Twisted Obsession (4) -1-

Maybe it was thanks to Ji-ah noona that I'd had such a relaxing time after so long. Even though I'd only taken a short nap during the day, that night I slept like a baby, more soundly than ever.

"Nngh~!! What a great morning after ages."

Waking up refreshed put me in an even better mood. Humming a little tune, I aired out the place while washing up, scarfed down a simple breakfast, and hurried to get ready for work.

Clunk—

"...Ah, fuck."

But my pleasant morning shattered the instant I opened the front door to head out. There was another one of those damn heart-patterned gift boxes sitting there.

I cursed under my breath and scowled without thinking. Just in case, I scanned the surroundings, but whoever left it was long gone.

Yeah, no way they'd stick around. Tsk! I clicked my tongue, grabbed the box to toss it, then paused.

Wouldn't this count as evidence too?

Looking closer, there was a card tucked into the ribbon wrapping the box.

Hmm... Better check it, just in case.

I pulled out the card first.

"...This bitch is fucking insane."

The contents were ridiculous. 'That woman'—was she talking about Ji-ah noona? She's the only woman around me anyway. And my hardships? They're all because of you, you psycho. On top of that, my heart? What the hell do you know about my heart?

If this stalker were standing in front of me right now, I'd unleash a torrent of double curses straight through all 18 levels of hell. A deep, boiling rage surged up.

If my body and mind had been worn out and on edge, I might've trembled with confusion and fear instead of this irritation. But thanks to Ji-ah noona yesterday—good food, solid rest, and a mood boost—my mind and body felt recharged. It wasn't that scary anymore. Just utterly absurd that a stalker would scribble this nonsense.

"Can't just toss this."

She's written it like some goddamn essay. Maybe it'd be useful for handwriting analysis later? Just in case, I opened the box and inspected everything carefully.

You never know. This crazy stalker might've slipped in a bug.

Thankfully, nothing like that. Instead, there was a luxury watch case—clearly high-end, probably designer. Alongside some clumsily made cookies, vitamin gummies, and supplements.

Did she see me dump the last ones in the trash? Does she think I tossed them because they sucked? So this time she threw in a fancy watch too?

"Ha! Ha! What!?"

I was dumbfounded. I wanted to chuck it right then, but it could be evidence if they catch the stalker, so I just shoved the box on top of the shoe cabinet and headed out.

-2-

I went to work with a heavy, uneasy feeling.

"You look a bit better than yesterday."

"Boss, when I was working, did you notice anyone weird hanging around?"

"Huh? Out of the blue? Why? Didn't see anyone like that... Though plenty of women stare at you, Jae-hyun."

Hmm. Fair point.

I explained the whole story to the Cafe Owner. She bristled like a mother bear whose cub had been threatened, eyes blazing.

"What kind of wretched bitch! Ugh~ Jae-hyun, you too! You should've told me sooner!"

"I thought it was nothing at first. Never been stalked before. Wasn't sure."

She shook her head at my awkward grin, like I was hopeless.

"Did you report it to the cops?"

"Yeah, yesterday. No real damage, so they said there's nothing they can do."

"The hell? That's why people call 'em fake cops. Lock the barn after the horse is gone, huh."

Exactly. She patted my shoulder with a wry smile.

"Don't go out alone from now on. Be careful. Or talk to that pretty customer of yours. You two seem close."

Any normal woman would listen if I asked nicely. I just smiled quietly.

Ji-ah noona had already half-forced me yesterday to go home together after work starting today. I turned down her offer to drive me to work too—felt too bad.

Ding-a-ling—

Anyway, with basic prep done, the cafe opened on time. And not long after, in walked... Kang So-ra.

A tight black dress slightly above the knee, a sheer bolero cardigan lightly draped over, and high heels clicking with each step toward the counter.

That click-clack reminded me of the footsteps from last dawn, and I winced without thinking.

"...Welcome."

"Hello."

Kang So-ra looked annoyingly cheerful. A whiff of heavy perfume hit my nose.

"Did you get home okay yesterday? You looked pretty rough."

Her subtle tone, low voice, and those shadowed eyes with faint highlights amped up my aversion to her. She's a beauty, sure, but something instinctively repelled me.

"Yeah, thanks to Ji-ah noona."

"..."

The moment I mentioned Ji-ah noona, her eyes chilled for a split second. I'd been on guard since noona's warning yesterday, watching closely, and barely caught it.

"You two seem really close?"

Deny it, her vibe screamed.

