The Women (4)
#ClassReunion #Fountain #NewHairdo #LookingSuperPrettyToday lol
“Hellooo, girls~.”
“Oh my god, Lexy!”
Lexy stepped into the restaurant with the sharp click-clack of her high heels, her deep chestnut hair styled in pretty waves. She looked especially lovely today.
It was the Heroes Challenge Class 4 reunion. Most of them had passed, of course. The handful of failures who showed up were already riding high in other fields—otherwise they wouldn’t have come. Class reunions were usually like that.
“Becoming a hero really suits you. You’re even prettier.”
“Hehe, you think so?”
Lexy beamed at the compliment and took an empty seat. Sitting a little apart, Ken felt his groin tighten the instant he saw her. He crossed his legs to hide it.
Ahng… ang… haang… haaang…
Someone’s moans automatically replayed in his head—the ones from that mysterious recording Kang-jun had sent him.
Ken had no idea how many times he’d jerked off to those sounds. It was pathetic. He’d tried deleting the file over and over, but he never could. He felt himself sinking deeper into the pit every day.
“Lexy’s gotten way prettier, right?”
The heavily made-up woman glued to Ken’s side asked, testing him. She’d been dating him for a little while now.
“Yeah.”
Ken’s answer was lukewarm.
Among the Class 4 kids, no one had missed the pink spark between Ken and Lexy. Both of them had even passed. Everyone had expected a picture-perfect couple to form.
But the combination of dense Ken and pure, clueless Lexy never happened. At some point the distance grew, and Ken started seeing someone else.
“What about me? How do I look?”
Ken was mid-sip of beer when he felt soft flesh press against his arm. Heavy perfume flooded his nose. He turned his head. A worn-out woman’s face stared back.
His stomach suddenly twisted. Anger flared. Rage threatened to boil over. …Lexy should have been sitting here, not this woman.
“You’re the prettiest.”
The answer came out mechanical. A sharp woman like her couldn’t miss it.
“Aww, put some heart into it.”
“You’re really, really pretty. …Happy?”
“Then kiss me.”
Ken knew exactly what she was after—showing off in front of Lexy. A strange impulse hit him. What face would Lexy make if he kissed this woman right here? Alcohol made the decision for him.
Mmph.
“Whoa, what’s with you two?! Hey, Ken, you dog—!”
They kissed hard. Her hand slid onto his thigh. He got even harder.
Ahng… ung… haang… aaang…
Lexy’s moans rang in his ears. Fuck, fuuuck…!
Their lips finally parted. The woman’s face went slack with satisfaction. Her eyes clearly wanted more.
Ken lifted his glass and drained the rest of the beer in one go.
“Hey Lexy, your boyfriend’s cheating.”
“Oh stop. It’s just a joke. Hehe.”
Ken snuck a glance her way. Ah, Keeen~! She waved brightly, completely oblivious to what was going on inside him. The sight made his anger spike; he turned away without answering.
Still not over it, huh…
Even someone as dense as Lexy couldn’t miss Ken’s cold shoulder. …At some point he’d started keeping his distance. Replies to her messages came late or not at all. Plans to meet kept getting postponed.
Then she heard the rumor he had a girlfriend. She figured that was why he was pulling away.
But the attitude was too much. He treated her like she didn’t even exist. …She’d thought they were close friends. Watching him leave like this hurt.
Maybe I went too far that day.
The night she’d almost stood Kang-jun up, she’d bolted from dinner the second his message arrived—then turned Ken around at her doorstep and sent him home. Of course, she’d been in the middle of sex with Kang-jun, so it had been unavoidable.
Still, she didn’t regret the choice. It had brought her closer to Kang-jun. …And Ken had a girlfriend now, so everything had worked out for the best. Or so she told herself.
Is Kang-jun still busy…?
