Defective Banana - Chapter 53

The table was filled with stir-fried dishes and seasoned vegetables. At the center sat a steaming plate of spicy pork, and right next to the rice was a pot of kimchi stew packed with tofu and chunks of pork, teasing both the eyes and the nose.

“I figured you might be craving Korean food, Seohyuk.”

Without hesitation, Seohyuk sat down at the table, smiling at Ara as he said,

“If I marry you, Ara, I’ll never have to worry about meals again.”

“Stop with the nonsense and eat.”

Once they started, Seohyuk quickly polished off two bowls of rice in no time. Even the dessert vanished without a trace.

“This is the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life! Ah, damn, I’ve fallen for you all over again. This is bad. I really need to marry you right now.”

Getting up from his chair, Seohyuk crossed the table in a few strides and pulled Ara into a tight embrace. Holding her close, he couldn’t seem to stop himself, pressing kisses on her neck, covering her lips with playful pecks again and again.

He’d always been this way. Seohyuk had no brakes. Once he started, he poured everything out as if he’d burn through all the energy he had, kissing, touching, never knowing when to stop. He’d leave Ara’s body marked red all over, draining every ounce of her strength until she’d collapse into sleep as if fainting.

Today was no different. Ara’s neck was already littered with fresh red marks from just hours before. She pried him off her face, where he was showering kisses, and dragged him to the living room sofa.

“Just come here for a second.”

When he sat down beside her, about to hug her again, Ara thrust a tablet into his face. Seohyuk blinked in surprise.

“What’s this?”

“Our new contract.”

“New contract?”

He tilted his head, raising one brow.

“Don’t tell me it’s some breakup clause. I can’t break up with you anymore, Ara.”

“Just read it.”

[Relationship Contract between Kang Seohyuk and Baek Ara]

• Clause 1: No cohabitation. Allowed up to 3 days only.
• Clause 2: At least once a month, visit Sangah Mansion together.
• Clause 3: At least once a month, go on an outdoor date.
• Clause 4: In public, spanking limited to the butt only.

Seohyuk nodded lightly as he skimmed through the first few clauses, still relaxed. But then his eyes began to sharpen, his breath growing heavier, chest expanding as he read further down.

• Clause 5: Free to tie each other up.
• Clause 6: Car s3x allowed once a month.
• Clause 7: Oral once a month.

At clause seven, Seohyuk froze for a second, sharply sucking in a breath. Then he scrolled frantically to the bottom and scribbled his signature without hesitation. Watching him, Ara smirked.

“What’s this? You’re just signing it like that?”

Usually, Seohyuk was absurdly cautious with even the tiniest contracts, dragging them out forever, making corrections if there was even the slightest disadvantage to him. Yet here, he hadn’t lasted ten seconds before scrawling his name.

Then he slid down onto his knees in front of her, staring up with burning eyes.

“Ara, you know, right? If it’s something you want, I’ll do anything. I swear I’ll give you my all, and love you with everything I’ve got.”

Smack! Ara slapped his cheek.

“Say it again properly. What will you do?”

The slap only sent thrills rushing through him, heat surging through his body, his lower half already aching with impatience.

“Ha… I’ll give you everything. My whole body, my whole self. I love you, Ara.”

Her lips curved softly. She cupped his flushed cheeks in both hands and kissed him sweetly.

“I know. I love you, too.”

Overcome, Seohyuk pushed her down onto the sofa, devouring her lips hungrily.

Ara lay caught in his embrace, unable to move, but she didn’t scold or resist him. This new contract worked in her favor after all.

• Clause 8: No s3x more than three times a day.
• Clause 9: Masturbation counts toward s3x count.
• Clause 10: If either clause is broken, separate bedrooms for one month.
  • Exception: Ara may cancel one clause of her choice for a single day, in exchange for one wish.

He should’ve been carefully reading to the tenth clause before signing, but his unfocused gaze lingered only on Ara. He was clearly no longer in a state of mind to think rationally. Flushed deep red, he parted his lips.

“Haa… Ara, about clause seven… can we use it today?”

***

The next morning, the two shared breakfast before heading out for a quiet stroll around the neighborhood. Since it was a small seaside town far from tourist spots, no one recognized Seohyuk under his cap pulled low.

When they returned, they sat together at the yard pavilion for tea.

“Is this that same flower petal tea? The one Mrs. Kim gifted us in Jeonju?”

“You remember?”

“How could I forget? That’s the tea we traded for our couple bracelets. I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life. Ah, wait.”

He hurried inside, then returned holding something in his hands.

“What’s that?”

“This. A gift from the hotel owner we stayed with in France. One for you, one for me. A couple’s teaspoon set.”

The silver teaspoons sparkled in Ara’s hands, her eyes shining.

“It’s gorgeous. This is a work of art. I don’t think I can bring myself to use it. We should just put it on display.”

“The owner told us to visit again once we’re married. What do you think, Ara—Europe for our honeymoon?”

Marriage hadn’t actually been part of their conversation, but Seohyuk wanted to push it forward.

“Pfft… marriage?”

“Why not? If not now, someday, right?”

Ara chuckled lightly, diverting the conversation by tugging his arm.

“Oh, right! We need to take a couple photo.”

“A couple photo?”

“Proof shot of our reunion. For SNS. Your fans are dying for it.”

Seohyuk didn’t even hesitate. If it was what she wanted, he’d do it.

“Alright. Let’s take it.”

He looked tenderly into her sunlit brown eyes.

“Do you have a pose in mind?”

“Mm… maybe just this?”

Ara raised two fingers in a V-sign against the wooden bench backdrop. Seohyuk’s lips curved as if he couldn’t resist her cuteness. He grabbed her hand instead.

“Let’s do it holding hands.”

When he wrapped his big hand over hers, Ara squirmed playfully, slipping her fingers between his.

“Then like this.”

Watching her work so hard to lace their fingers made Seohyuk grin, dimples showing. He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.

“Perfect. Let’s take it like this.”

“Okay!”

Click.

Seohyuk uploaded the photo to his SNS account. Within seconds, comments poured in. Ara smiled faintly as she watched them flood in.

[Wow! They’re back together!!!!!!]
[Kyahhhh!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!]
[So happy for you both ^^]
[Congrats on the reunion~ Wishing you beautiful love.]
[Finally! Your dream came true, oppa. LOL, congrats!]

She hadn’t known it could feel this fun, watching the reactions explode in real time. Maybe this was what they meant by a dopamine rush.

Soon, not just SNS but communities and news outlets everywhere reported on their reunion. It dominated entertainment headlines, with another hot question following closely: “When will Kang Seohyuk sign with his new agency?”

***

That night, they curled up together on the sofa, watching his first starring action film.

“What happens to that yakuza guy? Does he die?”

“Well, since he came at me, probably.”

“How does he die?”

“Impaled on his own blade?”

“Whoa… you were scary back then.”

“I am pretty good at… stabbing.”

The sudden line sent Ara’s mind spinning back to yesterday. Heat rushed up her neck, and she quickly turned her gaze to the TV.

She couldn’t forget the way her body had quivered when his lips and hands roamed over her, the way she had begged breathlessly for more, deeper, faster. It had been overwhelming, a high that left her shaking.

Now, avoiding his gaze, she kept her eyes glued to the screen. Seohyuk chuckled softly at her reaction, the sound teasing her ears. But still, Ara refused to look at him.