Defective Banana - Chapter 11

To keep herself from falling for Kang Seohyuk, Ara gave her head a small shake, casting off the buzz of alcohol and gathering her thoughts.

Don’t fall for the voice. Don’t get swept away by the face.

He’s a pervert. A total freak. And on top of that—a limp one.

“Whew… So, what exactly can you do for me?”

Ara narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed. Seohyuk cleared his throat and responded in a calm, composed voice.

“Is there a celebrity you like? Just name them. I’ll arrange a meeting with them, no matter what it takes. Or anything else you want—designer bags, new season clothes—you name it. I’ll get it for you. That’s how serious I am. I’ve made up my mind. I want to date you. So… what’s your answer?”

Leaning back against the driver’s seat like a chaebol in a drama, Seohyuk squared his shoulders with confidence. Now that she’d seen his face and knew who he was, he figured she’d surely take the bait.

But Ara, lips pursed in mild disinterest, started speaking again in a dry tone.

“I don’t want anything from you. I don’t have a favorite celebrity. Designer bags? Brand names? I couldn’t care less. And seriously? You think I’d date you? Based on what, exactly? You keep saying all this weird stuff.”

Her sideways glance practically said: So? What now?

Seohyuk rubbed his lips with a finger, then, as if struck by inspiration, lit up with another idea.

“What if I made our relationship public? Would that be enough for you to trust me?”

At that, Ara jolted in her seat and raised her voice.

“No! Don’t you dare! I swear, if you even try, I’ll kill you.”

“Ah—no, I wasn’t serious—”

Seohyuk blinked, clearly rattled by the intensity of her reaction.

She hated the idea that much? He’d never met anyone like her before.

“Then tell me. What do you want? I’ll give you anything.”

“I already told you—I don’t want anything from you.”

What could he possibly do to win her over? He’d already tried seduction and been thoroughly rejected. There had to be something else…

“Ah! Ara, what about… your preferences? You know—kinks? I can accommodate any fantasy. Anything you’re into.”

“…Now we’re talking about kinks?”

“Some people like to be hit, or dominated, or whatever. I’m totally open. Do you like that sort of thing?”

Ara let out a long, exasperated sigh and stared at him through half-lidded eyes.

This was it? His big idea? Sexual preferences?

Of course. The perv was being consistent, at least.

There he was again—handsome face, soft smile—casually suggesting something completely ridiculous with a straight face.

They say beauty is power, but right now, it just drove home how useless judging someone by their appearance could be.

Ara ran a hand through her hair and smoothed the faint smirk tugging at her lips. Then, with an expression of pure disbelief, she turned to him and asked.

“So you’ve been acting like you’d do anything for me, all high and mighty, and in the end, it’s just about s3x? You just wanna try sticking that needy little thing between your legs somewhere, is that it?”

She gave a slight jerk of her chin toward his crotch, her eyes narrowing dangerously, as if warning him to answer carefully.

Under that glare, Seohyuk ran a hand down his face and turned his head slightly, embarrassed.

Wrong move. But how to fix it?

Should he go full actor mode and pour his heart out? If he could just show her how serious he was…

He turned to her with a soulful gaze and spoke gently.

“Ara… I’m a public figure. A known actor. For me to do this—to risk my reputation like this—it means I’m putting everything on the line for you. Can’t you see how much I care? My body—no, my heart—it’s all for you.”

Ara didn’t miss a beat.

“Exactly. You’re Kang Seohyuk. The famous actor who’s even been to Cannes. And just because you can finally get it up, you’re acting like this is some life-or-death thing? Dating? s3x? You can live without it. If it’s not the right time, just don’t. Isn’t that what celebrities are? Lovers for the whole nation, not just one woman?”

Seohyuk looked like he’d just been smacked in the face. Eyes blinking rapidly, he opened his mouth to speak again.

