The Fierce Marshal's Little Mermaid Reborn (On Hold)

50

The moist and warm touch brushed against his collarbone, and Tae was stunned for a moment.

Then his entire face suddenly turned red.

He withdrew from Jungkook's spiritual sea almost hastily.

Pulling back his hand as if he had been burned, the little mermaid stood there, looking into Jungkook's dark eyes, a hint of panic in his tone.
"You... you... what are you doing?"

Though his tone sounded panicked, it was more of a soft accusation. It could barely be considered a question, but coupled with his red ears, it sounded more like shy coquettishness.

Jungkook looked confused.
"...What's wrong?"

"You... what are you doing—"

Why did you lick me?

Although he really wanted to ask that, Tae couldn’t bring himself to say the words aloud.

It was such a strange feeling.

His face and neck burned, his mind went blank, his heart was pounding, and even his stomach felt odd—like tiny butterflies were zooming around, crashing into each other. He couldn’t speak at all.

It felt like nervousness—but not exactly.

He said "you" for a long time, but couldn’t finish the sentence.

In the end, he could only mutter,
"...No, it’s okay."

Jungkook seemed unaware of what had just happened.

And when he tried to mention it again...

It felt strange.

He couldn’t say exactly why it felt strange.

It just did.

Because it was the first time he had ever experienced something like that, the innocent little mermaid got flustered—and completely forgot the time limit the big lion had reminded him of just minutes ago.

"Today’s homework is finished," Taehyung mumbled, avoiding Jungkook’s gaze.

"I... I want to wash up and go to bed."
He stuttered out the excuse and dashed into the bathroom before Jungkook could say a word.

As the bathroom door slammed shut, Jungkook blinked.

Then he got up, walked to the door, and raised his hand as if to knock.

But just before his knuckles touched the door, the terminal on the table buzzed.

It was Duke calling.

"Boss, there’s news from Commander Evans," Duke said after a pause. He squinted at the report on his screen, then sat up straighter.
"Something’s happened near the defense line. There’s a new situation. We need to be in the conference room in fifteen minutes for a video call."

Looking at the closed bathroom door, Jungkook nodded.
"I’m on my way."

---

Twenty minutes later — Ford Base, Conference Room

The screen in front displayed the word “Connecting...” Then a click, and Admiral Evans appeared.

"Good evening, everyone," the old admiral’s voice was slightly distorted through the signal.
"I hope this important meeting didn’t disturb anyone’s beauty sleep."

He waited for the chuckles to die down, then continued.
"Although this cruise started earlier than usual, it might... actually end earlier than expected this year."