KMH – Chapter 19

Jukyeong headed to the smoking area with Seju. It was one of the few spots with relatively little foot traffic.

First, she sent a stiff, old-fashioned message to her blind date partner: [Something urgent came up, so I have to leave.] Then she agonized over how to explain today’s events to Manager Moon back at the main house.

Jugyeong blinked tiredly.

“……”

At some point, Seju had started locking eyes one by one with the smokers lingering there. The intensity of his glare made them flinch; one by one, they stubbed out their cigarettes and hurried off.

Soon, the smoking area was empty except for the two of them.

Jugyeong looked at him quietly and said in mild reproach,

“…This is a smoking area. How can you chase away people who came here to smoke?”

“What’s so great about something that does nothing but harm you?”

He sounded like a public health crusader.

Which was ironic, considering the wildly impure thoughts his current appearance inspired.

“Jukyeong, take a good look. The real trash are those kinds of people. In broad daylight, huh?”

He jerked his chin in the direction the smokers had gone.

Jugyeong hadn’t called him promiscuous to condemn him. It had just been nerves—words slipping out because she was about to do something reckless for the first time in her life.

With his personality, he’d probably milk that one remark forever.

Even now, the way he puffed himself up as if he’d caught her on something made a dull ache bloom at her temples.

Rubbing them, Jugyeong straightened her tilted head.

“People don’t visit hotels only for the kind of purpose you’re imagining.”

“That kind of purpose? You mean sex?”

“Could you avoid being so direct?”

“Why? If we ever come back to this hotel together, it’ll be for exactly that.”

“…You do know who owns this hotel, right?”

He chuckled mischievously. For some reason, Jugyeong’s strength drained too, and she let out a hollow laugh.

“……”

“……”

A warm spring breeze drifted in from afar, scattering the awkward silence. Seju spoke first.

“I came because I had plans with Director Im. Then I saw you. I know roughly what’s going on with you.”

“Ah.”

Jugyeong let out a small sound and picked at her nails.

If only she’d been more rational in the garden that day…

If that had been possible, she wouldn’t be standing here with Seju now.

Her lips dented inward as she chose her words.

“It must’ve looked strange.”

“Not really.”

“No. I know. Even though I think I’ve been… a little strange lately.”

Her calm admission made Seju bristle.

“Strange? Who? You? Are you kidding? You’re hardcore T.”

“…What’s T?”

“There are things babies don’t need to know.”

He had always talked in baffling ways. Normally, she would just nod and let it pass—but something lingered.

“You… said you didn’t want to sleep with me in the garden.”

“I did.”

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

He scoffed.

“You’re really asking me that?”

“……”

“Do you know who turned me into a guy with nothing but sex on the brain?”

Jugyeong still vividly remembered him demanding how many people had fallen for her tricks. She’d thought she’d seen contempt in his eyes then. So his words didn’t immediately compute.

“You thought you could mess me up like that and just walk away?”

She had wondered what kind of shift had happened in his mind. It seemed she’d had a hand in it. That realization pressed a sense of responsibility on her—to be as honest as possible.

“You said you know my situation. Even so… I think I should be clear.”

She’d known, in the garden, that once she said “Let’s sleep together”, there would be no going back. But she’d also learned that some impulses burst like trapped bubbles—unstoppable.

“I am going on blind dates. I don’t know when, where, or with what kind of man—but it’ll probably keep happening.”

Like watching a glass of water tip toward the floor and knowing it would shatter, Jugyeong sensed something too. Maybe she’d wanted to touch Seju long before he’d knelt to take off her shoe.

“Does that not matter to you?”

“……”

“You don’t have to decide just because you got swept up by me.”

If this was going to happen, then Seju’s acceptance had to come from desire, just as her proposal had.

Seju’s expression shifted subtly; he pressed his lips into a grin.

“Are you worried about me right now?”

“I knew from the start you’d reject me. I still said it anyway. So…”

Maybe that was why she’d been calm when he’d said he wasn’t desperate—but not when he’d called her easy.

Her mouth dried with tension. Was it because this was her first real rebellion? Because the partner in that rebellion was Seju? Because she’d never committed this kind of reckless act before and now didn’t know how to clean it up?

Jugyeong was good at making choices. Put things on a scale and wait. It would tip toward what was needed now—or what would serve better later.

If Cheon Seju was on one side… what was on the other?

As her hesitation lengthened, Seju shifted sideways.

“Jugyeong. You’re not…”

“……”

“Worried I might catch feelings for you, are you?”

Her brows drew together instantly. He lifted and dropped his eyebrows teasingly, scratching his cheek.

“I mean… seems like you’re worrying over nothing.”

“I just don’t want you to regret this later—”

“Ha Jugyeong.”

He cut her off with a lazy smile, lowering his head slightly. She frowned and met his eyes.

“If I get fucked over because of you, I won’t blame you.”

“I—”

“Of course, if you get fucked over because of me, you’ll blame me.”

She was about to refute him immediately—she might yell, might get angry, but she wouldn’t blame him. Besides, when had he ever truly ruined her?

“You will. Definitely.”

If only he’d left her room to speak.

Her eyes hardened. The certainty written across his face was infuriating.

He straightened.

“Let’s keep it light. Light.”

Jugyeong took a short breath, flexed her tingling fingers, and forced her stiff lips into a faint smile.

“…Light sounds good. How?”

He shifted his weight and tapped his own chest with his index finger.

“To the most wholesome man in the world—me.”

Then that long, straight finger pointed at her.

“You begged me—just once—to sleep with you, clinging to my pant leg.”

Finally, he tapped his temple.

“And somehow I ended up a guy with nothing but dick in his head.”

Jugyeong’s lips parted again—this time for a different reason.

“If I look so clueless that I can’t separate sex from feelings, then stamp a contract or something.”

“It’s not like that—”

“Then don’t argue when I’m giving you an out.”

Jugyeong decided to stop explaining.

You don’t even know anything, and you’re saying I’d blame you?

She bit her lip, adjusted her handbag, and looked straight up at him.

“If we’re signing something, I’ll draft it.”

“Do whatever.”

“Any clauses you want included? Say them now.”

“If my dick’s already worth pocket change, I’ll just look ridiculous trying to protect my pride.”

Jugyeong squeezed her eyes shut. She’d tried to hold it in, but failed. Opening them, she glanced around and hissed under her breath,

“Watch what you say in public.”

“So I don’t have to watch what I say when I’m with you?”

He grinned and reached out. Jugyeong flinched and turned sharply toward him.

“……”

“……”

When she didn’t push him away, the hand that had paused midair resumed its path.

His low voice fell over her like a weight.

“Jugyeong. Promise me one thing.”

He plucked a stray strand of hair from her shoulder and let it drift away. She followed the movement, then looked up.

“Go on blind dates if you want. That’s your choice.”

“……”

“But do that with me only.”

“……”

“Don’t throw your body around carelessly.”

Her throat tightened.

His face had gone blank—smile erased.

“You can manage that much.”

Ah.

‘I’m the one who feels unsettled when Cheon Seju isn’t smiling.’

The realization came late.

Her fingers curled tight.

For some reason, her chest ached.