Annyeongz One-shots

142. Pain

This is the continues of path ( 3 )

Wonyoung quietly closed the door to her bedroom.

The criticism from downstairs hadn't stopped.

Even through the walls, she could see her stepmother's raised voice and her stepbrother's mocking laughter without needing to hear every word.

She leaned against the door and slowly exhaled.

The room was small.

A single bed.

A desk.

A wardrobe.

Nothing more.

She walked toward the window, hoping the cool night air would help clear her thoughts.

As she gently pulled the curtain aside, her eyebrows knitted together.

Outside...

Under the glow of the streetlights...

Yujin was still there.

He wasn't standing at her gate.

He wasn't trying to get her attention.

Instead, he was walking slowly along the sidewalk.

Back and forth.

One end of the street.

Then turning around.

Then back again.

His left hand occasionally drifted toward the bandaged area beneath his suit jacket, as though the wound was bothering him.

Wonyoung frowned.

"...Why is he still here?"

She watched him for another minute.

He stopped once, looked toward her house for only a second, then continued pacing.

He never rang the doorbell.

Never called.

Never sent a message.

It almost looked like he was arguing with himself.

Outside...

Yujin let out a quiet sigh.

"What are you doing, Ahn Yujin..."

He rubbed his forehead.

"I told her I was interested."

"Then I kissed her without permission."

He grimaced at the memory.

"...Idiot."

He had spent weeks building enough courage to see her again.

Only to make one impulsive mistake that ruined everything.

Now, after seeing her frightened reaction when he stood too close...

The guilt weighed heavier than the ache in his chest.

He looked toward the dark house once more.

"I should apologize properly."

"...Not tonight."

"She deserves some peace."

He turned to leave.

Then stopped again.

"...Should I at least make sure that man doesn't come back?"

He remembered her ex raising a hand against her.