She’d sent him more than ten messages over the past few days. She’d clearly heard that the 50th District job was finished and he’d returned to the dorms safely. She told herself he just wanted to rest, that was why he wasn’t answering. …But three days, four days… a whole week slipped by.
Still, one little reply would be nice…
I’ve got a class reunion today! haha
He’d read the message she’d just sent. Still no reply.
Maybe I worded it weird and he doesn’t know how to answer. Or maybe he’s just bad with phones.
Lexy believed there had to be some reason she didn’t know. Kang-jun was a cool guy, after all.
Even as she soothed herself, the anxiety never left. And Belita’s face kept floating up. …That woman was so much more sophisticated and stylish than her. A C-rank hero, even. Lexy had nothing to offer.
So she’d finally changed her style. Worked harder. On off days she took side jobs and saved every coin, cutting sleep late into the night.
Lexy kept her head down, fiddling with her phone. The noisy chatter around her never reached her ears. …What should she send so he’d finally answer? She tapped the keypad over and over, but never hit send. She was too scared.
“Hey Lexy, what are you doing? Toast, toast!”
“Huh? …Oh!”
—Cheers!
Clink. Glasses met. Lexy gulped her beer. Kyaaah~.
It had been ages since she’d had a real drink. Lately she’d been saving money and barely seeing anyone. Even Ken, the one person she used to meet, had gone silent. …Maybe that was why she clung to Kang-jun even harder.
She was popping a piece of side dish into her mouth when her phone suddenly buzzed.
Lexy’s eyes locked on the screen and her whole body jumped. Kang-jun had finally answered. She was so overwhelmed her hands shook.
She whipped her head around, confirmed the restaurant name, and sent that too.
No reply after that. Lexy waited, fidgeting. She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Something good happen?”
A classmate asked. Lexy just grinned and said there was.
Ken saw it too. That smile suddenly made him deeply uneasy. His throat burned; he kept drinking. His girlfriend whispered that if he drank too much he wouldn’t be able to get it up later.
Fucking bitch…!
The curse was aimed at both women. Lexy couldn’t tear her eyes from her phone. Ken never stopped watching her.
About forty minutes passed.
Suddenly Lexy stood up. Something urgent had come up; she had to leave early. The words made Ken’s anger explode.
“Hey, Lexy! Sit down. We finally get together after so long and you’re leaving?!”
“Ah, uh, Ken. Sorry. I’ve got something urgent right now…”
“I said sit!”
The atmosphere died instantly. Everyone stared back and forth between the two. Lexy hadn’t expected Ken to turn so vicious; she sat back down for the moment.
“Guess someone’s a little salty, haha.”
A thick-skinned guy smoothed things over. Everyone raised their glasses again. Lexy took a sip, watched for an opening, then quietly slipped off to the bathroom.
Ken waited for his chance and stood. His girlfriend asked where he was going. An irritated voice snapped out.
“Do I have to announce every time I take a piss?!”
“Ah, n-no. Go ahead…”
She stammered, flustered. Ken strode straight toward the restrooms. Heat flooded his face for reasons he couldn’t name.
In the hallway near the bathrooms, Lexy was on the phone, voice apologetic.
“…Yeah, I’ll come right out. The fountain? …Yeah, sorry. Really sorry. I’m coming now. …Okay.”
The call ended. She turned—and found Ken standing there with a savage look. Lexy jumped.
“Whoa, you scared me…. Heading to the bathroom…? Go ahead.”
She stepped aside. The hallway was narrow.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Huh? Ah, uh, I really have something urgent. Sorry. I have to go.”
“It’s that bastard, isn’t it?”
“Wh…?”
Alcohol had loosened Ken’s grip on his emotions.
“You’re going to that Lee Kang-jun bastard, aren’t you? That fucking piece of shit.”
“Hey, watch your mouth! Even if we’re friends, that’s too much.”
Ha, fuck—
“Lexy, you’ve really changed.”
“What? …You’re the one who’s changed, Ken. …I’m going past. Move.”
