Page 121

“I don’t need another lecture.” Jihoon let his head drop onto the counter in frustration. He’d hit on a sensitive spot with Mi-young because he knew it would hurt her. That was all he’d wanted in the moment, to make her suffer like he was suffering. His halmeoni had raised him to know better, to be better.

The door to the convenience store opened and he jerked upright. Then he let himself slump again as Junu walked in.

“What do you want?” Jihoon asked.

“I’m pretty sure that greeting is not in the employee training manual.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re not only here to buy ramyeon,” Jihoon retorted.

Junu laughed, then noticed Somin standing in front of Jihoon, legs spread like she was ready to fight.

“And who is your stunning friend?” Junu asked.

“Lee Somin, this is Junu.” Jihoon flicked his fingers in the dokkaebi’s direction like he was shooing away a mosquito.

“No family name?” Somin asked. “You think you’re an idol like Rain or TOP?”

“No, much better-looking,” Junu said with a laugh and a wink.

Somin scowled, and for the first time Junu’s grin turned down a bit. Jihoon wondered whether it was the first time a girl had rejected his charms. He leaned forward, thoroughly entertained.

“I’m going to be late for after-school study. I’ll see you tomorrow, Jihoon-ah.” Somin grabbed her hot Cheetos off the counter and, without acknowledging Junu, she left.

Junu’s eyes tracked her exit. “Your friend is icy.” He paused, then smiled at Jihoon. “I like her.”

“Stay away from my friends,” Jihoon said.

Junu lifted his hands innocently. “That’s not why I’m here.”

Jihoon rolled his eyes. “What do you want?”

“I think the question is, what doyouneed?”

“Are you talking in riddles because you’re a dokkaebi? Or because you’re annoying?”

“I came to help,” Junu said. “There’s a very angry girl in my apartment. She’s been stomping around all day. It’s giving me a headache.”

“I’ve been trying to call her.” Jihoon sighed. He didn’t care that it was Junu. He needed to vent to someone. “How can I say I’m sorry if she won’t answer my calls or my texts?”

“Too bad there’s no one around supernaturally made to woo women. No chonggak dokkaebi so handsome that girls swoon at his feet.”

Jihoon glowered. Was he really thinking of doing this? Taking the advice of someone he hated? “Fine.”

“Phone.” Junu held out his hand.

Jihoon complied, glaring at the dokkaebi as he typed furiously. “What are you writing?” Jihoon asked, leaning over the counter to see the text.

Junu backed away. “Don’t worry. I won’t send it without showing you.”

Jihoon tried to be patient, but as Junu typed and considered and deleted and retyped, he started to lose patience.

Finally, Junu presented the phone.

The message was a splash of cartoon flowers, hearts, and bolded letters.

“No.” Jihoon shook his head emphatically. “I’m not sending something like this.” He jabbed the delete button.

“Ya!” Junu protested.