Touch Therapy: Where Hands Go, Bodies Beg

The villa was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the soft breathing of three bodies tangled in the sheets. Morning light crept in through the curtains, painting the room in pale gold.

Ji-hye stirred first. Her eyelashes fluttered as her cheek pressed against something warm and solid. When her vision cleared, she realized she was nestled in Joon-ho's arm, her head resting on his chest, his steady heartbeat drumming against her ear. His scent lingered on the sheets, on her skin, even in her lungs—clean soap mixed with the faint musk of last night.

For a long moment, she stayed still, just listening. Her lips curved into a soft smile.

On the other side of the bed, Harin was sprawled out in a completely different manner—her hair messy across the pillow, one arm flung upward, and one bare leg thrown right across Joon-ho's waist. Ji-hye's cheeks flushed as she realized Harin's thigh was pressing directly against his cock, trapped beneath the sheets. Even in sleep, Harin seemed determined to tease.

Ji-hye giggled softly to herself. The scene was ridiculous and perfect all at once. Here she was, curled up against the man who had claimed her in front of everyone at the court, then claimed her again so completely in bed last night. And across from her, Harin, fearless and playful, the woman who had coaxed her deeper into this shameless happiness.

Her heart swelled. She felt no doubt, no hesitation. Just warmth and belonging. I really am his woman now.

Joon-ho shifted, a faint groan rumbling in his chest as Harin's leg brushed him again. His eyes cracked open, still heavy with sleep. For a moment, he blinked down at Ji-hye, his expression unreadable—then a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Morning," he murmured, his voice low and husky.

Ji-hye blushed instantly. "M-Morning…"

From the other side, Harin stirred, mumbling incoherently before cracking an eye open. She glanced down, realized where her leg was, and smirked without shame. "Well, look at that. Even in his sleep, my leg knows what it wants."

Ji-hye covered her face with her hands, stifling a laugh. Joon-ho gave a quiet snort, shaking his head as Harin lazily rolled off him and stretched like a cat.

"Keep rubbing me like that and I'll think you're doing it on purpose," he teased.

"Who says it's not?" Harin winked before collapsing back onto her pillow.

The easy banter filled Ji-hye with a kind of warmth she hadn't felt in years. This wasn't the stiff routine of training camps or the formal silence of press conferences. This was… home.

Eventually, Joon-ho slipped out of bed, stretching his arms overhead, muscles shifting under his skin. He padded into the bathroom, and soon the sound of running water echoed faintly through the villa.

Ji-hye lay there a moment longer, then slipped out herself. She padded into the bathroom after him, the mirror catching her reflection. She froze.

Her neck was dotted with dark red hickeys. Her collarbones were smudged with more. Even lower—across her breasts, her stomach, and when she peeked down, the tops of her thighs—more marks bloomed like crimson flowers. Her cheeks burned hot as she touched them lightly.

The memories of the night rushed back—his mouth, Harin's lips, the sounds she made when she lost herself. Instead of shame, a silly smile spread across her face. She looked ridiculous, covered in marks, but she had never felt so… claimed, so alive.

She stepped under the shower, warm water cascading down her skin, washing away the sweat of the night before. She closed her eyes, running her fingers across the marks, giggling at herself. I look ruined… but I love it.

The door creaked, and Harin slipped inside with her usual boldness. Steam curled around her as she stepped into the shower without hesitation, pressing her body against Ji-hye's from behind.

"Well, well," Harin purred, arms circling Ji-hye's waist. "Someone looks very happy this morning. Smiling like a schoolgirl with her first crush."

Ji-hye laughed, embarrassed. "I can't help it. I… I just feel so—" She stopped, shaking her head, cheeks burning.

"So claimed?" Harin teased, biting gently at her shoulder. "Want me to add a few more before you go back to training? You'll drive your teammates crazy."

Ji-hye giggled, covering her face. "I don't mind… I think I'd just die of embarrassment if they saw everything."

"Oh, they'll see something," Harin said with a mischievous grin. Her hands slid upward, cupping Ji-hye's breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples until they stiffened under the water. "At least let me play a little before we head out."

Ji-hye squeaked, swatting at her. "Unnie!"

Harin laughed, leaning forward to rest her chin on Ji-hye's shoulder. "Relax, I'm only teasing." She gave a playful pinch to Ji-hye's nipple before letting go, both of them dissolving into giggles as the warm spray washed over them.

They finished their shower together, playful nudges and laughter bouncing off the bathroom tiles. By the time they stepped out, Ji-hye felt lighter than she had in years.

She dressed in her training uniform and zipped up her team jacket, tugging the collar high to cover most of the marks. Not all of them, though—no matter how she adjusted it, a few peeked out along her neck. Harin, on the other hand, slipped into a casual dress, humming to herself as if nothing unusual had happened at all.

When they entered the dining area, the smell of food greeted them. Joon-ho had already prepared breakfast—steaming bowls of rice, side dishes neatly arranged, eggs sizzling golden in a pan. He moved with calm ease, plating everything with practiced hands.

The three of them sat together at the table. Harin immediately dug in, declaring between bites, "Mmm, this is why living with him is the best—free breakfast every morning."

Ji-hye laughed softly, eating with more appetite than usual. Every now and then, her eyes drifted to Joon-ho, to the quiet way he chewed, to the way he refilled Harin's bowl without a word, or set a piece of meat on Ji-hye's plate before she even asked.

It felt… ordinary. But to Ji-hye, it was extraordinary. A moment of peace, of family, of belonging she never thought she'd have.

And she cherished every second of it.

