〈Chapter 16〉

The Ex-Girlfriend is Jealous of Their Relationship

* * *

“This kiss… you won’t be able to call it a ‘No-Count,’ will you?”

At Yerin’s unbelievably bold move, Si-hyeon’s entire body froze. His face gradually flushed a deep red. Looking down at him with a seductive gaze, Yerin softly placed her hand on his chest.

Thump. Thump.

Si-hyeon’s heart was racing just as fast as hers. Her lips curled into a wide grin at that realization, and she leaned her body forward. Their chests pressed against each other.

“What are you doing? Get off me, now…!”

The soft sensation against his chest and Yerin’s scent—which he had smelled countless times by her side—felt different than usual. Normally, he wouldn’t have been shaken no matter what Yerin did… but now, her every word and every subtle gesture was stirring a carnal desire within him.

‘Why on earth am I acting like this…?’

Sihyeon had always thought of Yerin as family. So why was he suddenly becoming so conscious of her?

There were two main reasons.

First, having been starved for affection during his relationship with Chae-yeon, Yerin’s seduction was acting as the perfect filler for that void.

Second, the anxiety and terror he felt while performing CPR—the fear that she might actually die—had caused Yerin’s presence to take up root deep within his heart.

“Si-hyeon, your heart is beating really fast.”

Having seized the initiative, Yerin had evolved from a gentle lamb into a Gumiho–a seductive fox spirit.

So alluring that she could bewitch any man in the vicinity, she whispered into the rigid Si-hyeon’s ear.

Feeling her hot breath against his ear canal, Si-hyeon shuddered with a mix of embarrassment and thrill. Finally coming to his senses, he tried to overcome her allure and say something, but in that moment…

Smack♡

Expecting him to scold her, Yerin used her soft lips to plug his open mouth. Their gazes met at point-blank range. Both of their pupils were trembling violently.

“Hey, you! Seriously!”

A startled Si-hyeon pushed her away, and Yerin, having enjoyed herself to her heart’s content, pulled back with a mischievous grin. The lingering heat on her lips… she caressed them as she spoke.

“So this is what a kiss feels like…”

It was only a simple meeting of lips. But it felt like the two of them were somehow connected. That sensation of sharing the same breath while their affectionate gazes locked…

While Yerin was lost in her sentimentality, Si-hyeon asked as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Did you do all this just because you wanted to know what that felt like…?”

“As if!”

Feeling wronged, Yerin quickly shook her head. She continued, her fingers fidgeting.

“I would never, ever do something like this with someone I didn’t like…”

With her being this direct, there was no way Si-hyeon could remain ignorant of her romantic feelings. Letting out a deep sigh, he lay there quietly and asked.

“Since when did you start liking me?”

“I don’t know either. I guess as we were always hanging out, before I knew it, my eyes were just constantly following you…”

“Then you should have at least told me sooner…”

“You think it’s as easy as it sounds? I’m not a courageous kid like you, you know.”

Si-hyeon wore a faint smile at Yerin’s cute whining. Pushing himself up to look her in the face, he brushed her hair back behind her ear.

“Anyway… I’m sorry it took me so long to realize how you felt.”

Yerin puffed up her cheeks slightly and avoided his gaze.

“If you’re sorry, then just start dating me now…”

“That’s… a bit difficult.”

“What? You’ve already done everything there is to do, and now you’re gonna back out?”

“That was you forcing it on me.”

The atmosphere felt like a rejection was looming. Yerin’s heart tightened along with a sudden urge to run away.

“It’s definitely not that I don’t like you. It’s just… I don’t even know my own heart yet. I want to start dating after I’m actually sure about this.”

“Which means…?”

“Give me just a little time. The moment I’m certain, I’ll be the one to confess to you.”

Yerin froze, her mouth slightly parted. Before long, tears began to roll down her cheeks—all because he had finally acknowledged her feelings and promised to give them serious thought.

“Yeah… I’m used to waiting, anyway.”

Yerin gave Si-hyeon a quick salty peck and continued.

“I’ll be looking forward to it this time!”

She gave a smile brighter than ever before. Seeing that look, which seemed to have gathered every bit of happiness in the world, Si-hyeon couldn’t help but smile along.

“Right. It won’t take long.”

