Distancing!

In a dimly lighted room could be seen two people. The room features signified belonging to a woman because of the floral curtains and neat arrangement of things around.

The room was air-conditioned, but despite that, these two people were sweating profoundly.

"Tell me if it hurts, okay?"

"Mm. Ah!"

"Should I go slow?"

"Yeah, a little. I am sensitive right now."

The older woman nodded as she slowed her hand movement and gently ran her soft palm which was covered with ointment over Ijin's thighs. After a lot of banter, Ijin agreed to get treated by his aunt but he kept his towel hanging around his waist.

Looking down, that long towel was now folded up to his genitals and was only covering his most secretive part. Other than that piece of clothing he was bare from top to bottom.

The lady already had applied the ointment on his legs and toes which made her sweat a lot, but she wasnt focusing on herself right now. She was worried about her nephew who somehow got burnt to that extent where her reasoning started to fail.

Ijin was thinking of every disgusting creature like the demon he saw when he asked for both skills, to keep his mind diverted. He knew one single misstep and everything would be blown away. He haven't seen his ajumma in the eye after coming inside her room, as the fragrance was already overwhelmingly exciting him.

The skin of his ajumma felt extremely cold and soft upon interacting with his own as she rubbed his upper thigh in a round movement.

"Ah~" He wasnt making those sounds intentionally but for some reason, he wasnt able to control himself.

Mikyung wasnt pausing as she got accustomed to her nephew's moans already. She was thoroughly applying the ointment while trying to keep her gaze fixed on one point at a time. Her face was flushed, maybe because of the heat from the outside or...

"Okay, I will be applying it on your upper body now." As she said she crawled upward without looking at Ijin at all, more like she was intentionally avoiding his gaze.

Ijin was flatly lying on the bed and saw her face drawn in front of his as she started spreading the cream over his shoulders first. It was already the second pack of ointment she was using but still, the way she was applying without holding back, signified what stock of medicines she had in store.

Ijin for the first time looked at his beautiful landlady who always leaves him breathless whenever he comes across her. For him, she was a source of masturbation in a past life

but now she was his blood-related relative.

To say his desires were upheld because of the reason aforementioned, would be a lie. He was attracted to her as a man gets toward a female. She was a subject to his uncontrollable desires, someone he wants to hold and never let go of.

Ijin in the flow of his unruly emotions guided his hand toward her face which made the lady stopped in her track as she finally looked at Ijin with complication filling her eyes. Ijin didn't stop there and inserted the hanging strands of hair of the lady, between his fingers before tugging it back behind her cute ear.

His eyes were moistened with his mind in turmoil and before he could realize the word...

"Beautiful."

....already left his mouth.

"Huh?" Mikyung was able to hear his word which made her unconsciously make a small astonishing sound. She wasn't gazing away, more like she wasn't able to. His warm eyes reflected her face and the expression he had was something she never saw him make before.

Soon her brows frowned as she continued aiding Ijin with little unsteady movements.

"Even you are in this condition, you are complimenting this old lady." She complained but there wasn't any displeasure behind her words. More to it Ijin even saw how she suppressed her smile behind her frown.

"Ijin." Upon her serious remark, Ijin also focused his eyes upon her before she continued.

"Can....can you tell me how this happened?" She wasn't looking at him as she didn't know what expression she would make when he would lie to her. Mikyung was aware that Ijin wasn't comfortable around her much to tell about his personal life with her.

"I can't ajumma. Not now nor ever. You shouldn't know or it would hinder me from taking some necessary steps in the future. But don't worry, whatever happens, I would never let anyone or anything harm you or Dayun." Upon hearing half of his remark Mikyung only sighed in sadness but the next half made her a little annoyed as she turned her eyes toward him.

"And at what cost. What condition should I expect to see you in next time? Broken limbs? Permanent disability? I don't want that Ijin nor Dayun would want it. I hate to see you like this...I...I..." Tears were already flowing down her eyes as she nearly shouted in grief and pain.

Ijin without thinking much got up and wrapped his hand around his ajumma and draped her head on his shoulder. His body sent a calming warmth to the woman which she found extremely comfortable.

She also wrapped her hands around Ijin's torso, albeit cautiously, not to hurt him.

"You know Ajumma. Before meeting you guys, I was alone living in a world where life and death never mattered to me. I didnt have much recollection of my family that's why when I was away, everything seemed colorless like I was just dragging my life to meet my end, one day." Mikyung without realizing compacted her hold on Ijin as she dwelled deep in his heat, reluctant to let go.

"But now thanks to you and Dayun, I regained my colors. Now the thought of dying feels terrifying as without seeing you both feel like I would break down. So Ajumma, whatever I am doing or will do, I promise that I will return to you, to my family."

Ijin's words were soothing and heartwarming to listen to. Mikyung lost track of what place she was and what she was doing. The thoughts inside her head reverberated with Ijin's words. How he easily convinced her even though he was the younger here, he made the situation understandable enough to make her calm.

She was weeping silently before Ijin separate himself from her. Mikyung felt a little dissatisfied upon losing the foreign warmth but before she could realize another source of heat pressed against her lips.

Her half-closed eyes, shot open as she saw her condition. Ijin's eyes were closed and they were inches apart from her. His lips were pressing her own as he held her face in spot firmly. For a second she lost all her reasoning and also closed her eyes and felt the soft sensation on her lips which was making her mind drift away.

