Chapter 47: Stalking is bad

Playing with friends instead of studying was the most thrilling thing ever.

It’s what you might call a sense of guilt. I had fun without even realizing how much time had passed.

Because of that, I think I missed the timing to go home.

I looked out the window, which was already dark.

…Can I get home alone?

That worry suddenly came to mind.

It’s not because I’m scared, but you never know.

It’s dark everywhere except for the streetlight, so who knows what might happen.

Even though the world is a better place these days, it’s still necessary to be careful.

But still, I’m not going alone, I’m going with Jihyun.

I looked at Jihyun.

Her fierce eyes reminiscent of a cat. And her dyed blonde hair that makes her look unapproachable added to that atmosphere.

Yeah. She’s definitely reliable.

Her appearance, which usually seemed scary, was more reassuring than ever today.

I’m not intimidating at all, no matter how I look at it.

I used my facial muscles to make the angriest expression I could. Jihyun said in a voice that sounded like she found me pathetic.

“…What are you doing?”

“Do I look scary?”

I could already feel my facial muscles trembling. Since I’m acting, I tried to lower my voice too.

“Not at all.”

“…”

Jihyun’s expression was firm. To the point where I could feel a chill in the air.

I became dejected.

Do I really not look scary at all?

I looked at my reflection in the window and raised my eyebrows.

Hmm. I don’t look scary.

I have to admit what I have to admit.

I immediately relaxed my strained expression. It felt more comfortable now.

They say that when people do things they don’t usually do, it means they’re about to die.

It wasn’t easy to change my impression by force now.

I wonder if I looked this gentle when I was a man. I tried to think about it, but I couldn’t remember because I never had my appearance evaluated by others.

I avoided relationships with people after graduating from school.

And I avoided looking in the mirror because I felt pathetic when I saw my reflection.

Looking back, I really didn’t live well.

My mouth felt bitter.

Negative thoughts started flooding in, so I slapped my cheeks to stop them.

I shouldn’t be feeling down like this when I’m with my friends. And I’ve changed a lot from before.

I looked at the new relationships I’ve made since becoming a woman.

The two people I never expected to get involved with now occupy a large part of my life.

To the point where a shut-in with social anxiety can feel comfortable around them.

While I was thinking that, they were looking at me with questioning expressions.

Right. It’s different from before.

I smiled.

Yejin saw me and quietly went to the kitchen, then came back with warm hot chocolate. She handed me and Jihyun a cup and said.

“How about you two sleep over today?”

“Sleep over?”

It was a sudden suggestion. I tilted my head.

“It’s already dark outside, so it might be a bit late to go home now.”

Hmm… Come to think of it, she has a point.

It was something I was just worrying about.

I thought about it while sipping my hot chocolate. What should I tell my mom if I’m going to spend the night? She’ll worry, even if she doesn’t show it.

And the most important thing was that my sister’s nagging was so annoying. She’d interrogate me about what I did while I was out, whether my friends did anything strange, and so on.

I felt like a criminal being interrogated by a detective.

I know she’s worried about me, but it’s a bit overwhelming. It’s true that I feel conflicted.

While I was 고민, Jihyun spoke first.

“I have to go to school tomorrow, so I’ll go home first today.”

Jihyun firmly refused.

I opened my eyes wide.

But the host offered so kindly…

I thought, “She offered it out of consideration for us, is it okay to just refuse?”

I was worried that Yejin might be upset.

A lot of unnecessary concerns popped up.

I was stuck between the two, looking back and forth.

“Then that’s good. Be careful going home since it’s dark out?”

“We’re not kids. Don’t worry.”

Fortunately, Yejin didn’t seem to mind at all. I was relieved that my worries didn’t come true.

But I haven’t decided yet.

Since Jihyun said she’s going home, does that mean I’m going with her?

Well, I guess it’s good since it’s one less thing to worry about.

I decided to think positively.

To go home, Jihyun and I packed our things.

My phone, my jacket that I took off indoors, and I also have to pack my books.

I can wear my clothes and put the books in my bag…

I picked up one of the books I had taken out to organize my bag.

