Yu Sohyun

I'd lost my mind.

I'd actually slapped the boss across the face.

There was no hesitation.

It was a full swing, pure and simple.

I'd poured every bit of built-up stress into that swing.

"Ah... aah...."

The boss clutched his cheek and slumped to the floor.

He looked in serious pain, rubbing it nonstop.

I glanced around.

The customers who'd been gawking during the slap were now back to their games, totally indifferent.

Even Sohyun, who'd smirked a little, just went back to cleaning like it was nothing.

This actually works.

The corner of my mouth tugged up on its own.

I had no idea why this was happening to me.

But if altered common sense meant stuff like this? Bring it on.

"Ugh... feels like a tooth's loose."

"Let me take a look."

I peered into his mouth as he sat there.

Unfortunately(?), nothing was missing.

"You're good."

"Ahh. That shit hurt like hell."

"Next time, I'll yank it right out for you."

"Huh? Ah... uh."

Now I was kinda curious about round two.

Would he stop bullying me just to avoid another slap?

Or would it be the same?

At least he wasn't threatening to sue or anything, so no real trouble there.

"G-go... get back to work."

Still rubbing his cheek, the boss bastard plopped into his gaming chair.

I felt zero guilt.

I followed Sohyun and got back to cleaning.

The guys who'd been sneaking peeks at her ass quickly averted their eyes when I showed up.

"I'll handle it."

"Let's do it together."

"Thanks."

We finished cleaning and returned to our seats.

"Sohyun."

"Yeah?"

"What'd you think of that earlier?"

"Of what?"

"Me slapping the boss."

"It was obvious. Why ask?"

"Obvious?"

"Yeah. When Oppa gets bullied, getting slapped is just common sense."

So that's how she saw it.

No big reaction, like it was totally normal.

That confirms it as the right answer.

I stared into empty space.

The window that'd vanished earlier popped back up when I thought of it.

I whispered softly so Sohyun wouldn't hear.

"It's common sense that the boss gets slapped when he bullies me."

Yu Seok-woo was the boss bastard.

A red window appeared below the white one.

"Oh."

So that's how it works.

I stared, fascinated.

This is no joke.

The world really revolved around me now.

March 15th was the turn from Sunday to Monday.

Right at the start of the week, huh.

So what about the remaining time?

What happened to the matched common sense?

Saving keeps it active, apparently.

But I needed to test it for sure.

So I held off on saving and waited.

Let's see what happens.

A bit later.

Three customers paid and left.

I dawdled on purpose, waiting.

The boss, deep in his game, finally glanced my way late.

"Hey! Lee Jaehan!"

Here we go.

"What's your fucking deal today? You lost it or what!? Why keep ignoring me? Shit, you must've been a total pushover in the army. Ha. If you were my junior, I'd have offed myself. Straight up."

Another long rant.

Then, at the end, he subtly offered his cheek.

This guy's insane.

Even if he hated getting hit, he couldn't stop bullying.

Like flushing after shitting.

Bullying then offering the cheek was basic common sense.

Even after matching the answer, it holds.

Probably until the next alteration.

So I can smack him silly until Sunday night?

I grinned and loosened my hand.

"Bite down hard on that tooth."

"...Go easy, please."

Slap—

"Hngh!"

My palm stung and buzzed.

This handfeel? I could do it forever.

"Ahh. Hurts. Fuck. Hurts so bad."

"Lemme see."

Rattle. Rattle.

"That tooth's wobbling. Want me to rip it out?"

"G-get lost."

One more and it'd probably come clean out.

Considering how he'd bullied and ignored me all this time, yanking a couple seemed fair.

****

Slap—

Work was a blast after the common sense change.

Even getting reamed by the boss made me grin like an idiot.

"You splitting wood or what? You crazy!?"

Then—

Slap—

I could smack him good.

So whatever he said went in one ear and out the other.

When he dragged my parents into it, I got a little pissed and hit harder.

"Euuuugh...."

The boss bastard ended up with one missing tooth, needing a permanent replacement.

"Puhaha. That's what you get for not easing up."

"Damn it. That kid pisses me off."

"Keep it up and you'll lose 'em all."

"Gotta do what I gotta do."

Even his gaming buddy teased him, but the boss barely reacted.

Feels damn good.

Two days till Sunday.

Maybe ten more slaps?

And with saving, even more after.

As long as I don't get fired, stress relief's guaranteed.

That storage slot's a gem.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Made me look forward to the next alteration, weirdly.

System's clearly on my side.

Maybe 'cause it's the tutorial, but no vibe of screwing me over.

Next one would confirm it.

As a returnee student, I worked evenings, 6 to midnight.

Sohyun had the same shift, so we clocked out together.

"We're here."

"Good work, Oppa. You too, Sohyun."

