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prael · 7 months ago

Text

Respite

Kinktember Day 29: Ice Play

Fromis_9 Hayoung x male or female reader smut

words: 2,775 Kinktember Masterlist Happy Hayoung day!

The heat is one of those inevitable annoyances in life. We spend all of our existence looking for its antidotes. We live in air-conditioned buildings, fan ourselves, wear the lightest materials, consume iced treats, and immerse ourselves in pools or the sea. We often seem obsessed with the cold. Yet what do we seek with it, other than respite?

There are certain sensations to which our biology gives us very little protection: the scorching blaze of fire and the bone-chilling frost of ice. Some individuals may take pleasure from being subjected to extreme temperatures—such as burning candle wax or, in Hayoung's case, melting ice.

Sweat on her skin, droplets decorating every inch of her flesh in a glistening glow. They move ever so slightly as she breaths, and occasionally one may fall, running down her curves, sinking down her well-toned body until they trail off her body and onto the bed below her, soaking into the towel.

This is a rare occasion where an ice-cold touch will be both a respite and a source of pleasure.

You see Hayoung open her lips, to ask, "What are you going to do?"

"This." You slip an ice cube into your mouth and lower your lips to hers.

Hayoung accepts you, accepting the coolness you carry with your mouth, and your tongue tangles with hers in a brief dance. So quickly does the ice melt once her heat takes it, so quickly the cool touch vanishes as she warms her gift from you. You place another in your mouth, this time kissing the sides of her neck. Hayoung breathes a sigh of gentle relief.

You run your mouth over her neck, kissing and pressing the ice against her skin, the water expelled from your mouth and replaced with her sweat. You taste it on her skin; there's an effervescent tinge that stirs your desire in the back of your mouth. You run your mouth over the sensitive crook between her shoulders and her collarbone and she gasps, twitches, and shuffles slightly under you. You stay until the cube completely melts against her.

There's this hot, humid air that rises from her skin and threatens to engulf you.

"Does that feel good?"

She nods quickly, then eagerly accepts her next ice cube when you offer it on her tongue. You take another for yourself too, purse it in your lips and place them just below her chin. You drag it down her body, your head trailing behind as you leave a faint watery trail down her front, between her breasts. Hayoung lets out short pants as you pull your lips painfully slowly down her skin. Down between her abs. As you run out of ice, you allow the cool water to drain from your mouth and drizzle over her hot skin, letting it flow off her and hit the towel beneath her.

"That tickles," Hayoung laughs.

"Oh, does it?" You place another cube into your mouth and press it to the side of her neck.

"Ah... Yeah, I like it." She gasps as it makes contact. This time you drag it down her again, but heading right towards the small mound of her breast. And the soft fleshy mound rises up with each breath, then sinks with every gasp in pleasure. When you finally arrive at her pink bud, she winces, and gently whines, yet allows you to carry on. You brush over her nipple a few times, back and forth while it starts to harden under your cold kiss. It grows perk and tender with a light redness.

Hayoung keeps smiling, laughing, every now and again looking down and watching you carefully rub your ice against her. Sometimes when you look up at her, the sight of her teeth buried into her wet lip fills you with a sense of hunger.

You work another one, in much the same way, starting by the other side of her neck. She moans a quiet sound of pleasure followed by a simple, "Yes." She squirms more and grips the sheets as the ice nears her other nipple.

"They're s-sensitive, you know," she stammers as you approach, almost apologetically, perhaps, she can't quite get her words out.

You make a few teasing brushes at the bud before finally closing your lips around it and taking it fully into the ice-cold depth of your mouth. Her reaction is immediate, she rolls her head back and clenches her body.

Then when you release her, it elicits a small whimper of loss.

You take one of her hands in yours, and with the ice cube in your mouth again, you start at her wrist, messily trailing ice-cold water across the skin. You reach her upper arm, then dip into her armpit—where it really tickles her. With your free hand, you delicately tweak at her nipple—the now freezing wet nub only adding to her arousal as you press on. Repeated licks of her armpit are enough to make her squirm, as she laughs out half-hearted pleads to stop.

You repeat it again, as you did before, to her other arm. Licking up sweat and replacing it with ice-cold kisses and tiny droplets of water. She tastes sweet and salty—her body worthy to feast on.

You stand and look over her. Her arms spread to the side and everything above her waist soaked in your kisses. She's still flush with heat, burning up, even after your cooling efforts. She seems to burn ever hotter, an inviting presence, and she lays, wet and glistening with trails of water following her contours and pooling under her. She pants softly.

You tease her, "You're wetter than the ice, right now, aren't you?"

