Silently…
I walked on the path, carrying her on my back.
Following the multicolored sidewalk blocks with my eyes, I crossed a buzzing electric pole.
Dallae had fallen fast asleep on my back.
What on earth happened that she drank so much?
Such thoughts crossed my mind as I supported Dallae, who was slightly off balance, lifting her up once by her hips.
"Mm…"
A nasal sound, as if she was being playful.
Soon, I felt a subtle moisture from the side of my neck where Dallae's face was buried.
Swallow.
She would occasionally lick my neck with desperation, weakly tap on my shoulder, and sometimes even let out a painful moan.
'She sure talks a lot in her sleep.'
Feeling the warm breath tickling my neck and the touch of her thin tongue, I walked slowly in the night.
I didn't plan on this, but somehow, I ended up leaving the drinking party.
As I walked and pondered, I realized I had always lived like this, even on Earth.
My past drinking sessions always ended with me taking care of juniors or friends who weren't used to alcohol and eventually taking them home.
Although when I said juniors or friends, it was only four or five of them.
Not being an insider, I hadn't had a broad experience.
"Mm,"
After some time, Dallae, who seemed to have woken up, made a sound.
"Awake?"
"Is it Shiheon?"
Dallae murmured in a somewhat meaningful tone. Maybe it was the alcohol, but her voice sounded so sweet that I couldn't help but smile.
"You still speak formally."
By this point, speaking informally wouldn't have been weird. That was my intention, but she didn't respond.
"You seemed upset. You spoke informally with the others earlier, right?"
Upon revealing a bit of my feelings, the intoxicated her responded blankly.
"… Were you upset?"
She asked cautiously.
Her voice sounded so moist as if she might burst into tears any moment. Even though I couldn't see it, she might have had a tearful expression.
"Did I really look upset? I was just joking."
I quickly retracted my words. On second thought, she was too sensitive about our relationship.
She was somewhat similar to Sansuyu but different.
Sansuyu, lacking experience, generally did as she was told. Although she was wary of strangers, it was only to a minor extent.
On the other hand, how about this girl?
From her appearance, it was right to see Dallae as a thorough insider.
She was friendly with her peers and was cheerful.
But at today's drinking party, she showed slightly different reactions only to Siwoo and me.
If I wasn't mistaken, she seemed a bit wary when speaking to Siwoo and was just formal with me.
'If the affection level isn't lying.'
My hypothesis was that Dallae became more sensitive in interpersonal relationships as her affection deepened. I didn't know why.
I had seen people like this before, but never someone so pathologically sensitive.
"… I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. You seem drunk, don't force yourself to speak. Rest well once we're inside."
"I'm not drunk."
Shuffling steps.
We must have walked for quite some time when she, with her face buried in my back, suddenly spoke.
"I spoke formally because-"
She murmured in a faint voice, almost like a soliloquy.
"It was because you're special."
I kept moving forward.
"People always try to distance themselves from me. It's the first time someone has come this close… but how can I casually interact with them?"
"You're really drunk."
How was she going to deal with this tomorrow? She might regret it, just like me.
I still remember that moment a few weeks ago when Jin Dallae rejected me. Was it because 'I wanted to be friends with you'? It felt like a friendship that required risking everything, so I had taken some big risks.
That night, I felt so frustrated.
It was a warning given, knowing the future feelings she might have.
"I'm sorry for acting so cold back then."
But once a feeling came out, it didn't easily fade.
"What are you so sorry about?"
"I'm sorry for everything. I don't know why I acted so badly."
"No, hey. Your reaction was normal back then."
Hearing her almost tearful voice, I hurriedly responded.
In reality, Jin Dallae did no wrong.
Even her cold treatment; if I had been in her place, I might have been much harsher. Jin Dallae's holding back was commendable.
"I'm a bad woman."
But her perception seemed different.
She placed her cheek on the back of my neck and hugged my shoulders tightly. Our bodies pressed close together.
The effects of the alcohol were severe. Would I see her like this every time she drank? On the one hand, I was grateful to hear her sincere feelings.
No matter what the quest demanded, I genuinely put in effort to get closer to her.
In the old world, did I have a friend like this?
Back then, all my relationships were superficial. I didn't have a relationship that felt like it could last a decade.
But now, maybe,
Not just with Dallae, but perhaps I could also have deeper relationships with the others.
'I don't have a father… No, that's not it.'
Such thoughts crossed my mind, but then,
I shook my head.
Before I knew it, we had arrived at the dormitory's main entrance.
-Beep beep beep.
I inserted her student ID, opened the gate, and found Jin Dallae's room, which I had memorized. I searched her dazed face on her student ID. Checking the side pocket and back pocket of her jeans, her body shuddered once.
