The Beginning of Depravity (9)
The rhythmic chop-chop-chop of an excited knife echoed through the kitchen. As Yoon Yesul's head, resting on my shoulder, began to tilt further, I tensed my muscles, desperately trying to hold steady.
It's fine, it's fine. Chanting it like a mantra to myself, I fought to suppress my growing desire.
Is that bastard making kimchi stew or fermenting kimchi? I cursed my innocent friend under my breath, but deep down, I hoped he'd stay focused on cooking—a selfish wish if there ever was one.
Under the blanket draped over us, with my friend's girlfriend nestled in my arms against my shoulder. If strangers saw this, they'd misunderstand for sure. But I stubbornly believed it was still within bounds.
She's my friend's girl, sure, but she's also a friend I've known for three years. What's the big deal? I'd found a justification that let me rationalize it all.
Yesul said she was tired. And I didn't pull her in first. Sticking to reasonable lines, I indulged just a little in my greed.
My hand gripped the edge of the blanket on her shoulder, pulling her closer. An excuse ready: to keep it from slipping off.
Fortunately, even feeling my touch, Yesul showed no resistance. She seemed to like the warmth enveloping her weary body, leaning into me even more.
I flicked my eyes back and forth between Yesul and Yunsu.
Still... it's fine.
I had no intention of pushing further. The thrill alone of secretly touching my friend's girl from behind was enough to stir my desire a bit. As long as I didn't go too far, this much should be okay, I told myself.
Having a girlfriend versus not—the difference between a guy with one and a guy who used to be a loner was huge. The former suppresses desire with extreme patience; the latter, with moral boundaries.
I wasn't some ascetic monk. I was a healthy guy in my twenties, honest about my urges, prone to crumbling under lust. I'd already had plenty of experience with Yuri and Yumi.
For me, patience and self-control around an attractive body were crumbling. All that held me back was loyalty to my friend and those moral lines.
The blanket on Yesul's shoulder meant no direct skin contact yet. That alone felt like drawing a line.
Of course, her face smooshed against my shoulder and her breast pressed into my arm counted as contact, but I had the excuse that it wasn't my intention.
Hoo, hoo. Awkward and embarrassing, but my private thrill—no one would catch it—so I quietly savored Yesul's sensation.
But I couldn't just focus on her silently forever.
Thud. I slammed my soju glass on the table loud enough for Yunsu to hear.
"Kaaah. Soju's going down smooth tonight. Hey, Yunsu, you bastard—how much longer?"
"Shut up, asshole. You think I'm doing a recipe I've never tried just to feed your sorry ass?"
Yunsu didn't even turn around at my jab. He was just excited to cook for Yesul, lost in it.
Fuck, I'm so sorry... Feeling guilty toward him, but I had no intention of letting go of the arm around Yesul's shoulder.
Might as well feel more sorry while I'm at it.
The soft, firm swell from her breast had my dick rock-hard already. Pulling back now would look even weirder, so I'd decided to brazen it out.
Yesul probably doesn't know. If she did, she wouldn't stay still like this.
As I checked on Yesul in my arms, she shrugged a bit, feeling stuffy, and tried to shake off the blanket.
Shhhlk. "Mmm..."
When she groaned and stirred in my lap, I panicked and tried to pull away. But she just shed the blanket from her shoulders and snuggled right back in.
Huh?
Caught off guard, I wrapped her bare shoulders again—and nearly stopped breathing from the shock.
The feel of her naked skin, fabric stripped away, made my head spin. My eyes darted wildly between Yunsu and Yesul.
Fuck, is this okay?
I hadn't meant it, but now I was hugging my friend's girlfriend's bare skin. If Yunsu turned around, it'd be total misunderstanding fuel.
"Ahem. Yunsu, still got a ways to go?"
"Wait a bit. What'd you leave me? If you're bored, watch TV or something."
I called out louder on purpose, but his reply felt like a tempting melody granting me more time.
Fuck it, whatever.
Savoring the skin under my right hand, I gripped a little firmer, hugging her shoulder tighter.
As if waiting for it, Yesul lifted her face from my shoulder, burrowing into my chest.
I... fuck... I can't hold back like this.
