10
.
—Why are you like that, all of a sudden?
— Let's stop... I want to live a normal life. Thank you for everything. Thank you, Mr. J.
— Where are you going!
I turned away, and K grabbed my wrist and turned me around. I took one look at K's face, let go of his hand, and turned back. I don't know how many different emotions I experience in a single day.
— I'll take you there. Just let me take you there. Huh?!
—Stop it, K. If you hold on to Yeoju any longer, you might not be able to see her again.
— No, really, why are you doing that?
— I see... It must have been very difficult.
—Why would someone with such a weak heart come forward and say he’d kill the boss? Ha···.
‘Tittittittittitti’
I returned home, opened the front door, and stepped inside. It had been a long time since I'd been home, and today, I felt more loneliness than joy. But that loneliness was cut short when the phone rang.
— Stop it...
I thought it was K, but it was actually a call from the hospital aunt who was taking care of my mother in the hospital room.
📞 Yes, Aunt. What's wrong?
📞 I'm sorry you must be busy. Things are a bit urgent.
📞What happened to Mom?
📞Don't be surprised, just listen. Mother... passed away a little while ago.
📞Huh?!!
I was stunned for five seconds, then, without even a moment to recover, I rushed out of the house and caught a taxi. I knew my mother didn't have much time left, but hearing that it was over, without even being able to say goodbye or see her face for so long, felt like my world was falling apart. I wanted to believe she was alive until I saw her with my own eyes.
.
— Hey, Mom!!! Mom, wake up. Mommy, your daughter is here. Huh? Mom... sob... I'm sorry I'm so late, Mom...
— When my mother woke up for a moment, she said she was sorry to Yeoju...
—What are you sorry about, Mom…? I’m the one who’s sorry…
.
After crying so hard I was exhausted, I went down to the hospital lobby and plopped down on a chair in front of the TV. Then the news came on. It was about my dad. Three years ago, it was revealed that my dad's death wasn't suicide, but murder, and the boss of the organization that killed him had committed suicide. My goal had been achieved, but my heart wasn't any better. Still, I wish my mom had seen this.
— Dad... When I see Mom in heaven, don't tell her I did this. Let's keep it our secret, Dad...
— My lady···.
- dad···?
— Hey, are you okay?
— K···?
—Why do you call me dad? Are you okay?
— It’s okay… How did you know about this place?
— You said you were watching over me... I came because I was worried when you suddenly started running away.
— You really don't listen to me.
"Do whatever you want, you know. I'll protect you no matter what. That's my job."
— Mr. J.
- excuse me···.
K pointed to a pillar in the corner, and when I looked up, I saw J, barely hiding behind one of the pillars, peering at me. Our eyes met, and he slowly made his way toward me.
— Really lol
— I laughed... finally.
— I really can't stop either of them.
— Miss Yeoju, I really don't think there's anything we can do.
—Who would hide like that and spy on me?
- haha···.
— Seriously... I made up my mind, so why are you shaking me again? Why did you show up...
— I want to protect you. Not as a killer, but as your boyfriend.
- uh···?!
— I... like you. I keep caring about you, wanting to protect you, and worrying about you. I've thought about it a lot, and I think I like you.
— ······.
Mr. J slipped away again, and K and I stood in the middle of the hospital lobby. Honestly, I was quite taken aback by what he said, which was so unexpected. I never thought K would like me, so I was dumbfounded.
"I'm not asking you to answer right now. I just want to be by your side. Today is a sad day, so gather your thoughts and, once you've calmed down, just make a gesture in front of your house. Then, I'll see what happens and decide. I'll wait."
I found myself nodding, as if possessed. He'd seduced me then as a killer, but now he's seducing me as K, no, Jeon Jungkook. Honestly, I thought K was just a simple guy. But then I realized he had such depth. I think I briefly thought, "If I were him, I could lean on him."
[3 weeks later]
It's already been three weeks since I finished my mother's funeral and stayed home. During that time, I haven't given K any warnings outside the house. It's true I was briefly shaken up at the hospital back then. But there are people out there targeting me, and no matter how strong K is, there's still a chance he'll get hurt if he's around me. I hope no one gets hurt because of me anymore. That feeling remains the same, then and now. If I get hurt, I just want to be the one getting hurt.
Ding-dong
- who are you?
I asked who it was, but there was no answer, so I checked the intercom. Seeing no one there, I quietly opened the door and stepped outside. As I opened the door, a note fell out, and sure enough, no one was there. I opened the note, went back into the house, and slowly read it.
***
Long time no see!!
