By Zephyria 
“Hae-juni, why are you looking at me with such a scary face?”
“…”
Looking at the male student who was making incredibly cute and lively expressions and going ‘Bbu-bbu!’ at me, my mood plummeted to the lowest point. Seeing my stiff face, he even whined like a whimpering puppy, it was quite a spectacle.
‘Don’t feed the troll.’
To create distance, you must neither attract nor give attention. Recalling the principle, I walked past him down the hallway.
“Jju-ni! Why are you ignoring Si-hu’s words?”
The voice chasing me from behind brought on a wave of fatigue. I decided I’d buy the textbooks tomorrow and go home early today.
“Jju-ni?”
What should I eat for dinner? Will Seong Hae-min make it?
“Can’t you hear Si-hu’s voiceeee?”
As I pondered, I suddenly realized that since I had come to live in this world, I hadn’t even opened the refrigerator at home once. I had barely left my room, in denial of reality. I realized I had been living my days more carelessly than I remembered, and reflecting, I resolved myself.
Yes, since I might continue to live here, I should live properly. This is where I live, so I should check out my home thoroughly. Is Seong Hae-min home around this time too?
“Hae-ju-na?”
I ignored the dog-like barking around me and pondered deeply about the future. As long as the dog didn’t bite people, that was my intention.
“Jju-u-un! If you… keep ignoring me like this, I’ll kiss you!”
“What?”
“Ah! You finally answered! Hehe.”
“…”
I must be crazy.
I tried to ignore him, but it failed. But this was because the opponent was too strong. This human was a crazy creative weirdo who would make their own food if there was no bait.
“Huh? Jju-ni wants a kiss from Si-hu?”
“No.”
“Ah, I see! The magic word that makes Hae-jun speak is kiss! Got it, I’ll keep that in mind from now on!”
Seeing him babble about kissing made my mood sink further. The more my expression soured, the brighter his became.
‘This guy… does he hate me?’
“Don’t worry! Si-hu is Jju-ni’s friend! Min-i’s friend! So! Kyaa~! We’re on the same team!”
“…”
My words couldn’t keep up with his seemingly insane reaction. It was astonishing. I thought my ears were mistaken earlier, but this person was referring to himself in the third person as Si-hu. In a way, it was truly remarkable.
Min Si-hu was one of the Four Heavenly Kings in the novel. He was the character representing the emoticon (>0<), possessing a true dual personality. Variations include (>_<) (>ㅂ3< Bbu-bbu), etc.) He would constantly go 'Kya-kya-kyu-kyu' but would suddenly become serious when problems arose, and though incomprehensible, that was apparently his charm point. Anyway, the Min Si-hu in the novel sometimes eased the tension among people with such aegyo. I couldn't understand why such aegyo would ease tension, but… Min Si-hu proudly puffed out his chest. "Jju-ni, don't worry! Si-hu will escort Jju-ni home safely." "I… I can go by myself." Despite my persistent refusal, this guy, who just chattered away, paid no attention to anything I said. "Eung? No~ No~ Jju-ni, you don't know how dangerous the world is these days! Kyaa! Oh my, just the other day I saw a fallen leaf on the street get torn apart by people stepping on it! Kyaaak! It was the most brutal scene I've seen recently!"..." Why is he like this, really... Maintaining a (>ㅁ<) expression throughout, Min Si-hu continued his nonsensical rambling. It was so random I couldn't follow. I remembered that this was called a '4D cute' character in teen romance novels. Vertigo set in. "Jju-ni-ya, Jju-ni-ya." "What." "Why are you so weak? Eung? Why! Why! Whyyy~!!" Get lost! For a moment, I felt a surge of strength, but I couldn't say that. Even if Min Si-hu seemed easygoing, he was a delinquent, and like the other Four Heavenly Kings, he was a formidable fighter. It was hard to believe that the person before me was someone who beat people up so brutally. Regardless, delinquent or not, he was definitely not normal. I once again solidified my resolve never to get involved with them. "Uh-huh." "What is it? You don't want to answer meee?" "…" "Or do you want to get energy! from Si-hu~?!" "No!" "Wow! You finally answered with strength!" 