North: How much is your love?

Chapter 11: Whatever it takes.

[>> North <<]

"North, why aren't you replying to my messages?"

As soon as I opened the door and stepped into the room, Ter started yelling, just as I had predicted. I looked up at him with an indifferent expression, my hands clasped together on the table, my phone beside me.

"I'm not going to reply to you anymore."

"What else is this?" Ter frowned, throwing his backpack onto the bed. "You look stressed. Is it about Ja?"

“…”

"Yeah, probably that one."

"Tell me quickly." He plopped down next to me.

"I already told you so."

"Huh? What did you say?"

"In that chat."

"Nonsense? I didn't see your reply."

"I already answered. Tell me, did I answer you?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Tell me, I answered, I didn't answer by mistake."

Damn! I let out a sigh. The moment I realised I'd replied to the wrong message and sent it to Johan by mistake, I immediately turned off my internet. Then I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong. He only sent a question mark, and it gave me goosebumps. I wonder what else he'll text...

 

"Did you text the wrong person? Who did you chat with by mistake?"

"That's your chat. Why are you texting so much? It happened to be Johan texting me right then, so I accidentally clicked the wrong button and didn't notice."

"So what did you text him?"

"I texted: 'Yeah, she’s come to make peace, are you satisfied now?'"

"Oh... Huh? Ja's here to make peace?"

It seems like Ter is only focused on Ja's affairs.

"So, did you refuse?"

"Okay, I refused."

"What did she say?"

"Initially, she said she'd broken up with her boyfriend, then asked to start over with me."

"Damn... Start over? Doing that with my friend and still having the nerve to say those things. You shouldn't ever see her again."

"She'll was waiting downstairs at the department," I said.

"That's outrageous. So what if she keeps following you?"

"We'll figure that out later."

Right now, I'm still dealing with the mistaken text message issue. It's been almost ten minutes, and I haven't replied to Johan yet, and then I have to get ready for work at the bar.

 

"Wait a minute, you said you accidentally sent the message... Does that mean you messaged Johan, saying your ex-girlfriend came to make up?"

"YES."

"Damn it..."

"Uh... I'm even afraid of notifications from LINE, so I had to turn off my internet."

"Damn... Avoiding the issue?" Ter said, then burst out laughing. Laughing at what? It wasn't funny at all.

 

"But what are you afraid of?"

"It was scary... Really," I said to him. Ter frowned, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

"Why are you making that face?"

"It was just a wrong message. Or... it would only be worth mentioning if he really liked you. He'd probably be really angry then. Or maybe he's already told you he likes you?"

“…”

"Why the silence?"

"Should I tell them?" I hesitated, wondering if I should tell Ter about Temp. Tiger clearly didn't want anyone to know, but it should be fine. Ter is good at keeping secrets, so even if he knew, he probably wouldn't cause any trouble.

"Since it's come to this, just tell me everything."

"Well..." Then I told him everything, from when Ja came to find me to the incident with Tiger and Johan.

 

"Ah... So your friend Tiger likes Nao, huh?"

Damn it. Tiger, I'm sorry… 😭

 

"This is a top-secret matter, so please keep your mouth shut. If Tiger finds out, he'll kill me."

"I'm not like you, unable to keep anything to myself. I'm not telling anyone. Besides, I don't even know Tiger; I only know Nao."

 

"Wait a minute, the important thing is Johan," Ter said, suddenly remembering, "Wow... he likes you. Johan really likes you. Oh my god, I've been the one shipping this from the beginning! Finally, it's here!!" He jumped up as if he'd won the lottery.

 

"What's so funny?"

"Oh my god, that's my boat, you damn idiot! We're just missing you. What do you think?"

"Me? I already said no."

"You've completely shattered my dreams," Ter said, making a disappointed face. "Didn't you think about it at all? Just a little?"

"No." I shook my head.

 

"I feel so sorry for him."

"Feel sorry for me first."

