Chapter 51: Stalking is bad (5)

The three of us walked hand in hand, side by side.

My right hand was held by Jihyun, and my left hand by Yejin.

Why are we walking so inefficiently? I don’t know either.

But I still can’t forget the expressions on their faces when I voiced that question.

The expressions that looked like they could bury a person. I immediately yelped and held their hands.

There was another problem. There were three people, so how should we arrange ourselves?

Yejin and Jihyun argued for a long time about who would hold my hand. I was sweating between them.

The current situation was the result of me standing in the middle.

I blinked my eyes.

At first, the act of holding hands was awkward, but it felt surprisingly good.

It was warm because of the warmth of the people.

I don’t know because I haven’t done it, but I heard that women hold hands without hesitation.

So, this should be fine, right?

Thinking that, I squeezed the hands I was holding. Not painfully, but enough to feel the warmth.

At that change, the two of them looked at me with curiosity for a moment, then quietly held my hand back.

I was happy that I wasn’t rejected. I smiled.

“I told you not to do that….”

“Oof.”

I took a deep breath. But I couldn’t take back the words I had already said.

Sneaky……

“Jia, at this point, it’s her nature, so it’ll be hard to fix.”

“But she has to fix it to avoid attracting strange flies.”

“That’s a bit worrying….”

“Especially guys like you.”

What!?

I didn’t know what they were talking about, but I frowned at the shrill cry coming from my left.

“What are you saying? Rather, a delinquent like you is worse, you know?”

“Hey. Did you just call me a delinquent?”

“It’s true, so why are you surprised?”

I thought I was used to it by now, but being sandwiched between the two of them made me dizzy.

I know you’re both joking, but can’t you tone it down a bit?

…I hope it’s a joke?

“Ugh. I can’t believe it.”

“I only said the truth, I don’t know what part you’re talking about.”

I needed to calm the atmosphere down a bit. I closed my eyes tightly and shouted.

“Stop!”

The two of them looked at me with wide eyes. I guess they didn’t expect me to shout like this.

I feel regretful after shouting.

I stammered and opened my mouth.

“I want to get along… Can’t we?”

Silence hung in the air after my words. Judging by their expressions, they seemed to have a lot on their minds.

I feel bad that I went a little too far, but I’m glad that it worked as an intervention.

“Shall we, um, go get some ice cream over there?”

In the slightly awkward atmosphere, Yejin pointed to a building.

The place Yejin mentioned had a sign that said “Unmanned Ice Cream Shop”.

Do they sell ice cream professionally these days?

It was something I couldn’t know as a master of being a shut-in.

I’m curious. But do I have money?

After thinking for a moment, I readily nodded.

“Okay!”

“…Then me too.”

Hehe. I wonder what the ice cream shop will be like.

I had a chocolate-flavored ice pop in my mouth.

I was disappointed because the specialty store I went to with high expectations was completely different from what I thought.

I thought they would sell it in a very professional way, but it’s no different from a convenience store that just collects ice cream.

This was a false advertisement with the name of a specialty store.

But thankfully, the ice cream was delicious.

Chocolate flavor is the best and the truth of life.

“Is it delicious?”

“Mmm….”

“Pfft. Jia, you look so cute right now!”

I questioned Yejin, who was smiling brightly.

What’s so cute about eating an ice pop normally?

When I tilted my head in wonder, Yejin made even more of a fuss.

Hmm. I don’t understand, but since she’s so happy, I guess it’s a good thing?

But I couldn’t erase the awkward feeling, so I shivered.

Come to think of it, Jihyun hasn’t said a word since earlier.

I was curious, so I looked to the side and saw her quietly sucking on her ice cream.

For some reason, the atmosphere seemed to have become a little sharp.

Did something bad happen?

I carefully poked Jihyun’s side with my finger.

“…Why?”

“No, you just don’t look very happy.”

“It’s not that… just.”

Then Jihyun closed her mouth.

I became even more flustered by that reaction.

I don’t remember. I was worried that I might have done something to upset her without realizing it.

“Jia. She seems to have a brain to think, so let’s just leave her alone.”

“Mmm….”

“Hey. I can hear you, you know?”

I nodded at Yejin, who whispered in my ear.

