episode_0023

I came to help Ji-won, who was being hunted again.

Oddly enough, this time Ji-won was smiling and having a good conversation.

Curious, I approached to see what was going on.

They were discussing a game.

I’m not much of a gamer.

Why do I feel so irritated?

Seeing Ji-won smile, I couldn’t shake off this strange feeling.

“Hey, what are you up to?”

Approaching Ji-won, I inquired about their activities.

Ji-won, still smiling, looked at me and continued talking about the mobile game they were playing.

I thought they were just gaming.

For some reason, the fact that they said those words annoyed me.

With these thoughts, I sat down beside Ji-won.

“Sorry to interrupt, but can we have a serious talk? Can you step out for a moment?”

Addressing two guys nearby, Ji-won agreed and went outside.

Meanwhile, Ji-won kept looking at me.

“Why suddenly bring up something serious?”

Ji-won asked what I wanted to talk about seriously.

Even if it’s a serious discussion, I don’t know what to say.

“Hey! Why are you giggling and chatting with that guy like that?”

My words made Ji-won tilt their head.

“It was just a casual chat about a game I like.”

“No… I mean, what’s the deal with a college kid talking to strangers! Just stay put!”

Feeling angry, I re-entered the classroom.

This wasn’t supposed to make me angry.

I really don’t understand why I’m so upset.

**

Ji-hoo’s behavior was strange.

Did something bad happen?

Or did someone spill Ji-hoo’s secrets?

Seeing Ji-hoo angry, I didn’t know what to say.

Today, I decided not to bother Ji-hoo because it seemed like the right thing to do.

We usually just talk about mobile games.

Was that so unbearable?

Ji-hoo doesn’t hate games.

I don’t understand why they’re so upset.

While pondering this, I realized something common in Ji-hoo’s behavior.

It was similar to when I felt jealous of Ji-hoo and that guy, Seong-ah.

Could it be that Ji-hoo is jealous now?

Just because someone they’re dating talked to a stranger!

All my previous worries vanished, replaced by a desire to tease Ji-hoo.

Thinking I could tease Ji-hoo during lunch, I sat down, turned on my laptop, and started working.

I felt sorry for always bothering Ji-hoo.

Now, I need to focus on my work too. So, I began working on my laptop quietly.

I have no social skills, so remote work is all I can do.

Should I go back to working at the convenience store?

But Ji-hoo probably wouldn’t like that.

Thinking this, I secretly found a way to work remotely.

And the only thing I could do was write a novel filled with fantasies.

Maybe people will like it and read it.

With that in mind, I diligently started writing day by day.

Just wait, Ji-hoo. Even if I stay quiet, I’ll show you a money-making bug!

**

After class, I decided to take Ji-won out for a meal.

“Another burger today?”

Ji-won turned their head at my question.

Seems like they’re tired of burgers now.

But refusing to eat anything wasn’t an option either.

As I looked around, I spotted a restaurant named “Hamburger Steak.”

“Wanna try that?”

Ji-won agreed to eat anything.

Well, we both have picky tastes, willing to eat anything.

So, I led Ji-won towards the Hamburger Steak place.

As we were about to order at the kiosk,

“Oh no… one hamburger steak costs 8,000 won…”

Is this price considered cheap?

I’m not entirely sure, but judging by the way Jiwon reacted, it seemed like the price was quite high.

But it’s not unreasonable yet.

Nevertheless, I ordered something for Jiwon along with mine.

Jiwon simply expressed gratitude and said, “Why were you so angry today?”

I asked directly why she was upset.

I don’t know how to respond to this.

I guess… I was a little annoyed that Jiwon was talking to someone else instead of me.

“Hey.. Don’t talk to other guys. You know how cunning men are these days.”

“But I used to be one of those cunning men, too.”

“Oh, right.”

Come to think of it, I used to be a man as well.

But not anymore.

So, maybe I should be more careful even now.

I was about to say that, but Jiwon reassured me that she would be careful in the future.

I hadn’t intended to escalate things this far.

I also thought I had overreacted.

Yeah, Jiwon is an adult; surely nothing bad will happen.

Thinking this, I patted Jiwon’s head and reassured her that everything was fine.

“Food’s here.”

With those words indicating the arrival of the food,

I went to get the food.

A simple small hamburger steak accompanied by rice, potato fries on the side, a small salad, and a fried egg.

“What? All this for 8,000 won?! What a steal.”

Jiwon tried to eat with a fork, but she seemed uncomfortable and asked for chopsticks.

“You don’t use chopsticks in a place like this.”

I said and handed her a knife.

“I find this uncomfortable. It’s bothersome to eat like this.”

Unable to resist Jiwon’s words, I brought a plate and started cutting the steak for her.

Since it seemed difficult to eat, I just decided to cut it myself.

Taking a bite-sized piece of the steak, Jiwon ate it with gusto.

“Wow! This is delicious.”

Seeing Jiwon enjoy even this meal made me happy.

Since I might have said something unpleasant today, I should buy her something she wants to eat.

Thinking this, I instructed Jiwon to chew properly.

I also cut my steak and began eating.

The greasy meat, crispy potato fries on the side,

and the salad that balanced out the richness.

“Hey hey. This is amazing.”

“Don’t talk like that in public.”

I tried to hush Jiwon, who made a momentarily risky comment outside,

but I couldn’t act since we were in public.

If you’re going to say something like that, do it at home…

**

After finishing the meal, Jiho stood up from his seat.

He said he would only go to the restroom quickly and asked me to wait.

I agreed and took out my smartphone, intending to read a novel while waiting.

Since it’s just a short wait, I can do something else while sitting here.

Thinking this, I sat there, but then…

“Hey, seriously, there were some weird people today.”

I heard loud voices having a conversation somewhere.

Did they skip etiquette and start making bibimbap at the table?

Thinking it was awfully noisy, I wondered where the noise was coming from.

When I looked around, I realized it was the guys who had approached me this morning to talk about games.

As I pondered why they were there, I listened carefully to their conversation.

“That nerd-like guy was just talking, and he got in the way and caused a scene.”

It seemed like the topic of their conversation was insulting Jiho.

It’s not okay to insult me, but I can’t stand them insulting Jiho.

But that’s not right either because Jiho bought me lunch today.

Thinking of getting back at them in my own way, I crumpled a tissue and threw it at the guy who was badmouthing Jiho.

The guy hit by the crumpled tissue turned around.

And then he stared at me.

Oh.. I’ve been caught.

Is this going to turn into a mess? I thought. Unsure of what to say,

the guy got angry and crumpled a tissue in return,

then threw it at me.

“You bastard.. You wanna try me right now?”

First, I was the one who did wrong, but thinking that this wouldn’t work, I got up from my seat and still went to that guy.

– Bam!!

I hit the man’s head straight.

As I was quietly trying to return to my seat at that moment,

“Ah! You bastard!!”

He shouted like that and came towards me.

And as I was turning my back,

– Smack!!!

He forcefully hit my butt.

**

Coming out of the bathroom, a man was being taken away by the police.

Jiwon was staring at the man like a rabbit.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Having just returned, I couldn’t understand the situation.

I asked Jiwon nearby what was happening.

Jiwon started patting my head when he saw me like that.

“Jihu, listen well. There’s a saying in the world that if you brush past someone, it’s fate.”

“But that person brushed past me and it’s been two years since then.”

I heard the situation, but I still don’t know what to say.

Someone should explain the situation right now.

Watching the man being taken away,

“Excuse me, but the lady should come along too.”

“What?”

Still, Jiwon said she should go along.

I don’t know what’s going on, but… judging by the current situation, I could guess at least one thing.

Damn it…