***
I thought he'd tell me to go home, but he brought me to his house. And I followed him without a plan.
The old man's house was just a small studio apartment. Nevertheless, it was quite cozy and clean.
"Excuse me, sit on the sofa."
As I sat down on the sofa, the man handed me a cup of hot cocoa. Looking closely, I realized he was incredibly handsome. His eyes were wide and slanted, his nose was large and straight, and his mouth was crisp and clean. He had the kind of face you'd pass for a celebrity.
"Sir, you're really handsome, aren't you?"
"Hey, old man. Is that the first time you've ever called someone who saved your life? And where else can you find such a handsome old man? He's obviously my older brother."
"Look carefully. Where are you looking? It's the old man."
"Huh..."
I was scared for a moment because it came rushing in. I thought he might hit me like my dad.
"I'm sorry, I was just joking. Are you surprised?"
"Oh, yes... I'm sorry..."
"Then tell me now. Why were you crying with such a sad expression on your face after leaving home?"
".....that is,..."
I confessed everything about my life so far. The truth is, I was a victim of domestic violence. I met my first love when I was so lonely, and today I broke up with her. My mother ran away. That's why I ran away from home.
"I see... It must have been very difficult."
What came back was neither sympathy nor indifference, but the words of comfort and warm hug I had longed for.
"Still, you grew up so bright and strong. How wonderful."
This child, who had always seemed so young, somehow felt more mature than he did. He must have carried quite a burden. And it must have been incredibly heavy and painful for this child.
"Yeah... I grew up pretty well considering the environment I was in, right? Hehe."
"But student, what is your name?"
"I'm Yeoju. Kim Yeoju. I'm sixteen years old. I'm in my third year of middle school now and I go to Tobi Middle School near here. What about you, sir?"
"I'm Yuk Seong-jae. I'm 25 and I'm attending Tobi University."
"Yes sir, I've decided."
I decided to be a little cheeky. I was that desperate.
"what?"
"I'll stay at that old man's house."
"??????What? No."
Seongjae was very embarrassed by the bold words of this middle schooler.
"I'll pay the rent too..."
"no, I do not want."
"Hey, you don't know, or you're just desperate, but I'm a grown man. Twenty-five years old! I'm full of energy! Don't you get it?
What will I do to you if I live with you?
Don't you know?"
"No, I just had a feeling."
"Oh, what else!"
"You're not that kind of person. I just saw you and got a feeling!"
"No, no. You didn't get the feeling. Don't do that. Think about it again. A girl like you shouldn't be doing this to a complete stranger, right?"
"Then there's nothing I can do. I'm a cool girl who only hangs on three times and then turns away without any lingering feelings, but since you're so adamantly opposed to it, I'm going to leave now."
"Really? Then I'll let you off for just one day. For the sake of protecting the youth. You can go today."
"No. It's okay. I'm going out now. I didn't know you were such a heartless and irresponsible person. You brought an innocent 16-year-old middle school student to your house, to a house where a man lives alone, and you comforted me and even gave me cocoa! I thought you brought me here to feed me and give me a place to sleep. If that's the case, why did you give me your full name? There's nothing you can do. Am I going to be kicked out like this, poor thing? I was grateful for a moment. Well, I'll leave now...
good bye."
"Hey... Hey! Wait a minute!! You... You, where are you going!!"
"I guess I should go back home. I got kicked out. Don't worry. What else can I do but get beaten by Dad?"
You... said you had no lingering feelings... said you had no lingering feelings at all... I didn't mean to be this cruel... but I suddenly feel sorry.
"Okay... Wait a minute!"
"Why... I'm just turning around coolly."
"No, hey... Then why don't you just stay at my house..."
"Wow, really? Then I'll just accept it and live with you. I'm not in a position to be picky right now. Thank you!"
Yay. I got it. It feels so good. As expected, if you're desperate, it gets through.
"mister!"
"What, why."
"Let's agree on 100,000 won for the monthly rent since I'm still a minor. Let's get along well from now on!"
The female lead smiled brightly and asked to shake hands, while Seongjae felt like he had been tricked.
Hello!! Parang-im-dang...!! After many twists and turns! The female lead decided to live with Seongjae's family instead of staying with them... Isn't the female lead with her bold personality so cute?... Now that the female lead has become cute, I guess I should go to bed now.. (That's how Parang-im-dang's writing gradually goes with the flow of consciousness.....)
Well then, I hope you all have a nice weekend :)