Part-Time Job (10)
As the clear liquor in the glass caught the light, Jo Yu-mi recalled what had happened in the club room last week. 'This was exactly the scene, huh? Dim lighting shining through the haze...'
Just as Yu-mi tilted her glass, a hand from beside her clinked against it with a sharp clink.
"........."
"What're you doing, looking all mopey by yourself? That's not like you."
At Mincheol's scolding, Yu-mi snapped out of her reverie and glanced at the club room crowd. They were laughing and chatting away, knocking back drinks like they were venting all their built-up stress, grinning ear to ear.
"Well, they're having a good time."
"You seem off lately. Worried about something? You're different from usual."
Mincheol's words weren't purely concern—Yu-mi could sense the strong wariness in his tone, and she smirked inwardly. 'Guess guys have instincts too.'
But she couldn't voice that. "I'm a senior now. Isn't this the time when you've got a lot on your mind?"
"On your mind? Weren't you already in talks for that sports administration gig?"
Yu-mi had been doing part-time support work for a major sports team's marketing and event operations during breaks, thanks to an introduction from an acquaintance. The operations team had liked her diligent, proactive personality and, upon learning her university, offered her an internship post-graduation. She'd found the experience pretty fun and was positively considering it.
"It's not set in stone."
"What? Weren't you seriously into that? And it's a baseball team—the most popular sport in Korea right now, backed by a huge corporation. Why hesitate?"
Mincheol's baffled reaction was understandable, even objectively. Among education majors, physical education had limited paths: teaching kids or passing the civil service exam for admin roles were the norms. Research or professorships were distant and grueling. Lately, sports marketing and admin at pro teams had become hot, competitive fields—rivaling big corp electronics hiring rates.
"So, what other paths are you thinking? That's why you have a boyfriend, right? To talk these worries over."
Mincheol emphasized boyfriend, staring at her. Yu-mi ignored it, sipping her drink before wetting her lips and sharing her thoughts.
"I'm thinking about grad school."
"What? Grad school?"
Mincheol yelled in shock at the unexpected words, drawing stares from the club room—but he ignored them.
"Are you nuts? A master's is pointless... You aiming for a PhD? Professor? Researcher? Do you even know how many more years of school that means?"
Yu-mi frowned at his fussing. "I said I'm thinking about it. Listen before you talk. Why're you getting all worked up?"
"Because even thinking about it is ridiculous, that's why! What suddenly got you interested? You've never cared about civil service or teaching—you were all about sports marketing. Got certs for it and everything."
"Sigh... Forget if it's sensible or not. Senior, why're you so heated? Nothing's decided. That's enough—anything more is meddling."
Mincheol's face twisted. He glared, rigid. "I can't even say this much? That's how it is? And after graduation, what then?"
"Graduation? After? What're you talking about?"
Yu-mi blinked at his random tangent.
"You and me graduating doesn't mean we just smile and part ways. We're at that age to think about the future. Isn't that what we are?"
Now Yu-mi's face crumpled. "What're you saying? Future? You mean marriage?"
"What else? That's what I'm talking about. I've always thought that way. That's why your words aren't just talk—they're about our future."
"You're jumping way ahead."
Yu-mi turned away, done listening. This was classic Mincheol: acting caring, but enforcing a one-sided dynamic. Dressed up as love, but really meddling obsession that wore her down.
"Tell me, then. We're graduating soon—gonna keep this like water in water?"
He wouldn't drop it.
"So marriage is required to keep a relationship going?"
"That's not what I mean!!"
Mincheol raised his voice, barely containing himself. "Two years almost, and what's progressed? Built a Great Wall? Had sweet romance? You've been dodging me with 'studying' excuses. If not now, when? I'm saying this relationship has issues."
Yu-mi sneered coldly. Finally, acting like himself.
"Why not say it straight? You want sex—why beat around?"
"Eup!"
Mincheol panicked, scanning for listeners. But his raised voice had already cleared the area—club members had tactfully distanced themselves.
"Coming in hot like that? Embarrassing."
"Since when do we mince words? Admit it—that's what you meant."
He realized she was serious. "Sigh... Think about it. You've avoided skinship lately. I'm a hot-blooded guy—do you know the agony? I've held back, respecting you. But you take it for granted, and it bugs me sometimes."
Beat-around-the-bush for: I've endured long enough—let's fuck once. Yu-mi knew. She'd been harsh; surprisingly, he'd held out. But she didn't want his arms around her.
"Sex partner without being lovers, or lovers without sex. Which would you pick, senior?"
"What?"
Mincheol gawked, staring intently, unsure he'd heard right.
"Sex partner? You don't mean..."
"No weird ideas. Just curious."
"Is that a false dichotomy?"
He was right—generally. But. 'Problem is, I don't want him as either.'
Respect only mattered before crossing lines. Lovers' care was nice—until it bound you, then it chafed.
