Bitten Lips and Breakneck Rides
Hyun-ah bit her lip. Even a fool could tell that Seongha was avoiding her. She'd told him several times that everything was fine, but he refused softly yet firmly. She couldn't even figure out why things had turned out this way. He didn't seem angry, but it was clear he didn't want to see her. Her well-intentioned actions felt like they were only tightening around her like a noose. Was it because I acted like his daughter even though we're basically strangers? Or because I kept it from Mom? She could almost hear Seongha shouting, "You acted like you'd give me your liver and gallbladder, and now you're embarrassed by me?"
If there had been some specific incident pushing him away, there might have been room for turnaround. But in the worst case, maybe Seongha had simply grown tired of Hyun-ah. If that was it, there was nothing she could do. Overwhelmed by anxiety and depression, Hyun-ah couldn't even open her eyes.
"You okay...?"
She was even shorter than Hee-ah, a blonde girl. Hyun-ah realized how pathetic she must look and screamed inwardly. It was nighttime, and she'd thought no one would come out. Still, there was no need to sit on the living room sofa brooding like this.
"Oh, hi?"
Hyun-ah hurriedly wiped her eyes and tried to act normal. Compared to the strict Yukiko or the friendly Karin, she hadn't run into Mikoto much despite living in the same house. They saw each other at family meals, sure. She was bright to the point of being a bit noisy, but not overly talkative. But those enormous breasts of hers dealt Hyun-ah a crushing sense of defeat just by existing.
"Something... tough going on?"
"Nah, I'm fine."
At Mikoto's words, Hyun-ah chuckled softly inside. It wasn't mockery. It just felt like something Seongha would say if he were here. Compared to her usual heroine-from-an-anime vibe, nighttime Mikoto seemed calm and a little sad.
"Are you putting on a concept too, sis?"
"Huh?"
"Like, all bubbly and giggly during the day."
Mikoto thought for a moment, then gave an unexpected reply.
"Seongha oppa hates seeing people sad."
That was enough for Mikoto. Hyun-ah pondered the meaning for a bit, understanding as much as she could.
"Impressive. So the goal of your concept is ultimately Master's satisfaction... No wonder, as an active slave..."
"You can do better than me. I believe in you."
Caught off guard by the unexpected encouragement, Hyun-ah blurted out, "Really?"
She didn't know the ins and outs of slave life, but she knew they were basically rivals. Karin might not care about that stuff, but Mikoto rooting for her was a surprise.
"I messed up. No matter what, I can't comfort oppa anymore."
"Lately, Father's been avoiding me. I'll have to leave this house soon anyway..."
Going back to her original home or moving somewhere else wasn't sad in itself. But if it meant Seongha no longer needed her, that was a huge problem.
"That won't be an issue."
Mikoto's hollow laugh showed her words weren't just empty comfort. Hyun-ah had vaguely heard from Yukiko about the "big screw-up." Whatever it was, it must have been serious enough for Mikoto to downplay herself like this.
"Wh-what should I do? Anyway, right now—"
Even as she pitied Mikoto, Hyun-ah desperately wanted her advice. She was in a precarious spot, about to get kicked out, and Mikoto was acting like it was no big deal. It was frustrating.
"For starters, Yukiko's and my cases won't help. Yukiko and Master are a super special exception, and I... bought pity."
"Pity's still pretty amazing, isn't it?"
"Seongha oppa still won't look me in the eyes during sex."
"What?"
Hyun-ah was stunned. If even the usually vague Seongha hated it that much, she couldn't imagine what Mikoto had done. Unless she'd killed his parents or something, it didn't seem like grounds for that level of resentment.
"No, not like what you're thinking. Seongha doesn't hate me. Anyway, let's set that aside."
The living room was dim in the dead of night, but moonlight and lights from neighboring buildings let them make out each other's faces. Hyun-ah focused every nerve on Mikoto's mouth, hanging on her words.
Lately, I'd realized life wasn't following my expectations. I was doing things I'd never imagined trying. I hated moving around, wasn't into speed, tried to follow the law, and never sought thrills anywhere. So I never thought I'd ride a motorcycle—let alone hug a woman from the back seat.
"Hold on tight!"
Karin sped like a maniac in her usual jeans and white tank top. I clung to her body, bracing not to get flung off. Dirt particles sparkled in the sunlight. The ones ahead vanished under the bike's tires in an instant, turning to dust.
"Speed limit! Stick to the speed limit!"
Karin had always driven a bit wildly, but she'd kept to a minimum standard. At some point, though, she'd gone full throttle. The brand-new premium bike roared massively under her control.
"We gotta follow the law!"
"That's why I spent an hour and a half getting us out to this remote spot, right?"
Karin had woken me early that morning, coaxing me for a drive. I'd thought it was just a quick loop around the neighborhood. When we'd been heading in one direction for about an hour, I started suspecting something, but I hadn't guessed a destination.
"Th-this place technically isn't a road. It's empty land, empty land!"
Post-war population had plummeted worldwide. Vacant lots dotted the landscape, with unmanaged dirt paths too.
"Nothing's ahead, so we can just gun it!"
I sighed involuntarily, but I couldn't force her to stop. The "road" she was tearing down was too wide and rough to call a path. I'd never imagined Korea had spots like this.
"You've been overthinking too much lately. You need a full-speed sweep like this to clear your head..."
"What are you talking about? I'm the one about to get swept away."
First time on a bike, but it didn't feel bad. Maybe because it was Karin up front. Her firm ass kept shaking right in my face. The rough terrain made it vibrate like crazy, and I could feel every jiggle with my body and eyes. Hugging her from behind with both arms was a novel experience too—her taut abs and breasts pressing against my wrists.
"This path's ending soon. Here we go!"
Karin gunned it. The wind's howl started feeling dangerous.
"Whew, good job! Fun, right?"
Sweaty Karin brought over coffee on a tray. After racing down that non-road forever, we'd finally reached a seaside cafe.
"Speeding's forbidden. Seriously, no."
"But I swear, that wasn't a road."
"What?"
"Some assemblyman's son crashed on a road like that. He was such a big shot, prosecutors couldn't touch him."
"Ha..."
Just being male came with immense privilege; an assemblyman's son went without saying.
"Victim pressed charges, so they had to rule on it, but treating it as a traffic accident had a set minimum penalty..."
It was absurd, but given how harsh the post-war world was, it was almost humane. People I knew would've just cleanly offed the complainant.
"First time I've ridden like that too—super fun."
"What? Your first time?"
"No bikes that good in Japan... And pre-war, no time for carefree fun."
The sea breeze cooled Karin's sweat. Her childlike bright smile lifted my mood. With Karin, no worries needed. She laughed brighter than anyone, with clear goods and bads.
But lately, even that felt uncertain. I was growing numb.
"Karin?"
"Yeah?"
Her eyes asked what was up, and I couldn't continue.
"Obvious. Seeing you brood alone and kill the vibe means it's time for the real talk."
"Real talk?"
Thinking about it, today was weird. Karin had taken me out before, but never silently for this long. Yukiko must've approved. What did she want to say that she'd dragged me all the way here?
Karin chugged her iced coffee. I tensed, focusing on her mouth.