Folder of Desire: Dreams Turned Reality

[MC POV]

As the day wore on, it was time for our appointment.

I made a reservation at a nice restaurant nearby and then drove to Ryu Inah's house.

She was covering her face with her mask and sunglasses.

Nevertheless, an idol cannot hide her elegant appearance, even if she was in a mask.

"Oh, hello, Mr. Masseuse."

She greeted me awkwardly, perhaps because of yesterday's incident.

I open the passenger door, and she carefully gets inside the car.

"Thank you for coming to pick me up."

"Haha. What? By the way, do you like beef? I've booked a restaurant nearby. It's a room, so you won't have to worry about it."

Out of consideration for her celebrity status, I got a private room that was almost twice the price.

Her expression brightened noticeably, as if she was also worried.

"Wow, really? I should have been the one to prepare for something like this."

"No, it's nice for me to eat with a pretty girl like Inah."

Even when I gave her such insignificant compliments, she was purely happy.

Maybe it was because she hadn't had any dating experience yet, but she reacted differently to even small things.

"Ah, Mr. Masseuse. I brought this for you."

She took out her album and the merchandise from her purse.

As I stared at her, she added in a panic.

"Well, that's… You said yesterday that you listen to my songs often… I brought you some songs that you might like… Are they… Not that good?"

The longer she speaks, the quieter her voice becomes.

Raina's voice grew so soft, it was barely audible. She looked so adorable that I almost felt guilty for staring at her.

Smiling, I graciously accepted her gift.

"No way. By the way, did you remember that and take care of it? I'm so touched."

Her face burns red with embarrassment.

I played the album she gave me on her car audio.

Soon her 'purple life' song flowed out subtly.

"Awesome. I like your voice because it has a clear sound. Should I say it feels like healing? But you also go well with strong songs, so you are a heavenly idol."

She smiles shyly at her successive compliments.

I even hummed her song and sang along to her song.

Ryu Inah must have been quite moved by that, and her eyes sparkled.

Then she hummed along to her melody.

When I heard it singing itself, it was like hearing an angel singing.

So she and I headed to the restaurant while listening to the Raina melody.

The whole time we were walking, an intimate airflow swirled between us.

* * *

A fine dining restaurant was nestled in the heart of Seoul. Under the soft glow of an elegant chandelier, exquisite dishes were served with care. Each plate was a masterpiece, as captivating in its presentation as a work of art. The aroma and visual appeal were equally enchanting.

There was a time when this set meal had been an unattainable luxury, only made possible through my wife's Aren generosity. But as I began earning more money, it no longer felt like an indulgence beyond my reach.

"Wow. The atmosphere is really nice. It feels like something out of a movie."

"Haha. I guess they actually filmed the movie here. It was a chef drama that came out a few years ago. It must have been set here."

"… Awesome. But I think it will be very expensive."

"It's okay. Just relax and enjoy it. That's what I'm more thankful for."

─Sseuk

I cut the steak myself and exchanged it for her plate.

It was just a formal consideration, but she didn't seem to have much immunity to this.

She smiles and was happy at such a cute gesture.

"Thank you. I will eat well."

It was just her and me in her luxurious room.

Outside the window was a gorgeous night view of Seoul.

The atmosphere couldn't have been better with calm classical music and the added flavor of meat.

She took a piece of meat with her fork, thought about it for a moment, and then gently held it out in front of me.

It was against table manners, but no one was watching here anyway.

She hesitantly held out her fork.

"Well, take a bite first. I haven't opened my mouth yet."

She was very squirmy in the car and started actively seducing me.

I couldn't help but feel the effort and squeezed her hand.

And I put a piece of steak on her fork into my mouth.

"Umm. Um. It's delicious as expected, right? Ina, please eat it quickly too. It's going to get cold."

When I held her hand and acted nonchalantly, she hesitated and was pushed away by my momentum.

I likewise picked up a piece of meat and offered it to her.

"Now, eat it quickly. Ah."

The mini Ryuin trembles and opens her mouth like that.

As I tenderly put meat into her mouth, her face lit up as if it was about to burst.

I guess she had no idea it would be such a sweet atmosphere.

Afterward, whenever I had a delicious dish, I put a little bit of it on her plate.

She may have disliked it for hygiene reasons, but she took it with a happy expression.

"How are you feeling? Is it okay here?"

"Yes! It's absolutely delicious! Actually, this is my first time coming to a place like this."

"Huh? Really? Don't you still make a lot of money?"

"Well… It's not that I can't make money. It's a bit awkward to come with a member. But it's not like I had a man to come with me. I just lived a busy life, so I didn't have time to come."

