#14 Treat Me Roughly (1)
A notification from It's App—the mobile messenger that 99 percent of Spaniards supposedly use—pops up on my screen. I stare at it blankly before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Haa...."
I gave it out. My number. I had no choice. Tiago and I are buddies, and while Elena and I aren't super close, she's still a coworker at the same job, so I couldn't find a good reason to refuse her request.
Like Tiago told me, any grudge is solely toward Jeong Ha-yoon. No matter how much she looks like her, that shouldn't extend to Yuko.
The discomfort had mostly faded while we were hanging out drinking cocktails, but after Yuko snagged my number, it surged right back up to the tip of my throat.
It was obvious. She didn't just want to get friendly—she took my number because she likes me.
From the very first moment our eyes met, I'd seen that spark in Yuko's gaze change completely.
"Yeah. Time to draw a clear line."
Whatever feelings Yuko has for me right now are probably just pure curiosity, nothing like love yet. Better to nip it in the bud before it grows—that's just polite.
I tap the It's App notification and check Yuko's messages.
Starting off too aggressively feels rushed, so I keep my reply short.
I almost end it there, but it feels too curt, so I toss in a polite question for good measure.
Her reply shoots back like a bullet.
About a minute later, Yuko replies.
Truth is, I'm not planning to crash right now. My usual late-night routine is some casual web surfing, then soccer clips on NewTube until I get drowsy.
The chat goes quiet for a bit. I mull over the perfect timing to drop the line-drawing message.
The moment's approaching.
It takes a while for her reply.
A chuckle slips out automatically. I steel myself again.
I'm pondering how to respond when another message drops.
Honestly? Not at all. If I hadn't met Jeong Ha-yoon, I'd be the one chasing Yuko right now. No need to hurt her—she doesn't deserve that.
Bullet replies again.
Persistent. Just like she said, I must fit her ideal type perfectly.
As I hesitate on a reply, she keeps firing off messages in her impatience.
I don't have an Instagram account. Used to, though. Didn't post much, but DMs rolled in constantly—random women, pre-pro offers to model or act, even high-paying gig propositions.
"Deleting that account was because of Jeong Ha-yoon too."
Right after we started dating, she wiped my account without asking. Said she was sick of DMs from strangers. Back then, I was so lovestruck I didn't complain.
But she kept hers active, posting away. It bugged me, but with all those followers came sponsorships, free restaurant meals, pool villas—she got perks, so I let it slide.
"Hoo... Anyway, what now...."
I tap the phone screen with my nail.
Thought saying no dating would make her back off, but Yuko's not budging.
No good. Time for a bigger, firmer line.
I hesitate, then drop the bomb.
This should make her back off. No way she'd want to be that with me, right?
"...Nailed it."
Not sure if she's shocked, but no reply for a while. Worried about misunderstanding, I hurriedly send another.
I've done enough. Harsh, but necessary. Dating Yuko would just remind me of Jeong Ha-yoon. I want her erased from my life completely.
Last message sent, I close It's App and fire up NewTube. About to watch soccer highlights—
Ding!
Another alert. Yuko's preview pops up. I read it and bolt upright.
"...Huh?"
Things are veering completely off-script.
The day after the match. No CD Coslada training, but after my solo workout, I meet Yuko alone at a café near Aunt's restaurant.
Unlike yesterday, she's wearing clothes that hug her curves even more.
...Damn, tempting. But this isn't for hooking up—it's to set things straight for real. Takes serious effort to calm the beast stirring between my legs.
"Why meet at a café?"
Yuko grins at me and adds softly,
"You wanna do it here?"
"...!"
I flail my hands in the air frantically. Whoa, so forward. Damn... wasn't what I meant by that line.
"Tae-oh, you're blushing."
I chug icy juice to cool down, then after a moment's thought, speak up.
"Gotta talk serious."
Yuko jumps in surprise. Fair enough—I'd said it in Japanese, not Spanish.
"You... speak Japanese?"
Once I decided to, it flowed out effortlessly. Thanks again, goblin.
"People around who might overhear—can't do Spanish. And you're not learning Korean anytime soon."
"Basics only."
"Exactly. Since I speak Japanese, this works best."
Her eyes still wide, mouth agape.
"First, something you need to know."
"What?"
"I might not be as good a guy as you think. Probably not."
"...Why say that outta nowhere?"
"That sex partner thing? Not a step before dating. Purely scratching mutual itches, nothing more. That's not what you want, right?"
Before she answers, I push harder.
"Plus, satisfying my needs comes first. Precious time, y'know? Might ask for kinky stuff that embarrasses or grosses you out."
All bluff. Just to make her think this ain't it.
"Get it now? I'm not the nice guy you imagine."
She blinks a few times, sips her drink, then parts her full lips slowly.
"I don't sleep with guys who have girlfriends. My rule. If I fall for someone, I won't sleep around either."
I listen quietly.
"You said no dating for a while... so no girlfriend anytime soon?"
"Yeah. Definitely not."
Yuko grins.
"Perfect. When we're doing it, you're mine and I'm yours."
...Surrender. Can't stop her now. Won't balk at trash talk like that—what more can I do?
Well... that dizzying cleavage staring me down has me boiling with desire for her too.
"And hey..."
She leans forward, cleavage on full display, voice husky tickling my ear.
"I like kinky stuff too. So..."
Her next words snap my last thread of reason.
"Treat me roughly."
"......!"