OCB Chapter 5

Creeaak—beyond the door that made an eerie sound unbefitting of a brand-new officetel, the homeowner appeared, looking even gloomier than the noise itself. At the sight of Seongchan’s pale face, the cheerful mood of the team members dimmed slightly. Carrying snacks and tissues in both hands, they nonchalantly passed him by with casual remarks.

“Dude, you look worse than when we pull all-nighters at work.”

“Still no word from Hyeyoung ssi, huh?”

Though Seongchan hadn’t said a single word, everyone already knew the reason for the gloom. The only time his normally unshakable emotions ever wavered was when it came to her. The team shook their heads at the empty soju bottles lined up by the door.

“Someone call Hyeyoung ssi. If he keeps drinking like this, he’s gonna drop dead.”

“Wait, he drank all this alone? How is he still alive?”

Despite the mix of concern and amazement, Seongchan—hood pulled low over his head—shuffled to the sofa and sat with a slump. It seemed he truly meant only to offer the space and nothing more, showing no effort to engage. Thankfully, none of the people here were the type to take offense at that. The team instinctively split up—some exploring the new apartment, others setting the table with snacks and drinks.

Hyerin glanced at Seongchan from time to time, who kept his eyes glued to his phone, but didn’t speak to him. She knew better than anyone that he wasn’t in the right space to talk.

Even with the homeowner brooding at the center of it all, the glorious power of alcohol quickly brought life to the table. Laughter and chatter were in full swing when the doorbell rang. But instead of turning to Seongchan, everyone looked at Hyerin. Their intention was obvious—they wanted her to get it.

“Jokbal must be here. Come on, get moving.”

“Yeah, the youngest should be the one to go.”

“Maknae!”

“Wait till you hit our age. Your knees will ache too.”

Was a two-year age gap really that significant? Grimacing, Hyerin stood up under the unrelenting pressure of her teammates. She was used to this kind of treatment—like a servant—with an older brother growing up. Without even glancing at the intercom screen, she hit the open button several times in irritation, mumbling to herself.

“Ugh, seriously! You guys called me just to make me run errands, didn’t you? I knew it. This totally feels like I’m just here to work. Huh?”

“If it’s that unfair, you should’ve been born earlier. Or joined the company before us.”

Apparently, the youngest always got this kind of treatment, no matter where you went. With an all-male team, she was starting to understand the plight of a fresh army recruit, even though she’d never set foot in the military. Just then, the doorbell rang again, signaling the arrival of the Jokbal. One of the older teammates shoved a few bills into Hyerin’s hand and pushed her toward the door.

“Pay in cash. You can keep the change.”

Wow, bribing her with spare change now. Still, grumbling, she trotted over to the door and pulled it open with a resigned expression that immediately brightened.

“Do you… by any chance have change…?”

Sir—she started to say, but the words got caught in her throat at the sight of a head lower than hers. And not just that—the woman’s surprised face was unmistakably familiar.

No way… Seo Hyeyoung.

It was Seongchan’s Hyeyoung. Weren’t they out of touch? But if she came all the way to his place, that had to be a good sign, right? Hyerin’s expression lit up. She’d thought they were both doomed in love, but it seemed her teammate might still have a fighting chance.

“Come in.”

Hyerin pulled her in with the smooth, inescapable ease of a flytrap.* Sure enough, the moment she walked in, Seongchan—who’d been locked in his own little world—snapped out of it at the sight of her. His face lit up instantly, the transformation so drastic it was almost comical. Though some teammates and Hyerin chuckled at the sudden change, they all knew how long he’d loved her. The warmth in the room quickly returned.

{*T/N:  Effortlessly but inescapably]

Even as a fellow unrequited lover, Hyerin didn’t know much about Haeyoung. Sungchan wasn’t the type to gush about his feelings. Everything she knew about Haeyoung came from weather broadcasts and curated snapshots on social media. But now, seeing her face-to-face, Hyerin understood why Sungchan couldn’t help but fall. Haeyoung had that same something that reminded her of Jaeyoon—gentle voice, eyes that curled deeply when she smiled, and a porcelain-bright face that made her seem almost childlike. How could anyone not fall for someone like her?

Hyerin glanced at Haeyoung’s dress, forcing a bitter smile. It was similar to the one she’d worn just yesterday, on a whim—but it suited Haeyoung perfectly. With her brightness filling the room, she looked like a daisy blooming alone in the grass.

That’s the face people mean when they say ‘too cute to live.’

Haeyoung easily blended with the team, and Sungchan’s gaze stayed fixed on her the entire time. From across the table, Hyerin could see it clearly—though the woman being adored seemed entirely unaware. They exchanged names, the mood grew warmer, and drinks flowed freely—until:

“Hyerin, you and Sungchan look alike,” Haeyoung suddenly said.

Then, with that lovely face and soft voice that always sounded so tender, she continued,

“You two make a great match.”

And just like that, she drove a knife straight into Sungchan’s heart. Why would she say something like that? Why push him away like that?

“You two looked good together, Hyerin.”

That same line—Jaeyoon had once said it too. And now, just as that nameless sorrow began to rise again, his words echoed sharply in her head.

“Ugh… Unnie…”

Hyerin felt like she was going to cry—for real, this time. Maybe it was the alcohol. Haeyoung started to look like Jaeyoon, and Sungchan sitting beside her felt like… herself. The words that came next weren’t meant for Haeyoung alone; they were the ones she’d wanted to shout at Jaeyoon that day.

“Why’d you have to say that…?”

She knew. Haeyoung knew how much Sungchan liked her. How long he’d been holding that feeling in. If she was going to reject him, did it really have to be like this?

“Don’t say things like that… please… don’t…”

She didn’t even know who those words were for. Were they a reproach to Haeyoung? A defense of Sungchan’s feelings? Or maybe—just maybe—words she’d bottled up for Jaeyoon, finally spilling over.

Her chest hurt. Her emotions exploded. Haeyoung, sensing the tension, soon excused herself. Sungchan followed after her. But even after they disappeared, Hyerin’s tears didn’t stop. She suddenly grabbed a bottle, chugged straight from it, and began to sob uncontrollably.

“Hey! Hyerin, what the hell—”

“Why is she crying? Is she drunk?”

Her teammates, completely thrown off, tried to shake her back to sense, but Hyerin could only cry harder.

“W-Why did she have to s-say that… hic… that was so—so mean… sniff… like being pretty makes it okay?! hic… Is liking someone… a f-freaking crime?!”

She was blaming Haeyoung, but really, she was finally being honest about her own heartbreak. So much for “being okay.” Now that she was letting it out, she realized she hadn’t been okay at all. So much for being “mature”—when it came to this pain, she was still just a child.

“Hey! Looks like it worked out for him. He just texted—he wants the place cleared.”

“Yoon Sungchan, you sly dog. Guess he got his girl.”

“Hey, Hyerin, cheer up! Your boy got a happy ending!”

Even the news that Sungchan and Haeyoung had worked things out couldn’t stop her tears. Because her crying had nothing to do with them. It was all her—her loss, her heartbreak, her grief.