"But that's really something. He even managed to get Temp's dad transferred to a different job. And he made Temp not want to stay here anymore. I knew Johan was formidable, but I didn't think it would be this bad. Aren't you touched at all? You have someone protecting you so fiercely."

"Um... Actually."

"Also... why?"

I was so embarrassed.

"Who wouldn't be touched when someone stands up to defend them like that?"

"Oh my god, I'm even embarrassed for you!" Ter said, lightly patting my arm as if to relieve his embarrassment. "You might not be at the point of liking him yet, but if it starts with such a nice feeling, it's already amazing. Huhu, my heart... my heart... I can't take it anymore... I'm so embarrassed!"

“…”

"You don't share any feelings for me at all," Ter complained again. "And you're not going to reply?"

"I didn't dare answer."

"I guess I'll have to drag you out of the room like last time. If that happens, I'll run first. I'm scared."

"Of course I'm scared too."

"I was so scared I didn't even dare open the message, oh my god, you're so cute." Ter said, gently stroking my hair, "Come on, be a good boy."

"I'm not a dog." I glanced at it, but I probably need to look in the mirror because I really did look like a puppy.

 

"North is sulking because he's afraid he'll get angry. Poor thing... But the longer you don't reply, the angrier he'll get. I think you should reply quickly."

"Do you think I owe him a million?"

"That's possible, if they want to upload the photos."

"This amount isn't even enough to pay back a single penny."

"You haven't paid anything yet?"

"Yeah, I haven't been able to do it yet. I suddenly lost a ton of money and didn't get anything in return." I said, then picked up my phone, took a deep breath, and opened LINE to read.

 

Johan: Where are you?
North♣: ?
Johan: ?

Johan: I asked you where you are.
Johan: Never mind.
Johan: Explain.

Johan: You want to explain yourself in here?
Johan: Or should I come and rip your mouth open?

That's it, it's over...
The last message was three minutes ago...

 

"Ter…" I called out softly, then showed him my phone.

"Oh my god, I can feel the murderous intent in those words!" Ter said, rubbing his arm. "Explain yourself, explain properly!"

"Explain what...?"

"Just tell the truth."

 

North♣: Brother, I told you already…
Johan: Where are you going?
North♣: ? 

North♣: Well… my ex-girlfriend….

 

You have a call from: Johan

Oh my god… I didn't have time to type, so he had to call me right away. I was slightly startled when I heard the phone ring, then quickly pressed answer.

 

"Hello."

(Your ex-girlfriend?)

The other person got straight to the point. Their voice sounded very unhappy… I was genuinely scared… Ever since hearing Tiger’s story, I’ve been ten times more afraid of Johan when he’s angry than usual. And even when he’s angry, he’s already scary enough.

 

"She came to make amends with me..."

Johan said nothing, as if waiting for me to continue.

"But I refused."

(Was it you who got yourself into trouble?)

"Yes, that's right."

(And then what did it say?)

"Uh... She said she just broke up with her new boyfriend and wanted to get back together with me. But I refused."

 

(I know, you already told me.)

Why am I suddenly getting so flustered? 😭

(Is there anything else?)

"No, that's all."

(I was asking what else there was.)

“...”

“Well…it’s about her new boyfriend. That Temp guy, the one I had a fight with before. He’s about to be transferred along with another friend, so she came to ask if I knew anything. I said I didn’t know. Then she said she suspected…it was you and Ger.”

“...”

Huh? Why the sudden silence? I'm starting to worry... Could he be even angrier about this? It feels like Ger doesn't want me to know anymore, either.

(Go on.)

"I just went and asked Ger."

(Oh, right.)

"Why are you not you ask what Ger said?"

(That jerk probably told you everything, right?)

"Yes... it..."

Huh? Did they hang up?

 

"He hung up," I said to Ter, then sighed. This is what it feels like to be so stressed that your stomach is churning and you can barely breathe 😭

"Say anything?"

"He didn't say anything, just told me to tell him and then hung up. I hadn't even finished my sentence."

