Why Am I So Good to You?

“Yaaawn.”

When she opened her eyes again, it was past eleven in the morning.

The sun had already climbed high into the sky by the time Ju Hayan blinked her swollen eyelids and made her way downstairs.

Just as he had said, food was set out on the kitchen table.

After roughly reheating the now-cold dishes in the microwave, she ate.

No matter where she went, she always seemed to be eating on his dime.

Out of conscience, she washed the dishes herself before finally stepping out of the unfamiliar house.

“Ugh—ngh.”

Grunting, Ju Hayan carefully poured the hot water she had brought over the water meter pipe.

It was a relief that at least the gas stove worked.

She followed exactly what she had looked up the day before on the café office computer during a brief break.

After boiling all the bottled water she had meant for drinking and going up and down between the semi-basement and the first floor several times, she massaged her already aching arms.

Perhaps because of the commotion since morning, the landlord came out to see what was going on.

Watching her struggle alone, he pulled out an extension reel from his car trunk and handed it to her.

She bowed in thanks but did not bother being overly warm.

After all, he had played a part in this mess.

And in the end, he still did not offer to call a technician.

Swallowing her irritation, she focused back on the task.

“I’m getting out of this damn semi-basement. I swear.”

Grinding her teeth, she poured hot water from the pot into a cup and took a gulp.

The large, heavy hair dryer—something she had never imagined needing—proved surprisingly useful.

The weather had also eased compared to two days ago; the murderous cold wave had weakened.

Eventually, though not fully restored, water began to trickle from the sink.

At that sight, Ju Hayan collapsed flat onto the floor.

After running around all morning, even the icy floor felt cool and pleasant against her overheated body.

“I’m dying. I’m exhausted.”

Thank heaven it was the weekend.

In this state, she would not have been able to make coffee, let alone go to work.

She stared blankly at her trembling hands, clenching and unclenching them.

Even the single guest room she had stayed in at Shin I-hyeok’s house was far superior to this place.

When she was little, she had at least lived in a decent apartment.

She had even had her own room.

“Am I crazy? Why am I like this again.”

Now that things had quieted, a wave of sorrow rose unexpectedly.

Living in a mold-ridden basement.

Struggling alone to thaw frozen pipes.

Her worn-out padded jacket with the lining coming apart.

Her empty, aching stomach from running around all morning.

All of it made her feel pitiful.

“Damn it. That house was really nice.”

It wasn’t just the two-story structure with a yard.

It had separate rooms to rest in and a shared living room to gather in.

Not this damp, suffocating basement that gnawed at a person’s spirit.

And it wasn’t just the house.

It was having someone there.

Not being alone.

The more comfortable his house had felt, the more resentful she felt now.

Because it was not hers.

This dark room was hers.

She inhaled sharply.

Crying would only waste energy.

She roughly wiped her eyes with her filthy jacket and pushed herself up, determined to do something—anything—when her phone vibrated in her pocket.

The number flashing across the small screen was unfamiliar.

She considered ignoring it, but the persistent ringing made her answer.

“Hello?”

–Hello.

“Yes. Who is this?”

She asked cautiously at the unfamiliar voice.

She rubbed the dried corners of her eyes with her finger.

The voice was unfamiliar, but the tone—

–Hayan.

“Ah….”

–Hayan?

“Ah… yes. I’m here.”

Only one person had called her like that recently.

She finally recognized the caller.

–You’re not home. Where are you?

“I came home for a bit. To fix the pipes.”

Home.

They were saying the same word, but meaning different places.

–Hmm… is it fixed?

“Yes. Just now.”

–Good. Stay there for a bit. I’ll come get you.

“What? No, it’s okay. I can come on my own.”

–You don’t even know exactly where it is. Just stay.

“No, really, you don’t have to—”

–It’s still cold. Don’t stay outside.

He cut her off and hung up first.

She stared at her phone for a moment before getting up.

Should she just stay here now that the water worked?

She considered it briefly but dismissed the idea.

The pipes were fixed, but the boiler still wasn’t.

Even if the worst of the cold wave had passed, the nights would still be bitter without heating.

And she would be lying if she said she didn’t miss the warmth of that bed.

More than that—would he even accept her refusal?

She packed a few clothes into her school backpack.

Winter clothes were bulky, and the bag filled up quickly.

She added her charger and her barely useful wallet.

Just then, the front door opened.

Shin I-hyeok entered easily, no longer hiding that he had a spare key.

She wasn’t even surprised.

He glanced around.

“The boiler’s broken? It’s really cold in here.”

“The landlord said he’ll handle it.”

“And the water?”

“It’s running now.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

She slipped on her shoes as he held the door open.

Locking up, she followed him outside.

The afternoon sun hit her eyes harshly after the dim basement.

He reached out and brushed his thumb lightly over her eyelid.

Had it turned red?

She had rubbed her eyes earlier.

“Can we go straight back?”

“Yes. I’m done here.”

“Alright.”

A subtle pressure guided her toward the passenger seat instead of the back.

Right—he sometimes drove himself on weekends.

Just as she was about to get in, the landlord returned from checking the meter.

“Student! Where are you going?”

She straightened and stepped slightly away from Shin I-hyeok.

The hand that had rested at her waist fell away.

“I’ll call the boiler technician first thing Monday. It should be fixed in two or three days.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Alright. You worked hard today. Get inside.”

“Yes. See you.”

Two days already and he still hadn’t called.

Swallowing her irritation, she got into the car.

Shin I-hyeok closed the door for her and got in the driver’s seat.

“You’ll be able to go back home next week.”

“Yes. It’s taking longer than I thought.”

Which meant she would be staying at his place longer, too.

She fidgeted with her hands.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hm?”

“I feel like I’m causing you trouble.”

He lifted a brow, then let out a faint laugh.

“Ah. I thought you were going to say something serious.”

She still felt unsettled.

“I’m an adult now. I can’t even handle something like this on my own.”

He glanced at her, then reached across absentmindedly.

His hand landed slightly off target, brushing her jawline before sliding beneath her chin.

“If someone who just turned twenty a month ago could handle everything alone, no one would live leaning on their parents.”

“I don’t have parents to lean on.”

“But you have your father’s friend.”

She shot him a look.

He seemed in a good mood.

The warmth of his touch eased something in her chest.

“Stay as long as you need. Or just move in entirely.”

Her heart skipped.

He often poked at her lightly like this.

Half joking, perhaps.

Still, she had to ask.

“Why are you so good to me?”

“Me?”

He looked genuinely puzzled.

The car exited the overpass and entered a residential area.

His hand returned to the wheel.

“You didn’t have to care about my pipes. Or give me a place to stay. Or drive me home every time. Or come by every week….”

“……”

“Even making sure I eat.”

He laughed faintly.

“Didn’t they teach you not to follow strangers who offer candy?”

“……”

“It’s so easy to coax a kid, Hayan.”

He tapped the steering wheel lightly, a faint smile curving his lips.

She pressed her hands between her knees, saying nothing.

“Then again… why am I so good to you.”

It wasn’t really a question.