Episode 25 – Salt, Sun & Surrender
Sun blazed high over Jeju, glinting off the villa's private pool like a mirror of molten sapphire. Laughter and splashes echoed against the white walls, blending with the hum of cicadas and sea breeze.
Guen, in a black bikini, lay back on a lounger, sunglasses hiding eyes that kept drifting to Kevin. Kevin, as always, pretended not to notice, though his gaze lingered on her bare shoulders every time she looked away.
Dohee, in a soft blue swimsuit, squeaked when Alex pushed her gently into the water, surfacing with wet hair sticking to flushed cheeks. Alex smirked, but the way his hand hovered close — ready to catch her — betrayed something softer.
And then there was Miran.
She stood by the pool steps, fully clothed in an oversized white T‑shirt and long black leggings, clutching a towel like a shield. Her hair, usually pinned back for the lab, fell loose around her face. She looked painfully out of place.
"Yah, Miran!" Guen called, laughing. "Come on! You can't swim dressed like that."
"I'm fine, really!" Miran tried to sound light, though her voice cracked. "I'll shower inside later."
Dohee paddled closer, smiling encouragingly. "It's just us, Miran."
But Miran's eyes darted — not at the girls, not at the pool, but at Minjae.
Minjae lounged half‑submerged on the pool's edge, hair wet, wearing only black swim shorts. Water traced lines over his lean muscles and tattooed arm. His grin curved slow, dangerous.
"What's wrong, chemical girl?" he drawled, voice low and teasing. "Afraid the water will melt you?"
She looked away, embarrassed heat rising up her neck.
---
"Come on, Miran!" Guen clapped her hands. "At least sit at the edge."
Miran shook her head, taking a step back. "No, I'm—"
But Minjae rose from the water in one smooth motion, water sluicing off him, and walked toward her. Each step deliberate, predatory.
Miran's heart thudded painfully. "Don't," she whispered.
He stopped a breath away, droplets sliding down his chest. "Why so stubborn?" His voice dipped, teasing laced with warning. "I'm telling you nicely. Come into the pool."
She shook her head again, voice trembling. "No, thank you. I'm fine."
Minjae's smile thinned. "Fine?" he echoed. "Wrong answer."
She turned to flee — but the villa door was too far.
---
She reached the sliding door, fingers on the handle — and he was there. Blocking it.
"Hey! Chemical girl," Minjae said, voice soft but edged. "Come with me, have fun."
"Thank you," she panted, chest rising and falling, "but I'm fine. Really."
His smirk deepened. "If you try to close this door again, I'll walk right in… and you'll find out what happens next."
Miran froze, blood turning to ice.
When she moved to shut the door anyway, Minjae's hand caught it easily. The door jerked open. Miran gasped, stumbling back.
"Don't!" she whispered, voice cracking. "Why are you doing this?"
Minjae stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His shadow swallowed hers. "I told you what would happen," he murmured, voice low as velvet over steel.
Tears welled in her eyes, fear mixing with something hotter, darker. "Please… Minjae… don't…"
But his patience ran out. He caught her wrist, pulling her toward the bathtub. Miran struggled, palms pushing against his wet chest, but he was unmovable.
"I warned you," he breathed.
---
She fell into the empty bathtub with a soft thud, hair spilling around her face. Before she could scramble out, Minjae dropped to one knee, trapping her between his arms.
His head lowered, lips grazing her ear. "Why do you make me do this?"
"Please, don't…" she whimpered, voice cracking. "I'm sorry—"
"Too late," he murmured.
His lips crashed onto hers, hot, hard, stealing breath. Her fists beat uselessly against his chest, wet heat and salt sting blurring her vision.
Minjae caught her wrists, pinning them against the cold ceramic, and kissed her again — slower, deeper, almost reverent before turning sharp again.
Miran choked on a sob. Tears slipped free, warm tracks against flushed skin.
---
A sudden vibration.
Minjae's phone, buzzing against the tiled floor.
He lifted his head, breathing ragged, and answered without looking at the screen. "What?"
Kevin's voice crackled through: "What's taking so long? Where's the beer?"
Minjae exhaled, rolling his eyes. "Coming," he muttered, then glanced back at Miran, still trembling.
He leaned in, voice low, words soft as poison. "If you don't come out after me," he warned, "next time I won't stop at kisses."
Miran swallowed, chest heaving, tears shining on her lashes.
Then Minjae stood, muscles flexing as he reached for a towel. "See you outside, chemical girl."
---
Miran scrambled out, wiping her face, breath still ragged. Shame burned hotter than fear. But she knew she couldn't stay hidden.
She stepped onto the patio, still wearing the soaked T‑shirt and leggings. The others turned, surprised.
Minjae was already there, handing out beer cans, casual as summer breeze.
"Miran! You finally joined!" Guen cheered, clapping.
Miran forced a tiny smile, voice small. "Sorry… for being late."
Dohee waved her closer. "Come, the water feels amazing."
But before she could answer, Minjae moved.
He strode over, lifting her easily by the waist — Miran squealed, kicking — and tossed her into the pool.
Water swallowed her scream. When she surfaced, sputtering, everyone laughed and clapped. Even Kevin's lips twitched.
---
Miran's face burned scarlet, hair plastered to her cheeks. "I hate you," she muttered, hiding behind Guen.
Guen chuckled, patting her shoulder. "He's impossible, isn't he?"
Minjae, still in the pool, raised an eyebrow. "What's that, chemical girl? Can't hear you."
She flinched, falling silent.
---
Later, when the laughter died down:
Everyone climbed out, dripping and laughing, heading inside to change.
But Miran lingered, alone in the cool water, floating on her back. For the first time all day, she could breathe.
She loved swimming — the quiet, the weightlessness. Here, Minjae couldn't reach her.
Or so she thought.
---
A shadow fell over the pool.
"So you can swim too, huh?" Minjae's voice teased, rougher than before. "Didn't think you had it in you."
Miran's breath caught. "Go away," she whispered, treading water.
But Minjae stepped closer, droplets falling from his still‑wet hair, and slid silently into the pool.
She turned to flee, but strong arms wrapped around her waist under the water, dragging her close.
---
"Don't," she gasped.
"Too late," he breathed.
His lips crashed onto hers again, wet and rough, the pool muffling her startled cry. Her hands pushed against him, palms sliding on his slick chest, but he held her still.
She felt tears burn behind her eyes. When they slipped free, Minjae froze.
For a moment, just a heartbeat, his thumb brushed her cheek, catching the tear.
His gaze darkened — confusion, anger, something softer that died before it bloomed.
Without a word, he let go, swimming backward to the edge.
Miran stayed in the center, trembling, salt tears mixing with chlorine.
---
Minjae pulled himself out of the pool, water streaming down tense shoulders. For a moment, he looked back at her — expression raw, haunted.
Then the mask slammed back on, and he walked away, dripping across sun‑warmed tiles.
In his chest, something twisted painfully. Why her? he thought, furious. Why does she make me hesitate?
---
Evening fell:
Inside the villa, laughter returned. Kevin and Guen teased each other over burnt shrimp skewers. Alex offered Dohee a towel, fingers brushing hers a little too long.
But Miran stayed quiet, curled in an oversized hoodie, hair damp and eyes red.
Outside, Minjae leaned against the railing, staring at the dark waves. The smirk he wore earlier had cracked, just a little.
And somewhere, in the salt wind and soft night, something between them changed.
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