The Masked Pervert Hunt
“What should I eat today?”
That thought always crossed my mind whenever I pondered it, and it made me realize just how amazing mothers truly were. I got headaches just thinking about what to eat every time, but Mom not only figured it out but also whipped up the meal day after day. And housework? Once I started living alone, I learned it was no joke. If you slacked off even a little, dust piled up on the floor, limescale built up in the bathroom, laundry accumulated like crazy... Even household trash started stinking after just a week. Especially when I ordered delivery food—it made it ten times worse.
Should I just grab some campus food...
It was vacation, but the school cafeteria was still open. And the timing was perfect. With my mind made up, I headed straight toward campus.
Hm?
Then, out of nowhere, a flyer caught my eye.
Wanted: Sexual Harasser
Special Notes: Wears a strange mask covering the entire face. Always uses weird polite speech. Pervert.
“......”
I was speechless the moment I read the words on the flyer. No matter how many times I scanned it, the text didn't change. If anything, it burned itself even clearer into my eyes. Especially the detailed description below...
That's obviously me.
And it wasn't hard to guess who had posted it.
...Yu Seoyeon!
That damn sow...!
Fury boiled up inside me, and I stormed toward the flyer. But just as I raised my hand to rip it down, a sudden thought hit me.
Wait, if I tear this off right here, won't people think it's suspicious?
And that wasn't all. Yu Seoyeon might be lurking nearby. Sure, as an office worker, she probably couldn't ditch work, but... you never knew. That woman had a crazier streak than I could predict.
Stay calm.
I needed to keep a cool head. I took slow steps forward, feigning casual curiosity as I glanced at the flyer, then shrugged with feigned disinterest and turned away.
...Good, that looked natural.
Anyone watching would just see a passerby who got intrigued for a second before losing interest. I patted my chest in relief and forced myself to ignore the flyer.
She's got some guts pulling a stunt like that... but she won't catch me with it.
I let out a scoffing laugh and continued toward school. Along the way, I spotted a few more identical flyers. She'd plastered them all over the neighborhood, it seemed. Her persistence was almost admirable—I'd give her a thumbs-up for that, at least.
Feels like I stepped in shit somehow...
A wave of unease hit me, but I shoved thoughts of Yu Seoyeon aside. As long as I didn't engage her, she'd tire herself out eventually.
Yeah, bark all you want. I'll just keep walking my path.
With that, I pushed Yu Seoyeon out of my mind and entered the campus cafeteria. It was pretty empty compared to term time—probably because everyone had gone home or on trips for break.
...Home.
Honestly, I'd planned to head home this break too, but Jihyun being a high school senior killed that idea.
Right, I get it. She's a senior...
I smacked my lips, bought a meal ticket, and got in line. After grabbing a tray of Korean food, I sat down to eat.
“Yuhyun! Eating alone?”
I was midway through when someone called out. Looking up, I saw my friend—the guy I'd gotten blackout drunk with over his girlfriend troubles just two days ago.
“Uh...”
And standing next to him was the girlfriend he'd definitely broken up with.
“...Weren't you two split up?”
I set my spoon down and asked. Yoon Seok grinned sheepishly and grabbed his girlfriend's hand.
“We made up yesterday.”
“......”
She didn't seem to hate his goofy attitude either—she was beaming, practically glowing with pink aurora vibes.
Should I just train her?
The thought flickered briefly, but I let out a hollow chuckle and spoke.
“Cool, glad it worked out.”
Yoon Seok and his girl waved it off like, What do you mean 'worked out.' They were perfect for each other. Made me wonder why they'd fought in the first place.
“...But seriously, why are you guys here?”
“To eat. Hang on, we'll grab ours quick.”
“Nah, you two eat together. Why drag me into it?”
“Dude, what're you talking about between friends...”
As Yoon Seok started protesting, his girlfriend elbowed him and shot me subtle glances, clearly wanting to ditch and eat alone with him. But he pressed on.
“...Just eat together. What's with the moping solo act?”
“I'm good, really...”
“We'll be right back. Wait here. Haeun, let's go.”
He dragged her off. Shaking my head at the sight, I finally got why they'd broken up.
No sense at all.
Haeun—that was her name?—wanted a cozy meal à deux, but Yoon Seok was obliviously trying to make it a trio.
...Hopeless.
He was my friend, but totally hopeless.
Guess I'll bow out gracefully.
Muttering to myself, I wolfed down my food and waited. The moment they returned with trays, I stood up.
“I'm done. Heading out.”
“Dude! You can't just bail like that!”
“You two were starving waiting—should I let you skip eating altogether? Anyway, I'm off.”
I gave Haeun a quick nod and slipped out of the cafeteria.
At least it worked out. They're back together.
Otherwise, I'd have to drink myself silly consoling Yoon Seok again. Chuckling, I stopped at the vending machine for a post-meal drink to quench my thirst. Popping open a cola can with my thumb, I heard the satisfying hiss of carbonation. That was the magic of canned cola.
I took a swig and strolled along, basking in the sunlight.
“Hey, you idiot! You can't do that!”
“Just drink up. Hey! What the hell!”
Suddenly, laughter from a group of girls rang out in the distance. Turning toward the sound, I saw five of them picnicking on a mat, chattering away.
Crazy...
I cursed under my breath without thinking. Because that spot? It was the prohibited lawn with the big “Keep Off” sign.