“Jung Jaeyoon… hic… come back…! sniff Marry me, you jerk…! You asshole…”

Totally drunk and absolutely wrecked, Hyerin kept sobbing for Jaeyoon as her teammates half-carried, half-dragged her out.

 

 

The team members came back from the nearby convenience store with every kind of hangover remedy they could find and practically poured them down Hyerin’s throat. Their handling of her drunken mess was anything but gentle, and the bitter taste of the hangover drink—utterly devoid of sympathy—snapped her back to reality faster than she expected.

“You back with us now?”

When her vision cleared, all she saw were her sunbaes sitting around with tired, annoyed expressions. As the alcohol-induced courage and honesty faded, her social mask slipped back into place.

“Sorry for the scene I caused. I think I’m sober now.”

Just three minutes ago, she’d been acting like a 6-year-old. Now, sounding every bit her 26 years, Hyerin spoke in a calm, collected voice. One by one, her teammates let out exasperated sighs and sank into the flimsy plastic chairs outside the convenience store.

“How old are you again? Still don’t know your limit? You trying to die?”

“I was this close to leaving you on the curb. Only didn’t ‘cause people might think we ditched a stray dog.”

Their sharp, cutting words made Hyerin shrink into herself. Her mouth still tasted like Jaeyoon’s name—she could guess well enough what she must’ve said while she was wasted.

“Is Jung Jaeyoon the guy you said you liked?”

These were people who could never remember names unless they had to. Clearly, she must’ve been shouting it nonstop. Hyerin gave a small nod.

“Yeah. But he’s someone I used to like. I decided to stop as of yesterday.”

“Hmph… Do you usually ask guys you don’t like to marry you?”

“What the hell? I asked him to marry me?”

Eyes wide in disbelief, she stared at her sunbae. He pulled out her phone from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Why do you have my phone—”

“You were so drunk and desperate to find the guy, I thought you might end up calling and making a scene. Took it to stop things before they got worse.”

Classic Team One, known for being on top of things. They were clearly the kind to prevent problems before they even started, especially if it meant avoiding the extra work of cleaning up after. Thanks to that, she’d dodged a bullet.

“From what I heard, today’s his birthday too. You really gonna ruin a guy’s birthday like that?”

Another sunbae, arms full of snacks and beer from the store, dropped into a chair beside them. Apparently, she’d said more than just names.

“Exactly… He should be enjoying his day, not dealing with someone like me…”

Under the red parasol, beer cans and dried snacks were laid out on a plastic folding table. They’d been kicked out of the house, and space was tight, but clearly the drinking wasn’t over yet. When Hyerin reached for a beer without thinking, Junsu stopped her, shoving an ice cream bar and a few bills into her hand instead.

“Eat this. Then grab a taxi.”

Another teammate chimed in.

“Yeah. I’ll give you extra. Take a deluxe one.”

Were they… worried about her? The sudden kindness from her teammates made Hyerin’s eyes well up again—but before she could start crying, a cold voice cut through it.

“Go home. You’re done.”

Of course. They just wanted to get rid of the party’s drunk mess. And so, Hyerin was sent home before the sun had even fully set.

 

 

“I’m back.”

Whatever was left of her buzz had worn off on the way. Hyerin arrived home looking entirely put-together. Her coat pocket was stuffed with hangover remedies her coworkers had insisted she take with her. They must’ve planned to medicate her into next week.

“Oh, you’re home? Thought you said you’d be late.”

“Doesn’t look like she drank at all.”

Her parents, seated at the dining table, each greeted her casually. Smelling something delicious, Hyerin felt herself drift toward the table like she was under a spell. The source was a pot of beef radish soup. Thin slices of radish, rich beef fat glistening at the surface, and chopped chili peppers poking through promised a spicy kick. Her mother caught her staring and stood up.

“Want some soup?”

Hyerin sat down quickly and nodded.

“Yeah. Skip the rice, just the broth. I really needed some hangover soup.”

Hyerin, clearly in high spirits, tossed off her coat and draped it over a chair, swaying her shoulders in a little happy dance. Her father, who’d been noisily slurping soup from across the table, paused and looked at her.

“You look fine. Did you even drink? What’s with the early return? Aren’t you usually the last one standing?”

“I meant to drink till the end. But I went overboard by myself, made a scene, and got kicked out. My team’s way too cold-hearted…”

She pouted and whined, but her father—who knew his daughter all too well—was just as unsympathetic.

“Ugh, so you caused trouble again. Don’t go around telling people you’re my daughter. If I take the fall for you, I’m done for.”

“Ugh, seriously—what kind of dad is this cold? Should I get a DNA test? Mom! You cheated and had me with someone else, didn’t you?”

Just then, her mother placed a bowl of soup in front of her and promptly smacked her on the forehead with a spoon, frowning.

“Watch that mouth, you brat! Don’t go around dragging your parents’ names through the mud! And what DNA test? Look how disobedient you are—you’re the spitting image of your father. How many times have I told you not to leave your socks inside out? These damn Joo…”

The fire somehow spread to an all-out roast of the entire Joo family. Silenced by Mrs. Park’s scolding, both Hyerin and her father obediently returned to eating. The steaming hot broth seared its way down her throat in the most satisfying way—like sweating out toxins in a sauna. The tender radish and the clear, spicy broth were just perfect.

“God… this is amazing. I feel human again.”

Sounding like a middle-aged man, Hyerin chewed a piece of beef with visible marbling and asked,

“Wow, this beef must’ve been expensive. It melts in my mouth.”

Pleased by the praise, her mother, who had just been yelling a minute ago, now smiled with pride.

“It’s the leftovers from the seaweed soup I made for Jaeyoon this morning. He doesn’t say much, but you know he’s got a refined palate. Even if I skimp on our food, I wanted to make sure he had something nice, so I splurged.”

On the taxi ride home, Hyerin had debated texting him—Did you eat seaweed soup, oppa?—but decided against it. At least she now knew he’d had a good breakfast. She glanced toward Hyungwon’s room. The lights were off—he must’ve gone out.

“Where’s oppa?”

“It’s Jaeyoon’s birthday, remember? The two of them went out for drinks. It’s Saturday night, perfect chance to have fun.”

Of course. The only ones who would actually celebrate Jaeyoon’s birthday were the people in this house. If there was one thing she’d learned in the twenty years of trailing after him, it was that there was always an invisible wall around him.

He was good with people, did everything effortlessly, and often ended up leading others. But somehow, he always felt… a little distant. Like no matter how hard you tried, you could never get past that wall. He smiled while keeping people at arm’s length—and maybe, in the end, she’d just been pushed away like all the rest. That thought made her heart ache a little.

“You’re not going to see Jaeyoon today? That’s rare. You’ve waited all year for this day.”

Her mom asked.

“Oh, I gave him his gift yesterday. Wished him happy birthday then, too.”

“No crying?”

“Nope. Didn’t confess, didn’t get rejected, no reason to cry.”

At that, her parents’ chopsticks paused in the air. They knew all about her long, unrequited love, so the silence wasn’t surprising. Before anyone could say more, Hyerin patted her full belly and gave a small shrug.

“I’m over it. After twenty years, I’ve finally graduated. God, what a slog.”

She said it lightly, as if she were tossing away old baggage. But maybe because she’d faced her raw feelings while completely drunk just hours ago, her chest still ached with a dull, persistent sting.

