Jinwoo fiddled with the key in his pocket during class.
Sohee had handed him a small, brass key without any explanation.
This key felt distinctly different from the one Daeho had given him for the handcuffs.
Was there some special meaning behind it?
Maybe it was for unlocking some event tool during a group meetup?
It was a key, so it had to open something, but Jinwoo couldn't think of anything specific.
'What the hell is this in my pocket?'
After some hesitation, Jinwoo texted Sohee during break.
'Dunno! It's yours now, so figure it out yourself~'
Sohee replied bluntly, seeming somewhat irritated.
Clearly, she had no intention of giving him a straight answer.
-Or maybe she didn't know either-
**
Every now and then, Daeho would glance back at Jinwoo from his seat and smile mischievously.
-That same unreadable, sly grin-
Ever since what happened yesterday with Aunt Gyuri, Jinwoo couldn't help but feel awkward seeing Daeho's face.
Even though he'd technically gotten permission, Jinwoo still didn't know how to act around a classmate whose mother he'd slept with.
How would it feel if your own mom fucked your classmate?
Could you really smile and act normal around that friend if you knew?
No matter how open-minded his mom was about her past, Jinwoo knew he could never accept that kind of relationship.
-And Aunt Gyuri was a married woman with a husband-
The name Seulgi on the marriage certificate.
Daeho's birthday, matching Seulgi's exactly.
Did Daeho know about the old marriage contracts between their mothers?
What was going through his head when he looked at Jinwoo?
After all, Daeho had been the one to bring up Seulgi's birthday first.
'Then, at the very least…'
The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable Jinwoo felt.
**
"Did you and my mom have a nice little chat yesterday?"
Daeho casually strolled up to Jinwoo's desk during break, his tone dripping with amusement.
"Uh? Oh… yeah, sort of…"
Jinwoo averted his eyes, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
"You turned the camera off, right? Nothing too crazy happened, I hope? Not that I'd care~ Hehe."
Daeho's words carried a probing edge, but his expression remained indifferent.
The things Aunt Gyuri had said with the camera off, those were things Jinwoo could never repeat to Daeho.
About getting married…
About having a kid…
Those obscene, electrifying words, Jinwoo couldn't even tell if they were part of the roleplay or real.
But Aunt Gyuri? She might've actually meant them.
"Hey… where'd you go yesterday? You said you had something urgent?"
Jinwoo awkwardly changed the subject.
Daeho stared at him for a moment before grinning.
"Ah~ Thanks to you, I got to run around all over the place yesterday~"
His tone was smug, like he was savoring some private joke.
"You were chasing Seulgi so hard before. Did you find someone else you like better? Don't overdo it, whatever it is you're up to…"
Jinwoo kept his voice low, putting subtle distance between them.
"Oh, that? I think I'm done with that now~ But hey, did you know Seulgi skips magic academy every Wednesday?"
Daeho puffed up proudly, as if revealing some grand secret.
"Yeah? Didn't know. Why should I know that? What's it matter if Seulgi skips Wednesdays?"
Jinwoo's tone sharpened, irritated by Daeho's attitude.
"I mean, it's not like you have to know~ But isn't it good to keep these things between us? Pffft~!"
Daeho laughed, the sound grating on Jinwoo's nerves.
He always seemed to be enjoying himself, no matter what.
Even after knowing about his own mother's past…
Even after knowing that past was still ongoing…
Even being fully aware of how it would affect their futures…
Jinwoo bit back the urge to snap, 'What the hell do you mean, between us?!' and just watched as Daeho sauntered back to his seat.
"Oh, right! How's our little sisters doing at the magic academy?"
Daeho paused mid-step, as if suddenly remembering.
Was this a test?
The words 'our little sisters' sent a jolt down Jinwoo's spine, cold sweat breaking out.
"Th-They're fine… Why do you care?"
Jinwoo forced his voice steady.
"Just wondering~ As long as they're doing okay… Right…?"
Daeho trailed off, his tone laced with implication.
"What? Spit it out! What are you trying to say?!"
Jinwoo's eyes flared, his patience snapping.
To him, Daeho's words sounded like a threat, aimed at Minji and Sua.
After seeing the name of the management organization on the marriage contract, Jinwoo couldn't take this lightly.
The same fury he'd felt when he found Daeho's stalking evidence toward Sohee noona surged in his chest.
But at the same time, guilt over what he'd done with Aunt Gyuri, defiling her, taking her, rose like a tide.
"Remember those rumors I told you about? The ones before the guardian meeting at magic academy on Monday?"
Daeho's gaze drifted past Jinwoo's shoulder, avoiding his glare.
"What?!"
Jinwoo's mind scrambled, trying to recall.
"Turns out… one of them might've been true. Yeah… definitely true…"
Daeho muttered, as if talking to himself.
Jinwoo's expression darkened as he desperately tried to remember what Daeho had said that morning.
"Why are you getting so angry? We went to the parent-teacher conference together. You can ask that much, right? Who knows? Maybe I'll have reasons to go there often too? Hahaha!"
Daeho spoke again, hinting at something with a sly laugh.
Jinwoo felt uncomfortable but couldn't find words to reply.
After that, Daeho didn't bring up the magic academy again.
"You didn't tie her up today?"
At lunch, Jinwoo casually brought up Aunt Gyuri.
"Ah~ My mom? That's just something we do once a week."
Daeho spoke as if there was some agreement between him and Aunt Gyuri about bondage play.
Jinwoo was curious about the details but felt too tired to pry further and decided to let it go.
For better or worse, Seulgi didn't show up at the academy for the rest of the day.
The thought of facing her right now made Jinwoo's stomach twist.
**
On the way home, an inexplicable sense of defeat and gloom weighed on him.
Humiliation piled on top.
Jinwoo trudged forward, his steps heavy.
Then, his phone buzzed with a text notification.
Sohee noona.
'Going straight to Sinbi's place! Eat well~!'
Just like she'd said that morning.
'Staying over?'
Jinwoo asked, hoping against hope.
'Yep~ Unless something comes up, I'm sleeping here, so don't wait up!'
Her reply was instant.
No change in plans.
'Can't you just bring Sinbi noona to our place instead? Mom's not home…'
Jinwoo's message sounded almost pleading.
'I told you I want to rest! I can't relax if I'm with you!'
Sohee noona shut him down hard.
'Why not? We could just chill at home together!'
He was desperate now.
'What, like that'd work?! Sinbi and I have stuff to talk about, so you're on your own tonight!'
Sohee noona ignored his misery completely.
Jinwoo walked on, feeling upset, without replying.
A moment later, another notification.
A photo from Sohee noona.
Sinbi noona in her school uniform, posing cutely with a peace sign and her usual warm smile.
'Sinbi says she wants to meet tomorrow and have fun together~' added Sohee.
Jinwoo stared blankly at the adorable picture.
Sinbi noona was undeniably beautiful, her youthful charm radiating through the screen.
Then, another photo.
Her uniform slightly unbuttoned, revealing a deep cleavage shot….
A vivid red hickey right between her breasts.
Jinwoo's breath hitched.
'This one's a freebie! Stop sulking!'
Sohee noona's final message.
Jinwoo realized, that mark had been freshly planted by Sohee noona just before sending the photo.
When was I sulking?
His cock strained against his pants, rock-hard in an instant.