Zet

you've known kim minjeong since you were seven years old.

back then, she was the quiet girl who sat in the corner of your second-grade classroom, the one with her nose always buried in a book during recess while the other kids played tag in the schoolyard. you'd approached her one spring afternoon because you'd forgotten your lunch and she was the only one who looked like she wouldn't laugh at you for it. instead, she'd silently split her gimbap in half and offered you the bigger piece without a word.

that was eighteen years ago, and somehow, you're still in each other's lives.

minjeong grew up to be beautiful in that understated way. the kind of pretty that sneaks up on people. sharp jawline, soft features, cute chubby cheeks, expressive eyes that crinkle when she smiles. she's always been on the quieter side, a little shy, a little reserved. but around you? she's different, comfortable, real.

she works as a freelance graphic designer now, which means she sets her own hours and spends most of her time in oversized hoodies, sitting in cafes with her macbook and an iced americano. you went into marketing, which is how you ended up at the same coffee shop in hongdae on a random tuesday afternoon when your life started to unravel just a little bit.

"you look stressed," minjeong said as she slid into the seat across from you, her curly hair pulled back into a messy half-updo. she was wearing a black leather jacket over a blue crop top, the outfit somehow both edgy and effortless.

you groaned, dropping your phone onto the table. "my cousin's wedding is in two weeks."

"okay?"

"and my mom won't stop asking if i'm bringing someone."

minjeong took a long sip of her coffee, eyebrows raised slightly. "well… are you?"

"no. obviously not. i haven't dated anyone in like a year." you rubbed your temples. "but she's convinced i'm going to show up alone and embarrass the family or whatever. she keeps trying to set me up with her friends' sons. it's a nightmare."

"so bring someone."

"who? all my friends are busy or already coupled up."

there was a pause.

minjeong tilted her head, studying you with those dark, thoughtful eyes. then she shrugged, so casual it almost seemed rehearsed. "i'll go with you."

you blinked. "what?"

"i said i'll go. pretend to be your girlfriend. it's not like i have anything else going on, and honestly?" she smiled a little, that rare flash of mischief crossing her face. "i'm kind of bored."

your heart did this stupid little flip in your chest, which was ridiculous because this was kim minjeong. your childhood best friend. the girl who once cried because she accidentally stepped on a snail. the girl who knew every embarrassing thing about you and still chose to stick around.

"you... you'd really do that?"

"yeah. why not?" she leaned back in her chair, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "besides, it might be fun. i've never been to a wedding as someone's fake girlfriend before."

"minjeong—"

"just say yes. you need a date, i need something to do. it's perfect."

and that's how you ended up here, two weeks later, standing outside the shilla hotel in seoul with minjeong beside you, looking absolutely devastating in a tailored black suit that hugged her frame in all the right places. her hair was styled in those loose curls you loved, tumbling past her shoulders. she'd done her makeup too— subtle but striking, with a hint of shimmer on her lids and a nude lip that made you stare a second too long.

"stop looking at me like that," she murmured, a faint blush creeping up her neck.

"like what?"

"like you're nervous. we're supposed to be dating, remember?"

right… dating. fake dating.

you took a breath and linked your arm through hers. her body was warm against yours, and you tried not to think about how natural it felt.

the wedding hall was gorgeous, all white flowers and golden accents, the kind of elegance that screamed old money. your relatives were already mingling, glasses of champagne in hand, and you could feel their eyes on you the second you walked in with minjeong.

"is that her?" your mom appeared almost instantly, her expression a mix of surprise and approval. "you didn't tell me you were seeing someone!"

"yeah, well... it's still pretty new," you said, feeling minjeong's hand settle on the small of your back.

"ah, hello, i'm kim minjeong," she said, bowing politely. her voice was soft, respectful. "it's nice to meet you, eomeoni."

your mom practically melted. "oh, she's so polite! and so pretty. how long have you two been together?"

