I sat on a small wooden stool. The round table in front of me was covered with soju bottles, a few cans of beer, and simple side dishes like kimchi, odeng, and boiled peanuts.
This wasn't some fancy bar, just a small eatery with an orange tent that would sway with the wind.
Screeech... (the plastic tent curtain rustled)
Across from me, Eun-ji sat with a carefree smile. Her long hair was tied up, but a few strands had fallen to frame her face. Her eyes shone under the dim light of the bare bulb.
"Come on, ahjussi. Have a drink. It'll help you relax a bit," she said, pouring soju into my glass.
I let out a long sigh.
Hhh...
My glass was full, but I didn't lift it.
'Should I tell her? I feel like I'm going to explode if I keep it bottled up.'
I stared at the clear liquid, then finally opened my mouth.
"Today... was really tough, Eun-ji. I feel like I'm being judged before I even get a chance to defend myself."
She stopped chewing and looked at me seriously.
"People think I'm a pervert. They think I'm the one who put a camera in the women's restroom. But... the CCTV clearly shows I'm innocent. Still, their stares..."
I clenched my fist.
'Those stares pierce me like knives. I'm not the culprit, but they want me to be.'
"I've even thought about..." my voice dropped, "...just quitting my job if it's going to be like this forever."
Thud!
Eun-ji slammed her glass down on the table. She glared at me sharply.
"Are you crazy, ahjussi?! Do you think it's that easy to find a job?!"
I fell silent, shocked by her angry tone.
"In this day, getting a steady job is a goddamn miracle, you know?! Me, for instance..." she lowered her gaze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, "...I just got a part-time job. Not full-time. The pay is small, no benefits, but I'm still grateful. And you..."
She pointed a chopstick at my face.
"You already have a good position at the office, and you so easily say you want to resign?!"
I looked down. 'She's right. But what's the point if I feel like I'm locked up with these accusations every day?'
"What am I supposed to do? If I tell them I'm not a bad guy... they still won't believe me," I said softly.
Eun-ji leaned back and let out a long sigh.
"Well, then... at least try to be honest. Let them know where you stand."
I looked at her, with a bitter expression.
"Even if I say that... I don't think it'll make any difference."
She gave a small, mischievous grin, her gaze playful.
"In that case..." her voice was a whisper, "...why don't you just become a bad guy for real."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She leaned in. Her body tilted toward me, her big chest pressing against my arm.
Thump-thump-thump... (my heart hammered in my chest)
"If you're a bad guy for real... at least there won't be any misunderstandings, right?" she said with a naughty smile.
I froze. My face felt hot, and my ears suddenly turned red.
'Why is she... getting this close? And why does her body feel so soft against my arm...'
Eun-ji grabbed the soju bottle and poured into both our glasses again.
"Forget it. Let's just have a toast. To a long night... and to survival."
She raised her glass. I raised mine too, even though my hand was trembling.
Clink!
Our glasses clinked.
I gulped my drink down quickly. The soju felt hot going down, but Eun-ji's stare, which was still fixed on my face, felt even hotter.
As I lowered my glass, my eyes accidentally glanced over at her. Her thin, tight shirt was a little open from her leaning forward.
And there... for a split second, I saw something I shouldn't have seen.
'Oh my god... is that... her nipple?!'
My eyes widened. My face immediately flushed red, and I quickly turned my head away.
Screech! (my wooden stool scraped as I moved away a little)
'Damn... I just saw something I wasn't supposed to.'
Eun-ji was still smiling, as if she was completely unaware of what had just happened.
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to calm myself down.
'God... what did I just see?'
A while later.
Eun-ji was too drunk to walk straight. Her steps were wobbly, and she almost fell a few times.
"Ahjussi... my legs are so heavy..." she mumbled with a small laugh.
I sighed deeply. "Seriously. You're such a pain."
I finally crouched down and carried her on my back.
Rustle... (the sound of fabric rubbing)
The moment her body pressed against mine, her large chest pushed right into my back. Soft, warm, and heavy.
Thump... thump... thump... (my heart was pounding)
'Oh my god... I can feel it so clearly... so soft...'
I bit my lip.
'She usually keeps her distance from guys. Does she think I'm a pushover? Or is she just too drunk to realize?'
My steps felt heavy, not just because of her weight, but because my own body was reacting.
'Shit... if this keeps up, I'm gonna lose my mind.'
We arrived at her apartment. The door to Eun-ji's room was locked tight.
I tried to turn the doorknob. Click... It didn't budge.
"Oh, right..." Eun-ji mumbled weakly. "The key... is in my pocket..."
I froze.
'In... her pocket? What does that mean? Is this a green light?'
I took a breath, trying to hold back the wild thoughts. But my heart was beating even faster.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
With a trembling hand, I reached into her tight pants pocket. I found the key, quickly opened the door, and carried her inside.
The room was simple. A thin mattress lay on the floor, the floral bedsheet was a little crumpled. I slowly lowered her onto the mattress.
"Eun-ji, are you okay?" I asked softly.
There was no answer. Only her steady breathing could be heard.
Hhh... hhh...
My eyes unconsciously stared at her body. Her tight shirt had ridden up, revealing her stomach. Her short, tight shorts had also shifted, and a bit of her underwear was visible.
'Damn... her body is too sexy...'
Her chest rose and fell, huge, almost spilling out of her shirt.
'Why can't I look away?'
My hand moved on its own, reaching out.
Rustle... (my palm touched her chest, which was still covered by her shirt)
I cupped her breast. It was so soft, as if my hand was sinking into it.
'God... I know I shouldn't be doing this... but I can't stop.'
I squeezed it tighter.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
Her shirt shifted, and a pinkish nipple appeared from underneath it..
I leaned down, my lips almost touching it.
'I shouldn't do this. I know it's wrong. But... the wild beast inside me has been unleashed...'
Suddenly, Eun-ji mumbled in her sleep.
"Stupid idiot... I finally got a job... but my boyfriend didn't even say congratulations..."
I stopped.
"...he's celebrating with someone else instead..."
'Her boyfriend?'
"...go marry your bike, you horse wart..."
I froze, then backed away. My breath was ragged.
Hhh... hhh...
'Shit... I almost did it. And she's still thinking about her boyfriend. What the hell was I doing... I'm really insane.'
I stood up, covering my face with both hands.
'I know, deep down... the wild beast inside me has been unleashed.'
With heavy steps, I headed for the door.
Creeeak...
I closed it slowly, leaving Eun-ji sleeping soundly in her room.