Mint Is Pure Love - Chapter 58

This is my place.

Yeonseo blinked at Seokyung, who had just walked in like he owned the place, even flicking on the lights without hesitation.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get in here.”

The way he opened her fridge like it was his and poured himself a glass of water made her want to roll her eyes. She slipped off her shoes, stepping onto the floor she knew as hers.

Seokyung pulled out a chair at the island and sat down, while Yeonseo carefully set the roses on her desk.

She didn’t even own a vase. Maybe she’d have to buy one… or at least find some tall bottle to make do. She had just opened the kitchen cabinet when—

“You gonna put those in something?”

It’s not like the flowers had done anything wrong. Well, to be fair, neither had Kim Jawoon. Taking her silence as a yes, Seokyung crossed his arms and muttered low.

“Roses don’t suit this room. And neither do you.”

“…”

“That bouquet doesn’t suit you at all.”

How could a flower not suit someone? It sounded like he was just picking a fight, but his expression was dead serious. Yeonseo decided not to bother arguing and pulled out the chair across from him.

“When you made that offer to me, you weren’t still seeing Yang Jisoo, right?” Straight to the point.

“I’ve never dated two people at once, and I don’t plan to.”

One person at a time. Which meant, he was saying he’d only be seeing Jisoo now, and they should drop the original deal.

“When I’m seeing you, I’m not seeing anyone else. Whether people know or it’s kept a secret, it doesn’t matter. I don’t start something with one person while I’m still with another.”

“…”

“For the next four seasons, it’s only you, Ji Yeonseo.”

Sure, plenty of people kept a “public” girlfriend and someone else on the side. But he wasn’t going to be one of them. Whether the world knew or not, he’d take responsibility for his choice and stick to just her. For at least those four seasons.

Then his voice sharpened.

“So you do the same. I don’t care if someone brings you roses or chops down a cherry blossom tree for you. Don’t get distracted. Stick to your choice and own it.”

“…”

“We’re adults, aren’t we?”

His eyes were dark—like he was saying, we’re not eighteen anymore.

“And about pace. I’ll match yours. But I still get a say in how things go.”

His gaze lingered on the pale skin of her neck, then drifted.

“Whether it’s on a bike or in a car, as long as we’re going the same speed, that’s what matters. Right?”

“I told you before—I’ll only go as far as I allow.”

“And I’ll stick to that. But… you might not realize this, Yeonseo—if a guy can’t finish, it’s rough. That’s not something you can just… control.”

The memory of Seokyung’s tense, twisted expression at climax flashed in her mind, and she swallowed hard.

“I’m not asking to torture me here—just let me get that far. I’ll take care of the rest myself.”

He spoke like a man who had made up his mind before even stepping through the door.

“I won’t do anything you’re uncomfortable with. If you say stop, I’ll stop.”

He leaned forward, letting out a tired sigh, as if even laying all this out was exhausting.

“Yeonseo, let’s just be honest. We’re attracted to each other.”

You. Me.

“So let’s keep it simple. No overthinking, no digging up old memories. Just go with it. All the way. Let’s lighten up.”

This wasn’t going to turn into some heavy, tangled emotion. No—we’d keep it light. Burn away those lingering regrets from eighteen like a thin wick, until there was nothing left.

“Think of it simply—I want you. I want to touch you, hold you, fvck you. Right now, there’s no one else I’d even look at.”

If she just nodded, she knew those eyes would swallow her whole. Her mouth felt dry, like all the moisture had vanished.

“And you, Yeonseo? What goes through your head when you see me? You can compare me to that guy who gave you roses, if you want.”

It was actually the perfect comparison—because the moment he said it, Yeonseo’s feelings became crystal clear. She didn’t even need to think about Jawoon or anyone else. She already knew her heart.

She wanted to touch him too. Hold him. Truth was, for six years, the only man who’d stayed in her mind was Seokyung. But if she said that, this thing between them would get heavy.

Pure affection… once it deepened, could tip into madness. She knew that. Which is why—

“Me too. Yeah. I want you too…”

She had to leave it unfinished, swallowing the rest of her words. Even so, Seokyung nodded like that was good enough.

“Alright. Good enough.”

He looked oddly relieved, like something had just been settled. And then he tossed out the next part like it was nothing.

“I’m sleeping over tonight.”

“…What?”

He stood, lifting the hem of his shirt, and pulled it off. Under the harsh glow of the fluorescent light, his bare torso looked far too good—muscles shifting like water under skin.

“I came straight from the gym, didn’t even shower. You?”

He tossed the shirt onto the desk, right over the bouquet.

“You’ve heard the rumors. I can’t even sleep without a woman.”

She hadn’t actually heard that one, but given the things people said about him, she could believe it.

“For these four seasons, you’re handling that too. I’ll give you what you want, so you give me what I want.”

“You’re saying you want to sleep here?”

Seokyung shot her a sideways glance.

“Or you could come to my place.”

“No. Twice a week at most.”

Living together was out of the question—not to mention, her mom and Youngeun dropped by sometimes. Absolutely not.

