Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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-Bro... how did I even get home yesterday?
-Didn't your mom tell you?
-Mom had to head out to the fields... Did something happen? My mind went blank.
-Nah, you passed out drunk, so I carried you home.
-H-how?
-On my back.
-Kyaa!!
Soeun-i's scream echoed through the receiver.
She sounded mortified, so I played it off casually, like it was no big deal.
-It's fine. You were light anyway.
-Did Dad or Mom give you any grief about it?
-Your dad said next time you get wasted, he gives me permission to just dump you on the ground.
-That old man!!
I had worried they might get the wrong idea about carrying her home.
Thankfully, they'd known me since I was a kid, so they just laughed it off...
-I figured you for a heavyweight drinker since you bought so much booze. Didn't expect you to drop that fast.
-It's been forever since I last drank!!
-The snacks were kinda skimpy. No wonder you got tipsy quick.
-No way! They were super tasty. And um...
Soeun-i trailed off.
I could guess what was coming.
And sure enough, my hunch was spot on.
-...I didn't say anything weird, right?
-No clue when you blacked out, but we were chatting fine one second, then bam—face-plant into the table.
-Pfft... Sorry.
-What're you sorry for? Happens to anyone who drinks too much.
-Ugh!! I haven't gotten that smashed since I turned twenty...
Back then, yeah, you chug without knowing your limit and end up wasted.
I spoke gently to the thoroughly dejected Soeun-i.
-Just don't get wasted when we meet next week.
-Next week?
-You didn't forget that too, did you?
-N-no, I remember! You're gonna introduce me to your friends next week!
-Good thing you blacked out after that part.
-Why does it feel like you're teasing me...?
-Haha! See you next week then!
Click!
I hung up in a hurry and chuckled to myself.
Our first meeting in ages had been awkward, but chatting like this... it felt just like old times.
"Phew!!"
I let out a short sigh and surveyed the living room and kitchen sink.
Frozen food wrappers scattered everywhere, empty booze bottles strewn across the table.
I'd barely cleaned up after Junseok's mess yesterday, and now another all-nighter scrubbing?
Still...
Should I just let slide what Soeun-i did last night?
Bringing it up might embarrass her so much she'd ghost me, and I'd feel awful.
-But why didn't you keep your promise?
Her eyes had looked so strange.
Out of focus, maybe?
I never would've guessed she was drunk.
Her words had come out clear as day, enunciated perfectly, right in my ear.
'It was creepy somehow.'
I'd tried to brush it off as a joke at first, but her dead-serious expression and the vibe radiating off her made me apologize without thinking.
Then she just conked out.
'No way she was hung up on that old childhood promise...'
Nah, ridiculous!
Probably just drunken nonsense.
Plenty of kids crush on teachers in school, but grow up and it's just a fond memory. Why would she wait around for a nobody like me?
Hell, she even knew about my marriage and divorce from our chat yesterday.
"Booze is the enemy!!"
I shook my head and got to prepping for cleaning and dishes.
This routine felt all too familiar now—the guy in the mirror gripping the vacuum didn't look out of place anymore.
Deep into cleaning when the doorbell rang.
No one was due. Who'd show at this hour?
Maybe Soeun-i forgot something yesterday?
Creeeak!
I opened the door, doubts and all.
"Hey, been a while. How've you been?"
The woman greeting me kindly at the entrance made my brow furrow on instinct.
It was my ex-wife, Kang Jua.
"What the hell?"
"That's no way to greet someone. Like I can't show up here."
With that, she shoved past me blocking the doorway and sauntered inside, plopping down on the sofa like she owned the place.
"Got anything to drink?"
Ha...
Is my life cursed to never have even a sliver of peace?
How does a woman I didn't see even at the funeral pick this exact moment to appear?
I took a deep breath aimed at the ceiling and sank into the opposite sofa.
"Spit out whatever you came for. Make it quick."
"Can't I just drop by? You used to beg me not to divorce."
"That was before I found out you borrowed money from my dad behind my back."
"Didn't your dad tell you? It wasn't a loan—he gave it to me as his hardworking daughter-in-law."
Watching Kang Jua spout that nonsense without a flicker of shame, I suddenly got why the news was full of scandals.
I clenched my molars to hold back.
One ruined life courtesy of her was plenty.
"Whatever. Why are you here?"
"Figured you'd be home."
"The reason!!!"
I raised my voice, and her face twisted for a split second.
Fair enough.
I'd never once yelled at her during our marriage.
Whatever she wanted, I did it...
Thought it was what a husband should do.
Never dreamed she'd demand even more for every concession.
Kang Jua crossed her arms, face still stiff, and continued.
"You know your dad was gonna give me even more money originally?"
"What?"
"I told him I'm going through a rough patch lately, and he said he'd help me out."
"Who the hell are you to ask my dad for money?"
"Aw, don't be like that. We shared a bed once, remember?"
How does a person turn so shameless?
She wasn't this bad before the divorce. Money really is terrifying.
And on top of that...
Money troubles?
The accessories and outfit she's wearing could cover a decent Seoul apartment deposit easy.
Where the hell does she get all that cash...
Marry a chaebol or something?
"Haven't even finished cleaning yet. Why not head out?"
I furrowed my brow, and she undid a couple buttons on her shirt, shooting me a seductive look.
"That's mean. It's getting dark soon... Wanna hook up? Just for fun, no strings."
"Cut the crap."
"Haha! Joking. You're too serious."
Kang Jua smirked as she stood from the sofa.
She scanned the living room for a bit, then pointed at something.
"Mind if I take this? It was my wedding gift to your dad."
Her finger aimed at a framed painting on the wall.
Her attitude made it clear—this was why she'd bothered coming all the way here.
"Take it."
"For real? I braced for a fight."
"Don't need it. Just take it."
Kang Jua's lips twitched as she yanked the frame off the wall.
"You're not coming to the college reunion, right?"
"Nope."
"Good. Be weird if we showed up together. And..."
"What else?"
Kang Jua trailed off, eyeing me up and down.
"Don't ruin the girls' good memories."
"Meaning?"
"Back in college, tons of girls in our department had crushes on you. Seeing you all worn out now might disappoint them."
Is this what it means to not even be worth engaging?
The absurdity deflated my rising anger.
I flashed a big grin and waved her off.
"I'll handle my own business. Don't worry about it."
Not the answer she wanted— she pouted and nodded curtly.
"Fine, I'm out!"
Creeeak! Thud! Bang!
I slammed my back against the sofa in irritation.
No clue what kind of family breeds monsters like her, but one thing was crystal clear now.
Revenge.
Up until my chat with Junseok, I hadn't even wanted to bother.
But like a worm wriggling when stepped on, the drive to succeed surged up.
Splash!
Splaaaash!
As I stewed over payback against my ex, a familiar sound drifted from the rooftop.
I perked up my ears.
'Oh, she's here?'
Never heard it when Junseok or Soeun-i were around.
Maybe coincidence, but now that I was alone, it started up again.
"Today's the day I claim three days' worth of bath money!"
And so...
I charged up to the rooftop full of bravado, but my feet wouldn't budge another step.
What if she's not a fairy but a ghost out to get me?
My bold face had vanished ages ago.
"Hey!?"
I doubted my own ears.
Still crouched and hiding at the rooftop entrance, and she calls out to me first?
"Hey!!??"
What the...?
I'm hidden so well not even a hair shows—how'd she spot me!?
I clutched my pounding heart with my right hand, clamping my mouth shut with the left to stifle any noise.
Yet her voice rang out again.
"Ha... I know you're there, y'know?"