New Normal - Chapter 42

Drip.

The sound of water stopped in the bathroom, and the room fell silent again. A soft glow from the indirect lighting filled the space. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Chae Juwon stared blankly at the wall across from him.

“It’s not that… I actually saw some videos of you on YouTube.”

When Shin Jisoo said she’d looked him up herself, Juwon gave a shy smile—but inside, he was quietly pumping his fist. Maybe this whole love thing would wrap up quicker than he thought.

But Jisoo was more serious than he expected.

“It surprised me, honestly. You seemed different. Everything you said in that talk… it was really good. The idea of designing memories, of a space where people are remembered—it left an impression.”

When did she start liking me that much? Enough to look at me with eyes like that. He was sure she’d only been into his d1ck, but…

With a puzzled look, he tilted his head and brushed a hand along his freshly shaved jaw.

“It was my first time.”

Ah. Maybe that’s what it was—because it was her first.

He used to share stories about his rough childhood—losing his parents early—and women usually opened up quickly after hearing it.

Of course, that was a long time ago, back when he was more immature. Once he realized how cheap it was to use memories of his dad just to get laid, he swore never to do it again.

Still, without even realizing it, Juwon had found himself talking about his father again—watching her closely the whole time, studying her reaction.

If he was being honest, he had hoped to win her over with it. It was manipulative. He knew it.

But then he noticed the flicker in her eyes. The way she briefly lowered her head and clenched her hands under the table.

That tiny shift—so small, but real—caught his attention. He started wondering what memory his words had stirred in her. At first, it was just curiosity. But there was something about the way she tried to hide it that kept bothering him.

Still dazed, Juwon reached into his pocket. He took out the bracelet he’d bought for her.

He’d picked it up in a rush on the way to meet her. She didn’t have any piercings, so he figured a bracelet was the safest bet. But the right moment to give it never came.

He opened the jewelry box, sighed, then closed it again. He stood, put it in the nightstand drawer, and sat back on the bed.

Even as they ate earlier, Jisoo had seemed sad. That look in her eyes—it left a dull ache in his chest. But alongside that ache, a desire had risen. A strong one.

That’s why he brought her here. The destination? Obviously, s3x.

He’d debated—hotel or officetel—and chose the latter. Not because it was closer, but… because she said it was her first time. It felt more personal. Hotels were too impersonal. Sterile.

Not that his place was much warmer.

The bedroom had almost nothing in it. No decorations, no appliances—not even a TV. Just a bed and a nightstand. The one view, a city skyline, was covered up. Almost obsessively minimalist.

Juwon flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

She was clumsy in every way. It really did seem like her first time. And not just first-time s3x. First time opening up emotionally, too.

She had that mix of awkward innocence and stubborn values—he couldn’t imagine her ever making the first move. Actually, she’d said herself—this was her first time ever agreeing to something like this.

That’s why she looked so lost.

Even after getting in his car, she didn’t know what to do. She stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him. That whole vibe—it felt both familiar and unfamiliar.

Familiar, like how she was back in Gangcheon—aware of him, yet avoiding him.

Unfamiliar, because this was the same woman who had admired his d1ck in the McLaren and gone full seductress. Were they even the same person?

Maybe that was what made her so interesting.

Her emotions swung back and forth. One moment, she seemed reluctant. The next, she looked awestruck. Then she panicked—then she pressed forward again with talk of condoms.

Unpredictable. That was the word. And that unpredictability was like dopamine for Juwon. Addictive.

If that awkward woman’s lips ever said “I love you”, he felt like it would hit different. Like it might be more thrilling than anything else.

He just had to figure out how to keep her wrapped around his finger. How to drive her absolutely crazy. He was pretty sure it would be easy enough. But not boring. Definitely not boring.

Yeah… she was a fun one.

Sitting up again, Juwon glanced at the wall.

For a guy about to sleep with the woman he was into, he was oddly calm. Maybe it was because he’d been in this kind of situation so many times before. Still, it was weird how composed he felt.

He glanced at the nightstand. A book, his watch, half a bottle of water, and—a box of condoms.

Just as his eyes landed there, the bathroom door opened.

She had changed into the robe he’d given her. With a towel wrapped around her hair, Jisoo walked out and suddenly froze when she saw him sitting silently in the dim room.

“Whoa—you scared me. Why are you just sitting there like a ghost?”

Was this really how people talked before their first time? No butterflies, no tension?

It felt… a little lacking.

He leaned back on his arms and tilted his head to look at her.

She had claimed not to have eyebrows—but she was a liar. Her face looked almost exactly the same as it did with makeup. Clear features, soft lines.

Actually… she looked even better like this.

He liked her without makeup. The faint blush on her slightly chubby cheeks made her look—cute.

Juwon swallowed, glancing down.

