“Huh...?”
“I heard your shop window was broken~ but it looks fine.”
The glass, which had clearly shattered into pieces, was back to its original state by morning. The water I had spilled in surprise and the floor, where glass shards had been scattered haphazardly, had all returned to their proper places.
It was a very strange thing, but the only person who could have done that was that man from yesterday.
I opened the cafe door just as I was. As usual, I served customers. Taking advantage of a lull in customers, I checked the surveillance camera, but all the recorded scenes had been deleted.
It is not a dream. It is certainly, definitely true. Kang Daniel, he must have visited once again.
I thought about nothing but him all day, and in the end, the day passed away in vain.
Today was a day that was not just peaceful, but boring.
The things that happened in a short period of time have turned my life upside down.
For some reason, it suddenly occurred to me that I would meet him again. Whenever that may be, but not in the near future.
I headed home only after it had gotten late. Unbeknownst to me, I might have been waiting for that man, Kang Daniel, to come find me again.
No, that can't be. It must just be an illusion born of simple curiosity. I kept telling myself that. Right, it can't be. Feeling those emotions at someone I've just met wouldn't be like me.
I got on the bus and put the earphones playing music into my ears. As the song flowed, gently vibrating my whole body, it gave me the feeling that all of this had been just a dream.
I should forget everything.
Just as I was thinking that, I ended up meeting him again as I entered the house.
That man.
Kang Daniel..
I'm late.
How did you get here..
“You should lock your door properly. Living alone as a woman, you have no fear.”
“...Why did you come? I was trying to forget everything...”
"what?"
“...Why did you come?”
“...”
I didn't dislike seeing him. As I looked at him... I felt a feeling similar to being glad to see him.
Because I was anxious..
He said.
“I’m worried about leaving him alone.”
He was worried about leaving me alone, so he wanted to protect me.
That's why I came...
*
So why?
It was true that I had feelings for him. But this isn't right, is it?
“Don’t worry about it. It’s something I want to do. Don’t mind me, just do your job.”
I couldn't help but be concerned at all.
Whether I went to the mart to shop or to the convenience store in front of my house, I did not keep a distance of more than 3 meters.
“What is the reason for going to such lengths? I mean, why are you suddenly acting like this in the first place?”
It was a truly absurd situation. After meeting a few times, a complete stranger started following me around, saying they felt anxious being alone.
You don't have to know. Just pretend you don't.
No, if that were possible, I wouldn't even bother! It's driving me crazy!
Black jeans, a black jumper, and a black hat.
From that day on, he seemed to become my shadow.
He occasionally received a call from somewhere. A call that would hang up after the caller answered only in polite language.
What is your job?
You don't have to know.
He said only one thing to me: "You don't need to know." That man had more than one or two secrets.
Then one day, that man called me over. For the first time...
“Han Jia. I have something to do today, so you have to stay alone. Make sure you lock the door properly, don't open it if anyone rings the doorbell, and be careful. Got it?”
“...I’ll take care of that.”
His face was always serious.
“When… are you coming back…?”
He had disappeared from in front of me before he could even hear my question.
You really don't listen to me. You do whatever you want.
Kang Daniel. The man I know nothing but his name. Is it okay to hope for his return..?
“Han Jia~ The cafe is closed today, right? Don’t you want to go shopping with me?? I have plans with my boyfriend next week, so I’m planning to buy some clothes!”
A week passed like that, but Kang Daniel did not return.