She was emanating a seductive aura, as if she might pounce on me at any moment.
But that wasn't why I'd come today.
I'd given her the gift and announced the event, so now it was time to head out.
As I subtly hinted at leaving, Choi A-ran blocked my path with a flustered look.
"Wh-what? You're going?"
I nodded simply in response to her question.
"Yeah, I have to. I was heading home anyway. Did you think I'd jump you like some beast whenever the mood strikes?"
"N-no... it's not that..."
"Why? Feeling attached now that you've got the gift? My dear wife hates to say goodbye?"
She balled up her cute little fist and punched my chest again.
Then, with her lips pursed in a pout, she whispered in a voice so soft it was barely audible.
"It's just... you must want something too... Tell me what it is... I'll make it happen..."
I'd heard every word, but I feigned ignorance and asked loudly on purpose.
"Really? You'll grant my wish? Even if it's something naughty?"
My voice echoed through the train car, and she frantically glanced around before clamping her hand over my mouth.
With a fierce glare, she gave a short nod.
"Damn it. Speak softly. And as long as it's not too weird... it's fine."
Wow. She must've been more touched than I thought.
Come to think of it, twenty-three is pretty young.
With hardly any dating experience, she was bound to be vulnerable to gifts.
Worked out perfectly for me.
I knew all her preferences inside out, so every gift was a guaranteed hit.
"Then I'll save the wish voucher for later. Make you do some super pervert shit until your pussy's dripping."
She let out a deep sigh at my crude confession.
But with a bit of those love goggles kicking in, her eyes held a subtle mix of affection and resentment.
"...Is your head seriously full of nothing but that? You pervert."
After snapping at me like that, Choi A-ran seemed reluctant to part and clung to my sleeve, firing off a few more questions.
"But... what's your name? You saw mine on my badge."
"My name? Why?"
"...Just."
"Just? If it's mere curiosity, I won't tell. If I spill everything, my wife won't cling to me anymore."
"Cling? Who's clinging? That's ridiculous."
"Haha. Whatever you say."
"So... you're really not gonna tell me?"
"Nope. Really not."
"Tch. Fine, at least your age then."
"Hmm. Age is off-limits too."
"Why! Are you some celebrity or what? Why the mystery act?"
"That'd kill the fun. A little mystery sparks the imagination—makes it way better."
Choi A-ran's eyes instantly sharpened into a glare.
She clearly felt it was unfair that only her info was out there.
"Then... one last question, for real."
"Shoot."
"Um... do you meet other women besides me?"
"..."
This question hit harder than expected.
Come to think of it, she'd pegged me as a total playboy.
Life really is full of surprises.
Never thought I'd get the alpha male treatment someday.
I pretended to mull it over, dragging it out.
I didn't have any other women yet, but that was just a matter of time.
As the shooting titles piled up, relationships were bound to get messy.
Unless it was purely about sex.
I decided to just tell the truth.
Better to rip the Band-Aid off now than lie and brew a future disaster.
"Honestly, I've got a few more partners."
"..."
"Why? Disappointed?"
"...No? Why would I be?"
"You look disappointed."
"..."
"Say whatever. Cursing's fine."
She fell silent for a moment, then started venting with a voice laced in betrayal.
"You... you're total trash, huh? How many? Like ten? They all got big tits like me, easy lays? Right? As long as they get wet easy, anyone's fine. I'm just one of the bunch."
Her voice trembled faintly—she was seriously hurt by the truth.
Of course, I wasn't about to spout nonsense like I'd dump the others.
I needed multiple women for the shoots, after all.
"What can ya do? Lots of women chasing me. But I really like my wife. No matter how many there are, there's only one Choi A-ran in the world."
"Ha! Bet you say that exact line to all of them. Think I'm dumb enough to fall for it?"
Logic failing, I pivoted straight to emotional warfare.
When reason flops, hit 'em in the feels.
"...If you won't believe me, can't force you. But you know that earring? Two months' living expenses. If you weren't the real deal, why go starving myself to buy it for you?"
I let out a soft sigh and stood up.
She knew the price better than anyone, so this would land hard.