“Are you really over him? Sounds more like you’re just hiding it.”

Seongchan’s words, once said half in jest, flickered through her mind. So what if she was hiding it? She’d heard that if you say something often enough, it starts to become true. And for once, she wanted to believe in that hopeful notion.

“Well then, I’ll go wash up. Thanks for the food.”

Hyerin brought her empty soup bowl to the sink. As she passed her parents—still stunned into silence—she gently ran her hand over Jaeyoon’s chair. By choosing to stop, she hoped he would stay in that seat for a long, long time.

She showered like any other night, then curled up with a novel Jaeyoon had translated, listening to her favorite music. He often gave her books. Though she used to sleep through literature classes, she read diligently now—solely because the books were from him. Whether poetry, thrilling mysteries, or deep philosophical works, it didn’t matter. Just knowing he’d worked on them made her feel like she was having a quiet conversation with him before bed.

Sometimes, she’d find highlighted sentences in the books—passages that had struck him or meant something to him. Hyerin treasured those lines.

⌞One spring day that came without a sound—that was everything that kept him alive.⌝

⌞ May my selfish longing never dare to touch you.⌝

Sometimes, she could even hear his voice through the words, and her heart would flutter. Not tonight. Please don’t race like this. She rubbed her chest to calm the pounding and closed the book.

It was already past 11 PM. Less than an hour left of Jaeyoon’s birthday. Funny how December 14th could just… end like this. It felt strange not to have seen him today.

Then, she heard the familiar click of the door lock beyond her room. Like a spring released, she bounced off the bed and dashed out. Hyungwon, having just come in and taken off his shoes, spotted her and shouted with a sloppy wave:

“Joo Hyerin! Oppa’s home!”

His slurred speech and beet-red face told her all she needed to know: he was completely wasted. Her jaw dropped in disbelief. He never got drunk easily—how much had he drunk to get like this?

But surprise quickly gave way to concern as he wobbled like a gas station balloon man. She rushed over to support him.

“Keep it down! Mom and Dad are asleep…”

“Whoa… the floor’s moving. Stop. I’m gonna be sick.”

“Jesus. The floor isn’t moving—you are.”

“Nuh-uh… I’m standing up straight… see?”

He stiffened his spine to prove his point but sagged again moments later, putting all his weight on her. His giant frame swayed side to side like a drunk tree. He reeked of alcohol—it was hard to tell if what was running through him now was blood or pure booze.

“God, Joo Hyungwon! How much did you drink?!”

“It’s a good day… had to drink for it~!”

Clearly, he was in no condition for conversation. Grumbling, Hyerin half-carried him to his room and flung him onto the bed. He bounced once on the mattress and winced at the impact, but seconds later was smiling again, smacking his lips like a fool. When was the last time she saw him this drunk? Probably not since he turned twenty and had his first drink with Jaeyoon to test his limits.

She clucked her tongue at the sight of his sprawled-out mess of a body, practically glued to the bed. Then suddenly, a worry flashed through her mind.

“Oppa… Jaeyoon oppa—was he this drunk too?”

“Mmhm…”

“Was that a yes? Hey, hey! Joo Hyungwon! You made sure Jaeyoon oppa got home safe, right? You didn’t just dump him somewhere and leave, right? Huh?”

“Mm-hmmmmm…”

With his eyes closed, Hyerin couldn’t tell if he was actually responding or just muttering in his sleep. Though it had been warm enough for rain instead of snow during the day, it was still winter. If he were outside somewhere, he could very well freeze to death. She had wrestled all day with whether or not to reach out, but now, dialing his number came without hesitation.

Jung Jaeyoon.

His name, stored plainly and honestly, filled the screen as the call rang. Just as her leg began to bounce from the long wait, the dial tone cut off, replaced by the sound of a quiet breath. Normally, this was when she’d hear Hello, but the other end remained silent.

“Oppa…?”

Still no response. She glanced at the screen, wondering if the call had dropped—but the timer was steadily ticking forward.

“Oppa. Are you really drunk? Did you make it home?”

Silence again. Just faint breathing, and she wasn’t even sure it was his. Growing uneasy, Hyerin ended the call and grabbed her coat. If something felt off, she’d rather move than sit and stew over it. The coat weighed heavily over her sleepwear, her hands reminded of the weight in her pockets—handfuls of hangover remedies she’d almost forgotten about.

Before heading out, she stepped back into Hyungwon’s room and shook his shoulder.

“Hey, Joo Hyungwon! If you don’t want to suffer tomorrow, drink this before you sleep. Don’t whine about a headache in the morning, got it?”

“Mmrrgghh…”

“I’m leaving it right here, okay? You heard me!”

She placed a can by his bedside—one of those claiming to be packed with oriental herbs and extracts—then walked out without a second thought. When her upperclassmen had shoved those into her pockets earlier, she’d thought they were useless.

“I’ll just check if he made it home and drop off the drink.”

Jaeyoon was the type who didn’t even keep fever reducers at home—there was no way he’d bother buying a hangover cure. She could already picture him suffering in the morning.

Still in her pajamas and slippers, Hyerin hurried down the familiar road. Yesterday, she’d walked it in a flowy dress. Tonight, she passed the same path in a completely different look.

“What was Jaeyoon oppa’s alcohol tolerance again?”

She was certain he could hold his liquor better than her. Whenever the three of them drank together, Hyungwon and Jaeyoon were always fine while she was the only one losing memories. How much had they drunk for Hyungwon to get that wasted? She was starting to worry Jaeyoon might’ve gotten alcohol poisoning.

When she arrived at his officetel, she rang the doorbell. The sharp, high-pitched sound rang out—but there was no response. That left two possibilities: either he hadn’t made it home and was passed out somewhere, or he was inside, in the same state as Hyungwon. Either way, it felt serious enough that Hyerin didn’t hesitate. She punched in the passcode and stepped inside.

The familiar scent of woody cologne welcomed her, followed by the sight of his neatly placed sneakers confirming he had, indeed, returned home.

“Phew. At least he made it back.”

As she passed through the entryway, the sound of water came from the bathroom—specifically, the one near the living room, not the bedroom. She realized then that he might have been in the shower and unable to answer her call. Maybe she’d let her worry get the better of her again. Not wanting to startle him mid-shower, she tiptoed like a stray cat. She set down a can of hangover drink, along with some squeeze-type medicine, tablets, and herbal pills on the dining table. Thinking he might be confused by her sudden visit, she left a message before heading out.

[Leaving some hangover remedies. Drink them before bed :)]

After sending it, Hyerin checked the time. 11:41 PM. It was still his birthday. She hesitated for a moment, then tapped out another message.

[Happy Birthday!]

Was this really something worth agonizing over so much? The moment she sent the message, Hyerin felt a strange sense of relief. She’d confirmed he was home, dropped off the hangover remedies—everything she’d set out to do was done. With no lingering attachments, she turned to leave.

That’s when she spotted Jaeyoon’s phone lying on the sofa.

Which meant… he hadn’t been in the shower and unable to respond. He’d been too drunk to speak. That explained the faint breathing sounds on the phone.

He didn’t collapse in the bathroom or anything… right?

