Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: 25. Permission to Hug (3)
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Let's tap on the wall with my fingers.
Tap tap tap tap tap.
Hmm...
Rustle.
Oh. You're still awake.
I press my ear right up against the wall, and I can hear the sheets rustling.
It's already 2 a.m., but Seonghyeon still hasn't fallen asleep, huh.
Insomnia, he said. Guess it was real.
Right, Unnie Seongah said the same thing. He can't sleep if he even hears footsteps.
But that's weird.
I've slept next to him twice already, and Seonghyeon conked out the moment he leaned against my back.
What could it be?
He slept fine even when I was humming right beside him.
Hmm...
A random thought pops into my head.
What if... I could cure Seonghyeon's insomnia?
Seonghyeon can only sleep if he leans against my back!
If that's true, it'd help him out big time.
Like a cheat code.
I know.
It's a ridiculous delusion.
But if we're being all logical like that, isn't me being here pretty ridiculous too?
I beat insane odds, like one in hundreds of millions, to meet Seonghyeon and end up here.
Maybe miracles happen more often than we think.
Hmm... It'd be worth testing once.
But there's a catch.
[I'm telling you straight: no skinship in the house. No back hugs. Break it, and pack your bags and get out.]
What do I do about this?
He meant it seriously.
Dead end.
As long as that awful rule exists, I can't do a thing.
What would Seonghyeon do?
Probably...
Break the rule without a second thought.
Like grabbing my hand in the park this morning.
Seonghyeon doesn't give a damn about rules when it counts.
Probably 'cause he's a warrior.
In raids, when the boss attacks, I bolt right away.
Healer, after all. Gotta stay as far from the boss as possible.
That's the meta.
But Seonghyeon rolls forward instead.
He instinctively knows the blind spot near the boss's handle is safer than dodging back from a huge attack.
Yeah! Creative plays happen when you ditch the meta.
If... that gamble fails...
Dead.
But hesitate and backpedal out of fear? Boss's club comes flying.
It's all about choice in the end.
Whew. What to do?
If I fail and get kicked out...
You all have to come back for me.
I'll bawl my eyes out.
Alright, decided!
Time to charge in.
Here we go, opening the door!
Creak.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I pressed my ear to the wall, but no sound.
Pretty sure I heard tapping.
Did he stay up two whole hours just for that?
Worried he might ambush like last time, but glad he didn't.
Good. Focus up and dive back into sleep.
You got this, Kwon Seonghyeon. Lights out before 4 a.m.
Crackle crackle.
But then, another sound. Not from the wall this time—from the door.
And super bold about it.
Bang!
Out pops a wild Warmth Monster from behind the door.
The monster was decked out in pink pajamas, hands on hips, grinning right at me like she owned the place.
No way, not another ambush.
Have some shame.
"What the hell are you doing? Do you know what time it is?"
"2 a.m.?"
"Then go to bed."
"Nah. Holy Bodyslam from your Druid incoming—take it like a champ, Seonghyeon!"
"Ah! Do that and you're done for! No!"
Thud thud thud thud thud
Whoosh!
Damn it.
The pink projectile launches mercilessly, slo-mo again.
Déjà vu? Or a dream?
And...
It crashes into me, right on cue.
"Ngh!"
"Ooh~ Taking it this time."
"What are you doing! I told you—break the rules, you're out!"
"Oops. Seonghyeon, calm down and hear me out?"
"Funny. Pack your bags tomorrow."
"No! Think about it. Living here was your wish, right? So why do you get to make all the rules?"
Hmm.
Bringing that up now?
Park Dahye, you little... Thought you'd fold easy, but you're sharper than I thought.
She's right.
She's here 'cause I begged. No right bossing her around.
That's why I steamrolled without excuses, but this shuts me down.
Can't back off, though.
Even from the weak position, my point stands.
Because...
Common sense exists in this world!
"What? It's not rules—it's common sense. Normal for a guy and girl who don't love each other to grope around? This is sexual harassment."
"Uh... No! It's not harassment..."
"Judge decides that. Got more? Talk to my lawyer tomorrow. Now get out."
"No! I'm not here to harass—I'm here to treat you."
"Treat what? I'm not sick."
"No. I figured it out. You need me bad right now."
"Nope, don't."
"Can't sleep, right? Insomnia's rough."
"Not thinking it's worse 'cause of you?"
