Chapter 76: Claim and Confession

The villa was quiet when Ji-hye and Joon-ho returned, the sun dipping low and painting the windows gold. In the living room, Harin was sprawled lazily across the couch, TV flickering in front of her. She was out of her training gear now, wrapped instead in casual pajamas—short cotton shorts and a soft oversized top that slipped off one shoulder. She glanced up, a sly grin tugging her lips. "Oh, look who’s back." Her eyes lingered on Ji-hye, who was practically glowing, her steps light, her humming loud enough to be heard as she kicked her shoes off. "What’s with her?" Harin tilted her head at Joon-ho, arching a brow. "Usual thing," he said simply, dropping his bag to the floor and tidying up the loose jacket he’d carried in. His voice was calm, casual—as if he hadn’t just flipped Ji-hye’s entire world upside down at the training court. Harin narrowed her eyes playfully, lips curling into a sly smile. "Mhm. Sure." Ji-hye didn’t even notice. She was already drifting into the kitchen, light on her feet, almost skipping. She bounced on her toes as she filled a glass of water, humming an off-key tune under her breath, her cheeks still carrying that silly smile. Harin padded silently after her, bare feet whispering against the floor. She watched her for a beat, head cocked, like a cat about to pounce. Then—ambush. Warm palms slid up Ji-hye’s sides and landed squarely on her breasts, squeezing them with deliberate pressure through the thin sports bra. "Unnie!" Ji-hye yelped, the glass of water sloshing dangerously as she almost dropped it. Her whole body jolted, breath catching. A flush shot across her face like wildfire. Harin pressed in close, her chin brushing against Ji-hye’s shoulder, her breath warm against her ear. Her voice was low, sing-song, teasing every word. "Well, someone’s in a suspiciously good mood today." Her thumbs rolled slowly across the stiffening peaks, coaxing Ji-hye’s nipples to harden against the fabric until they pushed back stubbornly. "Don’t tell me... you had a good day at the court~" "Ahhh—stop!" Ji-hye’s protest cracked into a moan, the sound embarrassingly sweet and high-pitched. She twisted in Harin’s hold, but the older woman only tightened her grip, palms kneading playfully. "Not until you confess," Harin crooned, pinching just hard enough to make Ji-hye’s knees weaken. She kept her voice warm, mischievous, relentless. "Come on, baby girl... spill it." "Unnie!" Ji-hye squealed again, half-laughing, half-moan, slapping at Harin’s wrists. Finally she broke free, stumbling back a step. She dropped down to her knees instinctively, both hands flying up to shield her chest as though that could hide the flush of her nipples pushing through the taut fabric. Her face was burning scarlet. "S-stop it..." Harin leaned lazily against the counter, arms crossed, laughing loud and rich at the sight. "God, you’re easy. Look at you—kneeling and pouting like I just stole your candy." Ji-hye’s lips pressed into a pout, her cheeks puffed out. Her nipples, however, betrayed her completely, poking through her sports bra, every breath drawing more attention to the way the fabric clung. She huffed, tilting her head away, but the color in her face refused to fade. Finally, she mumbled under her breath, voice soft but audible. "...Fine. I’ll tell you." Harin smirked, folding her arms across her chest, settling against the counter as though she had all night. "Go on then. Spill it." Her tone was half-playful, half-commanding, eyes glittering with mischief. Ji-hye’s voice dropped, softer than before, a secret she could only admit because Harin was staring her down. "Today at practice... Ye-rin got injured. Joon-ho treated her. And... in front of everyone, he said I was his woman. That I’m the only one he’d treat gently. He said all the others, he’d just fix." Even saying it out loud made her chest flutter all over again. Heat rushed to her cheeks, the memory still vivid—his blunt words echoing in the tense silence of the medical room, her teammates’ stares, her mother’s raised brow. It was shameless and possessive and completely, undeniably him. Harin’s grin spread slow and wide, sharp enough to cut. "Well, well, well. Our little Ji-hye’s all grown up—finally getting publicly claimed like the queen she is. Must be nice, having your boyfriend throw down the gauntlet in front of the whole team." