Chapter 44: Miju's Stalker (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: Miju's Stalker (2)
"So, this is the place..."
It was a narrow alleyway, so cramped from illegal parking that even a single car would struggle to pass through.
"Miju said this was the utility pole where she locked eyes with the stalker."
I approached the pole she had pointed out.
I hid behind it and looked up.
"I can see everything."
Miju’s third-floor apartment was perfectly visible. It was the ideal vantage point for someone determined to hide and watch.
She had her windows closed now, but before she realized she was being stalked, she probably kept them wide open. From here, you could see exactly what she was doing inside.
"So he hid here, knowing all that."
If that was the case, it meant he had been following her long before she ever noticed him.
How vicious.
I had to put a stop to this stalking immediately.
But I can't do it right now.
I had a strong suspicion that the person who came here was Joo Yeon-seok. The problem was the lack of physical evidence. I couldn't just barge into the Student Council office without proof.
I needed evidence that he was the one stalking her. Would that viper-like bastard really leave a trail?
I scanned the surroundings. Unfortunately, there wasn't a CCTV camera in sight.
"He picked a hell of a spot."
Then, my eyes landed on the illegally parked cars.
"Dashcams..."
There were no CCTVs, but dashcams were likely running. Even if the engines were off, dashcams stayed on twenty-four hours a day unless the battery died. Of course, getting the footage from the car owners wouldn't be easy.
But it’s not impossible.
First, I had to find the owners.
*
"Of course, I should help."
The car owner was suspicious at first, but when I explained that a girl I knew was being stalked and I needed help, he readily agreed to show me the footage.
I sat with the owner and played the videos stored on the dashcam.
"Hmm, you can't really see him. He's completely wrapped up—face, body, everything."
The stalker in the footage was bundled up tight. Despite the sweltering summer heat, he wore long sleeves, long pants, a mask, and a hat. As if the heat didn't bother him, he stood behind the utility pole for a long time, staring fixedly at one spot.
There was a reason he stood in this alleyway full of cars to watch Miju’s house. He was confident he wouldn't be caught. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stood there so brazenly.
"Shouldn't we turn this over to the police? This guy looks serious."
"I should... but could you hold onto the footage for now? I need to ask her what she wants to do first."
If Miju didn't want to make a scene, I planned to handle it myself. I had a specific suspect in mind and I’d identified the scene of the crime. All that was left...
Was to wait and ambush him.
There’s an old saying that a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime. He would come back. If not today, then definitely tomorrow.
He’d be curious. He must have seen Miju calling me over, and he must have seen me staying the night at her place. He’d be dying to know what the two of us did together.
He would come. One way or another.
And when he returned to that utility pole...
That’s when I’ll strike.
*
"Thank you so much."
Miju bowed to the car owner after receiving the footage.
"Well, the world’s a dangerous place these days. Stay safe. You look like her boyfriend, so make sure you take good care of her."
"Boyfriend..."
Miju’s face turned bright red as she waved her hands in denial.
"Will this be enough for evidence?" she asked.
"It will be if we can identify him."
For instance, if we caught him in the act, we could compare his clothes to the ones in the video.
"It won't hurt to have it."
"It’s all thanks to you, Oppa. Thank you."
"It was nothing."
As we walked back to her place, I asked her, "But do you have any idea who it is?"
"The silhouette looks like Joo Yeon-seok... that guy."
Just as I thought.
"But I’m not entirely sure. He’s so covered up... But he’s the only one who knows where I live."
Miju’s voice was filled with conviction.
"But I guess this isn't enough proof."
That was why she hadn't reported it to the police yet.
"If things get really bad, I'll report it then."
Miju’s voice grew somber. It wasn't pleasant seeing a girl who was usually so bright looking so depressed. I was worried about just leaving her like this.
"Then, should I stay with you for a few days?"
"...Huh?"
"If you're worried about the stalker, I'll stay by your side and protect you. If he shows up while I'm there, I'll catch him myself."
"R-really? You’d do that for me?"
Miju’s eyes sparkled. Life returned to her face as if I had said the very words she hadn't dared to ask.
"Of course."
Why wouldn't I? I’d received positive energy from her more times than I could count. She’d helped me in so many ways, both knowingly and unknowingly.
Besides.
"You're a member of my gym. What kind of trainer would ignore a member asking for help?"
A gym only exists because of its members. If a member is struggling, I have to help.
I went back to Miju’s house with a bag packed full of things to stay for a while. I’d packed enough for at least two days, maybe more, but there was another reason.
It’s a demonstration.
I was showing the stalker, who was likely watching Miju’s every move even now.
I’m living with her now. Thanks to you.
How angry would he be? He’d be losing his mind. He could only watch from outside the window, while someone else had smoothly moved right into Miju’s home.
He wouldn't be able to stand it. He’d think that spot belonged to him.
"Y-you can put your things here."
Miju stammered, pointing toward the wardrobe. I placed the carrier I’d brought next to it.
Returning to Miju’s house, the atmosphere felt completely different from the first time. Things seemed more organized. Even the scent...
"Did you spray a diffuser?"
"Ah, yes... Is it, is it too obvious?"
Miju asked, fidgeting with her fingers. She looked like an adolescent girl who’d been caught doing something embarrassing.
"It smells nice."
"R-really?"
"Where’d you buy it?"
"I got it at the 'Everything Store' nearby."
The subtle fragrance was quite pleasant. For some reason, it was the kind of scent that made certain desires bubble up.
