If You Call My Name, I'll Come Running
'I don't like you. And I never will.'
The moment I heard those words, something snapped inside my head. That's why I just ran. From the second they left his mouth, to fight back against the stabbing pain in my chest, searching desperately for something—anything—to make it stop.
I ended up in a quiet park as the sun set, the playground now empty of playing children. I was the only one there. Yeah, here I can do whatever I want. Realizing that, I sat on an abandoned swing, staring endlessly at the ground, vomiting out the lump of emotions choking my heart.
"You jerk…."
It was probably the first time. I'd only ever seen that boy as a rival, but feeling this furious about him… The humiliation of a commoner I'd looked down on surpassing me hit harder than just admitting defeat in our competition.
"After everything I've done for you. I bought you whatever you wanted, paid for all our trips…. And now you say what? That you'll never like me?"
To me, heir of a massive conglomerate, it was laughable. Everyone around me always flattered me, inching closer in hopes of some reward. But that boy, who'd known me for over ten years, was always the same. He always met my eyes as an equal, treating me not as the heiress of Mary & Chris, but just as a girl his age.
"Don't you have an overinflated sense of self?"
Even though I didn't hate that about him, my innate pride mixed with disappointment, twisting into blame directed at him.
"I'm Mary. Mary Christine, heir to Mary & Chris. And you thought I pitied some lowly commoner and hung out with you out of sympathy? That I liked you? How stupid do you have to be to think that way? As if I'd ever like someone like you…."
I hated him. More than hundreds of losses I'd endured before—this single rejection. Like a stake driven deep between minor scratches I could shrug off, it kept tearing at my heart.
"Forget it, I don't need you."
That's what I should've said. I didn't even want to look at him anymore. But…
"I don't need you, but why…."
The girl's hand slowly moved to her chest. The violent pounding from the emotional storm was so intense it turned to pain.
"It hurts. Why…?"
Wasn't this weird? From my perspective, he should have been beneath me, a wall to overcome, so my feelings toward him should have been purely negative.
"Why does it hurt so much? Why…."
Maybe some sudden arrhythmia or heart condition? I even thought about running to the hospital to escape that idea, but my legs wouldn't budge, rooted to the spot. No, I already knew. With my top-tier medical checkups, nothing like that would happen out of nowhere.
His face still floated in my mind, and denying that thinking of him made my chest ache was impossible.
"No, I…."
I couldn't like him. Just because we'd known each other forever, there was no way I'd feel affection for a childhood friend I'd always seen as a thorn in my side.
"No way I'd have feelings like that for him…."
All I should have felt was ridicule for his audacity to challenge me, and pity for his birth without my advantages. That's all. But then…
Why had I panicked so much when we got that couple's drink? If it meant nothing, I could've drunk it myself or given it to him. Why did I insist on sharing it with him?
Thump, thump.
Just pondering the reason made my heart race harder, my breath catch. In the frozen quiet time, my emotions sharpened. Formed over years, so natural I'd taken it for granted—yet now so intense and unfamiliar.
'You, do you like me?'
Blending with his words aimed at me, the unknown emotion finally took shape. Just feeling it filled me with ecstasy, endlessly pursuing that one image in my mind… Someone would call it the most beautiful human emotion—passion—shaking my heart.
'I really….'
I gradually realized it. My feelings toward the boy who'd been part of most of my life, always on my mind.
'I really… like him….'
For a moment, that emotion started to take a name. Then—
"Whoa~! Check it out? There's a cute girl all alone in the park!?"
Sudden footsteps intruded. My breath caught, tension rising as I looked toward the streetlight. Three high school delinquents in sloppy clothes eyed me with interest. The vicious vibe told me instantly: they were the kind society looked down on.
"Why are you crying alone? Heartbroken or something?"
"Kya~ Dumping a pretty girl like this. Whoever he is, what a jerk~!"
"Can't just leave a lonely girl like that. Wanna hang with us if you're free?"
The thugs approached, rough hands reaching out. I flinched back instinctively, yelling at them.
"S-Stay away! Do you even know who I am!?"
"Heh, don't know who you are, but you look fun."
"Her hair's blonde. Some rich kid?"
"Whoa~! Jackpot~ If we play nice, we might score connections with a chaebol lady~"
Even guessing my status, their malice didn't fade—it thickened. Thrilled at the chance to pluck a flower on a cliff.
"Anyway, you sure about this?"
"Worst case, juvie for a bit?"
"This country's great. Shed a few tears in court, punishment's a slap on the wrist."
Their steps quickened. I backed away faster. Realizing I couldn't stop them with my status, I turned and bolted full speed.
"Hey, she's running!"
"Haha, that's a dead end with no people. Why run so hard?"
"First to catch gets dibs!"
Darkness enveloped as I left the park. No streetlights, no one to help in this remote alley. Calling home or police would've been ideal, but I'd turned off my phone to avoid him.
"Please, turn on quick…. Ah!"
Crash! Distracted by my phone, I tripped over an obstacle and tumbled miserably. By the time I struggled up, the delinquents were right there.
"Haha, tag's over?"
"Don't worry, we'll be gentle~"
Evil closing in. My authority useless, no basic human decency from these guys. They were beasts, driven by instinct, no thought of consequences. Facing them triggered a memory of a similar situation.
