(Please note that this may contain profanity, references to harmful objects, blood, and violence.)
[match-]
"What if I hit you? Do you think I'll say 'please save me' and ask for forgiveness?"
"If you keep nagging me, I'll hit you harder."
"If you die today, then."
And after a while, I was hit. Fortunately, I was in good enough condition to go to school, so I quickly packed up my things and headed out the door.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
***
The weather was clear and sunny today. It had been raining since morning, but I felt relieved. Then, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
"This is Yeoju... right?"
This is senior Min-gyu.
"hello!"
"Why are you so hurt?"
"I wasn't hurt much..."
"What happened?"
"I just got hit, it's okay, go to school!"
"Where is a good place? Let's get treated at our house quickly and go."
"No, it's okay..."
***
This is Min-gyu's house. It's a clean house, and the air seems incredibly clean. Unlike my house... Min-gyu spoke while treating my wound.
"What's going on at home?"
"My mom cheated on me and left me, and my dad is an alcoholic and beats me a lot."
"But I'm getting used to it so it's okay!"
"I don't think it's okay..."
"Would you like to stay at my house for a while?"
"Huh? No... My parents...!"
"It's okay, I'm dead."
"How can you say something like that so easily..."
"I'll tell you the details later, just buy it here."
"Is that really okay?"
"I don't mind. I'm done now, so I'll go to school."
***
After school, I headed to the candy store. I wondered if it would be open today, but I headed there with a sense of anticipation that I shouldn't have.
***
[Squeak-]
"hello."
I opened the door and came in, and there were more than two customers there, and the owner was at the counter.
"Hey, ma'am. Please look at the counter."
The boss greeted me with a brief word. I felt a little disappointed, but I let it slide. Today, the same scent and atmosphere remain.
"Miss, I'll pay."
A customer came in carrying a nicely wrapped piece of candy and... some kind of toy model.
"Customer, the snacks are 3,500 won. This model is not for sale."
"What? 3500 won? Is one snack that expensive?"
"Cut it down a bit~"
"Sir, prices cannot be changed."
"Oh, I said it so nicely... but you can't even do that?"
"And I can buy that model with my own money!"
"How much should I pay for the model? How much should I pay for it?"
It's a common trope. But having worked a lot of part-time jobs, I can handle one of them.
"Oh, I said something really nice, but you're responding back to me so quickly and even speaking informally to me?"
"It's 3,500 won for one cookie, and I can't buy a model!"
"If you don't have 3,500 won, why are you begging for a discount? Why are you acting so brazen and making a fuss?"
"If you're not going to eat it, leave what you have in your hand here and get out!"
At the loud noise, the boss came rushing from the basement. He looked very surprised and gave me an ambiguous look.
"Lady, what's wrong?"
"Oh, just. Persuasion."
"So, sir, would you like me to help you pay 3,500 won?"
Then the guest immediately ran out the door.
"what..."
"Hey, heroine, why are you hurt?"
"It was just right, don't worry about it."
Even if I try not to pay attention, the bandages and red marks on my face seem to bother me. What was the boss doing that made him rush down to the basement?
"Boss, what happened in the basement earlier?"
"Ah... That might be hard for you to understand yet. If you want to see it, go ahead and see."
Perhaps because of my personality that can't stand being curious, my steps naturally led me to the basement.
***
The basement was a bit chilly and eerie, with walls made of gray cement. The walls were so rough that I felt like my skin would crack if I brushed against them. I opened the basement door and saw a man and a woman sitting tied up. The manager, who was following behind, whispered in my ear.
"Ah, the materials are people who have committed at least one crime. These are the kids who killed my nephew. I'm fine, so feel free to look around for now."
The man and woman had swollen eyes and faces, and blood was smeared all over their bodies. Their condition appeared quite serious, and they looked like they needed to be rushed to the hospital immediately.
"Oh... Our store is so righteous."
"Yeah, I tried it once the way you killed my nephew."
"Do you also take reports of criminals?"
"Tip? If I can find it, I'll do whatever you want."
"Do you want to pick up a criminal tonight? I know someone."
"okay."
There was a noise on the first floor. It seemed like someone was coming...?
"Boss~"
"Boss, where are you?"
It's senior Min-gyu's voice.
"Boss, Senior Min-gyu is here."
"Senior? Why senior?"
"Oh, because he's my senior at school."
With those words, he came out of the basement.
***
After a long day of work, it's time to leave. It's time to pick up a criminal I know. The president, Min-gyu, and I decided to go together. The sky is dark again today, and being together makes me feel even more secure.
"Hey, lady, who is that?"
"Oh, my dad. My dad is kind of like that."
"Did you hurt me too, Dad?"
"Yes, what, just a day or two?"
"Boss, I was the one who treated this wound."
"Oh, really? She's pretty useful, isn't she?"
"Quite a bit, please say a lot."
···
***
Before I knew it, I'd arrived at my house. Am I finally getting out of this cesspool? I enter a house already reeking of a musty odor.
***
"Oh, it smells like cigarettes."
As soon as I got home, the CEO and Senior Min-gyu both said the same thing and coughed. I think I could do the same. I saw my dad, who was getting up, wondering who the man's voice was. He'd soon be an ingredient in a snack, though.
"Hey, what are these men?"
"Are you trying to do some dirty work?"
"There's nothing this man can't say to the heroine."
"If you're going to do that with him, keep quiet~"
"Is your brain really rotten? Hey, you little brat."
"You're not in a position to say something like that right now."
"Oh, that's enough. Go back to your room. Do you want to get your head smashed with a bottle of alcohol?"
"Oh, really, this kid... You're going to get your head smashed in with a bottle of alcohol soon, so look forward to it."
As expected of the boss... The boss is the best at sharp remarks.
"Lady, do you have anything to say?"
"You can talk about it later. Just let the boss keep swearing at you!"
"Oh, I see~"
And then he tries to drag Dad away. I wonder how he's going to move that little piglet.
***
"Oh shit, that piglet is so heavy."
"Oh my, it smells like alcohol."
"No, how long have you been in that cesspool...?"
"I think I'm great too. It must be hard for you, boss."