won tilted her head, puzzled. Truthfully, she hadn't heard the details yet either.
"Hmm... I don't know exactly yet either. So far I've only seen the two of you, but we'll have to wait for A-ran to know for sure."
Before she even finished, Eun-kyung spoke again.
"Th-then..."
Eun-kyung lowered her gaze and curled her lips into a small smile. The smile looked strangely knowing, almost sly. But she quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand, slowly hiding the expression.
"Th-then... Min-gyu and I... we can be partners... and practice, right...? Right...?"
Her words came slowly, but what she wanted to say was delivered clearly.
Ji-won's eyebrows twitched slightly. But she answered with a calm face.
"I'm not sure yet since today is my first day. Let's ask A-ran when she gets here."
Eun-kyung didn't wait to hear the rest. She nodded slowly midway through, and her gaze naturally drifted toward Min-gyu. Her eyes stopped on his face.
She moved her feet slowly. Then she stood right beside Min-gyu, naturally, far too close.
"...P-please take care of me... We're partners, after all..."
It was a declaration. There had been no confirmation, yet her tone made it sound already decided.
Min-gyu parted his lips. But his Adam's apple only rose slowly and then fell again without a sound.
What do I do...? What am I supposed to say...?
He glanced up at Song Ji-won. Ji-won was watching the scene in silence. Her lips were closed, her expression unreadable. But her eyes were clearly saying, Whatever you say right now, I'm listening.
The silence was suffocating. The air in the room suddenly felt stifling.
Just then—
"Crash!"
A loud laugh rang out from the entrance along with the sound of a box falling over.
"Nyaha! Whoa... everyone's here already~?"
It was Kim A-ran.
"Too bad I couldn't pick up any more members~ Well, we'll just add them little by little~"
She approached while lightly wiping her sweat. Then she suddenly wrapped her arms around Song Ji-won from behind.
"Aah~ You're joining us now too, unnie! Hahahaha!"
Her arms locked around Ji-won's back, her cheek pressed against her.
"A-ran, wait, this is a bit..."
Ji-won tried to pry her arms off in embarrassment, but A-ran clung even tighter like glue.
"Ehh~ Unnie~ You can't escape that easily~ You're part of our seal team now~"
Ji-won turned her head helplessly. Beyond her gaze, Min-gyu and Yoo Eun-kyung's figures overlapped. And that distance. That expression. A strange feeling ran down Ji-won's spine.
Still clinging to Ji-won's back, A-ran stuck out her lips and smiled as she spoke.
"Oh~ And um... so for the time being, you two should practice as partners!"
She pointed toward Min-gyu with her outstretched arm. Then she tilted her head slightly to look at Eun-kyung.
"Min-gyu's basically a beer bottle when it comes to swimming~ But I never asked about your swimming skills, Eun-kyung. Can you swim? Have you ever learned?"
Eun-kyung nodded slightly and answered.
"Yes... I can a little. I can float... and I know a bit of freestyle..."
At that moment, A-ran clapped her hands happily. Still resting her face against Ji-won's back, she peeked out from behind and shouted.
"Oh, perfect, perfect! Then Eun-kyung can help Min-gyu with the basics~ You two are practice partners~!"
At those words, Eun-kyung tilted her head for a moment before slowly smiling and speaking again.
"Th-that's right... partners... yes... We... we're partners..."
With her eyes half-closed, she only curled the corners of her lips upward. That strangely slow smile made it seem as if she already knew exactly how this situation would play out.
"Great, then it's settled~"
A-ran brushed off her arms and finally peeled herself off Song Ji-won.
"The teachers can clean up here~"
She muttered while kicking a small box to the side with her foot.
"Hmm... the indoor pool is still off-limits due to staffing issues~ I've got permission for the outdoor one! It's covered with a roof and outsiders can't use it, so don't worry~ Practice comfortably. It's not an official activity yet, after all~"
Then she waved her arms.
"Shoo, shoo~ Hurry up and get out? Or do you want to do this cleanup labor instead?"
At those words, Eun-kyung flinched slightly, then clutched the zip bag with the swimsuit tightly in both hands and said,
"I-I'll help... as a junior..."
She bowed politely and carefully approached Min-gyu. Her fingertips lightly tugged at his sleeve.