Her smile widens and her eyes smile too, her embarrassment turning to eagerness, she bites her lip, "Mmmm," her confirmation is brief but deep and heavy with desire.

Her eyes follow you hungrily as you move back towards the side of the bed, and pick up a pair of cubes. You take them directly to her breasts, encircling her little nubs.

"How does that feel?" you ask softly, playing with them.

She bites her lip, exhales deeply, and struggles to give a tangible response.

You trail them down onto her abs and watch as they tense up under you. You feel her muscles tighten under your touch. Hayoung's breathing grows heavier in anticipation as you near her hips. And there's a smile she flashes you—knowing what she wants you to do, and knowing you have some intention of doing it.

You enjoy the way her tight little waist reacts to the change in temperature as she twists and arches herself up. Her smooth, well-trained curves, her naked body. When the cubes melt away to almost nothing, you trace wet fingertips over her v-line, teasing at the curve of her hips.

More ice in your mouth, and a new target. "These feet must be so sore. Did you work them so hard today? Does it hurt?"

"So sore," she affirms. "I danced for hours."

You lift one of her legs, bringing her foot up to your mouth. And you run your tongue along its base, up, to her toes, and back down again. She whimpers softly and flexes her toes. You catch each of them, one by one in your mouth, and nurse them gently. "But you were amazing up there," you add.

Hayoung mumbles in embarrassment, hiding her face in her hand.

You let her rest the sole of her foot against your face, as you lick and kiss at her, soothing her tender soles and relaxing her muscles. Hayoung peeks through her fingers, "That tickles so much," she says with a quiet laugh. You massage the ice-cold water into her skin, massaging her muscles with firm, sweeping movements and she sighs a comfortable, pleasured sigh.

You kiss your way to her ankle—admiring the toned softness of her leg as you look down. You rest it on your shoulder and bring her other foot up to repeat the same actions. Caressing her sole with cold licks, massaging, and pressing them against your cheek. "Relaxed yet?"

"Mhm," she moans with a delightful approval.

After repeating the massage on her other foot, you set them on your shoulders, and with ice in each hand, you massage her legs with firm strokes. Up her thighs. Drinking up her deep exhales and moans as you travel further and further up, towards the end of her legs, where you take a pause at her inner thigh. The skin is delicate, soft and tender. And the heat that rises from it quickly melts the ice.

Hayoung knows where you want to go—where she wants you to go—so when she sets her legs back on the table, she spreads them wide. Her pussy is flushed and warm and looks so soft and inviting. She bites her finger while she waits for you. You leave her for a moment, going back to collect one more ice cube from the tray, returning to between her legs.

"You look so tasty. Do you want me to kiss it?"

She smiles at you, nodding.

"How many people were watching you today? You deserve a reward, don't you think?"

She nods again.

"So many people looking at these toned legs. These tight abs..."

She nods, her cheeks flushed with desire.

"Are you happy to have such a hot, sexy little body?"

She bites her lip. "Are you?"

There's a mutual smile between you as you lean in towards her. You hold your mouth just above her pussy and wait. Wait until a drop of icy water falls from it and lands between her lips.

"Ah." Her voice quivers as it hits her. She tries to spread herself as best she can for you, tilting her hips. You wait for more to fall onto her. Each droplet is followed by a small yelp and a series of squirms. Satisfied, you lean in to start just below her navel, trailing the ice cube towards her hips, making slow sweeping arcs in both directions as you tease her. Closer and closer you get to her pussy, which quivers and flexes each time you pass over the soft flesh just by its sides.

Finally, you plant your cube at the very top of her slit, letting it melt and pour down her sensitive opening. It runs over her and down between her cute little ass cheeks and into the towel below. She finally lets out a full, true moan of satisfaction—like she's been waiting forever. She wriggles her hips up and down, enjoying the sensation.

"Your moans are so cute," you tell her, planting your lips on the inside of her thigh.

You can't hold her off anymore, the pleading desperation in her whines, the writhing of her hips, so you take another cube, and this time plant your lips right over her swollen, hot clit. Hayoung winces and nearly leaps, lifting her legs and hooking her ankles around your back, holding you tight, forcing you to accept her, as though she didn't want to give up the source of her pleasure.

The cube quickly melts into her sensitive nub, she squeezes and quivers under the sensation. "It's so cold and... mmm!" Her sounds, her cries, the desperate heaving of her chest, the hotness that flows between her legs.

It's made her so sensitive that she reacts instantly to every movement of your mouth, even the slightest change in pressure. Cold licks to her pussy have her mewling and arching her back. She clutches the bed tightly, almost in pain—the most pleasurable pain you've ever given her.

Your jaw grows sore, but it's okay—she doesn't last much longer after that.