She was kissing someone after so long that she also had forgotten and she could tell this kiss wasn't out of lust or passion, just pure love. The love she carries for her family was transmitted through her.

Wait, family!?

Like a heavy load drops on one's shoulder without warning, Mikyung retracted her face and made the gap between them.

Ijin also came out of his stupor as he realized what he had done. He wanted to decrease their distance but this development was too absurd and he knew it.

"We can't do this Ijin." She turned her head denying any kind of eye contact with him as she knew her expression right now was completely unbecoming of a guardian.

Ijin stared at her for some seconds wordlessly, before he got up leaving the lady alone as his mind was in turmoil right now.

As he got up he felt their hand still intervened which he retracted slowly as he muttered under his breath.

"I am sorry ajumma."

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[Mikyung POV:]

I got out of bed a little earlier than I generally do. My mind was restless since last night, which kept me awake throughout the night. Something which I never imagined doing with any other man anymore, happened with my own nephew.

Last night, I did something which I regret even upon thinking. The guilt of seeing Ijin in a different light even for a moment was hideous and shameful of me. He's a growing boy who would get carried away because of his hormones, but not me.

I was already in my early thirties. When he kissed me, I should have retracted immediately but I let my emotions overtake me, and even for a second, I got indulge in the pleasure of a woman. A woman whome I have suppressed for so many years sneaked out in presence of the boy who's like my own child.

This was something I couldn't forgive myself for. I was an adult, I should have taken charge and explained to Ijin that it was fine to let your emotion misunderstand your intent. Yet I kept silent and let him go like he did something wrong.

The look he gave me before disappearing from my sight, was painful. He was hurt more than I was. I didnt know why he was hurt, but I hope it doesn't have to something with my rejection. Even though I want my children to be happy, I couldn't pass this line and let myself get involved with Ijin in that way.

Thinking about these things, I washed my face and wore a robe over my nightgown before I walked out. I heard Dayun's humming voice from the kitchen and a very enticing smell of something delicious.

A smile involuntarily formed on my face as I walked forward and saw her cooking breakfast merrily. Ijin wasn't around the table which made me somewhat relaxed and sad at the same time. I knew it must be hard for him after getting injured to that extent, so I was thinking to go help him after greeting Dayun.

"Good morning, love. What is it you are preparing?" I hugged Dayun from the back as her hands halted in midst of stirring mushroom soup.

"Morning aunt. It's unusual to see you this early." I separated myself before taking the table.

"Well, I am trying to be more diligent." I took the coffee which Dayun brought for me before she went back to the kitchen.

"Ah...I should wake Ijin up." Even though I pretended to suddenly remember about him, Ijin was the only thought I had since last night. But before I could have made my way to the stairs Dayun turned toward me.

"Ah, he already left, aunt. He didnt has anything for breakfast because he wasn't feeling well, so I packed him lunch." I went blank as I plopped back on the chair.

It was only 6.30 in the morning and their school starts at 8. It was no doubt, that Ijin left the house because of me. Or to be precise he didnt wanted to be in the same space as me. Knowing my daily routine, he should be aware that I wouldn't get up before they leave, so that's the only conclusion I could drop upon.

"I think he is a little sad Aunt. He didnt even looked at me once and left in a hurry. Do you know what happened?" My innocent niece tilted her in oblivion, but how can I tell her that her brother was distancing himself because of me.

Suddenly a thought that in my normal mind, I would have never allowed to think, popped up.

'Would it have been good if I'd let him kiss me...?'

___________...____________

[Ijin's POV:]

I entered school nearly at 7 after leaving the house half an hour ago. I strolled around for as much as I could but nothing was interesting at this hour so I decided to arrive earlier and study for the midterms.

The situation with ajumma was unexpected and if I would have sent it back in time, I would probably have restricted myself from taking that step. But what's done is done.

I don't regret it much but for her comfort, I would try to distance myself until she doesn't sober up.

"Oh, good morning, Ijin!" Little did I expect that I would meet people so early in the morning.

"Hello, Shin-Yuna. Sukjoo." Extending my greeting I moved toward my seat as I received a pout from the girl whom I still couldn't understand completely.

"You are still formal with me while you act so friendly around Soo-Ah and Sukjoo. Is it some kind of tough play to hide your embarrassment around your crush?" Even she questioned my embarrassment, she was now beet red.

This was what I don't understand about her, how does she keep on coming at me while I was dodging her all this time.

"Yes, you can say. Winning the heroine in the way no one can expect, that kind of play." I shrugged my shoulder as I settled on my seat. I said it nonchalantly but the stars I saw in Yuna's eyes said otherwise.

"How romantic." She giggled as I made dry smile and saw Sukjoo making something similar to my expression.

It seemed Yuna remembered something as she jabbed her first on top of her palm before turning toward me.

"That reminds me Ijin. Are you free after school for some hours?" I raised my brows and without thinking much replied.

"Yeah, probably ."

"Oh great. Then can you meet my grandfather ...no please meet my grandfather after school. He was in hospital until now and when he heard about the abduction, he asked me to introduce you."

"Your grandfather..." I glanced at Sukjoo on which he took the trail and responded.

"Yes. The current chairman of SW. He wants to express his gratitude for saving Yuna ." I shook my head with a sigh.

"If he had only to thank me, that is..."

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A/ N: A long gap would be prolonged before I introduce a new world. Ijin relationship with his women would also progress in these times so expect a decent amount of cheesiness.

Anyway, drop a comment if you are liking the chapter.