Just as that anxious thought passed through her mind, she noticed something else. The apartment had gone completely quiet. The sound of running water had stopped.

So he didn’t pass out, at least.

Shaking her head at her own runaway imagination, she flinched at the sudden creak of a door opening behind her. When she instinctively turned around, Jaeyoon was standing there, fresh from the bathroom.

Water dripped from his damp hair as he stood in a white bathrobe. The loosely tied belt gaped open just enough to reveal the firm muscles of his chest. His wet eyelashes, darker than usual, shadowed eyes that were glazed and unfocused as they settled on her. Hyerin involuntarily stepped back.

“Ah—”

The small sound escaped her before she quickly averted her gaze.

“S-Sorry. I was about to leave. It’s just… Joo Hyungwon came home completely wasted, and then when I called, you didn’t answer, so…”

She trailed off, her words spilling out in a frantic attempt to explain. Damn it. She should’ve just dropped off the drinks and left. That moment’s hesitation had caused this mess. Still, the silence that followed made her fidget nervously, sneaking glances at him.

Jaeyoon stood motionless at the bathroom door, his eyes fixed on her without a hint of expression. Not even a trace of a smile—if anything, he seemed… angry. The subtle pressure radiating from him felt overwhelming. Hyerin, feeling smaller under that unseen weight, lowered her head and nervously flicked her nails.

“I’m sorry for barging in… I was just worried…”

No response.

Is he really that mad?

Well, she had come in uninvited this late at night. It was understandable. As her eyes fell to the floor, she noticed her grimy socks. The snow had melted outside, and walking through it in slippers had done a number.

Disgusting. I must’ve dirtied his place. Does he think I’m dirty? Gross?

She’d just come to help and ended up making him upset. It was his birthday—he should’ve been happy today. But she’d ruined it. In that suffocating silence, her thoughts turned darker and darker. Maybe he had never liked her after all. The idea made her dread looking at his face.

“I left some hangover drinks on the table, so… make sure you take them before you sleep.”

She spoke quietly, still looking down, her attempt at a smile feeling painfully awkward.

“I’ll go now. I…”

If I did something wrong, I’m sorry—but the words never left her mouth.

They dissolved as her gaze caught his pale feet moving closer. A heady scent of soap mixed with warmth rushed over her. Before she could process anything, a rough hand tilted her chin upward.

Startled, she gasped—

“Ah—mmph!”

Her cry was swallowed whole by Jaeyoon’s sudden kiss.

What… what is this?!

Her eyes, wide with shock, gradually narrowed as his tongue delved deeper, hot and relentless. Her shoulders tensed. Despite the intensity, Jaeyoon didn’t even close his eyes.

Alcohol…

The sweet, heady scent of liquor filled her lungs, clinging to his breath and tongue. His hazy gaze and this senseless moment told her one thing—he was drunk.

As he pressed in, exploring deeper, her hands reflexively pushed against his chest. Jaeyoon seized her slender wrist, wrapping an arm around her waist. The more she tried to retreat, the tighter his grip grew, bending her back unnaturally in the process.

His tongue coiled and struck, invading her mouth, while their lips stayed locked, breath stolen completely. Her attempts to struggle grew desperate.

“Hngh—wait, mmph—!”

Desperately turning her head to the side, their lips briefly parted—only to be pulled back together by the hands cupping her cheeks. With her face firmly held in place, there was no escape. He changed the angle slightly, pushing in deeper each time. Her mind couldn’t keep up, and she was running out of air.

Eyes squeezed shut, Hyerin clung to Jaeyoon’s wrist with trembling fingers. How far was he planning to go?

As he brushed against the soft roof of her mouth, her back arched and her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

A low breath escaped him as he finally pulled away. When she hesitantly opened her eyes, all she could see were his—murky and unreadable, filled with thoughts she couldn’t guess. His dark brown irises clearly reflected her, and his large hands still cradled her cheeks, refusing to let go. He was so close their lips could meet again at any moment, his breath landing cold on her skin.

That alone made her body tense further, every hair on her body standing on end.

“O-Oppa… You’re drunk.”

Her voice came out in a whisper, even she was surprised by how faint it sounded. She had no breath left, all of it taken by him.

Hyerin’s gaze trembled as she stared at him. His face—expressionless. So unfamiliar, she wasn’t even sure this was the Jaeyoon she knew. Hadn’t she been frightened earlier too, when that same blank expression had pinned her in place?

“I-it’s me… Hyerin.”

Her shaky voice finally broke the suffocating silence. A plea—desperate for him to let her go. He had to be too drunk to recognize her. Because if he wasn’t, he would never be doing this.

Jaeyoon let out another quiet breath before slowly leaning in and resting his forehead against hers. They were so close, she couldn’t even think of turning her head or closing her eyes—just frozen in place. With half-lidded eyes, he stared at her, brushing his thumb across her cheek and murmured,

“Yeah. Hyerin.”

“……”

“Our Hyerin.”

The way he said it—like he knew—made her body go rigid. Her mind, overwhelmed and overloaded, short-circuited. She couldn’t think.

So when he kissed her again, slipped off her coat, and pushed her down onto the sofa—she just laid there, stunned. What is happening? Am I dreaming?

Hovering over her, Jaeyoon supported the back of her head in his large hand and continued to press kisses against her, over and over. He sucked and twisted with his tongue, dark and demanding. Saliva—she didn’t even know whose—pooled in her throat, forcing her to swallow.

Their bodies pressed together, heat building as their temperatures mingled. His hot, large hands moved purposefully over her clothes, as if memorizing every curve. Hyerin, overwhelmed by his kiss, squeezed her eyes shut and gasped when he reached a little too far.

“Ah, ngh—don’t… Oppa.”

She finally managed to speak, her voice pleading, as she grasped his shoulders, trying to push him away.

But Jaeyoon, almost scolding, bit down on her lower lip hard enough to sting before finally pulling back.

“It’s still… my birthday.”

Hyerin, catching her breath, glanced at the digital clock across the room. 11:58 PM.

Just like he said—it was still December 14th.

What does he want from me?

She’d given him his gift, she’d said everything she needed to say.

“…Do you really have nothing to say?”

His sigh-laced voice still carried the sweet scent of alcohol. It sounded almost desperate, but Hyerin couldn’t figure out the answer he was looking for. Her lips parted, unsure. As she swallowed dryly, her brows furrowed under the weight of his hungry gaze. What is it? What does he want me to say…?

Just then, the digital clock beeped—beep—signaling the top of the hour. At that sound, Jaeyoon’s eyes sank into darkness like a deep well, casting a heavy shadow. The shift in atmosphere sent a jolt of fear through Hyerin. Her body trembled involuntarily as she drew her knees up toward her chest.

“Do you hate me now?”

His voice dropped so low it felt like it pressed against her ears. As he smeared her lower lip with his thumb, twisting her lips out of shape, he muttered,

“You’re pissing me off.”

The words were spat out like venom. With his face cast in shadow by the light behind him, there was a chilling coldness to him. She was certain—this man in front of her was not the sweet Jaeyoon she had fallen for.

He brushed his long fingers along her now bloodless neck and whispered, close enough that their lips might touch,

“You always warned me, didn’t you? That if I got too close… you’d end up kissing me.”