"I'm... ah! I'm..." You can feel her energy rising inside. Rising. Pushing back against you.

She thrashes her head from one side to the other, clenches her legs and twists her ankles, her stomach heaving, her skin abuzz with little sparks of electricity, the salty sweetness of her arousal runs freely as she erupts.

And she clings to you, clenches her thighs around your head, tight, tight, tighter as waves of bliss rise through her. It washes over her body, sweeping every muscle with pulses of ecstasy, her mouth lets out a glorious, freeing cry. Hot liquid pours from her pussy and over your chin, sweet and tantalizing, as you bathe her in kisses, suck and tease her sweetly sensitive nub, savouring the flavour of her excitement, even as she grows more and more overstimulated. Until the pulses fade and she relaxes—too spent to hang on.

You pry her thighs from your head and stand to see her fully as your eyes drink her in—how beautiful. She breathes deeply, smiling, staring upwards. She gives herself time to come down, panting hard and melting back down to earth.

She's barely having a moment to recover and you're already placing more ice in your mouth and holding some in your hand. You take your mouth to her nipple once again—taking her by surprise. She reacts weakly, laughing as you work on her.

When you put your hand between her legs and touch ice to her clit a second time, she lets out a quick scream of shock and then twitches and writhes. A delicious look of surprise and amusement mixed in her smile and voice. "So soon?"

You respond by rubbing the ice against her pussy, dragging it up and down. Over her hole then back to her clit. Back and forth, up, down. Hayoung arches herself and tries to pull away—but not because she doesn't want it. Because it's overwhelming, but so enjoyable, that her nerves struggle to keep up. She finds it difficult to speak, struggling for air. And she turns into an erotic little mess under your touch.

You kiss her breasts as you start to work your fingers harder against her, and her entire body starts to rock up and down with the motions. She reaches out, digging her fingers into your hair and drawing your face against her breast. "Yes! Please!" She moans. And so you keep at it, you kiss her and tease her and take advantage of how sensitive and weak her body is. You allow her pleasure to bloom out over her—blossoming bright and colourful.

By now, the ice has melted entirely, and you focus entirely on stimulating her clit with your fingers—quick, urgent circles. Just the way you know she likes it.

Again you can feel her build up her energy, rising high, above the horizon and preparing to unleash a cascade. You bite her gently and work your fingers so quickly, that all she can do is emit a guttural moan of desire, so overcome with pleasure she cannot properly vocalise anything more.

When the dam of her lust breaks and she's sent floating down the river, it's only your name that she manages to cry.

Hayoung cums so hard that her body seizes up entirely. Fiery tingles sweep over her limbs. Waves crash down within, sending her reeling, eyes closed, open-mouthed and moaning long and low. She grips tightly into your hair while pleasure pulsates within. The sound of her bliss echoes between the walls of the room. Finally, her pleasure drains away. Her voice fades out and her body goes slack.

You try to lift yourself up to observe the fruit of your labour—but she holds you close.

"Oh god. Wait. A minute," she forces the words from her lips. "Just... don't move."

As Hayoung drifts through her post-orgasmic haze, you feel her heartbeat through her bare, sweat-kissed skin. It slows as she relaxes. Her chest rises with every breath, and she flutters her eyes to try and fix the world before her. There's an easy smile that comes so naturally, and she has to breathe several times before the words, "That was perfect," can come.

You might not have actually cooled her down some, but relief came in a different form. A beautiful form.

"It's okay," you tell her. "Just lie down and rest. I can get the shower ready."

She agrees without a word.

You take a moment to bask in the sight of her before you step away. She glows in post-orgasmic bliss. Her slender naked body is bare in all its beautiful, wet glory. This gorgeous, ethereal goddess, this divine human, who graces us, who we, by some luck are fortunate to live among—to watch on the TV, to listen to on the radio, to watch perform and give her life to the dance. And you, by some greater luck, are fortunate to make her feel the deepest of pleasures.

#kinktember #kpop smut #hayoung smut #kpop fanfic #smut #hayoung x reader #ice play #fromis_9 smut #m reader #f reader #male reader #gender neutral reader #female reader #fromis smut

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kwilquib · 4 months ago

Text

Promised 9

chapter - 0

Fromis_9 x Male reader

Word Count: 4.5k+

Chapters: One | Two | Three

a/n: This is just set up of the story, no smut in this chapter. but this chapter is important, for the story.

The classroom buzzed with the faint whispers of students exchanging notes and furtive glances at their phones. You sat slouched at the back, staring blankly at your open notebook, the pages still pristine except for a single doodle in the corner: a coffee cup. You idly tapped your pen against the desk, your thoughts drifting far from the lecture.