Mincheol, claiming love at first sight, had beaten rivals but monitored her schedule obsessively. Wary of stares at her ample chest and hips, dates were confined; pools were unthinkable. He'd forced her phone password to match his for weekly checks. Hated her high school guy friends. Yu-mi had endured unspeakable stress.
'Sex would push obsession to madness.'
She knew her body's value, men's gazes. So she'd dodged his fixation. Once given, it'd escalate. She'd hoped her sex aversion would make him let go.
He wouldn't beg or fight fair—he'd cling harder, surveillance intensifying. That's why she'd distanced deliberately.
Her brief fondness for Seonghwan was real. He showed girls every gap yet kept distance. Fun, easy talker, oblivious to her feelings. He'd ogle steadily but never pushed when she teased. Exactly there.
His attitude—treating her like "one of the guys" due to other girls—irked her, leading to that one night amid goodwill. Not deep love.
Problem: her body knew his taste now. No soulmate talk, but one night's flavor ignited her long-celibate flesh. Nightly thoughts, dreams, mornings worse.
'Sex pleasure can be addictive...'
Lower belly throbs intensified post-club room round two. Seonghwan hoped she'd enjoyed; truth—she'd nearly blacked out in ecstasy. Realization: maybe no man could top it.
If Mincheol, no dilemma—they'd ravage freely, obsess mutually. But partners swapped.
Now lust summoned Seonghwan's face unbidden. Their night shocked from start; leg-weakening thrill lingered.
'Stressed by senior's clinginess—will I end up obsessed with Seonghwan?'
So she'd resisted chances to meet, knowing his crush elsewhere, hoping he'd see her platonically. Even as sex partner.
"Just curious. Thoughts? Sex partner but comfy friends, or deep lovers sans sex. Which for you?"
Mincheol went from absurd to serious. "Pointless. Can't love without sex, or fuck without love. That's beastly."
Yu-mi chuckled. "Textbook answer. Can't choose, huh?"
"Why ask obvious? Poll strangers—they'd agree."
"If forced?"
"Why push? Relates to us?"
Mincheol snapped; Yu-mi figured end it.
"Just wondered your pick."
"Fine. Reverse: which you pick? Answer."
Yu-mi stared blankly, then shook head, grabbed bag, stood. "If you'd chosen... I'd have 'chosen' too. Knew the answer anyway."
"What...? Where you going?"
"Heading home. Late. Got plans tomorrow."
"What? Okay, wait—I'll go too. Walk you."
"Nah. Unwind here. I'll go alone."
"What? You got... other plans? No—coming. Can't alone."
Classic. Even if shoved off, he'd tail her. Happened before.
"Alone."
Her quiet, heavy tone made him flinch—but no yield.
"For safety. Dropped you home plenty. Drop, come back."
Taxi 30+ minutes one-way was once sweet. Not anymore.
"No. Alone."
Mincheol's eyes flared at warnings. "Why? Other... date?"
"Sigh..."
Yu-mi sighed low, eyed him. "Choose: walk me and we're done, or let me go? Pick now."
"...What?"
Seeing no jest, he backed, breathing hard.
"Don't follow. Not the old pushover Yu-mi."
Mincheol scowled at her retreating back.
"Boss, I'm heading out."
Before 10pm, Kim Seonghwan's shift wrapped. Surprisingly, students scattered for after-parties; heat fizzled. Post-9pm drinks ended quick—greetings and dispersal in under 10 minutes.
"Whew, good work. Take this for the road."
The Don Doni Ne boss handed a fatigue-recovery drink. Dramatic recovery? Nobel-worthy. Seonghwan pocketed it gratefully and left.
"Hoo... Today was full variety show."
Old faces, group project mates, even brother crashed. And with bro... in bathroom stall, Min Yu-ri kissed him, let him grope her breasts.
'Perfect plot: intro, rise, climax, fall. Fucking flawless day.'
But unease: 'Will she send pics again? Or awkward chats?'
Blindfold or not—she knew it was him. His inbox target. Context irrelevant now. He'd kissed her lips, stripped top, mauled breasts... fingered pussy and clit wildly.
'If Yuri? Drop all classes, no question.'
'Blindfolded me. Girl drops panties, strokes dick, shoves tongue in. Turns out classmate? Endure? Fuck, therapy tomorrow.'
Not model-handsome... Mood soured; phone out.
'Sliced the golden goose...'
Mopey, habitually opened gallery.
'Huh?'
Inbox lit—new message. Swallowed dry, clicked.
NewbieButtQueen sent a message to MeritStackedPlumpBelly.
Clicking the photo: Yuri on bus seat. Face flushed, slight smile, staring straight at camera.
'No mosaic...'
Bare-faced selfie, shirt tugged to hint cleavage. Unseen smile, first mosaic-free shot.
'Mi-Min Yu-ri... you goddamn tempting bitch. This fucking... pretty girl.'
The golden goose he'd rashly gutted returned, firmer than ever.