Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Pet (4)
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The agonizing morning finally came to an end, and lunchtime arrived, but Ha Yoon bobbed her head with an utterly drained expression on her face.
Excluding the time she'd passed out, she hadn't slept a wink since last night, and the fatigue built up across her entire body was no joke.
Even crawling on her joints was pure agony in itself, and with kicks flying at her whenever they felt like it—plus getting tormented by Teacher Park during the morning routine—it was only natural.
But every time she tried to doze off, the choker around her neck and the leash attached to it would yank tight.
"Gahk, kehk..."
"It's not bedtime yet, so you can't sleep."
At Hong Ryeon's words, Ha Yoon coughed violently and stared gloomily down at the floor.
Would she even be able to sleep when bedtime actually came? She could say with certainty that it was absolutely impossible.
They'd definitely use some bizarre method to disrupt her rest. If it were her, that's exactly what she'd do. And Hong Ryeon would be no different.
The thought of enduring this lifestyle for another full week made her heart sink with despair.
No, her mindset had already changed a lot since she'd first arrived. Back then, she'd felt like she could somehow manage, but now it seemed like no matter what she did, she couldn't accomplish anything.
As she was overwhelmed by the surging gloom, a food bowl was shoved in front of her face.
It was oatmeal—the same stuff she'd eaten until she was sick of it. Ha Yoon blankly lifted her head, and Hong Ryeon spoke.
"Why are you looking at me like that? You didn't think I'd withhold food from you, did you?"
To be honest, yeah, she had. If it were her, that's exactly what she'd do. Beatings and torment were pains she could endure, no matter how harsh.
But hunger, just like sleep, wasn't something you could tough out through willpower.
Ha Yoon just stared without saying a word, so Hong Ryeon scowled and grabbed the bowl again.
"You look like you hate it. Fine, I'll take it back then."
"N-No! I'll eat it, woof!"
She blurted it out in a panic, only for a sudden slap to whip across her face. Hong Ryeon burst into giggles as Ha Yoon tumbled sideways from the impact.
"You're just like Oddeugi."
"Wh-Why'd you hit me...!"
"Because it's infuriating how a beast like you speaks human words?"
And she spoke again? Hong Ryeon said it with a smirk, then lifted her foot and stomped down hard on Ha Yoon's abdomen.
Urk— Ha Yoon retched dryly and writhed in agony. But with a foot still pressing down on her gut, she could only flail like a butterfly pinned to a board.
"You keep forgetting your place. You're a pet right now. Don't talk like us humans—wail like an animal."
"Kuhk, heuk...!"
Ha Yoon flailed her arms at the sensation of that weight grinding down relentlessly. But with her arms taped tight and shortened to her sides, she couldn't even reach, let alone grab the leg.
Hong Ryeon tormented her by stomping and grinding for a good while before finally lifting her foot.
"So behave from now on. If you act human again, you'll get hit just like this."
"Hngh, hngh..."
"Stand up."
Ha Yoon groaned in pain but struggled to her feet anyway. It was obvious another kick would come if she didn't obey.
Hong Ryeon watched, then nudged the food bowl forward with her foot.
"Eat. Every last bit."
How? The question didn't even form. With her arms bound like this and orders to act like a beast, her only option was to shove her face in and lick it up.
Ha Yoon squeezed her eyes shut and stuck out her tongue to lap at the oatmeal.
As she buried her face in the bowl and slurped noisily, giggles reached her ears. She figured it was one of Hong Ryeon's gang, but the next voice proved her wrong.
"She's eating it just like a real bitch."
"Doesn't she have any pride?"
It was Yoon Se-rin and Han Su-ah. It pissed her off that they said that when they had no pride either, but there was nothing she could do. Right now, Ha Yoon's status was even lower than theirs.
More than that, eating with just her tongue was incredibly tough. Licking it up while trying to breathe was such a hassle that she had to lift her head every now and then. And every time, she felt Hong Ryeon's gaze and the others' stares bearing down, forcing her to duck right back down.
By the time everyone else had finished and left, Ha Yoon had barely managed to empty one bowl of oatmeal—that was her limit. Hong Ryeon stroked her head affectionately as she inspected the spotless bowl.
"You must've been starving, huh? Was it tasty?"
"..."
"Answer me."
Ha Yoon grimaced as her hair was grabbed, then forced out the words.
"Y-Yeah... it was tasty."
"Oh? Good. But why are you talking like a human?"
"Ah!"
Hong Ryeon yanked her head back, forcing it to tilt upward, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Our little Ha Yoon, do you have no learning ability at all? Are you an idiot? How do you forget what I just told you?"
"Th-Then what am I supposed to do?!"
"Are you getting mad at me right now?"
Ha Yoon instantly regretted it at the sharp tone. Her nerves had frayed from the constant provocation, and she'd snapped without thinking.
But seriously, what was she supposed to do? Get yelled at for not answering, yelled at for speaking human words—what the hell? She shot Hong Ryeon an aggrieved look, but all it got her was another slap.
Slap— slap— As the hand whipped across her face twice, her already flushed cheeks burned even redder.
Hong Ryeon wiped the blood from her split lip with a pitying voice.
"Not content with being stupid—you're hot-tempered and impulsive too. What am I ever going to do with you?"
"Grrgh...!"
"I'll be nice and explain it this once, so open those clogged ears of yours and listen well."
She leaned in close to Ha Yoon's ear and whispered.
