Chapter 223: A Girl's Heart
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 223: A Girl's Heart
Warm sunlight spilled over Chika’s face as she slept.
Wrapped in a thick duvet, Chika’s eyelids flickered a few times before she sat up, her face a mask of groggy confusion.
“… …”
She stared blankly at the unfamiliar space with half-closed eyes. Then, the memories of yesterday came rushing back, and she dove back under the covers, hiding herself.
I’m crazy, I’m absolutely crazy!
She thrashed around under the duvet so much that, from a distance, she looked like a wild animal caught in a net.
After a long bout of flailing on the bed, Chika finally grew still.
Curled into a ball, she covered every inch of herself as if she didn't even want her toes to be seen. She buried her beet-red face into the pillow and remained motionless.
Every time a detail of what she had done with Yeon-woo last night surfaced in her mind, she trembled—from shame, embarrassment, and the lingering memory of the pleasure she had felt.
As promised, Yeon-woo certainly hadn't crossed the line.
He hadn't crossed it, but…
He really did everything except cross that one line…
He had done everything to her except take her virginity.
It wasn't that Yeon-woo was in the wrong. It was also her own fault for getting swept up in the heat of the moment and not stopping him.
The once-still duvet began to heave again as Chika resumed her frantic thrashing, but the high-end mattress cushioned her violent movements with ease.
It wasn't what Chika had originally intended.
She had only meant to go as far as a kiss; she just needed a pair of arms to support her while she was feeling weak. She had intended to just lean on him and fall asleep…
Aaaaahhh…!
The realization that she had harbored such thoughts—using "just for today" as an excuse to betray Akito—filled her with such intense shame that she tumbled right off the bed.
Sprawled on the floor in a pathetic heap, Chika stared blankly up at the sky through the window.
Unlike yesterday, the sky was a brilliant blue. She blinked at it, a bitter smile touching her lips.
What do I mean, "betrayal"… Akito and I aren't even anything…
They really weren't.
They had been friends since childhood, and she was the only one who liked him and followed him around. Akito didn't have any feelings for her.
Chika knew Akito was sleeping with other women.
There was a place for that in the clubroom, and since he did it so openly, everyone in the Magic Research Club knew—not just Chika.
Emma, Ailee, Kurumi… and even though they didn't do it at school, he was sleeping with his younger sister, Shiori, too.
Chika loved her father, but she hated the stiff, heavy atmosphere of her own home, so she practically lived at Akito’s house like a boarder. Because of that, she knew exactly what those two did every night.
And yet, nothing had ever happened between her and Akito.
“… …”
The sky was so clear it seemed to be comforting her, making her forget that it had even rained yesterday.
As her gloom began to lift, the events of last night resurfaced, and her face, which had finally cooled down, flushed red once more.
He had done everything except cross the line.
Wait, was it even right to say he hadn't crossed the line?
Chika shivered as she recalled how she and Yeon-woo had been all over each other, sucking and licking.
At first, it was just a kiss.
It wasn't her first kiss. Her first had been a light peck with Akito when they were very young. She hadn't had any experience since then, but the kiss with Yeon-woo was…
He’s a beast…
She was the one who had stuck her tongue in first. Chika remembered every bit of the trembling and excitement she felt then.
The problem started when Yeon-woo, who had been passively accepting her tongue, began to move his own.
Suddenly, his mouth was sucking so hard it felt like he was going to drain all her saliva. His tongue pushed roughly into her mouth, roaming wherever it pleased. His legs wrapped around her tightly so she couldn't escape, while his hands softly caressed her entire body.
Inexperienced as she was, Chika couldn't keep her wits about her amidst the pleasure and excitement surging from her head to her toes.
At first, she tried to stay rational and refused him. She thought she had done well to block Yeon-woo’s hand when he tried to pull her down toward his dick.
However, the continuous kissing and foreplay dulled her reason. When she felt something poking against her stomach and looked down, she saw Yeon-woo’s terrifyingly erect dick.
She should have firmly rejected him then.
