Peter Pan -1
One step outside, and I felt it right away. The sweat that had just broken out clung to my clothes, making everything feel sticky and gross. Yeah, today really didn't seem like a good day to go out.
"Yukiko, maybe we should just head back..."
"I must obey whatever my master commands."
Her blunt refusal drew a sigh from me automatically.
"Honestly, isn't it too hot? The forecast says it's only gonna get hotter soon. Wouldn't it be better to turn back now?"
"Are you finding those few steps to the car uncomfortable? Once we arrive at the slave market, the air conditioning will be cranked up to the point of chills."
"Hmm, that's kinda sad. The people there dress so lightly."
Thinking back, even last time the AC had made me shiver a bit. I'd dressed up properly since it was my first visit, but the women there in crop tops exposing their navels or loose tops with plunging necklines must have been freezing.
"Ah, yes. Back then, I hated the cold so much that I wore a suit to greet you, Master."
"Really?"
"Of course that's a joke."
Hearing a joke delivered in Yukiko's poker face was seriously disorienting. If she'd giggled and mocked me for falling for it, I'd have just accepted it, but she kept you guessing right up to the end.
"More importantly, don't you have to go there eventually? Postponing it to tomorrow or the day after won't change the weather."
"What if I wait until it cools down?"
"You may not realize it, Master, but Park Si-young has been texting almost every day."
Yukiko's black skirt was pretty short and tight, so from my view sitting at the entryway, her panties were just barely out of sight. I hadn't meant to sneak a peek at stuff like that, but she was the one shoving that sexy body right in front of my dazed eyes. Guilty verdict in the court of my mind—I lifted my gaze, and our eyes met.
"Uh. Um."
"There's no life in your words."
I ignored her as she formally tugged down her skirt, then casually rolled up the hem a bit. If I wanted to stay home today and enjoy a comfy, relaxed life, I had to stand firm in my convictions without wavering.
"But Yukiko. I've been thinking hard about it, and you know, when it comes to how important money is in life..."
"If you're trying to say you don't need the military pension, then even without Park Si-young's involvement, I firmly believe you must acquire a slave."
Seeing Yukiko take such a hard line confirmed it—housework must be too much for her. We were living together, but I'd gotten too comfortable, making it my fault that she'd grown accustomed to doing everything. Yesterday, I'd used three cups for water, milk, and coffee, multiplying the dishes—I was the sinner.
"Work's been tough lately, right? Solo parenting... well, not yet, but I've dumped too much housework on you, and I'm really sorry! I'll do better from now on! Promise!"
"I take pride in my duties, so please don't take that away from me. And to be frank, while it's not exactly fun... it's comfortable for me."
"No, then why..."
"I can't handle your nights alone. It's pleasurable, true, but to satisfy you, Master, we need at least three women with the mental fortitude and stamina to back it up, working as a team."
Talk of stamina left me speechless. Lately, I'd sensed she was struggling. I'd tried giving her days off, but even if I locked the door for some alone time, she'd knock, insisting she couldn't let me do that, and throw herself into my arms—I couldn't just push her away.
"My body's fatigue isn't the issue. It's my mind. Getting used to this sensation will definitely cause problems. Even if my warnings about my head going weird during sex sound like lewd talk, from the receiving end, it's dead serious."
"S-sorry! I'll go easy!"
"And this is already the third time you've gotten fully ready to go out, only to say 'maybe not today' and turn back. Isn't it time to make a decision?"
"I got nothing to say for myself..."
Even if I went out in comfy clothes, Yukiko dressed up meticulously each time, insisting she couldn't let down her master's dignity. Coming back empty-handed three times was inconsiderate, even by my standards.
"Alright. Let's go. We'll go and... I'll definitely buy a slave. But if there's no one I really like, I won't buy anyone, okay?"
"That is entirely your choice, Master. Even if someone who can't stir your lust joins us, it'll still just be me getting called to your bed."
"And if she doesn't want sex, I won't make her. If she wants out of the slave relationship, I'll let her go."
"I believe any selfish woman who wants that shouldn't have sold herself at the slave market to begin with. But as a slave myself, I respect your decision, Master."
I stood, straightening my clothes roughly. Yukiko opened the door and waited. As we stepped out, I awkwardly placed a hand on her waist.
