Chapter 2

Mina knew the situation was insane, a complete departure from the careful, controlled life she’d always lived.

But Nayeon’s cruel words echoed in her head, a toxic fuel. Maybe Nayeon was right. And maybe, just this once, she wanted to be wrong.

Her knees were already on the cold, grimy tile. She shuffled forward, her breath catching in her throat. The person on the other side was pressed flush against the wall, all she could see was a slice of their lower body, clad in dark gray boxer briefs. The waistband was taut, the fabric stretched tight over a distinct shape. Her own body tensed, a thrum of nervous energy starting low in her belly.

Mina’s hand trembled as she reached out. Her fingertips made contact, and the fabric was warm. So warm. It was the heat of another person, alive and just on the other side of this thin, plaster wall. She flattened her palm against them, feeling the firm muscle beneath the soft cotton. She started to rub, slowly, experimentally.

A sharp, audible gasp came from the other side of the wall. The sound sent a jolt straight through Mina, her face flushing with a heat that had nothing to do with the stuffy bathroom. She felt it then, a stirring beneath her hand. The fabric grew taut as a bulge began to form, pressing insistently against her palm. It was happening. This was happening. The air in the stall felt thick, heavy, suddenly too hot.

She could hear the person’s breathing change, growing ragged, punctuated by small, choked-off sounds. A matching heat began to stir between her own legs, a slow, unfamiliar ache that made her thighs press together. It was different, it was new, it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

She pulled her hand away, and was met with a soft, desperate whimper from the other side. She stared, mesmerized, at the sight before her. The gray briefs were now pitched into a perfect, unmistakable tent. Her lips parted. They were fully hard now, all for her. The anonymous nature of it, the idea that this person had no idea who she was, that she was just a mouth, a hand, a sensation in the dark—it was liberating. It gave her a kind of power she’d never known.

Her eyes caught a dark spot forming on the left side of the fabric, a small circle of wetness that seemed to grow as she watched. Leaning closer, she could hear the person’s labored breaths, each exhale a shaky puff of air. The ache between her legs intensified, a demanding pulse that made her shift restlessly.

She wanted to see it. Not just the shape, but the actual thing. Her curiosity was a physical force now, overriding every last shred of her hesitation.

Her fingers curled, trembling, over the elastic waistband of the boxer briefs. She hooked them and began to pull, slowly, millimeter by millimeter. The fabric scraped against the wall, then finally, the person’s erection sprang free, slapping lightly against their own stomach with a soft, damp sound.

It was the first time she’d seen one in the flesh. Porn was one thing—clinical, filtered, distant. This was raw, real, and shockingly intimate. It stood there, flushed and proud, the head a deep, angry purple, a bead of clear fluid welling at the tip. Her mind spun, a dizzying cocktail of awe, fear, and a primal, hungry curiosity.

She didn’t know what came over her. Her hand moved on its own, an extension of the sudden, fierce desire coursing through her. She wrapped her fingers around the shaft. It was warm, impossibly so, and thick enough that her fingers couldn’t quite meet her thumb. The person’s hips bucked forward instantly, a choked groan echoing in the small stall. Mina exhaled sharply, the sound shaky in the quiet stall.

She started with slow strokes, her grip loose. She could feel the subtle twitching in her palm with every pass, the way the velvety skin moved over the steel-hard core. She glanced down and saw the expensive designer shoes she’d noticed earlier, the leather now scuffing and curling against the floor as the person leaned more of their weight into the wall. There was a small M on the side of one of the shoes. The image of them burned deep in her mind.

Mina’s face burned. The sounds—the labored breaths, the desperate whimpers, the wet, rhythmic slap of her fist—were a symphony of sin, and her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird.

This was exciting. It was a thrill, a dangerous, addictive drug, and she wanted more.

Leaning down, bringing her face closer to her hand, she felt a surge of boldness. She pressed the weeping head of the shaft against her lips. The person’s entire body jumped, a violent shudder she felt through the wall.

And then she let it slowly enter her mouth.

