The only problem with 'this' Haein was that she was unpredictable.
I met her for the first time thrice before today. Twice she appeared at the ramen shop and took the same spot, but once when I was sitting across the place she was the one who sneaked up on me and surprised me. Since the first two times went the same, for this fourth time I decided to sit outside of the restaurant again to see if she'd find me first like the last time.
No luck though.
I saw the mysterious girl casually walk into the restaurant on time and take the seat she was expected to take.
Well, whatever.
I rushed into the ramen shop in case another weirdo popped up and took MY seat.
"Hi, do you remember me?"
I sat next to Haein and asked her, half expecting her to say 'I feel like I've seen you somewhere'.
"Sorry, I don't know you at all"
The annoying girl replied tersely.
"Maybe you feel like you've seen me somewhere?", I inquired.
"Where would that be?"
"In your dreams"
Haein did not respond but blinked her big round eyes a few times, then her blank expression turned into a slightly surprised look with a hint of frown.
"Are you hitting on me? Seriously?"
Jesus, why does she have to be different all the time?!
"No, I'm sorry. Although I wouldn't mind-, actually, never mind"
"Yes, and please mind your own business. Thank you"
With that, she went back to fiddling with her phone while waiting for her Shoyu ramen to be served.
"Are you checking out Webnovel?", I asked again.
"What the hell is that?"
"Er… it's a website where you can read web novels"
"Sorry, I'm not into that stuff. And sorry, I'm not into you. Please leave me alone"
:Sigh:
We both sighed in unison.
"Listen, Haein", I might as well get straight to the point.
Calling her name had the desired impact and she looked at me curiously.
"Wait, are you some kind of a stalker?"
No. That did not have the desired impact.
"No, no. Please, listen to me. We need to talk"
"Gees, what a weirdo. Mister-", she called out to the staff behind the counter, "Sorry, please cancel my order. I have to leave now"
"How about this?"
I took out my red notebook to show her.
"What about it? Hang on-, I don't even want to know. Bye"
The irritated girl got up and grabbed her bag to leave.
"Just look at this once, please"
I opened the red notebook and thrust it into her view, showing her own writing that said 'From Haein. Good luck'.
"This is your writing, isn't it?"
Then the confused girl looked around the restaurant.
"What is this? Is this some sort of magic? A prank? Are you a streamer or something?"
"No, this is YOUR writing. One hundred percent. Look at it carefully. It IS your writing"
She then took the book off my hands and gave it a closer look.
"It is indeed. And it's freaking me out. I'm outta here"
God, do I have to do this every time I see her again from now?
I also canceled my order, much to the annoyance of the staff, and quickly followed her.
"Now, stop. I'm gonna call the police if you bother me anymore"
Haein glared at me.
"What can I do to prove to you that we've met before?"
"Nothing. Because we've NEVER met before. Now get lost"
Sassy.
"Right, hear me on. If we've never met… how do I know you have a little birthmark just below your right shoulder blade?"
That made her go quiet for a full three seconds.
"HELP!!!!!!!"
Haein suddenly screamed out and started to run away. In my panic and frustration, I grabbed her by the wrist.
"HELP!!! A PERVERT!!!"
Fack.
As I was still holding onto her, people passing by stopped and looked at us. But this is Korea, of course, nobody's gonna get involved.
Except for the security guys that is.
I was soon grabbed by two security staff of the shopping mall and they separated me from Haein and twisted my arms behind my back.
"What are you doing?!!"
I yelled out at Haein but all I got in return was a cold look full of disdain.
"Thank you, Sir", that was all she said to the security staff as she walked off.
"COME ON! The world will end in 40 days!!! Only WE can stop it!"
Some of the small crowd that formed around us giggled and people started to take videos.
Well, this hasn't happened since I came and squirt in public in Myeongdong… but putting that aside, I had to grab her attention before she got away.
"You are from Incheon! 19 years old! You came to Seoul for the first time. You wanted to go to Lotti World. You like Nirvana and In Utero is your favorite album! And… And…"
It made Haein stop midway, but she still did not turn around to face me.
"You are wearing white panties with a baby bear picture on it!!!"
That earned me a stronger twist on my arm from the security staff, some gasp and laughter from the crowd, but it worked as intended as she quickly turned around to rush towards me.
:SLAP!:
"How did you know that?!!!"
Now the crowd was a little surprised that I wasn't just a crazy woman in a tracksuit.
"Because I've seen it!"
:SLAP!:
"HOW DARE YOU?!"
"Please… :hic: … you are the only one, Haein. You are the only one who understands… :sob: please allow me just a few minutes to explain…"
My sudden burst of tears seemed to have conveyed that I was truly sincere. She gave a nod to the security staff to let me go, which they did hesitantly.
"Come with me - but don't you dare get close to me. Keep your distance"
Haein spoke coldly but there was a hint of distinct warmth in her voice that I remembered from the 'sweet' Haein.
"Thank you"
"Don't get any funny idea"
"Yes, Ma'am"