"Room for two people…"
Plenty of space.
Even for three, it's not cramped at all!
"It's hot, should we skip it?"
Y-Yeah.
No need for a hot tub when it's this warm.
There's a pool anyway.
Though it's a bit different…
"Hah."
*Whoosh.*
A strong summer night breeze blows.
Juha trudges along, yawning.
This schedule's probably boring for her.
Juha loves extreme, chaotic stuff.
It's weird how they stick together despite being so different.
Yet somehow, they click in a strange way.
Juha's hair sways as she heads to the elevator.
"Come with."
"What're you doing, not coming?"
---
"… …"
In-ha's wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling.
Her eyes turned cat-like, glaring.
Pissed 'cause we ditched her for dinner…
"Rawr…"
"Bought food, bought food."
"What is it?"
Thought she'd flip out for not waking her, but she's surprisingly chill.
Checking the sashimi bowl, In-ha meows and darts to the table.
Simple-minded, good… not mad, just simple.
"Nyaang."
So cool.
AC blasting, soft blankets—heaven.
"Yo, what's after dinner?"
…Can't we just rest?
Ignoring In-ha's chomping chatter, I turn away.
Didn't notice before, but there's a book in the corner. Room's so big, I missed it.
*Human Relationships*
*Chapter 1 - People Flock to Their Own Kind*
Umm… why's the subtitle so pointed?
*"Groups are the same.
Especially groups with consistent contact over six months are even more precise.
People are drawn to similar people. They're attracted to them.
Research shows a strong tendency for kids from similar family environments to form groups."*
…
This isn't targeting us three, is it?
Flipping pages, I sink into thought.
In-ha's house seems normal. Never been, but feels like it's middle-of-the-road.
Juha's…
Definitely below that line.
Never been to her place either, but it's a vibe.
What's Juha's home like? Curious about her family environment…
"Hmm…"
Like attracts like…
Do I have anything in common with Juha? Not sure.
Maybe our family environments are similar?
*Glance.*
Juha's smoking on the terrace.
Vape clouds drift upward.
Leaning on the railing, her face distant, unreadable.
Her expression fills my view.
*"Parents play a big role.
Surprisingly, fathers have a greater impact on a child's emotional development than mothers, studies show."*
*"But a parent's failure doesn't mean their child will fail too.
Parents can also serve as cautionary examples.
Good parents influence positively; bad parents teach lessons through their mistakes."*
I don't usually read, but the pages turn fast.
It's strangely captivating. Maybe 'cause it's a trip?
*"What's at the end of this road?"*
A young man asks an old man.
The old man smiles.
*"That's for you to decide."*
I close the book.
Smoke keeps rising in clouds.
In-ha's giggling at her phone, eating.
Yeah, what's down this road?
After the army, what's next?
What's after that? What'll I be doing?
What'll Juha be doing?
What'll happen with me and Juha?
A fling, or something lasting? If lasting, till when?
*"We won't still be shooting OnlyFans, right?"*
Mood's ruined.
Suddenly thought of OnlyFans.
*Slide.* Juha, done smoking, yawns and opens the door.
Our eyes meet.
Her signature brown eyes, calm, look down at me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Just… it's wild.
That we're still so close, lying here as a trio.
I shelve the book. Juha trudges over, flopping on the bed.
"Aaahh."
Lazy, relaxed voice.
Her content expression catches my eye.
The faint vape scent hits my nose.
---
"Gaaah…"
Stop torturing me with whiskey…
Beer's enough, why drink this shit?!
"It's not whiskey."
"T-Then what?"
Not whiskey? Methanol or something?
"Whiskey mixed with soju."
"GAAAH!"
"LOLOLOL."
Are you insane?!
Why mix whiskey with soju?!
And you didn't even mix yours! Save my liver…
"Yo, I suddenly wanna swim."
"You too? Me too."
They gone crazy?
Drinking, then suddenly talking about swimming.
"Isn't it dangerous with alcohol…?"
"It's not the sea, relax."
Umm… true, at least she's not dragging us to the beach.
Pool's a somewhat human idea…
"Yo, put on your swimsuit. Let's go!"
"Can we bring drinks?"
As if.
Juha stumbles, grabbing her swimsuit.
Probably a rashguard… wait, no?
"Mnya…"
Brought a bikini too. Too shy to wear it sober earlier?
In-ha changes into her swimsuit, giggling and swaying.
"Ohh, nice."
They okay to go in?
Tubes should be fine… but I'm getting tipsy, might not handle them…
"Ugh… caught."
Juha, in her swimsuit, sways and grabs the wall.
Yo… yo, nipple's showing, fuck! She's out of it!
"Juha's tits are insane…"
Drunk on whiskey, she's turned into an old perv.
Stuffing whiskey in her bag, Juha leans on In-ha, stumbling downstairs.
Ugh… is this okay? Won't they slip and crack their heads? Whatever.
"Wow, still open."
Probably closing soon.
Almost empty, not much water on the floor.
"Wooow!"
In-ha yells, diving in.
Juha slowly slips into the water.
Nerve-wracking…
"Yo, get in."
"What're you doing, Joonhyung?"
I'm staying out.
Someone's gotta save you if you sink.
Or maybe not… they'd probably drown me too.
Better run to staff for help…
"Wow, pretty."
Pool lights stretch outward, sparkling.
Horizon's pitch-black, nothing visible…
Intermittent white sparkles fill my eyes.
*Gulp gulp.*
They're chugging from bottles.
Juha, on a tube, giggles and closes her eyes.
Feeling the night air, she floats lazily.
*Splash.*
I sit by the pool, flicking water with my toes.
Droplets splash onto Juha's tube.
"Wanna die like this."
What's that mean?
Though yeah, diving headfirst could kill you.
Juha relaxes, looking like she's falling asleep.
Her insane tits… spilling out of her white bikini, floating. Gorgeous.
"Yo, get in."
Juha, half-lidded, smiles and gestures.
I'm a bit drunk too.
Glancing around, I nod slowly.
Cool pool water hits my toes.
A chill spreads from my feet to my neck.
Soft yellow pool lights glow faintly.
In a daze, I swim to a tube and climb on.
"Cool…"
Juha flicks water onto my stomach.
I close my eyes like her.
A scary falling sensation mixes with the water's sway.
"Don't open your eyes."
Won't.
The fear fades, just swaying remains.
My body relaxes, tension draining.
So calming…
"Hah…"
Pool water smell. Cool summer breeze. Summer grass scent.
Juha's shampoo. Whiskey fumes…
"… …"
I slowly open my eyes.
*Splash splash.* Only faint water sounds.
My gaze fixes on the black sky.
*Click click.*
Pool lights shut off one by one.
Darkness falls, my eyes adjust.
Feels like I'm floating on a dark night sea, thrilling.
A chill runs down my spine.
"Nice, right?"
"…Yeah."
Feels like I'm diving into the real sea.
Dizzy, dangerous, yet… calm.
Is this what Juha feels? Is she feeling this too?
"Hah…"
My body tingles, toes curling.
Feels like Juha's emotions are pouring into me.
Her love for thrilling things.
*"Check-out time."*
A staff's voice echoes from afar.
My eyes open slowly.
Heart's pounding faster than usual.
"They're closing."
Juha's voice, tinged with laughter, shakes my ears.
Her expression seems clearer somehow.
"Yeah."
My voice is weak, drained.
Only pleasant lethargy remains.
Am I closer to her emotions?
Feels like I'm understanding Juha's feelings, ones I couldn't before.