Part-time Job (5)
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Even though winter's chill still bit hard, Seonghwan's face was drenched in sweat. Every time a bead stung his eyes, he couldn't help but squint. Huff huff. Lighter than Jo Yu-mi sunbae, but I'm already wiped... Can't even bus it like this; gotta trek to the taxi stand. Damn, it's too far.
Seonghwan, piggybacking Lee Hyun, paused against a wall. His thighs were numb, making it tough to keep going.
Ugh... Standing all day at work... Can't carry like I did with Yu-mi sunbae. Sure, his thighs had ached back then too, but hauling a girl to a motel versus carrying a little sister home? Worlds apart. Plus, all that movement at work had wrecked his legs.
Hormones... Dopamine shortage. Surging libido equals rock-solid stamina. Seonghwan fumbled his phone from his pocket and started searching.
Ooh? It's there. Inbox glowing.
".......Worship? Really scraping the bottom now? Spoiled her and now she's going wild."
Seonghwan snorted and tapped the photo.
"Gah?!"
He yelled loud enough to forget Lee Hyun clinging to his back.
The photo: March 8, 2024, some playground. A woman by a dim bench, one hand holding her phone, the other lifting her black tennis skirt. Shot from below, her thighs and black panties exposed raw.
Gulp. Wait, her face? Shadows hid it, no mosaic, but the faint profile...
This is straight-up Min Yu-ri! Face blurry, but pale thighs contrasting sharp black panties? Crystal clear.
M-Mi... Min Goddess? Seonghwan clasped his hands prayer-like without thinking.
Feeling Lee Hyun squirm uncomfortably, he hoisted her up with renewed vigor.
"Don't worry, Lee Hyun. Big bro's fired up now. I'll take responsibility for you all night."
Words ripe for misunderstanding, but Seonghwan marched on strong.
Squirm. He missed her slight tremble.
****
"Hah... hah... Almost... almost there."
The massive apartment complex meant a long walk even after the taxi dropped at the gate. But Seonghwan endured, reaching Lee Hyun's door.
"Oh? Seonghwan! What brings you... Huh? Hyun-i on your back?"
"Hah... Lee Yeon noona... I'm dying... To Hyun-i's room quick..."
Seonghwan usually played it cool around Lee Yeon, but he was spent.
With her guidance, he dumped Lee Hyun on her bed.
"Hah hah hah."
"Whoa, look at that sweat. Hold on."
Lee Yeon dashed to the living room, grabbing water.
"N-Noona, thanks. Gulp gulp."
Seonghwan chugged it, finally catching his breath to look around.
"Where's Uncle, Auntie? Place feels empty."
"Oh, couple's getaway today. Friday night to Sunday—2 nights, 3 days in Gangwon-do."
"Nice. Marital bliss goals."
"But why's Hyun-i so wasted? You two drink together?"
"Nah, not with me. She came to my grill spot with classmates, pounded drinks till she dropped."
"Heard you work at a pork belly joint... She went there? No screw-ups?"
"Drinking till she needed a ride? Yeah, mistake. Not her first rodeo, but she doesn't know her limit—chugged like crazy."
Lee Yeon glanced at bedridden Lee Hyun, silent a beat, then smiled at Seonghwan.
"Anyway, you worked hard. Head home. Don't wanna hear it from your dad for being late."
"He knows about the job. Anyway, I'm out. I'll lock up—no need to see me off. Catch ya later."
Seonghwan waved grinning.
Thud thud. Click.
Lee Yeon stood till his footsteps faded and the door shut.
Clack. She eyed the bed.
"......Seonghwan's gone. Get up."
Rustle. Lee Hyun, stirring with head turned, peeked at her sister.
"Sis, you knew?"
Lee Yeon sighed in disbelief.
"Haaa. I saw you chugging with Dad right after turning 20. Think I'd buy you passing out? No weak drinkers in this family—you outdrink Dad. And you 'collapsed'? Please."
Lee Hyun flushed, protesting.