Mina didn’t know what to expect, but god, maybe Nayeon was right about something. Because it felt… powerful. The weight on her tongue, the sheer heat of it, the slightly salty taste of the fluid at the tip. It was overwhelming, but in the best way possible. They were a bit big, stretching her lips, but it wasn’t something she couldn’t handle. It was a challenge she suddenly found herself eager to meet.

Her hand fell to her side. Now, it was just her mouth. She began to bob her head, finding a rhythm that matched the person’s hesitant thrusts. She could feel the thick head probing deeper, the throbbing of their shaft a frantic pulse against her tongue. She closed her eyes and swirled her tongue in a slow, circling motion, exploring the ridges and veins, learning the shape of this stranger’s desire.

Then, she did it.

She pulled back until just the swollen head was resting against her lips. The person on the other side let out a shaky breath, anticipating the next plunge. But Mina stilled. She parted her lips slightly, letting them brush against the velvety skin, and in the barest whisper, a puff of warm air against the sensitive tip, she breathed the word, “Wait…”

It was so quiet, almost swallowed by the sound of their own ragged breathing. A question. A moment of hesitation. As if she wasn’t sure she should continue. It was her first time ever doing something like this.

The person’s body suddenly went rigid. Their hips stilled, not from hesitation, but from the sheer, shocking pleasure of that whispered word against their most sensitive skin. It was a jolt, a spark of intimacy so unexpected and specific it was devastating.

Mina’s eyes shot open. Taking the stillness as a sign, she pulled her head back, letting the person go with a wet, audible pop. A thin string of saliva connected her lower lip to the glistening head before breaking.

Sweat trickled from the person’s body, and Mina watched in awe as their shaft began to twitch violently, a frantic dance of overstimulation.

Then it all came out.

A thick, white rope of liquid shot out, hitting her squarely on the cheek. Another spurt landed on her lips, warm and slightly salty. The person on the other side was a heaving, groaning mess, their sounds of pleasure muffled by the wall. Mina was frozen, in absolute awe.

They came. Because of her.

The person pulled away from the wall, leaving Mina staring at the empty, dark hole. She was in shock. She just sat there, reeling, as she heard the frantic fumbling of a belt, the sharp zip of a fly, the rustle of fabric being straightened. The little clinks and rustles made her flinch, and she pressed a hand to her chest, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs.

I can’t believe I actually did that, she thought, a wave of disbelief crashing over her.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand reached through the hole toward her. She froze, her eyes wide. She studied it. The fingers were long and elegant, the nails neatly manicured and clean. Nothing like the rough, calloused hands she had imagined. Her pulse thumped faster, but the fear was replaced by a sharp, piercing curiosity.

Mina blinked, her mind struggling to catch up. This person isn’t rough… they’re… gentle. The absurdity of the situation hit her, but instead of panic, she felt a surge of power. She had stepped into a new version of herself, one that took risks, one that was in control.

For some dumb, impulsive reason, her own hand reached back, her fingers brushing against theirs. When their skin met, she felt the soft caress of their knuckles against hers. A strange, intimate warmth spread through her, a silent conversation in the dim, dirty stall. It was brief, but it made the moment feel charged, personal, almost electric.

Mina swallowed hard, a shaky breath escaping her lips.

I can’t believe this just happened… but somehow, I feel… alive. Strong.

The stall felt smaller, tighter, but strangely comforting, as if this fleeting, mysterious connection had given her a new sense of self.

Then, suddenly, the person pulled their hand away. Mina blinked, her heart still racing. The next thing she knew, she heard a stall door open, a clearing of a throat, and hurried footsteps as the person dashed out of the bathroom.

Mina sat there for a moment, frozen in shock, trying to process what had just happened. Slowly, she stood, her legs shaky. She realized she needed to clean herself up. She reached for some toilet tissue and quickly wiped her face, her mouth, her cheeks, and her lips, trying to remove any trace of the encounter. Throwing the tissue into the toilet, she flushed it, her hands trembling slightly.

Stepping out of the stall, she walked toward the sink and looked around. The bathroom was completely empty. Thank God. They really had been the only ones in here. She checked the time and her eyes widened: it was already past 2 AM.

How long have I been in here? she thought, shaking her head.

