Roadside Pursuit
A sidewalk beside the main road, lined with a dense park.
“Hoo— ha— hoo— ha—”
A woman in a baseball cap panted hot breaths as she ran along the street. With every stride, her black hair—tied back in a low ponytail—swayed rhythmically.
“Hoo— ha— hoo— ha—”
Having stopped by the hospital, Jihyun had started her run a bit later than usual. To make up for it, she pushed even harder. Heat pumped up from her soles flushed her face pink, like plum blossoms in full bloom.
“Hoo— ha— hoo— ha—”
As she ran, Jihyun recalled the doctor's words. Dr. Seo Eunmi had said she wanted to try Hura's cooking someday. Compared to the warmth and care she'd shown Jihyun—like a daughter—that request was nothing.
It's... not a big deal, right? I'm Hura's one and only real friend, after all.
Hura would surely grant a “real” friend's request without hesitation. All Jihyun had to do was log into the fantasy world and send a quick message. Simple.
“……”
But thinking about it, it had been quite a while since she'd last heard from Hura.
Do friends usually go this long without checking in?
Jihyun's brows furrowed.
Come to think of it, shouldn't he have reached out at least once? Even if I didn't message first, how could there be zero contact?
Jihyun clenched her fist tight. Unexplained anger swirled through her fingers.
...Pissing me off.
Fueled by that mystery rage, she pounded the pavement harder. She hadn't yet realized it stemmed from disappointment. All she knew was that slippery Hura made her blood boil.
Just you wait till I catch you.
Powered by fury, she sprinted all the way to the SU Convenience Store—her daily turnaround point and hydration stop.
“Hoo—”
Catching her breath, Jihyun pushed open the door.
Ding-a-ling—
“Welcome~”
Passing the familiar sounds, she stepped inside. Unconsciously, her eyes flicked to the counter.
“……!”
Her eyes widened.
There, chugging a canned coffee like a king, sat Hura. Or at least someone who looked just like him—Jihyun instantly decided it was Hura.
Hura! You jerk!
Whoosh—
Her eyes blazed fierce as she locked on. The subsided anger roared back to life.
* * *
Those eyes like a bird of prey. Unmistakably the predator's gaze—it froze me solid in an instant.
Coffee dribbled down my chin from my gaping mouth.
She'd spotted me before even entering, it seemed. No intention of stepping aside at the door.
“……!”
Done for!
She'd blocked the exit perfectly, without a single gap. More like a hunter sharpening her claws before her quarry.
This was a rat in a trap. What to do? What to do?
Thump-thump—my heart raced.
Meanwhile, oblivious Mansu slapped my shoulder excitedly and whispered.
—That's her! The goddess!
—She's a bit late today.
—Look at her. Isn't she stunning?
—How's her face that small? Like my fist.
Frozen like a statue, I only moved my lips to call him.
“…Mansu.”
“Huh?”
“Sorry, but shut up for a sec.”
He glanced between me and the mystery assassin, then whispered again.
—...No way. You know her?
—No.
—She seems to know you. And vice versa.
—...She's an assassin.
—Assassin?
—Yeah. Stay quiet if you don't wanna die.
—You're joking, right?
—Does this look like a joke?
—…….
Finally getting the gravity, Mansu clammed up. Heavy silence fell, thick with tension.
Her piercing stare bored into me alone. I endured it stoically, sweat pouring.
Her ragged breaths gradually evened out.
Then, she moved.
I flinched, ready to bolt behind the counter—but she sidestepped slowly, clearing the door.
“……?”
She'd backed away from the entrance. My head spun. Opening an escape route?
What was her game?
Confused, I met her eyes. A unfamiliar curve tugged at her lips—one corner smirked up.
“……!”
That twisted smile clicked it all. My eyes bulged in horror.
Such cruelty...!
Not fun catching you right away, so I'll let you go once? Run if you dare?
Insane confidence. And twisted taste.
Grind.
I gritted my teeth. Felt like helpless prey, a toy for the hunter's amusement.
No other choice, though. Infuriating as it was, playing along offered slim odds.
Better than instant capture.
Fine. I'll milk this chance. Your carelessness will bite you. You'll regret this!
Eyeing her warily, I inched toward the door. Step by careful step.
She watched with that one-sided smirk, eyes smoldering.
Politely waiting for me to exit.
“…….”
Right before opening, our eyes locked. I stuck out my tongue.
Why? Heat of the moment, probably. Petty revenge.
“……!”