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in a mock whisper. "Bet they’re all jealous." Ji-hye bit her lip, trying to smother her smile, but it slipped free anyway, curving soft and sweet. "It is... it really is." Then her expression faltered, and her words dropped quieter, rawer. "Especially after... everything with my ex." Her throat tightened. "The cheating, the scandal, the way people tore into me online—even though he was the one who messed up. I thought it would never stop. It nearly broke me." For once, Harin’s teasing grin softened. The shift was subtle but unmistakable. She stepped forward without a word and wrapped her arms around Ji-hye, pulling her against her chest. The hug was firm, steady, the kind of embrace that didn’t ask questions, just absorbed the weight. "Forget him," Harin murmured, voice roughened with something like protectiveness. "That bastard isn’t worth another thought. You’ve got us now. Me and Joon-ho. You’re not carrying that shit alone anymore." Ji-hye closed her eyes, her cheek pressed against Harin’s shoulder. The warmth seeped deep, soothing places she hadn’t realized were still raw. "Mm..." she breathed, barely more than a hum, but heavy with meaning. Of course, Harin couldn’t resist. She leaned down suddenly and nipped at Ji-hye’s neck, sucking just long enough to leave a quick red bloom against her pale skin before darting back with a wicked laugh. "Unnie!" Ji-hye yelped, hand flying to cover the mark. She glared up, cheeks flaming again. "What the hell?!" Harin only tilted her head and smirked, utterly unrepentant. "What? Consider it a souvenir. Besides, you look cute when you’re marked." Ji-hye’s glare wavered, the corner of her lips twitching despite herself. She huffed, pouting, but the smile tugging at her mouth betrayed the happiness she couldn’t hide. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Joon-ho emerged from the bedroom, his hair damp from a quick wash, already pulling a clean shirt over his shoulders. The smell of his soap still clung to the air, sharp and clean. "We’re heading back to Seoul tomorrow," he said, matter-of-fact, as if it were already decided. "We’ve closed the clinic long enough." Harin, sprawled across the couch in her loose top and shorts, tossed her head back dramatically. "Ugh, back to reality. Not like clients are lining up at the door right now—unless Kwon Mirae suddenly shows up begging for a session." She smirked, eyes glinting with mischief. Ji-hye’s ears perked immediately. She was in the kitchen rummaging idly through the fridge, but her attention snapped to him. She padded closer, curiosity pulling her in. "Wait—who’s Madam Seo? And these... old clients you mentioned earlier?" Her head tilted, voice edged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Did you... sleep with all of them?" Joon-ho looked at her flatly, unimpressed. "No." That single word made Ji-hye’s cheeks warm, though she quickly masked it with a pout. Harin pushed herself upright, clearly entertained by the shift in energy. "Ohhh, story time," she sang, tucking her legs under her. "Spill it, Joon-ho. Even I haven’t heard the full saga." Joon-ho leaned against the doorway, arms folded across his chest, casual but firm. His gaze drifted past them, almost like he was seeing an older version of himself. "When I was broke—really broke—Madam Seo helped me. She’s a successful businesswoman, one of those women everyone in the upper circles knows. Darling of high society. Elegant, rich, dripping with connections. She sponsored me when I had nothing." Ji-hye’s breath caught, listening carefully. "It was Madam Seo’s friend who owned the massage parlor," he clarified, "and she was also the main masseuse there. She’s the one who taught me most of the techniques I use now. Madam Seo opened the doors for me, got me in, made sure I had a place to stand. Her friend gave me the skills." He paused briefly, shoulders shifting. "I worked there for five years. Built a reputation. Eventually, I left to open my own clinic. And for the record—" his eyes flicked to Ji-hye, narrowing faintly at her suspicion, "—the only ones I ever slept with were Madam Seo herself, and her friend. No one else." Ji-hye blinked, startled by his bluntness. Her lips parted but no words came out right away. Harin, on the other hand, whistled low and leaned back, grinning. "Damn. That’s the first time I’ve heard that much detail. Didn’t think you had it in you to say it out loud." Ji-hye bit her lip, fighting the pinch of jealousy that tangled with the flicker of pride in her chest. "...I want to meet her. Madam Seo." Joon-ho shrugged lightly, as though it were nothing. "Anytime. She’ll probably be glad to meet you too." Ji-hye’s chest fluttered at the thought—an unfamiliar cocktail of curiosity, jealousy, and pride twisting tight together. Harin, of course, noticed instantly and smirked. "Careful, baby girl. Sounds like you’re already jealous of a woman you haven’t even met yet." Ji-hye pouted, turning her head away, but her blush betrayed her.