"Not at all! I uncovered a huge secret—you fall asleep the second you lean on my back? It's legit."
Pfft.
What fresh nonsense is this?
You burst in at 2 a.m. for this?
Yeah, I know.
Those two solid nights I slept? Only change was Park Dahye.
But does that make it a cure?
Insomnia ain't tag—you don't just touch it and win.
"I see right through you, you material girl. Using my insomnia to score a back hug, huh?"
"Dummy! It's real. Asleep in three minutes flat—how's an insomniac do that? Bet on it?"
"Bet what? Whether I sleep or not?"
"Yeah! Rules are mutual, right? Winner sets new ones."
"Win and do what?"
"Sleep together every night! Scrap the no-skinship rule!"
Impressive, Park Dahye. Clap clap.
One like for your nonsense.
"Yeah, that was the goal. But you're messing up, idiot. Insomnia ain't child's play."
"Why's Kwon Seonghyeon Fighter such a chicken? You in or not?"
"Fine. Ten minutes. Can't sleep? I win."
"Uh... Ten? Too short! Fifteen!"
"Changes nothing. After fifteen, back to bed. My rules stand."
"Fine..."
No clue if this is smart.
Might be her trap all along.
Just wants that back hug win or lose.
To enforce boundaries from tomorrow, better win now.
One freebie today, Warmth Monster.
"Arms out, Seonghyeon."
Dahye turns, grabs both my arms again.
Right for pillow, left in sin position.
Warm.
Insane size and softness melting my hands.
Bed fills with lavender again.
Her head right there, hair tickling my nose.
Shouldn't get used to it, but damn, it's comfy.
"Good now? Starting?"
"Yeah! Nighty-night, Seonghyeon!"
What a moron, Park Dahye.
Your big plan's this dumb bet?
2:05 now.
Stay awake 'til 2:20, I win.
As if I could sleep.
Left hand buried in Park Dahye's chest.
All nerves firing there—stimulating, awkward pose? No sleep.
Right arm cramped, hair itching like mad.
I'm wide awake.
And she's young, doesn't get it—insomnia's no joke.
Environmental factors play in, sure, but brain scans show clear neural diffs from normals.
For me,
No breathing issues, no habits... definitely body and hormones... so back hugs won't...
* * *
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "..."
"...Ah..."
Body shaking.
What? Someone calling me?
Damn, sleeping good—who's bothering...
Know how hard it is to sleep?
Stop shaking.
"...hyeon-ah...!"
"Seonghyeon!"
"Tch!"
Eyes open—Dahye's face right there.
Noses almost touching. Eyes meet, she beams.
Ear-to-ear grin.
"What."
"Hee hee hee hee."
What's with the hype?
Oh, bet. Right, mid-bet.
No way I fell asleep? For real? Even trying hard, I couldn't.
In just fifteen? Or more?
Clock... minute hand at 8.
Hour still at 2.
What the hell.
Felt like an hour, but clock says no.
Then, her upper body crushing me lowers fully onto mine.
Hands by my shoulders.
Head inches from my face.
Whispers in my ear.
"Lasted two minutes. Loser."
Bull? Makes no sense?
Tag? Or... hypnosis app? Nah.
Can't accept it.
But her crazy theory nailed it shockingly.
I'm so drowsy I can't move.
Two minutes leaning? Body can't take it.
Should argue... bet whatever... just wanna sleep.
Try closing eyes,
But Dahye shakes me awake again.
Please... let me sleep.
"Seonghyeon! Wake up!"
"Why... lemme sleep... you win..."
"Seonghyeon, open your eyes quick!"
"Why..."
"See this and sleep!"
See what... already made rules? Ten Commandments on stone?
Force heavy lids up, look ahead.
What? Nothing there.
Just Park Dahye.
Sitting on my stomach, back straight.
Then she flings open her clutched pajamas wide.
Her skin scent floods out.
Sweet... just sniffing makes sleep creep in. Nice.
And inside those pajamas...
"Gahhhhh!!!"
Familiar black lace
Struggling to hold up porcelain-white massive somethings.
Yeah, grabbed the wrong size on purpose.
Poor lace, pink bits peeking pitifully.
Two of 'em.
Then gone in a flash.
Call it cherry blossoms.
Pink, vanishes quick—like sakura.
And... stupid pretty too.
Why scream, though.
Dahye clamps my screaming mouth.
"Sleep well, Seonghyeon."
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