"Chao! Chao! Chaolikang! All~ natural pleasure from whole ingredients!" The TV blared exaggeratedly before popping up a big logo. "3.3 times your daily recommended vitamins!"
"…Damn it, Jackie. This better be important!" Sunlight streamed through the window. V, in a tank top, paced irritably, face full of frustration—like someone had just ruined something great.
That was the first scene Berry saw upon regaining awareness.
Blinking her wet eyes, Berry tried to move, but her arms and legs were weak and soft. Just trying made a wave of numbness wash over her, leaving her unable to move.
Her shoulders felt cold. She looked down and realized her jacket and T-shirt had somehow been removed and were now draped over the table. She was only wearing a small crop top. No wonder she felt chilly.
She was damp, but her pants were still on properly, belt untouched. Her mind was hazy, but she felt… relieved. Like something bad hadn't gone all the way.
"Fine, fine! Just stay put!" V hung up the phone.
"Hey, baby, you doing okay?" Turning around, V's earlier annoyance vanished. With a bright smile, she approached Berry, leaning down to smooth the hair stuck to her face, her movements nothing but gentle.
Berry… baby… the rhyme was perfect. V had wanted to call her that for ages.
Still foggy-headed, Berry didn't register the change in address. She blinked, recognized V—then before she could speak, V was already dressing her.
T-shirt on, jacket on. And finally, a sweet kiss to finish it. Berry, still out of it, didn't notice anything wrong and didn't resist at all.
"We're going to Vik's first." V licked her wet lips, her eyes filled with an emotion Berry couldn't decipher. "Then when we get back… we'll continue."
In Berry's ears, everything V said was muffled and dreamy. All she understood was they were leaving. Out of instinctive dependence, she grabbed V's hand.
"V… my legs are weak… I can't walk…" Her voice was soft and teary, paired with the lingering blush on her face and innocent eyes. V's breath instantly deepened; the feelings she'd barely suppressed almost surged back.
"It's okay, I've got you." Watching Berry try and fail to stand, legs giving out each time, V felt her heart get shot clean through. She knew she couldn't stay any longer—another minute, and she'd ditch Jackie and stay home all day.
Getting to the car, where Jackie was already waiting for them. He noticed Berry's current state and couldn't help but speak up.
"…What's wrong with Berry? She sick?"
"…She just didn't sleep well. She'll feel better in the car."
Berry was helped into the back seat and covered with a blanket.
The car's hum filled the silence. The two in front were chatting, but Berry couldn't make out the words. She felt drunk, half-dreaming, mind blank.
Only when the car stopped did her senses return.
And then—
Holy—!!!
The moment her full awareness snapped back, she almost swore aloud.
What the hell happened just now!? She had almost been topped by V!
If Jackie hadn't called, she would've woken up naked in bed right now. V probably would've been smoking a post-session cig beside her.
No, no, NO!!
Berry shook her head violently, trying to fling those shameful memories away. She refused to admit that she—a grown man's soul—had been taken down so easily by V!
That mess she made of herself on the sofa? Weak arms, weak legs, letting V do whatever she wanted? That was straight-up bottom behavior. The softest kind, even.
Was that what a man should do? Was that the dignity of a man!? Berry, have some shame!
For the first time, Berry felt her masculine pride under severe threat—by V.
She glared at V, eyes blazing, cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Come on, Berry! Show V your masculinity! Even if you play those games, you should be the one on top!
Decision made—the previous round didn't count. She'd start over. No way she couldn't handle one V. Sure, V looked top as hell and was stronger, but in terms of chest size—A-cup vs. B-cup—the advantage was hers.
"So, feeling better now, baby?" Sometime while she was fuming, the car had parked in front of Misty's shop. V opened the door, looking at Berry's flushed, puffed-up cheeks—and couldn't help laughing.
"My name is Berry. Berry. Got it?" Berry growled between her teeth, furious at V's teasing smile—as if mocking her. "Not some stupid 'baby.'"
"Mhm, whatever makes you happy." V shrugged. She wasn't about to argue about titles—not after doing almost everything she wanted already. Now was the time to smooth Berry's fury down, and V had infinite patience for that. "Let me help you get out, then—Berry~."
"I don't need your help!" Berry threw off the blanket and stepped out, slapping away V's hand.
"Ah." Stubborn words, but as soon as she landed, her legs nearly collapsed like she'd stepped on cotton.
"See? Told you you couldn't." V expected this, snagging Berry before she face-planted.
"Don't touch me!" Feeling V's arm around her waist, Berry jolted like she'd been shocked, face turning pale. That was exactly how V held her earlier—when she'd been helpless on the sofa.
Red-faced, she pushed V away and staggered toward Misty's shop on trembling legs.
"Hey V, what's going on with you two? Didn't you get along fine before?" Jackie leaned over the car roof, utterly confused. Their behavior today was too weird.
"Jack~ie, I owe it all to you." V said, arms crossed, voice dripping with mockery.
"If it weren't for your call, I'd be washing my bedsheets right now."
"Washing sheets? What's that supposed to mean?" Jackie asked, but V was already heading toward Misty's shop.
"Washing bedding…?" Jackie muttered, scratching his head.
Following the rules of human logic—when you don't understand something, assume it's dirty.
"Wait—does she mean that?" Jackie's eyes widened.
...
[T/N] Some men drown, while others die of thirst...