My Stalking Diary

Chapter 21

The man roughly shook his head, looking back and forth between Joo Kwon-oh, who had suddenly appeared, and me.

“Why don’t you just go on your way? Don’t ruin people’s moods for no reason.”

“You’re the one ruining the mood here. Watch your language.”

“Who the hell are you to butt in suddenly, you little shit…”

“Didn’t you hear? I said you’re ruining the mood, you fucking bastard.”

Joo Kwon-oh pushed the man’s shoulder hard, raising his eyebrows defiantly. Joo Kwon-oh was taller than the bulky man and his expression was fierce, as if he might throw a punch at any moment.

It reminded me of when I first saw Joo Kwon-oh at the department gathering. Like then, he had a delinquent attitude, spewing harsh curses without hesitation.

Back then, I never thought I’d be in a position to receive help from Joo Kwon-oh.

Watching him act so violently, I involuntarily shuddered. The man also seemed surprised by the unexpected intensity, his eyes darting around.

“Who the fuck are you? Where did you come from?”

“He’s with me. So, fucking hell. Want to fight?”

Joo Kwon-oh tilted his head diagonally and tapped the man’s shoulder. Just as the man had done to me. With each tap, the man’s body was pushed back in chunks. At a glance, he looked like a cotton doll.

Fearing this might really turn into a fight, I carefully pulled at Joo Kwon-oh’s clothes, trying to stop him.

“L-let’s just go.”

As I whispered from the side, Joo Kwon-oh glanced down at me.

Perhaps realizing the significant difference in strength, the man suddenly fell silent. His companions, who had been chattering behind him, had also shut their mouths at some point.

Joo Kwon-oh curled the corners of his mouth as if he had expected this.

“Why don’t we all just move along peacefully?”

“……”

“Let’s go, Jeong-ha.”

Then he turned to me and called my name in a tone so soft it made my ears tingle. I just stared up at him, forgetting to answer.

“Okay?”

“…Okay.”

I managed to nod and followed Joo Kwon-oh’s footsteps. Fortunately, the men didn’t try to pick a fight again.

“……”

“……”

As I quietly followed him, tense from the fierce voice and expression I had just witnessed, Joo Kwon-oh spoke first.

“Good thing I found you.”

“……”

“Were you scared?”

“A little?”

“You can’t use nice words with guys like that. You have to come on strong. Otherwise, they’ll walk all over you and cause more trouble.”

I had known for a while that Joo Kwon-oh had a ruthless side that could crush others, but it had been so long ago that I had completely forgotten about it.

Although it felt unfamiliar, I didn’t dislike it. In the end, Joo Kwon-oh was right. There are people in this world who don’t understand when you speak nicely. Joo Kwon-oh preferred to dominate such people instead of trying to persuade them.

“Thanks. I thought I was going to get beaten up.”

Joo Kwon-oh had slightly slowed his pace to match mine, so I was now walking beside him.

“You didn’t seem that scared though.”

“No… I was scared.”

There’s no way a timid person like me wouldn’t be scared when getting into a confrontation on the street.

However, what impacted me more than the passerby’s rough behavior was the terrible image on his neck. It was so strange that it unnecessarily lingered in my memory, flickering in my mind.

“Did you see the tattoo on that person’s neck earlier…?”

“The tattoo? Why? Do you dislike tattoos?”

“No, it’s not that. Wasn’t it just really ugly?”

“What?”

“The design itself was weird. The pattern and lines didn’t match at all, and even the color was sloppy. It was just ugly. Why would someone pay to put such an unsightly thing on their body?”

“……”

“If it were me, I would have gotten a prettier design. Ma-maybe they missed the touch-up period? Or maybe they were the tattoo artist’s first practice subject… What do you think?”

At my commentary, Joo Kwon-oh suddenly stopped walking. I also stood still in the alley, looking at him as if to ask why he had stopped.

“Puhahahahaha!”

Joo Kwon-oh burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“You were thinking about that in that situation?”

“…Is that not allowed?”

“You’re killing me.”

Joo Kwon-oh chuckled, almost tearing up, then laughed again so hard he was bent double.

His movements and laughter were so big that passing people turned to look.

Is this really something to react to like that?

Not understanding, I could neither laugh nor frown, only blink my eyes. Since it was the first time I’d seen Joo Kwon-oh laugh this loudly, every time his hair fluttered or his collar folded and unfolded, I felt like someone was gently scratching around my ribs.