Right below my eyes, her breasts were on full display. Her long hair couldn't hide the blatant cleavage.
Her left hand on my thigh—move even a little, and it'd brush my dick.
Looking down at her, I slowly pulled my right hand tighter around her shoulder, inching toward her breast.
Gulp... J-just a little... a tiny bit?
My hand crept down from her shoulder, pausing right before her right breast.
Gulp.
A finger's breadth away. Raising it now would just barely graze her breast.
Trembling with final reason, I held back.
Shhh... tap.
Finally, desire won—my finger moved, touching her breast.
Twitch. I felt her body quiver faintly.
Fuck! I jolted, about to pull back.
And right then, Yunsu's voice came from behind.
"Oof. Eyes burning. Pretty much all in now. Let the broth simmer, add tofu at the end."
Wha?
Yunsu had finished prepping and was checking the pot. Panicking at his words, I shoved Yesul's shoulder, breaking away.
Confusing for her, but luckily, she just rubbed her eyes, stretched, no weirdness.
"Aaah... Yunsu, it's done?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah—once the broth boils, tofu in and done. Hang on. Wanna eat something else first?"
Yunsu grinned, adjusted the flame, and came to sit at the table. Seeing Yesul's outfit, his eyes widened.
"You cold? At least cover with the blanket properly. Woke up feeling chilly, right?"
"Mm... Feels fine. Blanket was stuffy. I'll change into pajamas soon anyway. Fill my belly, then swap in my room and come out."
"Yeah? Okay."
Yunsu smiled again, poured soju into my glass while glancing at me.
"Ended up the three of us together again, haha. See? Wouldn't it have been better if you'd come earlier?"
"Who's covering my shift? And my boss just watching?"
"Kukuku. Hey, you got morning class tomorrow, right? Gotta head out early then?"
"Yeah, morning class means leaving before 7, probably."
Yesul, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"Then let's all leave at 6:30. Sleep early tonight, we can prep in time."
Like a bolt from the blue, Yunsu freaked.
"Urk? Yesul, you have afternoon classes too, right? We came all this way—leave at dawn? Checkout's 10:30. Plenty of time."
"Can't just send Seonghwan off alone. He rushed here late because of us. Sending you off like 'go on' would feel bad, no?"
"Well... still..."
"We can come again. Next time on a weekend—no time worries, play all we want."
"......"
Yunsu vented with silence, but couldn't overturn Yesul's call. So I stepped in.
"Nah, it's fine. Crashing your plans would be weirder. I'll go my way. Showering together in the morning would be chaos anyway."
"No, it's okay. I wake early, I can shower first..."
"Refuse. I'll do my thing. Worry about tomorrow tomorrow—drink now. Already stressing here."
I cut off Yesul's stubbornness early. Yunsu's face bloomed with smiles again, but I played dumb.
From the guy who'd just hugged his friend's girl, this courtesy felt like a fake cover for my guilt.
Fuck, so sorry, buddy.
"Hey, tofu! Tofu in—it's boiling. Buddy. No, asshole—snap out of it."
I yelled at Yunsu on purpose, trying to forget what just happened.
****
"Kraaagh!"
"What? Fuck, why the reaction?"
"You mad bastard—told you kimchi stew, but you dumped kimchi in mala tang? What's this insane bitter, astringent, spicy mess?"
"No, you said first dibs since you started it, but now you're bitching. Lemme try. Slurp... Kraaagh!"
"Fuck, proving your cooking's trash with your own mouth. Asshole, where's the cubed tofu? All mushy? Making soybean stew?"
Yesul set down her spoon watching us bicker.
"Yesul?"
Yunsu looked hurt. Quietly picking meat, she said,
"Thinking about it, tons of grilled meat left. This with fresh rice'll fill me perfect."
"............"
After twists and turns, we finished eating, grabbed snacks and booze, and huddled by the TV.
"Agh, ruined the taste at the end. Craving something cool."
"Quit it. You try making it. Think kimchi stew's that easy?"
"Aw, enough."
My grumbling, Yunsu's flare-up, Yesul's mediation—we were soon laughing amiably, prepping drinks again.
"Hey, seriously—no soda or anything besides booze? Kinda nauseous, want something refreshing."