The drive to the training center was quiet but comfortable, the kind of silence that didn't need filling. Morning sun slanted through the car windows, glinting off Ji-hye's team jacket as she sat in the backseat, earphones loosely in her ears, though she wasn't really listening to music. Instead, she watched Joon-ho's reflection in the rearview mirror—the calm steadiness in his eyes, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearshift.

Harin sat in the passenger seat, humming along to the radio, sunglasses perched on her nose. She looked relaxed, but Ji-hye could feel the undercurrent of energy in her. Harin was always like this—at ease on the surface, mischief waiting underneath.

When they pulled up to the training facility, Ji-hye's chest tightened with nerves. She wasn't just coming back after injury—she was coming back changed, marked, her heart fully claimed. Would the others notice? Would they tease?

She pushed the thoughts aside and smiled as Joon-ho parked. "I'll head to the locker room first," she said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Go on," Joon-ho replied. "We'll find Coach Min."

Ji-hye nodded, lingering for a second longer before forcing herself out of the car.

Inside the building, the atmosphere buzzed with the usual morning routine. Players laughed, sneakers squeaked, water bottles clattered. Ji-hye greeted a few teammates in the hallway, her jacket zipped high, but she could already feel their curious eyes on her. Her cheeks heated, but she smiled anyway.

Meanwhile, Joon-ho and Harin walked down the hall toward Coach Min's office. Harin knocked once before pushing the door open.

Coach Min looked up from her desk, arms crossed, expression sharp as always—but her eyes softened at the sight of Joon-ho. "You're here."

"Morning, Coach," Joon-ho greeted, stepping inside with a polite nod.

Coach Min leaned back in her chair. "Ye-rin's condition has improved significantly. She's cleared for light training today—we'll be monitoring closely to make sure there are no long-term issues. That's thanks to you."

"She put in the effort too," Joon-ho replied calmly. "I just guided her recovery."

Coach Min gave a faint smile before shifting the topic. "Before you leave for Seoul… I want to ask something. If another player suffers an injury, can I send her to your clinic? Not just now, but even in the lead-up to the Olympics. You'll be with us during that period, but until then…"

"Yes," Joon-ho said without hesitation. "Arrange it through Harin."

At the mention of her name, Harin perked up and flashed her brightest grin. "That's right. I'll handle his schedule. Just give me a call, Coach. I'll make sure you get priority."

Coach Min raised an eyebrow, but accepted it, sliding her phone across the desk. Harin tapped in her number quickly, winking as she handed it back. "Now you've got me on speed dial."

The older woman shook her head, amused. "You're sharp-tongued, I'll give you that."

"Sharp and useful," Harin quipped.

Coach Min's gaze softened as she looked between the two. "Take care of Ji-hye, both of you. She's talented, but reckless. Now that I know where she's spending her nights, I expect you to keep her balanced."

Joon-ho's expression didn't waver. "I will."

When they stepped onto the court, the air was already buzzing. The girls were stretching, laughing, smacking volleyballs lightly back and forth. But the second they spotted Ji-hye trailing behind them, their eyes widened—and the teasing started immediately.

"Ohhh, look who finally showed up looking like she didn't sleep a wink!" one called.

"Ji-hye, what's that on your neck?!" another gasped dramatically, pointing at the faint hickeys that even her jacket couldn't hide.

Ji-hye's cheeks flamed, but instead of shrinking away like before, she lifted her chin and smirked. "Maybe I didn't sleep. What of it?"

The entire court erupted.

"Wooo! She's bold now!"

"She's glowing—look at her face!"

"Coach, Ji-hye's corrupted already!"

Laughter bounced off the gym walls, and Ji-hye felt something loosen in her chest. She wasn't ashamed anymore. She was proud.

Coach Min clapped her hands sharply, though even she couldn't hide a smirk tugging at her lips. "Enough. Focus. Today's important." She glanced toward Joon-ho and Harin, who stood near the benches. "This is his last day here before returning to Seoul. But you'll see him again soon."

The players quieted, listening intently.

"Thanks to his skills—and the results you've all seen with Ji-hye and Ye-rin—Joon-ho will be with us during the Olympic period as our therapist."

For a moment, there was silence. Then cheers broke out.

"Welcome to the team!"

"Take care of us, oppa!"

"No favoritism for Ji-hye, okay?!"

Laughter filled the court again, but it was warm, welcoming. Joon-ho inclined his head slightly, hands in his pockets. "I'll do my best for all of you."

Satisfied, Coach Min sent the players off to warm up. Balls thudded, sneakers squeaked again, energy filling the court.

Joon-ho turned to Ji-hye, who lingered near the edge, her heart tugging painfully. She knew this was goodbye—at least for now.

Harin stepped aside, giving them space.

Joon-ho walked up to Ji-hye and pulled her into his arms without hesitation. The entire court went silent for a beat—then erupted into cheers and whistles as he pressed a kiss firmly to her lips.

Ji-hye clung to him, uncaring of the audience, uncaring of her burning cheeks. When he pulled back, her eyes were glassy.

"I'll miss you," she whispered.

"You don't have to," he replied calmly. "If you're tired, if you need me, call Harin. Or call me directly. I'll be there."

She nodded quickly, unable to trust her voice.

From behind, Harin chimed in with her usual bold grin, "And don't forget me, kid. We'll all meet again soon. The team can't keep me away forever."

The players around them hooted and teased, shouting things like, "Ji-hye-ah, you're finished now!" and "Take responsibility, oppa!"

Ji-hye buried her face in Joon-ho's chest, laughing and crying at the same time.

When it was finally time, Joon-ho and Harin waved their goodbyes, slipping out of the gym as the players returned to their drills. Ji-hye stood watching until they disappeared from sight, her chest aching but full, her lips still tingling from his kiss.