But Yeon-woo had such a pitiful expression, saying it hurt because it had grown so big. He made excuses, saying he would only take it out. He whispered sweet nothings while their lips were pressed together, and his warm hands kept gently stroking her back…
When Chika remained silent, Yeon-woo hugged her tight and kissed her with even more affection.
But while his upper body was gentle, his lower body moved with utter rudeness and aggression.
Even though it was yesterday, she could still feel the sensation of his dick rubbing hard against her stomach. Chika stole a glance at her midriff.
The loose T-shirt, which smelled strongly of Yeon-woo, had ridden up when she fell off the bed, exposing her belly.
The dick that had been rubbing against her stomach moved between her thighs. When she flinched, Yeon-woo gripped her tight and kissed her roughly.
Her reason, loosened by arousal, couldn't stop Yeon-woo from handling her body like a toy as she sank into pleasure.
Chika’s body twitched as his dick pushed roughly between her thighs, as if he were trying to get her pregnant.
She could feel his entire shape through her thin shorts. The friction against her pussy through the thin fabric was so intense that Chika couldn't think straight.
Yeon-woo’s actions, despite his promise not to cross the line, grew increasingly bold. He touched her body everywhere and rubbed his dick all over her.
Her hands, her thighs, her butt, her feet—he even rubbed it against her armpits and her hair.
He rubbed his dick everywhere, to the point where she felt like her whole body smelled like it.
Recalling last night, Chika blankly brought her hand to her nose and sniffed.
“… Hieeeeee!”
Startled by her own subconscious action, Chika thrashed on the floor again before going limp.
“… … I’m out of here…”
She absolutely could not face Yeon-woo.
Filled with shame, Chika scrambled to her feet.
However, the clothes she was wearing belonged to Yeon-woo.
She tried to remember where the washing machine was, but all she could picture was the living room where they had been all over each other. She didn't even remember how she had gotten into this room.
She must have fainted after climaxing several times.
Yeon-woo had reached into her pants and used his fingers to…
Shaking her head violently to clear her thoughts, Chika resolved to escape no matter what. If she saw Yeon-woo’s face now, she would surely die of embarrassment.
As she moved to find the washing machine without being caught, Chika stopped at the sight of the table next to the door.
There were neatly folded clothes with a Post-it note on top.
They were the clothes she had worn yesterday.
She picked them up carefully; they smelled wonderful.
The note simply said: “Take a shower and take your time leaving.”
There was no mention of last night, as if nothing had happened.
She was grateful for the care, but…
Something… something feels…
Unable to bear the embarrassment that came alongside the joy of being cared for, Chika looked toward the private bathroom connected to the room.
She opened the bedroom door slightly to check for any sign of him, then dashed into the bathroom and showered with warm water.
She washed herself in a frantic rush, barely knowing if she was clean. Fearing the noise of the hairdryer would give her away, she rubbed her wet hair with a towel until it was mostly dry, changed into her clothes, and peeked out the door again.
Unfamiliar with the layout of the house, she scanned the area for a long time before stepping out cautiously. She flinched and looked to her side.
“… …”
In the romance novels she often read, this was the moment the guy would appear and surprise her, but the house remained silent.
Still, Chika didn't let her guard down as she walked toward the entrance as quietly as possible.
Her heart hammered with every step, but no one stopped her.
Perhaps she had secretly hoped to see Yeon-woo, because as she reached the front door, she felt a slight sense of disappointment mixed with her relief.
Yeon-woo had seemed flighty back at Yggdrasil, but he was surprisingly good at cleaning and organizing; the shoes at the entrance were neatly lined up.
Admiring this unexpected side of him, Chika was putting on her shoes when she spotted another Post-it note.
It was attached to a paper bag with something inside.
“Eat this on your way.”
The short message, as if he had anticipated her sneaking out, made Chika’s ears turn red.
Yeon-woo had rubbed his dick all over those red ears last night, too.
She opened the bag to find a delicious-looking sandwich and a drink. At a glance, the sandwich looked like it came from a famous shop, but the way it was wrapped in parchment paper and plastic wrap told her it was homemade.