She looked thrown off by the unexpected jab.
I gazed at her bittersweetly and drove the nail home.
"If you're turned off, I won't show up again. Keep the earring. Think of me now and then."
As I turned to go, she startled and yanked my sleeve.
"N-no... wait. We're not done talking."
"Why? More to say?"
"That... two months' living expenses thing... for real?"
"What else? Do I look loaded? If it's hard to believe, don't."
I tried to shake her off, but her grip tightened.
Still holding my sleeve, she pressed on.
She was almost fully hooked.
"With all those other women... why drag me into it? Just to toy with? More the merrier?"
I countered her question in a calm voice.
"Then flip it—why give you the earring out of all those women? Just to toy a few times? You really think that?"
"..."
"Yeah, it's not normal. But liking others doesn't make my feelings for you any less."
"Totally... forced logic, you know that?"
"I know. But it's the truth."
"..."
She lapsed into deep thought, silent for a good while.
Finally, she sighed heavily, resigned.
"While preaching that, you wouldn't accept me seeing other guys."
"Obviously."
"You'd be texting other chicks and giggling while seeing me?"
"Not while we're together."
"Then you'd pull this gift crap again, pretending it's sincere to keep me on the hook."
"Not pretending. It is sincere."
"Sigh. Crazy bastard. Dog bastard. Super pervert trash playboy."
She spat the curses weakly, then melted into my arms.
In a deflated voice, she murmured:
"You... if we don't go all the way to sex, you're dead to me. Got it?"
At her declaration, I stroked her hair and replied.
"Good thing. Won't be dying by your hand."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After shooting an unexpected romance flick, I headed straight home.
Ramen for a quick meal, then I fired up the Partner Management Console to check her status.
She'd just gotten home and was taking a bath.
The bathroom screamed luxury—a massive bubble tub strewn with petals and bath salts for a relaxing soak.
Soapy water trailed down her skin, making it gleam.
Her nude body, slick with water droplets and a light sheen of sweat, was pure ecstasy—like Venus herself.
'Whoa. Definitely loaded. How big is that bathroom anyway?'
I'd sensed the money vibes before, but this was next level.
Couldn't fathom why she'd ride the subway.
Talent aside, she was a total gold spoon.
Even a top model and designer couldn't buy a luxury apartment at twenty-three.
Though she did have that chaebol heiress vibe.
No way that perfect skin and figure came without daily pampering.
I admired her playful splashing as I activated Mind Chat.
Mind Chat was my pet name for the Partner Management Console's spying feature.
🧠 MIND CHAT 🧠
[Phew. Bath makes me feel alive again. Like my chest finally unclogged.]
[That guy's probably asleep by now. Should've gotten his number.]
[Nah, he wouldn't give it. Scared I'd find out about his harem.]
[Trash playboy bastard.]
[But is he really that hot? Enough to have women lining up?]
[Hmm. Not sure. He's got some cute sides, though.]
[What if he's a sex god? Makes women shake uncontrollably?]
[Yeah, explains the cockiness. Others must regret it's not them.]
[Damn. At this rate, he'll steal all the control. Can't let him lead me.]
[Should I seduce him first? Hook him hard?]
[Yeah. Blow his mind completely, and he won't stray to others.]
[Said he's coming to my company next week. That's my shot.]
[Hehe. Let's see you crumble. Turn you into a horny mutt.]
"...Ooh yeah."
She was soaking leisurely, but harboring some seriously scary thoughts.
Plotting revenge in a whole different way—out for blood.
Looked like she planned to wear even sluttier clothes next time to seduce me.
Fine by me. I'd welcome it.
Just like she said, I was fully prepped to turn into that horny mutt.
Grinning mischievously at her, I started scheming the next shoot's gift.
The earrings had wiped my balance clean, so no more pricey stuff.
But her prefs included things effort alone could cover, like handwritten letters or homemade bentos.
No cash? Pay with sweat equity.
Living solo had honed my cooking skills decently.
All that was left was tailoring the bento to her tastes.
She'd surely rethink her opinion of me with a sweet gesture like that.