Chapter 70 : Reveal (1)
Just three rooms in a dormitory.
I really wanted to live here forever.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought that way.
We decided to each take one bedroom and use the remaining one as a storage room.
“Ugh-ha…”
And now.
I was lying in my bedroom.
On the bed she gifted me, I enthusiastically twisted my body in joy.
“Hmm… Feels like I’m just receiving all the time…”
I argued that I’d just use my old bed, but…
“Then, wanna sleep together in my room from now on?”
With just that one line, I was completely subdued.
Even if we really like each other, doing it every day is a bit…
Besides, the way we do it isn’t exactly… conventional.
And she already threw out my old bed during the move.
Anyway, Yena left for her parents’ house as soon as we finished moving.
Left alone, I was pondering how to repay her.
“Nghh…!”
I stretched with a strange groan.
If I keep lying like this, I’ll become one with the bed…
Maybe I should spy—no, explore Yena’s room?
I decided to follow through with the thought.
I sprang up and stepped into the living room.
Her room stood before me.
With an indescribable sense of guilt, I slowly pushed the door open.
“Well, it’s not like I’m stealing. Just looking. Ahem.”
Why am I being so sneaky?
Let’s just go for it.
I flung the door open forcefully.
“…Huh?”
Right in front of me were scattered boxes.
Of course, it wasn’t the sheer number of boxes that surprised me.
It was the very familiar something I spotted among them.
“This… next to the bathroom.”
I definitely remembered this design.
Yena’s personal Pandora’s box, filled with tools that tormented (?) me.
“She collects only the worst things.”
Meaning, it was packed with her preferences.
I opened Pandora’s box.
And immediately regretted it.
“No, wow. Wow…”
True to its name, the box held truly horrifying things.
From bottles of translucent liquid to strangely shaped massagers and that pink rotor I saw last time.
There was even a dog collar and handcuffs.
“Is this… a candle?”
What is this girl?
My head spun just looking at it.
Setting aside the things I didn’t recognize, I picked up the handcuffs and collar.
“What even is this?”
I’m not naive enough to not know their purpose.
Handcuffs and a collar? Naturally, an event to satisfy her came to mind.
“If I’m wearing these when she gets back…”
I could vividly imagine her pouncing on me.
Seeing me tied up the moment she steps in.
Without a word, she’d just lunge at me…
“Heh.”
First, she’d strip me, right?
Or maybe rip my clothes off.
The thought was terrifying—and thrilling.
Anyway, this should suffice.
Then, a thought crossed my mind.
“Isn’t this basically getting paid to—”
“No, no! Crazy.”
I shook off the disturbing assumption.
I’m not getting paid for this, I just naturally end up—
“Wait, that sounds wrong too!”
Lately, every thought about Yena veers into that territory.
I decided to think of something else entirely.
I needed to know when she’d be back.
If possible, today. If she’s staying at her parents’, then tomorrow.
I sent a quick text to the top contact on my phone.
[What time are you coming?]
After about 30 seconds, the “1” disappeared, and a reply popped up.
[I’ll be back today.]
[If I’m fast, right after dinner.]
[Around 7?]
[Want me to bring anything?]
“Hmm… it’s 5 now…”
Plenty of time.
“So I’ll just wear these and… let things happen?”
…It’s scary, but.
Maybe I should practice first.
I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth.
I replied “Sounds good” and set my phone down.
“She’ll just greet her parents and come back, no big deal.”
Anyway, I decided to practice.
Starting with the collar, I draped it around my neck.
“This is easy.”
It was basically just a necklace with a buckle.
No tight choking or anything.
But pulling the attached chain gave me… weird feelings.
“I’m not even a dog, heh.”
A girl wearing a collar alone in her room?
I laughed at the absurdity.
Might as well test the handcuffs too.
I placed my wrist against them.
“Hmm, seems loose?”
There was plenty of space.
As I tried to pull my wrist out—click.
In a blink, the cuffs snapped shut around both wrists.
Stunned, I just stared.