“Mr. Kang Junho!”

The sharp voice of your Professor Min snapped You back to reality. The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward you. You straightened, blinking rapidly as the professor leveled a stern gaze at you from the podium.

“Care to join us in this riveting discussion, or are you busy solving life’s great mysteries back there?” Professor Min’s voice was tinged with sarcasm.

“Uh, no, sir. I mean, yes, I’m listening,” You stammered, scratching the back of your neck. A few chuckles rippled through the classroom.

Satisfied, the professor adjusted his glasses and continued, pacing slowly across the front of the room. “As I was saying, today’s topic is about myths and their reflection of humanity. Take, for instance, the legend of the Promised Nine.”

The room quieted, the students now leaning in slightly. Professor Min always had a way of making even the dullest of topics sound compelling.

“Long ago, during a time when humanity was steeped in chaos, war, and unrelenting greed, there was a king—a wise man, yet weary of the barbarism that plagued his people. No matter how many treaties he signed or how many battles he fought, peace was fleeting. He despaired, knowing that humanity’s greatest enemy was not the sword but the emotions that drove men to wield it: pride, envy, wrath, greed, gluttony, sloth, lust, apathy, deceit…”

Junho’s attention perked up. There was something strangely familiar about the words, though you couldn’t place why.

“So the king, in his desperation, climbed the tallest mountain in the land to plead with the deity who ruled the heavens. He begged for salvation, not for himself, but for humanity. The deity listened, moved by the king’s earnestness. But salvation comes with a cost.”

Professor Min paused dramatically, glancing at his captivated audience. “A promise was made—a sacred pact between the king and the deity. Aid would be sent to humanity, not as armies or riches, but as nine beings, each representing the most volatile of human emotions. Their purpose? To keep the balance of these forces, preventing anyone from consuming the world.”

He walked over to the whiteboard and wrote the words The Promised Nine in bold letters.

“But there was a catch,” he continued. “The deity warned the king that these emotions, though tempered, could never truly be eradicated. The Promised Nine would struggle with the very forces they were meant to contain. And should even one of them fall to the temptation of their burden…”

Professor Min trailed off, his gaze sweeping the room.

“What would happen?” a student near the front blurted, unable to resist.

“Should one of the Nine succumb, their emotion would consume them entirely, turning them into a force of destruction. And that destruction could spread unchecked, tipping the scales and plunging the world into chaos once more. To prevent this, the Deity decreed that the Nine would be connected to a chosen mortal—an anchor. This anchor would serve as their confidant, grounding them when the weight of their burden became too great to bear.”

He turned back to the whiteboard, writing in large, bold letters: The Promised Nine.

“The anchor is as important as the Nine themselves,” he said. “Without them, the balance could not be maintained. The king agreed to the Diety’s terms, knowing full well the cost. And thus, the Promised Nine came into being.”

Professor Min stepped back from the board, his expression somber. “But the Diety’s warning still lingers in the echoes of time: no balance lasts forever. The story of the Promised Nine reminds us that humanity’s greatest strength—and its greatest threat—lies within ourselves.”

The shrill ring of the bell echoed through the room, breaking the spell. Students began packing their bags, the hum of chatter returning.

“Read chapters six through eight for next week!” Professor Min called over the noise.

You gathered your things slowly, the tale still turning over in your mind. As you slung your bag over your shoulder and made your way to the door, you muttered to yourself, “Promised Nine, huh? Sounds like something out of a fantasy novel.”

—

You exit the lecture hall, slipping into the stream of students flowing out into the bustling campus courtyard. The sun dips low in the sky, casting long shadows and a warm orange glow over everything. You glance at your watch—just enough time to get to your part-time job.

The café isn’t far, a cozy little spot just outside the university gates. Its charming wooden sign, Golden Brew, sways slightly in the breeze. The place is always busy, a favorite among students and faculty alike. But there’s one reason it stands out from the dozens of other coffee shops around: its owner, Gyuri.

You push through the door, greeted by the familiar hum of chatter, clinking cups, and the hiss of the espresso machine. The café smells like roasted beans and freshly baked pastries—a comforting combination that feels like a second home.

“Junho, you’re late!”

The voice is soft yet commanding, and you immediately straighten, turning to the counter. There she is—Gyuri, the radiant owner of Golden Brew. Her beauty is the kind that leaves people momentarily breathless. stood effortlessly graceful in her casual white t-shirt and mint-green cap, her gentle features framed by stray strands of hair and a gaze as warm as the morning sun

“I-I’m sorry, Ms. Gyuri,” you stammer, bowing slightly as you head toward the staff room to put your bag away.

“It’s fine, just don’t make a habit of it, okay?” she replies, her voice as warm as the golden light streaming through the café windows.

