Kairos's routine remained the same; he went between his apartment and work, something he was familiar with. But everything began to change when he noticed that presence watching him. For a brief moment, he thought it was a stalker, but then he remembered that it hadn't bothered anyone.
Over the following weeks, that presence disappeared, and so the days passed, everything returning to normal.
After finishing his work at the bookstore, he decided to find something to eat. As he greeted everyone, he thought about what he could have for dinner.
"Dinner time. Ramen, of course. Spicy today," he thought, feeling his stomach rumble at the mere thought of the flavor. He walked through the streets of Seoul, observing everything around him.
As they walked forward, he noticed a tall, slender man with glasses and dyed blond hair. "He didn't pay him any attention; everyone has their own taste in clothing and hair color, and even if he didn't like it, he wasn't going to judge someone for it."
When their paths crossed, the blond man swiftly attacked Kairos with what appeared to be a pen.
"May I ask what you're doing attacking someone like that? I don't recall seeing your face anywhere," Kairos remarked, holding the blond man's wrist to prevent the pen tip from touching his neck.
"Oh, sorry. It's just that when I saw your eyes, I was sure you were criticizing my clothes. But if I was wrong about that, what surprises me is that you were able to stop my attack. Besides, I think if you press a little harder, you'll be able to break my wrist," the blond man replied with a carefree smile. Releasing the blond man's hand, and hearing his response, Kairos could only think something petty.
"See, you're doing it again. You're thinking something bad about me now," the blond man replied, gesturing with his hands and face.
"Even if it were true, don't you think that just for thinking that kind of thing, it's excessive to attack someone you don't know?" Kairos responded, wondering if his thoughts were so easy to read or if perhaps his gestures were too obvious.
"See, you don't deny it. You were thinking badly of me. You're just making excuses because I caught you, but I, Goo Kim, can't let this attack go," Goo replied. At such words, Kairos could only sigh in annoyance. He hadn't expected this. Just as he was about to buy dinner, a petty guy, eager to fight and bother someone, appeared. He could only think he was unlucky.
"Besides, the way you're acting now reminds me of a certain acquaintance of mine who used to act so cool around me. That bothers me more than your dirty thoughts. The way you sigh is similar to him, even though your eyes are different, that's what makes them similar," Goo Kim replied, even more annoyed.
10 minutes later
Kairos could only lament how things had gone, as he had been eagerly anticipating some delicious spicy ramen. But to avoid further arguments with Goo, he had no choice but to offer him something to eat.
"This ramen is delicious, brother. I knew you weren't a bad person after all. I was wrong to compare you to that guy. I knew you didn't hold a grudge." Hearing these words, Kairos could only sigh. The one who had started the attack was now thanking him for offering food. Looking around, he could only smile at the owner, who was pleased that his food was being praised, even at Kairos's expense. At least something good came out of it, though he hoped it wouldn't happen again.
"Well, it looks like you're full. I'll be going then," Kairos replied to Goo. Seeing Kairos leave, Goo didn't ask why he had invited him to eat something delicious. He thought they would just fight, that Kairos would give him a little punch and then leave. Who would have thought that fixing something he'd started himself would be rewarded with a good meal? He thought maybe it would be a good idea to pick a fight with the others so they'd treat him to something delicious.
But noticing his wrist was red from Kairos's grip, he could only glance at her out of the corner of his eye as a smile spread across his lips.
"Hey, you know doing things like this makes you feel bad, like you owe me something. Here, take this," Goo said, handing Kairos a number written on a piece of paper.
"You know doing things like this makes you feel bad, like you owe me something. Here." As he said this, Goo handed Kairos a number written on a piece of paper.
"What's this? Why are you giving me your number?" Kairos could only think that he was going to get back the money he'd spent on lunch that day.
"That's my number. You seem interesting. Also, wouldn't you like to be one of my secret friends? You seem interesting in your own way. If you're interested, call me, or better yet, give me your number," Goo replied with a smile. Kairos simply put it in his pocket as he left, replying, "You know giving your number to strangers is wrong. Besides, I don't know you, but I'll keep it in case I ever want you to take me out to eat."
Hearing this, Goo started shouting and pointing at him, saying that he had finally started showing his true colors and that he knew his instincts were never wrong when judging someone. Hearing all the commotion behind Kairos, he simply smiled at their antics and exaggerations. Although I lost some money, I couldn't deny that I enjoyed interacting with Goo; he was a little weird, I couldn't deny it.
I just hoped I wouldn't run into him again, because although he was fun, I instinctively knew it would be much more annoying if I interacted with him too much. I also remembered that Goo had mentioned a certain boy who resembled him, or at least in the way he sighed when he heard him speak. Thinking about that, I could only feel a little sorry for him.