Kiyoko rubbed at her shoulder and mumbled, "Um… this kind of treatment… it can be done through clothes, right?"
Jin shook his head so fast his bangs nearly whipped her. "What are you saying? It's supposed to loosen you up. If you keep the shirt on, how will it even work?"
In truth, Jin had no clue if his improvised cupping could "open pores" or not. He only knew 'his' pores were already wide open from nerves.
Kiyoko bit her lip. She was never good at being around boys, and now she was alone in Jin's apartment. Her cheeks burned hotter the longer she stood there.
"I-I think maybe… it's better if we don't…" she started to protest.
But Jin wasn't listening. He was too busy fiddling with the cups, lining up chairs like he'd seen in some video, trying his hardest to look professional.
"Don't worry. I'll put a towel over you while I work, so it won't feel weird. I'm a man of honor, you know."
Honor, huh? If anyone else heard him, they'd probably smack him. But Jin's shameless confidence somehow made his bluff convincing.
If it had been any other guy, Kiyoko would've bolted out without a word. But because it was Jin's loud, annoying, but good guy she hesitated. And against her better judgment, her hand held under the hem of her shirt.
"…Turn around," she whispered.
Jin's heart thump. 'Did she just?'
He nearly tripped over his own feet in his rush to spin around, grinning like an idiot even though no one could see his face.
The room went quiet. Jin fidgeted, waiting. Finally, after what felt like forever, Kiyoko's soft voice came again. "…Okay. You can look now."
He turned, swallowing hard.
On his bed, Kiyoko lay curled on her stomach. Her pale back was exposed under the loose strap of her top, her hair tied up so her nape showed clear. The sight was enough to make his brain short-circuit.
She didn't look at him, just whispered, "It's a little cold. Hurry up."
"R-right! Coming!" Jin rubbed his palms together like a nervous rookie before a serve, forcing himself to move.
He dipped his fingers in water and pressed them gently to her shoulder.
Both of them shivered at the touch, her from the chill, him from the feel of her skin under his rough palms.
"So smooth," he muttered without thinking.
Kiyoko's heart jumped. She thought. 'He's really…'
Meanwhile Jin's brain yelled. 'This is dangerous, focus!' He shook his head and hurried to pat water across her shoulders and back, trying to mask his fluster.
Her skin, cool at first, quickly warmed under his touch until it felt like a furnace.
He picked up the first cup and cleared his throat. "Alright, Kiyoko, bear with it a little. It might sting the first time."
"…Okay." she replied, voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
Jin lit the alcohol cotton, swirled it inside the cup, and pressed it to her shoulder before the heat escaped.
A muffled "ahh!" escaped from her. The strange suction pulled at her skin, making her frown in surprise.
"It's weird… it feels like something's grabbing me…"
She lifted her head to glance back, only to realize what angle that gave Jin.
His eyes, dumbly following her movement, landed lower than they should have. For a split second he was frozen in place, staring like an idiot.
Her whole face went crimson. She yanked her arms across her chest and hissed,
"Where are you looking!?"
"Eh? I-I was checking your shoulder! Just your shoulder!" Jin stammered, waving his hands like a busted kid. He grabbed the little mirror he'd set aside and shoved it toward her. "See? Look! It's working perfectly!"
Kiyoko peeked into the mirror, suspicious, but her curiosity distracted her from scolding further. The faint red circle on her skin was proof the cup had taken hold.
Jin, meanwhile, clenched his jaw and muttered inside. 'If I survive this without getting smacked, I deserve a medal.'