Eugene, Would you be able to meet me tomorrow?
I’m fine as long as I can return by 7 PM tomorrow evening.
Beep.
Why am I trembling just from sending a single text?
Is it because I’m setting up a meeting with someone I’ve only seen twice?
Or…
Is it because I want to see Eugene?
If I had to choose, it’s probably the latter.
Somehow, it feels like I’ve encountered one of those serendipitous moments you only read about in novels or see in comics.
I feel like I could definitely become stronger with Eugene’s help.
Beep.
Ah, there’s a reply.
Alright.
Let’s meet tomorrow at 10 AM in front of the convenience store where you used to work.
You don’t need to bring anything; just come as you are.
10 AM is pretty early.
I’m not sure yet what we’ll be doing or where we’ll go, but whatever it is, it seems like there will be plenty of time.
Thank you.
I’ll see you at 10 AM.
Goodnight.
Beep.
Alright.
See you tomorrow.
Beep.
After receiving the reply, I placed my phone on the bedside table next to my bed and tucked myself under the blanket.
Since I needed to wake up early tomorrow, I had to fall asleep quickly.
But my heart was already pounding, and I didn’t think I’d be able to fall asleep easily.
Eugene…
What is he planning to teach me?
A simple workout?
Or, since he seems so strong, some type of martial art?
Whatever it is, I’ll make sure to learn it well.
“Haam…” (yawning)
“My little Miro, did you not sleep at all last night? The shadows under your eyes are quite distinct.”
“Yes…”
In the end, I didn’t fall asleep until it was close to 4 AM.
Maybe it was a mistake to keep fiddling with my phone when I couldn’t sleep…
“Go wash your face with some cold water, properly this time.”
“I already did…”
“And you still look like that? In that state, you’re planning to go out somewhere… tsk.”
With a sigh, Grandma opened the fridge, pulled out some honey, and poured it into a cup for me.
Even though I had only slept four hours and felt out of it, the warmth of my only family’s love filled my heart.
“Here, drink this. So, what time will you be back today?”
“I’ll be home before seven and eat dinner here.”
“…Alright, I understand.”
As I drank the honey water Grandma had made for me, I checked my phone.
8:40 AM.
If I start getting ready now, I’ll have just enough time.
I might even arrive a bit early for the meeting, but that’s far better than being late.
“Miro.”
“Yes?”
On my way to the bathroom to get ready, Grandma called out to me, making me turn around.
Just a moment ago, she’d been watching TV, but now she was looking straight at me.
“Did you get yourself a lover?”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
A lover?
For me?
That’s too much for me right now.
I’d only be a burden—to myself and to them.
I’m already struggling to fend off a lunatic with a knife.
How could I possibly think about dating someone?
“…Miro, I know what happened to your mother, but—”
“Grandma.”
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Still, just know that lately, you’ve been looking good in my eyes, Miro.”
Without replying, I hurried to the bathroom.
Stripping off my clothes in an instant, I let the icy water cascade over my body, but no matter how cold it was, the heat in my head refused to subside.
‘I managed to forget about it for a while.’
Recently, spending time with Seoyoon had helped me push it to the back of my mind, but my mother’s death was a memory that had haunted me repeatedly, even invading my dreams.
The mother I loved was stabbed to death on my birthday.
The image of her, who had been gently stroking my head just moments before, and the hot blood that covered my face…
And the hands that, after killing her, reached out to take me away.
Before I met Seoyoon, those horrific memories had turned me into a complete loner.
It was only recently that I finally realized that this world had normal, kind people.
Up until a few months ago, I hadn’t trusted anyone.
‘…Seoyoon really changed me a lot.’
In the past, I wouldn’t have trusted Eugene either.
But knowing that someone as kind as Seoyoon exists made it possible for me to believe in others.
Just thinking about Seoyoon makes me miss her…
When I see her at school tomorrow, I should take a picture of her.
‘I think I’m getting better.’
Was it the cold water that helped, or was it the strength Seoyoon gave me?
In the past, I would’ve been drowning in sadness for hours, but this time, I recovered much faster than I thought.
…I should hurry and apologize to Grandma.
The thought spurred me into action.
I quickly finished my shower, dried myself off haphazardly, and went to the living room where Grandma was.
“Miro, have a safe trip.”
Grandma was watching TV as if nothing had happened, but the sadness of my one and only family member was impossible to miss.
Just as Grandma is my only family, I’m the only family she has left…
No matter how much my trauma was triggered, I went too far.
Squeeze.
“Grandma, I’m sorry about earlier…”
“Miro…”
Was Grandma’s back always this small?
After Mom passed away, she used to hug me often…
“…I’ll make sure to find someone someday, so you won’t have to worry, Grandma.”
This must be what she wanted to say.
Even though Mom was killed by her mistress, Grandma still believes that love and having a partner is a good thing.
I know that too…
In this world, where people can go mad with love and hurt others, a lover can also be the only person you can truly trust.
Though, there are exceptions—like the woman who betrayed my mom.
