Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: I Don't Know! I'm Just Gonna Touch!
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I don't know! I'm just gonna touch 'em!
The woman who'd been beaming at me bashfully soon wrapped her arms around her chest, hiding her body with care.
As regret welled up inside me, her words continued.
"Isn't that too much?"
"Pardon?"
"We finally get a chance to head out like this, and he runs into acquaintances and starts drinking again."
"Captain's just that sociable."
"Was he like that back in the military too?"
"Hmm. Not really sure."
"I know all about it anyway. No wonder he's in HR. He absolutely loves meeting people."
That was true.
Even back in the service, he was a total social butterfly. Chatting up everyone, building rapport left and right.
Like grinding favorability with NPCs.
Thanks to that, plenty of folks liked the Captain. Me included. Probably why he ended up in HR.
"He meets so many people, drinks like a fish. Then crashes the second he gets home. Jeez."
"He goes straight to sleep?"
"Yeah. That's why we still don't have kids. Though I did say we'd take it slow because of work."
For a moment, the Team Leader struck me as terribly lonely and forlorn.
"Want me to give him an earful?"
"You could?"
"Back when he was company commander, I nagged him plenty. He always listened to me."
"Then I'm counting on you. Lay into him good."
"Haha. Got it. I'll tell him to ease up on the booze and look after you more, sis-in-law."
"...Sis-in-law?"
"Oh, does that bother you?"
"No, it's just... kinda ticklish hearing it."
She flashed that kind, gentle smile of hers and turned back to the distant sunset.
Soon after, she moved the arms she'd been using to cover herself behind her back, thrusting her chest out wide.
"Tae-hu. Don't you feel like it's getting kinda hot? The breeze isn't cool anymore. It was earlier."
"!!!!"
Team Leader Baek Ju-hee's Lust/Arousal Level: 75
Over our brief chat, her body had started heating up, bit by bit.
That must be why even the cool breeze felt lukewarm now.
"Right, mind if I ask one more thing?"
"Go ahead."
"It's kinda embarrassing. But you feel so easy to talk to, so... "
Her genuine shyness piqued my curiosity about the question.
"I'll answer just as openly."
With her smile lingering, she asked.
"I mentioned my husband crashes right after drinking."
"Yeah."
"Could it be... partly my fault too?"
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm... not very forward. Maybe that's why he loses interest..."
"... ."
"I read somewhere that guys get all riled up after drinking. But not him."
The Team Leader was showing a surprisingly vulnerable side today.
She wasn't the type to spill such personal details so easily.
'Could this be the Corruption Space working its magic?'
As her body heated up, she wanted to share these intimate thoughts.
This might be my chance.
"If I may, let me ask back. By not forward, do you mean with positions?"
"...Yes."
"Only missionary, then."
"...Y-yeah. O-other ones embarrass me. So I just..."
Her cheeks flushed deep at my probing question.
"Then yeah, it's a bit on you too."
"...Knew it."
"Get more proactive, or go with whatever he suggests."
"I'm so shy... not sure it'll work."
"Team Leader... forgive me, but is the Captain your first?"
"...Yes."
Whoa.
A beauty like the Team Leader, with just one guy her whole life.
This was making me feel like the villain more and more.
Her innocent charm only fueled my greed.
"Family wasn't well-off, so I just worked my whole life. Had to look after my siblings too."
That explained her ironclad work ethic.
It was tied straight to survival, so I got it.
"You've been through a lot."
"...Tae-hu. Do I seem kinda lame?"
"Huh? Why?"
"At my age, only been with one guy."
"Same here. Just one, super briefly before enlistment."
"Really?"
"Had to grind hard too. Quit soccer after the injury, floundered on what to do next."
"Brothers or sisters?"
"One older brother. We're pretty distant now."
"Why's that?"
"Dad poured support into my soccer, not him. So he resents me."
"Siblings... should cut each other some slack."
"Nah, it's fine. Don't like him much either."
"You don't strike me as the type to dislike people."
"Hahaha. He picked on me weirdly. Never warmed up to him."
"I see."
"He's married now anyway, living well. Doubt we'll cross paths much."
For the first time sharing my family woes, the Team Leader looked pitying.
"Our lots in life are alike, huh? Nothing but hardship."
"Haha. Pretty much."
"Then all that's left is happiness."
"Right. Time to get happy."
"Gotta land that full-time spot quick then. I'll put in a word!"
She raised both hands in a little fighting pose.
"Thanks. Means a lot."
This conversation alone felt amazing.
Amazing.
So why were my eyes glued only to the breasts between her raised hands?
Was being in this space ramping up my lust too?
Couldn't check my info window to confirm, but it sure felt that way.
'Huh?'
