218 - Upki Girl

<Is it really... that...?> “Sowon, can you leave?” “No, Yoonho.” “Fine. I’ll just come to your room.” “Fine. I’ll just follow you.” “Feeling cheeky?” “Fiiiine. I’ll just foooooollow yooooou. Happy? Longer now?” *Grumble.* It had been quiet for a while; why is this madness acting up again? An endless game of tag. “Sowon, I’m as tired as you. You’re not the only one who’s been dealing with Mangchi all day.” “So let’s sleep quickly then. Who said otherwise?” “Did something happen today? Things were quiet for a while. Why the change?” “Because I’m genuinely scared.” She sat up from her lying position, crossing her legs, and tilted her head. “Don’t you think you're the strange one?” “What did I do?” “Do you think of me as a woman?” “Well, you are a woman, aren’t you?” “I don’t mean biologically. I’m asking if you feel me as the opposite sex in your heart.” “No. Not at all.” “Then what’s the problem? You’ve slept in the same bed with Eunbit before, and we’ve shared beds several times in the past as well.” “It’s not about whether I think of you as a woman or not. It’s that it’s not normal for fully grown adults of opposite genders to share a bed. Even friends of 20 years don’t share beds as adults.” “Sounds like an excuse because you're not confident.” “Hmm?” “I’m confident nothing would happen if we share a bed, but you’re not, right?” “We’ve shared a bed more than once, as you said, and nothing’s happened so far.” “Then that's settled. Turn off the lights. I’m going to sleep. Sleep wherever you want—bed or floor, but don’t leave this room.” This one knew I didn’t really have a choice. The floor space remaining in my room was extremely limited. The room, initially intended as a small kitchenette annex, was packed with a bed, a hanger, and a small wardrobe. A grown man would have to lie in a pharaoh-like position found in pyramids to fit on the floor. It’s like a tiny one-room flat. The bed, however, was a super single size, comfortably fitting two people. But I made a point of choosing the floor. After grabbing a neck pillow and a bath towel from the wardrobe, I turned off the lights and lay down flat. Hmm. I regretted it immediately. Tangled, rather than lying down, would be a better way to describe how cramped it felt. Caught like a hotdog sausage between the bed frame and the storage boxes under the hanger. When a small groan escaped my lips, a mocking laugh came from the darkness. “Are you really going to sleep like that?” “Yeah. Why?” “Stop being stubborn. Come up here.” “No way. This is really comfy. I’m about to doze off.” “You’re getting weirder. It just means you definitely think of me as a woman, assuming something might happen if we shared a bed.” “Think what you want.” “Still a guy, I see.” “Of course. A guy.” “How did you hold back before?” I responded calmly to the continued provocations. “You sneaked in while I was asleep, so I just slept without knowing.” “Oh. So you’re saying you wouldn’t know what would happen if I came in while you were awake.” “It’s not about me, it’s about not trusting you. I don’t feel anything towards you.” “Whatever. I didn’t even touch a hair on you.” “You did use my arm as a pillow.” “In this day and age, an arm pillow isn’t even considered physical contact. It’s like resting your arm on someone’s shoulder while standing.” “Despite being clueless, you sure know how to boast. Did you put on perfume?” “It’s not perfume, it’s body lotion. Smells nice, right?” “Yeah, it does. It almost smells like perfume.” “Yeah, it’s a line meant to mimic perfume. Come closer and smell it. It’s different up close.” “No need.” “Tch.” Perhaps it was due to the complete darkness or the pleasant scent of her lotion, but chatting with Sowon brought about an unexpected flutter in my chest. Curse these wee hours sentiments. Sure, no matter how much I deny it, attraction at a basic level can’t be avoided. She’s a young woman in her early twenties, naturally radiating vibrance and charm. Moreover, she's a member of a popular girl group, adored by countless fans. If she didn’t appear as a woman, something would be wrong with me. Even those who flamboyantly claim nothing would happen after a shared bath sometimes find her irresistible and want to hold her tight, and how could others feel any different? It’s just mind control over oneself, that’s all. Not a woman, not a woman. Just the ones who cause trouble... “See?” “See what?” “You feel at ease even like this. Would you handle Mangchi if it barged in?” “Last I checked, Mangchi was sprawled out like a human on Eunbit’s bed, sleeping.” “Pfft. Isn’t there a real person inside?” “Don’t say scary things.” “Why does he only do that to you when you’re both male?” “He says I seem lower in the hierarchy than him.” “Poor you.” “Well, do you feel a bit better now?” “It’s a bit better, but I still can’t touch it.” “It’s alright. Join us for a walk tomorrow, and you’ll grow closer.” “I have to. I had no screen time today at all.” “Speaking of which, I think you're the focus of this program. Watching you overcome your fears and bond with the animals is what audiences want to see. It's