"Yeah? Sodas are out... Bought just two cola cans earlier."
"No prep... Any convenience store nearby?"
"Oh! Straight down below, walking 10 minutes?"
"Doable. I'll grab ice cream and drinks. You two drink without me."
As I stood, Yunsu grabbed my arm quick.
"Nah, bastard. I'll go. Save your cash."
"I got it, man. Or gimme your card—I'll buy just enough."
"No. You're not the type to swipe others'. Gotta grab breakfast stuff for tomorrow too. I'll handle it."
Yunsu insisted; I couldn't push. Truth was, being alone with Yesul felt awkward after earlier. Thought of tagging along, but it'd look suspicious.
As Yunsu grabbed his wallet and left, I acted normal, handing Yesul snacks and chatting.
"Place is pretty nice, huh? Just been inside since arriving? Or checked outside?"
"Yunsu and I shopped at the mart outside, exhausted and hungry, ate, swam a bit. No time out."
"And you drank that much? Never blacked out before, right? Freaked when you called."
"Ah... Don't remember. Just... felt down drinking... Woke to you two boozing, shocked. Thanks for coming anyway."
"Haha. That's guy loyalty for ya."
I knew "loyalty" from the guy who'd stroked her shoulder wasn't fitting, but I went brazen. Only way to look her straight.
"Yunsu picked well. Makes me wanna come back. Check the beach outside next time."
"Yeah? Then all together next? Owner said April weekends still off-season rates."
Feels like I'm turning into this couple's side option. April, huh?
I scanned the interior again. Not flashy-bright, but cozy lighting, luxurious vibe—thoroughly private from outside.
Two-story setup: upstairs spacious for two, with bedding for intimacy.
Connect in the water below... bodies upstairs... Nice.
I pulled out my phone, checked the site. Incheon Prestige24 Pool Villa—April had lots open.
April... 50% deposit... 150,000 won per standalone.
Paycheck would cover it easy. Wasn't broke—just frugal. Emergency account full.
Mind made, I typed furiously.
Hesitate and lose. Commit.
Yesul, watching me search and tap quietly, finally asked,
"Whatcha doing? Sudden search frenzy?"
"Hm? Oh... Just checking dates to come back here."
"Wha... You got someone else to bring besides us?"
Her flustered tone—I hurried an excuse.
"Paycheck soon. And April's my parents' anniversary. Checking availability... Plenty. That's it."
"Aah..."
Her relieved-or-disappointed sigh. Pointing at the indoor pool, she said,
"Take pics to send them. Site photos differ from real vibe. Ask their opinion."
"Nah, no need."
"Why? I swam—way better than pics. Surprisingly fun."
"Yeah. If you liked it, Yunsu too."
"Hehe."
Seeing her smile around the pool, I said,
"One more dip? Harder once changed."
She shook her head.
"Alone? Embarrassing with watcher. Getting chilly anyway."
But regret tinged her words.
She likes swimming more than I thought. Yunsu brought extra suit... Quick soak? I'd just sit; she'd play fine alone, no awkwardness.
"Then I'll join? Yunsu has extra suit. His bag there—quick change."
"You? Swim?"
"Eh? Not really swimming. Water barely to chest standing."
"No. Fine."
She cut me firm.
"Don't get in for me. Heart trouble again? I'm good—drink. I'll change and come."
"No... I'm fine."
Not that bad. Overreacting?
But she stood, heading to the room.
"Back quick after changing—don't eat without me. Together."
"Take your time. Snacking here."
"Okay."
I smirked at her bright smile, bag in hand, back disappearing. Acted normal—no awkwardness; she was the same Yesul.
After ogling her surprise big tits through the suit, feeling foolish—Yesul unchanged.
Consideration. Bright smile. Wet, glossy long hair.
Shoulda waited for Yunsu, suggested more pool time? Too hasty on changing—can't swim now? Worried for me, skipping water... Kinda sweet. Or offer laundry tomorrow so she swims morning?
Reaching for snacks, I froze mid-motion.
Huh?
A strange unease flashed in my mind.
What?
Head buzzing oddly, I stared at the door she'd entered.
What? Something off?
I racked my brain, but until Yunsu returned, I couldn't pinpoint the source of that unease from moments ago.