“Yes, of course!” you reply quickly, though you can’t shake the sense of unease you always feel around her.

It’s not fear, exactly. Gyuri is unfailingly warm and generous. She treats her staff like family, remembers the names of regulars, and always has a smile for everyone who walks through the door. Still, you find yourself hyper-aware of her moods, as though disappointing her might lead to something far worse than a lecture.

When you emerge from the staff room in your apron, Gyuri is already behind the counter, expertly steaming milk for a cappuccino. “Can you handle table seven’s order? They’ve been waiting a bit.”

You grab the tray, carefully balancing two lattes and a slice of cheesecake, weaving your way through the maze of tables. It’s almost automatic at this point—sidestepping bags, dodging half-turned chairs—but when you reach the corner table, you stop.

She’s there.

Seoyeon.

She’s a regular, not a student or faculty, just... always here. You’ve seen her enough times to notice the details: the dark circles under her eyes, natural and striking, framing her otherwise delicate features. She’s beautiful in a way that sneaks up on you—her sleepy, almost lazy demeanor masks something deeper.

She’s hunched over her laptop, typing slowly, as if testing each word before committing to it. The oversized navy shirt drapes over her frame, and her hair carelessly tied, some falls messily around her face. You set the tray down gently, not wanting to disturb whatever she’s working on.

“Thanks,” she mutters without looking up, her voice soft, almost as if she’s halfway to falling asleep.

You nod, even though she doesn’t see it, and glance at her screen. It’s filled with text—lines upon lines of words you can’t make sense of from this angle. Stories, maybe? Essays? You don’t know, and it’s not your place to ask.

As you turn to leave, she stretches, her movements slow and languid, like she has all the time in the world. For a moment, you wonder what keeps her coming back here, day after day, to sit in that same spot, typing away.

But you shake the thought off. You’ve got other tables to serve.

.You make your way back behind the counter, tray in hand. It’s a small relief to retreat to this spot, even if only for a few moments. Manning the cashier is easier—less weaving between tables, fewer chances to trip or spill something. The register beeps softly as you organize receipts and prepare for the next wave of customers.

The door opens, and the atmosphere in the café shifts. It’s subtle, like a faint breeze stirring through a room, but you notice it immediately. Heads turn—students and faculty alike—and conversations falter as if someone hit pause.

You glance up and freeze.

Jiheon.

Her name is spoken in hushed tones across campus, her presence both admired and untouchable. She moves with an effortless grace that feels out of place in the mundane setting of the café, her bright smile commanding attention without even trying. But it’s her eyes that hold you—the way they curve into crescent moons with a hint of something sharper, more mischievous, just beneath the surface.

To your utter disbelief, she walks directly to the counter. Your counter.

“Hi there,” she says, her voice smooth and casual, like she’s greeting an old friend. Her gaze locks onto yours, and her smile widens slightly. “You’re Junho, right?”

You blink, caught so off guard that you almost drop the pen in your hand. “Uh… yeah?” Your answer comes out as more of a question than a confirmation.

Her smile grows, as if your awkwardness amuses her. “Thought so. I’m Jiheon.” She leans in just slightly, resting one hand on the counter. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Your wariness kicks in. Jiheon—the Jiheon—is talking to you? Asking for your name? It feels like the kind of thing that only happens to other people. Your eyes flick briefly to Gyuri at the other end of the counter. She’s busy steaming milk, not even sparing a glance in Jiheon’s direction.

“Nice to meet you,” you manage, your voice steadier this time, though your thoughts are racing. “Uh, caramel macchiato?” You blurt the question out more out of instinct than anything else.

Her laugh is light, lilting, but there’s something playful in it, like she’s already decided you’re her new source of entertainment. “Hmm. Good guess,” she teases, tapping a finger against the counter. “Sure, I’ll have that. But I’m impressed you remembered. I didn’t think I was that predictable.”

You feel your face heat up, fumbling to punch her order into the register. “It’s not that, I just—uh—” You stop, realizing anything you say will just dig you deeper.

She watches you, clearly enjoying the way you stumble over your words. “Relax, Junho,” she says, her tone soft but undeniably amused. “I’m just messing with you.”

Handing her the receipt, you attempt a smile. “Coming right up.”

Instead of moving to find a seat, she lingers by the counter, her eyes drifting lazily around the café before landing back on you. “Nice place. Gyuri’s done a great job here, hasn’t she?”

Your gaze flicks to Gyuri again. Still busy. Still not looking this way. “Yeah, she has,” you reply, keeping your voice neutral.

Jiheon tilts her head, her smile still firmly in place. “You two seem close,” she muses, her tone light but probing. “Gyuri’s lucky to have someone like you helping her out.”