“Wait, wha—HEY?!”
I had to get out.
I rummaged through the box with my cuffed hands.
There had to be a key, but no matter how much I searched, nothing.
(I later learned these were auto-locking cuffs with an internal button.)
Exhausted, I flopped onto Yena’s bed.
“Whatever…”
I’ll just accept it.
This was the plan anyway.
Third-generation chaebol.
That summed up Yena simply.
Stepping out of the limo, she was met with a mansion befitting the title.
“Welcome back, young miss.”
“Yes.”
She’d rarely liked this place, even as a child.
After tasting freedom, she wanted to return even less.
“They’re waiting for you. This way.”
Her sister must’ve mentioned her break.
She hadn’t expected a summons, though.
Unlike her own home, the mansion’s interior was opulent.
Scowling at the decor, she closed her eyes briefly.
When they reopened, her usual gentle smile was back.
A servant opened the dining room door.
Yena followed slowly, stepping into the lion’s den.
“You’re here? Sit.”
“Yes. Have you been well?”
Three figures sat at the dining table.
Father, mother, and older sister.
After exchanging hollow pleasantries, she took the empty seat.
“Anyway, Haerin. Managing alright as vice president?”
“Well enough.”
“Good. With your grades, you’ll take the presidency next year.”
“…Yes. Haha.”
The air was already suffocating.
She kept her eyes down and picked up her fork.
All she wanted was to see Hayul, who remained effortlessly pure.
“Yena, what about you? Did you do acceptably this time?”
Mother shifted the target.
“30th place.”
Father said nothing.
Just cut into his steak.
“…Hah. As expected. You used to follow your sister’s example so well.”
“I’m sorry.”
The script played out as always.
Disappointment. “Why can’t you be half as good as her?”
Yena’s sister, Song Haerin, felt her heart char.
She knew the lie, of course.
As vice president, she’d seen Yena’s actual rank.
Hiding the truth was just Yena’s way of dodging pointless expectations.
“Our family didn’t claw to this position by settling for mediocrity.”
“I’ll work harder.”
Yena wanted none of their “prestigious” family business.
Let Haerin have it. She’d rather play.
“Oh, Haerin. About Hanul Group’s proposal—”
Mother’s attention pivoted entirely.
Perfect.
Parents who saw their children as balance sheets.
Never a word of praise, only scales to weigh one against the other.
She refused to dredge up the past.
Nausea coiled in her gut as she set down her utensils.
She refused the offer to stay overnight.
Instead, she hailed a taxi and stopped at a cocktail bar.
“Long time no see! I told you to visit more, didn’t I?”
A bartender with fire-red hair grinned.
“Yeah, unnie.”
The empty bar brightened instantly.
“What’s the mood today, madam?”
“Quit the act. Just something sweet.”
“Okaaay~”
Kang Sua.
The owner, now a familiar face.
With practiced grace, she slid a glass across the counter.
Pale green, like Hayul’s eyes—a June Bug.
“On the house tonight.”
“…Pfft. What’s this?”
“Ah! You laughed!”
“Hah… Thanks.”
Suah’s antics eased the tension.
Coming here was a good call. If she’d gone straight back, she’d have—
…What’s Hayul doing right now?
She’d meant to bring her here someday.
Maybe she could call her now.
“This is good. Got anything stronger?”
“Heh. Faust or Catharsis. Pick one.”
“…Both.”
Her phone buzzed.
Hayul.
She cleared her throat and answered, ignoring Sua’s teasing smirk.
“Y-Yena… Where are you? Are you coming…?”
Hayul’s voice trembled.
“Leaving now. Ten minutes, maybe?”
Yena eyed the two cocktails, then downed the ruby-red one in a single gulp.
The burn seared her throat.
“Haha… It’s nothing serious, just— My wrist hurts?”
“What?”
“I-I know it sounds weird! You’ll get it when you see—”
“What the— Fine. I’m coming.”
Suah yelped, but Yena waved her off and stood.
A faint buzz hummed in her veins.