“……”

“But you never had the guts.”

As his hand slid down the curve of her neck, so did his gaze.

“Why do you… smell so sweet? So unguarded.”

His hand followed the dip of her collarbone until it landed on her chest. Through the soft fabric of her sleepwear, he moved as if tracing the shape. Suddenly, he let out a low chuckle.

“Ha… You didn’t even wear a bra. Coming to a man’s place—alone—at this hour…”

“……”

“Do you think I’m a joke?”

Jaeyoon kissed her trembling nape and murmured softly,

“Tell me, Hyerin. Hm?”

His tone was suddenly sweet, unlike before, as he slipped his hand under her clothes and began to explore the curves of her chest. His hot palm cupped her breast, kneading it like dough, and circled the peak with his fingertips. The intimate touch—what could only be described as foreplay—made Hyerin push at his shoulders in a panic, but the more she resisted, the more heavily his body pressed down on her.

“Ah, haah… Wait—Oppa, you’re drunk… This kind of thing…”

“Haah… Why? You let me touch you before.”

His tone turned accusatory as he pulled back slightly, only to push her top up. Cold air rushed over her now bare stomach and chest, making her frantically try to pull her clothes down again. But he calmly grabbed her flailing hands and pinned them down, his gaze slowly trailing across her exposed skin. Then he brought the hem of her shirt up to her lips and ordered,

“Bite it.”

Tears of shame welled in Hyerin’s eyes, but she only whimpered. Seeing this, he pushed the fabric into her slightly parted lips himself and smiled in satisfaction.

“Pretty.”

As he said that, he kissed her forehead. He was undoubtedly the gentle man she loved. Her heart fluttered instinctively at his beautiful smile, like Pavlov’s dog.

He gently licked the tears from her eyes and slowly moved down, sucking hard on her full breasts and beginning to ravage the peak with his tongue. With a tongue full of strength, he mercilessly pressed down on the erect flesh as if digging into it, while pinching and twisting the nipple of her other breast. The unfamiliar stimulation made her lower abdomen heat up, her toes curl, and her vision momentarily distort.

“Mm, ah, hmm, ah….”

Hyerin clenched her teeth, trying to suppress the moans escaping from the sharp pleasure on her nipples. She thought it was fortunate that he had given her something to bite on. Just then, he bit down on her flesh with his teeth, causing a slight pain.

“Aah…!”

As he gently chewed on the tender flesh, she let out a short scream and arched her back. He had her hardened nipple between his front teeth and tongue, sucking hard, then caressed the teeth-marked areola while furrowing his brow.

“I told you to bite down, but you let go. What am I going to do with you?”

His scolding tone made Hyerin blush, and she stammered an excuse, “I-it hurt… Oppa. I can’t take this anymore…….”

Hyerin kept watching his reactions. Drunk, he seemed like the person she knew one moment, then cold and distant the next. Frightened and confused, she hoped he would return to his gentle self. As if reading her mind, he smiled faintly and slowly ran his hand down her stomach, giving her a quick kiss. Was he understanding her? Before she could dwell on it, his smile vanished.

“If you let go again, I’ll punish you.”

He murmured and tilted his head to kiss her deeply. Unlike before, it was gentle and slow. Just as she started to relax, she felt his hand slip into her loose pants, making her squirm. His legs pinned her thighs down, and his hand held hers firmly, keeping her still. Only her tightly shut eyelashes fluttered.

Hyerin tried to clamp her legs shut, but his long fingers easily found her clitoris, as if teasing her. He pressed down with his fingernail, as if demanding her to spread her legs. The harsh pleasure, bordering on pain, made Hyerin thrash like a fish out of water, trying to push Jaeyoon away. But she was overpowered by his strength and weight, unable to resist

She struggled, but his hand had already taken control between her legs, rubbing her entrance. He tapped his finger against her wet flesh, as if to make her aware of her arousal. Each tap made a wet sound as her flesh clung and released. Suddenly, his finger slipped inside her, making her jolt as if shocked. She turned her head, breaking the kiss, and her heavy breaths filled the air.

“Ha, what, what are you—ah!”

With a pale face, she questioned him, but his long finger was already inside her, pressing against her inner walls. She felt an unfamiliar sensation in a place she didn’t know existed within her. It was uncomfortable and slightly painful.

“Haa, I told you not to let go….”

His voice was cold, as if angry. Jaeyoon seemed a bit flushed. His ears and cheeks were reddish, like someone with a fever, and his eyes were bloodshot. Panting, he furrowed his brow as he breathed heavily on Hyerin’s face.

“Why don’t you listen? You’re making me upset.”

“Ah…. This feels weird. Oppa, not there, ah, I don’t like it.”

“I told you I’d punish you.”

With that, Jaeyoon inserted another finger, observing Hyerin as she whimpered below him. His middle and index fingers thrust deep inside, mercilessly stretching and scissoring her inner walls. Her body responded to the unfamiliar stimulus by growing even wetter, trying to protect the delicate flesh.

“Ah, stop…. I’m, ah, sorry….”

Hyerin shook her head, apologizing helplessly. She wasn’t sure what she was sorry for—coming to him late at night? Or provoking him in the past? She just wanted to escape this situation. Her apology seemed to have some effect, as the fingers deep inside her withdrew. But just as she felt a faint sense of relief, the fingers thrust back in forcefully.

“Ah!”

“When did you grow up like this, hmm?”

Hyerin jolted and trembled, but Jaeyoon didn’t stop his relentless thrusting.

Thrust, thrust. Each time his fingers plunged into her, fluids splattered messily onto her crotch. He circled his fingers wide, sweeping her soaked inner walls, and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“You’re so warm inside.”

“Hng…. Ah, take, take it out. P-please, stop…….”

“But I’m cold….”

Murmuring, Jaeyoon slowly withdrew his fingers from inside her and looked down at Hyerin. As the tension in her thighs released, she finally felt the heat spreading through her body. She noticed the dampness on her forehead and back, and then felt the cool air on her lower body.

“N-no…. Ah… Why….”

Jaeyoon’s hand, now out of her, was pulling down her underwear and pants together. He stared down at her intently, then slowly kissed her ear, cheek, and lips, whispering,

“Hyerin, I’m so cold.”

He took her hand and made her touch his face, then kissed her palm and each knuckle. His hand and face were much hotter than hers. The familiar scene overlapped with a memory of Jaeyoon from long ago.

Hyerin…. I’m so cold.

He had said those words when he had a fever, holding her hand. But now, his shadowed eyes were filled with dark desire. It was clear what he wanted, what answer he was waiting for, and it took her breath away.

A drunk man has only one thing on his mind. 

Hyerin had once said, gently caressing Jaeyoon’s cheek, which was firmly held in her hand. A man she had loved for 20 years—no, with today marking 21 years. He desired her now. But what was this feeling? Tears streamed down Hyerin’s temples, and Jaeyoon’s eyes, filled with an inexplicable emotion, flickered as he saw them.

What was he thinking? He momentarily looked down, as if taking a step back.

Hyerin felt a wave of anxiety, fearing he might push her away again. Slowly, she suppressed an inexplicable sadness.