"You know, I'm really lucky that the first... slave I met was you."
Yukiko closed her eyes and bowed her head.
"It is the greatest honor."
/////
Something I hadn't noticed last time: the slave market's exterior was impeccably clean. The white building with its neat finishes made it hard to believe people were bought and sold here.
"Doesn't the outside kinda look like a company? It's weirdly pristine..."
"If you think of it as buying and selling labor, isn't it no different from a company and its employees' contract?"
For a second, I pictured Yukiko with an "Employee of the Year" badge. I couldn't hold back a snort.
Inside, red lighting tickled my eyes. Park Si-young beamed and waved from the lobby.
"Welcome!"
Her suit was no different from Yukiko's, yet it didn't feel sexual at all. Their bust sizes weren't that far apart, and with a bit more makeup, she'd be a beauty too...
"Today, just check out three groups and you're done! They're all applicants who requested to be Seongha's exclusive slaves!"
"Huh? Why..."
"Eight per group makes twenty-four—not that many, right? Not a ton of slaves, so less drama with relationships, no rumors of abuse... worth a shot!"
The idea of that many people waiting just for me made my head spin.
"So, are they pretty?"
Yukiko seemed even more curious about the prospective slaves than I was, asking about looks first.
Park Si-young smiled awkwardly.
"Well, they are pretty? Really pretty, but... how to put it. A bit over the top..."
"Isn't over-the-top pretty a good thing?"
"You'll see when you meet them! Might surprisingly fit your taste, Seongha!"
With Park Si-young's suspicious expression, we entered the room. Unlike last time, the women were already waiting inside.
"Ah, I get it now."
It was that precarious moment right before stepping into an unpleasant valley. The eight women up front were all beautiful. Stunningly so—but similar.
"Welcome, Master."
"It's an honor to serve you, Master."
"Please choose me, Master."
Similar tones, similar voices to Yukiko's. Neat suits without any exposure, long straight hair, cold auras—eight of them lined up. It was eerily disorienting.
"Being the model is honorable, but I didn't expect this level."
"Whoa, they're so alike... Ah, yep, you're the real Yukiko this time."
Park Si-young poured me a shot of whiskey and handed it over. I downed it in one go.
"Still pretty, though, right?"
"Yeah, pretty... but why all this?"
Up close, they seemed a notch below Yukiko, but just the resemblance made their looks extraordinary.
"How to explain... okay, think of it like college entrance exams?"
Park Si-young pulled out her smartphone and sketched crude school logos with a pen.
"So, like this, this... say there are a bunch of top universities. Everyone fights to get in, right?"
"Sure."
"Then a new school pops up—great job prospects, treated like the elite ones!"
"And?"
"It only admits via interview, and Yukiko's the sole qualifier!"
That's when it clicked why they were all doing Yukiko cosplay en masse. Unsure what part of her drew me, they'd prepped the safest bet: mimic her as much as possible.
"A-anyway, let's see some self-intros and talents?"
"I already have a feeling I know what the talents will be..."
Sure enough, all eight showed off different card tricks. Not bad, but nothing clicked. As we went on, the cosplay accuracy and looks dipped. Every single one was a half-baked Yukiko imitation.
It didn't disgust or anger me. I was mad at myself. If I'd really tried, I could've bought them all. Like pitying shelter cats but rejecting them all while hunting for my "perfect cute one"—I was that contradictory hypocrite. Feeling ugly and gross, depression crept in.
Unable to hide my expression, Park Si-young looked worried and comforted me.
"S-Seongha! How about... one more group?"
"...Sure."
The women up front watched me anxiously. I forced a smile and waited for the next.
Others entered. More cold black-haired beauties, but this group had some variety.
I zoned out through similar intros until the blonde girl's turn. Short like a middle-schooler, but slaves or not, messing with minors gets you arrested same as always—she was just a young-looking adult. Her big, soft-looking breasts ruled out "kid."
She pointed at me with her finger like a scolding gesture, then launched into a super classic greeting.
"I-I'm not interested in being a slave for someone like you!"
With that anime-high-pitched voice, it sounded straight out of Japanese, like I'd need subtitles to get the meaning. I could only let out a hollow laugh.
"No, the concept's too much..."