Chapter 351 – Sweet Night

I found someone who brings joy to my life.

Although I see more flaws than strengths, he sometimes plays mischievous pranks, acts perverted, behaves foolishly, and occasionally treats me too roughly…

“Aaaaaaah~~~! Cough, cough.”

There was a man beside me who, for some reason, made me smile when I looked at him.

“I can’t hit the high notes. Hehe.”

His sullen expression as he put the microphone down…

‘How adorable…’

I couldn’t help wanting to tease the pathetic figure who seemed intimidated by my singing voice. Is there anyone else in this world with such charm?

“Why are you smiling like that?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing…”

Fuuk-

A gentle caress.

A large hand sweeps over the top of my head. It feels good, but sometimes I wonder if he really sees me as a pet.

“…Don’t stroke my hair.”

It was a small act of defiance, but whenever I resisted, Lee Si-heon would keep stroking my hair until he was content, a beaming smile on his face. He’d only remove his hand after my hair became completely disheveled. I loathed myself for being unable to resist when his hand made contact.

‘Still…’

I was growing attached.

Whenever I was near him, my eyes would be drawn to him, and I’d long to touch him. Once I touched him, I’d cling to him, desiring to act playfully and childishly. Indulging in such antics made me want to spend even more time with him. With so much weighing on me, I couldn’t believe how much my emotions were swayed by just one person.

When did it start?

‘…’

It had simply, naturally come to mind.

‘Annoying person.’

He was someone I couldn’t help but like.

Although he could have easily controlled me, he maintained his distance. Even after I had made a heart-wrenching confession, he continued to support me in overcoming my own mental conditioning.

There were times when we drifted apart… Nonetheless, they helped me. They sacrificed themselves for my sake, bearing the collapsing building with their entire body.

Such a person, who protected me with such purity, how could I possibly look away?

“Aren’t you going to sing?”
“No, that’s it for today.”

As for everything else, I thought it was all fine.

Unlike other politicians, they didn’t seek anything for themselves. They made an effort to answer even the strangest questions about the common people’s stories and didn’t try to hide their own flaws. In fact, I now find many of their shortcomings to be charming.

Even now, as I gaze at their face, I can’t help but smile unknowingly.

“…Hehe.”

Others might call this infatuation.

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s not much time left, right?”
“Yes.”
“Kookmok is really busy too. Well, it’s understandable with all the chaos going on lately.”

The time allowed for going out is, at most, three to four hours.

After wandering around for quite some time and thoroughly enjoying ourselves at the karaoke room, it was gradually time to leave. If even this were discovered by the secretary, I would be met with icy glares.

As we exited the karaoke room, the sky had turned a subtle shade of yellow. It was 5 PM, a time when the food we had consumed had not yet been fully digested. A faint sense of longing tugged at the edges of my heart.

Lee Si-heon stretched and looked at me.

“How was it?”
“…It was good.”
“I’ve heard that this is how young people have fun these days. I’m not sure if it’s the same for nobles.”

Gazing at Lee Si-heon, standing there and speaking so nonchalantly, his face suddenly became irksome for no apparent reason.

I shouldn’t be thinking like this.

‘…Does he have no thoughts about parting from me?’

The enjoyment of being together also implies the sadness of separation. The distance between our elbows right now feels so warm and cozy. The sense of proximity, barely enough to accommodate a single leaf, brings happiness. I wonder if he feels the same way.

I subtly shift my feet and take a step closer.

Three centimeters apart.
A ticklish sensation brings a smile to my face.

“Ah, such a shame…”
“Indeed.”

Even with such courageous words, the response is lukewarm.
It’s a feeling of disappointment mingled with melancholy.
I know my emotions are one-sided.

…Back when my mind was more vulnerable. I’d been pushed away so much.

“Maybe I’m not their type.”

My heart sinks.
The scene I witnessed in the changing room flashes before my eyes.
I don’t have large breasts like a nursing mother. I’m not very tall, and everywhere I go, I’m treated more like a cute cat than a beautiful woman.

Normally, I would say it’s time to leave…
But the words “let’s go to France” remain unspoken, swirling around in my mouth.

‘…’

In truth,
I’d planned to confess my feelings today after understanding my own emotions.

There’s not much time left for us.
If we part now, it might be months before we meet again.

If they don’t align and things go awry, it could be years before another chance arises.

There might even be a war in these times. If I couldn’t convey my emotions, it seemed like I would have many regrets in the future.

“Are you going?”

