08:52 Saturday morning.
Last night had gone smoothly, without any unforeseen events. I even managed to get to bed early, which was rare. Now, with the sun already high outside, the whole room was bathed in a golden light that came through the thin curtains of the window. The morning breeze came in softly, bringing with it the distant scent of the trees and flowers on campus, that clean, light air that only seems to exist on weekends.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I watched the movement inside the room with silent patience, while looking at the girl who had just brushed her teeth.
In the bathroom, Nayun was brushing her teeth. The sound of running water had already ceased, replaced by her footsteps as she walked outside.
"Aah! All done! I'll just put my clothes on and we'll go out."
I just stared at her, silent. If I opened my mouth now to comment on how long it takes her to get ready, we probably wouldn't leave the room before lunch. I preferred to keep my peace, and my bones intact.
She approached the "closet" to choose her clothes.
Meanwhile, I let myself fall backwards onto the bed, letting out a soft sigh. I rested the weight of my body on my palms behind me and stood there, staring at the ceiling for a while, listening to the incessant rustle of hangers, fabrics and impatient sighs.
"Not that one... not that one either... maybe this one..."
It was like watching a silent struggle between fashion and humor and, honestly, I didn't know which one was winning. All I knew was that I was sleepy, hungry and that if I said anything now, my morning would turn into a minefield.
After a few long but predictable minutes, she emerged back into the room, straightening the cuffs of her blouse and taking one last look in the full-length mirror against the wall.
"There."
She said, like someone who had just completed a top-secret mission that dictated the future of the world.
"Tchan-ham! How do I look?"
With me still lying on the bed, Nayun jumped on my stomach.
"Ugh!"
I pretended to let out a muffled sound when I felt the impact.
"Do you want to kill me?"
She let out a short laugh, clearly pleased with my reaction, and leaned her elbows on my chest, looking down at me with that mischievous little smile that always made me a little vulnerable.
"Go on, say it. Am I pretty or not?"
I rolled my eyes, feigning exasperation, even though I knew she could see the disguised smile forming at the corner of my mouth.
"If you stay like this, I won't be able to see you... You know, the field of vision is a bit obstructed."
I commented, pointing vaguely at her face centimeters from mine.
"Ah! Yes..."
She pretended to notice, and prepared to leave, but at the last second, she turned back and stole a kiss from me.
When she pulled away, standing beside the bed, she had a victorious smile on her face.
"That's it. Field of vision cleared."
She said, turning her body around as if nothing had happened.
I stood up and looked her up and down with an analyzing gaze.
Nayun was wearing a simple white tank top, fitted to her body, which left her shoulders and part of her neck showing. On top was a long-sleeved plaid shirt in shades of black, gray and white, falling to her shoulders, open, a bit sloppy, as if it had been thrown on just to give it a little charm. And it worked.
At the bottom, light blue denim shorts with a frayed hem. A look that mixed the casual with the provocative, the comfortable with the intentional. It was the kind of thing that shouldn't work so well, but it worked perfectly on her.
"You look incredibly amazing. Worthy of being my first wife."
She turned her face towards me with a satisfied smile, ready to accept the compliment, but then she heard the second part.
The first part of the compliment was fine, but when she heard the second, she grabbed one of the pillows on the bed and began to beat me mercilessly. Of course, it didn't even tickle me.
"You idiot! Why do you have to ruin everything by reminding me of this?"
"Of what? That you're number one?"
I asked, shielding myself with my arms, unconcerned as she hit me with disproportionate force for someone that size.
"Yes, yes. Just don't keep reminding me that I'm actually number one in your harem."
She paused for half a second, just long enough to process. And then came the hardest pillow hit yet.
Yes, she could have accepted the idea of having more than one woman by my side. But accepting is not the same as liking. It's not the same as feeling good about it. Because, let's face it... what woman would accept sharing her own man so quickly with a smile on her face?
Certainly not one. And if she did, she'd already be at the edge of sanity, or beyond.
Noticing the way her eyes lowered, even as she hit me, I realized what I had done. I'd gone too far. I played where I shouldn't have.
I stood up immediately, leaving the light tone aside, and held her carefully in my arms, trying to do the right thing, or at least something that wouldn't make it worse.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
I said quietly, but my voice was full of sincerity.
"I forgot how painful it can still be for you."
She remained trapped in my arms for a few seconds, but soon began to pull away. Slowly, still sulking.
"No... I'm not sorry."
"Oh! Not even if I kiss you?"
"Yes. Even kissing won't help you this time."
I sighed, feigning defeat but really feeling the weight of what I'd said. Maybe I deserved that.
"I see..."
I mumbled, pondering.
"That's all that's left then..."
I reached out and held her face carefully, as if she were made of something I could break if I squeezed too hard. My thumbs lightly touched her cheeks, and I leaned in, staring into her eyes.
"Nayun, I love you."
She froze, not expecting a confession as an apology.
And before she could say anything, I grabbed her lips, kissing her deeply.
Her surprise was only momentary, because soon after, she wrapped her arms around my neck and started kissing me too.
Our tongues danced in sync, and after almost a minute of kissing, we broke apart before things got too hot.
"I'm sorry, do you accept?"
"Hmm!"
With a soft whisper, she pulled away from me and went to put her smartwatch on her wrist.
"All set. Let's go?"
She came to my side and braided her arm in mine.
"Sure."
Unlike her, I'd been ready for a long time, having got ready while she was still fighting with the mirror and her clothes.
I was wearing a simple white blouse with no print, made of light fabric, combined with comfortable beige pants and a pair of casual shoes. Nothing much, just enough to look presentable, considering the sunny Saturday and the mild temperature outside.
Using my magic. It brought us both to one of Seoul's streets.
Using my ability to distort perception, those passing by didn't seem to notice our sudden appearance.
...