Morning hit like a gentle slap.
Sunlight sliding through the blinds.My brain throbbed from spiritual whiplash — half from Eun Hae's presence, half from Seo Yura's whispered heartbreak.
And maybe 10% from the wine I still regretted.
[SYSTEM CONDITION STABLE]
YIN FIELD: 70% RESIDUAL FROM LAST NIGHT
WARNING: SPIRITUAL PRESSURE FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES STILL ACTIVE
I dragged myself out of bed, hoping for peace, coffee, and maybe a spiritual exorcism.
Instead, I opened my door…And Ms. Seo was already there.
Plastic bag in one hand. Purse over shoulder. Ponytail neat.Minimal makeup. Absolute knockout.
"Come with me," she said.
"To where?"
"The market."
"Why?"
"You owe me groceries."
"...Fair."
The walk was quiet at first.
She didn't speak.Didn't hold tension either.Just… calm. Focused.
I walked beside her, trying not to think about the dream. Or Eun Hae's midnight aura-strangling. Or how Ms. Seo smelled like green tea and fresh laundry.
"I had a strange dream," she said, suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"You were glowing."
I choked slightly. "Glowing how?"
"Just… bright. You were walking ahead of me. I couldn't catch up."
My chest tightened.
"That's because I was stupid," I said quietly."And you deserve better."
She looked at me for a long moment.
Then turned back to the road.
[HEART SYNC: 63%]
AFFECTION +2
SILENT FORGIVENESS IN PROGRESS
The market was lively. Shouting vendors. Spices in the air. Everything too bright and too human for the night I'd just survived.
Ms. Seo wandered to the vegetable stand.
I followed like a disciple in sweatpants.
Then, just as she picked out green onions—
"Ah. You came out too."
The voice behind me could only belong to one person.
I turned slowly.
Eun Hae.White turtleneck today. Beige trench coat. Minimalist gold earrings.
Still looked like someone who could break a vow of celibacy with a glance.
"Ms. Seo," she nodded politely."Min-jae."
I swear she said my name like it was something she already owned.
"I didn't realize you shopped on Saturdays," Ms. Seo said coolly.
"I change my routine when the energy shifts."
"Convenient."
"Always."
[SYSTEM NOTE]
SOCIAL TENSION DETECTED: LOW-LEVEL MILF DUEL
YIN SIGNATURES: STABLE BUT COMPETING
CAUTION: MALE TARGET (YOU) IS THE CENTER OF BALANCE
Eun Hae turned to me.Smiled faintly.
"You have good hands."
"...Thanks?"
She reached over and gently adjusted the way I held the shopping bag.Fingers grazing mine.Touch deliberate. Soft. Unhurried.
[TOUCH DETECTED – YIN CONNECTION TRIGGERED]
EMOTIONAL STIR +1
AROUSAL SPIKE: MILD
WARNING: CONTACT UNDER WITNESS
I saw it.
Ms. Seo's eyes twitch — just a little.
A blink too long.A lip press too firm.
But she didn't say a word.
Instead, she picked up a bunch of radish greens and tossed them into my bag.
"Carry that."
"Yes ma'am."
We finished shopping in awkward, passive-aggressive silence.
At the register, Ms. Seo paid before I could even pretend to offer.
Eun Hae left with a smirk and a wave.
Back at the apartment, we stopped outside the front gate.
"Thank you for coming," she said, voice soft.
"I should be the one thanking you."
"You still owe me dessert."
"Does grocery carrying count as foreplay?"
Her smile twitched again.
"It counts as probation."
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
YURA AFFECTION: +3
HEART SYNC: 66%
PHASE II STABILITY: RISING
EUN HAE INTEREST: ACTIVE – SHE WILL STRIKE AGAIN
The Landlady was healing.The Turtleneck MILF was plotting.
And me?I was the spiritual equivalent of a wet napkin trying not to combust.
But something told me…
Tonight wouldn't be peaceful either.