It started with thunder.
One deep, slow growl overhead — like the sky had been watching the Yin triangle I was trapped in and finally said, "Yeah, let's make it worse."
The rain came next.Heavy. Relentless.The kind that turns sidewalks into rivers and grocery bags into wet tissue.
I stood at the window of the apartment common area, watching it pour like divine punishment.
"Min-jae."
I turned.
Ms. Seo stood in the doorway, holding two cups of tea.Steam curled softly from the ceramic. She handed me one without a word.
She didn't ask why I was staring into the void.
She already knew.
[SYSTEM NOTE]
EMOTIONAL BALANCE: CALM
PHASE II STABILITY: 70%
WARNING: EXTERNAL FACTOR APPROACHING – PREPARE FOR SEDUCTION CONFLICT
Thunder again.
The hallway light flickered.
Then came the knock.
Three slow taps.
Ms. Seo didn't move.
"It's her," she said, voice unreadable.
"Maybe it's the wind."
"She doesn't knock like the wind."
I opened the door.
Eun Hae, dripping elegance and raindrops.
Black umbrella. Dark coat. Turtleneck still flawless.Her hair clung to her neck like she'd styled the rain itself.
"Power flickered," she said smoothly."I was going to make tea but my induction stove stopped. I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all," Ms. Seo replied behind me.
"How gracious."
She stepped in.
Silence bloomed like a fourth person in the room.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
MILF CONVERGENCE LEVEL: EXTREME
YIN SATURATION: 92%
PROLONGED EXPOSURE MAY RESULT IN UNINTENTIONAL CULTIVATION
SYSTEM TEMP: 104°
"You're wet," Ms. Seo said.
"Not the way I wanted to be," Eun Hae replied.
I nearly died.
"I'll get you a towel," I said, running into the kitchen like a coward.
I returned with the softest towel we had and an aura of panic.
She accepted it with a faint smile.
"You're very obedient," she murmured.
"I'm spiritually fragile," I replied.
We all sat in the common room.
Me in the middle.
Tea. Rain. Silence.
And then…
Ms. Seo stood up.
"I'll reheat the soup."
"Ah," Eun Hae said. "Your famous soybean stew."
"You've tasted it?"
"I've tasted most of you," Eun Hae said quietly.
Ms. Seo paused.Smiled thinly.Walked to the kitchen.
"You're doing this on purpose," I whispered.
"Doing what?"
"Weaponizing moisture and double meanings."
She leaned slightly closer.
"You're in the middle, Min-jae. You can't blame gravity for where your heart leans."
[SYSTEM STRESS PEAK]
YIN PRESSURE – MULTIPLE ORIGINS
YOU ARE EXPERIENCING: "SPIRITUAL VERTIGO"
ALL CHARISMA GAINS DOUBLED. ALL WISDOM DRAINED.
Ms. Seo returned with bowls.
We ate.
I tried to focus on the food. I really did.
But both women were so… still. So calm. So charged.
Ms. Seo's robe brushed her ankle with every movement.Eun Hae stirred her soup like she was measuring my resolve.
"You haven't tried his hands yet, have you?" Eun Hae asked suddenly.
"Excuse me?" Ms. Seo said.
"In the kitchen," she said, smiling. "He's very… efficient."
I dropped my spoon.
"Would anyone like more tea?"
After dinner, lightning flashed.
The lights flickered.The storm roared louder.
"Stay," Ms. Seo said to Eun Hae, not looking at her."It's too dangerous to go back across the courtyard."
"Generous," Eun Hae said.
"I have spare blankets."
"I don't mind sharing."
A long pause.
Ms. Seo turned to me.
"He can sleep on my futon again. If you're afraid of temptation."
"I don't fear temptation," Eun Hae replied."I guide it."
[SYSTEM MELTDOWN NEAR]DECISION NODE INCOMING – SLEEP ARRANGEMENT REQUIREDYOU MUST CHOOSE:
Seo Yura (Emotional healing + intimacy path continues)
Eun Hae (Spiritual risk, instant power gain, psychological loss)
Sleep alone (System loses faith in you for a full chapter)
I stared at the floor.
Then the ceiling.
Then the two MILFs currently recreating a divine stand-off in my living room.
I sighed.
"...Can I sleep in the closet?"