"a few months," you lied smoothly, and minjeong nodded along, her thumb tracing idle circles against your spine through the fabric of your dress.

it should have felt wrong. it should have felt awkward.

instead, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

everything went smooth— the ceremony was beautiful, and you barely paid attention to it. you were too aware of minjeong sitting beside you, her thigh pressed against yours, her fingers occasionally brushing your hand where it rested on your lap, every touch felt deliberate, intentional.

during the reception, you were seated at a table with some of your cousins, all of whom were very interested in grilling minjeong about your relationship.

"so how did you two meet?" one of them asked.

"we've known each other since elementary school," minjeong said, smiling. "but we didn't start dating until recently."

"childhood friends to lovers? that's so cute!"

you felt your cheeks heat up, but minjeong just laughed, her hand finding yours under the table and squeezing gently.

later, after the toasts and the cake cutting, minjeong leaned close, her lips brushing the shell of your ear.

"want to get out of here for a bit?"

your pulse quickened. "where?"

"our room. i need a break from all the questions."

you'd booked a suite at the hotel for the night. it seemed easier than driving back to seoul after the reception. the plan had been to just crash and deal with the aftermath of the fake dating ruse tomorrow.

but when minjeong looked at you like that, her eyes dark and unreadable, you found yourself nodding.

the hotel room was spacious, with a king-sized bed and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. minjeong kicked off her heels the second the door closed behind you, sighing in relief.

"thank god. those were killing me."

you laughed, setting your clutch on the dresser. "you did great today, by the way. so very convincing."

"yeah?" she turned to face you, and there was something different in her expression now. something bolder. "i had a good time. your family's really sweet."

"they loved you."

"and you?" she took a step closer. "did you love me?"

the question hung in the air between you, weighted with something unspoken. you just smiled and nodded.

"of course.”

"we should practice," she said suddenly.

"practice what?"

"kissing." her cheeks flushed, but she held your gaze. "i mean, we're supposed to be dating, right? what if someone expects us to kiss in public? we should make sure it looks real."

your mouth went dry. "you want to practice kissing..?”

"only if you want to." she bit her lip, nervous now, that shy side of her creeping back in. "we don't have to. i just thought—"

you cut her off before she could finish the sentence.

"i want to," you breathed, the words tumbling out before you could overthink them. "practice with me, minjeong."

her eyes darkened instantly, that shy nervousness melting into something hotter but still gentle. she stepped forward until your back hit the edge of the bed, her body pressing softly into yours.

"okay," she whispered, voice husky yet tender. "just practice."

but the moment her lips touched yours, it was anything but practice. the kiss was slow at first, tentative and sweet, her soft full lips moving gently against yours, tasting like the champagne from the reception. then you sighed into her mouth and she lost it just a little, her tongue sliding in shyly at first, then deeper, tasting you with quiet hunger, one hand tangling carefully in your hair while the other rested on your waist.

you moaned softly, hands fisting in her black suit jacket, pulling her closer. her wild curly hair tickled your cheeks as she tilted her head, kissing you harder, more desperately.

"ah," she gasped when you broke for air, her forehead resting against yours, a deep blush staining her cheeks. "you have no idea how long i've wanted to do that... is this okay?"

her hands started roaming, sliding down your sides, squeezing your ass through your dress with gentle firmness before slipping under the hem. her fingers traced up your thighs, teasing the edge of your panties.

"you're already so wet," she murmured against your neck, nipping at the skin softly. "all from a little kissing? so pretty... you're doing so well for me."

she pushed you back onto the bed gently, crawling over you. her curls cascaded down around you like a curtain as she kissed you again, deeper this time, her touch still careful but in control. one hand pushed your dress up around your hips while the other tugged your panties aside.

two fingers slid through your soaked folds, circling your clit slowly before dipping lower. she pushed them inside you in one smooth thrust, curling them perfectly against that spot that made your back arch off the bed.

