I'm not a private person!
invisible anxiety
After such a happy time, Kyo-eun returned to her daily life.
On Monday morning, Kyo-eun went to work as usual.
윤팀장
"Oh, you're here, Kyo-eun~ I left a package that came by courier on your seat~"
Kyo-eun smiled brightly and responded to the team leader's light greeting.
하교은
"thank you!"
Kyo-eun returned to her seat so naturally.
As Kyo-eun sat down and was about to turn on her laptop, she noticed a small box on the desk.
하교은
"...They say it's quick, but what is it? I didn't order anything."
I picked up the box carefully.
The box had no invoice or sender's name, only his name and company address.
하교은
"... .."
A strangely chilling feeling. Kyo-eun hesitated for a moment, but then opened the box, saying, "No way."
and
하교은
"...!!"
I almost gagged.
Inside the box were a torn teddy bear covered in blood-red paint, rusty nails and pins,
And inside was a letter, torn and pasted together, illegible. I opened it with trembling hands.
???
"Did you think I didn't know? Get out now. Don't ignore my warnings."
하교은
"under..."
I was breathless. Goosebumps ran down my body.
하교은
"This is..."
A terrible premonition flashed through my mind.
하교은
'...Is there a real sasaeng who should have been sued in my place...?'
A chill ran down her spine. Kyo-eun's hands trembled, and she took out her phone. She took a picture of the inside of the box.
Just in case. Just in case.
And— I carefully pushed the box into a corner.
I pretended nothing happened. I looked at the monitor again. But I couldn't read a single word. My mind was filled with ominous thoughts.
하교은
"Where did I see it...? How did you know...? Were you watching...?"
A sticky feeling of anxiety washed over her. Kyo-eun bit her lip and barely managed to keep herself together.
하교은
"It's okay. I'll be okay as long as I'm careful."
I tried to console myself, but deep down in my heart, the terrible fear would not go away.
***
That evening, Kyo-eun was talking on the phone with Woo-ji on her way home from work.
우지(지훈)
[Kyo-eun, how have you been?]
하교은
"Oh, yes...! Did you get out of the country safely?"
Woozi and the other members of Seventeen were out of the country for an overseas schedule.
Even in the midst of such a busy schedule, Wooji took the time to call Kyo-eun.
우지(지훈)
[Yeah. I miss you already.]
Kyo-eun's face flushed brightly at those frank and honest words.
하교은
"..See you next time..! Take care."
우지(지훈)
[Yes, Kyo-eun.]
The awkward but warm call ended, and Kyo-eun carefully placed her phone in her bag and walked away.
하교은
'Hmm... the cake looks delicious.'
I entered the cafe with a light heart, without thinking. As I was looking at the menu—
주연
"Hey, Kyo-eun unnie!!!"
Kyo-eun turned her head at the familiar voice.
하교은
"...Jooyeon?"
My younger brother had become awkward since the blind date incident.
They paused for a moment, but soon greeted each other as usual.
주연
"Oh, what happened then, unnie? That guy was really angry."
하교은
"...Uh, we just didn't get along."
Kyo-eun brushed it off as nothing. Ju-yeon also smiled and ignored it without asking any further questions.
주연
"I thought you'd find someone good for me... Are you still single?"
하교은
"Oh, that's... I have a crush on someone."
The protagonist's eyes widened in delight at the carefully spoken words.
주연
"Really? Wow~ You did great, unnie! I'll be rooting for you!"
Jooyeon smiled brightly and waved. Kyo-eun smiled lightly and waved in greeting.
하교은
"Yeah. Take care."
The moment Jooyeon left the cafe, Kyo-eun happened to see Jooyeon's phone wallpaper.
A fleeting glance at the screen. A familiar face. It was only for a brief moment, but Kyo-eun saw it.
하교은
"Mr. Wooji...?"
It was a familiar face. But something felt off. It wasn't an official photo, nor a broadcast capture— it was blurry and tilted, as if someone had taken it secretly.
하교은
'Did I see things wrong...? Was Jooyeon... a fan of Woozi?'
Kyo-eun was momentarily lost in thought. I'd never actually said I was a fan, but for some reason, my heart felt tight.
하교은
‘Well... because he’s famous..’
Kyo-eun leaves the cafe, trying to console herself.
A small feeling of anxiety arose, but I still considered it to be a groundless thought.
I walked slowly, feeling the quiet night air.