You Came with the First Spring Breeze... - Episode 4: Hidden in the Darkness (R-15)

Episode 4: Hidden in the Darkness (R-15)

The dark navy sky swallowed the city whole, with streetlights scattered here and there, quietly breathing life into the night. It felt as though even the arrival of spring had been devoured, as the biting cold wind attacked relentlessly.

There were no more trains left.

We left the bar and walked aimlessly, our hands occasionally brushing but never truly connecting. Asking what we should do now seemed dangerous, as if that question alone would push us forward down a path I wasn’t ready to take.

I wasn’t like Aki; I wasn’t prepared to move on.

Being with her like this made me feel guilty, as if I was somehow doing something wrong.

As for Aki, she wasn’t exactly stumbling drunk, but she swayed, letting her long skirt flutter wildly as she wandered the sidewalk without care.

Occasionally, she’d nearly walk into a utility pole, and I’d warn her, “Watch out for dog pee.”

“Is your place nearby? I’ll walk you home,” I offered.

Aki turned to me and said, “I don’t want to go home.”

“Why not?”

“When I go home alone, I feel like I want to die.”

Under the dim streetlight, swaying in the wind, she looked fragile—like an abandoned kitten. I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I opened my arms.

“Come here.”

Without hesitation, she threw herself into my embrace. I stroked her hair, and she looked up at me, her large eyes already half-lidded, melting with a sultry, almost needy expression. I could see the desire in her sleepy gaze, as if she longed for me.

Her body felt cold, even through her clothes. I rubbed her back to warm her up, and she pressed her cool lips to my neck.

Her warm breath near my ear was sweet, intoxicating.

Drawn in by the irresistible tide, I kissed her hair, then her forehead, then the soft area near her ear.

The small gap between our bodies was the only thing left of my self-control.

Even that gap was slowly eroded, like sand washed away by the waves.

The soft sensation of her body against mine—her heated breaths warming me—soon made our lips meet naturally. I brushed away the long hair that had fallen over her face and, while kissing her, cupped her flushed cheeks in my hands.

“Aren’t you cold?” I asked.

“I’m warm,” she replied.

After saying that, Aki grabbed my arm and started running.

“Wait, what’s going on?”

We arrived at a narrow alleyway between two buildings. The stray cats who had gotten there first slunk away, clearly displeased.

The space was barely wide enough for the two of us to walk side by side. The wind howled, making a loud noise as it blew through.

“Hey, what are you doing?” I asked again.

Without answering, Aki pushed me against the wall and hugged me tightly.

Contrary to my lingering feelings for my ex, my instincts began to awaken.

Our clandestine affair, hidden in the darkness, would remain unseen by anyone. Occasionally, people hurried past on the street, casting glances our way, but no one stopped.

Once again, our lips collided with a wet, audible sound.

We exchanged saliva, our tongues entwined.

Everything about her was different, yet beneath the scent of her saliva, I found the same smell that my ex had.

At that moment, I lost control, embracing Aki’s body more fiercely, as if I wanted to devour her.

More, more…

Just like when I had searched for traces of my ex in my bed, I now sought them out in Aki’s body.

Dimly lit by a distant streetlight, the alley was almost pitch dark, so much so that I couldn’t even clearly see Aki’s face.

As her moans grew louder and her breathing became more ragged, vivid memories of my ex flooded my mind.

As I held Aki, I kept searching for my ex in her scent.

I had probably been devouring Aki’s body for quite a while.

After we both silently adjusted our clothes, I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see that only about 30 minutes had passed.

A strange calm settled over me, bringing a moment of clarity. All the while I had been with Aki, I had been thinking of my ex.

I had been trapped in the illusion that I was holding my ex.

That’s why the words, “I’m sorry,” slipped from my mouth.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Aki, who had been leaning against the wall and playing with her hair, stopped moving.

“Well… it’s just…”

“You don’t have to say anything. I’m used to it.”

I was about to add, “I didn’t mean to lead you on,” but Aki cut me off before I could.

In the darkness, I couldn’t see her face, but her voice sounded shakier than I had ever heard it before.

“Used to it?”

Aki peeled herself away from the wall like she’d been burned and turned towards the street, walking away.

I followed her, matching her pace as we walked.

“I used to work in the sex industry.”

It wasn’t shocking or surprising at all. In fact, the word “I see” came to me naturally.

“That makes sense…”

Before I could finish, Aki quickened her pace, walking briskly ahead.

“Hey, wait! Slow down! What’s going on?”

I grabbed Aki’s arm as she seemed ready to disappear into the darkness.

“He was the same. All men are the same,” she said.

“He?”

“Yeah. Mita.”

“What? Mita?”

Mita was the guy who had slept with my ex-girlfriend. Why did Aki know Mita’s name?