Team Leader Baek Ju-hee's Lust/Arousal Level: 79
Remaining time in Level 1 Corruption Space: approx. 19 minutes
In the meantime, the Team Leader's level had climbed to 79.
About 19 minutes left.
Tricky timing.
If I was gonna turn into the bad guy, now was the moment to commit.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them and faced the Team Leader.
"Um, Team Leader."
"Yes?"
"Hear me out without misunderstanding."
She tilted her head.
"About the position thing with the Captain."
"...Yes."
"You said it's tough. Want me to show you a couple?"
"Pardon?"
"Not a ton, just three or so."
It was a gamble.
Skinship was the only way to push her level higher.
But I couldn't just pounce.
So I decided to play on her fondness for me. Her trust.
Saying it out loud set my body ablaze, but I met her eyes boldly, like I had zero ulterior motives.
I could see her face flushing even deeper than before.
"S-so how exactly?"
"The poses. Just the basics of form."
"...You said you've only been with one girl too."
"...Watched some videos."
"Pfft!"
She must've been pretty tense, because she burst out laughing hard.
"Puhaha. You watch that stuff too, Tae-hu."
"All guys do. No shame here, Team Leader."
"Hahaha. Fine. So you'll teach me those positions from the videos?"
"I've tried 'em too. It'll help more if you lightly try the poses yourself than just hearing about it."
"What do you think you know?"
"No missionary. From behind. Holding each other. And carrying."
"C-carrying too?"
"Yeah. Captain's strong, so doable."
"...Wild."
She dazedly pondered the positions for a moment, then shook her head.
"That one's gotta be mortifying. Gotta give up your whole body."
"Yep. But thrilling too."
"You've... done that?"
"Yeah."
"Figures... you're pretty strong yourself, huh."
I could see her growing shyer at my confident tone.
At this rate, maybe my hopes would pan out.
Permission meant skinship under the guise of teaching.
But then came words that shattered my expectations.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass. Too embarrassed."
"...No need to be."
"No. Can't learn from you. It's a couple thing—we'll figure it out ourselves."
Such principles.
Strikeout.
Her body was heating up a little, though.
But with her drawing that line, no paths left.
Pushing harder would just tank the trust I'd built.
Had to avoid that disaster.
"Got it. Hit me up if you need help."
"Will do. Thanks, Tae-hu."
"No sweat."
"Still, super helpful. Gotta watch some videos with the hubby and chat it out."
Captain! So jealous!
How amazing would it be to just grope those breasts once?
Offer a massage maybe?
Any chance for skinship?
"Yawn. Feels so much lighter spilling it all."
The Team Leader stretched again, baring her chest and underarms.
With my heart pounding like mad right then, it only tormented me more.
"... ."
"... ."
Eye contact again, of all things.
But this time, the Team Leader didn't shrink or cover up.
Just met my gaze with that beaming smile.
"You like boobs too, huh, Tae-hu."
"...T-Team Leader?"
"I know. Mine are big. Hubby was thrilled at first. I see the guys at work staring too."
"... ."
"Caught you glancing a bunch today. Thought I wouldn't notice?"
"Sorry."
"No need."
She suddenly turned fully toward me.
Sat up straight, arms cupped under her chest, smiling my way.
"This what guys love so much?"
"... ."
"Tae-hu."
"Yes."
I was stunned.
Never imagined such words from the Team Leader.
Utterly speechless.
What'd she say?
"Wanna touch?"
"... ."
"Wanna touch 'em, Tae-hu?"
Warm and kind-hearted.
That was the vibe the Team Leader gave off from first glance.
Strict and dignified at work, but always sharing warm smiles and energy with me.
Even with me crashing their couple time, she never complained once.
Took extra care of me instead.
Treated me like a prized subordinate, with that gentle tone.
Her soft smile never once saw me as a man.
I'd tried tempting her with the position excuse, but it failed, reaffirming what an upstanding woman she was.
Even with her body tingling and burning, she held firm, unswayed by lust. So very her.
Had she read my intentions?
Refused because of that?
Either way, she seemed dead set against skinship, so I'd been ready to give up.
Which is maybe why it shocked me even more.
Touch her breasts?
My breath hitched. Mind went blank.
Already hot from the beer and the Corruption Space.
Her subtle, sultry smile and jiggling chest made holding onto reason impossible.
Her motive? Why say it? No clue.
Sincere or joke? Couldn't tell.
Reason was long gone, sunk in the abyss.
Only instinct survived.
So I... reached out without a word.
Squish-
My fingertips filled with the soft heft of those massive tits.
Was it unintended?
I saw the surprise in the Team Leader's eyes.
I don't know! Not anymore!
I'm just gonna touch 'em!
How could I hold back?!