"Just act like a dog. Bark 'woof' when I talk to you and follow every order. No questions—just be a dog. Got it?"
"..."
"If you understand, answer me."
"...Woof."
Ha Yoon squeezed it out in a strangled voice, and Hong Ryeon's expression softened as she patted her head.
"Good girl, our Ha Yoon. Oh right, you still have more lunch left, don't you?"
The trainees' meals were always the same regardless of breakfast, lunch, or dinner: oatmeal, an apple, a banana, and a carton of milk.
Hong Ryeon poured milk into the now-empty oatmeal bowl and spoke in a gentle tone.
"I'll stay right here until you finish it all, so take your time, okay?"
"...Woof."
Ha Yoon barked in a depressed tone. After lapping up the milk and crunching through the apple, only the banana remained.
Hong Ryeon peeled the banana halfway, pressed it against her crotch, and suddenly said:
"Don't chew it. Lick it up."
"...Woof?"
"What are you playing dumb for? Suck it down like you're giving a blowjob."
Ha Yoon's face twisted at the words spat out amid giggles. She couldn't fathom how much humiliation Hong Ryeon needed before she'd stop. But she had no right to refuse.
Ha Yoon crawled forward awkwardly, then strained to lift her body and brought her tongue to the banana jutting up like a dick. She started sliding her mouth back and forth without using her teeth, just like a blowjob.
Hong Ryeon watched Ha Yoon sucking on the banana from below and felt a strange sense of conquest.
It was that familiar emotion she'd often felt back when she was a guy—the sensation she'd long forgotten. Without realizing it, she placed her free hand on Ha Yoon's head.
"You're good at this. Teacher Choi must've taught you well."
"Mmmph, mmph..."
Ha Yoon ignored her and licked as fast as she could.
A few licks in, the banana softened and dangled limply in her mouth. She accidentally nicked it with her teeth and snapped it off—only for a fist to crash down on her head.
"Nghuk!"
"I said lick it up. Who told you to bite it off?"
"I already ate most of it—accidents happen! Ugh..."
Irritation boiled over, and she'd spat it out in a huff, but Ha Yoon quickly shrank back and eyed Hong Ryeon nervously.
But surprisingly, her expression wasn't bad. She was still grinning, looking pleased.
"You spoke again?"
Maybe it was an illusion. As Ha Yoon hung her head, Hong Ryeon squatted down and muttered with a sigh.
"If it were the trainers, you'd never dare talk back like this... Guess you think I'm a pushover because I'm not one of them. Right?"
"Wh-Woof..."
"You've finished eating, so how about a walk to help digest?"
A walk. Ha Yoon frantically shook her head at the word. Just staying propped up on her elbows and knees was torture—walking would be twice as painful. She was barely holding back the pain as it was.
"That's weird... Dogs always get all excited and bouncy when you suggest a walk..."
"Woof..."
"Jin-ah. Come here."
"...Me?"
Ryu Jin-ah, who had been watching Hong Ryeon's antics from the back with Baek So-ra and a displeased glare, approached in bewilderment. Hong Ryeon nodded at her, then jerked her chin toward Ha Yoon.
"Get on her back."
"Get on...? That's..."
Too cruel. Ryu Jin-ah swallowed the words that nearly escaped. Sure, she was light, but she still weighed over 40kg. Put that on someone who could barely stand, and she'd collapse instantly.
"Don't want to? Then don't."
"Huh?"
Ryu Jin-ah blinked in surprise at Hong Ryeon's words. But the follow-up made her sigh again.
"But remember what I said? You have to choose between Ha Yoon and me. And you picked me. If you back out now... I'll be really sad."
"Seriously... don't say it like that."
"Then act in a way that doesn't make me say it."
She couldn't catch a break. Ryu Jin-ah scratched her head furiously, then glanced at Ha Yoon—who was staring back anxiously—and shrugged helplessly.
"Not my problem. Your fault."
What did I do wrong? Ha Yoon thought bitterly, but she clenched her molars hard as Ryu Jin-ah's weight settled onto her back.
It felt like her elbows, knees, and waist were all about to snap.
"Urghhh...!"
"By the way, if you drop Ryu Jin-ah, I'll put Baek So-ra on next."
"...Is that even possible?"
Ryu Jin-ah muttered as she eyed Ha Yoon's back, where she was perched. Ha Yoon was small to begin with. Sure, she had disproportionately large breasts for her frame, but she was still smaller than Baek So-ra.
Just Ryu Jin-ah sitting there already filled her narrow back completely—adding Baek So-ra on top?
Hong Ryeon really was vicious. As Ryu Jin-ah thought that, Ha Yoon panted heavily and struggled to hold steady.
But it wasn't easy. Objectively, she was carrying a load equal to her own body weight. For this body with its abysmal athleticism, even enduring was a miracle.
But Hong Ryeon didn't let her rest. She yanked the leash taut and said:
"Time for that walk."
"Keurk, khek...!"
The pull choked off her air so fiercely that Ha Yoon had no choice but to take a step. But even one step made it clear: the next would send her crashing sideways for sure.
And on the second step, she couldn't bear the pain and toppled over. Ryu Jin-ah yelped in surprise—"Whoa!"—but Ha Yoon couldn't hear it. Her elbows and knees burned like fire.
As she grimaced and stifled her groans, Hong Ryeon murmured happily.
"You dropped her?"