Chapter 44
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Temptation
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"Yawn."
I kept yawning nonstop.
Well, I'd been yawning even before the movie started, so of course I was tired.
I'd sat through classes all morning, then dealt with some weirdo at lunch.
I'd planned to just watch the movie and head home early, but introducing Brüel had made things run later than expected. And the movie itself was a long one, over two hours.
I hadn't even done my evening photosynthesis, and now it was getting dark outside.
Normally, I'd be asleep by now.
Guess it's time to head back...
But moving sounded like such a hassle.
As I stared out the darkening window, psyching myself up with deep breaths to prepare for the inevitable trek home, Ga-eun made a suggestion.
"It's getting late. Why don't you just stay over?"
"......"
Honestly, it was pretty tempting.
Ga-eun's place was bigger and cleaner than mine. The cleanliness might just be because I wasn't great at housekeeping, though.
She even had a water purifier.
Even crashing on the sofa would beat sleeping on my bedroom floor.
And staying over at a friend's house? My heart was racing a little.
It felt like the devil's temptation.
Not that Ga-eun was the devil or anything.
Sigh.
Still, it was a burdensome offer for me, with whatever lingering sense of manhood I had left.
Even if claiming to have a man's mind was a stretch, given how Ga-eun didn't see me as anything close to a romantic interest—or even a peer—and we'd just spent time together fully naked earlier.
"It's only 8 p.m. How's that late?"
"Maybe not for me, but it's way too late for you to be wandering around, Su-hyeon."
"......"
I started to argue back but just shut my mouth.
It was true that 8 p.m. wasn't late for college kids, but for someone who looked like a preschooler, it absolutely was.
I could've pointed out that nights were risky for women, but seeing Ga-eun in action earlier made that worry feel pointless.
If anything, I should be worried about the ribs of anyone who tried to jump her.
The city center usually felt safe at night thanks to the guards, but after everything I'd been through lately, who knew.
Those guards... are they really all that?
As those thoughts crossed my mind, Ga-eun asked again.
"Or should I walk you home?"
"Nah, I'm good. Can you grab my clothes from the dryer?"
With Brüel around, safety wasn't an issue.
Of course, if she walked openly with me, we'd look suspicious, so I'd have to go alone anyway...
"I have a mattress pad, too."
Ga-eun was being pretty persistent.
But I couldn't impose.
"Don't you have lectures tomorrow? No need to put yourself out. I'll just head..."
I didn't even finish the sentence. The last thing I remembered was the floor rushing up.
"Whoa!?"
Ga-eun, who had been watching Su-hyeon, felt her heart drop.
Su-hyeon had turned from the window to walk away when she suddenly collapsed like the power had gone out.
Thankfully, Brüel caught her before she hit the ground.
Ga-eun rushed over to Brüel in a panic.
"W-what happened!?"
"She's fine. She's just asleep."
"Oh..."
Asleep? Just like that?
I got scared thinking something was wrong.
Sigh—
"I mean, even if she was sleepy, passing out like that...? She's not sick or anything, right? Like narcolepsy?"
"From what I can tell, she's perfectly healthy. It's probably just her young age."
"Phew, good."
Yeah, babies can be laughing one second and out cold the next.
...Wait, but is Su-hyeon really that young?
Should I think of her in terms of physical age?
Sniff, sniff—
The two of them gazed for a moment at Su-hyeon, peacefully asleep in Brüel's arms.
Brüel gently stroked her back, while Ga-eun cautiously touched her tiny hand with a fingertip.
Truth be told, aside from the first day, there hadn't been many chances to just touch her like this.
Su-hyeon always made it clear she hated being treated like a kid.
Not that she realized how tempting that attitude was.
Grumble.
So this defenseless slumber was the perfect chance to indulge a little.
Even in deep sleep, Su-hyeon would occasionally smack her lips, making her soft, plump cheeks jiggle slightly. Ga-eun grinned like an idiot at the cuteness, then instinctively pulled out her phone for a photo.
Their eyes met with Brüel.
"......"
"......"
Ahem.
Worried Brüel might disapprove, Ga-eun checked her expression, but Brüel just glanced at the phone without stopping her.
Moments later, Brüel, who had been kneeling on one knee, stood up.
"Should I take her home?"
"No. She's sleeping soundly. I won't move her unnecessarily."
Brüel stroked Su-hyeon's head and replied quietly.
"Ah, then...?"
"I'll leave her in your care."
One more person like Brüel wouldn't be a problem.
