Chapter 16 - Chapter 14: Episode 13 - Coercion and Persuasion (2)
It was late in the evening.
Seon-ah was at the convenience store by the university's main gate, tossing medicine and basic necessities into a basket.
He practically lived on pain patches, anti-inflammatories, and ointments these days. His body was a map of bruises after every weekend "session" with Yu-rin.
Since she left marks in every possible nook and cranny, he found himself restocking his medical supplies more often than he'd like.
Thinking about the childhood friend responsible for his condition, he'd felt nothing but rage at first. But now, after being repeatedly violated, he was half-resigned. The sheer gap in their physical strength left him with no energy to resist.
Still, a flicker of anger remained whenever he thought of the culprit.
Come to think of it, Yu-rin had been acting strange today.
Usually, she'd stick to him like glue until the moment he stepped into his dorm, but today she'd suddenly rushed off, claiming she had something to take care of.
It was a rare reprieve from walking on eggshells, but a nagging sense of unease wouldn't leave him.
Her behavior was suspicious enough to make him wonder if she was baiting him—setting a trap and watching from the shadows, just like she'd done before.
He didn't want a repeat of the "punishment" he'd endured over the weekend, but he couldn't just ignore this sudden freedom.
He couldn't let this opportunity go to waste.
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.
.
I'd suspected it for a while, but it seemed I had what people in this world called an "attractive face."
Usually, Yu-rin was glued to my side, so other women didn't dare show interest, but...
Back in elementary, middle, and high school, girls who didn't know I was dating her would sometimes confess to me when I was alone.
I always turned them down, of course, telling them I was already with Yu-rin.
In my previous life, the only person who ever confessed to me was my ex-girlfriend.
Whenever I went out alone, I'd get hit on. People would ask for my number or tell me they were interested.
Even when I said I was taken, a few persistent ones would keep pushing, though I always rejected them in the end.
Anyway, it seemed undeniable that I had a face that worked on women.
I only realized it on the rare occasions Yu-rin wasn't there to swat them away.
In a way, I could almost understand why she was so defensive.
If I were in her shoes, I'd be pissed too if guys were constantly hitting on my beautiful girlfriend.
If it happened all the time, I might end up just as anxious and possessive as she was.
When I looked at it from her perspective, it actually made sense.
Then, a way to curb Yu-rin's obsession occurred to me.
Maybe I could use this against her.
Even just talking to another woman was like poking a hornet's nest with Yu-rin.
So, what if I acted like I was actually interested in someone else? What if I made her think I was done with her?
If it were me, I'd be so shocked that I'd apologize for everything and try to be a better partner.
If I threaten to break up, she'll be the one begging me to stay. Once she realizes I can leave at any time, she'll have to reflect on her behavior and start treating me better, right?
I didn't actually want to break up, but I had to do something. Her obsession was spiraling out of control, and I was being treated like a biological dildo—an object she could use however she pleased.
It felt a bit scummy to manipulate her like this, but I was out of options.
If things kept going this way, I was either going to die from death during intercourse or end up locked in her bedroom for the rest of my life. It was worth a shot.
I was pondering how to execute the plan, hoping to bring some semblance of normalcy back to our relationship.
Just then, I saw Choi Min-ji walking toward me.
Maybe I can use Min-ji?
She was Yu-rin's friend, after all.
It was true that Yu-rin kept a close eye on her because of me, but...
Min-ji didn't see me as a romantic prospect, so she didn't view Yu-rin as a rival.
Besides, who would actually try to steal their best friend's boyfriend?
They were clearly close; she wouldn't do something like that.
I should start by getting on friendlier terms with her.
"Hi, Min-ji."
"Oh, hey, Seon-ah. That's a lot of stuff you've got there."
I quickly tucked the bag behind my back so she couldn't see the contents and spoke as casually as I could.
"Just some snacks. It's nothing."
If she saw a bag filled with pain patches and ointments, she'd definitely notice the marks Yu-rin had been leaving on me.
"You're not with Yu-rin today? That's rare. Is something up?"
"She said she had something urgent to do, so she went home early."
"You two are usually joined at the hip. You must be bored out of your mind without her."
It was just small talk, but it was the opening I needed.
"I am, actually. Min-ji, do you have a minute? I wanted to talk to you about something."
She looked surprised. I'd never asked another woman to hang out before.
"But... won't Yu-rin be mad if she sees us together?"
"She introduced us so we could get to know each other, right? It should be fine. Want to grab a coffee? A smoothie? My treat."