"minjeong— ah, fuck," you moaned, hips bucking up into her hand.

"shh, jagiya," she cooed softly, pumping her fingers faster, her thumb rubbing tight, gentle circles on your clit. "let me take care of you. been dreaming about how tight you'd feel around my fingers... it’s so good..."

she added a third finger, stretching you open deliciously, the wet, obscene sounds of her fingering your dripping cunt filling the hotel room. she was relentless but so soft, fucking you deep and steady, her mouth moving to your neck, sucking marks into your skin while her free hand pinned your wrist above your head with tender pressure.

"so tight for me," she groaned, voice low and filthy but laced with affection. "your pussy is sucking my fingers in so greedily, baby… does that feel good? tell me, jagi.”

you were a mess, whimpering and grinding down on her hand, chasing every thrust. the pleasure built fast and sharp, her thumb pressing harder on your clit as she curled her fingers just right, her eyes never leaving your face.

"cum for me," she whispered hotly in your ear, her voice shaking just a little with her own shyness. "wanna feel this pretty pussy clench around my fingers. come on, let go for me... you can do it."

the orgasm hit you hard, walls fluttering and squeezing her fingers as pleasure crashed through you in waves. you cried out her name, thighs shaking around her wrist, soaking her hand and the sheets. she didn't stop, fucking you through it with slow, deep thrusts, whispering praises the whole time until you were trembling and oversensitive, whimpering into her mouth.

"that's it... such a good girl for me," she murmured, kissing your forehead softly as she finally slowed down.

she pulled her fingers out slowly, bringing them to her lips and sucking them clean with a quiet moan, eyes locked on yours the whole time, her blush still burning bright.

"taste so fucking good," she groaned, licking every drop off. "i could eat you for hours... if you want me to."

but she wasn't done. the lines had blurred completely, and neither of you wanted to stop. you slipped out of the reception early, claiming tiredness. minjeong led you straight to the parking lot, her hand never leaving yours, her fingers laced with yours shyly.

"my car's waiting," she said, voice still husky from earlier, a soft smile on her lips.

you barely made it into the backseat of her sleek black mercedes with the deep tinted windows before she was on you again, pushing you down and crawling over you, straddling your lap with gentle confidence.

"need you again, please," she pleaded softly, unzipping your dress with impatient but careful hands, her own suit jacket and shirt shoved aside in a hurry.

the car smelled like her perfume, leather, and the faint trace of soju from the reception. she kissed you deep and messy, tongues tangling as her fingers returned between your legs, three this time, thrusting in with purpose, curling perfectly while her hips ground down against your thigh.

you tugged at her wild curls, arching up into her, moaning her name loudly now that you were alone.

"cum for me again," she demanded, voice hoarse and filthy but still so soft. "soak my fingers like the good girl you are for me, baby. let me feel how much you want this... you're doing so perfect, jagi."

you shattered hard around her fingers, soaking her hand and the leather seat, thighs trembling uncontrollably.

but you flipped her, laying her back against the seat, mouth latching onto her nipple while your fingers explored her soaked folds. she was dripping, moaning your name in that breathy, shy voice.

"please, deeper," she gasped, hips bucking wildly, her hands gentle in your hair. "fuck me harder, jagi, i need it... please be good to me too."

you slid three fingers inside her, curling against that spot, thumb circling her clit in rhythm. her thighs shook around you, one hand gripping your hair, the other scratching down your back lightly as she rode your hand desperately.

when she came, it was intense. body tensing then melting with a broken cry of your name, curls splayed wildly across the seat, necklaces tangled between you both.

afterward, you both lay tangled, breathing hard, her head on your chest in the quiet of her tinted mercedes, the seoul night wrapping around you.

"this wasn't fake," she murmured, tracing patterns on your skin, voice soft but certain even as her cheeks stayed pink. "hasn't been for a long time. stay with me, yeah? for real this time... if you want to."