The living room was spacious, and Su-hyeon was so small.
They could even lie on the sofa if needed.
"In that case, I'll lay out two blankets. Want to wash up first?"
"......No, thank you for the offer, but I'll head out now."
Brüel rose, carefully handing the bundled Su-hyeon to Ga-eun. Just before the transfer, Ga-eun sensed a moment's hesitation from her.
"Huh? You're not staying with Su-hyeon?"
"I'd love to, but my role is to protect her surroundings. With her asleep in an unfamiliar place, I need to expand my patrol range."
Brüel's tone was calm, but laced with deep regret.
Ga-eun smiled awkwardly.
"Uh, yeah... must be tough."
"Thank you, but this is no trouble."
Brüel grabbed Su-hyeon's bag and headed for the door.
"Then, please take good care of Su-hyeon."
Before closing the door, Brüel bowed deeply to Ga-eun.
After Brüel left, Ga-eun looked down at the little life in her arms.
The small, soft form breathed quietly.
Her baby-soft skin felt like down feathers, radiating a gentle warmth.
The way her tiny hand lightly gripped Ga-eun's clothes was utterly irresistible.
Squish— boing.
The springy cheek bounced back against Ga-eun's finger.
"Heh, hehehe."
She'd originally planned to set up a mattress in the living room or on the sofa.
But looking at this tiny body changed her mind.
She was so small—did she really need a whole mattress?
It felt wasteful. One mattress could fit eight Su-hyeons.
'Yeah, she's a guest. Putting her on the floor feels wrong. Brüel entrusted her to me, too.'
She'd fallen asleep so suddenly—who knew if something else might happen? Better to have someone nearby while she slept. It was safer.
This mysterious little one surely had secrets, just like Brüel.
Decision made, Ga-eun carefully carried Su-hyeon to the master bedroom.
Su-hyeon naturally opened her eyes as the room brightened at dawn.
The bluish room always felt unfamiliar, no matter how many times she saw it.
Before her body changed, she'd often gone to bed later than this, but now yawns hit around sunset, and her eyes opened with the sunrise.
'Ugh, when did I fall asleep?'
"Nngh—"
Stretching inside the blanket bundle chased away the last of her sleepiness.
Maybe because she'd bathed after so long? The bed felt more comfortable than usual, and she was refreshed, no fatigue at all.
Rustle.
"Hm?"
As she kicked off the covers and tried to sit up, Su-hyeon noticed something odd.
Something soft and heavy was draped over her stomach.
"Ah?"
She slowly looked down. There was Ga-eun's arm across her belly. Su-hyeon's body tensed, her heart pounding wildly.
'What? What's going on here???'
Why was she waking up to Ga-eun hugging her?
The unfamiliar ceiling made sense now—this was Ga-eun's house, not hers.
Su-hyeon carefully tried to lift Ga-eun's arm off. But Ga-eun gripped tighter than expected, sensing the movement with a soft groan as she pulled closer.
"Mm, Su-hyeon..."
Ga-eun's sleepy murmur reached her ear. Su-hyeon nearly yelped in panic.
She froze, holding her breath, then turned to look at Ga-eun's face.
Ga-eun looked peaceful, lost in deep sleep.
Her long lashes trembled faintly, her steady breaths tickling Su-hyeon's face.
Su-hyeon savored the warmth and softness of Ga-eun's embrace. It evoked some long-lost comfort.
Part of her wanted to pretend she was still asleep and stay like this.
Her racing heart soon settled to a calm rhythm.
Su-hyeon listened quietly to Ga-eun's breathing and her own steady heartbeat.
Through her loose sleepshirt, Ga-eun's neck and collarbone were visible.
And the valley below, heavy with weight.
The warm body heat and faint body wash scent muddled Su-hyeon's senses.
'No, this is dangerous... really dangerous!'
Any longer, and this wouldn't stay platonic.
She nearly surrendered but steeled her tree-root resolve and held firm.
Wriggling free like a caterpillar, Su-hyeon escaped to the bedside.
"Phew...!"
Heat rushed to her face belatedly.
She'd almost fallen into baby degeneracy for a second.
Mature or not, what kind of thoughts was she having about someone younger?
As she smoothed her bangs and headed for the door, Su-hyeon sensed something off.
"My hair... it's longer?"
Her hair felt noticeably longer, swishing more than usual.
Not ridiculously so, but enough to stand out.
Overnight.
...Did soaking in the bath yesterday do this?