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T.W. : Homophobic language
I simultaneously felt deeply upset and flustered by the sudden rude question.
Not only did I have a hard time catching ‘Seo Dawon’ in a lie just a few moments ago, but I supposed one could say I was having such a hard time because of this guy. But, to see all my struggles and to just only ask, ‘You’re homo?’…
Furthermore, Woo Ragi’s apathetic tone triggered my long-held trauma.
My first love back in high school had often looked at me like he was staring at a ‘homo.’ He was disgusted yet, at the same time, cultivated a sense of superiority from my affection for him.
He had once made eye contact with me while chatting with a large group of people. With sneering words that could only be meant for me, he laughed and said, “Isn’t it obvious when homos are nearby?” My crush was the social leader in that group, so the others surrounding him had agreed enthusiastically, saying how disgusting or creepy it was and cursing gay people.
Since then, I couldn’t bring myself to look at him when I felt that he was staring at me from behind… Woo Ragi’s words dragged that frustrating memory to the surface.
Frustrated, I tried to grab at the black butterfly that flapped its wings near my chest.
However,  my fingers only grasped at my collar. Because I had never tried to touch these moving illusions in the [Vengeful Ghost Memory], I had not known they weren’t tangible; I felt embarrassed.
Woo Ragi, despicably, pointed out my futile attempt.
–What were you doing?
""
“…You were being offensive so I tried to bat you away.”
–Offensive? Ah, the butterfly?
Unexpectedly, Woo Ragi made the butterfly fly high into the sky without particularly responding to my catty answer. However, after sending the butterfly out of sight, he continued to speak without hiding the amusement in his voice.
–It seems like Dawon-ie is treating you well? Saying it’s offensive and all.
“……”
–Are you miffed at the word ‘homo’? What else would you call a ‘homo’?
Anyone could clearly see his words were meant to mock me; I clenched my fists and raised my head…At the same time, the space suddenly filled with bright lights. It was like turning on stage lights for show time.
After squinting instinctively, I opened my eyes again; a shadow moved within the bright light. That shadow swaggered as it approached me.
–Your expression tells me you have a lot of complaints.
He said as he looked at my frowning expression that was caused by the light. Of course, even if it hadn’t been for the light, my expression would have still been rigid since I thought he was a jerk.
Instead of being flustered, I endured the glaring lights in my eyes and stared up at him. Finally, I could properly see Woo Ragi’s mug 1 staring back at me.
I had distantly seen Woo Ragi’s appearance once in another person’s [Vengeful Ghost Memory]. Surrounded by dozens of sparkling blades from his [Chain Sword], he was so utterly beautiful in his discipline; rather than mere martial arts, I felt like I was watching a performance art.
However, now that Woo Ragi was right in front of me…I could acknowledge his refreshing and beautiful countenance.
That was to say, his handsomeness was comparable to Seo Dawon, but… His image wasn’t quite nearly the upright, moral mien that I expected of martial arts practitioners; rather, he looked quite decadent, as if he’d partake in drugs. Slight droop on the corners of his eyes; a faint sneer of cynicism that so suited him. Red lips and pale white skin…
I was almost lost in admiration for a man that called me ‘homo’. I hurriedly tore my gaze away from the Woo Ragi.
–Weren’t you looking at me like a total perv just now?
“What are you spouting! I’ve never done that.”
–Well, I’m used to that…Homos seem to like my face.
However, Woo Ragi seemed to have pinpointed my momentary first impression of his looks from my expression.
He did not hide his ridicule or contempt as he grabbed my right hand painlessly. Then, pulling my hands towards him, he placed his lips on my wrist.
Startled, I tried to shake him off, but my skin burned where Woo Ragi’s lips touched–the inside of the wrist–as if it were on fire.
At first, I thought the unfamiliar feeling was brought about the shock of his touch, but, when he removed his lips, I fully felt the burning pain. Woo Ragi had maliciously inflicted harm.
“Let go!”
–Didn’t you want to form a contract with me?
Woo Ragi suddenly mentioned the contract while I, bracing myself for the oncoming pain, tried to forcibly extract my wrist from his grasp; he smiled as if he knew everything.
Hands shaking, I glared at him. “…What do you want from me?”
–I want Seo Dawon’s contract with one more special clause added in.
And soon, a familiar red parchment paper unfurled between us.
I silently looked at the parchment; when Woo Ragi lightly swiped his finger, the parchment scrolled down, line by line. Then, at the very end, an empty [additional provision] section was revealed.
–Don’t lay your hands on my body without my permission.
“There’s no way I’d do that…”
–There’s no way? Then, that’s great. This is just to formalize it into writing.
With that said, Woo Ragi showed me the newly engraved clause.