The way she says it makes you feel like she’s toying with you, testing your reaction. “I just do what I can,” you say cautiously.

Her eyes light up, as if you’ve said something particularly amusing. “I bet you do.” She straightens up and takes a step back. “Well, Junho, it’s been… enlightening.” Her smile takes on an almost cat-like quality. “Thanks for the drink. I’ll be around.”

As she walks away to find a seat, the tension in your shoulders eases, but her presence lingers like a shadow. You glance at Gyuri one last time, hoping for some kind of reaction, but she’s focused on the drinks in front of her, her usual calm smile in place.

And yet, for just a moment, you swear there’s something almost knowing in the way she glances at Jiheon’s retreating figure..

—

The bell above the door jingles as the last customer leaves, and you let out a long breath, leaning against the counter. The café feels different now—quiet, peaceful, but heavy with the lingering scent of coffee and pastries. It’s nighttime, and the warm glow of the overhead lights gives the empty space a cozy but slightly eerie feel.

“Good job today, Junho,” Gyuri says, flashing you one of her signature warm smiles as she locks the cash register.

“Thanks, Ms. Gyuri,” you reply, your voice softer than usual in the now-empty café.

After finishing up your closing duties—wiping down tables, stacking chairs, and sweeping the floors—you grab your jacket and step out into the cool night air. The streets are quieter now, with only a few scattered groups of students heading home. You adjust your backpack, your thoughts already drifting toward the comfort of your cramped boarding room.

As you turn a corner, someone bumps into you.

“Ah, sorry,” you mumble automatically, stepping back.

The girl doesn’t even glance up, her eyes glued to her phone. She’s wearing what looks like an e-sport jersey jacket, its bold colors contrasting with the dark street. Her brown hair catches the ambient glow of the streetlights, faintly shining as she moves past you. For a brief moment, her face is illuminated, and it’s enough to leave an impression.

She’s stunning.

Before you can fully process it, your impulse kicks in. You take a step forward, clearing your throat. “Hey, uh, I’m Junho...”

But she doesn’t respond. Her focus remains solely on the screen of her phone, and she keeps walking, oblivious to your presence.

You stand there for a second, feeling a bit foolish, then shake your head. The image of her lingers in your mind as she disappears into the night, leaving you with nothing but the quiet hum of the street.

When you finally reach your room, you fumble with your keys and push the door open. It’s as small and cramped as ever, but it’s yours. You toss your jacket onto the single chair by the desk, only to realize something’s missing. Your bag. You groan, running a hand through your hair. You must’ve left it at the café in your rush to leave. There’s no helping it—you’ll have to go back.

The walk feels longer this time, the quiet streets amplifying the sound of your footsteps. As you get closer, a strange unease settles in your chest. The air feels heavier, the streetlights casting elongated shadows that seem to move just out of sync with your steps. Your skin prickles, as if something unseen is watching.

When you reach the café, you notice something strange. Cars are parked outside. Not just any cars—luxury vehicles, sleek and expensive, the kind you’d expect to see in a high-end district, not outside a cozy student café. Their polished exteriors gleam under the soft glow of the streetlights, each one a testament to sophistication and taste.

Your gaze drifts across the lineup, catching details that feel oddly personal. A jet-black SUV, imposing and understated. A sapphire blue Porsche, sharp and vibrant, eerily luring you in. Your eyes stop briefly on a compact car that feels out of place among the giants—a Mini Cooper. Its emerald green paint shimmers, the kind of green that feels rich and alive, paired with racing stripes that speak of personality rather than pure extravagance. It’s less ostentatious but undeniably stylish, a subtle standout among its peers.

As you approach, an inexplicable resistance builds inside you, like a pressure against your chest. Your feet feel heavier, your thoughts fuzzier, and for a brief moment, you consider turning around. The café seems distant, almost unreal, like it’s shifting away even as you step closer. But you shake it off, forcing yourself forward.

You head to the backdoor, fishing out the spare key Gyuri gave you for emergencies. Pushing it open, you step into the staff area and spot your bag right where you left it. Relieved, you sling it over your shoulder and turn to leave.

That’s when you hear it.

The faint jingle of the front doorbell breaks the silence, followed by muffled voices.

You freeze. The café should be empty, but there’s a light seeping through the crack of the door leading to the main lobby. Slowly, you step closer, curiosity outweighing caution.

Peeking through the door, you see her.

She steps inside like she owns the air she breathes, her presence commanding yet effortless. Her long, jet-black hair cascades down her back, perfectly straight, with sharp bangs framing her face. Under the glow of the café lights, her striking blue eyes seem almost unnatural, as if they were cut from the sky itself.