"L-let's go, Min-gyu... I'll help you..."
Then she took the first step and left the club room, still holding the swimsuit A-ran had given her.
Min-gyu also picked up the bag containing his swim briefs in a daze.
At that moment, he felt a gaze on his back. Song Ji-won's eyes were silently piercing the back of his head. Min-gyu shrugged his shoulders for no reason and muttered inwardly as he slowly stepped out the door.
...I feel like something's going wrong right now...
Min-gyu quietly entered the changing room. As he took out the swimsuit from the bag leaning against the wall, Eun-kyung's earlier words kept circling in his head.
...The underboob might stick out a bit... and the bottoms have a camel toe prevention pad...
He shook his head vigorously.
Ha, crazy... what the hell am I thinking right now...
As he pulled the swimsuit up to his waist, he let out a small sigh.
She said it fits pretty tight... No, forget that and just focus on practice.
Even so, that scene kept replaying in his mind.
...Well, if it's tight, where exactly is it tight...? The hips...? Underboob...? Or...
"Ah, no!"
Min-gyu slapped both of his cheeks hard with his hands.
Get it together, Kim Min-gyu. You're already tangled up with Song Ji-won, and now...
He quickly grabbed a towel and left the changing room.
The outdoor pool was better than expected. The ceiling was covered with a white canopy, and the walls were screened off with fabric fencing. A space that blurred the line between indoor and outdoor. Sunlight spread softly, and the water rippled quietly.
Min-gyu stood barefoot at the water's edge. He dipped one foot in carefully.
"Ooh... it's cool."
He muttered while slowly looking into the water.
Girls really do take forever. I just take off my pants and put it on, and I'm done...
Just then—
Splash— A light ripple spread from the other side. Along with that sound, light footsteps approached.
Min-gyu turned his head.
And—
For a moment, his breath caught in his throat.
It was Yoo Eun-kyung.
She was lightly pulling at the bottom of her swimsuit with both hands, adjusting the fabric that had ridden up between her buttocks. Even that movement didn't look awkward. As if it were completely natural, she did it quietly and calmly.
But that sight was far more glamorous than he had imagined, and he couldn't look away.
Wide hips, firm thighs, a balanced waist, and the full breasts whose shape was clearly visible through the tight swimsuit.
Without a word, she slowly walked toward Min-gyu. There was no pretense, yet in that moment, it felt as if the water was flowing, the light was refracting, and her figure was becoming vividly clear right in front of his eyes.
Eun-kyung quietly approached Min-gyu. She dipped her toes lightly into the water and took a soft breath. She scooped up water with both hands and carefully wet her arms first. Then she poured water over her upper chest two or three times. Droplets trickled down over the now-wet white swimsuit.
Without a word, she slowly slid her body into the water. Her thighs submerged, then her hips, until finally the water reached just below her chest. She looked up at Min-gyu.
Her eyes trembled slightly, and her lips moved as if hesitating.
"...Um... over here... M-Min-gyu..."
Eun-kyung slowly lowered her gaze before raising it again.
"This... I mean... I have to teach you, so..."
She trailed off, took a small breath, and lightly bit her lip.
"There might be... a little... physical contact..."
Mid-sentence, she covered her mouth without realizing it. A small laugh escaped and lingered at the corner of her lips.
"Hehe..."
She held back the laugh and lowered her head, looking a little embarrassed.
"...It might happen..."
What was that? She looked like she couldn't hold back a laugh just now...
Then she looked up at Min-gyu again and said,
"I-it's okay, right...? If... if you feel uncomfortable... just tell me, okay...?"
Her words left a lingering echo, and between each pause there was a strangely breathless tension.
She slowly pulled out a kickboard. A beginner's buoyancy aid used for practicing kicking with the upper body fixed. She held the kickboard with both hands and lightly pressed it against her chest.
"S-slowly..."
Her wet hair flowed over her shoulders. Her breathing was quiet, yet strangely intimate.
"From your feet... arms... chest... Get your body wet first..."
Half-submerged in the water, she reached out toward Min-gyu and whispered,
"C-come in, Min-gyu..."
Following Eun-kyung's instructions, Min-gyu slowly wet himself from his toes. Knees, thighs, waist, then upper body. Finally, he lightly splashed water on his chest with both hands before slowly lowering himself beneath the surface.