* * *

Si-hyeon and Yerin entered the pension.

The inside was lively and noisy. Their classmates were busy praising Yerin for returning safely and Si-hyeon for his heroic performance.

However, wanting to organize his thoughts, Si-hyeon headed to his room with the excuse that he needed to rest for a bit.

“So Yerin likes me…”

Si-hyeon clutched his head at the unexpected confession.

The childhood friend who had spent more time with him than anyone else besides his parents. The one who stayed by his side to comfort him when he broke up with Chae-yeon, and who always led him forward with her positive mindset.

Seeing as she didn’t even know when she started liking him, she must have lived while hiding those feelings for at least several years.

Since he had distanced himself from her while dating Chae-yeon, he couldn’t even begin to fathom how much she must have been hurting all that time.

‘I don’t want to accept the feelings Yerin has cherished for so long with just a half-hearted sentiment.’

Si-hyeon still couldn’t shake the perception of Yerin as just a friend.

Originally, love is a law where affection must flow back and forth. But as long as he viewed Yerin only as a friend, it was clear that forming such a relationship would be difficult.

“Maybe I should reach out for the first time in a while…”

Back when he was dating Chae-yeon, there was a presence that acted as his guide whenever he had a problem. Si-hyeon decided to ask his Relationship Counselor about this situation.

[Me: Aloe-nim. It’s been a while… could I get some advice?]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Oh! Is this about your ex-girlfriend?]

[Me: No. Things with my ex are more or less settled.]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Huh? Then don’t tell me… is there another woman in the picture?]

[Me: Not exactly “in the picture.” It’s just that I received something like a confession, and I don’t know what to do…]

[Aloe Tea Bag: I see. Well then, shall we start a counseling session for the first time in a while!]

Si-hyeon laid everything out to his relationship advisor about his relationship with Yerin.

How he had always thought about her until now, what their everyday interactions were like, and even everything that had happened today.

After hearing the whole story…

[Aloe Tea Bag: This girl sounds promising. At the very least, she seems much better than your ex.]

He had managed to get a positive response from the counselor. It was the polar opposite of the counselor’s usual attitude back when he consulted about Chae-yeon—back then, they were always urging him to break up.

[Me: You think so?]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Yeah. If you’ve known each other that long, you probably know each other’s strengths and flaws inside out. Plus, seeing as your friend got so angry at your ex on your behalf, it doesn’t seem like she’d treat you as coldly as your ex did.]

[Me: I see.]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Of course, that’s just my opinion. The most important thing is how you feel, Chae-ba-nim. What do you think about this friend?]

[Me: She can be a bit quirky at times, but I think she’s a good person at heart.]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Nope. I meant what do you think of her as a woman?]

‘As a woman…’

Si-hyeon scratched the back of his head, retracing his memories.

His heart, which had pounded to its limit because of Yerin’s surprise kiss.

Judging by today’s experience, it was certain that Si-hyeon had begun to consciously perceive Yerin as a member of the opposite sex.

‘But can I really call this “liking” her?’

Regardless of whether love was involved, a man’s heart racing during physical contact with a beautiful woman is simply a male instinct.

Si-hyeon had once loved Chaeyeon to the point of madness. But whether what he felt now was the same kind of feeling—He couldn’t tell the difference.

[Me: I’m definitely conscious of her as a woman now, but I’m not sure if that’s actually translating into romantic feelings.]

[Aloe Tea Bag: Hmm… that part can only be figured out over time. If you want to understand your own heart, Chae-ba-nim, I think it would be best to start paying close attention to your friend from now on.]

Creak.

The bedroom door suddenly swung open. Chae-yeon stepped inside, her eyes locking onto Si-hyeon.

“The others said to come out and have a drink.”

Why is Chae-yeon the one coming to deliver that message? Si-hyeon felt a flicker of doubt, but simply nodded in response.

“Got it. I’ll be there in a second.”

Si-hyeon sent a reply to Aloe, thanking them for the counseling session. After exchanging a few closing pleasantries, he stood up to leave, but…

‘Why is she still here?’

Chae-yeon, whom she assumed had already left, was still standing by the door staring at him. Fixing her gaze intently on Si-hyeon’s smartphone, she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hands behind her back before asking,

“…Who were you texting?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I was just curious… Was it Yerin?”