You always warned me. You said if I got this close, you’d kiss me right away. But you never had the guts.

“Who says… I don’t have the guts. You underestimated me….”

Hyerin cupped Jaeyoon’s face with both hands and kissed him. Tears streamed endlessly from her closed eyes. Amidst the whirlwind of fear, confusion, and sorrow, one thing remained unchanged: she still loved the man in front of her.

The wave that had surged in seemed to recede naturally, but she felt a strange desire to hold onto it. She wanted to surrender to this overwhelming wave.

As Hyerin kissed him, Jaeyoon held her hands on his face and deepened the kiss. Deeper and deeper, he explored her mouth as if he would take her heart. The sensation of his hot flesh stirring inside her made her feel like her brain was being stirred as well. She felt a heavy warmth below, and rough breaths that weren’t her own escaped from their locked lips.

His large, engorged tip pressed against her entrance, her robe already undone. Hyerin gripped Jaeyoon’s shoulders tightly, anticipating what was to come. Sensing her trembling body, Jaeyoon pulled away and looked into her eyes again, as if asking if she was truly okay. His eyes were desperate, his breath ragged.

“No… Don’t stop kissing me.”

Hyerin responded by kissing him again. Jaeyoon’s lower body pressed heavily between her wide-open legs. His thick glans pushed into her untouched entrance, stretching her painfully.

“Ahh!”

Hyerin tried to endure, biting his lip, but eventually threw her head back with a pained moan.

“Hyerin, relax. I can’t get in.”

Despite his soft whisper, Hyerin couldn’t stop trembling from the dull pain between her legs. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her forehead beaded with sweat, and tears streamed from her tightly shut eyes. Realizing she couldn’t go through with it, Jaeyoon gripped her trembling thighs firmly and pushed in more forcefully. His member, which had barely entered, slowly slid deeper inside her.

“Ah, ugh… Ahh!”

As Jaeyoon’s back arched, Hyerin’s spine curved upward, and her small hands, clutching him, turned pale and trembled pitifully. The sensation of his penis stretching her inner walls and finally reaching her deepest point was overwhelming, creating a pressure as if her organs were being crushed. Jaeyoon, having forced himself all the way in, breathed heavily into her ear and cursed.

“Fuck… you’re so tight.”

Hyerin couldn’t react to the unfamiliar profanity. She simply buried her face in his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her body trembled with pain, and the sound of her teeth chattering mixed with her ragged breaths.

“Hyerin, you’re too tight… Ah, I feel like I’m going to burst. Try to relax.”

“Ah, ah…”

“Ha… I could die like this.”

There was a low laugh in his voice. Realizing that thrusting might be too much, Jaeyoon began to slowly rotate his hips, stirring deep inside her. Hyerin helplessly shook her head, unable to hold back her moans any longer.

“Ah, no! Ah! Ah…! No, stop.”

The sound of their joined bodies moving together filled the room with wet, slapping noises. Her insides felt raw and burning, but his hot, hard flesh relentlessly pressed against the soreness.

“Ha… You’re moving a bit now.”

As Jaeyoon gently rocked his hips back and forth, Hyerin clung to him tighter, sobbing.

“Ah, it hurts…”

Her cries filled the room like a child gasping for breath. Jaeyoon pulled back slightly to look at her, still deeply connected.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, almost tenderly.

Hyerin suddenly burst into louder sobs, her tears streaming down. “It hurts… It hurts so much…”

Jaeyoon frowned slightly and lifted his body to look down at where they were joined. He saw a small amount of blood mixed with her fluids, evidence of their rushed and unprepared union. He closed his eyes briefly, then let out a deep sigh and lowered himself back onto her.

“Fuck, I’m so turned on. I think I’m going to come.”

His voice was low and strangely delighted. Despite his crude words, Hyerin was entirely focused on the throbbing sensation inside her. Jaeyoon brushed the sweat-soaked hair from her forehead and kissed her furrowed brow.

“Ah! Wait, ah…!”

Jaeyoon slowly moved his hips, gazing down at Hyerin as she flushed red and moaned.

“Ha… I guess I’m more of an asshole than I thought. Seeing you cry makes me want to torment you more…”

“Ah, it hurts… so much…!”

“Ha… You’re so fucking cute.”

Suddenly, he pulled his hips back and then thrust forward hard, making a loud smacking sound. The sharp pain felt like a knife scraping her insides, causing Hyerin’s head to tilt back precariously. Simultaneously, her hips jerked up, and a bright white light flashed before her eyes. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Hyerin’s body trembled like a leaf, yet Jaeyoon’s relentless thrusts didn’t stop.

Unable to relax, perhaps due to inexperience or the intensity of the moment, Hyerin’s inner walls clung tightly to Jaeyoon, repeatedly pulling and pushing against him. The intense stimulation caused pre-cum to leak, mixing with her fluids and creating a wet, sloshing sound. Inside, blood and her juices mixed, trickling out in a pinkish hue.

He gripped her pelvis with both hands and thrust roughly, making Hyerin writhe beneath him, overwhelmed by the violent pleasure.

His large body pressed down on her, almost consuming her entirely. Only her wide-open legs, raised high, hinted at her presence. Her thin ankles still had her underwear hanging loosely, and her once-wet socks were now dry.

Pain, pain, pain. The agony from below shot up her spine, making her head throb. Her insides felt unbearably hot. She felt like she might pass out, but he thrust even more fiercely, as if trying to bury his testicles inside her.

“Ah! Ah…! Ah, ugh…!”

Only tearful moans escaped her lips. Hyerin closed her eyes tightly, hearing his rough breaths and the vulgar sounds of their flesh slapping together. But the darkness was brief; a low voice pulled her back.

“Hyerin, open your eyes.”

The commanding tone made Hyerin lift her trembling eyelids. His wild, animalistic gaze bore into her. Without a hint of hesitation, he locked eyes with her and increased his pace. Thrusting hard and fast, he seemed determined to break something. Hyerin couldn’t keep up; everything was off-rhythm, chaotic.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jaeyoon wrapped his arms tightly around her, his body shaking slightly. She could feel his pulsing cum release deep inside her. He pressed his lower body firmly against hers, as if trying to push even deeper. For a moment, she thought he was marking his territory, like a wild animal. When he slowly pulled out, a mix of blood and semen gushed out, staining the sofa like syrup from an overturned bottle.

Oh… I shouldn’t let it spill. It’ll make a mess.

Hyerin instinctively tried to clench, to keep him inside, but it only pushed him out faster. Jaeyoon watched the scene, his semen dripping out of her, and read her mind.

“Dirty.” 

Hyerin flinched at his words, but he leaned in and kissed her deeply before finishing his thought.

“Sexy.”

They say a hunting dog never lets go of its prey once it has bitten. After that, Jaeyoon seemed to have no intention of letting her go, relentlessly pushing himself into her. Their encounter, which began on the sofa, continued on the cold living room floor, the marble dining table, and finally in his bedroom.

Hyerin’s face, streaked with dried tears from constant crying, was pressed into the pillow, her hips raised high to receive him. His movements were urgent and unyielding, as if he were determined to impregnate her.

There was no warning in his sex. She was merely shaken by his thrusts until his release spilled out from within her, dripping down her thighs and buttocks.

