Swallow Hunting Chapter 28

I was worried I’d fail the written exam since studying has never been my thing, but thanks to dumb luck I passed on the first try.

For the practical test, I leaned heavily on Yohan. In an empty lot, he let ride his bike and drilled on moving forward, backing up, parking, turning, and even near-acrobatic tricks like slipping through obstacles.

“None of this was on the test,” I muttered after weaving through evenly spaced cones like an agility dog. Yohan walked over, picking up the cones I’d knocked down.

“Good to know anyway. You have any idea how much shit there is to dodge in alleys? Ever run into a grandma pushing a walker right in the middle of one? Hit her and it’s straight to jail, no settlent, no nothing.”

“But what you just taught isn’t dangerous? You actually zigzag like that on the road? What if the cops co after you?”

I twisted my hands around to demonstrate. Yohan smacked the top of my head with his fist. He didn’t put any strength into it, so it didn’t hurt.

“Just shut up and learn.”

“Yes, sir.”

I snapped a salute with the side of my hand next to my temple and shut my mouth. When he said let’s do it one more ti and wrap up, I started the bike again.

“When’s the test?” he asked.

“This afternoon.”

“You got money to buy a bike?”

As if. I could work like a dog and spend like a beggar and still have nothing left. Every cent I made was automatically transferred to a loan shark’s account.

“Can you rent one?”

“Leases cost more than they’re worth. There are places with their own bikes. I’ll tell you where. They take a fucking huge cut, though.”

I nodded, put on my helt, and twisted the handle. This ti I finished without knocking over a single cone. I threw both arms up and cheered. With skills like this, maybe I’d pass in one go again, just like the written.

“Not bad.”

Yohan patted my ass as I got off the bike, praising . It was just a habit, nothing worth reacting to, but I flinched hard. A few days had passed since Lee Kangjoo had stopped by my place, so that private area didn’t even ache anymore. Still. It was weird.

When I froze up stiff, Yohan looked at suspiciously. His eyes were strange. Like a shaman glaring at a client doing a silent retreat.

“You.”

“It’s not that.”

“What’s not that.”

“Whatever it is, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

I denied it first, out of reflex. Yohan grinned and waved his hand back and forth right in front of my face.

“What, did you get turned on by my hand?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you......!”

It was a curse that ca straight from the depths of my soul. Goosebumps exploded up my arms, neck, and cheeks. I backed away in disgust, and Yohan burst out laughing.

“I’ll get you a cushion as a first-job gift. No way that ass can sit on a saddle.”

“I said no, you psycho.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course not.”

If you lied to Yohan a hundred tis, he’d sniff out the truth a thousand tis over. I gave up on the pointless denials and handed him the handlebars. He mounted the bike smoothly. I climbed on behind him.

“We’ll ride around for another hour, then I’ll drop you at the academy.”

“Thanks. When I get paid later, I’ll treat you.”

“I don’t eat anything but Korean beef.”

“I can’t afford that.”

“That’s why you buy it when you can.”

He flicked my helted head lightly and started the engine. I grabbed his side and leaned my head against his back. The old bike rattled as we left the empty lot.

* * *

There was a mont where I almost lost ten points for crossing a line, but I passed the skills test safely. Grinning like an idiot, I snapped a photo of the pass stamp and sent it to Yohan.

[Holy shit]

[I might actually be good]

I sent it off, bragging, but there was no reply. Is he busy working? I wondered, scrolling up the chat—and then, fuck. It wasn’t Yohan. It was Lee Kangjoo.

“Fuck.”

Of all people to mis-send it to, why him? I hurried to delete the ssage, but right then, the number 1 disappeared in front of my eyes. Too late.

The guy who usually ignored my texts saying he was busy—why did he read the wrong one so damn fast? I chewed on my nail, half worried, half weirdly excited about what he might say back.

But instead of a text, my phone rang. Seeing ‘CEO Lee Kangjoo’ on the screen, I took a deep breath. I cald myself and answered.

“Yes, sir.”

-Today was your test?

“Yes. Um, that ssage was ant for a friend. I didn’t an to talk casually to you.”

I waved my hand side to side even though no one was watching, desperately denying it. I didn’t want to be labeled so rude bastard.

Then I heard it—Lee Kangjoo’s faint laugh, slipping through the line. The sound curled into my ear like a gentle wave. Maybe it was that quiet ripple that gave courage.

“Actually, I passed the written last ti. Today was the skills test.”

-Was it hard?

“No. I practiced a lot with a friend. I did get points taken off once for crossing a line, though.”

I’d completely forgotten how tense I’d been seeing his na. I smiled wide and rambled on. He congratulated right after. Embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head. The smile clinging to my lips was shy, my smoothly curved cheeks flushed pink.

-We should have a drink to celebrate.

“Huh?”

-You passed, didn’t you.

“Yes, but...... are you coming today?”

-I’ll stop by after work.

It was an unexpected visit. I hung up in a daze, then dragged my hand down my face like I was washing it dry.

Selling my body was nothing new, but spending the night with Lee Kangjoo was still awkward and embarrassing. After showing him everything, even the most private parts, I still acted like so inexperienced virgin. Even I thought it was ridiculous.

“......Wow, is he seriously that into ? That’s a problem.”

I cracked a stupid joke to shake off my own dumb face and glanced to the side without thinking. My reflection in the dark glass was grinning like an idiot.

What was so exciting about him coming over, anyway? I cleared my throat, trying to smooth my expression as I walked—and then stopped dead after just a few steps. A stand sign by the road caught my eye. Loud pink lights. A sex shop.

“.......”

Co to think of it, I was out of lube at ho. I looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then slipped into the shop.

I was the only custor. An older owner sat at the counter, glasses perched on his nose, looking up and down.

“Welco. Looking for sothing?”

“I’ll take a look.”

“Sure. If you go inside there, we’ve got videos too. Handpicked imports.”

He jerked his chin proudly, but I didn’t even glance that way. I hovered around the corner where the lube was lined up. I picked one up to inspect it, and maybe because I was the only custor, the owner suddenly stretched his arm out over my shoulder.

“That one’s not bad, but this is better. Put this on and even an elephant can get into a dry hole.”

“An elephant?”

I gaped at the terrifying taphor. The owner chuckled slyly and pulled a box out from behind, handing it to .

“It’s got a great reputation. High repeat purchase rate.”

Faced with his confident grin, I took the box like I was possessed. Since I was already here, I figured I should buy condoms too and started browsing. The sizes weren’t quite right, so I checked carefully until I found the biggest size at the very back of the display. Studded.

I’d used those before. A client had handed them to directly. I didn’t really notice the difference, but the client had loved it to death.

“.......”

This ti, I was the one getting fucked. I was already dizzy and overwheld as it was—if you added studs on top of that, I was scared to imagine what would happen. If those bumps scraped along my inner walls, and Lee Kangjoo shoved in with that brutal strength of his.......

Half flushed, half pale, I turned to the owner.

“Um, do you have this size in a regular one? Without the studs?”

“That’s the last one.”

No choice. I set both items on the counter. The owner glanced at the size printed on the front of the condom box and chuckled.

“Wow. Your lover must really adore you.”

He’s not my lover. And it’s not even for , so there’s no adoring involved. But there was no need to explain my pathetic situation just to correct him. I kept my mouth /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ shut and paid. The considerate owner put everything into a paper bag and sealed the top.

“Co again. If we get that size in regular, I’ll set one aside for you.”

He was friendly, at least. I slipped the business card from the counter into my wallet and left the shop.