An awkward silence settled between us. Miju couldn't stay still for a second, restlessly fidgeting with her fingers. With a face as red as a carrot, she finally spoke.
"H-have you showered already?"
"Huh?"
"I-if you haven't, you can wash up here..."
"You're saying I can shower here?"
"Yes... I mean, you're doing me a favor by staying, so I wanted to tell you not to feel self-conscious about using the shower."
Ah.
The moment I heard those words, a thought flashed through my mind.
A man and a woman alone. A woman telling a man staying at her place to go shower first. You’d have to be an idiot not to catch the drift. Not just an idiot, but the most oblivious blockhead in the world.
"Ah, I should wash up."
Actually, I had showered before packing my bags at home. But I wasn't so dense that I’d just ignore an invitation like that.
Miju is smart.
The spot where the stalker hid offered a clear view into Miju’s room. Even the bathroom was barely visible. If the stalker saw a strange man showering in her home...
He wouldn't be able to take it. It would provoke him into making a reckless move. She was a very clever girl.
Good thinking.
I was glad I’d brought a change of underwear just in case. My heart, which had been pounding with tension and anticipation, calmed down.
Get it together.
I was here to help her, wasn't I? Put those other thoughts aside for now. Doing something lewd with her, like 'training' her... let's save that for later. Dealing with the stalker in front of us was the priority.
I grabbed my underwear and headed into Miju’s bathroom.
Sshhhhh!
As I turned on the shower, warm water poured out. The sound was clearly audible to Miju outside.
I must be crazy.
Why did I tell him to shower? The words had just tumbled out of her mouth. Just being alone in the house with Jae-ho made her so nervous that her mouth started acting on its own. In fact, the moment she said it, she didn't even fully process what she was saying.
Telling him to shower.
"H-he didn't misunderstand, did he?"
A woman inviting a man over and telling him to shower at her place—most men would definitely take that the wrong way. Of course, if Jae-ho got swept up in the mood and wanted to do it? Miju was prepared to accept. It wasn't like she didn't have feelings for him.
"What underwear did I wear today?"
Miju lifted her clothes to check her bra and panties. They were a pretty pink set.
Thank goodness.
At least there wouldn't be any disasters caused by her choice of underwear.
Sshhhhh.
As the sound of the water continued...
Thump, thump.
Her heart beat so hard it felt like it might explode. She hadn't realized it the first day Jae-ho came over. Back then, she was too anxious about the stalker watching her house to notice anything else.
But now that it was the second day, and perhaps because Jae-ho was by her side, she felt a sense of security. And once she realized exactly what kind of situation this was... her embarrassment levels hit an all-time high.
Thump, thump.
I-it’s my first time... W-what should I do?
She regretted not studying up on this beforehand—though she had no idea how she would have even studied for it.
While Miju was getting worked up with her own imagination...
"Whew, that felt good."
Jae-ho stepped out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist.
"Oh my!"
Seeing him, Miju covered her eyes with her hands. Of course, she didn't forget to peek through the gaps in her fingers.
I’d considered getting fully dressed before coming out.
But that wouldn't be any fun.
The goal was to deceive the stalker. If I was going to do it, I had to go all the way. Of course, I was wearing underwear beneath the towel. It was all part of the ruse.
She’s a good actress.
Miju was doing a fantastic job of acting embarrassed. The stalker probably couldn't see her from outside, but that kind of detail is what makes a performance perfect...
"U-um, Oppa... It’s a bit strange to say this in this situation..." Miju said, licking her lips. "Your body is really nice, Oppa. Your muscles... wow..."
Miju’s eyes wouldn't leave my stomach and chest.
Gulp.
She swallowed hard, looking at my body with an enchanted expression.
"Really?"
I looked down at my chest. Thanks to the effects of my new trait, my frame had broadened, and well-defined muscles had settled in. It wasn't a 100% perfect physique yet, but it certainly wasn't a body I had to be ashamed of showing.
It had only been two months. That was all the time it took to transform from a scrawny 'anchovy' into this. It was an unbelievable rate of growth.
It really is incredible.
There were times when I marveled at the power of the System.
"Miju, haven't you gotten into better shape since you started coming to our gym? It looks like you've lost some belly fat lately."
I smiled and pointed at Miju’s stomach. She immediately covered it with both hands.
"I-I did lose some, but..."
"What’s wrong?"
"N-nothing. I’m just a little embarrassed..."
Miju couldn't meet my eyes. Just then, I noticed a stray strand of hair sticking out.
"Wait a second."
"Yes?"
I stepped closer to Miju to fix the hair. Close enough that our breaths mingled. I pinched the strand of hair with my fingers.
But then...
"Huh?"
Miju had her eyes squeezed shut and her lips tightly pursed. Her face was so red it looked like she had a fever.
"Are you okay?"
I placed the back of my hand against her forehead.
"Hieek!"
Miju snapped her eyes open, looking startled. Her forehead was burning hot.
"I-I’m fine!"
She whipped her head away, avoiding my gaze. Only then did I realize I was still only wearing a towel.
"Ah, sorry."
I’d been a bit rude. I hurried to put my clothes on.
"Y-you didn't have to..."
Miju said something, but I couldn't hear her. Just as I finished dressing...
I saw them.
A pair of eyes glaring into the room from outside the window.
It was him. The stalker.
"Keep the door locked."
"Jae-ho Oppa?"
I rushed outside. I saw a man fleeing around the corner of the alley. It was the same stalker I’d just locked eyes with.
"Stop right there!"
I chased after him at full speed.