Side Story 1.7

The kiss resumed. But this time, it was subtly different. Their hands, which had been lightly exploring before, now moved more boldly. Their movements became more suggestive, accompanied by subtle thrusts of the hips. Every time Dowook pressed his hardened length against her thighs, Junhee didn’t push him away. Instead, she leaned forward, bringing him closer.  

When Dowook slid his thigh between her legs, she willingly parted them.  

It was the first time they had pressed their bodies together so blatantly. Rational thoughts didn’t cross her mind.  

Her body simply moved on instinct. She clamped her legs around his thigh and rubbed against him. She pressed her chest against his, feeling the pressure. Even as her upper body heaved from his relentless advances, soft, coquettish moans escaped her lips.  

I shouldn’t make too much noise. I can’t let others see us like this.  

But when a louder moan slipped out, Dowook suddenly withdrew his tongue and spun her around. Pinning her from behind, he pressed his body against hers. Junhee covered her mouth with her hand, stifling her sounds.  

His hardened length brushed against her thighs, pressing and rubbing against her.  

The groans falling near her ears were rough, but that was as far as it went. Dowook stopped moving.  

As he stilled, the world around them grew quiet. Only the sound of their heavy breathing filled the air, but the heat and firmness she felt behind her were overwhelmingly vivid.  

She found it fascinating and surprising that a man’s body could feel so hot and substantial. It made her curious about what it would look like and what might come next. But Dowook still didn’t move.  

When Junhee shifted her hips to rub against him, Dowook grabbed her waist, holding her firmly in place.  

“You’re drunk.”  

His voice came out low, almost like a growl.  

“I’m not drunk. I’ve sobered up completely.”  

“No. You’re drunk right now.”  

It was as if he were warning her to stop being reckless. Yet, even in his voice, there was a lingering heat and roughness. The hardness she felt below remained just as hot and rigid.  

“Why are you holding back?”  

At Junhee’s question, Dowook let out a breath. It sounded like he was biting his lip.  

She had been wondering about this for a while. Despite constantly kissing her face, staying close to her, and being so eager to be near her, he never took things further.  

“We’ve only been dating for two months.”  

His answer was unexpectedly innocent, not at all what she expected from him.  

“But we’ve known each other for eight years. We’re twenty-one now. We’re adults.”  

“So what? Should we do it here?”  

His words sounded like a threat, but his grip on her waist tightened as if to prevent her from provoking him further.  

Junhee placed her hand over his, gently stroking the back of it as she asked innocently, 

“Then when can we?”  

Dowook exhaled a troubled sigh.  

“Why are you so fearless?”  

It was because it was him. Just because it was Choi Dowook. That was the only reason.  

Because it was Choi Dowook, she was curious about what came next. Because it was Choi Dowook, she wasn’t afraid of what followed. In truth, it had been a long time since she and Dowook had been physically close and shared kisses. But now, she wanted to be even closer. She wanted to connect even deeper. That desire kept growing.  

“I want to do it with you.”  

Dowook exhaled a rough breath and buried his face in Junhee’s neck, brushing against her hair.  

“…One hundred days.”  

That was the answer he gave after a long pause. One hundred days. It seemed that was the date Choi Dowook had set for them.  

“If you’re okay with it. Damn it, one hundred days from now.”  

“Why one hundred days?”  

Under Junhee’s hand, Dowook clenched his fist tightly. A strong force radiated from him, as if he was holding back and suppressing something.  

“Until you and I are ready.”  

“I’m ready now….”  

“I’m not.”  

For some reason, Junhee felt a stubbornness rise within her, but Dowook was firm.  

“You don’t know how much I’m holding back every single day.”  

“I do know.”  

“No, you don’t.”  

Dowook answered sharply, biting Junhee’s ear. His voice carried a hint of irritation, as if he was annoyed by Junhee’s constant provocations without understanding his struggle.  

“You don’t know how many times I do that thing while thinking about you every day. Damn it, that dirty thing….”  

Junhee couldn’t fully grasp what he meant by “dirty thing” or what exactly he did several times a day.  

“It’s okay with me.”  

Even so, she felt like she had to say it.  

“It’s okay, Dowook.”  

“If we do it, you won’t be able to walk.”  

Junhee burst into laughter. That was such an exaggeration.  

As she laughed, Dowook pressed his cheek against hers. His long eyelashes lightly tickled her skin.  

“I’m not as weak as you think.”  

“You’ll cry.”  

“I won’t cry.”  

“What if you run away because it hurts?”  

“I won’t run away.”  

“What if you find it hideous and disgusting and never want to see me again?”  

“That won’t happen.”  

“You’ll resent me for not letting you sleep.”  

“You always exaggerate too much.”  

“How many times do you think I’ll do it with you?”  

She was at a loss for words. Along with his question, an image formed in her mind—an image too vivid, even though she had never experienced it before.  