“But I can now. That’s the point. There’s a world of difference between can’t and won’t. Physical affection, between two people, sharing warmth and connection—that’s essential to being human. It’s natural. Sacred. How can you say to just live without that? Do you really not get how amazing s3x can be?”

Ara scratched her cheek, trying to make sense of whatever he just said.

Then Seohyuk suddenly asked.

“Wait… don’t tell me—are you a virgin? Is that why you’re saying this stuff like it’s nothing? You must not know how good it feels. Am I right?”

He gave her a smug, gentle smile, as if he’d figured her out. That’s when something inside Ara snapped. Her expression went ice cold as she stared him down.

Sure, he was a virgin because of physical issues—but she? She was one by choice. With no excuse.

That stung.

“Oh wow. Did you seriously just say that to me? A limp-d1ck like you is talking to me about s3x?”

Her eyes glinted with restrained rage, but Seohyuk only smiled a little wider, clearly thinking he’d hit a nerve.

Then he went for it—soft voice, gentle eyes.

“I heard you’re not seeing anyone right now. So date me. Why not? Life’s short, right? Let’s have fun while we can. I’ll treat you right.”

He even threw in his signature wink, flashing his dimples—one of his deadliest charms. It was a line straight out of Kim Yeosa’s playbook.

Ara turned her head to avoid his devastatingly pretty face and stared out the windshield.

Fun? Enjoy life?

She searched her memories, but nothing came to mind.

Had there ever been a time when life was truly fun?

She frowned, digging through the archives of her life.

Nothing? Really?

The only standout memory she could find was from middle school, when her drawing won first place in a national competition. That one moment had changed everything.

And then, that same winter, her parents died in a car crash.

She’d been sent off to live with her grandmother in the countryside. Her relatives looked at her like a burden—like she was the problem. Her aunt and uncle wore expressions like she’d ruined their lives.

In the end, everyone turned their backs on her. She was left to live with her elderly grandmother. That was the last time she had any real contact with extended family.

Maybe that’s why she’d become emotionally detached from everyone. She didn’t want to depend on anyone ever again.

A few years into adulthood, her grandmother passed too. And then she was truly alone.

She became a painter, rarely leaving the house. Always surrounded by brushes and canvases. That was her life.

Every now and then, she’d drive to a museum, a bookstore, or visit her childhood hometown on Ganghwa Island. And then, last spring, she moved to Seoul and found a quiet home here at Sanga Mansion.

Life had been peaceful, uneventful, centered entirely around painting. It was only after becoming close with her next-door neighbor that things started to shift a little. Nothing major—but they’d grab drinks together, visit cafes, even sing karaoke once.

Still, she always ended up back alone, immersed in her work.

Painting was the only thing she’d ever been good at. Her parents had loved her art. If they were still alive, they’d say, “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart.” Her grandmother, too.

Ten years had passed like that, buried in paint and solitude. She didn’t regret those years. But hearing Seohyuk talk about “fun” and “enjoyment” left her with a strange ache.

A mix of sadness, longing… emptiness.

She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her shoulders as if to warm the sudden chill.

Had she really been living like a robot, numb to any sense of joy?

With a bitter heart, she bit her lower lip, shut her eyes, and took a deep breath.

It felt like a moment of awakening.

“Ara, let’s date. Come on! Isn’t it fate—two lifelong singles finally crossing paths? I swear I’ll treat you like a queen.”

He really was a pervert—but he wasn’t wrong. Ara had never had a man in her life.

Not then. Not now. Never.

Should I just… give it a shot? Try dating him once?

No—no, absolutely not.

If he weren’t a famous actor, she might’ve already caved to that sweet little eye smile.

But he was. A celebrity everyone know. The son of Donghee.

Dating him came with risks too big to ignore. No matter how she felt, it wasn’t worth the chaos.

She hated noise. Hated drama.

“I’m not dating you.”

A heavy silence fell between them.

Then, Kang Seohyuk let out a long, quiet sigh.