Just as Haneul had thought, it had come true.
First off, MinHee wasn’t of age yet, so it was difficult to properly drink alcohol. And, the atmosphere was a bit chilly, because of Minah’s lack of friendliness and impa.s.sive expression.
JoongHyun tried his best to make the atmosphere better by cracking jokes that weren’t funny, and Haneul tried by laughing at the jokes. But, Minah’s expression was impa.s.sive from beginning to end, and MinHee was scandalously stuck to Haneul.
That’s when it happened.
“Oppa, eat this.”
“Huh?”
It was ssam (rice and condiments wrapped in leaves of lettuce).
To think that such a thing would happen.
A Situation that he had only seen on TV and in movies, was now happening to him in reality. It seemed to be that MinHee had a favorable impression of Haneul, because he had saved her life. Although Haneul was ignorant when it came to dating, he was able to understand what was happening right now.
“My arms are hurting.”
“A, alright.”
As Haneul was about to accept the ssam and eat it, he felt chills run down his spine.
Opposite from him, Minah was currently staring at him with chilly eyes.
Avoiding her eyes, Haneul put the ssam into his mouth.
‘There’s no reason to feel wrong about this. We’re over with anyways. And, it’s not like Minah was dating me. She was dating the Haneul from World B. No, either way, it’s not like I’m dating this girl anyways.’
MinHee was still a high school student.
Although there wasn’t a huge difference in age, she was still a high school student. She wasn’t an option for dating.
“Haha. By the way, if we really did improve our abilities because of you Haneul, wouldn’t that be insane?”
JoongHyun abruptly said.
As he did, the atmosphere that was slowly relaxing, had suddenly become stiff again.
“Did I say something silly? Isn’t this something to be happy about?”
“Hmm, I like it. I don’t like being powerless anymore, and having other people fight for my sake. I want to be able to fight as well, just like my savior.”
MinHee nodded her head as if to be on sync with JoongHyun’s words.
However, Haneul made a complicated expression.
“Honestly, I’m not too sure. Even now, I can’t believe that such a great power is within me.”
“Oppa, don’t think too deeply into it. I’m sure the Organization will investigate that matter from now on. More than that, right now……”
MinHee perceptively looked around, and as she caught sight of Minah being silent, she turned back to Haneul and asked.
“Did unni awaken her powers through you, oppa?”
(Djinn – unni means older sister in Korean. Females say unni, while males say noona)
“…….”
Minah did not say anything.
“That unni hasn’t said anything since earlier. I guess she’s just an unfriendly person. But, didn’t she come together with you? What can’t of relationship do you guys have?”
“Huh? We’re just friends.”
“Hmmmm.”
Haneul answered back like so, then tilted his head sideways. He could have sworn that YooShik had told everyone that he and Minah were intimate.
‘No way, she couldn’t have asked on purpose, could she?”
“Sigh, it’s already this late. Shall we get up now? We all need to get back home.”
Haneul felt thankful as JoongHyun said those words just in time.
After dinner was finished, they all walked outside. They had planned to eat a simple meal, but their conversations grew too long.
“In many ways, I had a great time today. I’ll see you all again another day.”
“Oppa, I’ll be leaving too. See you later unni!”
With a light heart, Haneul waved his hand.
Excluding Minah and his own family, this was the first time Haneul had had a good time with people who showed their goodwill towards him, since coming to this world.
‘Now, I guess the problem starts now.’
The road back home for Minah and Haneul was the same. As Minah was quietly walking towards the station, Haneul followed behind her.
The situation was much more uncomfortable than he had thought.
‘I’m screwed. If the atmosphere is going to be like this all the way through, then I might die before I get home.’
At that moment, a message rang on Haneul’s phone.
As he was trying to secretly check the message, several more messages came in. There wasn’t anyone special to send him this many messages…….
As he was thinking such thoughts, the name above the messages showed as ‘Beautiful MinHee’.
Beautiful MinHee?
Checking his contacts, there was a person named Beautiful MinHee.
‘This is what she put herself as in my phone?’
As Haneul laughed, it happened.
“You seem to be happy.”
“Huh?”
“Why? You like it that a pretty little high schooler was flirting with you?”
“What? What are you talking about? Flirting with me….she was just thankful, that’s all. I’m sure it would have been the same for anyone else. I was the one who saved her life, and I’m sure her personality is normally like that.”
Minah quickly turned her head. She had a sinister look that Haneul had never seen before.
“You don’t really think that’s true, do you?”
It was a heavy atmosphere, where he felt like he would get hit if he agreed.
“……..”
“Guys are really stupid. She’s totally acting like a sly fox in front of you, yet you can’t tell. Why can’t you see it? She was being even more forceful, because I was there.”
“Aren’t you just overreacting?”
“Answer me! I’ve always known that you were insensitive, but how can you be this bad?”
Minah’s face was red with rage, and Haneul scratched his head. Sly fox? Was Minah that irritated that MinHee made me a ssam?
‘I guess she really does like me.’
There was no doubt that she was jealous.
Minah did not say another word until the bus arrived, and as soon as it did, she walked towards the back and sat down. n.o.body was seated next to her, so Haneul cautiously sat within that spot.
“Why are you sitting next to me?”
“Then should I sit somewhere else?”
“If you want.”
As Minah turned her head away with anger, Haneul laughed.
“Are you jealous right now?”
“What? Who would be jealous for you!”
Minah glared at Haneul then turned her head away again. At first, it looked fearsome, but now it seemed cute.
“She’s in high school.”
“What about it. Is she not a woman then? Either way, biologically, she’s more than enough to be considered an adult.”
“Biologically?”
As Haneul thought of MinHee, Minah suddenly pinched Haneul’s arm.
“Ouch!”
“You lolicon. I’m going to report you.”
“W, what do you mean lolicon.”
“That’s a disease you have. She’s a high schooler. To think that you would…….”
“Lower your voice. I’ll become a pervert at this rate.”
“Heung, I don’t care.”