"He's not threatening to deduct any more money from the debt?"

"No. But why should I? Ja was the one who came to me; I didn't go looking for her. Besides, I already refused her."

"I heard that too. You even emphasised to Jo that you refused twice."

"Uh... what's wrong?"

"It's okay, you just seem afraid he'll misunderstand."

“…”

 

Oh yeah, that's true. Why do I have to keep frantically repeating that I've already refused?

 

"If… if what you said is true… he likes me, then if I get back together with Ja, he'll definitely be angry, right?" I said hesitantly, feeling embarrassed even after saying it myself.

"Yeah, you're afraid he'll get angry, right?"

"When he gets angry, he's really scary."

"This is what you call love, you know? So, while you're still indebted to him, you're not allowed to talk to or date anyone else."

"Well... what else can I do?" I mumbled. Ter was right. At least for the time being, I wasn't planning on dating anyone. I'd already said I wasn't interested in romance.

"Don't you feel restricted?"

"Me? Whatever."

"Wow, that's amazing, it suits you perfectly. Anyone else would be stressed to death. And to have someone like Johan pursuing you... I think you should be grateful you still have that 'debt' to repay. So what now? Now that you know he likes you, what are you going to do next?"

“…”

"Please don't talk like that..." I said, "It sounds... weird."

"What's so strange about it?"

"Well, it's weird, oh well. Just leave things as they are. What else can I do?" Just let things take their course, whatever happens, happens.

To be honest… I don't exactly like him, but I don't hate him either. I feel much better because of what he's done for me.

"Perhaps you could beg him to reduce the debt."

"Go away, I'm not doing it."

"But do you know why he likes you?"

"I don't know." I shook my head. "That's what I'm wondering too... but I'm not wondering anymore. I'm too lazy to think about it."

"Huh? Why did you give up so quickly? When Hill confessed his feelings to me, I thought I was going to die."

"So, can you figure it out?"

"No… In the end, i let let P’Hill speak."

"See? He might not actually like me," I said, speaking my true feelings. People like Johan are hard to read. I heard he's quite a ladies' man, right?

"If he wasn't sincere, he wouldn't have gone through all that trouble with Temp. He even had to get a transfer for that guy's father. It's not easy," Ter said. "But if he can win over someone as emotionless as you, then he must have put in a lot of effort. Only then can we prove whether he truly likes you or not."

"You're worrying too much for me."

"And you, sometimes you don't think about anything at all."

 

"Just having 200,000 dong in debt and the risk of failing the subject is enough to make me not want to think about anything else." I sighed. 

 

I was just recently worried about failing the subject. If I brought home an F, my mom would probably kick me until my legs were bruised. And if she knew about the 200,000 dong debt, my back would be bruised too. Wait, it's only the beginning of the semester, why am I already talking about failing? My mouth is really unlucky.

 

"So, how did you and Ja meet?"

"I'm the one who's flirting with her."

"You? Why were you flirting?"

"Because I thought she was cute."

"You thought she was cute, so you started flirting with her?"

"Yes, why?"

"It's okay, simple reason, just like you." I nodded slightly. Oh, speaking of which, I should text Ger first.

 

North♣: Ger, it's me.
North♣: I'm guilty and want to confess.
North♣: Please reduce my sentence by half. 

Tg: What's yours now? 

Tg: Why are you always involving me? 

North♣: Can I call you?
North♣: It's a long story
Tg: What's the crime
Tg: You…
Tg: Don't tell me…
North♣︎: It's a national secret, and you don't even know it yet.
North♣: But my roommate already knows.
North♣: haha
Tg: You bastard

 

There's an incoming call from: Tg.

"Hello~"

(You really are… oh my god. Who is your roommate? I have to kill him to silence him.)

"Calm down. I accidentally told him, and now I've accidentally told him about you, too. But he won't tell anyone because he's very good at keeping secrets. Much better than me."

(Everyone else is better than you. Ugh... can I talk to your roommate?)