“No.”
“Ken!”
“You’re not going. Fuck. I’m never letting you go to that bastard.”
Lexy stared at him like he’d lost his mind. The bright smile she always wore was gone.
“Please move.”
“No.”
She tried to force her way past; he wouldn’t budge. Just then someone approached from behind.
“Excuse me, coming through.”
Ken shoved Lexy hard against the wall. Ah. Her scent flooded his nose. Chest against chest. He felt the soft give of her breasts. That was all it took for the last of his control to snap.
“Ah, ah—!”
His hands groped her waist and ass.
“Hey, hey you! You’re way too drunk, Keeen—!”
Classmates’ footsteps approached at the sound of her voice. Ken finally let go.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, Ken’s, uh, pretty drunk. He almost fell.”
Lexy covered for him smoothly. Ken’s chest hurt even more—because even after what he’d just done, kind Lexy made excuses for him first. He hated how that bastard was using her.
“I’ll help him. Honey, you drank a lot? Should we head out?”
Ken hated the cheap perfume clinging to him. Lexy seized the chance and slipped past. He glared at her back with burning eyes.
“Yeah. Let’s go. Now.”
His girlfriend’s face lit up with expectation. Time for sex with Ken, she thought.
Ken, his girlfriend, and Lexy left the restaurant almost together.
“Okay, I’m heading out first. Bye.”
Lexy waved with that same dumb, bright smile. It hadn’t changed at all—even after what he’d just done to her. …She probably thought it was just a drunken mistake.
“Honey, let’s go too.”
“No. Let go.”
“Huh, where are you going? Honey? Honeeey—!”
Ken chased after Lexy at a fast clip, face twisted.
I’m never letting her go—!
Lexy soon spotted Kang-jun standing in front of the fountain. She ran to him as fast as her heels allowed, pure joy on her face.
“Kang-juuun!”
Kang-jun looking at her was still handsome and cool as ever.
“You’re late.”
His voice was flat and cold. Lexy’s heart dropped. The foolish grin vanished instantly.
“Ah… sorry. I got held up a bit…. Sorry. Did you wait long?”
“Kinda.”
“Sorry. Really sorry. Kang-jun, I’m sorry. For real.”
Lexy stamped her feet, flustered. She should have just left earlier….
“Who’s that?”
“…Huh?”
Kang-jun pointed with his chin past her shoulder. She spun around.
Ken was standing there. Lexy’s eyes went wide.
“Ken, why are you….”
“Hey, you son of a bitch. You’re not taking Lexy.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Kang-jun let out a short laugh. Lexy went pale.
“Hey, what the hell are you even saying right now?!”
“Lexy, wake the fuck up! That bastard’s just playing with you—!”
Lexy fretted, looking desperately at Kang-jun and begging him to understand. That only twisted Ken’s heart harder.
“Kang-jun, Ken’s really drunk. He had a lot. Please just let it go, okay? He’s not usually like this. …Hey, Ken! Just leave already!”
“Fuck ‘a lot’! …You bastard, I already told you—you’re not taking Lexy.”
“Is that your girlfriend?”
Ken froze for a second. Kang-jun openly sneered.
“Then why are you telling her where she can and can’t go?”
Right then Ken’s girlfriend came running up and latched onto him.
“Honey, what are you doing right now?! Let’s go! Come on, hurry!”
Kang-jun’s smirk deepened.
“Having fun yourself while preaching, huh. Classic double standard.”
“You—you fucking bastard—!”
“Ah, so when you’ve got nothing left you just swear. Pathetic.”
“Son of a bitch. Fuck.”
Lexy was shaken. She’d never heard Ken curse so filthy before. …And it looked disgusting.
“Kang-jun, let’s just go, okay?”
“Go where!”
Lexy begged him to leave, but Kang-jun held his ground.
“Wait a second.”
“Please, please just go, okay?”
