Arbitrary Decision (2)
Rent or whole? Didn't matter much. Ideally close to Miren Academy. Not a must, but some sunlight and a view would be nice. Preferred a villa or officetel over an apartment. Two rooms or one, as long as it was a bit over 10 pyeong. Not too low a floor—third or fourth should do. Planned to stay long-term unless something came up where I wouldn't even drop by. No need for a station nearby. Even if the bus stop was far, as long as it was near the academy, it'd be fine. And... ah, budget's about this much.
"Could I see your ID? Need to scan it."
"Sure."
"You want to move in ASAP, so gas'll probably be on the day after tomorrow..."
The pitch-black night had fully settled by then. House hunting wrapped up way more anticlimactically than expected. The conditions I'd laid out weren't that strict anyway... and above all, that final one—money—had more pull than I'd thought. Someone once said money can't buy happiness. But convenience? It buys that in spades. What a comfy world to live in.
Changed my phone number too... Things with Lee Hayun were progressing smoothly. If I could just dodge Yojora...
As I popped a cheap candy from the table into my mouth, recalling her drunken grin...
"Looking for a place near the academy? You must be someone important."
The guy tapping away at his computer from afar spoke up. A massive Seoul map hung beside him, making him look tiny.
"Nah, just my workplace."
"Hero, then..."
"Health teacher. Regular guy."
"Ah, health teacher. Haven't heard that in ages. Been so long since graduation."
His interest in me finally faded. Only the cold clatter of keys echoed.
Ten years old. After being outed as a healing-type transcendent, I learned a ton. Most important? Unless there's a reason, never spill your personal info first in front of strangers.
This world has way too many desperate people. Found that out about twenty hours after my info hit the national news. Some grown-ass adult dropped to his knees before me, rubbing his bony hands together, revealing his bald head under that beanie...
...Kid heart got the better of me; I healed him. Right there in public, clueless as hell. Thanks to that, middle school was a riot. "How do I sneak past those guys today?" That kinda daily scheming.
If that new healing-type transcendent kid hadn't been a nasty piece of work, they'd have tailed me to high school. Lucky for me, she got the "saintess" treatment and soaked up all the aggro, letting me coast through high school easy.
Easy. Meaning, parked at the window seat, ignoring classes like the wannabe villain I was, staring at the same white clouds, thinking, That new hero costume on YouTube yesterday was fucking hot. Wrists bound back, rip the bottom a bit, and pound away... wonder how that'd feel...
"Here you go. Check it over carefully at home... Oh, my card..."
"...Ah, thanks."
About two days till gas hooked up at the new place. Which meant dodging Yojora rampaging on my floor two or three more times.
No matter how I racked my brain, no escape. Not like multiple entrances. Can't fly in through a window like some freak.
Spend the two days in a motel? Then when to move the stuff...
Mulling it over while trudging the noisy night streets, a familiar back caught my eye.
Not a woman's. A guy. Around my age. Not a friend—reason's a secret. Same high school? Nah, doubt it. Can't remember every face.
Cropped hair like an athlete. Casual clothes. Thick coat over. And slung on his shoulder: a massive black sword sheath.
Hmm. One of the guys from my company days? Even upside down, his style screamed "I'm a transcendent." Guessing his identity...
Then my eyes hit the sheath's end. Teddy bear keychain. The kid who stumbled into the infirmary by mistake last time. Name? Baek... Baek-something.
"...Try asking for that again next time."
"Wasn't it good?"
"You think that sour, bitter, spicy, funky shit was good? Total garbage?"
"Wasn't my fave either... but girls supposedly love it, so I brought ya."
"Ask me first next time. Ugh, seriously...!"
Anyway. Baek-whatever was taking a meek low kick from the girl right beside him. Right in the middle of a crowded street.
Her long red hair whipped prettily with each straight-legged swing. Punchy thuds echoed from below.
Trained pro? Angles were sharp. My own calf tensed just watching.
Baek dude a trainee hero? Taking those hits like nothing...
...Or maybe just used to the domestic abuse...
"Ugh... Ice cream. Ice cream to rinse my mouth."
"Not full? I'm kinda..."
"Didn't even have a few spoons—what bullshit. Come on. Got a spot in mind from before."