Rinsing her face with water, she cleaned herself up once more, splashing her cheeks and straightening her hair. Standing there for a moment, she took a deep, steadying breath and realized she felt… different. Somehow changed. More confident, more in control, and strangely empowered. With that thought, Mina left the bathroom, stepping back into the night with a sense of herself she hadn’t felt before.

Walking back into the club, Mina barely had a second to gather herself before she frantically scanned the crowd and found Chaeyoung.

“God, where the hell were you?!” Chaeyoung yelled, relief and panic mixed in her voice. “I couldn’t find you anywhere!”

Mina’s throat went dry, and she simply muttered, “Oh… I was in the bathroom.”

Chaeyoung blinked, clearly taken aback. “Really? Me and Nayeon looked everywhere for you. We couldn’t even find you anywhere. Fuck.”

Mina exhaled shakily. “Yeah… actually I was. But I’m okay now. Can we just… go home?”

Chaeyoung nodded, her expression softening. “Yeah, let’s go get Nayeon. Come on.”

The two of them made their way back to the table, and Mina froze. Nayeon was a mess—tears streaming down her face, clearly drunk and overwhelmed. As soon as Nayeon saw Mina, she stumbled forward and wrapped her arms around her, sobbing. “I’m sorry, Mina… I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I didn’t mean to yell. God, I’m such a horrible friend.”

Mina felt her face heat up with embarrassment once more. She gave a small, awkward laugh. “Jesus Christ… okay. Let’s just get the hell out of here.”

She grabbed Nayeon’s arm gently. “Come on, let’s go.”

The three women made sure to collect their purses and anything else they had brought with them. Together, they navigated through the crowded club and finally made it to Chaeyoung’s car, the cool night air a relief after the chaos inside.

Chaeyoung opened the back door of the car first, gently helping Nayeon inside. Nayeon slumped into the seat, still giggling softly and clearly falling asleep from the night’s chaos. Mina climbed into the passenger seat, taking a deep breath as she tried to settle her racing thoughts. Chaeyoung slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and carefully pulled out of the crowded club parking lot.

The ride started quietly, filled only with the soft hum of the tires on the asphalt and the faint, rhythmic snores from Nayeon in the back. Mina stared out the window, her mind spinning, unable to stop replaying what had happened in the bathroom—the adrenaline, the embarrassment, the shock… and something else, something she wasn’t sure how to name.

Breaking the silence, Chaeyoung spoke softly, her voice cutting through the hum of the road. “Hey… you know, Nayeon was really messed up tonight. I hope… I hope you didn’t take any of what she said too hard.”

Mina hesitated, twisting her fingers in her lap. “I… I know,” she said slowly. “I know she really does care about me.”

Chaeyoung gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Of course she does. But remember—you don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. You set your own pace, Mina. Nobody else gets to decide that for you.”

Mina’s chest tightened, a mix of guilt and the strange buzz of the night pressing against her. “I know… I promise,” she whispered. “I won’t do anything that makes me uncomfortable.”

“That’s all that matters,” Chaeyoung said, her tone calm and grounding. “Everyone goes at their own pace. For me, I didn’t have sex until a couple years into a relationship. And it… it was a surprise. And that’s okay. There’s no rush. No one’s judging you.”

Mina nodded, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she let Chaeyoung’s words settle in. The ride was quiet again, save for Nayeon’s soft snores and the hum of the engine. But inside, Mina’s thoughts kept circling back to the bathroom—the intensity of the adrenaline, the shock, the unexpected feeling of control, and even… the intimate moment of connection she had felt through the hand. Somehow, despite the embarrassment and the chaos, she felt… awake.

She let out a shaky laugh. “I… I don’t even know how to feel about tonight,” she admitted.

“That’s normal,” Chaeyoung said softly, glancing at her. “It was a lot. But you handled it. And whatever you’re feeling… it’s okay. You don’t have to explain yourself, you know?”

Mina’s fingers fidgeted with the edge of her dress, feeling the strange mix of empowerment and lingering self-consciousness. The night had been wild, unpredictable, and out of character—but she realized she had felt in control in a way she hadn’t expected. The embarrassment didn’t erase the spark of confidence that had lit up inside her, a quiet reminder that she could make her own choices and claim her own experiences.