Seeing her eyes widen, I shoved the door and bolted.
Ding-a-ling—
Thud-thud—
Like an arrow loosed, I shot out.
Ding-a-ling—
Whoosh—
She followed instantly. Still with that eerie smile. No—my raspberry made it wider.
“……!”
I sprinted down the straight road. But my speed wasn't what it used to be.
Legs ready to give out—expected, really.
Still, I poured every ounce of strength into it.
Whooosh—
Wind whistling from my mouth signaled I wasn't okay.
Just my luck. Worst possible day—drained dry—and this happens!
Thud-thud-thud—
She closed in fast.
“……!”
Dying to escape, I racked my brain. No chance on this open straightaway.
Need cover—heavy terrain to shake her!
Spotting the park along the road, I veered in.
Blinded, plunged into the dimming woods off-path.
Crunch—
Crunch—
Dodging through grass between trees.
Blind sprint, eyes forward, no looking back. For ages.
“Huff— huff—”
Clutching my chest, I collapsed.
Ju, just... gonna die!
Like a broken steam engine, hot breaths heaved. Glanced back.
No pursuing footsteps.
“Huff— ha— shook her?”
Relief sighed out. Surveyed around.
Towering trees like sentinels. I'd wandered somewhere unknown.
“...Where the hell is this?”
* * *
Jihyun chased Hura as he fled desperately. He veered into the wooded park.
“...Heh.”
Her lips twisted. This park was her home turf—run daily, knew it like her palm.
Thinks he can lose me? No chance.
His path was obvious. No need to tail directly—she switched routes.
Victory's smile already graced her lips.
* * *
“Huff— huff—”
Steadying breaths, I looked around. No paths in this deep woods. Not a soul.
First time here, even for a local like me. Insanely dense for a park.
...Lost, big time.
At least shook the assassin.
“Phew—”
Leaning against a tree, caught my breath. Now, how to get home without her spotting me in this sprawl.
Racking my brain—rustle.
Footsteps nearby, from behind.
“…!”
I jolted up, back flat to the trunk.
Held breath, ears straining.
Rustle—
Rustle—
Getting closer.
“Where are you~?”
“……!”
Voice with footsteps—I clapped a hand over my mouth.
“Where oh where~?”
Slender woman's voice, playful like teasing a child. Innocent lilt, knowing chuckle.
Seductively charming, almost. Devil's whisper?
Chills raced over me.
Rustle—
Rustle—
“Hmm~ where could he be~? The raspberry friend~?”
Rustle—
Rustle—
Steps circled.
Gasp—held my breath. Melded with the tree, eyes squeezed shut.
Regret crept up, smacking my head.
Idiot! Why raspberry?
“Hmm~ weird~? He's right around here~?”
Terror squeezed me. Wanted to sob.
Maybe already whimpering silently.
Rustle—
Rustle—
Steps halted nearby. Maybe right behind the tree.
Thump-thump—heart pounded wildly. Prayed it stayed quiet.
Don't fail me now, heart.
“Hmm~ where~?”
Lungs burned. Hands sealed nose and mouth—couldn't hold longer.
“Kh, khh…”
Please. Just go. I'll be good.
Sweat poured like rain. Trembling, prayed to every god I knew.
But reality's cruel. God apparently disliked fair-weather fans.
“...Guh.”
In crushing silence, stale air burst out.
“Pffhah—!”
Stifling quiet followed.
“…….”
Trembling hands lowered slowly.
Creak—
Turned head. Peered sideways, eyes quivering.
Head poked from beside the tree. Devil grinned ear-to-ear.
“Found you~?”
“Kyahaaaaack!!”
Whoosh-crash—
Bolted madly. Pure terror—first time in my life.
That murderous glare! Eerie smile like greeting the reaper!
Instinct screamed: Flee with everything!
True assassin!
Blind panic, no direction—then she popped out ahead.
“……!”
Was behind! How...!
Creak—
Whirled, ran opposite. But she emerged from another tree.
“……!”
Every direction—same. She waited ahead, smiling serenely.
“Wh-what the...!”
Ghostly elusive. Hallucinating? Or actual ghost?
“U, uwaaaaa!”
Fled insanely. Spotted park path through brush—group of people passing.
“H-help—”
Desperate cry cut by chill voice from side.
“Not letting you.”
Heavy impact slammed my side.
Thwack—
“Kyaaak!”
World flipped. Tumbled pathetically.
Then, giggling whisper in my ear.
“Gotcha.”