…No, thinking about it, kidnappings and imprisonments…most of those happen between couples, don’t they?
By that logic, lovers are also the most dangerous.
Thinking about it too deeply is just confusing.
Anyway, if I become strong enough to laugh off such schemes, it won’t matter.
“Alright. At the very least, before this old lady passes, you should let me see some grandkids, shouldn’t you?”
“That’s… something I’ll have to think about.”
Grandkids?
Me, having kids?
A girl like me?
…I can’t even imagine it.
If it’s the other person giving birth, then maybe.
After vaguely brushing off her insistence on grandchildren, I kissed Grandma on the cheek, grabbed my wallet, and left the house.
‘…The weather’s nice. Feels like a good day.’
A gentle spring breeze tickled my cheeks, filling me with a refreshing sensation.
The sky was so clear it didn’t seem like it would rain all day.
Just from this, it felt like the start of a perfect day.
“Ow! …Sniff…”
‘If only that wasn’t there, it’d be even better.’
All those good omens were shattered before my eyes.
Right in front of my house, down a narrow, dark alleyway, I could see a woman.
Her mouth was being covered by someone’s hand, and her body was trembling.
‘…Is this consensual?’
The area behind the woman was too dark to see clearly, but it was obvious there was another person there.
“Hnn… mmph… ah…!”
Her muffled sounds weren’t entirely clear, but it was obvious they were engaging in sexual activity.
The only question was whether it was consensual or not.
If it’s rape…
I want to help.
But if I interfere and it turns out to be consensual roleplay, it’ll just be a headache…
Ugh.
If only I hadn’t seen it, I could’ve just walked past without a second thought.
But now that I’ve seen it, I can’t just pretend I didn’t…
If I was going to run away, I wouldn’t have helped during that incident at school either.
“Hey! You’re there, in the alley!”
After much hesitation, the method I chose was to shout loudly.
If it’s rape, even though the punishment might be light, it’s still illegal, so they’d likely run away.
If it’s consensual, they’ll probably come out and say something about it.
I might get scolded, but I’m still a student…
They won’t scold me too harshly, right?
Let’s hope so.
“…Tch!”
Tap, tap, tap…
It seemed my tactic worked.
The hand covering the woman’s mouth disappeared, and I heard the sound of someone running away down the alley.
So it really was rape.
What a diligent rapist, attacking someone first thing in the morning…
“Wa-wait! Stop! Come back here!”
“…Huh?”
That would’ve been the end of it, but what happened next completely defied my expectations.
The victim, whose pants were off and who was left wearing only a bra on top, started chasing after the fleeing rapist.
“I’m still… not satisfied!!”
The words left behind by the victim—no, the pervert—running away were more than enough to give me a headache.
Seriously, this world is insane.
It’s completely, utterly mad.
‘…I shouldn’t have interfered.’
Had I wasted too much time on the perverts?
The clock on my phone read 9:40 AM.
It takes about 20 minutes to walk from home to the convenience store, so if I hurry, I might still make it.
I’d left a bit early to have some extra time, but look at this…
Not only am I not proud of myself, but now I’m cutting it close.
I muttered complaints to myself under my breath, but deep down, I understood. I could’ve just walked past them, but I chose to intervene.
But still, what could I do?
It’s the same as when I helped at school.
Unlike the other residents here, I at least have some basic sense of decency left.
Even if rape has become normalized in this world, it’s still illegal.
And surely, most people would hate it.
The fact that I get angry about things like this is proof that I’m not fully a part of this world yet.
Or maybe I am a resident of this place, but I’ve managed to keep at least a shred of normal morality intact.
“Is Eugene… not here yet?”
I arrived at the convenience store, but there was no sign of Eugene.
He’s tall and stands out in every way, so I’d notice him from a distance.
Maybe he’s running a little late?
Hmm…
Should I wait inside the store for now?
If I stay out here, I might end up witnessing something unpleasant again, like earlier…
Vrooooom!
From far away, the roar of an engine filled the air as a car sped toward me.
I don’t know much about cars, but even with one glance, I could tell this was an outrageously expensive sports car—and it was very clearly heading straight for me.
Instinctively, I was terrified of the car speeding toward me as if it was about to run me over.
But as it got closer, I noticed it slowing down, and I realized there was no hostility.
Wait…
I could see who was driving, anyway.
Screeeech!
“Hey there. How’ve you been?”
“Eugene…!”
Even with sunglasses and a mask on, Eugene’s distinctive aura was impossible to hide.
Sure enough, the driver of the sports car was Eugene.
I’d already sensed he wasn’t an ordinary person just from his presence, but… he’s ridiculously wealthy, huh?
I thought he was just moderately well-off since he came to buy cigarettes like a regular person.
“Hop in.”
Lowering his mask slightly to reveal a confident smile, Eugene patted the passenger seat with a casual, commanding gesture.
What is this feeling?
There’s…something about this.
Though I felt a strange sense of unease, the car started moving without hesitation as soon as I got in.
This’ll be fine… right?