Antisocial Chapter 63

Chapter 63. Safe Zone 

[The smart farm facilities in the 23rd refugee shelter were mostly safe. There were many traces of efforts to solve the food problem. It was factory-sized.

The vegetable factory used recycled plastic synthetic fibers and LED lighting for vertical farming instead of soil and sunlight. Along with autonomous drones for planting and large foreign tractors that could harvest tons of staple crops in minutes. This ensured high efficiency as long as they were properly managed. One facility could handle the work of hundreds of people.

However, it needed electricity to operate these state-of-the-art systems and a factory to produce quality fertilizer. Otherwise, no matter how advanced the facilities were, they would be meaningless.

The possibility that the situation could deteriorate to the point where all of these cutting-edge production lines might shut down couldn’t be ignored.

I enjoy collecting agricultural books whenever I have some free time. I try growing seedlings on the balcony and study how to help crops thrive. It feels surprisingly well-suited to my interests.

The unfortunate thing is that our country’s land is not very fertile. In countries like the United States or Ukraine, the soil is top-grade, and crops can grow easily with just a few seeds. But our land is generally ranked around seventh grade, with even the best regions barely reaching fifth.

I don’t want to assume the worst. But if farming becomes urgently necessary right now, I’m worried that I won’t be able to do it as well as I practiced.]

 

[The reason I sometimes write a diary is because I have nothing else to write about. I think I’ll forget how to write soon!

When I was doing reports every week in school, I got sick of writing about the experimental process and discussion.

However, I now miss the sound of pencils and the smell of paper.

Can we go back to those peaceful times?]

 

[The infection contained in the meteorite that came from space rapidly spread to major cities worldwide that day.

Considering that it was disseminated in gas form, targeting densely populated areas, it supports my intentional hypothesis. The origin of this lifeform was a deliberate invasion by extraterrestrial beings.

The Fermi Paradox suggests that the universe is too vast, making the likelihood of humans encountering intelligent alien life extremely low.

Regardless of the true cause behind the zombie outbreak, I feel like my short lifespan won’t be enough to uncover the truth.

Isn’t it fortunate, in a way, that we don’t have to worry about a full-scale invasion by intelligent aliens on top of everything else?

It’s frightening to think that absurd ideas like that might become real. Every passing year reveals a world even more bizarre.

Even though the world has become a den of zombies, I’m still doing okay.

The fact that I can spend time like this—just because I want to write—shows how relaxed things are, at least for now.

It’s all thanks to my housemate and legal husband, Do-kyung.

My relationship with Do-kyung has changed a lot since the beginning.

I am no longer afraid of him. I don’t hate him.

When I think about him, I feel strange. Have I become strange?

No.

Joo Do-kyung is strange.

He always speaks harshly, but his actions are different.

When I ask him to hug me or hold my hand, he does so without hesitation.

He has a very cold demeanor, yet his body is warm. It feels comforting.

I enjoy the sensation of our skin touching.

Is it because his skin is beautiful?

Joo Do-kyung is handsome.

Strange. My heart is weird.

Joo Do-kyung’s face keeps appearing in my mind.

Is this also part of my struggle to survive?

It tickles. It’s hot. My heart pounds.

Did I become positive about him for my own happiness?

Did I grow attached because of the time we’ve spent together?

Was it because he saved me? I…]

 

At that moment, a black shadow appeared over Bo-yeon’s head.

“Kyak!”

Bo-yeon, who had been writing her thoughts with a troubled expression, jumped up and hugged her diary.

Do-kyung, who had just come out of the bathroom, was looking down at her with a blank expression.

“Y-you scared me!”

“What’s so surprising? Were you writing something bad about me?”

Do-kyung chuckled and turned away, amused by Bo-yeon hugging her diary like a squirrel guarding its acorns. His back glistened with moisture.

The upper half of his body looked cold as ice, while his lower half radiated heat. It was hard to tell from his indifferent expression, but with his torso exposed, the lines of his well-defined muscles were clearly visible.

He looked like a statue—solid and remote—but it felt like he’d be warm to the touch.

Bo-yeon had lived with him long enough that seeing him half-naked shouldn’t have been shocking, but she couldn’t understand why she felt so tense. Her heart raced, and her chest tightened.

Was it just from being startled?

“Ahem. I told you to dry yourself properly.”

Bo-yeon cleared her throat and stepped closer to Do-kyung.

Maybe it was because he was unexpectedly careless or simply indifferent. He never dried himself thoroughly. He would just pat himself down with a towel and leave the rest. His back, especially, was still damp.

Sometimes I find that cute… Ahh! What am I thinking?!

“G-give me the towel.”

Bo-yeon snatched the towel from him and began patting his back. She wasn’t short, but Do-kyung was tall enough that she had to raise her arms high to reach his shoulders.

“If I leave it, it’ll dry soon.”

Do-kyung, who had just pulled on his pants, suddenly grabbed Bo-yeon’s hand and tugged her toward him. Her cheek pressed lightly against his freshly washed, fragrant chest.

