Hyunjin 31

Five-story apartment blocks stood all around. Doors slammed, swings creaked, and men by the garages were discussing some car. Just an ordinary evening.

Only, Hyunjin was standing by the entrance—a serious-looking guy with a single rose from a kiosk. Tracksuit, cap tilted to the side, a chain around his neck, and a face that looked like he was either waiting for the love of his life or about to start a fight over a parking spot. In the neighborhood, he was known as an arrogant type who argued with his elders and walked as if the courtyard belonged to him. But today, he had been waiting for a girl with a rose for forty minutes.

"Pretty, isn't it," he muttered. "Hyunjin, the terror of the neighborhood. Standing by the entrance with a little flower."

"Hwan!" someone shouted from above. "What's this, you've become a romantic?"

"Uncle Minsu, go watch your TV," Hyunjin grumbled, glancing around to make sure the boys didn't see him with the flower.

"Rude brat!"

When the door opened and a guy with similar hair and build stepped out, Hyunjin didn't think twice. Same hair, roughly the same height, similar jacket. Must be her.

Felix was simply about to take out the trash. Hyunjin quietly approached from behind, placed a palm on his thigh, held out the rose, and said:

"Missed me?"

Felix froze.

"What?"

Hwan smiled.

"Now, why the attitude? I can see you're happy."

"Do you even realize who you're hugging right now?" Felix turned his head.

"Of course," Hyunjin answered confidently. "My girlfriend."

Felix looked at him, the rose, and the hand.

"I'm your girlfriend's neighbor."

Without hesitation, he punched Hyunjin right in the nose. The rose flew out of his hand and landed in the mud.

"Ow!" Hwan exclaimed, clutching his nose. "Are you crazy?!"

"I'm crazy?" Lee hissed. "You sneaked up on me with a rose and decided I was your girlfriend."

"I made a mistake," Hwan blurted out calmly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"And you're saying that so calmly?"

Hyunjin wanted to get indignant, but instead, he stared at Lee and smiled. Usually, people tried to get away. But this guy had just punched him in the nose and was standing there as if Hwan were the most ridiculous person in the world.

Felix sighed, dropped the trash bag at Hyunjin's feet, turned around, and headed back toward the entrance.

"Hey!" Hyunjin shouted after him.