Soon, I felt embarrassed for babbling nonsense in front of him.

“Stop laughing.”

“Okay. Oh, I can’t take it.”

“……”

“Really. I’ll really stop laughing now. My mouth is zipped.”

Joo Kwon-oh pretended to zip his mouth and looked at me intently. He raised and lowered his eyebrows as if to say, “See?” He looked like a child getting checked by a teacher.

It was such a mischievous look, a stark contrast to how fiercely he had acted towards the passersby earlier. Eventually, a smile spread across my face too.

“Do you think your thoughts are funny?”

“No. I’m laughing because you’re funny.”

We faced each other and laughed a bit more. Joo Kwon-oh’s cheeks, already flushed, turned even redder. I wanted to keep that sight in my eyes for as long as possible.

Come to think of it, Joo Kwon-oh fits in well wherever he is. He looked good sitting at a desk at school, playing around with that silly tanghulu pen, wearing an apron and serving at the brunch cafe, and even standing here in front of this commercial building. He blends in with any background.

“How many in your party?”

“Two.”

As we entered the bar, an employee immediately showed us to a table.

“Please sit this way.”

When he suggested drinking, I had imagined a bar near the university area, but the place Joo Kwon-oh chose had some tables separated into rooms.

And the place the employee guided us to was a table room enclosed on all sides by sliding doors.

“You haven’t had dinner yet, right?”

“No.”

“Then let’s order several side dishes. The wagyu sushi here is really delicious.”

I noticed the assorted grilled skewers, but the items Joo Kwon-oh was ordering seemed sufficient in quantity, so I stayed quiet for now. The menu prices were higher than I expected.

After splitting the cost of today’s drinks, my allowance would be significantly reduced, so I’d have to live frugally for a few days.

The employee took our order and closed the door, leaving. Now only Joo Kwon-oh and I remained in the room.

It was the first time I’d sat face to face with him like this, so the atmosphere was very awkward.

“Did you draw the nude well?”

He didn’t seem to find this situation unfamiliar at all, as he took out wet wipes and cutlery and placed them in front of me. While I hesitated with an “Um,” he even poured water into my cup.

“Yeah.”

At my straightforward answer, his eyebrows quirked up.

“Must have been nice. It’s not often a gay guy gets to openly draw a man’s body.”

“……”

Honestly, I don’t think about drawing that way, but explaining otherwise seemed silly, so I just nodded vaguely.

“I’d probably be better than that model.”

“…I think so.”

At his confident voice, I found myself agreeing again…

Just as the employee came in and put the alcohol on the table, Joo Kwon-oh picked up the bottle and poured for me. I took a sip to taste it. It was my first time trying it, but it had a fragrant fruit aroma and went down smoothly.

“You drink well.”

“I don’t think I’m bad at it. How about you?”

I asked, pretending not to know, even though I already knew Joo Kwon-oh’s alcohol tolerance was about two bottles of soju.

“I’m okay too.”

Ah. But thinking about it, I think I might have mentioned his alcohol tolerance in the notebook he took from me. I’m doomed.

“Cough, cough. Hack…!”

Realizing the limits of my shallow trick, I choked in surprise.

I put down my glass, turned my head to the side, and coughed heavily.

“What’s wrong? Your cold isn’t fully gone yet?”

“Ah… It’s gone.”

Joo Kwon-oh pulled out some tissues and handed them to me with a surprised expression. He didn’t say anything, but I felt too embarrassed to make eye contact.

“No, it’s not. I think you still have some cold symptoms left.”

Even as I took the tissue, I felt like he was taking unusually good care of me. Is it… just my imagination?

“It’s just that I choked.”

“If you’re still not feeling well, you should say so. Don’t drink too much, just eat a lot of the side dishes.”

“…Okay.”

He moved the alcohol bottle far away from me.

I rolled my eyes, closely following his actions with my gaze.

What’s this? Why is he being so caring? Wasn’t this kind of voice tone and manner only for women? Or does it change when you get closer…?

I’m particularly confused today. I can’t interpret any of Joo Kwon-oh’s actions.

“You’re so skinny, I thought you’d be a picky eater, but you eat quite well.”

Joo Kwon-oh started another topic as he observed me eagerly putting side dishes in my mouth.