Should I approach, play the friendly health committee guy to build rapport? Or risk being the date-ruining jerk and pass quietly?
Before I could decide, she grabbed his wrist and vanished into the crowd in a blink.
Last time, he had a sharp look too. But from the scene, girlfriend's got him whipped.
Said he was third-year when we chatted... That girl probably third-year too.
...Ah. There was a high-ranker with numbering and red hair.
Wonder if it's her. Stood on tiptoes for another peek over the crowd.
But their backs had already melted into the night street distance.
"Hmm."
We'll cross paths after school starts anyway. Check next time.
Pulled my collar tight and crossed the pedestrian light glowing blue.
"......"
Yojora. Please not be in front of the house.
*****
Fucking wishful thinking.
"......"
Behind a car parked haphazardly in the alley due to no spots. Peering cautiously inside the building, I let out a heavy sigh.
...Crazy bitch. Thought I'd talked her off nicely, but here she was again, casual as ever.
"......Uh-heh-heh..."
"......"
Small mercies: no black bag stuffed with soju today. And she was slumped by the entrance hall, glued to her phone, grinning like an idiot.
No. Second one's no mercy. Means she's been waiting ages, killed time with YouTube. No plans to leave.
Ant-crazy bitch.
No choice. Motel for a few days it is. Won't solve the moving issue later, but lurking and spying won't help either. Worst case, buy new stuff.
Don't overthink. Started slipping away quietly.
A sound. Not from me—from Yojora.
"...? What're you doing here?"
Creak of the entrance hall door sliding open. Man's voice followed.
Didn't know neighbors yet, but some resident here. Looked like he stepped out for a smoke and ran into her.
...Some luck, huh.
Checked surroundings quick. Entrance CCTV spinning fine, area packed with cars—tons of dashcams. Super awkward now.
"...Uh...? Me...?"
Yojora, beaming dopily, turned to the guy.
"Yeah, you..."
His gaze stuck on her face forever. Like spotting a celeb.
Forever. Too far to be sure, but... just the face?
"Waiting for a friend... hehe..."
"Ah, a. Friend... Got it."
Even a kid passing by could tell she was hammered, slurring and giggling. He glanced around, pocketed his cig.
Yojora ignored him, back to her phone. He knelt, hands on knees, bending at the waist.
"...Whatcha watching?"
"Hmm...? Y'know... cognac recs..."
"Big drinker, huh."
"Yeah. Makes me feel good..."
"Ah-ha."
So this psycho was giggling at booze vids? Fleeting doubt aside.
He bent his knees too, inching closer to her.
"Waiting for which resident?"
"Which one...?"
"Room number. 101 or whatever. 201."
"Ah, that... Um... 205? Yeah, 205..."
"205... When he comes, I'll let you know. Gimme your number?"
"......Eh...?"
"N-no, not like that, purely..."
"......"
Guy spouting nonsense. Yojora beside him, still smiling with her eyes. Lips pressed shut now, after that parted grin.
Brain raced calcs. Healthy adult male vanishes suddenly—odds locals get questioned. CCTV and dashcams checked. Our faces caught, me lurking behind car too. Life gets messy—how annoying would that be?
Versus keeping her occupied a few minutes. Way less hassle.
Calc done.
"Senior."
"...Ah! Woojinnie..."
Deep sigh, then strode to her quick. Last time, an hour did it. Same today.
She beamed, toddling over from her spot. Awkward guy lit a cig and vanished somewhere.
Wish he'd take her. Swallowed it.
"...Coming here nonstop won't change my mind."
"Nuh-uh... It'll change...? Gonna make it change...?"
Whispered it low to shut her up, but her signature calm, sticky-sweet slur followed, uncaring. Probably inaudible to the guy.
"So. What's it today?"
"Today...?"
"You came to drag me to the company."
"...Ahh... Got it... What to tempt with today..."
"Yeah."
No soju nearby today. Her breath reeked thick booze, but that's it. Only money left, figured.
"Obviously... honey trap..."
"...Pardon?"
"Honey trap. Honey trap... Y'know... ...This."
"......"
Yojora stepped closer. One foot.
"......Wanna touch sis's body...?"