Mean - 3

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Ji-hye is quiet for the remainder of the afternoon. She can't even bring herself to glance at Youngmin's direction. How could she? When the boy blatantly expressed that they don't even know each other when they actually do?

As the skies are turning grey, she decides to leave for home. After all, she said to herself that she'd only stay at the shelter for a short while today.

"Auntie, I'm really sorry but I can't stay for long today," she says as she returns the brushes she used to paint. Youngmin is sitting beside Auntie Nam but Ji-hye acts as if the boy isn't there at all. After all, he made it clear that this is what he wanted -- for them to be strangers.

"My head feels crazy, and..." Before she could even continue, she stifles a yawn. Auntie Nam quietly chuckles in response. "I told you, you shouldn't have stayed late last night. You seem really tired," the older woman remarks. "Go home and get some sleep. We can continue this some other time, instead."

Ji-hye smiles slightly before she slings her bag on her back. As she was about to bid goodbye, Auntie Nam speaks. "Youngmin, why don't you get some rest, too?"

What she says next surprises Ji-hye. "Maybe you can walk Ji-hye home? This girl worries me a lot. She's brave but you never know what can happen on the streets when it's dark. Besides, she doesn't feel well."

"Auntie, I can take care of--"

"Of course, auntie. I'll walk her home."

Hearing this, Ji-hye's jaw drops.

What is he doing? Im Youngmin, who despises her to the point that he denies that he knows her, agrees to walk her home?

"Auntie, it's just a headache, and I can walk myself home. It's not even that dark yet," she protests.

But the older woman insists. By now, Youngmin is even preparing to leave, too.

"Ji-hye, Youngmin, thank you for your help! I hope to see you again one of these days," she bids them goodbye. "And, Youngmin, please extend our gratitude to Mrs. Kim and the rest of your class," she says as she holds the boy's hand. "Please look out for Ji-hye on the way home, and take care yourself, too."

Youngmin nods and bows politely to her in response. "Goodbye, auntie. I'll be back for sure," he says while smiling widely. Without even looking at Ji-hye, he begins to walk.

Ji-hye waves goodbye to Auntie Nam and heaves a deep sigh before he follows Youngmin.

The walk home is uneventful. No one is speaking. Youngmin is walking at a rather slow pace that it irritates Ji-hye but she doesn't dare walk beside him or go past him. Instead, she keeps a safe distance of five steps behind.

"Why did he even agree to walk me home? He didn't really need to if he'll only take it against me," Ji-hye mumbles, quietly enough for only her to hear.

Ten minutes have passed, but the awkward set-up remains. Ji-hye finds herself sighing every now and then.

By now, it is completely dark and her temples are throbbing wildly. She can't focus that she is somehow thankful she has Youngmin to follow, otherwise, she feels like she'll get lost on the way to her own home.

A few turns here and there and they finally reach the Lees', and now, Jungs' residence. For a moment, Ji-hye is surprised that Youngmin knows where she lives. Then again, she realizes that he must know because this is where Hayoung lives now, too.

Youngmin stops abruptly in front of their gate, allowing Ji-hye to catch up. For the first time this afternoon, he looks at her.

While looking at the ground, and although she is very shy, she mumbles, "Thank--"

"Don't misunderstand," Youngmin interrupts her.

She raises her eyes and gives him a confused look.

"I didn't bring you home because I wanted to, nor did I do so because I feel sorry about your having a headache," he speaks without emotion, his face completely blank. A face he only uses for Ji-hye, and not for anyone else.

Before she could even respond, Youngmin speaks again.

"I just did it because I was told."

Thinking his speech was over, she reaches for the gate because how does one even respond to that?

But Youngmin continues, "Unlike you, I'm decent as a human being," and with this, he turns his back and starts walking away.

And just like that, he left Ji-hye whose heart is pounding so hard she forgot she even had a terrible headache.

Mean to Me | Im YoungminWhere stories live. Discover now