Jealousy and Obsession (1) - Didn't I tell you to be careful with guys?
"Didn't I tell you to be careful with guys? Who the hell is that guy coming all the way to our house looking for you?"
"..Don't worry too much about it."
"I've been anxious ever since you moved out to live alone. Just who have you been meeting, and how have you been acting, to make a guy act so shamelessly?"
"Haa.. Cut it out."
"Your dad was so pissed he almost threw a flowerpot. I barely stopped him. Don't you remember what happened before? When you were little, that creepy uncle trying to grope you—if Ji-young's mom hadn't caught him..."
"Argh, enough already. It's not like that. I told you not to worry. I'll handle it myself."
She explained the situation, made excuses, and finally even raised her voice, but the person on the other end of the line wouldn't let up.
"Yes. I'll come by this weekend. Don't worry too much. It's actually safer here at college—most people know each other. Yeah. I'm hanging up now."
A deep sigh rose from the depths of her chest and spilled out.
Dealing with her mom's call had been exhausting, but what really pissed her off was the messages pouring in one after another right now.
Fucking sick of this.
Ever since she'd declared the breakup with Mincheol, his nonstop messages had been giving Yumi a splitting headache. She'd half-expected it, but knowing full well she lived alone with her parents, the fact that he'd shown up at her house made her blood boil.
She'd barely convinced her parents to let her live independently. And not even a month later, her ex-boyfriend starts causing trouble.
Her parents' worries were justified. From a young age, Yumi's mature figure had drawn sleazy stares from adults that set off her parents' alarms.
In elementary school, some stranger tried groping her under the pretense of giving her chocolate—only escaped thanks to a friend's mom spotting it. In middle school, prankster boys would poke and run. By high school, her chest had grown to the point where everyone stared, and the pranks got nastier.
If it had just been jokes from close friends, she might've brushed it off. But the culprits were those delinquent types—hidden cams as a baseline, and "accidental" gropes that left her horrified more than once.
Fed up, Yumi reported it, leading to a school violence committee. That's when her parents finally learned about the harassment, and things blew up. Witness statements from friends and CCTV footage got the perps transferred. It woke her parents up, but the victim's pain didn't end there.
Once the incident surfaced, the stares poured onto the remaining target—her. Unlike other girls, Yumi's body drew more lewd, sticky gazes than sympathy.
She cut off social ties, buried herself in studies, and made it into a good college. Her parents pushed self-defense training, which became a hobby and even influenced her major.
No blanket prejudice against guys, but scars lingered, so she stayed cautious and guarded. She wanted a reliable man who'd stand by her side.
A returning student from the same department had stalked her boldly blocked it, even raising his fists for her. That's why Yumi had slowly opened up to Mincheol.
She'd watched him for a year before letting him in. Yet here they were.
Ring ring.
Right as Yumi checked the messages, her phone rang. Mincheol must've been glued to his screen, waiting for the read receipts to vanish.
If he weren't from the same uni, I'd have blocked his ass ages ago...
Block him or ghost, and he'd stalk her lecture halls or the library. Better to reply half-assed occasionally—it was less hassle.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place, irritation surged. And what grated even more...
Yumi's messages to Seonghwan were mostly one-sided. He replied promptly enough, but always against her hopes.
'Got prior plans today...'
'Big crowd at work yesterday, wiped out today T_T'
'Gotta study at the library for assignments T_T'
The first few days after inviting him to her place, he'd rushed over like he'd been waiting. Lately, even that was "too busy."
Tch. Makes me look desperate.
Ding.
Another alert chimed. Yumi snatched her phone.
Yumi's face lit up. Her fingers flew.
Her cheeks flushed typing "take care of yourself," but Yumi ignored it. Mincheol's stress melted away.
Hmm... Maybe shop for lingerie...?
Her heart fluttered happily, a smile blooming.
****
"...That's why visually stimulating imagery is perfect for immersion at the right moments. It builds tension in the setup or sustains it throughout. Music's a great tool too. Whatever it is, tension and release—that's how you toy with the audience. Back in the day, directors called it 'playing the viewers like puppets.' Nowadays..."
Push and pull, huh...
The word hit Seonghwan mid-lecture on Advertising Techniques in Modern Culture, stinging his heart today of all days.
Tap.
"Here..."
The back of Yuri's hand brushed his subtly—or not so subtly. He felt it more acutely.
"...Yeah, fine, take it. Or just keep it."
This was the umpteenth time Yuri "borrowed" his pen, leaning into him. They'd shared classes before, but never like this. He pondered why, but nothing clicked.
One nagging thing: Yesul was in this class too. Not in their group, so seated apart.
Nah, no way... Yuri's not aware of Yesul too, is she?
Seonghwan didn't want to spiral. His head hurt enough already.
Bzzz.
This crazy bastard.
Seonghwan's head throbbed checking the vibe. Yunsu'd served him a feast on a silver platter.
Bzzz.
"........."
Seonghwan didn't even glance at the pics, turning instead. Yuri smirked cheekily, phone in hand.
Her usual icy or blank expression was cracking more lately—a welcome change, but burdensome today.
Whatever Yuri's intent, it timed perfectly to overwrite Yunsu's message.
I'm the push-pull master.
Seonghwan pocketed his phone, ignoring her. He feigned focus on the lecture, indirectly signaling Yuri.
****
"So, official group meet next week?"
"Yeah... Shorts videos for the theme, but need a solid topic. Two months left, but time flies. Regular meets sound good?"
Post-class, group leader Young-hwan suggested; classmate Han-jin chimed in.
"You guys? I'll dodge busy days, but next week good?"
"Ah, yes. No problem for me. Free after evening shift anytime."
"Me too."
"Okay. Next Tuesday. Chat after class, grab food if times align."
Seonghwan and Yuri agreed; date set swiftly.
"Today? Lunch if free? Prior plans?"
Seonghwan glanced at Yuri, who met his eyes.
Here it comes...
"Ah... Got plans. Meeting a friend for food. Eat without me—plenty next week."
"Oh? Yuri, you? Plans? Yuri?"
Han-jin called, but Yuri stared at Seonghwan, ignoring—or deaf.
"Huh?"
Young-hwan and Han-jin followed her gaze. Her fixed stare felt alien; they instinctively locked on.
What's with her?
Seonghwan, the target, panicked, eyes darting. Puzzled seniors' stares shifted from Yuri to him.
Her piercing gaze wasn't casual.
Why stare like that...? Huh?
A flicker of wariness in her eyes—not friendly, ambiguous. Her rare expressions were honest, making it stranger.
Then he sensed her gaze skew slightly off him.
Wait... Not me...?
A subtle misalignment. Her eyes drifted behind him.
Clack clack.
His head whipped around at the heels. Black shoes against pale ankles. White lace dress less fresh, more alluring with her slim figure. Wavy long hair cascaded over shoulders.
Yesul?
Unseen outfit before. Makeup bolder than her subtle style, shedding her innocent Rapunzel image—like a princess fleeing the palace.
Wha... what?
And that princess asked him.
"Seonghwan, wanna grab lunch?"
His eyes flailed. Meanwhile...
"Uh......whoa.."
"Guh.."
Young-hwan and Han-jin's groans from behind snapped him back. He turned.
And saw it—waves churning in Yuri's eyes.
I... I'm the push-pull master... toy with 'em?
Seonghwan's insides churned too.