Lee Si-heon spoke.
His lips didn’t part.

He reached out, placing his hand on his chest and clenching his fist.
For some reason, it felt like he was sweating.

What face should he make if he gets rejected?
Should he just keep it to himself? Even if he’s the only one who likes it…
Truly, as they say, if he were a cat, he would have cried pitifully by their side.

…Just one more time.
Could they not cast that enchantment on him?

– Startled.

He lowered his trembling fists and finally managed to speak.

“There’s that, um, that thing.”
“Huh?”

His face felt hot.
The bridge of his nose, cheeks, ears, and the rims of his eyes all turned bright red. He couldn’t control his emotions as he wished.

My mouth, attempting to speak, started to spasm uncontrollably.

Would it look strange?

Why did that vacant, unattractive face suddenly appear so irritating?

Grasping the long brim with both hands, I pulled the hat down to conceal my expression from him, allowing me to communicate my thoughts more at ease.

“That, umm… That is.”

-Coward.

My inner tormentor, the imaginary version of myself, spoke up.

‘That’s not something you’re supposed to say to me.’

-What are fools doing? Idiot.

I was on the brink of suffocating; I never knew I could be this afraid. My face flushed crimson as if it would burst, and my vision swirled dizzily.

In that moment, a sudden idea surfaced in my mind.

‘Ah!’

I thought of a convincing excuse.

“My own room…”

“Huh?”

“When we were discussing ordinary people… You said you’d show it to me.”

One of the many, many conversations we’d had in the past.
My memory was particularly good, so I almost overlooked this one.
Unknowingly, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Um… Do you have time?”
“A little bit is fine.”

I could hear myself sighing in my imagination.

*Sigh*. A loser who can’t confess.
‘…I will.’

I must do it.
I don’t have many opportunities.

—

* * * * *

Our Bam’s expression seemed suspicious.
Her face turned red, and she walked around distractedly like a puppy that needed to poop, stealing glances at me.

“Here.”

– Startled –

A musty smell wafted in as soon as the door opened.
Somehow, we’d ended up in my room. Was it properly organized?

Naturally, the unmanaged room was a mess.

There was no worst-case scenario of bugs emerging.
Instead, the floor was coated with a fine layer of white dust.
Footprints were left the moment one stepped into the room from the entrance.

“It’s a bit dirty, is that okay?”
“…Yes!”

Marronnier seemed to appreciate the atmosphere of this house as it was.
Indeed, this was the epitome of commoners’ living. When I was suddenly transported to another world and lived in this room, I was so heartbroken that I nearly perished.

‘It’s been a while.’

I glanced over and checked the makeshift desk in the room.

There was no proper desk in this small studio. I had acquired a simple desk like that and studied without a backrest, purchasing books with the remaining money to take the academy exams.

There was no bed, just a single moldy mat on the floor.
On top of it lay a neatly folded blanket.

I entered the room and sat down on the mat. Marronnier followed and explored every corner of the room.

Footprints on the pristine white dust. They appear to be less than half the size of mine.

As I follow Blanche, who leaves her traces everywhere like a puppy experiencing its first snow, I gaze up at the ceiling.

“Siheon.”
“Done looking around? Come sit here.”
“Okay.”

Blanche, now seated right beside me, continues to curiously survey the surroundings.

“*Cough*.”

It’s still quite dusty in here. I open the window above the mat to let in some fresh air.

“So this is where you lived.”
“Yes.”

I had lived here when there was nothing. Now, knowing the full story, it makes sense, but when I first arrived, I felt scared and trembled at the thought of who had prepared such a house for me. Life itself felt like a horror movie.

“…I see.”

Speaking softly, Marronnier looked up at me.

*Thump*.

He rested his head on my shoulder.

Taking off her hat and placing it on the mat, she revealed her long hair and moved her hands this time.

With her left finger, she tapped and scratched my thigh with her long nails, as if signaling something.

“Speaking of which, Siheon.”

It wasn’t natural at all. Laughter burst forth, as if to break the forced atmosphere. I wondered what she would ask for this time. With that thought, Blanche approached even closer, her face wearing that bashful expression from earlier.

When the distance between us no longer widened and we were pressed close together.

“Do you remember… that thing I said before?”
“What are you talking about?”
“……”

Blanche’s face turned a deep shade of red, as if it were about to explode.

“…you.”
“Me?”
“No, I mean me.”
“You?”

I waited patiently, charmed by her cuteness. It was entertaining to watch her struggle, unsure of how to proceed with the conversation.