Seeing her so firm about it, he muttered under his breath, “Same as before.”

“Fine. No set days, but make time for me outside too.”

When she looked at him, he just shrugged.

“Told you—I’m a relationship guy. Don’t know what’s going on in that tiny head of yours, but I already said—I don’t do ‘s3x partner’ arrangements. Whether you like it or not, we’re dating and fucking. That’s how it is. And like you said, we’ll keep it secret from everyone else.”

“…”

“If you hate that too, then we’ll just waste the rest of our time picking at each other’s leftover feelings.”

It was weird when she thought about it.

They both admitted they still had feelings. Yet neither of them would say, let’s get back together. They each had their reasons. She was scared. He only wanted her body.

So here they were, negotiating terms like a business deal—just to finally do the things they’d been too clumsy and young to try back then.

All this fuss over s3x. As if sleeping together could actually fix anything.

And yet… Yeonseo understood. This was the only way to burn out the leftover feelings. Her feelings—this stubborn want to spend more time with him. She wasn’t going to push him away anymore.

She stared at the back of his head as he walked to the bathroom.

When he came out from his shower, steam still clinging to him, Seokyung was in black briefs, sitting at the edge of her bed—just like the day he’d kissed her.

The door clicked shut behind her, and his head turned. He straightened his back.

Long arms. Long legs. Skin that was smooth but firm, muscles shaping every line. She noticed things she’d missed that day—the shade of his skin, the color of his n1pples—and stopped mid-step.

She only hesitated for a second, but his brows pulled together.

“Why aren’t you coming over?”

His voice was impatient, raw—like stripping down had peeled away a layer of control. He reached out one long arm toward her.

“Come here.”

His voice was softer now—polished, steady—as if telling her not to be scared.

When Yeonseo slowly took a step toward him, Cha Seokyung tamped down his own impatience.

“How far can we go today, Ji Yeonseo?”

Something about his tone felt almost like he was coaxing her. Yeonseo bit her lower lip and looked down at him. Same angle, same posture as back then—but this time, there was more heat in his expression and in his eyes.

“…Just up to the chest today.”

He let out a sound unclear if it was from delight or frustration. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Holding you, can’t I at least do that?”

In front of others, Cha Seokyung was the perfect senior, the inspiring upperclassman. But now, here he was, thrilled at the idea of touching her chest, pleading to just hold her.

Yeonseo, thinking maybe she had developed a bad habit of indulging him, gave a prim little nod.

“Alright. Just hugging.”

The moment she said it, Seokyung slowly pulled her in by the waist until she was right in front of him. She slipped between his knees, tense at first, but then he simply looked up at her.

It was as if he was trying to memorize her face—the one standing between his thighs, the one he was about to touch. Without meaning to, words slipped from his mouth.

“…You’re still pretty, Ji Yeonseo.”

It wasn’t even the first time he’d said it, but heat rose to the tips of her ears. Seokyung didn’t even seem aware of what he’d just said—his gaze had already shifted to her chest. Slowly, he lifted the hem of her T-shirt.

“Why are you wearing underwear?”

There was clear disappointment in his voice. He must’ve expected bare skin, but instead, a piece of pink lace peeked out.

“When you’re with me, don’t wear any—ever again.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I won’t wear any either. Fair’s fair.”

Keeping to her pace, he muttered without much sincerity, then pushed up the cups of her pink bra. Her br3asts spilled out, soft and full.

He tucked her T-shirt hem between the bra and her skin, staring for a moment like he was mesmerized. His gaze was almost vacant, like someone seeing a woman’s chest for the first time.

Then, slowly, he reached up and took one in his hand. He opened his fingers, squeezing and releasing the soft, springy flesh, savoring the fullness that filled his palm.

“Why did your br3asts get even bigger?”

“…Hhnn…”

“Then again, they were always big before.”

“How would you know that?”

“You didn’t know? I saw them all the time.”

Even as he answered casually, his hands were relentless—rolling a dusky pink n1pple between his fingers, pressing it, then kneading her br3ast with a gentler touch.

The one-sided teasing was too much to endure, and when Yeonseo let out a faint moan, Seokyung lowered his face into the valley between her br3asts.

“Ha… Yeonseo…”

His voice was a husky murmur, almost blissful. The soft brush of his hair against her skin tickled, making her squirm.

“Ha… that tickles…”

“Tickles?”

Lifting his head from her chest, Seokyung asked it gently. With his toned arms wrapped tight around her slim waist, the expression he wore was warm, almost tender.

Even with her chest bared, Yeonseo’s face flushed at that look. It felt like they were actually dating. If they hadn’t broken up back then, she probably would’ve seen this side of him every day. This affectionate face.

That was why, without thinking, she kissed him—tilting his chin up slightly and pressing her lips to his.

He flinched at first, but quickly accepted the kiss. Adjusting his posture so their lips aligned better, he angled his head just enough to deepen it, greedily sucking at her tongue.

“Ha… Ji Yeonseo…”

Their lips parted with a wet sound, only for Seokyung to hurriedly tug her T-shirt over her head.