“Yeah…” Mina whispered again, her voice barely above the hum of the engine. “I think I… I understand.”

Chaeyoung nodded, focusing on the road, leaving Mina to sink into the quiet of the car, letting the mix of emotions—curiosity, shame, empowerment, and reflection—wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt a little more in control of herself… and strangely alive.

——

It was Monday morning, and Mina sat at her cubicle, staring blankly at her computer screen.

The weekend’s events kept replaying in her mind, and she was still in a daze. She couldn’t believe she had actually… done it. A small, strange thrill fluttered in her stomach as she thought about it, a part of her low-key wondering if she wanted to feel that rush again.

From the cubicle nearby, Chaeyoung’s head popped over. Her expression was just a little… odd, a mix of curiosity and concern. “Hey,” she said softly, leaning slightly on the divider. “Are you… okay? Did something happen?”

Mina blinked, startled. “What do you mean?”

Chaeyoung tilted her head, frowning gently. “I don’t know… you’re acting a little… weird. Was it about the weekend?”

Mina shook her head quickly, forcing a smile. “No, no, everything’s fine.” She tried to act normal, but she could feel her cheeks warm and her hands fidgeting in her lap.

Before Chaeyoung could respond, Nayeon popped her head over her own cubicle, her expression immediately pouting. “Mina…” she started, her voice tinged with guilt. “I’m sorry about… what happened last Friday at the bar. I’m such a shitty friend. I really—like, I really fucked up.”

Mina took a slow breath and softened. She could tell Nayeon was struggling to fully admit how bad it had been, but she didn’t hold it against her. “It’s okay,” Mina said gently. “It’s fine. I accept your apology. You don’t have to worry about it.”

Nayeon’s shoulders sagged slightly, relief washing over her face. Mina watched her, still quietly processing everything—the embarrassment, the thrill, the lingering sense of power she had felt that night. Even now, sitting at her cubicle with the fluorescent office lights buzzing overhead, a small, forbidden part of her wondered… what if she could feel that again?

Looking over at the girl, Chaeyoung was giving Mina that awkward, exasperated look—the kind of long, drawn-out sigh that said, God, what now? Mina stared at both of them, fidgeting with her pen, debating whether she should just spill it.

Finally, she blurted, “Actually… there is something I wanted to tell you guys.”

Both of their heads perked up immediately. Nayeon’s eyes widened, curious and alert, while Chaeyoung’s eyebrows shot up, a mixture of worry and anticipation on her face.

Slowly, almost instinctively, they both scooted their chairs closer to Mina’s cubicle. Now the three of them were sitting really close together, almost shoulder to shoulder, leaning in as if sharing some clandestine secret. Their heads were close enough that Mina had to lower her voice to a whisper.

She glanced around nervously. Across the office, coworkers moved with their usual Monday-morning efficiency—papers in hand, heading to the copy room or printers, phones buzzing and keyboards clacking. Mina’s stomach tightened. Maybe I shouldn’t even be telling them this… she thought. It’s not even lunch, they should be working. And here I am, whispering like a teenager about something I probably shouldn’t be sharing.

Still, the pull to tell someone—to share what had happened, even just with them—was stronger than her anxiety.

Mina took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. “Okay… so, after… like, we all argued and stuff, I—I ran into the bathroom.”

Nayeon’s head shot forward instantly. “The bathroom?”

“Yeah,” Mina whispered, her cheeks already warming.

Chaeyoung crossed her arms, exasperated. “We literally searched for you in the bathroom, Minari. You were nowhere to be found.”

“I know,” Mina muttered, her voice shaking just a little. “I… I ran into the men’s bathroom.”

Chaeyoung froze. “You were in the men’s bathroom the whole time?”

Mina felt her face heat up even more. She fiddled with the edge of her desk, avoiding their eyes. “Yeah… it’s… it’s stupid, but basically I got in there, and it was empty, and I went into a stall—and then… there was a hole in the wall.”

