"Hey! Don't you think you took too much?! I said only a month's stock, not a lifetime! You want me to go bankrupt on purpose?!"
"I can drink two to three boxes of banana milk every day." Jungkyu put the last milk pack on the cart. There were three packs of milk piled up there. "Do you mind?"
Hyunji pouted. "Just wait! I hope you get diarrhea or obesity from those milks."
Jungkyu smiled lightly. "Sorry in advance, but my stomach isn't that weak. And also ...." He lifted his sleeves, revealing the biceps hidden beneath them. "You call this obese?"
"You ...!" Hyunji pointed her index finger right in front of Jungkyu's face. "You'll see! Fifteen years from now, I'll make sure you become a pot-bellied man!"
Hyunji stomped her feet while pushing their trolley towards the cashier, ahead of Jungkyu's steps because she was annoyed. Besides, it would be best if they could go home soon. If she took more time there, Jungkyu might come to her with five more packs of banana milk to take home.
"400,000 won in total."
Hyunji took out her cell phone, fiddled with it for a while, then brought the screen against the scanner. A beep sounded soon after. She immediately put her phone back and intended to take their groceries, but was blocked by Jungkyu who suddenly took over. Jungkyu handed her a plastic bag filled with vegetables and fruits, while he carried other heavier bags.
Hyunji furrowed her brows. Her hand reached out to take another plastic bag from Jungkyu's hand, but Jungkyu grabbed it first. "Remember what the doctor said earlier. If you carry something heavy, it can be dangerous for our baby," said Jungkyu, not forgetting to add a sweet smile at the end. He stroked Hyunji's hair, then left with the rest of their groceries.
Hyunji felt like she was struck by lightning. Her eyes were wide open as if they were about to jump out of place. Jungkyu's words made her cough from choking on saliva. She could no longer speak even if it was just to say a rebuttal.
Jungkyu who had walked through the door took the time to turn around. He still showed his innocent face, as well as his smile. "Let's go!"
Hyunji's consciousness returned as Jungkyu continued walking. His wide footsteps made Hyunji rush to follow Jungkyu—worried that Jungkyu might leave her there alone.
Before leaving, she caught a look of disbelief from the cashier who served them earlier. It seemed that the girl was much more shocked than Hyunji herself. But Hyunji didn't have time to think about it and rushed to the parking lot, where Jungkyu's car was parked neatly among the other cars.
"Hey! Why you-"
"Get the car keys in my pocket and open the trunk."
Jungkyu's request stopped Hyunji's words. She had thought about ignoring the request, but it felt too cruel to do so. Especially, seeing Jungkyu who started having trouble carrying their groceries made a speck of pity appear in her heart. Hyunji took a deep breath. One hand gripped the plastic bag tightly while the other reached into Jungkyu's pocket. It didn't take long for the car keys to move into her hands.
Hyunji opened the trunk, moved the plastic bag in her hand into the trunk, then stepped aside and let Jungkyu put their groceries there as well as neatly arrange them. Jungkyu took advantage of that moment to open one of the milk packs and take a box of banana milk out of it so he could drink on the way. After closing the trunk door, without saying a word, the two of them got into the car.
"Put on your belt!" Jungkyu scolded when he turned around and found Hyunji not wearing a seat belt.
Hyunji looked at him with an annoyed look. "I don't want to!"
Jungkyu turned off the car engine that he had started. As his hands are crossed, he said, "Not wearing a seat belt means not going home."
"Tsk! You're really annoying!" Grumbling, Hyunji fastened her seat belt as Jungkyu ordered. This time it was her turn to crossed her arms, sulking.
Jungkyu ignored Hyunji. He only glanced briefly to make sure her seat belt was properly fastened. After that, he started the car's engine again and drove it out of the parking area.
At first, they were both silent. Jungkyu focused on driving while Hyunji was still sulking. But it didn't last long because Hyunji suddenly remembered what had happened at the cashier's desk. Suddenly, she turned her gaze away from the scene outside, focusing on Jungkyu with a look of demanding an explanation. "What was that?"
Without needing to ask further, Jungkyu already knows what Hyunji meant. "I'm a regular customer at the supermarket. I go there often, so most of the employees know me, including the cashier girl. In short, because of the frequent encounters, she became attracted to me. I was a little uncomfortable because not once or twice I caught her stealing glances at me. Besides, I didn't want to give her any hope, so I just pretended I had a wife in front of her so she wouldn't go any further."
Jungkyu thought, even though he had given an explanation like that, Hyunji would still nag him all out. He was ready to listen to her long tirade, until Hyunji casually said, "You should've said it from the start. If I knew that, I could have prepared myself to act well."
Jungkyu looks confused. "Are you not angry?"
"Why should I? After all, we're just pretending." Hyunji patted Jungkyu's shoulder. "Just so you know, my acting skills are amazing."