"Kang So-ra, we're not close enough for chit-chat like this. Sorry, order quick and step aside?"

Her eyelashes trembled as I shut her down coldly. Lips pressed tight, eyes turning fierce.

Ah, it's her. Gut instinct hit like a truck.

The Cafe Owner, pulling espresso, sensed the tension and tapped my back.

"Jae-hyun, want to make that order I took earlier?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Wait! Jae-hyun!"

She reached over the counter—I recoiled in shock. The boss grabbed her arm just in time.

"Hey, customer! This is a problem."

"Ow! Let go! Jae-hyun, it's because of that woman, right? It's fine. I can fix it all—quickly!"

Her eyes were rolling, on the edge.

Thinking I avoided her because of Ji-ah noona was laughable enough, but what was she gonna "fix" with that murderous glare and unhinged head? Nothing peaceful, that's for sure.

Something inside me snapped.

"...That 'woman'—you mean Ji-ah noona?"

"Yes! Yes!"

Still held by the boss, she leaned over the counter desperately. The few table customers and new arrivals gawked like it was a morning soap opera.

Damn, embarrassing. I rubbed my face roughly, not hiding my icy expression.

I don't show it usually, but when I get serious, people say I look cold and frosty. Yoon-ju's verdict: cute puppy normally, fierce wolf when pissed.

"Kang So-ra, the box last dawn and this morning—you, right? Keep your delusions in your room. What the hell makes you think we're lovers? It's creepy as fuck."

Ji-ah noona is pretty, kind, good. Always polite, proper posture everywhere. Cool beauty, chic, ice princess vibes, but up close she's adorably clumsy—hiding her awkward sides cutely, yet owning them and improving. Awesome.

"And 'fix' Ji-ah noona? Fix what? If you're thinking of hurting her even a little, stop. She's great to me—precious. Not for scum like you to touch."

Life drained from Kang So-ra's face at my words. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Growling fiercely, she twisted like I'd betrayed her deepest trust and screamed.

"What does she have?! Jae-hyun, don't do this. We were good, right? What's the problem!!!"

"Hah~ fuck—listen. When you moved next door, that elevator run-in was our first meeting. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Nothing else. Whatever deep bond in your head, reality? Jack shit. If you're gonna lose it, do it cleanly."

I couldn't hold back, snarling right back. The boss and regulars stared, shocked—I'd never shown this savage side.

"Jae-hyun, calm down. Customer! Keep this up, we call the cops? Stop disrupting and leave!!"

"Le-let goooo!!! You eyeing my Jae-hyun too? Huh? You crazy hag!!!"

"Holy shit, what a nutjob..."

Fear gone, I stormed out from the counter. As I approached, her face bloomed red—gross.

"Out."

"Jae-hyun... yeah, you said that in anger..."

"Screaming!"

"Quit the bullshit and get out. What twisted fantasy now? Delusion and reality—separate them. Even if you imagine sucking me off in your head, real life? You're the stalker. I'm the victim. That's it."

Dragging her roughly, her heel slipped—I didn't care. Barely held back from beating her ass outside.

"You can't... can't do this!!! That day, you talked to me first. You smiled first. Asked if I was okay, offered help first!!!"

Her rambling made no sense. Whatever was delusion or fact— not my problem.

"For you! I changed for you! Why don't you see?! Why not me!!!"

Crying? Raging? Stress from yesterday's rest spiked hard.

Is this blood boiling backward? Like drama chaebols, about to clutch my neck and collapse?

"Jae-hyun?"

"Ah, noona."

Head throbbing, neck stiff. Disgust, anger, absurdity—heart pounding unpleasantly.

Didn't want her seeing this savage side, but perfect timing—Ji-ah noona showed up.

I dropped Kang So-ra's arm, buried my face in my hands.

Ah, please.

"Noona... it's... fuck..."

Frustrated. Why me for this psycho? Hate showing noona this rude, feral side—worst timing.

Wanna scream. Then Kang So-ra shoved past me toward noona.

Still thinks noona's the reason for everything?

"Ha? What the—"

Ji-ah noona's face went stone-cold—unseen before. She subdued the charging Kang So-ra effortlessly. Like an action flick—whoosh! In a blink, arm twisted back, pinned to the floor.

Leaning her weight, noona ground ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her head down. Face mashed against the floor, Kang So-ra growled like a beast, thrashing pathetically. But arm locked behind, perfectly controlled from behind—futile struggle.

-3-