Lexy had a bad feeling about staying any longer. But Kang-jun wouldn’t budge. She could only pray the situation wouldn’t explode further. Resentment toward Ken started to grow.
“You’ve got a girlfriend and you’re still hitting on Lexy? Disgusting.”
“Fuck, what a load of shit.”
“Can you stop swearing? It was fresh at first, but now it’s just gross.”
Kang-jun scraped at Ken’s nerves with surgical precision. Ken felt like he was going insane. He was so angry his whole body shook.
“Honey! Just let’s go! Are you crazy?! Everyone’s watching! Hurry!”
Ken’s girlfriend yanked hard on his arm. He shook her off with a snarl. Ah! She sprawled on the ground. Oh my god, look at that. More eyes turned their way.
Lexy couldn’t take it anymore. Better to calm Ken down and send him off.
“Ken, you’re really worked up right now, so let’s talk tomorrow, okay? Just go home for now, and tomorrow we can…”
“So you’re going to go fuck that bastard right now?”
Lexy reeled. She never thought Ken would say something like that. Even he looked like he regretted it the second it left his mouth.
“You… you really… why are you like this today…?”
“…You seriously don’t know? That bastard’s playing with you. Still don’t get it? Are you that stupid? Are you actually retarded?!”
“Keeen—!”
“You’re not going.”
Ken snatched her wrist. Kang-jun just watched, face saying let’s see how far this dog barks.
“Absolutely not.”
“You’ve really changed.”
“Yeah I changed. Fuck, you made me like this. …You know that?”
“Just leave. Go grab your girlfriend.”
Ken’s girlfriend had already stormed off in a rage. Lexy tried to pull her arm free; he wouldn’t let go.
“Let go. Let gooo! Now!”
Her resistance made something snap inside him.
“Lexy. What about me? I’ll treat you better than that bastard. Okay? Please…. Don’t go, okay? I’ll treat you so well. I like you so much. I really like you a lot.”
Lexy frowned.
“You’re… you’re being really weird. Please sober up and talk, okay?”
“No. It’s not that. I’m not drunk—! …I’m just really worried about you. Why can’t you see how I feel, huh?”
He poured everything out.
“I’m your friend. I’m Ken. I’ve been right next to you for so long. You know me.”
Lexy’s struggle softened a little.
“Lexy. I like you. I really like you. …I love you. I truly love you. I’m serious. …If you really like someone else, I’m willing to let you go. But not that guy. If you go to him, you’ll ruin your life.”
Lexy’s face grew sad.
“Ken.”
“Yeah.”
“Can you… let go of this…?”
Ah…
“I… I can’t be with anyone but Kang-jun…”
The strength drained from Ken’s hand. Lexy looked at him and smiled sadly.
“Go to your girlfriend. And apologize. Tell her you weren’t yourself for a second because of the alcohol…”
Lexy patted his shoulder once, gave him a silent smile, then turned cleanly and walked to Kang-jun. Kang-jun was looking at Ken with open mockery.
Ken clenched his teeth and fists so hard his body shook. …But there was nothing left he could do.
The two of them turned and walked away. Lexy kept glancing back. The crowd that had gathered to watch slowly dispersed.
Ken turned slowly. His dragging steps belonged to a man who’d just suffered a brutal heartbreak.
Not far away, his girlfriend stood with arms crossed, seething. The look she gave him was anything but ordinary.
“Ken, are you insane? If you like her that much why didn’t you just follow her? Huh? …Ha, so I was just a toy. Yeah, fuck, I was just your disposable fuckhole, right?”
Ken couldn’t say a word. He just stood there.
Then his phone buzzed. A bad feeling hit him; he checked it fast. One message. …And when he read it, despair swallowed him whole.
Ah… ahhh—
Ken crumpled to the ground.
“H-honey?”
His girlfriend, mid-rant, rushed over in shock.
Aaaaaaah—!