This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 228

Bora’s Perspective

The moment Dogun’s voice flowed into my ears from beyond the door, it felt like my heart, which had been dangling from some high place, plummeted to the floor with a thud.

It couldn’t have been helped, especially since I had just been thinking about him.

The next thought that crossed my mind was why he had come.

Was it to confront me about what happened today?

That was my first instinct, but recalling how careful his voice had sounded when he knocked made me think otherwise.

So then, what was it? Why… did he come?

‘Could it be…’

Was he going to tell me he wants me to leave?

It was an impulsive thought, but maybe it was true.

After all, everything I had done since I got here revolved around causing chaos or fighting with someone, so from Dogun’s perspective, I must have been a real headache for him.

He put up with it until now, but if today’s incident set him off…

What if he was trying to kick me out?

Of course… even if I got thrown out, I wouldn’t be left with nowhere to go.

There was the place I stayed before coming here, and more importantly, that Association Chairman lady wouldn’t just sit idly by in such a situation.

So even if I heard him say he really wanted me to leave, I wouldn’t end up roaming the streets—

‘…No.’

I didn’t want that.

If it was coming from anyone other than Dogun, it would sting a bit, but coming from him would be particularly hurtful.

So I kept silent, unable to respond… but then, after a few knocks, he must have decided I was asleep since there was no reaction.

“Hmm… looks like she’s sleeping… Well…”

With that mumbling, a rustling sound of a plastic bag being crumpled echoed next, followed by the sound of footsteps departing from the door.

As those footsteps faded away, I slowly peeked out from the covers.

‘…Has he left?’

It seemed so, considering how quiet it was.

And with that certainty, I became curious.

What was that rustling sound I heard before Dogun left?

I tried to guess, but nothing came to mind.

So I slipped out from under the covers and crept to the door.

As I stood at the door for a moment, observing the outside, I carefully opened it and found a black plastic bag dangling from the doorknob.

What could this be?

I took the surprisingly heavy bag from the doorknob, and the moment I opened it, my mind was filled with questions that got answered immediately.

What replaced the emptiness that had been there was pure astonishment.

How could it not be?

All the reasons that made me have to go out today were in that bag.

From manga ink to pens that matched, and even supplies like screen tones.

I couldn’t believe it.

‘How…?’

It was true I had planned to go out to buy these, but I had kept it a secret from Dogun until we reached the shop because I couldn’t figure out how to mention it.

But how did he know I needed these?

That wasn’t my only question.

‘When…?’

I hadn’t seen him buy these. Did he get them while I wasn’t looking?

Just then, a memory floated back.

Right, it must have been just before we left that commercial building after things settled down.

I had been so tense that when the moment finally relaxed, Dogun had mentioned going to the bathroom for a quick break.

At that time, I was too flustered and overwhelmed to care, but could it have been then?

The thought crossed my mind.

‘…Huh?’

A tangled mix of emotions enveloped me, and suddenly my heart… started thumping in a strange rhythm.

It was a rhythm I had never experienced before…

And it felt so odd and unfamiliar that my face turned hot.

Dogun’s Perspective

At the moment Bora’s face was turning red, I too was thinking about her.

‘That must be it… right?’

It probably was.

There was no reason for her to keep glancing at those things unless they were indeed her goal for going out.

But she must have had a good reason to keep that fact a secret from me.

Anyway, I made sure to pass the message along.

The rest would be up to Bora.

Right now, what I needed to focus on was the imminent showdown with Yoonseo.

The reason I was standing right here was precisely for that.

It was unusual for Yoonseo to come on so strong; she must have been really determined since she hardly ever did this.

If that was the case, I should go all out too, right?

That way, any embarrassment I felt would be dwarfed by what Yoonseo would feel.

Can’t I just give her a regular massage?

Sadly, that was not an option.

After all, Yoonseo must have noticed my discomfort, and yet she had disregarded it to challenge me.

This was bound to turn into a battle of pride.

And you know what they say, right?

Even a lion gives its all when hunting a rabbit.

So naturally, I had to give it my all too.

‘So, let’s see…’

First, I should check the water temperature.

As I dipped my hand into the basin filled two-thirds with water, it felt slightly hot.

But I stood up from my seat, carrying that tub.

By the time I reached my room, it should be just right to be the perfect temperature.

With the tub of water sloshing in my hands, I headed straight to my room where Yoonseo would be waiting.

To show her the legendary massage technique I learned from Professor Jeong Sunja back in college, which I had signed up for without thinking much.

‘Just wait a moment, Yoonseo.’

How dare she challenge me like that?

Yoonseo’s Perspective

As Dogun hurried into his room with the basin in his hands, I sat alone with a red face, waiting for him after he rushed out.

It was the first time I had ever seen him so flustered, so my instincts had gotten the better of me, but now that I sat alone, shame washed over me.

Of course, I hadn’t thought about backing out.

How could I?

I was already wearing his clothes.

‘By the way…’

Speaking of clothes, it made me realize how much time had truly passed since putting on Dogun’s oversized clothes.

Back when we were both in elementary school, borrowing his clothes didn’t feel like this… so overwhelmingly large.

When did this difference become so pronounced?

The neck and sleeves felt loose, and it was a rather strange feeling.

Naturally, parts that wouldn’t usually show, like my collarbone and a little bit of my bust, peeked out, prompting me to pull the neckline up towards my face, mimicking the villain characters from the comics I used to admire.

Just then, the door swung open.

“Coming in?”

As Dogun barged into the room, our eyes locked.

“Wh-what! I wasn’t smelling it or anything?!”

I blurted out reflexively.