“Sihyun.”

“Don’t call me.”

I walked while looking for directions on my phone. Seowoo peaked to check on me, before laughing at how I accelerated my pace to try and get away from him.

I looked at my phone screen and followed the moving red arrow.

“I could just show you around.”

“I’m fine.”

“Even though it’d be quicker for me to help you?”

“We have a lot of time anyway. And decide if you want to speak formally or informally. It’s driving me crazy.”

I left early to avoid Dawoon, so it was only 7:30, though I wasted time from being chased. I was told that I needed to be at the school auditorium by 8:30, so when I refused his offer, Seowoo quietly followed me.

I was sure I asked him to go away, but when I came to my senses, I realized we were accompanying each other. No matter how many students were from the same school, there was no way that this was the only way to go to school. Still, I found it uncomfortable that Seowoo was accompanying me.

“Do you know a faster way?”

“Yes.”

“Then go there.”

I felt comfortable alone. After calmly replying to Seowoo, who answered strangely, I quicked my pace. In fact, I widened my stride so he wouldn’t follow me.

“We’re going to school anyway. Why do you hate it so much?”

“I don’t want to go with you.”

“Did I do anything wrong? Isn’t this our first time seeing each other?”

It was a question that seemed nitpicky, but the tone was soft. That’s because you’re the strongest and one of the Four Great Heavenly Kings. I sighed, unable to answer the question, so I responded with a question.

“Then why do you care so much about me? It’s my first time seeing you.”

It was clear that we were unfamiliar with each other, but I don’t know why he’s being so persistent. Seowoo, who narrowed his eyes, smiled thinly as he took back the words I gave him. The creases near my eyes deepened. A part of me wanted to die from anxiety and discomfort, but I just smiled.

“Because it looks fun.”

“What?”

“Hmm… like a hamster?”

“…”

Seowoo smiled coldly before laughing. I showed no signs of expression despite his low laugh. I shook my head, feeling a headache coming. I felt like I was wronged by some crazy person.

‘I wonder if he’ll calm down after seeing Jung Dawoon?’

Yoo Seowoo was one of the sub-male leads. Now, for some reason, he said it’s fun and seems to be interested in me. Swallowing my frustration, I looked at my phone and moved my feet, which had stopped.

Seowoo was still attached to me as I moved.

***

Considering the distance that came from the alley, it seemed that it would take about 20 minutes to walk from my house to school. In the meantime, we arrived at school at a little over 8:10 after wasting 10 minutes arguing with Seowoo, asking why I was speaking formally when we were the same age.

Even now, a few people were staring at him, but I had no idea how many eyes would be glued to him upon entering school.

I had no intention of being the center of attention.

“I’ll go first, so you come in 10 minutes later.”

“But I came here with you?”

“To be honest, you followed me on your own.”

Seowoo kept his mouth shut, but he didn’t stop laughing. While I felt guilty over my harsh words, I frowned and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Anyway, let’s do that. Let’s say goodbye here and pretend to not know each other.”

When I got impatient and spoke quickly, Seowoo stared at me blankly without answering. His gaze was reluctant. I thought it would have been enough to say this, so I took a step and turned from Seowoo, heading to the gate.

***

Seowoo’s eyes followed Sihyun for a long time, who had already abandoned him and went alone. Sihyun’s words lingered in Seowoo’s ears as he stood still like a watchtower.

‘Let’s say goodbye here and pretend to not know each other.’

He emphasized this clearly whilst making eye contact. Yet because his voice was so calm and sweet, Seowoo smiled at the words that kept coming to mind, recalling Sihyun, who captured his interest.

Until the first fall, there was no special meaning, but his actions stood out. He acted like a woman, stiffening as if surprised by something. For some reason, he was avoiding Seowoo without giving him a chance.

Not only that, he showed a blatant sign of annoyance and acted as if he didn’t want to get involved with him anyway.

It was fresh to Seowoo, who had only seen people who anxiously wanted to befriend him somehow.

Yet he was vigilant and tried to run away like a hamster.

Seowoo recalled his pathetic expression when he called him a hamster, before shrugging his shoulders and stepping into the school gate.

The 10 minutes that Sihyun mentioned was more than enough.

***