“Ugh, mmph, ugh, ah…”

Her muffled moans, barely recognizable as her own, filled the bedroom. The shame of her position and the pain of him hitting deeper inside made Hyerin’s body tremble nonstop. She wondered when the pleasure of this act would come, if it ever would. Perhaps it had, but the pain was too great to notice. Despite the frequency, her insides felt swollen, and each thrust brought a pressing sensation as if her organs were being displaced. She had reached her limit.

“Ha… Hyerin, show me your face.”

His demands barely registered. As he pulled out, Hyerin instinctively crawled away on the bed, desperate to escape. Her entire body ached as if it had been beaten.

Her attempt to flee was short-lived. A strong grip on her ankle pulled her back. Jaeyoon easily pinned her down, his hips pressing against her like a butterfly mounted on a pin. He rubbed his lips against her back and neck, murmuring, “Where are you going? Without me?”

“Ugh, I can’t do this anymore… please, no more…”

His still-hard erection pressed hotly against her buttocks. Hyerin squirmed like a child afraid of a needle.

“Don’t go.”

He whispered softly in her ear, then effortlessly turned her onto her back and positioned himself between her legs again. The sudden intrusion made Hyerin gasp and writhe in pain, her toes curling tightly.

“Ah, it hurts…”

“Ha… Where?”

“Down there… below…”

Hyerin sobbed, clenching around him. Jaeyoon frowned at the tightness and met her gaze.

“Your pussy.”

He corrected her, using a word she never imagined hearing from him. Before she could react, he began thrusting hard and fast.

“Say it properly. Hmm?”

“Ugh, ah! It hurts, please, stop!”

“Ha… I told you.”

His voice was husky with excitement, his eyes wild and hungry. Who was this cruel man in front of her, thrusting into her without a hint of consideration?

‘A man treats his beloved little sister differently from how he treats a woman. Jaeyoon, he’s not the prince charming you think he is.’

The sudden memory of Hyungwon’s words was quickly overshadowed by the brutal presence of Jaeyoon’s erection inside her. The intense pain made Hyerin look up at him, tears streaming down her face. Jaeyoon gently brushed the sweat-soaked hair from her face and kissed her lightly.

“Where does it hurt?” he asked softly.

“My… my pussy. It hurts. Please, take it out…”

Fear of the pain overcame her shame. Just then, his erection swelled even larger inside her, throbbing with heat.

“Ah, why… why is it…” she whimpered, her face pale.

Jaeyoon pressed gently on her stomach, feeling his erection inside her, and licked the tears from her cheeks.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “You’re so cute.”

Despite his tender words, his movements became even more brutal. He lifted her legs onto his shoulders and thrust into her with such force that it felt like he might break her hips. The wet, slapping sounds of their bodies filled the room, and her buttocks turned red from the impact. It was a savage, almost violent act.

The pain numbed her mind, and her vision began to blur. Jaeyoon licked and sucked at her breasts and neck, forcing her to stay conscious. She wished she could just pass out, but he wouldn’t allow it.

When he bit down on her neck, Hyerin screamed in pain. He silenced her with a deep kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth. She was too exhausted to respond, and saliva dripped from her lips.

“You’re mine,” he growled, looking into her eyes.

His breath still reeked of alcohol, making her wonder if he even knew who she was. She wasn’t sure she recognized him either—this cruel, relentless man.

Finally, with a shudder, he released inside her, his semen filling her with warmth. His hips continued to move slowly, prolonging the sensation.

Hyerin thought it was finally over. Unlike before, Jaeyoon collapsed on top of her, unmoving. But his erection remained inside her, an uncomfortable presence. After a while, she gently pushed his head away from her chest.

“Jaeyoon oppa… please, take it out now,” she pleaded.

There was no response. She realized he had fallen asleep, his breathing steady and even. She pushed him off her, and he rolled away easily, confirming he was indeed asleep.

Hyerin sat up and looked down at Jaeyoon, sleeping peacefully. She checked herself, feeling the soreness between her legs. Semen was still leaking out of her. She smelled of sex, while he still smelled of soap, as if the night’s events had left no trace on him.

She had loved Jaeyoon for 21 years, always imagining that being with him would be wonderful. But their first time had been painful and sad, leaving her feeling empty and alone.

Hyerin silently shed tears as she stumbled out of the bed. The pain between her legs, where he had thrust into her, still screamed in agony. Her entire body ached, but she forced herself to move, driven by an instinctual urge to escape the situation.

Tears fell against her will, yet a bitter smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Jaeyoon, sleeping peacefully like a child. A storm of conflicting emotions surged within her. She covered his naked body with a blanket and then gathered her scattered pajamas and underwear from the living room, putting them back on.

She cleaned the floor and sofa, stained with semen and her own fluids, using wet tissues. She noticed dried semen mixed with traces of blood—evidence of the rough entry that had likely torn her insides. Despite her long-held feelings for Jaeyoon, she felt an inexplicable sense of loss and emptiness.

She could still feel his remnants trickling out of her, but she focused on erasing any trace of herself from the apartment, as if doing so would make everything okay.

 

* * *

 

“Oh… my head. I feel like I’m dying.”

Hyungwon, finally emerging from his room at his mother’s urging, sat down at the breakfast table with a groan. In his hand was the hangover relief drink Hyerin had left behind the day before.

“Who bought this? It was next to me when I woke up.”

He was still nursing a headache, his brow furrowed as he looked at Hyerin, who was quietly sipping her soup across from him. Though he asked who, it was clear he knew it was her.

“You know who,” Hyerin replied playfully, though her heart wasn’t in it. “I told you to drink it before bed if you didn’t want to suffer this morning.”

Hyungwon studied her, his gaze lingering. “Have you been crying?”

The casual question made Hyerin pause, but she quickly shook her head and raised an eyebrow. “No. Why?”

She faked a big yawn, hoping to distract him. Hyungwon shrugged and opened the hangover relief drink, taking a sip. “Your eyes are red and puffy.”

Hyerin quickly rubbed her eyes, wincing at the sting. She had returned home just five hours ago, around 4 AM, and had taken a long, scalding shower. The remnants of Jaeyoon’s presence had finally washed away, but the hot water had left her skin raw and sensitive. She had cried for a long time, unable to believe that Jaeyoon had caused her such pain and turmoil. Her underwear had been soaked with semen, and her body was marked with bruises and bite marks.

Exhausted, she had barely made it home, but sleep eluded her. Her body was worn out, but her mind raced, replaying the night’s events in vivid detail. She wanted to smile, to act normal, but her face felt frozen. Hyungwon was still watching her, his gaze heavy.

Their mother joined them at the table, slapping Hyungwon on the back. The sharp sound made their father, who had just taken a bite of his breakfast, jump.

“Ow!” Hyungwon yelped.

“Serves you right for drinking so much!” their mother scolded. “You’re not a kid anymore. You’ll be thirty in two days!”

Hyungwon rubbed his back, grimacing. “It’s not that simple. Twenty-nine and thirty are worlds apart…” He glanced at his mother before adding, “It was Jaeyoon’s birthday. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, and he doesn’t have any close friends besides me. Hyerin wasn’t there yesterday, so it was just the two of us. What else were we supposed to do but drink?”