Jungkyu put back his poker face. "I never asked."
Hyunji sneered.
Their car stopped at a red light intersection. Jungkyu took out the banana milk that he kept in the inner jacket pocket, then sticked the straw.
Hyunji who saw it couldn't help but shake her head. "Is it good?"
Jungkyu nodded in response. "Yeah."
He turned around and glared because Hyunji was busy unbuckling her seat belt without his knowledge. "WHY DID YOU REMOVE THE BELT?! WE ARE ON THE HIGHWAY! USE IT AGAIN, QUICK!"
"I don't want to. Too bad my lungs will be deprived of oxygen."
"YOU THINK I CARE ABOUT THAT?! USE IT OR-"
"OR WHAT?! YOU WANT TO STOP THE CAR?! FINE, GO ON! LET'S SEE HOW FAR YOUR EARS CAN HOLD THE HORN OUT THERE!"
Sure enough. Not long after, the sound of honking horns sounded from outside. Jungkyu didn't realize the light had already turned green a while ago.
He was annoyed. He cursed in a low voice, before turning back to drive his car.
While driving, he said sarcastically, "Put your seat belt back on. I don't want to be ticketed by the police."
There was no reply or scolding from Hyunji. Jungkyu who was curious finally took the initiative to glance at the passenger seat beside him. Something that greeted his vision made his emotions that had subsided suddenly rise again to the top.
He won't be surprised if he finds himself suffering from high blood pressure after this. "WHY DID YOU DRINK MY BANANA MILK?!"
Not caring about Jungkyu's deafening screams, Hyunji just nodded her head. She twirled the milk box, looking at it appraisingly. "Hmm ... not bad."
"HYUNJI KWON!"
"Wow, you finally remembered my name! I thought you forgot it."
Jungkyu massaged his temples—trying to calm himself. Be patience, Jungkyu ... be patient. The one beside you right now is a human. So there's no point in chanting exorcist prayers and hoping to eliminate Hyunji's figure from around you. What a waste.
Jungkyu massaged his temples, trying to be patient. "Okay, you can take that. But, please wear your belt."
Hyunji shook her head.
Jungkyu really wanted to open the car door and kick Hyunji out of there. But he can't because it would attract the attention of many people—especially since they had entered a more congested highway area.
Jungkyu deliberately slowed down his car, then quickly pulled Hyunji's seat belt and put it on. Ignoring Hyunji's cries of disapproval—who continued to scream out of breath—Jungkyu brought together Hyunji's clenched palms, then held them tightly. He had to make sure she didn't take off her seat belt again.
The speed of the car slowed down, before finally stopping again at a red light. Hyunji was still struggling to get her hands off Jungkyu's grip, but Jungkyu didn't care. Not long after, they meandered at an intersection and entered a less crowded street. Even so, Jungkyu still didn't let Hyunji's hands go.
Hyunji who got angry immediately bit Jungkyu's hand mercilessly.
"ARGH, GET OFF!" Jungkyu shouted spontaneously.
He pulled his hand away as he groaned in pain. Meanwhile, Hyunji used it to unbuckle her seat belt again. But before the belt could be completely untied, Jungkyu had already gripped it tightly.
Hyunji looked at Jungkyu with blazing anger. "LET ME GO! I DON'T WANNA DIE BECAUSE OF A FUCKING SEAT BELT!"
"I DON'T CARE! YOU HAVE TO USE IT!"
"YOU BRAT! STOP THE CAR! I'D RATHER WALK THAN HAVE A DRIVE WITH YOU!"
"HOW DARE YOU TELL ME TO STOP! JUST JUMP OUT THE WINDOW!"
Hyunji—that had been burning with anger all this time—finally grabbed Jungkyu's hair tightly. "JUNGKYU YOON!"
"AARRGGHHH!!!"
Hyunji screamed, told Jungkyu to choose to let her not wear the seat belt or stop the car and let her walk. She swore that she would never let Jungkyu go until he does what she wants.
But te problem is, it's impossible for Jungkyu to answer in this pathetic condition. His hair was pulled tight—he could even feel the strands slowly falling out—and he still had to focus on controlling the unstable speed of his car. His head was getting dizzy while Hyunji completely ignored his screams. If anyone else saw their car from the outside, they might suspect that the driver was drunk. But luckily, this street is empty.
Out of his mind and losing his temper at the same time, Jungkyu decided to swerved onto the road shoulder and hit the brake pedal.
Hyunji was surprised. Her grasp was lost in an instant. She almost hit the car window if Jungkyu didn't quickly reach out to hold her shoulder.
Hyunji felt her heart beat irregularly from shock.
On the other hand, Jungkyu straightened his seat again. He tossed his tousled hair, then looked at Hyunji angrily. He intended to expel all his curses, but his words ended up stuck in his throat.
Because in the next split second, there was a loud crashing sound from behind.