"Huh? Yeah, sure. But don't scare him, his boyfriend is really mean."

(Who?)

"That P’Hill, you know?"

(Ah, I see, he's the hot guy from the second year of medical school. Then he can't scare me.)

"Absolutely. Ter, Ger wants to talk for a bit," I said, handing the phone to Ter.

"Turn on the speakerphone." Ter took it, looking a little confused.

 

"What's up?" Ter spoke up.

(Um, I'm Tiger.)

"Oh, what's going on?"

(Please don't tell anyone, okay? It's about Duen Nao, but do you know Duen Nao?)

"I know. North has been to our room many times before. I won't tell anyone, I'm not the kind of jerk that North is."

"Huh?" – What's wrong? Why am I suddenly being yelled at?

(Good. Don't copy him. Are you Hill's boyfriend? I've never met you, but I've heard the beauty pageant contestants talk about you all the time. Why are you roommates with someone like North?)

"The dorms are arranged there. You know Hill, right?"

(I know. I'm a hotshot from the Engineering department, so I met him in the male beauty pageant team.)

"Ah, Tiger – the engineering hotshot, I've heard about you. The rumours even reached our department."

(What kind of station is that?)

"They say he's really handsome but a bit arrogant, the cool, aloof kind." To outsiders, Ger really does look like that cool, aloof type. But honestly, anyone who sees him when he's infatuated with Duen Nao would probably find the word 'cool' disappear completely.

(Oh… don’t tell anyone about Nao, okay? And please shut that bastard North up for me too!) 

 

Oh dear, you're so polite when talking to Ter, but when it comes to me…

"Yeah, yeah, North didn't mean to tell anyone. You seem really worried about this."

(Well, I don't really want anyone to know.)

"How does North know that?"

(He was secretly eavesdropping while I was talking to my friend.)

"Yeah, what a jerk."

"Damn..." I blurted out a curse and held out my hand for the phone back. Apparently, the conversation was over. "Are you reassured now?"

(he’s not so bad; he seems like a nice person. I don't understand why he's sharing a room with you.)

"Come on, it was just a slip of the tongue. But Ter trusts me, that's why I told him. Otherwise, I'd keep my mouth shut tight with anyone else," I said confidently.

(Otherwise, I'll sew your mouth shut.)

 

"Oh my god, how cruel... But wait, the main thing I want to say is I sent the wrong message."

(Who is this message for?)

"I accidentally sent Jo a message that was something like, 'Yeah, she wants to get back together'..."

(...)

(Holy sh*t! So what?)

"I'll tell you everything."

(How would you describe it?)

"From Ja saying her ex wanted to get back together, then asking me about Temp, I went to ask you, and then I told Johan that you told me everything."

(That's great!)

"So, is that okay? You're the one who told me what I said?"

(It's okay, he knows I might tell you. We talked about it then, and I promised I wouldn't tell you unless you asked. But if you ask, I'll have to tell you because you'll pressure me.)

"And then what did Jo say?"

(He didn't say anything either… but whoever lets you know about this is probably going to be unlucky.)

"The person who made me know… was Ja, right?"

(That's right, you should break up with your ex.)

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. 

 

"What is he planning to do to Ja?"

(I don't know. But if you knew your ex wanted to get back together… what would you think?)

“…” I started to sense that something bad was about to happen. “Really? But it’s a girl, should I do anything?”

(I advise against it. It would be even worse if he knew you still cared.)

"Ger... I'm so scared, damn it."

(Serves you right. Think before you act, not just for yourself but for others. I just warned you, and you forgot immediately, huh?) Tiger said calmly, a stark contrast to my heart, which felt like it was sinking into my stomach.

 

"If you saw Nao's ex-boyfriend come asking to get back together, what would you do?"

(Hmm... just thinking about it makes me angry.)

"Does Jo get angry in the same way you do?"

(Since you're the one talking to Jo, you should know, right?)

"I only know the basics."