'I really hate this…' Min Si-hu smiled brightly with his cute and handsome face. I realized that looks aren't everything when it comes to a person's impression. Even if someone is genuinely handsome, I'd be wary if they acted like this. I quickly moved my feet. Min Si-hu, seemingly tireless, followed me closely. "Why is Junie Junie? Why is Si-hu Si-hu? Ooh... the world is too difficult ♬." "……." Why me, of all people, with this trial. "Junie, what are you going to eat for dinner? Um! Si-hu! Um... what should I eat? Hehe!" "……." "Ah! I want to eat donkatsu! Kyaa! Dodododo donkatsu~ Kyaa!" I'm going insane. On the way home, no matter how much I tried to ignore him, Min Si-hu, with his indomitable will, stuck to me like a goldfish's droppings and kept talking. As if he knew I was determined not to answer, he chattered away endlessly on his own, more persistent than a street vendor chasing you down like a slave hunter on a trip. I felt the blood drain from my face. "Junie? Are you listening to Si-hu?" "……." "Ah! We've already arrived at Junie's house! We're heeeeere!" "Uh..." "Kyaa! I heard Junie's voice! Si-hu's heart is pounding! Wooong~ Kya!" What is this act? It was even more disorienting because he was so good-looking. Even an idol would get criticized for acting like this. Still, now that we were home, Min Si-hu would leave, and I could finally catch my breath. Freedom at last. I glanced up at the apartment building. It was my home, yet it still felt unfamiliar. "Junie, Si-hu is! Mini's best friend! So Si-hu is a good friend to Junie too ♡." "Uh, uh." Was it passive to hear a heart attached to his words? Eager to get inside, I nodded dismissively at Min Si-hu. I thought that would be enough to get him to leave. But his next words jolted me awake. "Then, can Si-hu come into Junie's house? You said yes? Kyaa, Junie is so kind ♡." "What?" The words hit me like a bolt from the blue, sending shivers down my spine. I managed to turn my head, creaking like a wooden doll, and saw Min Si-hu with a finger to his lips, tilting his head. I was speechless. No, I was suffocating. I just opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water. "Th-that..." "Ahaha! Junie looks like a goldfish! Goldfish!" "……." "Hmph, Junie doesn't want Si-hu to come over? Then... I'll just go to Mini's house instead! Kyaa!" Seong Hae-min's house is Seong Hae-jun's house! Are you kidding me? I suppressed the urge to grab him by the collar and shake him. This kid wasn't on my level. I quickly admitted my limitations. I might be able to stop myself, but I couldn't stop him. If I tried to send him away, my own neck might get twisted. The real tragedy was that he was an opponent I couldn't defeat even with force. In novels, the Four Heavenly Kings could easily win impossible fights like 100 against 4. An ordinary person like me would surely end up in the hospital if Min Si-hu threw just one punch. My head throbbed. Ignoring this tumor-like presence, I answered with a deep sigh. "Do as you please..." "Wow! Junie said yes!" Min Si-hu grinned brightly and hopped around like a rabbit. Despite his handsome face, he was acting all cute and innocent, but he was taller than me... 'Life really sucks.' ❖ ❖ ❖ "Junie, why aren't you opening the door?" "……." "Junieee! You don't want to open the door for Si-hu?" Min Si-hu whined beside me. The fact that I didn't know the door lock password to my own apartment was already bewildering, but with one more noisy mouth chattering beside me, my headache doubled. It was my mistake. I had left without thinking, forgetting that I needed to input the password to get in. While I was locked in a staring contest with the door lock, a whimpering sound came from beside me. "Hmph, hmph, Junie, you're thinking about how to chase Si-hu away, aren't you? Si-hu knows everything! There's nothing Si-hu doesn't know!" Hearing Min Si-hu's words, I changed my thinking accordingly. Yes, instead of wasting time staring at the door lock, it would be much more productive to get this kid to leave. While glaring at the door lock and imagining the unknown password, I pondered how to send Min Si-hu away. More precisely, how to make Min Si-hu leave me alone nicely. "Hmm? Junie?" "……." "What are you doing?" Thinking about how to send you away without any problems. When I continued to not answer, Min Si-hu suddenly thrust his face towards me. Startled by his sudden proximity, I pressed myself against the front door. The distance was so close that heat rushed to my cheeks. "Junie." "Uh, uh?" The sound of his breathing right next to me sent shivers down my spine. Just moments ago, he had been acting like the world's biggest pushover, but now his breath, devoid of any laughter, brushed past my ear. Along with a refreshing mint scent, his long eyelashes blinked as if about to pierce my cheek. "Why aren't you opening the door, Hae-jun." Min Si-hu's voice, heard from so close, suddenly deepened, as if sinking into water.