The robe was way too big. It wrapped all the way around her slim frame and then some. Tightly closed. Not a single peek of skin.

Like she’d covered herself with a blanket. Kinda cute.

When he looked back up, she was frowning at him—clearly annoyed by the way he was checking her out. That scrunched-up face?

Adorably pouty.

He didn’t even realize how often he was thinking “she’s cute.” With a blank expression, he mumbled.

“I was listening to you shower.”

“Why?”

Turns out she lied about bringing skincare too. Her skin looked dry and untouched, and she kept touching her cheeks, probably feeling it tighten.

“Wanted to imagine you. See how close it was to the real thing.”

“You’re such a perv.”

She sighed and sat beside him. They were both wearing the same scent now, and it turned him on more than he expected.

His sweatpants weren’t helping. As she caught sight of what was clearly rising beneath the fabric, she flinched and looked away.

Juwon panicked a little and glanced at her too.

A heavy silence filled the room.

A 34-year-old man, sitting beside a nervous 31-year-old woman who was about to have her first time—it was a weird feeling. She was blushing, and somehow, that made him feel a little shy too.

He looked back on his own life.

Had he ever been this awkward around a woman?

Even back in middle and high school, at his all-boys schools, he’d never really had trouble around girls—aside from maybe when he was a shy little kid.

This awkwardness… it was new.

And it reminded him of his first time.

Back before transferring to the U.S., he took a studio class called Intro to Design. Lots of sketching and drawing.

“Lines form planes, and when you give those planes depth, you get space.”

The instructor was a former student of the university—came back after studying architecture in London. Always wore three-piece suits and Hermes ties, and… sprayed spit every time he talked.

“The start of architectural drawing is the line. Begin and end with a firm point, strong and clean. That’s the foundation.”

He had apparently wanted to go to art school but ended up in architecture instead. He talked about it constantly.

And he really wouldn’t shut up about lines.

Anyway, that was the class where he met his first partner.

She was older—a third-time college entrant, a few years his senior. They got stuck doing a group project alone after the rest bailed. One thing led to another, drinks were had, and… her place.

It was quick. Like, blink-and-it’s-over quick. Not even worth remembering.

3 seconds? 4? Maybe 3 or 4 thrusts?

He’d blocked most of it out. Never even dated her afterward.

Maybe that’s why he hated those numbers now—3, 4. They haunted him.

Thinking about it now… he cringed.

God, I’m such a dumbass.

He wasn’t even sure why that memory came back—maybe just because she said it was her first time. Anyway. It was completely irrelevant.

Jisoo let out a small sigh. Probably tired of him sitting there doing nothing.

He turned to look at her. She was staring ahead. Was she waiting for him to make the first move?

Yeah… probably better to break the tension a bit.

This was the kind of woman who needed that.

“Jisoo, what do you want for a second-round snack?”

She blinked at him.

“Wait—you’re gonna cook?”

“Nope. There’s not even ramen in the house. You looked in the fridge, right? It’s just water.”

She stared at him like he was insane.

“Then why ask? Are you ordering something?”

“Nah. Late-night food makes your belly stick out. I’m not eating anything. Are you hungry? I could order for you.”

She gave him a what kind of psycho are you face.

“…No.”

He smiled, watching her relax just a little.

“Well then… should we move on to your wish?”

“My wish?”

He nodded innocently.

“You said you wanted to sleep with me, remember? So we should have s3x now.”

Jisoo’s face turned crimson. No action, just talk—she froze, awkwardly swallowing and wringing her hands.

“Juwon, I mean… Shouldn’t we, like, have a drink or something? Set the mood? You’re usually good at that—being smooth and all.”

“Not really. I haven’t dated in forever. I’m basically a beginner. Look at me—I’m stiff.”

He pointed at his very obvious erection. Jisoo glanced, then scowled.

“Ugh. That was lame.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

She glared, looking him up and down.

Juwon let out a long breath, then scooted closer to her.

He could feel her tense up. Leaning back again, he glanced at the back of her head.

“Do you really need alcohol?”

“Kind of.”

“Why? It feels better sober.”

“…Not asking. Do you have any?”

“Nope. Alcohol messes with muscle gains.”

She let out a groan and unwrapped her towel, letting her wet hair fall over her back. Juwon swallowed. Sexy.

He reached out to touch her hair—but she shot up.

“Where’s your hairdryer? I’d rather dry my hair than listen to your nonsense.”

As she stood, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down.

She landed on him, but the robe stayed tightly shut. No accidental peek.

Damn.

Jisoo, flustered, pushed against his chest.

“What… what are you doing?”

He looked at her and suddenly kissed her.

Just a light kiss—her lips soft under his. Then he pulled back. She blinked rapidly.

“Felt like kissing you.”

Smiling, he tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her again.

Then he whispered, “Wanna kiss for real?”