"Drank fast today. Not blackout, but dizzy."
"Dizzy... Sigh, fine. Even sober folks get woozy on stairs."
Lee Hyun kicked off her socks, face red.
Lee Yeon picked them, straightened.
"Mom said no inside-out laundry—fold proper. And quit stressing Seonghwan. Poor guy's beat from work; you wanna cling for rides?"
".......He stressed me too."
Lee Hyun muttered soft. Lee Yeon, heading out with socks, paused, looking down.
Lee Hyun avoided eyes, sitting to undress quietly.
".....Shower before bed."
As Lee Yeon left, Lee Hyun called.
"Sis."
"Yeah? More?"
Lee Hyun bit lip, then faced her resolute.
"Sis, marrying Kim Minhwan oppa next year?"
"What? Marriage?"
Lee Yeon's eyes widened at the curveball.
"Dad secretly approves you as daughter-in-law, Minhwan oppa adores you. You're settled at work; he graduates next year... Talented, quick job hunt. Perfect for marriage, right?"
Lee Yeon chuckled.
"That's what you meant? Never crossed my mind."
Lee Hyun yelped shocked.
"Never? Minhwan oppa too? His family's loaded, he's itching to marry..."
"Hyun-a."
Lee Yeon cut her off gently. Lee Hyun met her gaze.
Lee Yeon's faint smile bloomed wide, radiant—usually cozy, but today it chilled Lee Hyun to the bone.
"Hyun-a."
"........?"
"Marry Minhwan oppa? Sis never even dated him."
"!!!"
"Shower quick. I'll do laundry."
Lee Yeon smiled unchanged, exiting. Lee Hyun stared blankly at the door.
****
Gulp. Class? Who cares.
Click. Pink cap hiding her face, boxy tee. Alone in the lecture hall, leaning on wall, slyly tugging collar to flash cleavage. Bra blatant, breasts full.
This much? I'm used to it now... Huh? Wait?
The room looked familiar. Lecture halls blend, but his group project class had assigned seats. Seniors let Yu-ri take the corner window always.
Ooh? No way here?
If right, this was "Advertising Techniques in Modern Culture"—his destination.
"Message an hour ago? Snuck in early for this?"
Seonghwan deep-breathed toward the room.
Might not be. Min Yu-ri's crazy, but outing herself? Suicidal— she knows it's nuts, but she's always been a total mess. Aaaah!
Clutching his head in turmoil, he bolted.
"Hey! Seonghwan! Your spot."
..........For real?
Group leader Park Young-hwan grinned. Through, Yu-ri in box tee, pink cap.
Her beauty lit the room, stunning in any outfit.
Her, sneaking in an hour early to flash tits? Believable?
Sitting, Young-hwan clapped his shoulder.
"Planned group tea time today. But Han-jin's grandma passed sudden—skipped. Told prof. Maybe coffee next time. You in?"
"Fine by me, sunbae. Gap till next class anyway."
"Cool."
Bonding prepped? Win for Seonghwan—job squeezed time, scraps helped.
Just not my shop. Haha. Saved face with boss... No pals left, invite Yu-mi sunbae later...
Young-hwan tapped again.
"Yes, sunbae?"
"Seonghwan, no need far. You off at 10? Coffee then."
"Huh?"
Wait till 10pm? No thrill, just dread.
"No need waiting... Next time better?"
"Huh? Didn't know?"
"Know what?"
"Econ dept opening party tomorrow."
"...I'm admin."
"Yup."
"??"
"Tomorrow after, afterparty at Don Doni Ne and next-door makchang house. Voted in dept chat last week. Yu-ri pushed hard for Don Doni Ne. Good timing—I wanted to hit your spot. Didn't know? Thought she'd told you since you share admin class."
Seonghwan whipped back. Yu-ri, cap low, chin-propped, poking phone.
Sensing eyes, she dropped hand, schooled face. His fists clenched.
Min Yu-ri you bitchhhhh!!!
Seonghwan screamed inwardly, cradling his head.