Come to think of it, I didn’t study at all today.

We were here for so long, but we didn’t do the main thing we were supposed to do. I laughed at the strange situation.

But we had fun, so it’s fine, right?

As for the midterms, well, I’ll deal with it then.

I decided to think lightly. You’re supposed to use your basic knowledge for tests anyway.

Surely I can’t even pass the minimum cut-off line.

With that thought, I finished packing and came out to the front door with Jihyun.

“Jia, be careful going home, and see you tomorrow!”

“Yeah. Today was fun.”

“Hey. What about me?”

“…Jihyun too.”

“Why do you sound so reluctant?”

I waved goodbye to Yejin, who came out with us to see us off.

There was a little incident where Jihyun was growling beside me. But as if nothing happened, they said their goodbyes normally.

“Let’s go now.”

“Okay.”

I nodded. I followed behind Jihyun, who went ahead first.

As expected, it was dark outside. It wasn’t so dark that I couldn’t see ahead, thanks to the lights from the few houses that had their lights on.

There were streetlights, but they weren’t very bright, so they were ineffective.

But you never know. I carefully asked Jihyun.

“Jihyun.”

“What.”

Jihyun, who was walking side by side with me, matching my slow pace, turned her head.

It’s a little embarrassing to say this…

I closed my eyes tightly and said.

“Should we hold hands while we walk…?”

Ah. I finally said it.

To be honest, I was a little, just a little bit scared.

It wasn’t a matter of being manly or not. The atmosphere was just eerie.

I thought it would be better if our hands weren’t empty, so I asked.

It took a lot of courage to say this.

When there was no reaction from Jihyun, I slowly opened my eyes.

Maybe she didn’t like my question?

Jihyun and I have a bit of a height difference. To be specific, I have to look up to see her.

When there was no answer from Jihyun, who was taller than me, I was scared for some reason.

My surroundings, which had become quiet, made me feel creeped out, so I quickly looked up.

Please don’t do this. I’m scared.

I wish she would just say she doesn’t want to if she doesn’t want to. I looked at her desperately.

Jihyun was covering her mouth with one hand, but I didn’t know exactly what she was doing.

Wondering, I called her name.

“Jihyun…?”

“Ah, ah, uh, yeah. What?”

What’s this.

Did our Jihyun break down?

Maybe she’s possessed by a ghost? I stood on my tiptoes and shook Jihyun’s shoulders.

“Get a hold of yourself! What’s wrong with you….” Jihyun

“W-Wait…!”

“Ghost, get out of Jihyun’s body quickly. Please get out!”

“Kim Jia!”

“Uh…huh?”

What stopped my actions was Jihyun calling my name and grabbing my arm.

I came to my senses at the feeling of her touch and looked at Jihyun.

“I’m fine, so stop shaking me… I’m dizzy.”

“Ah, sorry.”

I just lost it for a second.

I couldn’t think of anything other than getting the ghost out of Jihyun’s body quickly. I feel like I’m coming back to my senses now.

Jihyun was holding her head, probably because she was dizzy.

“You’re… quite scared, huh.”

“…I’m not?”

I was indignant at that statement.

Me, scared? That’s a statement that hurts a man’s pride.

Even though I’m a woman now.

“Then what was that fuss just now, shaking me?”

“Ah.”

I had nothing to say.

Because it was true that I shook Jihyun out of fear.

I quietly apologized.

“Sorry….”

“Well, it’s not something to apologize for. We…”

Jihyun scratched her head as if she was embarrassed. Then she trailed off as if she had something to say.

“What?”

“Um… hand….”

Hand?

What is she talking about all of a sudden.

I blinked.

“Let’s just hold hands!”

Eek.

Jihyun suddenly shouted. I looked at Jihyun with wide eyes, startled.

“…It’s okay to hold hands.”

“Ah.”

That’s what she meant.

I thought she had refused, so I let it go. I was also distracted by the ghost thing.

But she’s bringing it up again now.

So she’s been thinking about it this whole time.

It wasn’t anything special, but I felt happy. I smiled brightly and answered Jihyun.

“Yeah. Okay!”