Chika remembered Yeon-woo bragging to Masayoshi at school about how good he was at cooking. At the time, she had hated him so much she thought he was just full of shit, but looking at the sandwich, it was clearly true.
Feeling grateful for how he had anticipated her actions and quietly looked after her, Chika clutched the paper bag to her chest and stepped outside.
Traces of last night’s rain remained on the ground, but the sky was incredibly blue and refreshing.
As she headed toward Yggdrasil with a light step, the sadness from yesterday was gone from Chika’s face.
Having left in such a hurry, Chika arrived early and sat on a bench in the central garden to eat the sandwich Yeon-woo had packed.
The combination of crisp, fresh vegetables, thinly sliced ham, and a mysterious sauce was so perfect that Chika beamed with delight after just one bite.
She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday, and once she started, she realized how hungry she was, devouring the sandwich in no time.
As if he had anticipated this too, the portion Yeon-woo provided was generous, and Chika ate until she was full.
Just as Chika was contentedly sipping her citron drink…
“Chika!”
It was a voice that almost made her choke.
Chika flinched and looked to her side the moment she heard it.
The man she had loved more than anyone.
The moment she saw Akito, the things he had said yesterday and the things she had done with Yeon-woo flashed through her mind, and her body froze.
“Where did you go yester— ah…”
Seeing Chika’s face turn pale, Akito stopped approaching and lowered his head.
“I’m sorry, Chika. I was wrong yesterday.”
“… …”
“I didn't mean to hurt you… I was being an idiot. Won't you forgive me?”
Chika stared blankly at Akito.
Apologizing immediately after doing something wrong was something Akito always did.
But she didn't know why this thought suddenly occurred to her.
Maybe her feelings for Akito had cooled, or her feelings for Yeon-woo had heated up. Maybe she was still hurt from yesterday and was looking at him through a twisted lens. Or maybe it was just the trivial reason that she was full and didn't want to be disturbed.
He had the confidence that she would obviously accept his apology—a calm indifference, as if he were simply doing a chore rather than expressing genuine remorse.
I really have no influence on Akito at all…
Chika knew well that this was petty jealousy and foolish selfishness.
But was it wrong to want the person you love to care more, to worry more about you?
At Akito’s typical apology, Chika gave an awkward smile.
“Yeah, it’s okay. I’m sure you didn't mean it.”
“Right, I don't even know why I said that. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“I said it’s fine.”
It really was fine.
The moment she accepted Akito’s apology, Chika felt nothing.
The way she had cried yesterday as if the world were ending, the suffocating pain that felt like her heart was tearing—it all felt as hazy as a dream.
Looking relieved, Akito smiled brightly and sat down next to Chika.
“Where did you go instead of coming back yesterday? I waited for a long time.”
“Huh? Oh… I went home.”
“Home…?”
Akito stared at Chika as she nodded with a smile.
Because she hadn't returned even though it was late, Akito had called Chika’s house. His relationship with Roman was awkward, but he was on good terms with the butler, Kyrillos, so Akito had asked him to call if Chika arrived.
But there had been no word from Kyrillos, and he had even called again this morning to confirm she hadn't returned.
“I’m going to head inside first.”
Akito was momentarily taken aback when Chika, who usually clung to him and asked to stay together, said she was leaving first.
Before he could stop her, Chika grabbed her paper bag and headed toward the classroom.
On her way, she tossed some plastic wrap into a trash can, but she folded the paper bag neatly and tucked it away as if it were something precious.
As Akito watched her blankly, Chika suddenly flinched and scurried away in the opposite direction.
Wondering what was going on, Akito kept watching, only to see Yeon-woo appear from the path Chika had been about to take.
Seeing him walking and bickering with his best friends, Rio and Masayoshi, Akito’s expression hardened.
His cold eyes followed Yeon-woo for a long time, but Yeon-woo disappeared without noticing. Akito remained alone, glaring at the path where he had vanished, before finally walking away.