'Surely, before….'
Strutting confidently, I met a large dog with no leash. It charged excitedly; no words worked. All little me could do was run. But a girl not fully grown couldn't outrun a dog. Cornered, I could only collapse trembling—until someone appeared to protect me.
'Jeez, always so cocky, but shaking like a leaf from one dog.'
The boy who'd fought the dog with a stick. The one I saw as beneath me battled fiercely, chased it off, then extended his scratched-up hand to my fallen self.
'Grab on. I'll take you somewhere safe.'
Despite my constant mockery, he offered protection. Holding his hand, a small ripple stirred in my young heart—that much I recalled now. I didn't know what it was. Just that his next words made it sharper.
'If something like this happens again, just yell my name loud. If I hear, I'll come running.'
He was someone I'd resented, someone I'd sworn never to see again. Calling his name would crack my upper-class pride wide open. Yet the fear, like back then, pushed my fragile heart, craving someone to rely on.
"…Kim."
"Kim Manbung!! I'm here!! Come quick!!"
As their claws reached amid my scream, something huge burst from the alley's darkness like lightning.
"Gah!? W-What the hell!?"
It barreled between them toward me. In the dark, it looked beastly for a second, scaring me—but then it wagged its tail at me.
"Ch-Chabchu?"
Wang!
Golden retriever Chabchu. The pet he owned, whom I'd screamed for.
"Jeez, phone off and all, but it came anyway."
Then he appeared from the alley, and my eyes widened.
"H-How…."
"Just out walking and happened by. No other reason."
His stiff voice ignored me, like he couldn't face me yet. Or maybe prioritizing the emergency.
"Ooh~ Dark knight arrives?"
"Dark knight? Looks scrawny."
"Who the hell are you, punk! Don't ruin the fun, scram!"
The thugs growled at the intruder. Before them, the boy boldly introduced himself.
"I'm Kim Manbung, incoming freshman at Hyoeun High School."
"Pfft, Kim Manbung? What kinda name."
"Trash-talk all you want. Anyway, messing with her won't end well for you. How about backing off quietly? I don't wanna see blood either."
"Fuck, you think we're pushovers? Think we'll leave 'cause you said so?"
"Still clueless? Maybe a beating'll wake you up."
One thug cracked his knuckles, advancing aggressively. His sharp glare and swagger pressured most, but the boy just stood firm, hand extended flat.
"What, frozen in fear? Pfft! Posing for the girl, huh."
The delinquent laughed, raising his fist.
"Here comes one~!"
The casual punch flew at his face—but never connected. Before impact, the boy's hand gripped the thug's fist.
"Huh? You little…."
Crunch!
"Gaaah!"
Squeezing crushed bones. The thug swung his other fist in rage, but the boy's palm slapped his face first.
Smack!!
"Kahk! You bastard…!"
A stinging slap that rattled his head. As the thug recoiled, yanking free, the boy showed his palm mockingly.
"You look tough, but you're not gonna fake a medical report over a slap and squeeze some settlement, right?"
"Lucky punk showing off one hit! What're you waiting for? Rush him!"
"You fucker!"
All three charged. But none landed. Their swings missed wildly; his palm strikes hit cheeks precisely.
Smack! Smack!
"F-Fuck, what's with this guy? Looks skinny but so damn quick."
"More than that, his power's no joke. Shit, I've never lost a fistfight at school."
"Monster. Where'd this freak come from?"
Realizing their plight, they hesitated. He stared at their swollen cheeks, raising his palm in warning.
"How about we end it here? I'm aiming to be a model student—no record stains."
His palm slowly clenched to a fist. Warning that next would be full-force punches, not slaps.
"C-Count yourself lucky! We got urgent business!"
"Next time, you're dead!"
Spouting bluster, they fled. Silence fell on the alley. Left: the fallen girl, her guardian retriever, and its owner boy.
"You okay? Can you stand?"
Yeah, just like back then. When chased by that big dog, he'd protected me and now extended his hand again. Despite the humiliation he'd given me, like it was nothing, same as always.
"…M-Mind your own business."
I couldn't take it. It only made me angrier. After denying our entire history, acting like he could casually fix things now.
"…Still pretty mad, huh."
"You think? If you hadn't pissed me off, I wouldn't be in danger…. Ugh!"
Trying to stand, I faltered. The ankle pain undeniable. Noticing, he quietly voiced concern.
"You okay?"
"I said mind your business. It's not your problem."
"Always so stubborn."
Tsk. He clicked his tongue, turned, sat. His pose clearly meant piggyback home.
"Hop on. I'll carry you home."
"No, I…."
"Too late, your family'll worry."
"…."
Throbbing leg pain. No way to walk. After inner conflict, I chose to lean on his back.
"D-Don't get the wrong idea. Not 'cause I like you."
"Sure, whatever. Let's go, Chabchu."
Wang!
Thud, thud. His body cut through streetlight glow. Leaning on it homeward, the girl gazed at the back supporting her, lost in thought.
His back… was it always this broad?
The boy I'd seen as my equal had grown so much.
Thump-thump.
Realizing it, my heart pounded fiercely—hoping he wouldn't feel it. All I could do was bury my face in his back and stay silent.