“…How many times are you planning to do it?”  

“A lot.”  

“……”  

“A hell of a lot.”  

Dowook exhaled a warm breath and pressed his lips against her cheek.  

“Once we start, I won’t be able to stop. The moment we start, my reason will disappear. No matter what you say then, I won’t listen. I know myself. But… what if you end up hating me?”  

“……”  

“What if it hurts you so much that you leave me again? What would I do then?”  

Muttering that he was scared, Dowook pulled Junhee into an embrace. Resting his chin on her shoulder, she could feel the uneasy rhythm of his heartbeat against her back.  

“That won’t happen. I won’t hate you.”  

“……”  

“Why would I find you disgusting or hate you? I really like you. That’s why I want to do it with you….”  

“And.”  

“…And?”  

“Why did you stop talking? Keep comforting me.”  

Dowook whined, rubbing his head against her hair. His hands, which had been wrapped around her waist, moved up to her shoulders and chest.  

“Oh, Woo Junhee. Do you like me that much?”  

His tone was lighthearted. Somehow, she felt like she had been tricked. 

Was his uncharacteristic vulnerability just a ploy to get me to express my affection? 

She couldn’t help but doubt his intentions.  

She had forgotten. Just as she knew Dowook well, he also knew her too well. He knew exactly how to get what he wanted from her.  

Feeling annoyed, Junhee turned her body and looked up at Dowook. She balled her fists and lightly punched his chest. She felt embarrassed, as if she was the only one desperate for intimacy.  

Even as she hit him, Dowook’s face remained cheerful.  

“Your punches are so weak.”  

Laughing, he let her hit him before suddenly pulling her into a tight hug. He planted kisses on the top of her head.  

“You promised to do it with me in one hundred days.”  

When had he been so scared about their relationship? Now, his face was all smiles. Junhee felt a sudden urge to be contrary.  

“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to do it with you anymore.”  

“You can’t take it back.”  

Dowook chuckled as if her words were ridiculous.  

“What can I do? I tried to hold back as much as I could, but you said you wanted to do it.”  

“I said I changed my mind.”  

“You begged me so much to do it with you.”  

“I didn’t beg that much.”  

“If you’re embarrassed, we can just say I begged you instead.”  

“There you go again with your constant exaggerations…”

“I love you so much, Woo Junhee.”  

Dowook tightened his arms around her as if he wanted to crush her. While revealing his possessiveness, he rubbed his head against her neck like an affectionate pet.  

The way he acted was both annoying and endearing, making it hard for Junhee to stay mad. No matter how angry she was, she always ended up smiling at the love Dowook showered her with.  

“Do you like me that much?”  

“I do.”  

He returned the question she had asked earlier, but unlike her, he answered without hesitation.  

“I like you so much it drives me crazy.”  

Junhee took a deep breath. There were moments like this. Moments when the love Dowook poured out was so deep and overwhelming that it felt suffocating. Yet, at the same time, she wanted to hold onto that love with all her might.  

At those times, Junhee would pause and take a moment to breathe. Once she was ready to face it calmly, she lifted her head. She met his burning gaze, their lips so close they were almost touching.  

Feigning nonchalance, Junhee asked, 

“Why do you like me so much?”  

“Because you’re beautiful.”  

“That’s so cliché.”  

“It is. But I can’t help it.”  

How could he say such things without blinking an eye?  

“You’re not just beautiful. You’re stunningly beautiful.”  

“…You’re insane.”  

“Your nose, your eyes, your lips. Ah. How can everything be so perfect?”  

“You’re seriously insane.”  

“I can’t get myself together.”  

“Please stop.”  

Her forehead wrinkled in embarrassment. Dowook gently rubbed it with his fingertip, laughing. His teasing smile made her feel like he was mocking her.  

“Woo Junhee.”  

“What?”  

“I love you so much. Don’t you know that by now?”  

She knew. She did. But hearing it said aloud was something else entirely. It made her so embarrassed that she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Junhee turned her head slightly.  

“…I know. So stop looking at me.”  

“Why? Are you afraid you’ll wear out?”  

“Yes, I’m afraid I’ll wear out.”  

“Then keep wearing out.”  

“You said you like me. Can’t you listen to me for once?”  

“What can I do? Teasing Woo Junhee is my hobby.”  

“That’s a terrible hobby.”  

“Stay like this with me forever.”  

Don’t push me away again. Don’t run away. Stay by my side forever.  

For once, Junhee didn’t scold him for his words. Surprised, Dowook raised an eyebrow and stared at her. After a moment’s hesitation, Junhee nodded slightly. Dowook smiled.  

He knew Junhee, who hated anything overly sentimental, was making an effort. His smile didn’t fade, and eventually, Junhee smiled too.  

A night filled with laughter. A night she wanted to cherish forever. The happiness wasn’t too little or too much. Junhee silently wished that her days with Dowook would always be this happy and peaceful.