Weekend Reunion
Time flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, the weekend had arrived. The dorms were deserted. With exams looming, everyone was probably hunkered down in the reading rooms or heading home to visit their parents. I figured I'd kill the extra time studying too, but the words on the page just wouldn't sink in. Napping didn't work either—sleep flat-out refused to come. Bored out of my mind, I started idly tracing voodoo magic patterns in the air when my phone buzzed. Kang Ji-a. It had been ages since she'd last called. First time ever? Whatever—I picked up, genuinely pleased.
"Are you managing okay in the dorm?"
No small talk, straight to the point, as always. Yesterday's tardiness popped into my head, so I told her about it: no one to wake me, slept till eleven, then scrambled to school.
She listened with what sounded like genuine delight.
"Without me around, you've turned into someone who can't get up on their own."
"Not wrong... but do you have to put it that way?"
Truth was, when she was there, I'd never overslept like that. I usually woke myself, but if I didn't, she'd come rouse me. So yeah, not inaccurate—but the phrasing rubbed me wrong.
"Must be from that big injury and hospitalization. Lost a ton of stamina, right? Makes it harder to get up."
She sidestepped my complaint, changing the subject.
"Yeah, probably. Haven't been exercising much lately either."
"Just do enough to avoid getting hurt."
"Right."
"Don't get hurt. It's important."
She hammered that last bit home. Ever since my near-fatal injury, her worry had kicked into overdrive. Made sense—it was the kind of wound that would've killed me outright without the lion contract. Only me and the Loa knew I'd barely scraped by on that deal. I'd considered telling Kang Ji-a and Uncle, but figured it wouldn't help. No real reason to, and they probably wouldn't get it anyway.
"Stay healthy."
"Yeah, I will."
Not satisfied, she piled on a few more nagging reminders before finally hanging up. Her concern could feel overbearing sometimes, even annoying, but I was grateful all the same. Which is why today, I planned to get back to exercising after a break. Weekend vibes, and the practical exam would likely be physical anyway—might as well loosen up.
On my way to the gym, Legba piped up in my head.
[Lee Jin-seong, that guy hasn't called once.]
"Uncle's always been like that."
I glanced around—no one nearby—before replying.
Uncle never fussed much. Even if I was half-dead from illness or injury, as long as I was breathing, he was fine with it. Pop a pill for sickness, wait it out for injuries. Do whatever, just don't die—that's what stuck with me.
[Even so, your only blood relative...]
Legba tsked, trailing off into silence. In the sudden quiet, a faint meow echoed from somewhere.
*
Kim Jin-seo was locked in a standoff with an unexpected nemesis. It refused to let her close the distance, ignored her crouched pleas for negotiation—not one glance from the slyest, nimblest foe she'd ever faced.
"Meow~"
The culprit? A cat.
Kim Jin-seo even mimicked its cry to bridge the gap, but the sharp-eyed beast wouldn't budge. She'd let her guard down at first—cute, innocent looks—but up close, it was no pushover.
No choice. Lure it with food...
She pulled a cat treat from her pocket, always prepared. But the cat ignored her completely, turning instead to a passing guy.
"Ah."
Kim Jin-seo sighed sharply. The cat rubbed against his leg, then rolled over, belly up—a blatant sign of affection. The guy squatted, petting it. The cat purred, shoving its head into his hand.
It wouldn't come near her for anything, but this guy tamed it effortlessly...
"Do Seon-woo..."
The one who'd ghosted her for months—no calls, no shows.
Not that he'd done anything wrong, exactly, but seeing his face sparked instant irritation. Meanwhile, he casually stroked its belly. Hell, it even let him scoop it up.
Unforgivable...
She marched over. At her approach, the cat bristled and bolted from his arms. Do Seon-woo watched it go wistfully, then finally noticed her, looking up.
"Cat hates you, huh."
"Ha."
Kim Jin-seo huffed in disbelief. So brazen it killed her anger on the spot.
She hadn't expected "missed you" or "great to see you." Even "long time no see" would've sufficed. But he skipped even that.
"That's all you got?"
Arms crossed, she sniped, tone dripping ire. He should've flinched, but he just grinned calmly.
"Why? Want me to say I missed you?"
"Wha? No, I..."
"Or?"
Still smiling, but a chill edged his voice. She fell silent, studying his face. No big changes, but he'd lost weight. Probably skimping on meals post-discharge.
She didn't want to worry, though. The jerk early-discharged without a word, vanished for months. He did whatever—he didn't need her concern.
"...How's your body."
...Still, she asked. Purely formal. For real.
He smirked. "Healthy."
"Sure. Early discharge and all."
"Why ask, then?"
"Just. Pisses me off."
Gruff as ever. He stared up at her, baffled, then stood and started walking. She fell in step beside him.
He tilted his head. "Why tag along?"
"Heading this way anyway."
She'd planned the opposite direction but kept quiet.
A cat darted into the bushes. Florence had tons—teachers hated them for preying on barn birds, but students adored them. The friendlier ones even got names: Cheese, Tubby, Butterfly. Basic stuff.
Do Seon-woo glanced at it, then spoke up casually. "Playing with that cat earlier?"
She flinched. "Heard?"
"What?"
"N-nothing... Wasn't playing. Just watched 'cause it's cute."
Lucky—he'd missed the meowing bit. She played it cool.
He nodded slowly. "Cat person, huh."
"They're cute."
"Hates you, though."
"...On purpose?"
No answer—just a grin.
"Oh, you meow pretty good."
"What bullshit?"
Damn, he had heard. Play dumb.
She smiled innocently, denying it, but he eyed her like it was hilarious.
"Mimicked it earlier. Close enough with eyes closed."
"Sh-shut up."
"Cat mom'd buy it, mmpf."
She clapped a hand over his mouth. "Stop. Talking."
Mortified, couldn't even look up. Had to shut him down.
Only when he wheezed did she let go. He wiped his mouth, checking it was intact.
"Why so extra."
"You... really piss me off..."
No point talking more—pure loss. She clammed up.
He grinned, satisfied, walking in silence.
They stopped at the gym. Before heading in, he turned. "So, how far we 'same path'? You here to work out too?"
Kim Jin-seo froze—she'd already done hers that morning. But splitting now felt wrong. Who knew when next chance?
He wouldn't vanish mid-workout or drop dead, but still... uneasy.
"Yeah... was gonna anyway. Together?"
"Need?"
"...Could hurt alone. Been a while."
"Ah, my spotter?"
His cheeky jab boiled her blood. She fought not to snap.
"...Yeah. Spotter. So get in."
"No need, but thanks."
Grinning like he knew he got under her skin. She'd wanted to grill him—where the hell he'd been, make him pay for the worry. But conversation derailed her; now she was reacting to him.
Always a bit sly, but worse now. Doing it on purpose...?
Didn't hate the change, but felt like losing. Infuriating.
Fine. Revenge started now.
(To be continued)