Not wanting to continue such a meaningless conversation, Sihyeon brushed past Chaeyeon and walked out of the room.

Immediately, the savory aroma of grilled pork belly hit his nose.

As Si-hyeon took a random empty seat, Chae-yeon sat down right next to him.

‘Why does she keep sticking to me?’

Irritated, Si-hyeon snapped his wooden chopsticks apart and spoke.

“Don’t go ruining my appetite. Why don’t you sit somewhere else?”

Chae-yeon’s body gave a visible flinch. Her fists clenched against her lap, she replied in a dejected voice.

“Where I sit is my choice…”

“Sigh… fine. Have it your way.”

Not wanting to be petty, Si-hyeon decided to just ignore her. But as he began passing out wooden chopsticks and paper cups to the others…

“Si-hyeon!”

Yerin, who had brought a disposable plate piled high with meat, sat down on Si-hyeon’s right. She leaned her body into his with blatant intent, flashing him a bright, innocent smile. As Si-hyeon made a flustered gesture in response, Chae-yeon glared at her with a look that could kill.

“Look at this meat. It’s grilled to a perfect, golden brown, right?”

“Yeah… it is”

Sihyeon’s shy reaction slowly gnawed at Chaeyeon’s heart. Wasn’t this exactly how he had acted when he was dating her?

If his feelings were already starting to lean toward Yerin, then—Chaeyeon felt an indescribable anxiety creeping in.

On the other hand, Yerin—who was thoroughly enjoying that reaction—wrapped a piece of meat in a lettuce wrap (ssam) and held it out to Si-hyeon.

“Here. Say ah. Aaaah~”

“Forget it. I can eat on my own. Why are you even doing this…?”

“Oh, come on, hurry up~ My arm is getting tired.”

At her persistent urging, Si-hyeon reluctantly opened his mouth, and Yerin quickly shoved the wrap inside.

It was a state of confusion so intense he barely had time to taste the food.

Having resolved to tear down Si-hyeon’s “iron wall,” Yerin continued her relentless seduction.

“Ah, I got some ssamjang on my hand.”

Slurp. Slurp.

Yerin sucked on the very fingers she had just put into Si-hyeon’s mouth, making sure everyone—especially Chae-yeon—was watching.

At that provocative sight, Si-hyeon’s face was flushed to its absolute limit, despite not having had a single drop of alcohol.

‘Si-hyeon, you’re way too cute…’

Seeing Si-hyeon’s honest reaction made Yerin feel shy in return. Clutching her chest and smiling bashfully, she pushed the plate of meat toward him and spoke.

“Now, feed me too.”

“Fine…”

While Si-hyeon prepared a wrap with slow, deliberate movements, Yerin held her mouth open, revealing her pearly white teeth. Just as Si-hyeon finished the wrap and was about to place it in her mouth…

Plop.

Chae-yeon, who had been sitting beside them, suddenly shoved the wrap she was holding straight into Yerin’s mouth instead.

“Mmph!”

Yerin’s face contorted instantly. The wrap Chae-yeon had forced on her didn’t contain a single piece of meat—it was stuffed to the brim with nothing but raw chili peppers and garlic.

Unable to swallow it, Yerin finally grabbed a handful of tissues and spat it out, her voice laced with pure resentment.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

“You said you were hungry, so I made you something tasty to enjoy.”

“Ha. Why don’t you just be honest and say you were trying to screw me over?”

“If that’s how you want to see it, then fine.”

A war of nerves erupted right across Si-hyeon. As the ex-girlfriend and the “pre-girlfriend” squared off, the eyes of every classmate in the room were glued to them.

But regardless of the attention, Yerin gave a scoffing, dismissive laugh and…

“So you want to do this? Fine. Bring it on.”

She cracked open a bottle of soju. Despite being the type to pass out after just a few shots, her bravado was through the roof. Chae-yeon was exactly the same, but she couldn’t afford to back down now, so she picked up a soju glass.

Glug, glug…

A showdown between the goddesses of the Tourism Management Department—two notorious lightweights—had begun.

* * *

TNote:

Gumiho: is a legendary nine-tailed fox that shapeshifts into a beautiful woman to seduce men.

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