Hmm, I want to help if possible, but I can’t because I don’t know the situation.

I guess waiting without saying anything is the right decision?

Instead, I quietly held Jihyun’s hand.

“H….”

“Me, I want to hold it too!”

Yejin, who noticed the atmosphere from the other side, immediately held my hand.

I winked at Jihyun so that only she could see.

Jihyun’s expression relaxed, as if her heart had become more comfortable.

I think my feelings have been conveyed.

With that, we walked down the street in a lighter atmosphere.

“Oh right, Yejin.”

“Yeah?”

“Can you teach me how to study again…?”

“Of course! It’s Jia’s request, so of course I have to teach you.”

“Hey. What about me?”

“You’re out. You don’t study anyway.”

Yejin laughed at Jihyun, who was growling. I sighed in relief between them.

I was worried that I would be rejected because I didn’t study last time and just played around, but thankfully I wasn’t.

With this, I’ll probably be okay for the midterm exams.

It’s a shame that Jihyun was rejected. Honestly, I think it’s karma.

“Hey.” “Uh… why?”

Did she notice what I was thinking? I trembled at Jihyun’s cold voice.

“No, not you.”

“What, why.”

“It’s not you either.”

Jihyun answered Yejin’s words and turned her body away.

I was putting question marks above my head at the sudden action.

“Stop stalking and come out quickly.”

“Jih… Jihyun?”

“What’s wrong with her, is she crazy?”

“…”

Jihyun shouted into the empty air where nothing could be seen.

I looked around to see if there was anyone else, but we were the only ones on this street.

Yejin knew that too, and was looking at her like she was looking at a strange person.

“I was half in doubt from earlier, but I just became certain.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“It would be better for you to come out now. If you don’t, I’ll call the police.”

Then she took out her phone and opened the keypad. The mechanical sound of dialing 112 came from Jihyun’s speaker in sequence.

Yejin tried to stop Jihyun, but she didn’t even listen.

I stared blankly at the two of them bickering.

“I’ll count to three from now.”

“No, I’m telling you, you’re mistaken.”

“Three.”

“If it’s not true, how are you going to explain it to the police?”

“Two.”

“Stop messing around and let’s go.”

“One.”

“See? There’s nothing there….”

Yejin stopped speaking as she tried to sneer.

Then she made an expression as if she had encountered something strange, and I sensed that things were going wrong.

I turned my head to where the two of them were looking.

There.

“I’m… I’m really sorry. Please don’t report me….”

There was a woman with fluffy black hair and grass all over her body, as if she had rolled around somewhere.

She was kneeling on the cold asphalt, as if it didn’t hurt.

I opened my mouth wide at the absolutely unusual situation.

So what Jihyun said was true?

My head felt dizzy as I looked at the woman who kept repeating that she was sorry.

We brought the stalker to a nearby park.

We couldn’t talk in the middle of the street, so we decided it would be better to go to a quiet park.

I sat on a bench placed outdoors and looked at the stalker in question.

When I removed all the grass, I could clearly see her features. Black training suit, fluffy long black hair, and dark circles that gave off a decadent feeling.

Hmm. I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before.

“So, let’s hear your excuse for why you did that.”

“Uh… um, that’s….”

“Just say something, okay?”

I thought while watching Jihyun push the stalker.

Ah. I remember.

“I think I know who this person is.”

“Really?”

“Who is it?”

Yejin was surprised, while Jihyun calmly asked me.

So……

“Last time, I went to a convenience store to go to a housewarming party for an unnie I know, and she was working part-time there.”

Jihyun turned her head and glared at the stalker. The stalker flinched at the fierce momentum.

“Don’t even think about lying. Is it true?”

“Th-that’s… yes.”

The stalker stammered and lowered her head, perhaps frightened.

Jihyun’s atmosphere is definitely scary. I know what it feels like very well.

But considering what she did, I feel like she deserves it.

I stared at the stalker. She shrinks even more, as if she knows her sins.

Certainly, when I saw her then, I thought she was pretty.

Why would such a pretty person try to stalk someone?

I was genuinely curious, so I impulsively opened my mouth.

“A pretty person like you, why did you stalk me?”