At that moment, Eun-kyung naturally moved closer to his side.
"Th-this..."
She gently pushed the kickboard toward Min-gyu.
"You just have to... hold it with both hands..."
As Min-gyu carefully tried to grab the kickboard, Eun-kyung's hand lightly overlapped his.
"Th-then..."
She hesitated for a moment, took a small breath, and continued.
"N-noona will... hold your body for you..."
...Noona?
Min-gyu blinked for a moment. He didn't have time to dwell on the word.
"Min-gyu, you just have to... kick hard with your feet..."
Eun-kyung leaned her upper body slightly over the kickboard and supported Min-gyu's body with both hands. Her cold fingertips carefully touched beneath his half-floating body in the water.
"I-it's important that your feet come out of the water... and go back in..."
Eun-kyung's fingertips were strangely precise. The lower part of his spine, near his sides—she supported him firmly yet gently, as if preventing his center of gravity from shifting.
"N-now..."
Her breath brushed close to his ear.
"B-breathing... when you go in... like this..."
She lightly closed her mouth, then lifted her head and mimicked exhaling.
"When you lift your head... like this... haah~..."
Her voice was small, but the breath that escaped her lips lightly grazed Min-gyu's cheek.
"L-let's start..."
At the same time, Eun-kyung's hands supported Min-gyu's body and applied a little force. Min-gyu flinched for a moment. The hand on his waist was very cold. But at the same time, those fingertips felt like they were holding his center exactly in place.
She's surprisingly good at this...?
Her movements looked clumsy, but in reality they were careful and precise, like a professional.
Then suddenly—
Wait a second. She's calling herself noona so naturally...
Min-gyu muttered blankly while holding the kickboard, unable to lift his head. The water was calm. Their breaths mingled. Her fingertips were still gently wrapped around his sides.
At the end of the twenty-five-meter pool, Min-gyu flailed his feet while kicking. Clinging tightly to the kickboard and with Eun-kyung's gentle assistance, he barely made it to the end.
"Waa... M-Min-gyu..."
She looked at him with slightly flushed cheeks, shyly. Smiling softly, she praised him quietly.
"You have talent... good job..."
Min-gyu rested his chin on the kickboard, floating and panting as he caught his breath.
"Haa! Haa! Thank you..."
He nodded with a small smile. Then Eun-kyung lifted the kickboard again and said,
"Th-then... let's go back the other way..."
She met his eyes while catching her breath.
"Pay attention to... your breathing..."
Min-gyu nodded and got back into position.
"L-let's start..."
Eun-kyung's hands supported Min-gyu's sides again. Careful, gentle fingertips. As if steadying his balance, the water rippled quietly once more.
But after they had gone a few meters—
Min-gyu felt something strange. The sensation at her fingertips. The hand that had been supporting his upper body was gradually moving lower. At first it was the center of his abdomen below his chest, pressing lightly near his navel. Then at some point, her hand changed from fingertips to her entire palm. And that palm was—
Exactly on top of Min-gyu's swimsuit, over his cock.
Huh...? What...? Her hand...
Min-gyu held his breath for a moment. In the water, Eun-kyung's hand slowly slid down beneath his stomach. Not just her fingertips this time—her entire palm. That palm was carefully supporting the area below Min-gyu's lower abdomen, right over his cock through the swimsuit. It felt as if his body, which had been lightly floating, was being held steady by that hand.
...Is she really supporting me there right now?
There was no direct stimulation, but a subtle sensation transmitted through the swimsuit fabric. Neither lifting nor pressing. Just slowly and precisely, as if helping him stay afloat on the water, supporting that spot.
But Eun-kyung continued speaking quietly, as if nothing was happening.
"Th-that's right... Min-gyu... breathe... more slowly... like that..."
Min-gyu couldn't lift his head. He couldn't tell if this was truly unintentional or deliberate. His feet kept moving. His arms gripping the kickboard tensed, and his toes kept kicking without rest. Yet all his nerves were focused only on her palm. The hand resting on his cock—or rather, carefully supporting exactly that area. The sensation of feeling its shape, soft yet firm. And then Min-gyu suddenly realized he was slowly getting hard. The center of his body was growing hotter. Beneath the swimsuit fabric, within her palm, its shape was becoming distinct.