For a moment, her gaze sweeps the café, and then it lands directly on you.

Your heart skips a beat. You’re sure you’ve been caught—your face heats up, and you’re ready to stammer some excuse about being here after hours. But her expression doesn’t shift.

Her lips curl into a smile, slow and deliberate, as if she’s been waiting for this very moment. It’s the kind of smile that feels personal, like it holds a secret meant only for you.

But then, as quickly as her eyes found yours, they slid away.

It’s deliberate—you’re certain of that. She must have seen you. And yet, she acts as if you’re invisible, as if your presence is of no consequence. She turns, her hair sweeping behind her like a silk curtain, and addresses the others in the room.

From your hidden vantage point, you take in the scene.

The café, which should have been empty, is instead alive with movement. A group of women fills the space, each one radiating an aura of distinct confidence and beauty. They aren’t just sitting or lounging; they seem to command the room, transforming it into something that feels foreign, almost sacred.

“Chaeyoung,” one of the women calls out, her tone both teasing and sharp, “you’re late.”

Your eyes dart to the source of the voice, and your breath catches—it’s her. The same woman you bumped into earlier, the one engrossed in her phone. She’s still wearing that e-sport jersey jacket, looking as effortlessly confident as she had before.

“And Nagyung? You’re not late?” Chaeyoung fires back, her tone teasing, her smile sharper now.

The casual banter between them feels like watching something private, yet you can’t look away.

Your gaze shifts to the rest of the table. The initial shock of seeing Chaeyoung fades as you take in the others, each of them equally striking in their presence. You almost stumble backward when you spot familiar faces.

Gyuri, whose warmth you’ve come to rely on, sits with an unfamiliar coolness about her. Her brow is furrowed, a faint trace of annoyance crossing her usually gentle features. It sharpens her striking appearance, making her seem like someone you’ve never truly known. There's a tension in her posture that makes you feel like you're seeing a side of her that’s been hidden until now.

Seoyeon leans lazily toward the women beside her, her relaxed posture contrasting the air of composure around the table.

The woman Seoyeon is leaning into feels strangely familiar, as if you should recognize her. She matches the others in beauty, her jet-black hair framing a delicate face. A soft smile plays at her lips, radiating warmth and charm. With luminous skin and deep, expressive eyes, she exudes an effortless elegance that captivates without even trying.

And as if that weren’t enough to leave you reeling, on the other side of the table, you recognize Lee Saerom.

The Saerom. The top celebrity, known for her flawless visuals and commanding performances.

Sitting next to her is Song Hayoung, the famous songwriter and soloist whose music dominates every chart.

They’re casually leaning into the conversation, as though their combined fame and aura aren’t enough to make this room the most exclusive place in the city.

“Is Jiwon not here yet?” Chaeyoung asks as she slips into a seat, her voice nonchalant, but her eyes scanning the room with interest.

The front doorbell jingles, and the door swings open.

“I’m here!!” a bright, piercing voice calls out.

Your head swivels toward the source, and there she is. Jiwon, bounding through the entrance like a whirlwind of energy, her grin lighting up the room before her words even have a chance.

“Jisun, did you bring food?” Jiwon’s question comes rapid-fire, her tone playful but undeniably demanding.

The woman Seoyeon was leaning into rose. She moves with calm precision, her composure stark against Jiwon’s lively presence.

"Of course, I brought food. Wouldn’t want you to starve." Jisun says, her voice soft but firm, as she produces a stack of containers seemingly out of nowhere. She places them on the table, the gesture practiced, as though she had been anticipating the request long before it was asked.

It hits you then. Roh Jisun. The world-famous chef. Known for her culinary brilliance and beauty. You've seen her multiple times before in magazines, tv, or online articles. You can hardly believe she's here, so close, exuding an effortless elegance.

“Can we finally get started? I still have to clean up after all of you,” Gyuri complained, her annoyance clear.

Now that the group had gathered, all eyes shifted to Saerom, who was waiting for their attention.

“Our youngest is losing control,” Saerom began.

“We all constantly are,” Nagyung shrugged off the concern.

“This isn't the same, you know that,” Saerom replied firmly.

“Don’t try to ignore these meetings, Nagyung. I’m losing millions just being here,” Jiwon said, flaunting her wealth.

“Must be nice having all those millions,” Hayoung remarked. While her gaze focuses on the only fork on the table, in the hands of Chaeyoung.

“You’re a millionaire too. Why are you eyeing my money?” Jiwon shot back defensively.

“Ahem!… Losing control?” Gyuri steered the conversation back on track.

Saerom, now commanding their full attention, spoke with purpose.