[Party [A] will not touch Party [B]’s body without their permission. Penalties will be imposed for contact without permission–the intensity and duration of the penalty will be determined by Party [B]. Party [B] can only impose penalties such that it does not pose a threat to Party [A]’s life nor permanently damage the body.]
That meant he’d use the penalty to stop me if I ever touched him…I was struck speechless both by the homophobic condition and the mentioned bodily harm.
Didn’t that mean he’d torture me for a touch? It was a clear threat, no matter how I looked at it; a promise for pain, just like when he had placed his lips at my wrist.
“Are you crazy? I might accidentally brush against you.”
–We can distinguish between intentional and mistaken touches.
“What’s the criteria?”
–My mood. 2
“…Then, you’re saying that if you’re in a bad mood, you’ll hurt me just like earlier?”
–If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself to sign the contract.
What utter nonsense.
Agreeing to Woo Ragi’s arbitrary contract would just be one more hoop to jump through, but, if I just went along with this, I felt that my heart would burst from how upset I was.
So, after taking a deep breath, I added a condition of my own–my own ‘fuck you.’ 3 “……Fine. If I touch you without your permission and you feel violated, then I’ll endure your harm, just like you want. However…”
–However?
“If, just in case, you touch me, then what will you do?”
–Would that ever happen?
“I didn’t think I’d ever do that to you, either?”
–Haha… Then, you do the same. I don’t care.
His added words were really so detestable, that I really want to attack back.
However, there was a big problem here. In my case, it would be useless for me to try and inflict any sort of harm onto him, unlike Woo Ragi who had enough skill and power to torture me.
Because of our level gap, damage potential would vary significantly; even if I stabbed him with a knife, I wouldn’t be able to mess a strand of his hair.
I don’t know if the bastard had agreed to the condition while knowing that, but if I also said “I’ll beat you up,” this additional clause was far too unfavorable for me.
However, I shouldn’t be the only one to suffer unilaterally. While thinking about what could truly hurt Woo Ragi, my eyes glanced at my hand that he was still holding. What could I do to get this arrogant Vengeful Ghost to taste a bite of his own medicine…
Then, I placed some force in my fingers, as if I was returning his tight grasp. While holding hands, I fiddled with him.
Then, as expected, Woo Ragi’s leisurely smile hardened.
–What are you doing?
He raised the hand that I had been fondling and waved it in front of my face. Of course, I was ashamed to be doing this, but…when I saw Woo Ragi’s expression as he gobbled up the bait, I felt validated rather than ashamed.
So, I replied with a grin, “If, by chance, you touch me…I think I’ll pet you, hug you, and fondle your hands like this.”
–What?
“Honestly, would it even hurt if I hit you? The terms of the contract are disadvantageous.”
He stared at me, caught off guard; I tightened my fingers as much as I could, trying to look unbothered. As soon as I used some strength, Woo Ragi shook his hands off, goosebumps traveling up his arm as if he had touched a bug.
I’ve known ever since he commented ‘homo, homo,’ but he seemed to be the macho type that believes ‘homos’ would suddenly attack him. Of course, I couldn’t stand it if a guy was so clingy towards me as well, but…
–Are you crazy?
“If you don’t like that, then withdraw your clause.”
–With all you’ve done just now, you expect me to trust you?
My mood lightened watching Woo Ragi jumping up and down, temper risen. I ignored what he said and murmured, making sure he heard everything, “Your hands are so soft.”
Then, Woo Ragi stared at me with such immature eyes.
–Just a little while ago, you made such a fuss about liking Seo Dawon…
“When have I ever said that I like you?”
–Then why are you groping at me so insidiously?
“What does liking someone have anything to do with teasing a guy who’s crying ‘homo, homo’ and making much ado about nothing?” Since I was already teasing him, I answered without much push back. At my answer, Woo Ragi’s expression changed a little. He looked like he had composed himself–his expression becoming calm. He opened his mouth.
–Fine. Then let’s sign the contract under that condition.
“Seriously?”
–Watch. You brush past me? You’re dying that day.
With that said, he adopted a chilling smile; at this point, I couldn’t ask him to just forget both of our clauses…I had provoked him far too much.
I cried on the inside, lamenting that I probably shouldn’t have done that, but…Eventually, I had no choice but to nod and pretend to be relaxed.
[Ending playback of the deceased, ‘Woo Ragi’s,’ memory]
TL: Haha…Woo Ragi… Smh…
You guys were so excited to meet him, so I upvoted everyone’s comments while going O.O
Honestly though, I’m excited to see him because Woo Ragi marks the advent of something that’s been long time coming: a Choi Lee-kyung who gives no fucks.
I might upload a bonus chapter later today or tomorrow~
Footnotes
낯짝 (nat jjak) = informal way of saying face. Thus, mug. PR: (I literally burst into laughter reading this) 엿을 날리고 (flinging taffy) = Fuck you.