Stranger ~!?

Siju kept staring until the stranger disappeared down the hallway.

Sia let out a helpless sigh.

"That's Jeon Jungkook."

"Our neighbor. But don't expect him to talk. He keeps everyone at a distance."

"Nobody really knows anything about him."

"...He didn't even look at us," Sia sighed. "That's normal. He never talks to anyone."

"But..." Siju interrupted softly. "He did."

Sia frowned. "What?"

"He looked at me."

jungkook stepped inside. The doors slowly closed.

And he was gone.

Siju unknowingly kept staring at the empty hallway. "...He's strange."

Sia nodded. "He is."

...----------------...

Later That Night

After arranging his room and unpacking for hours...

Siju finally collapsed onto the bed. His stomach growled loudly. "Oh... I forgot to eat."

He checked the time. 10:30 PM.

Just as he opened the apartment door...

An elderly woman slowly stepped out of the elevator.

She was short. Wearing old round glasses. Her pale face looked unusually tired. Instead of walking away... she simply stood there.

Looking at him. Without blinking. Without saying a word.

A strange silence spread through the corridor.

Siju felt goosebumps crawl over his arms. The woman kept staring. As if... she was trying to recognize him.

Just then...

Sia came out of her apartment.

The old woman quietly lowered her head... and walked away without saying anything.

Siju finally let out the breath he had been holding. "...Who was she?"

Sia's smile disappeared. "Mrs. Han."

"She lost her little son a few months ago. Since then... she hasn't been the same."

Siju's expression softened. "I'm sorry..."

"I judged her too quickly."

Sia nodded sadly. "She isn't dangerous. She's just... broken."

A moment of silence passed.

Then Sia noticed the keys in Siju's hand. "Where are you going? It's almost eleven."

Siju rubbed the back of his neck. "I skipped dinner. So I'm going to the convenience store."

Sia laughed. "I just cooked ramen. You can eat with me if you want."

Siju smiled gratefully. "Thank you. But maybe next time. I should explore the neighborhood a little."

"Alright. then, Good night. "

"Good night sia."

...----------------...

The cool night breeze brushed against his face as he stepped outside.

Seoul looked completely different at night.

The streets glowed beneath warm streetlights.

Rows of colorful flowers lined the sidewalks.

Siju smiled to himself.

"Maybe... This city won't be so lonely after all."

A few minutes later...

he entered the convenience store. The shelves were almost empty. He picked up instant noodles...

then walked toward the refrigerator. Just as he reached for a can of coffee...

Another hand touched the same can.

His fingers froze.

Slowly...

he lifted his eyes.

Dark eyes met his once again.

Jeon Jungkook.

Standing right in front of him. Neither of them spoke.

For a few silent seconds...

the entire store seemed to disappear. Only the sound of their breathing remained.

Finally, Jungkook spoke in his calm, emotionless voice. "Take another one."

Siju blinked. "What?"

"I touched this first." His grip on the can didn't loosen even slightly. "There are plenty of others. Choose another."

Siju frowned. "And what if I don't want another one?"

Jungkook looked at him without the slightest expression. "Then you'll be wasting both our time."

Siju crossed his arms. "So, just because you touched it first...it automatically becomes yours?"

Jungkook replied without hesitation. "Exactly."

A small scoff escaped Siju's lips. "You know... Nobody has ever been this rude to me."

Jungkook finally pulled the can out of the shelf.

His expression remained unreadable. "Get used to it."

He turned to leave.

But after taking just two steps... he stopped.

Without looking back, he said, "And don't keep staring at strangers. It makes you look foolish."

Siju's eyes widened. "W-What?"

Before he could say anything else... Jungkook had already walked away. Siju stared at his back in disbelief. "What is wrong with this guy?"

"He thinks the whole world belongs to him....Arrogant idiot."

And somewhere ahead...

Jungkook's lips almost curled into the faintest smile.

Almost.

But before anyone could notice...

it disappeared.

...****************...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***