His skin was smooth and hot. Firm, yet—when relaxed like this—surprisingly soft. The contrast between warmth and coolness made her stomach flutter. Without thinking, her arms gently wrapped around him.

“Smells good…”

“It’s the body wash you use.”

A large hand slid down Bo-yeon’s back. Her stomach tingled as if he had touched a sensitive spot. When he pulled her in by the waist, Bo-yeon buried her face in his chest.

Just hugging Do-kyung made her feel warm and lightheaded. Was it because of his scent after the shower?

His hand stroked her soft forearm. He gently ran his fingers over her thin arm, then paused at the pencil marks near her fingers.

“Goody-two shoes.”

He chuckled, holding her hand up to show her the pencil smudges. It wasn’t something to be embarrassed about, but her cheeks flushed anyway. She didn’t know why she felt so shy.

“You must’ve been class president or something in school.”

Do-kyung teased her, smiling faintly. He wasn’t wrong. Bo-yeon had been class president almost every year.

“What’s wrong with being class president?”

“Goody-two shoes.”

His low voice tickled her ears. He teased her again. Without realizing it, the corners of his cold eyes softened. His expression was so relaxed, it was hard to believe he was the same Joo Do-kyung.

“……”

Her fingers, stained with pencil marks, curled and scratched his palm. Her chest tickled, like a cool breeze had passed through it.

“I think you were in a sports club. You probably didn’t come to class often.”

Bo-yeon muttered, avoiding his gaze.

She tried to imagine Do-kyung as a student. He was cold now, but at least she could talk to him. Back then, when he was more immature, maybe he was distant. He’s someone who doesn’t care about others. But he was likely popular, with people seeking him out anyway.

At lunchtime, the boys would have pulled him into games of soccer or basketball. He probably ran around in the bright sun, drenched in sweat…

“If we were in the same class, I think I would’ve chased you around…”

She suddenly felt his gaze and panicked, trying to backtrack.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I mean, I think you would’ve been indifferent to class activities, and I would’ve had to nag you about homework… if I were the class president… As class president…”

The excuses just kept coming.

“It wouldn’t be much different.”

“Huh?”

“You’re still chasing me around. Like a baby chick.”

She couldn’t deny it. Countless memories came to mind. Her holding onto his clothes, following him closely like a shadow.

“A chick is already a baby chicken. Saying ‘baby chick’ is… kind of redundant…”

Bo-yeon mumbled, latching onto the end of her sentence for no reason. Do-kyung, as usual, wasn’t fazed.

“It’s okay.”

“What is?”

“It means you’re not even as good as a chick.”

Ding. Her brain lagged behind.

“What do you mean, ‘okay’…?!”

Bo-yeon, realizing the insult too late, got flustered and smacked his chest.

Slap.

…Slap?

“Huh… Huh…?”

Bo-yeon stared blankly at the hand that had just hit his chest.

I hit him?

Joo Do-kyung?

Is it okay?

No.

Why didn’t he dodge?

There was no way he couldn’t have dodged. He was fast—fast enough to seem like he could teleport.

“You really are like a chick.”

Do-kyung teased Bo-yeon, who stood frozen in embarrassment. The implication was clear: even when she hit him, it didn’t amount to much. She wasn’t even as strong as a chick.

But he didn’t seem upset at all.

If it had been anyone else, the consequences would’ve been severe. Yet with Bo-yeon, he didn’t seem to care.

“…That’s because you keep teasing me,”

Bo-yeon muttered, lowering her hand, grumbling like a child.

“Don’t tease me.”

“Why?”

“Why? Because you shouldn’t tease people!”

“I can do whatever I want. Moon Bo-yeon.”

Bo-yeon’s lips parted in disbelief.

“That’s ridiculous…”

“What?”

His voice wasn’t sharp. It was still laced with amusement.

“Then I’ll do whatever I want too, Joo Do-kyung.”

Bo-yeon shot back without backing down.

“Joo Do-kyung?”

“Yeah… It’s only fair.”

Do-kyung looked amused. She’d started this, and now she had to commit. Her heart pounded at her own boldness, but her round eyes stared straight into his.

“Arrogant Moon Bo-yeon.”

“…Bad Joo Do-kyung.”

“Hah.”

Do-kyung smacked his forehead and let out a hollow laugh. It was such a cute rebellion coming from the ever-cautious, goody-two-shoes Moon Bo-yeon.

“……”

Did I go too far this time?

Bo-yeon glanced up at him nervously, looking like a puppy caught doing something wrong. Her wide, anxious eyes were almost comical.

“Haha…”

A large hand came up to cover his eyes as he laughed again, wiping down his expression like he couldn’t believe it.

Then, just as suddenly, the laughter stopped.

Without warning, Do-kyung picked Bo-yeon up and rushed into the bedroom.

“Ak! What, what is this?!”

By the time she registered what was happening, she was already laid down on the bed.

“This is funny. Keep acting cocky.”

His voice was dangerously low, and sweet, intoxicating pheromones radiated from him like a wave.

“Ahh…!”

Bo-yeon couldn’t even resist properly. Her body betrayed her, melting under the rush of heat and sensation.