(So, do you see the angry picture?)

"He was angry... really, really angry. Then he hung up abruptly."

(What do you think he did after hanging up?)

“…”

"Don't scare me like that..."

(Who's trying to scare me?)

"So you think..."

(I wonder if your ex is still alive by now...)

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

@Soul out!

 

"You're here, kid" As soon as I stepped into Soul Out, P'Day, one of the employees greeted me with a smile. I frowned at his manner of greeting.

"Not a kid."

"So, that's what you call short."

"There are no short people!" I retorted.

"Then let's just call you 'kid,' because you look so small," Day said, ruffling my hair. Why does everyone like to pat my head so much, from Thun to Day?

 

"I'm not a dog, sir," I said, making a sulky face. Day had just started working with me; I heard from Pan that his family was wealthy and had plenty of money, but because he was too much of a playboy, his father made him go out and work to learn how to be a good person.

And P’Day…

From the very first day he started working here, he's been trying to woo me. He said he felt a connection with me, and the more we got to know each other, the more he liked me.

Of course, I flatly refused and said that being friends would be fine. I don't know how he understands the phrase "being brothers" correctly...

 

"I've only been away from you for one day, and I already miss you."

"Because I don't work at the restaurant every day, you know."

"You work in many places, right?"

"Yes."

"So, should I go with you to work at those places?"

"There's no need to go to that extent," I said, then turned to greet Pan, who had just entered the shop. "Oh, Pan, you're late today, aren't you?"

"Just a moment, are you ready to open the shop? What are you two doing standing here flirting?"

"You haven't even let me flirt with you yet," Day said, gently nudging my head. Annoyed, I sighed. Why is he so blatant? And so persistent, too. Honestly, I don't like it at all.

 

"I'll help in the kitchen," I said, hurrying inside. Actually, there wasn't much to do in the kitchen, but it was better than being flirted with by him outside.

 

"Are you angry?" Pan followed me into the kitchen. "I was just teasing you."

"No, sister, I'm fine. But I don't like Day, and I don't want to give him false hope. Please stop teasing me, or he might actually believe it, and that would be terrible." I said honestly.

"I'm sorry, I was being thoughtless. But did you reject him?"

"Yes."

"What did you say?"

"It would be better to say we're brothers."

"Day is handsome, comes from a well-off family, and seems genuinely interested in you. Why don't you try getting to know him?"

"No, not at all, Pan," I said, shaking my head slightly. "Are you trying to set me up with Day, Pan?"

"No, not at all. I was just asking. To be honest, Day has some not-so-good rumours surrounding him; otherwise, his father wouldn't have made him work," Pan continued. 

 

"Arguments, getting involved with girls, drinking, smoking, hanging out with bad friends… things like that."

"Oh... well, I don't mind then," I replied, turning back to work. Another reason I felt uncomfortable was that P’Day was very touchy. At first, he just patted my head, then he started getting physical, holding my hand, pinching my cheeks, kissing my lips… so I tried to avoid him, not wanting to be near him.

 

After being threatened by the tiger (meaning Ger) about Johan, I ran straight from the dorm to work because I was afraid of being late. I was still worried, but there was nothing I could do. Johan isn't the kind of person to be that cruel... Besides, the other person was a girl, so Ger was probably just trying to scare me. He’s probably annoyed because I've threatened him several times already.

 

When the shop opened, customers started coming in sporadically. I worked as usual, only now I had to be extra careful about P’Day. Life certainly has become more difficult…

 

"Hey, kid, come get your table!" Day called out loudly. I quickly went to get my table. As I walked past, he unexpectedly pinched my cheek.

 

"Hey, sir! What is it?"

"Surprised?"

"Of course, I was startled! What kind of weird thing is that?"

"Are you angry? Your face is all wrinkled up. Your cheeks are so soft, I just want to squeeze them."

"Oh, come on."

"Okay, stop it." Then he reached out to pat my head again, but this time I dodged it.