The mention of entertaining Jaeyoon brought back memories for Hyerin. Ever since they were kids, she had always tried to make his birthdays special. She wanted him to feel like the center of the world, to make him laugh and feel loved. She would prepare the best gifts she could think of, shower him with compliments, tell jokes, and take him to places he would enjoy.

‘It’s still… my birthday.’

‘Do you really have nothing to say?’

There was a faint hint of hurt in the words he’d said to her. Something to say. What was it that he’d wanted to hear? The same meaningless confession she gave him every year? Or maybe just an apology for not being by his side?

‘Do you hate me now?’

That question—with its unclear intent—lodged itself in her mind and wouldn’t leave. The entire night had been strange. Nothing made sense. Not his words. Not her feelings. Nothing.

“I definitely overdid it. I don’t even remember how I crawled back home or how I parted ways with Jaeyoon. I think it’s been like eight years since I blacked out like that…”

As Hyungwon’s words continued, Hyerin nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the steaming bowl of dried pollack soup. Jaeyoon had definitely been drunk last night. So much so that he felt like someone else entirely.

“Ah, a younger friend asked me to come out to a club, but I guess we’re getting old—neither of us likes crowded places anymore.”

Even if the woman in front of him hadn’t been her, the same thing probably would’ve happened.

‘Hyerin, I’m so cold.’

Those eyes looked like they might collapse from thirst. Even if she hadn’t been the one who loved him—if she had just been a woman he met for the first time that night—his seduction would’ve been hard to resist. Though they had shared the same night, the weight it carried for each of them couldn’t have been more different. For her, it had been her first time—her first night with someone she loved. But for Jaeyoon, it was likely just one of many nights, a convenient moment to relieve desire. That thought made her throat clench tight. She couldn’t even bring herself to swallow a spoonful of soup.

“Hyerin, are you sick?”

Hyungwon’s cold hand on her forehead pulled her from the depths of her thoughts. He tilted his head curiously from across the table before pulling his hand away.

“You don’t have a fever. You’re really quiet today.”

“What did I do…”

“Oh right, you said you had feelings for Jaeyoon, didn’t you? Wow, it is weird that you’re not grilling him about everything.”

Hyerin forced an awkward smile. It was only then that she noticed a second bowl of soup set next to Hyungwon. The table was full of food, the meal in full swing—yet only she sat there, frozen in place.

“Jaeyoon’s not here yet? His soup’s going to get cold.”

“He says he’s almost here.”

Hyungwon replied absentmindedly, eyes on his phone, when their mother asked. Hyerin knew she had to get up. She wasn’t ready to face him again. Her mind was racing, but her body had already started trembling, refusing to obey.

And then, the sound of the front door opening.

Suddenly, everything around her went quiet. The only thing she could hear was the sound of footsteps approaching the table—each one echoing loudly in her head.

“Hello.”

A soft voice rang out, contrasting starkly with the pounding of her heart. Without meaning to, Hyerin lifted her gaze from the bowl and looked at his face. With a smile, he greeted her parents and then gave her a brief nod as he sat beside Hyungwon. He rubbed his eyes, still looking drowsy. Just a normal greeting—like any other day. Hyerin quickly checked her body for pain. The dull ache still lingering was proof that last night hadn’t been a dream.

“Sweetheart, give Jaeyoon a hangover drink too. We still have some left, right?”

Her father’s voice nudged her out of her daze as she continued to stare blankly at Jaeyoon. He glanced across the table at her, then shook his head with a teasing smile.

“I already got one.”

At that, Hyungwon asked, “You did? When?”

What was he thinking? She couldn’t make sense of the sly, unreadable look on his face. He kept his eyes on her, the corners of them curling with amusement.

“When I woke up, it was already on the table. If you hadn’t left a text, I would’ve thought a ghost left it there.”

He wasn’t lying—but the story was carefully edited. It made sense that he’d leave parts out, but what truly unsettled Hyerin was how calm his gaze remained. So calm it felt shameless.

“When’d she have time to stop by?” Hyungwon raised a brow.

Hyerin caught Jaeyoon’s eye and forced the best smile she could.

“I went over right after I saw his condition. I happened to have some at home…”

“No need for all that. He never even gets hangovers…” Hyungwon mumbled, but she didn’t really hear it.

As Jaeyoon quietly sipped his soup, he seemed to sense her eyes on him. He looked up and gave a little shrug, as if to say, Got something to say? Then, as if something occurred to him, he asked:

“Did you have fun yesterday?”

Her face stiffened, a bitter smile escaping before she could stop it. He added:

“You said you were meeting that guy.”

Apparently, his version of yesterday didn’t include the night. Was he pretending not to know? Or…

“Yeah. It was fun. I drank a lot too.”

Her parents, confused, asked about “that guy.” Hyungwon leaned over and explained—loud enough for everyone to hear—about her supposedly new boyfriend, someone who didn’t exist. Even as that lie began to spread, Hyerin kept her eyes locked on Jaeyoon’s. He didn’t avoid her gaze. He blinked slowly, then lowered his eyes.

“That’s nice.”

“…”

“Anyway… thanks. For thinking about me last night.”

His voice was soft. Kind. That familiar calmness crushed down on her thudding heart, like he was hypnotizing her into believing none of it had happened. Meanwhile, her family was chatting excitedly over some team photos on social media, but Hyerin just kept forcing spoonfuls of rice and soup into her mouth.

Her eyes and nose stung. But she didn’t want to look affected.

Because he didn’t look affected.

“…Thank you for the meal.”

She forced a smile at her family still gushing about “Seongchan” and stood from the table. Even that short movement sent pain tearing through her back and hips. Biting her lip, she managed to take her shaking legs over to the sink and place her empty bowl down.

The sound of running water soon overflowed the bowl. Still, she stood there, blankly watching it pour.

Then—

“Hyerin.”

A pale hand suddenly entered her view and turned off the water for her. That soft voice—quieter than before—made her eyes flicker.

“You should be careful with your neck.”

While filling a cup at the water purifier tucked further into the kitchen, Jaeyoon lightly ran his hand along the back of his own neck.

“…What?”

Still unable to grasp his intent, Hyerin absentmindedly mimicked Jaeyoon, brushing her fingers along her neck as she echoed, “What?”

He let out a small sigh and glanced back at the dining table, still abuzz over a single photo. Then he took a step closer to her. That warm, clean scent—like soap—filled her lungs again, just as it had the night before.

“There’s a mark on your neck.”

“…”

“You might not care, and neither might Hyungwon, but… if your parents see it, it wouldn’t be great.”

His voice was low, almost like a whisper. Instinctively, she covered her neck with her hand and looked up at him. He gave a small, awkward smile, as if he’d said all he needed to, then turned and walked back to the table. Only then did Hyerin begin to understand Jaeyoon’s behavior.

He didn’t remember last night. He’d been completely drunk. And she had erased every trace of herself from his house. The only proof the night had even happened was the dull, lingering pain in her body.

As the puzzle pieces fell into place, a breathless laugh escaped her lips—and her eyes filled with tears.

You’re mine.

In the end, that night existed only for her.