Both Chaeyoung and Nayeon stared at her like deer caught in headlights. “A… hole in the wall?” Chaeyoung repeated incredulously.

Mina nodded, whispering even more quietly now. “Yeah… like, a hole in the stall wall.”

Nayeon suddenly burst out laughing, trying to stifle it behind her hand. “No fucking way! Something straight out of a porno!”

Mina’s hands flew to her face, mortified. “Can… can you keep your voice down?!” she hissed, her whisper trembling. Her face was bright red, and she could feel her heart hammering.

Chaeyoung was blinking, utterly bewildered. “What… the hell?”

Mina swallowed hard, trying to get the words out. “Someone… came into the bathroom on the other side… and… we… we, like… did something together.”

The two of them just sat there, mouths slightly open, eyes wide. They didn’t move, didn’t speak, just stared, processing her confession in utter disbelief.

Nayeon suddenly burst out laughing, clutching her stomach like she couldn’t believe it. “My God, Mina! I really didn’t think you had it in you, but girl… you are good!”

Mina froze, her face flaming. “W-what do you mean?”

“You’re finally living life!” Nayeon exclaimed, stepping closer and giving her a tight, slightly overwhelming hug. Mina stiffened at first, but then relaxed just a little, feeling a strange mix of relief and—dare she admit it?—happiness.

Chaeyoung, still nearby, shot Mina a worried look. “I… I don’t know. Who knows who that person even was? It could have been somebody that works here.”

Nayeon waved her off, still giggling. “Oh, come on! No, this is good. You should be happy, Mina. Seriously. Was it… at least good?”

Mina hesitated, thinking back to the encounter. “Yeah… it was really good. I… I was in control. I didn’t feel forced or anything.”

“That’s great,” Nayeon said, her tone softening for a moment. “Considering what people expect in those situations—like, you know, from porn or whatever—it’s actually amazing you felt safe and in control.”

Chaeyoung’s expression was still a mix of disbelief and worry. “I just… I don’t know. That’s… crazy. So… you really did it? Was it really some random?”

Mina nodded slowly. “Yeah… I did. And it… it felt really nice. I liked it. It was a good experience.”

There’s a brief pause. Chaeyoung squints at her, her expression shifting slightly. “…Okay, but like—did you at least think about getting tested?”

Mina blinks. “What?”

“I’m serious,” Chaeyoung says, leaning forward a little. “You don’t know who that was. That’s literally a stranger behind a wall. Like—no offense—but that’s kinda risky.”

Mina’s lips part, caught off guard for a second. “…I mean, yeah,” she admits after a beat, nodding slowly. “You’re right. I should. I was already kind of thinking about it, but… yeah.”

Nayeon, who had been quiet up until now, hums in agreement. “That’s actually… solid advice,” she says, glancing at Chaeyoung. “For once.”

Chaeyoung scoffs. “For once? I give good advice all the time, you just don’t listen.”

“Yeah, because most of your advice at times is ‘just do it and deal with the consequences later,'” Nayeon shoots back.

Chaeyoung shrugs. “And? It builds character. I learned that the most from you anyways.”

Mina lets out a small laugh, shaking her head. “I’ll make an appointment,” she says, more certain now. “Just to be safe.”

“Good,” Chaeyoung says, pointing at her like she’s enforcing a rule. “Because that story is already insane. Don’t make it worse.”

Nayeon snorts. “Too late. It’s already worse.”

Mina just hides her face for a second, laughing softly. “Oh my god.”

Chaeyoung let out a long, heavy sigh, running a hand down her face. “I guess… if you’re happy and it was a good experience… then it’s fine that it happened.”

Nayeon pulled Mina into another hug, laughing softly. “Oh, congrats, Mina! You’re finally out of the virgin club!”

Chaeyoung rolled her eyes, but Mina felt something she hadn’t in a long time—a small, shy smile forming on her face. It was ridiculous, it was messy, and it was entirely out of her comfort zone… but it felt good.

Looking over at Chaeyoung, Mina could tell she was still worried. Her chest tightened when Chaeyoung spoke again.

“Maybe… we should figure out who it was,” Chaeyoung said softly, almost hesitantly.

