I sat on a small wooden chair, the circular table in front of me was full of soju bottles, a few cans of beer, and simple side dishes: kimchi, odeng, and boiled peanuts.
The place wasn't a fancy bar, just a small eatery with an orange plastic tent that would sway in the wind.
Screeech... (the plastic tent flap trembled)
In front of me, Eun-ji sat with a carefree smile. Her long hair was tied up, a few strands falling to cover her face. Her eyes were bright under the dim bulb light.
"Come on, ahjussi. Have a drink to relax a bit," she said, pouring soju into my glass.
I let out a long sigh.
Hhh...
My glass was full, but I hadn't picked it up yet.
'Should I tell her? I feel like I'll explode if I keep it bottled up.'
I stared at the clear liquid, then finally opened my mouth. "Today... was so hard, Eun-ji. I feel like I was judged even before I had a chance to defend myself."
She stopped chewing, looking at me seriously.
"People see me as a criminal. They think I'm the one who put a camera in the women's restroom. Even though... the CCTV clearly showed I was innocent. But still, their stares..."
I clenched my hand.
'Those stares pierce me like a knife. I'm not the culprit, but they want me to be.'
"I even thought..." my voice dropped, "...about just quitting if it stays like this."
Clack!
Eun-ji's glass was placed hard on the table. She looked at me with a sharp gaze. "Are you crazy, ahjussi?! Do you think it's easy to find a job?"
I fell silent, surprised by her angry tone.
"In this day and age, it's a hell of a struggle just to get a stable job! Me, for example..." she looked down for a moment, then gave a bitter smile, "...I just got a part-time job. Not full-time. The salary is small, with no benefits, but I'm still grateful. And you..."
She pointed a chopstick at my face. "You already have a good position at the office, and you just lightly say you want to resign?!"
I looked down. 'She's right. But what's the point if I feel like I'm imprisoned by accusations every day?'
"What should I do? Even if I say I'm not a bad person... they still won't believe me," I said softly.
Eun-ji leaned back, then let out a long sigh. "In that case, at the very least... just be honest. Let them know your position."
I looked at her bitterly. "Even if I say that... it probably won't make a difference."
She gave a small grin, looking at me with a mischievous look.
"In that case..." her voice was low, "...just be a real bad guy."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She leaned closer. Her body tilted toward me, her large chest pressing against my arm.
Dug-dug-dug... (my heart was pounding)
"If you're really a bad guy... at least there won't be any misunderstandings anymore, right?" she said with a naughty smile.
I was silent. My face was hot, and my ears suddenly turned red.
'Why is she... getting this close? And why does her body feel so soft against my arm...'
Eun-ji took the soju bottle, pouring more into both glasses.
"That's enough. Let's make a toast. To a long night... and to survival."
She raised her glass. I raised mine too, even though my hand was trembling.
Clack!
Our glasses clinked.
I gulped down my drink quickly. The heat of the soju went down to my stomach, but hotter still was Eun-ji's gaze that remained fixed on my face.
As I lowered my glass, my eyes accidentally glanced at her. Her tight, thin shirt was slightly open because she was leaning forward.
And there... for a moment, I saw something I wasn't supposed to see.
'Oh my god... that... that's her nipple?!'
My eyes widened. My face immediately turned red, and I quickly looked away.
Screech! (the wooden chair scraped as I moved away slightly)
'Damn... I just saw something I shouldn't have.'
Eun-ji was still smiling, as if she was unaware of what had just happened.
I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to calm myself down.
'God... what did I just see?
A little while later.
Eun-ji was too drunk to walk properly. Her steps were wobbly, and she almost fell a few times.
"Ahjussi... my legs are heavy..." she mumbled with a small laugh.
I let out a long sigh. "Seriously. You're just a bother."
Finally, I crouched down and carried her on my back.
Screech...
The moment her body was against me, Eun-ji's large chest pressed against my back. It was soft, warm, and heavy.
Thump... thump... thump... (my heart was pounding)
'Oh my god... it feels too real... so soft...'
I bit my lip.
'She usually keeps her distance from guys. Does she think I'm easy? Or is she too drunk to realize?'
My steps felt heavy, not just because of her body, but because my own body was reacting.
'Damn... if this keeps up, I'm gonna go crazy.'
We arrived at my apartment. Eun-ji's room door was locked tight.
I tried to turn the handle. Click... It didn't move.
"Oh..." Eun-ji mumbled weakly. "The key... is in my pocket..."
I froze.
'In... her pocket? What does she mean? Is this a green light?'
I sighed, trying to hold back my wild thoughts. But my heart was beating even faster.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
With a trembling hand, I reached into her tight pants pocket. I found the key, quickly opened the door, then carried her inside.
The room was simple. A thin mattress was on the floor, the floral-patterned bedsheet was a bit wrinkled. I slowly lowered her body onto the mattress.
"Eun-ji, are you okay?" I asked softly.
There was no answer. Only her steady breathing could be heard.
Hhh... hhh...
My eyes unconsciously stared at her body. The tight shirt she was wearing had lifted, revealing her stomach. Her short, tight shorts had also lifted, so a part of her underwear was visible.
'Oh my god... her body is too sexy...'
Her chest was rising and falling, so big it was almost coming out of her shirt.
'Why can't I look away?'
My hand moved on its own, getting closer.
Screech... (my palm touched her chest, still covered by her shirt)
I cupped her breast. It was so soft, as if my hand was sinking into it.
'God... I know I shouldn't be doing this... but I can't stop.'
I squeezed it harder.
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
Her shirt shifted, and a pinkish nipple appeared from underneath it.
I leaned down, my lips almost touching it.
'I shouldn't do it. I know this is wrong. But... the wild animal inside me has awakened...'
Suddenly, Eun-ji mumbled in her sleep.
"You idiot... I finally got a job... but my boyfriend didn't even congratulate me..."
I stopped.
"...he's celebrating with someone else instead..."
'Her boyfriend?'
"...go marry your bicycle, you horse barnacle..."
I froze, then backed away. My breath was ragged.
Hhh... hhh...
'Damn... I almost did it. She's still thinking about her boyfriend. What did I just do... I'm really crazy.'
I stood up, covering my face with both hands.
'I know, in the deepest part of my heart... the wild animal inside me has awakened.'
With heavy steps, I headed for the door.
Creak...
I closed it slowly, leaving Eun-ji still sound asleep in her room.