'A man in his 30s was arrested for stabbing a convenience store in ××-dong at around 9:10 PM yesterday.'
Wasn't that convenience store a place I frequented? If it hadn't been for the teacher's words, I would have even planned to go there at nine o'clock. The thought that I could have been seriously injured, or in the worst case, even killed, sent shivers down my spine.
"Oh my, you go there all the time, don't you? Oh my. I'm so scared of the world, what should I do?"
Mom was shocked and shuddered. "It's too bad today isn't my day for tutoring. I wish I could have said thank you!"
I was walking home after work, and the road seemed darker than usual today. Something about it felt scary. Maybe it was because I saw the crime news this morning. Why are the streetlights blinking and making such a fuss?
'Ttukbuk.'
I hesitated and stopped walking. I felt someone behind me. I ignored them and continued walking, but I heard footsteps again.
'Thump thump.'
It's getting closer. It must be chasing me. I'm scared, but even if I catch it, I won't be easily defeated. I made up my mind and turned around.
"Eww!!"
"Oh, surprise!!"
Behind him, Mr. Beomgyu stood clutching his chest. Why is he here, Mr. Teacher?
"Oh my teacher! I'm surprised!"
"Hey, you surprised me even more."
"But why are you here, teacher?"
"I'm on my way home too."
The teacher gestured toward our house. Could it be...
"Do you live in the same apartment?"
"No. The studio apartment in the building next door."
Hearing those firm words, I felt sullen, but still, I felt elated, thinking, "Where do you live? Where do you live?" I smiled brightly. "I guess we can meet up sometime after the party."
"By the way, I survived thanks to you, teacher!"
"What are you talking about?"
I don't know if you really don't know or if you're just pretending not to know.
"Didn't you see the news? There was a stabbing at a convenience store. Anyway, thanks for telling me."
He stared intently into my eyes. More accurately, he seemed to be looking beyond them.
"I'm so glad you're okay."
"Hehe."
As I let out a playful laugh, the teacher came up to me and sat next to me.
"Shall I take you there?"
Are you worried I might be in danger? Anyway, why would I refuse this favor? Of course it's good.
"I'm totally fine. I'm such a warm person, so why doesn't I have a girlfriend..."
He glanced at me sideways and said:
"You can just be my girlfriend."
I felt my face flushing bright red. It couldn't be true. The person who had said such a thing seemed indifferent. That expression was secretly annoying.
"Really?"
"How could that be?"
I was foolish to expect that. I walked ahead, grumbling, and the teacher followed me at a brisk pace.
"Songdo, go slowly."
After bickering for a while, we arrived home. He gave a brief greeting and disappeared around the corner. Today, I realized he was someone you'd never know even if you knew him.
On the way back from exchanging greetings with Doa, I pretended not to notice the uneasy feeling hovering around her. It'll be okay for now. Premature judgment will only invite trouble. Yesterday, I had foreseen what would happen at the convenience store in my apartment, but it wasn't enough to completely prevent it. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, but now...
I thought something even stranger was about to happen.