Lee Miho
When I was little, I lived with Grandmother. I had no mother or father. But I never really felt their absence. Maybe because they'd never been there to begin with, so there was no gap to feel. Or perhaps because Grandmother showered me with such devoted love—either way, my childhood was entirely spent with her.
That's why, even now, one scene remains vividly etched in my mind.
"My dear..."
Grandmother takes my hand. Her wrinkled hand, always so vigorous in stroking my hair. Realizing it now hung limp as it grasped mine, tears streamed down my cheeks unbidden.
"Yes, Grandmother."
Swallowing my tears and snot, I answered her. She squeezed my hand tightly, as if imprinting her words on me.
"Promise Grandmother... never take off that necklace..."
The necklace she'd foreseen her own death and spent sleepless nights crafting. Feeling it now around my neck, I made my vow.
"I promise... I'll never take it off."
"And one more thing to remember..."
Grandmother strokes my hand, staring straight through me.
"Beware women who approach you for no reason. Got it... my dear?"
"Yes... yes?"
"I know our grandson's handsome... but still, remember."
Grandmother repeated herself.
"Don't trust women who come to you without reason."
The words didn't hit me hard as a child, but since they were her dying wish, I nodded.
"Got it, Grandmother."
With that final plea, Grandmother passed away.
I left the empty countryside and started a new school life in the city.
* * *
"Mm..."
I blinked awake. Sitting up with a tousled body, I stretched my still-groggy limbs. The dream I'd just had lingered like an afterimage in my head.
"...That was ages ago."
The day Grandmother died and left me her last words. Realizing years had passed since then, I stared blankly at my new home.
The quiet room, empty of anyone else. Morning sun filtered through the window. This place, so different from the old countryside house, had become familiar. I got out of bed.
"Ughhh..."
I stretched once more. Fatigue lingered, but I had to move fast.
"Already 6 a.m."
School and my morning part-time job waited.
I showered quickly and hurried out.
* * *
Cafe Yuu
The place where I worked every morning. Close to home, with a beautiful manager as its unique charm, I'd started here during break and they'd kept hiring me for mornings.
My job was simple: unload today's shipment into the cafe.
"You're here, Hanjun?"
Backpack slung over my shoulder, I arrived to find the delivery truck and manager greeting me right on time.
Ash-gray hair braided to one side, white blouse on—she smiled warmly, as always.
"Yep, good morning, Manager!"
I tossed my bag on the floor and prepped to unload. She smiled kindly at me, then approached the truck first to receive the stock.
"Hup."
A box of decent weight. She lifted it effortlessly with her slender arms. My eyes went there naturally. Well, actually... more to the massive breasts perched atop the box.
"What's wrong? Something up?"
She smiled gently at me. Flustered, I charged toward the truck.
"Nope, gotta work hard today too! Haha!"
She giggled cutely at my charge, and together we unloaded everything.
* * *
"Good work today, Hanjun."
After sorting the shipment, sitting at a cafe table, she approached with a sweet smile.
Her pure beauty could fell any man, and her praise made "No big deal" slip out reflexively.
"Hmm..."
She handed me my pay in a paper envelope, then stared intently at my rolled-up sleeve and forearm.
"Wh-what...?"
I checked my arm—no issues. As I awkwardly exposed it, she asked casually,
"Hanjun, you're popular with girls, right?"
"Uh... huh?"
I blinked in confusion, and she poked my forearm with a slender finger.
"Look at this—clearly well-maintained. And you're still a student."
She teasingly stroked my veiny forearm. I flexed it showily, and she squealed "Kyaa!" before poking again.
"Not really popular."
Answering her question brought back this morning's dream. Grandmother's words before dying.
Never remove the necklace, and beware women who approach without reason.
I kept the first promise faithfully. The second? I wanted to, but couldn't.
No women approached me. Sadly.
When transferring from countryside to city, I'd resolved to fend off all girls... but no one—girl or guy—came near. Fortunately or not, I befriended one weirdo.
"Hmm... really? Weird. If I were a girl your age, I'd be interested."
"...Don't tease my heart like that."
I shot back as she still playfully caressed my arm. She tilted her head.
"Huh? I'm serious."
That moment, the deep-buried promise to Grandmother felt ready to shatter. Heart pounding, I gazed at her.
She met my intense stare nonchalantly, then glanced at the wall clock and gasped.
"Oh? Already this late. Won't be late for school—I'll make it quick."
She dashed inside, leaving my arm she'd been stroking tingling with regret.
Soon, she returned, cheeks faintly flushed, with a cafe latte.
"Here, do your best today, Hanjun."
Her special morning brew, made just for me. Full of milk, I downed it in one go.
"Delicious as always."
"R-really? Thanks."
Blushing, she twisted shyly. I savored her cuteness, then bowed.
"Off to school."
"Y-yeah... have a good day."
Same morning routine, same commute. I headed to school.
* * *
Herds. Highly social animals form packs. Even more social humans form structured groups.
School was the same. A microcosm of society, cliques formed by personality or benefit.
But even in ant colonies, some ants play while others work—exceptions exist.
Not in a group. Alone. Outcast, not insider.
That was me.
"...Bitter."
At the back window seat, watching chattering cliques, pessimism welled up. I sighed, pillowed my head on my arms, and slumped.
Trying to sleep through morning homeroom, a chair scraped back, and someone tapped my shoulder.
"Yo."
Lifting my head, I saw the beast. Aged beyond his years, bald head. Muscles bursting his uniform. My only class friend grinned toothily, laughing heartily.
"Good morning! Hey, Hanjun—saw yesterday's manga?!"
Kim Charyeok launched into loud, outsider topics right away. Staring at this subculture-and-gym-obsessed guy, far from youthful school life, I thought:
One reason I have no friends? Definitely him.
"And Hanjun! Restart training today?!"
"No."
Recalling his relentless summer grind toward a 500kg three-lift, I refused flatly.
He drooped like a wet puppy briefly, then perked up with another topic.
Drag.
The door opened; teacher entered. Tapping the podium with his notes to quiet us, he addressed the class.
"Good morning, everyone. Before homeroom, pay attention—I have an announcement."
He gestured outside the open door. Curious, I peeked—and met a girl.
Neat long straight hair, sharp upturned eyes. Straight nose, red lips. Long legs, sleek figure.
My breath caught. The whole class froze in silence.
Click, clack.
Heels familiar with stares, or indifferent, she stood demurely by the podium. Then smiled brightly.
"Hi, I'm Lee Miho, new transfer today. Nice to meet you."
Under every gaze in the room, utterly composed. Instinct told me: she's the opposite of me.