"Go clear the table," I said. Day just smiled indulgently and went to clear the table. Damn, I really did tell him to leave, it wasn't because I was embarrassed or anything...

 

"You're quite grumpy," Pan teased as I sat down near the counter.

"I really don't think this is okay. Does that count as harassment?"

"I don't know. But if it involves touching someone's butt, that's definitely harassment."

"Hopefully it won't come to that… please don't, I beg you."

"I dislike this kind of thing even more, huh?"

"Yeah. Who would like that?" I said irritably. Looking at P’Day, who was happily chatting with the customers, he really did seem friendly. 

 

"I made it clear, clearly stated that I didn't like it, and yet he still touched me like that—that's really too much."

"That's quite a persistent habit, it's a bit scary."

"Why does he have to like me? I don't know why..." I pouted. There are so many other people, why me?

"Because you're cute."

"I'm so embarrassed by your compliment, Pan."

"Pfft! Oh, sorry, I wasn't complimenting you. I just thought you were really cute. You have a lovely personality too, and it's so comfortable talking to you that anyone around you would like you." Pan said that, and I raised my eyebrows, giving a mischievous smirk.

"Of course, sis. I feel comfortable even talking to myself."

"How infuriating! Who would talk to themselves like that?"

 

But actually, many people have said the same thing to me. Talking to me is comfortable, not stressful; you can tease me or joke around because I rarely get angry at anyone. And that's really true; I've been living authentically, and I feel extremely comfortable.

 

Bing!

The announcement sounded…

I had some free time, so I picked up my phone to check it out.

Tg: Sending photos
Tg: So cute!

 

Oh my god… Are you posting a picture of Nao sleeping and showing him off like he’s a trophy? And the picture is so blurry too!

North♣: You still tried to send it even though it's so blurry, you devil.

Tg: So cute, but I won't let you see it. I'm keeping it to myself.
Tg: I don't want to show it to you, but I also want to show off how adorable it is.
North♣: Yeah, honestly, you're acting like a pervert, even secretly taking pictures while sleeping.

Tg: If you're jealous, just say so.
Tg: Your house doesn't have a Duen no, does it?
North♣: What's wrong with you? Haha
North♣: My house doesn't need one, does it?

 

I'm so stressed. Ger is such a show-off, or you could call him a "boyfriend show-off." He's obsessed with Nao, always daydreaming and talking nonsense. Because not many people know about this, he only shows off to a few people, most often me – someone who can't possibly appreciate Nao's cuteness.

 

North♣: So you're just teasing me, right?
Tg: Teasing? No teasing.
Tg: I'm serious.
North♣: Are you the national teasing champion, four seasons in a row?
Tg: Huh, why would I tease you? I wasn't threatening you either.
North♣: Oh, so it wasn't a threat, but more like, "Do you think you can survive this?"
Tg: Just wait and see. I know his brother better than you do.
Tg: I mean, I know his dark side.
North♣: Because you're dark too.
Tg: Not as dark as him.
North♣: So he really likes me?
Tg: You keep asking the same question; you're getting off-topic, you animal.
North♣: What's off topic?
Tg: The topic is Duen Nao's cuteness.
Tg: Let's not digress with this nonsense anymore.
North♣: Pfft, you're the one talking nonsense.
North♣: By the way, since you messaged me first, can I ask you something?
Tg: No.
Tg: I'm leaving, goodbye.
North♣: Hey Ger, listen to me, I'm really stuck.
Tg: Is your name Duen Nao?
North♣: No, why?
Tg: Then don't call me Ger.
North♣: You won't even let me call you that. 

North♣: The thing is, I don't know what to do. There's a guy I work with part-time who's been pursuing me. I rejected him, but he keeps doing it. Lately, he's even been touching me. I've made it clear that I don't like him, but he still won't stop.
North♣: What should we do now?
Tg: Is it that difficult?
Tg: Tell Jo.
North♣: That's so funny.
Tg: I'm serious. Can you do anything about it? Otherwise, quit your job.
North♣: Huh, isn't there any better advice?
Tg: Then tell Jo.
North♣: I won't tell him. What's the point?
Tg: Then just keep being annoyed.
Tg: Send a picture
Tg: So cute!
North♣: …

 

Has its condition gotten this bad already? We should probably take it to a psychiatrist to see if there's anything else inside besides Nao.

