"So... did you check him out?” Yunjin asked with a teasing grin on her face.
“I did,” Aeri answered, her cheeks flushed beet red.
“And?”
Aeri thought back on that private live she had with Hide. The huskiness in his voice when he guided and instructed her on what to do. The banter. How hard she came. The way he called her sweetheart.
Oh, there's a next time? His voice replayed in her head, making her stomach do backflips.
“He’s good.”
Yunjin's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Ohhhh?" she cooed, clearly delighted by the confession. "So like... how good are we talking about?”
“Well,” Aeri circled her forefinger on the rim of her mug. “His content is not raunchy or straight porno. He’s… palattable.”
“Come on. Be specific. I need details."
"Do I really have to go into detail?" Aeri whined, burying her face in her hands.
Yunjin crossed her arms, nodding enthusiastically.
"Absolutely," She declared, crossing her arms and determined not to let her off the hook. "I recommended him, and I deserve a full report. So spill it—what did he do?"
Aeri glanced around the office, making sure no one was within earshot. Then, in the smallest voice possible: "Guided masturbating."
Yunjin's eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' of surprise before she burst into giggles.
"No way!" she squealed, clapping her hands together. "Oh my god! That is wild. So he was like... directing you through it? Like a movie director but for... you know?"
"Yep. He invited me on a private live for the whole thing," Aeri stared at her mug, unable to make eye contact. "And that orgasm was... eye-opening."
Yunjin practically vibrated with excitement, her face lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Holy shit," she breathed. "That's actually really hot. I mean, not that I've experienced it or anything—" she quickly backtracked, blushing slightly.
"Girl, shut up. You're the one who recommended him to me," Aeri scoffed.
Yunjin held up her hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
"Okay, okay! I just never expected to actually participate in it," she admitted. "I figured you'd log on, scroll and watch for like five minutes, cringe, and close the tab and question your life choices.”
“I did. Before I even made my profile.”
“But you actually... committed."
"Mhmm," Aeri confirmed flatly.
"And I told you he was the real deal." Yunjin wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as she sipped her coffee. “He’s hot, charming, sexy voice…”
"And he's also my neighbour."
Yunjin choked.
Like, actually choked. Coffee splashed over the rim of her cup as she slammed it down, eyes bulging like a cartoon character.
"I BEG YOUR FINEST FUCKING PARDON?!" she shrieked, loud enough that three people at nearby desks turned to look.
"Will you keep it down?!" Aeri hissed, slapping her arm. "I don't need the whole damn office knowing about this!"
Yunjin clamped her mouth shut, her eyes darting around to ensure no one was still watching. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper.
"You’re telling me HideandTease is your neighbour?" she asked. Like... he lives in the same building? On the same floor? You could run into him in the elevator?"
"Already have. A handful of times."
Yunjin looked like she might pass out from excitement. “This is insane.”
“This is my life now,” Aeri replied. “And my life is currently a cruel, twisted joke.”
"No, no, no," she whispered. "That's a ROMANTIC COMEDY. Straight out of a Netflix K-Drama. Oh my god, what if you fall in love? What if you end up married? What if—"
"Please don't say it like that," Aeri cut her off, exasperated.
Yunjin bit her lip to stifle another giggle, but the excitement was still dancing in her eyes. “Come on! You’re basically living the Y/N life!”
Aeri cringed. “What? No! Keep your Wattpad/Ao3 nonsense to yourself.”
"Sorry," she whispered again, this time more seriously. "But seriously... what are you gonna do now? Are you gonna keep watching his lives? Are you gonna do another private call?"
Aeri straightened in her chair, trying to look professional. "I'll have to. For research. For my article."
Yunjin arched an eyebrow, giving her a long, knowing look.
"Are you sure it’s just for research?" she repeated slowly, savouring each syllable.
"Yes."
"Uh-huh."
"It's called journalistic integrity, Yunjin."
"Mm-hmm. Sure sounds like research to me," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Very professional. Very ethical. I'm sure Soyeon would approve."
Aeri opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out.
"Fuck off," Aeri muttered.