This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 512

“Of course, that’s just how it is.”

Heogye, huh…

As expected, it was definitely a business trip abroad.

Well, I had emphasized multiple times just how dangerous Heogye is, so there’s no way it wouldn’t be true.

“But, that aside, it’s all just alcohol or snacks as souvenirs?”

“Are you in elementary school or something?”

“Oh, what? Are you starting a fight out of nowhere?”

“No, but seriously. If it’s a souvenir, isn’t it normal to bring back something that actually looks nice but isn’t just a bunch of snacks and alcohol?”

“So?”

“Huh?”

“So you’re not going to eat any of it?”

The expression on Yoonseo’s face practically screamed, ‘This alcohol is super expensive, so you’re not eating it?!’

“Ugh…!”

Thanks to that, I couldn’t help but feel even more embarrassed.

Look at Bora trying to blackmail people with alcohol.

“…A hero blackmailing civilians? Can I report this to the newspaper?”

“Go ahead if you’re able to.”

“…Tsk.”

“Frustrating, right? Super frustrating, right? And there’s nothing you can do about it?”

I might’ve called her an elementary school student, but seriously, I’d actually turned into one.

Was she trying to fill the void of a week spent apart like this?

Bora was awkwardly twirling around while holding two expensive-looking alcohol boxes in her hands, but then, seeming satisfied, Yoonseo finally sat back down and changed her expression.

“By the way, did you cause any trouble while I was gone?”

“Trouble? What trouble…”

“I saw online that everything was in chaos, was that not a problem?”

“Oh, I couldn’t help it.”

“Really? I know you were working hard on your business trip, so I’m supposed to be upset?”

“…What are you saying? That’s not why I’m acting this way.”

Not that.

Her face clearly showed she was sulking, and that was the truth.

“I said I couldn’t help it. I clearly knew you were busy on your business trip, so how could I say anything?”

“…Hmph.”

“The moment I say something, you’d just worry about unnecessary stuff with your personality, so how could I?”

So I was going to tell her when I got back.

Hearing that seemed to ease some of her frustration, at least a little.

The air that had been puffed up in Yoonseo’s cheeks deflated slightly.

Not missing that chance, I placed the souvenir box back on the table and opened my arms towards Yoonseo.

Then, in that state, I spoke up.

“So come here.”

“W-what!”

“Come here. You must have been tired after a week, so you should recharge a bit.”

It was probably the first time we’d been apart for over a week since we had known each other, so maybe she was somewhat drawn to it.

But then again, her pride wasn’t letting her just come over and hug me, so Yoonseo pouted again.

“Do you think I’m a puppy? Do you expect me to come over just because you say so?”

“Really? I’ve been apart for over a week for the first time, so I missed you; are you saying you managed just fine?”

As I said that with a somewhat pouty expression, Yoonseo, who had been groaning like she’d stumbled upon a monumental problem, eventually let out a sigh and began to approach me slowly.

Then, she plopped down on my lap and cuddled up into my arms.

Thanks to that, I was able to experience the warm and familiar sensation as Yoonseo nestled into me.

I then started to gently pat her back with the arm I was holding her with.

“You worked hard this week.”

“Mm…”

After patting her a couple of times and then lightly stroking her back, it seemed the sensation was quite nice to her.

Her voice transformed from its earlier tone to a softer, almost melting sound that lightly tickled my ears.

Accompanying it was a delicate shiver.

“Be sure to dress warmly. What’s with your body?”

“Why…? What’s wrong…?”

“It’s like ice!”

“So you don’t like it?”

“No, it’s not that; I was nearly dying of heat just staying indoors, so this works out perfectly.”

“Then be quiet.”

“Yes.”

When I said it was like ice, I didn’t mean it idly.

Just moments ago, she’d been outside, so as soon as I pulled her into me, a chill rushed in.

Of course, that chill didn’t last long.

After all, the warmth that one can only feel from person to person began to bloom between us.

It felt as if my body was softly melting away, and if I, who had been indoors this whole time, felt like this, how much would Yoonseo, who had just come in from the bitter cold, be feeling?

If we were to gauge the level of comfort, it seemed Yoonseo’s sense of relaxation was significantly greater, as soft, satisfied hums kept escaping her lips.

But why was she suddenly taking in deep breaths?

It was making me feel a bit embarrassed.

‘I did wash this morning…’

Feeling that it wouldn’t do for me to just let it slide, I decided to return the gesture by burying my face in the nape of Yoonseo’s neck and taking a deep inhale.

The familiar yet sweet scent flowed into my nostrils, and as Yoonseo, startled by my action, instantly pushed against me, she quickly pulled away.

“What, what are you doing?!”

“What do you mean, I just smelled you?”

“Then why are you smelling me?!”

“Well, you were smelling me too!”

“That’s not the same thing!”

Could this be what they call hypocrisy?

The same person who had been happily inhaling my scent a moment ago…

“You can smell me to your heart’s content, but I can’t smell you?”

“When did I ever say that?!”

“Just now?”

“…I didn’t!”

“Really? Well, that’s what I said, so it stands.”

As I tried to reach out and re-capture Yoonseo, who had escaped my hold, she was sitting on my lap and shifted to dodge my arms.

“What are you doing? Are you a cat?”

“You’re gonna smell me again, right?”

“How did you know?”

“See?”

“Oh, come on! You get to smell me as much as you want while I can’t?”

If you really hate it that much, try to argue logically against me.

That was the feeling behind my words, but the attitude I received back was one of defiance.

“Anyway, if it’s a no, then it’s a no.”

“So why?”

“…I just got back from the airport, and I haven’t even showered.”

Ah, so that’s why she was so sensitive about the smell? It made sense why she hesitated a bit before coming back into my arms earlier.

“Really? I thought you smelled good, so I figured you must’ve stopped home to clean up.”

“…Really?”

Was she actually happy about that?

With the way her lips were twitching, it seemed she might be.

I couldn’t let her have that kind of satisfaction, too.

“Of course… I’m just lying. Why would you believe that?”

“Is it really the truth?!”

Maybe that indignation at being tricked made her a bit more fired up to retaliate.

In the very moment she decided to raise her hand for a slap, I darted back into her space.

“Hmm… Yoonseo’s scent.”

Then, just like she did earlier, I took a deep breath, which left her frozen as her hand came to an abrupt halt.

Her face turned shockingly red, as if someone had splattered red paint everywhere.

Regardless of that, I indulged in the sweet scent flowing into my nose with every breath, then took a moment to lift my head.

What I saw was Yoonseo, whose face was an even deeper shade of red, quietly catching her breath.

Had she gotten nervously stiff from our long-overdue skinship?

If left as is, her face would probably explode, so I asked her.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Stop asking and just do it, idiot…”

Perhaps due to my question relieving some of her tension, her voice came out as a soft whisper that slipped into my ears.

With her voice sounding somewhat whiny, it only made it feel even sweeter, and I leaned in to kiss her.

Instead of just the usual deep kiss, we exchanged warmth through our connected lips, pressing them together for a long while.

We continued like that until someone knocked loudly at the door of the hospital room we were in.

As if it were just the two of us left in this world.