Actually, it'll matter a lot. I'm sorry for using you like this.
She was a genuinely kind girl, more worried about her friend's feelings than a free drink. I felt a sharp pang of guilt.
"I'll take an iced Americano. Let's head to the cafe."
"Wait a second, let me just drop this stuff off at my dorm. I'll be right back."
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.
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I dumped the bag in my room and met Min-ji at the cafe.
She chatted about this and that, keeping the atmosphere light and comfortable.
Eventually, she carefully steered the conversation toward why we were there.
"So, you said there was something you wanted to talk about? What is it?"
"I'm trying to get a gift for Yu-rin, but I have no idea what girls like these days. I was hoping you could help me pick something out."
It was a total lie. I knew exactly what Yu-rin liked.
There was no way I wouldn't, considering I'd handled everything for years—from her birthday gifts to her parents' anniversaries.
"Haven't you two been dating for fifteen years? I'm surprised you're struggling after all this time."
"I usually just ask her mom for advice. But honestly, there's a bit of a generation gap there. I thought it'd be better to ask someone our age."
Min-ji looked thoughtful for a moment, then offered a suggestion.
"Why don't you just call her mom like you usually do?"
"Well, I used to go shopping with her in person. I don't think I can pick the right thing just over the phone."
I looked at her, putting on my best "I'm in a bind" expression.
"So... would you mind coming shopping with me?"
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.
.
I got rejected.
I guess asking her to go shopping out of the blue was a bit much. We barely knew each other, having only met once before.
Min-ji was Yu-rin's friend, not mine.
She probably refused because she knew exactly how Yu-rin would react. If she got caught shopping with me, it would destroy their friendship.
By the time we left the cafe, it was pitch black outside.
The cafe was tucked away at the base of the mountain behind the university, far from the bustling downtown area. With almost no other buildings around, it was a very secluded spot.
It had a decent number of regulars because of the quiet atmosphere and the view during the day.
But at night, it just felt eerie.
"Seon-ah, I'll walk you back to the main gate."
Min-ji, known for her kind heart and social butterfly personality, was going to escort me.
It always felt strange being pampered and cherished like a woman from my previous life.
Is this what they call Gestalt collapse?
The gender reversal was creating a rift between my past memories and my current reality, warping the way I perceived the world.
I felt it most acutely when I was in bed with Yu-rin.
Am I going to end up with schizophrenia at this rate?
Even if that were the case, overthinking it wouldn't change anything.
Right now, the plan was what mattered.
"Hey, Min-ji, are you really sure? You're the only female friend I have. It would only be for a little while."
She seemed more shaken this time. The silence stretched between us.
"Like I said... no. I'd feel terrible doing something I know Yu-rin would hate."
I hadn't failed yet.
There's still a chance.
Still, I had to be satisfied with just planting the seed for today.
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After getting home, Min-ji felt a twinge of regret for turning Seon-ah down.
Seon-ah was a frequent topic of conversation among the women in their department.
Setting aside his relationship with Yu-rin, he was pretty, smart, and had a laid-back personality that made him easy to talk to. He was even well-mannered, often showing the kind of consideration women expected from a man.
Once, at a party where the couple wasn't present, a senior had joked that Yu-rin must have saved the world in her past life to land a guy like him.
Min-ji could understand why Yu-rin was so protective.
He was so defenseless it was almost dangerous, as if he'd been raised like a sheltered girl.
When it was hot, he'd leave his shirt unbuttoned way too low. One day, he'd even come to school in short shorts and a thin t-shirt that left his nipples clearly visible.
Even at the start-of-semester parties, he'd try to show up alone, seemingly oblivious to what could happen to a grown man passing out by himself at a bar.
Yu-rin had to step in constantly because she couldn't stand to watch it.
Her possessiveness was extreme, sure, but following him to every single outing just to protect him was no small feat.
If Yu-rin hadn't followed him to this university, he probably would have been eaten alive by some woman in the department by now. His lack of self-preservation when she wasn't around was staggering.
At the same time, knowing she was his only female friend—and hearing his earnest plea earlier—made her think things she shouldn't.
A thought no friend should have: if she went shopping with him, got a little closer, and nurtured that connection... maybe she'd have a chance once Yu-rin left for her military service.
Seon-ah was a prize worth that kind of gamble.
But that was the kind of thing only human scum would do, and it went against her nature.
Unless, by some miracle, he breaks up with her and confesses to me...
But as long as he was Yu-rin's boyfriend, she couldn't bring herself to cross that line.