 

"Why the deep sigh? Are you stressed?" Pan asked right after I put my phone in my pocket.

"That's just some nonsense from my friend, sis. It's giving me a terrible headache," I replied, shaking my head slightly. "How much do you think someone can like another person?"

 

"Huh? That's a strange question."

"Just curious, sis. My friend likes someone so much… almost his whole life." I said, thinking of Ger, "What could possibly make someone like someone that much?"

"I just like him. There's no reason. I used to be like that too."

"Really? I used to like someone too, but never to that extent."

"I like everything about them: their face, their voice, their personality, their words, their thoughts, their gestures, their actions. I like them completely. It's like they were born to be liked. They're someone I'm completely inferior to in every way. They're even better than my ideal type."

 

"Ah, I understand now." I nodded as if I understood. I had heard the phrase "more than ideal," but I had never truly felt it, never met anyone like that, and never thought I would become that kind of person to anyone.

 

"Go help Day clear the tables, or you'll get your pay deducted if you just stand around."

"Wow, you're threatening to deduct my salary? We don't even know if I'll get paid yet," I teased.

"Chain would probably cry if he heard that," Pan said. I chuckled softly before going to help with the cleaning.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

I took off my apron, feeling exhausted. It was very busy today, so we worked later than usual. The other staff members were complaining just as much, and now everyone is cleaning up the shop.

 

"It's good that there are so many customers," Day said as we were sweeping the floor.

"But the salary remains the same," I replied.

"But I'll get to be with you longer."

"Good heavens, are you selling gold-coloured cakes or something?" I teased. Day must have flirted with me a hundred times today.

"Keep letting me win you over until you give in."

"Hey darling…"

"What? If you don't give in, I'll just force myself on you."

"You really are..." I shook my head slightly and immediately walked away. What the heck...

 

After a while, the cleaning up was finished. I went into the staff storage to pack up my things and get ready to go home. Working this late, I'm sure Ter will nag me.

 

"I'm going home first, see you later." Pan poked her head in to say goodbye. I nodded and smiled. Everyone else had left one by one, only I hadn't gone yet. Where's my phone?

Clearly, it's not far away.

I emptied the bag, searched under tables, counters, and shelves, and checked the restrooms, but still couldn't find it.

 

"Damn it…" I blurted out in frustration. How could it be lost? I kept it in my pants pocket the whole time. If someone picked it up and took it, I'd be doomed… Jo gave me that phone, so if he found out I lost his gift, he'd definitely be angry with me again. Oh well, just thinking about it makes me terrified of him getting so angry. Oh my God, where did it disappear to?!

Why did it have to happen at precisely the moment when everyone had left? The place was pitch black, absolutely terrifying.

 

"What is it?"

"Oh, P’Day?" I called out the name of the person who had just appeared. I was still in the cafe at the time, so I thought he had already gone home. "You haven't gone home yet?"

"Yeah, and what about you?"

"My phone is gone, I don't know how, it's so annoying," I said sulkily.

"This one?" Day held up my phone, a smirk on his face, waving it around as if deliberately teasing me.

"Yes, it's mine. Why is it with you?"

"Don't you know how to take care of your belongings?"

"Did you drop it? Thank you for picking it up for me." I breathed a sigh of relief; I thought I wouldn't find it again.

"What if I don't return it?"

"Please give it back, sir."

"Come here and take it."

"Are you kidding me?" I frowned suspiciously. It was just Day and me, so I started to feel uneasy. But since he absolutely refused to give it to me, I had no choice but to approach him. I reached out to take the phone, but Day dodged my hand.