“……ugh.”

Had I been too harsh?

Marronnier, having surpassed the limits of embarrassment, covered her face with her hands. After a tense silence, she finally burst.

“Aaah!”

-Wham!

“Huh?”

Abruptly, she pulled me into an embrace with both hands.

As I sat there, my body toppled backward. Marronnier collapsed on top of me as I lay down. Embracing my midsection, she began rubbing her face against me wholeheartedly.

Then, realizing her impulsive actions, she uttered:

“…What do we do now?”

She timidly inquired.

“You’re asking me that?”
“…I can’t say. It’s all because of you…”
“Well, tell me what it is. I’ll listen to everything.”

When had my body ever truly been my own? Wasn’t I the one who fulfilled the void?

“Alright… I’ll only say it once. Listen up.”

Marronnier lifted her face from my chest.

Tears streamed down her eyes after much contemplation.

“I… I think I still like you.”

The choked voice echoed as it reflected off the cramped studio apartment’s wallpaper. The clear and melodious voice pleasantly tickled my heart, even at this moment.

“…sigh.”

I had a rough idea already.

Why would anyone like someone like me? Especially someone who knows my temperament so well?

It’s not that I didn’t consider this, but… undoubtedly, the brainwashing had been undone for her. Yes, I made a promise.

“If you… even after the brainwashing, if you remain the same… You said you’d take responsibility.”

“Um. I did. But, Blanche, would that really make you happy?”

“……it will be happiness.”

Tears fell.

– Thump, thump, thump, thump.

A strong pulse. Marronnier, with her chest pressed as close as possible, buried her face in my arms.

The sound of my heart beating so intensely made me wonder if this was truly alright.

Blanche clung to me with both hands, as if she would never let go.

“…When I’m with you. Yes, that’s right. Listen to this.”

She pressed her body even harder against mine, as if to share the sound of her heart.
My flesh quivered along with the faint heartbeat.

“Does it still seem like I’m lying?”
“You didn’t exactly lie. First, get up. Look at your tear-streaked face.”
“I don’t want to get up…”
“Then could you move a bit forward so I can hold you?”

-Fidgeting.
She moves with ease.

As she shifted a little further forward, I could finally embrace her properly.
Her petite, lightweight frame. When I held her and patted her back, she hiccupped intermittently.

“Why are you crying so much over a single confession?”
“……”
“Can a tree that bears the weight of an entire nation afford to be like this?”

Marronnier, reacting to my teasing remark, lifted her face from my embrace.
She glared at me with her slightly swollen eyes.

“I still haven’t heard your answer.”
“……”

You’re clever.

I’ll obtain a definite answer no matter what it takes.
It’s a daunting mindset.
I closed my eyes and envisioned Se-Young, Dallae, stars, and Zodiac.

*Sigh.*

Sister, I apologize. One more person is joining.

With a wry smile, I tugged Marronnier’s cheek.

“Alright.”

A glimmer of joy in her eyes.

“No, but all you had to do was simply say you liked me like this—”

At that moment, when I was about to say something to soothe her on the verge of tears, Blanche, who moved her head faster than anyone, collided her lips with mine.

Her soft, small lips tenderly left their gentle touch for just an instant before parting.
A kiss without mingling tongues. In other words…

“I… give me a kiss.”

Was Marronnier particularly childish during her brainwashing?
If that’s her true personality, the nights ahead might prove to be a bit challenging.

Instead of sighing, I slightly tilted my head forward.

A sweet scent filled my mouth.

*Thud.*

My body leaned over, and this time, I took the top position over Marronnier. The small cat gazed at me and smiled.

“Is the time okay?”

Marronnier arched her back, and without a word from me, she gently parted her thighs.

“…Even if I get scolded today, it’s alright.”

Her voice was always enchanting, sweeter than any fruit I’d ever tasted.

“Thirty minutes… no, an hour.”

Her smile deepened, her eyes glistening with honey. Marronnier was a girl who wholeheartedly embraced the romantic atmosphere.

“Give me just two hours… let me feel you.”

It was an excessive expression, one that Koreans would never use for fear of sounding cheesy. However, for her, a foreigner, there was no such hesitation.

“How many hours did you say?”
“…Three hours.”

I felt a pang of guilt for Marronnier’s fans. I buried my head between her pale collarbones, and Blanche took a feeble breath.

The unchilled warmth of tonight was such that one could effortlessly strip away its shell and place it directly into the mouth.
It was a night of sweetness.