Nayeon’s head snapped toward her, eyes wide like Chaeyoung had lost her mind. “What do you mean?!”

Chaeyoung shrugged, biting her lip. “I don’t know… maybe it could be somebody that works here.”

Nayeon rolled her eyes so hard it was audible. “Girl, just drop it. Sex is sex. It happened. Mina had a good experience—and she should move on now.” Turning towards Mina, Nayeon had a serious look on her face.” There’s nothing more from it, right?”

Mina hesitated, her mind drifting back to that moment in the stall—the person’s hand, so soft and gentle, the shoes with the little “M” imprint she’d seen. She felt her heart start to hammer in her chest.

“Well… I don’t know,” she murmured. “It was… a little intimate.”

Nayeon blinked, incredulous. “Intimate? Being in a glory hole? You didn’t even see what they looked like!”

“I know,” Mina whispered, heat rising to her cheeks. “But… there was a moment afterward. They reached their hand in… and we touched hands.”

“You touched hands?” Nayeon exclaimed, leaning back in disbelief. “Girl… what’s intimate about that?”

Mina’s voice dropped. “I don’t know. I can’t explain it. I just… I saw their shoes, and they had these… special shoes on.”

Nayeon groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Special shoes? Their hand? Girl… you don’t even know what this person looks like. Look—don’t get delusional. There are over a thousand people working here. Eight, maybe ten floors. You think you’re going to find this one person? You didn’t get their face. You didn’t see anything except a hand and some shoes. That’s… really delusional.”

Chaeyoung, quiet until now, chimed in. “Well… we have the shoes, right? Maybe we could find this person.”

Nayeon practically laughed through her exasperation. “And… find them for what? What difference would it make? You were in a glory hole with them! This isn’t some rom-com, Mina. You’re just digging yourself a hole at this point.”

Her voice was sharp, almost cutting, and it was clear she wasn’t joking. Mina looked down, cheeks still flushed, and swallowed hard.

Mina was conflicted—more than she had ever been before. For once, Nayeon was actually making sense. Her logic was sharp, grounded, practical. But Chaeyoung’s concern wasn’t wrong either. Mina felt stuck somewhere in the middle, not knowing which voice she should be listening to—or if she should even be listening to either of them at all.

This was her first time. That alone made everything heavier, more confusing. She kept circling back to how she’d felt that night—not scared, not pressured, not small. In control. Confident. Alive in a way she’d never really felt before. And she wanted that feeling again. Desperately.

What scared her most was how deeply she was thinking about someone she didn’t even know. No name. No face. Just fragments—a presence, a moment, a connection that lingered far longer than it had any right to. She’d been replaying it all weekend without meaning to, like her mind refused to let it go.

She barely noticed when Nayeon spoke again.

“Wow,” Nayeon said, shaking her head, half-laughing but clearly serious. “I can’t believe you two. Usually I’m the one you say is out of her damn mind, but now you’re both losing it.” She crossed her arms. “I’m telling you—just drop it. Obsessing over some mystery person? It’s not worth it. Genuinely.”

Her tone wasn’t teasing this time. It was firm.

Chaeyoung went quiet. Mina did too, her thoughts tangled and loud in her head. She didn’t argue. She didn’t agree either.

Nayeon sighed and pushed her chair back toward her cubicle. “Look, I get it. I do. But enjoy it for what it was.” She paused, softer now. “Mina, I’m really proud of you. Seriously. You’re going to meet so many people in your life. Have so many experiences. Don’t get stuck on one unknown person when there’s so much ahead of you.”

With that, she turned back to her screen. Chaeyoung followed a moment later, rolling her chair back to her own cubicle without another word.

The office settled into its usual rhythm—the hum of computers, the shuffle of papers, muted conversations in the distance. But Mina couldn’t focus. Her fingers hovered over her keyboard as her thoughts drifted again.

Maybe Nayeon was right. Maybe she should just let it go. And yet… she couldn’t help wondering. What if that person worked here? What if she walked past them every day without knowing?

The thought lingered, refusing to fade, as Mina stared at her screen—on edge, uncertain, and quietly changed in ways she wasn’t ready to name yet.