“We need to consider finally finding an anchor.”

“Then we’ll get an anchor. Meeting is done,” Soyeon said with a yawn, stretching.

Charyoung, still twirling the fork between her fingers, smirked. “Do we have to? I’ve been liking her attitude recently.”

“It’s time,” Saerom replied, her tone serious. “We can’t risk it. If deceit consumes her…”

“It will consume all of us,” Gyuri finished, her voice dark.

You stay frozen, trying to make sense of the conversation. Consume? Anchor? Deceit? The weight of their words sinks in, and though you know you should leave, something keeps you rooted to the spot. The truth behind their cryptic conversation is just out of reach.

Then, without warning, a soft voice whispered near your ear.

“Curiosity can be dangerous, you know.”

You nearly jump out of your skin, spinning around to find Jiheon standing inches away, her signature eye-smile curved upward in amusement. You’re certain she wasn’t there a second ago. How could she have gotten so close without making a sound?

“Wha—how—?” you stammer, instinctively taking a step back, only to hear the door creak open behind you.

Seoyeon, now fully awake, leans forward slightly, her drowsy facade giving way to genuine surprise. “How did he get here?” she asks, her voice carrying a rare edge of curiosity. Her eyes scan you, but it’s not just scrutiny—it’s disbelief, almost as if you’re some kind of anomaly.

“Who’s this?” Nagyung asks, clearly not remembering you.

“Junho,” Gyuri says softly, her voice now laced with concern and confusion. “How are you here?” Her warm demeanor has returned that almost makes you feel safe. Almost.

Your mind scrambles for an explanation, but Jiheon, ever calm, steps forward, her gaze fixed on you as if she’s reading your very thoughts.

“He overheard,” Jiheon says simply, her tone neither accusatory nor dismissive.

“Clearly” Jiwon crosses her arms, her lively energy dampened by suspicion. “Why did you let him through?”

Jiheon doesn’t answer. Instead, she steps forward, closing the already narrow distance between the two of you. Her eyes glint with an eerie amusement, her head tilting slightly as she examines you like a puzzle she’s just begun to piece together.

“Regardless of how,” Saerom says, her voice cutting through the murmurs and drawing every gaze. She rises slowly, her commanding presence quieting the room once more. “What matters is why. What did he hear?”

“I didn’t mean to listen!” you blurt out, your voice shaky as you raise your hands in defense. “I—I just came back for my bag, and then I heard voices, and—”

“And stopped to eavesdrop,” Chaeyoung interrupts, her voice playful but her eyes uncomfortably sharp.

“No! I mean—yes, but not like that!” you stammer, feeling the weight of their collective stares crushing you. “It’s not what you think! I swear I won’t tell anyone!”

Gyuri sighs, stepping closer. “Junho, you don’t understand. This... what you’ve heard... it’s not something you can just walk away from.”

“I don’t know how you got through the mist ” Jisun adds, her tone firm but not unkind. “But this isn’t something just anyone can know.”

“Maybe,” Chaeyoung says, her lips curving into a sly smile, “he’s not ‘just anyone.’”

“Enough.” Saerom’s single word silences the room, her authority undeniable. Her eyes pierce through you, weighing your very existence. “What’s done is done. The question now is what we do with him.”

Your heart pounds in your chest. “Wait!” you cry, your voice desperate. “I swear I won’t say anything! I don’t even understand what I heard! Just let me go, and I’ll forget everything!”

“That’s not how this works,” Hayoung says from across the room, her voice carrying an edge as she’s now holding the fork she was eyeing earlier.

Jiheon smirks, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she takes another step closer. “Oh, Junho,” she purrs, her voice dripping with playful malice. “It’s not your fault, really. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” She tilts her head, her smile widening. “But... well, it’s a little late for regrets, don’t you think?”

Her hand lifts, faint cyan light dancing at her fingertips, and you can’t tear your eyes away. The glow reflects in her eyes, making her look ethereal and otherworldly.

“Jiheon, stop!” Saerom’s voice cuts through, but Jiheon doesn’t even flinch.

“Relax,” Jiheon says lightly, her tone almost soothing as she looks at you. “I’m just helping him... rest a little.”

“Jiheon!” Saerom’s command comes sharper this time, but it’s already too late.

Jiheon’s fingers flick, the cyan light tracing an elegant pattern in the air. “Just a little nap,” she whispers, her voice lilting and playful.

The moment the light touches you, an overwhelming drowsiness washes over your body. Your knees buckle, the edges of your vision darken, and Jiheon’s playful smile is the last thing you see as the world fades to black.

a/n: Before you move one the next chapter, can you guess who's who, with their pairing emotion?

(Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, Deceit, and Apathy)

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