"Well, if you want to come again later, please contact me. I know a lot of good restaurants."

"Hehe... Then I should contact you often. Aren't I going to get blocked if I keep doing this?"

"No way. It's really okay, so please feel free to contact me. Except when I'm at work."

I kept her in line and opened the door to her little by little.

The key was not to reveal my dark intentions.

I should move forward with a relationship purely because she wants it.

Of course, normally, I don't want to lose the initiative, so I fight, such as bouncing or pretending to be busy.

Unfortunately, my innocent girl doesn't know that.

When I told them he could just contact me, she happily clapped her hands.

It seemed like she had no intention of hiding her expression.

"Oh, by the way, I have a question to ask. What should we call ourselves from now on? Would it be better if we continued to call ourselves Mr. Masseuse and Ina?"

"Do you want a more friendly title?"

But I decided to draw a line between her and maintain the tension between us.

If I get too close suddenly, the relationship will become boring.

"Yes. The current title isn't that bad. But why? Do you want to call me comfortably?"

When I ask, she rolls her eyes and pretends not to notice.

"Oh, no. That's not necessarily the case. I'm just afraid it might be uncomfortable."

"Haha. What's there to be uncomfortable about? It's good if we respect each other. Don't make mistakes."

"… I guess so. Haha..."

She seemed to lose her appetite, but I skillfully redirected the conversation with Ryu Inah, steering it toward a different topic.

"Then, I'd like to ask you something. Ina, what is your ideal type of man?"

"This, this… my ideal type?"

"Yes. What is your ideal type of man? I'm curious about what kind of men idols like you like."

She purses her lips in embarrassment at my sudden counterattack.

Then she answered with an awkward smile, pretending to be okay.

"Well, I'm a bit similar to that—a kind and caring man. I mean, who doesn't appreciate someone like that?"

"Ah. Who likes guys like that these days? Being handsome is the best."

I glanced at her and saw her shaking her head violently.

It felt like a signal asking me not to misunderstand her.

"No. Of course, it would be nice if he were good-looking. But rather than that, I think it's more important to have a good match for those characteristics."

"Oh. Is that so? That's surprising. I thought Inah would have really high eyesight. There must have been a lot of good-looking men around you."

When I answered that, she smiled a little detachedly.

"Maybe that's why it's more like that. I guess I should say that I've gotten used to it because there are so many good-looking people around me."

"Haha. Normally I would try to be one of them."

"Well… Honestly, most people are like that. It's a public fact that people are dating behind idols. But strangely, I'm not that attracted to them. I feel like there's some loss in doing it now."

"Really? Aren't you twenty-three this year?"

"Yes. I'm 23."

"It's fascinating. At that age, it's almost impossible not to be interested in dating. Even if you are, you seem to suppress it. Watching you, I can't help but think you're remarkably mature for someone your age."

"… Ah. Don't praise me too much."

"No. Human desires are something that cannot be ignored. In particular, the desire for sex is an instinct itself, so the more you consciously suppress it, the more it tends to amplify. Isn't that why everyone is so addicted to forbidden love?"

Of course, these words were directed at her. After all, she was just as guided by her desires as anyone else—so much so that she even went as far as preparing a place to try and seduce me.

When I praised her for showing such restraint, she seemed completely flustered, unsure how to respond. Her face flushed a deep shade of red as she fanned herself with one hand, shaking her head in denial.

"Hahaha. I'm not sure because I'm a noob in that aspect. I have no dating experience to begin with."

I pretended to be surprised by her words and asked back.

"Huh? You have no dating experience? No, why on earth? A person as pretty as Inah."

"That's because I am an idol. Everyone loves me and gives me attention, so I feel sorry."

"Oh my god. Then, will you continue to be single until you quit being an idol?"

She also smiled bitterly at that question.

"I've been thinking a lot lately. There must be a kind of relationship that's unique to people at this age. And… what if one day I suddenly meet someone I really like? What should I do then? That thought worries me too."

I think she is talking about me.

I said, comforting her appropriately.

"Being an idol is not an easy job. But I think you have to be honest with your emotions. Of course, persevering with your work ethic should be respected, but giving up your precious relationships is so sad."

"… Is that so?"

She continued her meal quietly for a while, probably thinking deeply about something.

Then she suddenly asked again.

"Anyway, Mr. Masseuse, what is your ideal type? Are you dating anyone right now?"

Ryu Inah's eyes sparkle with anticipation as she asks that question.

Should I lie?

Should I tell her the truth?

The worry was only momentary.

As always, I wanted a sincere relationship even if it was promiscuous.