"Mm."
From a cross bag on the side, I took out Dallae's student ID and opened the door.
-Creak.
Inside the dim room, a floral scent lingered.
With one step inside, a light turned on, revealing hastily discarded clothes and slightly damp underwear. Was it my nature to be affected this way? I involuntarily swallowed as I walked in.
"Ahem."
I couldn't stay here any longer.
Making an effort to ignore the strong scent of the Dallae flowers, I went deeper into the room and laid her on the bed.
"Where is this?"
"Your room."
"I see."
Dallae murmured in a dazed voice.
"… I wanted to drink with you."
Hearing her raw, unfiltered voice, my body tensed. Maybe it was my lustful nature, but her voice sounded incredibly seductive.
Swallowing, I looked at her lying on the bed. She wore a new-looking white dress that exposed her shoulders. The rolled-up skirt slightly revealed her skin. Jin Dallae, with her hand on her forehead, looked half-lidded at where I was standing, exposing her armpit.
'What on earth?'
Was she trying to seduce me?
I wanted to cover her with a blanket, but if I approached any further, I might lose my self-control.
If it came to that, should I take the risk? After all, I'd die if I didn't have sex. Maybe I should try.
Such lewd desires surged within me.
'No.'
Given Jin Dallae's nature, she wouldn't try to seduce me. Most of her unrealistic actions were because of her obsession with interpersonal relationships. Honestly, she wouldn't want to become physically intimate with me. That was just a reaction from being drunk. There was no reason for me to delude myself.
I firmly made up my mind and turned away.
-Thud.
A box under my feet.
I turned to see a delivery box, and there was a small handwritten note on it.
[Want to win the heart of a male friend? Strengthen your bond! - Sexywood No.1]
└Clothes to wear when hanging out with a friend!! (Don't forget.)
-Thud.
I felt a tug on my clothes. When I looked back, there stood Jin Dallae, still appearing drunk. The pleasant floral scent made my head spin.
I felt like I could really commit a crime.
-Thud.
I took a step back.
-Thud.
She followed, taking a step closer.
"I have… something to say. I don't know about anything else, but I feel like I have to say this at least."
-Thud.
Jin Dallae leaned her forehead against my chest.
"…Thank you. For killing that person."
They say that when drunk, people often voice their true feelings.
"And tomorrow-"
"Hmm?"
She started listing all the things she wanted to do as if she had been dreaming about them for a long time.
"In the morning, we have hangover food… visit a café… and in the evening, we drink together. Talking about the mentor."
Then she opened her eyes wide.
I felt dazed.
My restraint broke, and as if someone was controlling me, my face moved on its own.
"-Uh"
I felt the smooth touch of her slightly parted pink lips under the mask.
Startled, I pulled away and apologized rapidly.
"Uh, I… I'm sorry. It was sudden."
I moved without realizing it. It was a lame excuse, but it was the only way I could explain.
"...Huh?"
Jin Dallae's eyes widened.
With a mixture of shock and embarrassment on her face, I hurriedly bid goodbye to her and left the room.
"Rest well."
-Thud.
I closed the door and slumped down outside.
What did I just do?
The sensation of the kiss kept replaying in my head, so I forgot all the swearing I was about to unleash. A new line of curses formed in my mind, but I felt too tired to think anymore.
"I've already done it, so what's done is done. I should just grovel."
With my mind overwhelmed, I decided to stop thinking. Some of that resolve was bolstered by the effects of alcohol.
"… Let's just wash up and sleep."
I staggered to my feet and headed for my room. As I reassured myself that I'd deal with the consequences tomorrow, I felt the lingering effects of the alcohol return.
Upon arriving in my room, I rested my forehead against the door to cool my heated brain. Whatever the door was made of, it felt refreshing.
-Thud.
I opened the door and went in. Holding my aching head, I took off my shoes at the entrance, immediately opened the fridge, and gulped down water. The cool water dripped from my mouth, trailing down to my collarbone.
"…Phew."
After catching my breath briefly, I headed to the bedroom.
The room was dark, but I intended to sleep anyway, so I didn't bother turning on the lights.
"Ughhhh."
Like a zombie that had been shot, I collapsed onto the bed lifelessly and shut my heavy eyelids.
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-Shuffling.
In my hazy consciousness, there was a rustling sound. Listening more closely, it sounded like fabric brushing against skin.
-Shuffle.
I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like I was pinned down, unable to move. Was it because I was so tired?
-Shuffling.
A slight weight settled on my stomach. It wasn't uncomfortable.
Life sure was strange, experiencing such bizarre moments.
Sleepiness washed over me again. I closed my eyes and surrendered to its lull.
-Beep.
For some reason, a familiar sound seemed to echo in my ears.
-Beep!