"Brother, I'm not kidding. I have to go," I said, slightly annoyed. He still wouldn't give it to me and kept dodging me.

"I'm not joking either."

 

Suddenly, Day pulled me closer, one hand on my neck, the other around my waist. His lips pressed tightly against mine, so forcefully that I panicked. His hot tongue invaded my mouth without my permission.

 

!!!

"What the hell are you doing?!" I pushed him away in a panic and punched him straight in the face.

Damn it… That’s disgusting.

"You've gone too far!" I shouted angrily, but Day merely wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and flashed another sinister smile.

Screw the phone!

I turned and ran away from there immediately.

!!!

What else is there?!

Suddenly, someone pinned me down from behind, and no matter how much I struggled, I couldn't break free. Seeing Day approaching made my heart race even more. What the hell is going on? What is he planning to do?

 

"P’Day, don't do that."

“Are you scared?”

"No... I just don't like you. Do you really have to go to such lengths?"

 

"You keep insisting you don't like me, huh..." 

 

I struggled to break free from his tight embrace, and while I was busy looking at the person in front of me, I didn't notice someone else approaching from the side.

 

"Ouch!!" I cried out in pain as a hard object struck me directly in the stomach. Painful…

I doubled over in pain but couldn't do anything. The pain spread up to my chest, making me wince. The man walked over and stood beside Day, holding a PVC pipe.

What the heck... hitting someone with a water pipe?

 

"Let's tone down the violence," Day said, turning to look at the newcomer.

I don't recognise this jerk at all.

 

"Fighting, women, alcohol, smoking, hanging out with bad friends… things like that."

Pan's words echoed in my head. So this must be his friend.

 

I started to feel terrified, my stomach churning. Who wouldn't be scared in a situation like this? Facing two strangers and an untrustworthy person alone, pinned down and unable to move, and then that punch – it was merciless! Damn it, I was so busy looking for my phone that I let everyone else leave. And this area is even more deserted at night…Why did I end up in this situation...?

 

"Why the long face? Are you scared of me? If you had let me woo you from the beginning, wouldn't things have been settled?" Day said, making me stare straight into his eyes without blinking. Yes, I was both scared and angry.

"I told you, if you didn't give in, I'd force you."

 

“…” I wanted to scream again, but even just inhaling caused me excruciating pain in my chest.

 

"Should we do it first?"

"Okay, I'll go first, then you guys figure it out."

 

"You guys are a bunch of bastards!"

"How dare you be disrespectful to your future husband?" the man said, then swung the water pipe in his hand and hit me hard in the stomach again.

 

“Urghh!!” I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain as it spread throughout my body. My legs were starting to give way, I couldn't stand anymore, but the man holding me down wouldn't let me fall.

 

Damn it.

It hurts…

I was scared…

I can't take it anymore...

 

By the time I realised it, I had been released, but my legs had given out, and I collapsed to the ground without being able to brace myself. Instinctively, I clutched my stomach, my vision blurring as I looked up in the dizzying pain.

 

What's up…

Nothing is clearly visible…

 

A chaotic cacophony erupted, and I couldn't make out who was who. I vaguely heard Day and his friend shouting, then the voices of several other people, sounding like they were fighting… Damn it… I’m about to faint…

 

Soon after, all the noise subsided. A moment later, the sound of an approaching car engine could be heard, the tyres grinding loudly on the road before the engine stopped. Someone must have just arrived.

"It's done, young master."

"Hmm."

"What should we do next?"

“…”

 

I heard footsteps approaching and then stopping right beside me. I tried to lift my head, and although I couldn't see clearly, I could still recognise who it was.

 

"Jo..."

He bent down and sat in front of me.

 

"I told you... not to come here, didn't I?"

"Um..." I was too weak to speak, so I just groaned softly in response. The person in front of me said nothing, but simply reached out to support me as if intending to lift me up.

 

"It's alright," I said, trying to push his hand away, "I can stand up."

 

"North. Don't be stubborn with me."