more refreshing than Eunbit and Lia instantly being all lovey-dovey.” "I know. I'll try.” “I’m not saying you should force yourself to act friendly.” “But that cat was kind of cute, though after seeing Eunbit get scratched, I got scared again. It’s too fierce for a kitten.” “It’s not being fierce; it’s just scared. Same as you, Sowon.” “What about me?” “You’re not naturally aggressive; you just have strong self-defense mechanisms which make you snap and say harsh things.” “That’s not true. I’m just naturally mean.” “Oh, is that why you’ve been voted the least popular among the fans’ favorite ranks? You know they call you the neighborhood punching bag, right?” “I can’t accept that. Honestly, apart from Yeonhong, I beat everyone else.” Delusional victory, much. “Are the others asleep?” “It seems so; it's so quiet. They’re probably tired. It’s about time the fatigue accumulates, so we might need to increase sleep hours.” Our conversation paused for a few seconds; I thought this might finally be it for tonight. Then I heard the rustling of the comforter. “Ah, my back hurts…” “Your back? What’s wrong? Did you hurt it?” “I’ve been practicing choreography in heels lately. My back hurts, and my calves and feet are sore too.” “You scared me. I thought you had twisted something.” “Sometimes, I'll be sleeping peacefully and then wake up because of the pain.” “Is it that bad? Want me to heat a hot pack?” “Tried it, but it didn’t help. Can you just massage it? When Hong climbed on my back and massaged it, I felt better.” I'm used to giving shoulder or leg massages, but climbing on her back...? “Just to be sure, you’re really in pain, right?” “If I’m lying, I’m your daughter.” “No thanks.” “I’m really in pain…” “Alright, lie down. Let me turn on the light...” “Don’t turn it on. I might fall asleep just like this.” She took my hand and guided it to the aching spot, just above her pelvis around her lower back. “Here?” ―Press “Ahh…” What an unfitting, delicate moan. “Hey, stop making weird noises. I’ll stop if it hurts.” “No, it feels good. Do it while sitting on me.” Sitting on her to massage properly meant having to sit awkwardly between her butt and thighs. So I crouched near Sowon in a frog pose, trying to avoid direct contact, while I pressed on her back. “Just sit on me.” “Hey!” Suddenly, Sowon’s hand pulled on my pants, dragging me down onto her butt where I shouldn’t be feeling anything! “S-sorry! Really sorry…” “For what?” “Oh? Uh… I thought I sat too hard… didn’t it hurt?” “It’s fine.” “Well, good…” “You can press harder.” “Okay.” ―Press, press “Ah, ah…” “Pfft! You’re something else, really…” “Why?” “Never mind…” ―Press, press “Ah, it feels nice… aaah…” ―Press, press, press, press “Hngh, ah, ah… you can do it harder…” “Hold on. Are you doing that on purpose?” “Doing what?” “Moaning like that, do you have to?” “What’s wrong with my sounds? That’s the sound everyone makes getting a massage.” “They sound forced.” “What are you talking about, why would I force them?” “Right…” “It was just right.” “Sorry. But let’s try to keep the noise down. Your voice could wake the others.” “It was that loud?” “Yeah.” “Okay, I’ll try to keep it down. But you can press harder than before, I think.” “Alright.” ―Press, press, press, press “Mm! Mm…! Mmm… feels good…” “Hey, hey, hey. Now it’s even weirder!” “What’s weird? What’s the problem?” “I can’t pinpoint it exactly… but it’s weird. I can’t continue.” “If I don’t get the massage, I’ll wake up in pain again.” What am I supposed to do about this awkward disaster? Embarrassingly, my second self was starting to rapidly awaken. Even though it wasn’t technically my fault, continuing the massage seemed like it would bind me with guilt towards Sowon. “Should I call Hong? She might not be asleep yet.” No sooner had I said this than we heard a sound echoing distantly from beyond the door, like bubbling infernos from hell. ―Roar! ―Snore, snore… “Hong’s asleep.” “Yeah, she is. Clearly having a sweet dream.” “Why are you like this, really? Just when it’s getting good, you stop, just when it’s getting good…” I can’t tell. I absolutely can’t. She’d brag to the others as soon as dawn broke. ‘Guys, I got the manager excited last night!’ Then it would be round and round of teasing. One saving grace is Sowon is completely clueless in this area and hasn’t figured out my body’s reaction at all. Or so I thought... “Is there something in your pocket?” Flinch! “Huh? No?” “Uh, something just brushed against my butt, and it felt really weird. Is it your phone?” “No, no. Nothing like that? There aren’t even pockets on these pants.” “But no. I definitely felt something hard... what could it be?” As if trying to confirm what it was, Sowon reached back, her hand wandering near her lower area. Inevitably, she touched my... sensitive area, which was pressed closely against her. ―Tap “Hey, hey!” “Hm?” ―Tap, tap “See? I told you there’s definitely something here.” ―Tap, tap, tap “What is this? It’s warm...?” “Remove your hand…” “...Wait. Don’t tell me it’s what I think it is...?” “Move your hand.” “...Is it... that...?” <Could it really be... that...?> The End