The next-shift part-timer arrived.

Pretty cute, but nowhere near Sohyun.

No wonder standards rise.

Working right next to Sohyun raised the bar inevitably.

"Oppa, let's head out."

"Yeah."

March was still chilly.

I grabbed my outer layer and stepped outside.

Groups of people wandered the streets.

Right after semester start, lots of drunk crowds.

Laughter rang out loud.

The night air was cold.

Everyone seemed to be having fun.

Passing couples made me especially envious.

Money aside, real dating was my real goal.

"Oppa."

"Huh?"

"Wanna grab some beer?"

"...With me?"

"Yeah."

What was up with Sohyun?

My heart pounded.

Did she like me all along?

Just been watching quietly?

Fantasy wings spread: confession, dating, kids, picnics, trips.

"Don't wanna?"

Turning this down would make me an idiot.

"Sure. My treat."

"I suggested it, so I'll pay."

"Then I'll get snacks."

"Okay."

We hit the nearby convenience store, grabbed canned beer and snacks, and headed out.

The cool weather worried me for Sohyun.

Weather'd warmed lately, so she was dressed light.

I had an extra cardigan underneath.

I shrugged off my puffer and handed it over.

Timid me, mustering courage.

"You look cold. Here."

"What about you?"

"Got ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a cardigan. Plus, I run hot anyway."

"Thanks."

She took it blankly and slipped it on.

"No smell, right?"

"Not at all."

"Good."

My puffer looked perfect on her.

She was gorgeous.

"..."

Sohyun stared at me quietly before speaking.

"You always this nice?"

"Me, nice?"

"Yeah."

"Sounds good."

"These days, it's not a compliment."

"..."

"They call it being a pushover. Nice to a fault."

I flinched.

Sometimes wondered if that was me.

"See an old lady selling veggies on the street, can't just walk by, right?"

"How'd you know?"

"You give off that vibe."

"That's not being a pushover."

"Know those grannies drive Benzes? Kids own buildings."

"No need to twist it like that."

"..."

Her eyes narrowed at my words.

"Guess you're really nice, Oppa."

"Nice ain't bad."

Post-army, I'd changed a bit.

No more just taking it.

That's why I slapped the boss without hesitation.

Old me couldn't have.

Even with altered common sense.

My soft heart would've blocked it.

"Then... could you do something nice for me?"

"Something nice?"

"Truth is, I suggested beer 'cause I have a favor."

"Knew it."

Figures.

No way Sohyun liked me like that.

"Sorry."

"Nah. What's the favor?"

"Lend me some money?"

Gulp—

My beer-holding hand shook.

"...Money?"

"Yeah. Just a million won."

Way too big for me now.

Most went to parents.

I'd kept just over a million for living expenses.

Am I getting played for a sucker?

No.

Sohyun wasn't the type to use me.

"Don't wanna ask the boss for an advance. I'll pay back right after payday. One week left."

"Sounds urgent."

"Yeah."

She sipped her beer and continued.

"Just asking outright's too shameless, so I'll add interest."

"Haven't said yes yet."

"..."

"..."

Cold air hung between us for a moment.

"I was short-sighted. Should've explained first."

"Can you tell me?"

"Mom runs a little snack shop. Some debt on it. Sales tanked lately for various reasons, tight on repaying."

Sounded perfectly reasonable.

And Sohyun opening up about family stuff to me? Bold.

Home issues are awkward to share.

"How was it before?"

"Used to cover it with normal sales. But last month, Mom hurt her back. Rested a bit."

"I see."

"Nowhere else to borrow."

"Your 'nice deed'."

"Hate owing anyone. But I trust Oppa."

"Trust me?"

"Ask anyone else... feels like I'd get strung along."

A shadow crossed her face for the first time.

Explained why no advance from the boss.

Debt would let his creepy side out.

Simply put, she didn't wanna get tangled.

"One week. Cool. I'll lend it."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Coworkers and all."

"Thanks. Record a video then."

"What?"

"Of me borrowing the money."

"C'mon, no need for that...."

"Do it. I like things certain."

She's got principles.

No choice, I recorded.

Looking at my phone, she recited.

"I, Yu Sohyun..."

Skipped family details, just: borrowing a million, repay in a week.

"That works as an IOU."

"Yeah."

"Delete it once I pay."

"Sure."

I checked the video again.

Thump. Thump.

Heart racing a bit.

Sohyun's pretty face on my phone.

Can watch this daily.

Good call lending it.

Never stared at her face openly before.

Just stolen glances.

Hurry home and binge.

Thought of feasting on her pretty face lifted my mood.

"Don't stare too hard at my face in the video."

"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah."

****

Sunday passed, Monday midnight.

The common sense alteration system activated again.

And that day.

Sohyun started acting weird toward me.