Chapter 29: Taking a Shortcut

“Kenn, wait for me!”

“I already told you, that does not mean you have to follow me.”

“But this time I have no choice but to follow you, Kenn.”

“You think I care?”

Ugh, his mouth again.

I had no idea what made him able to walk that fast. Chasing him felt like chasing the Hulk. One of his steps was equal to a kilometer for me.

“Wait!” I shouted, panting, completely out of breath.

Kenn stopped and turned to look at me. “What now?”

“I’m tired of chasing you. Don’t walk so fast.”

“Tsk. Who told you to have such a small body? Hurry up. What do you want to talk about?”

As if I chose to be born like this.

“I…” My index fingers unconsciously met and moved slightly, like magnets. A habit I still could not stop. I lowered my head, afraid he would think I had a certain intention. “I didn’t bring my wallet.”

Silence.

Why was there no answer? He was still there, right?

I looked up and found Kenn still standing in front of me. Both of his hands were tucked into the pockets of his leather jacket, his expression flat.

“Hello. Why are you just standing there? You can see me, right? I’m real. I’m standing right in front of you.” I pointed at myself, sounding ridiculous. Talking to him for too long was truly draining my emotions.

Did he think I was a ghost?

“Who are you talking to?”

Argh. Talking to him was incredibly difficult.

“To you, Kenn. Who else?” I glared at him. My jaw tightened as I held back my irritation. It felt like talking to a robot.

“If you are talking to someone, look at their face, not the floor,” he replied casually.

This was outrageous. I had already swallowed my pride this far. What more did he want?

I took a breath. “Fine, I will repeat myself. I did not bring my wallet, and I want to get a ride on your motorcycle. Satisfied?” I looked straight at him, making sure my eyes did not lower this time.

“No. I am sure every time I go home with you, it always brings bad luck.”

My mouth fell open. I stared at him in disbelief. Normally, when a girl asked for a ride, the answer would be an agreement without many conditions.

But not with him.

My anger began to rise. My face must have already turned red. I should have realized it from the start. He really was not normal. Cold and cruel. He would not do something kind unless he took a shortcut.

Fine. If that was the case, I had my own way.

Without him knowing, a faint smile formed on my lips. I pretended to be sad. I scrunched up my face and put on the most pitiful expression I could manage.

I let out a heavy breath, then spoke softly as if resigned. “If that is so, it is fine. I will just walk home.”

I stepped away, dragging my feet as I moved farther from him. In my head, I started counting.

One. Two. Two and a quarter. Two and a half. Three.

Why had he not called out yet?

I took a slow breath. Maybe in a moment. I had to stay optimistic.

One. Two. Two and a quarter. Two and a half. Three.

I turned around.

Empty.

Damn it.

Heartless jerk. Completely ungrateful. How could he just leave me like that?

I ruffled my hair in frustration. I had never felt this annoyed before. Usually, every guy would melt at my pitiful expression. But Kenn was different. Cold, lacking empathy. I really felt like strangling him.

I shouted in irritation and kicked the pebble near my foot. Instead of flying far away, it bounced off a tree trunk and hit my head.

“Ouch.”

I rubbed my head, wincing.

That damn pebble. Maybe he was not the one who brought bad luck. Maybe I was the one who was always unlucky whenever I was near him.

While grumbling, I walked aimlessly. I did not even know which way led home. I just followed the straight sidewalk, moving in the same direction as the passing vehicles.

Suddenly, the sound of a motorcycle horn came from behind me. The vehicle stopped right beside me.

“Get on,” he ordered while lifting the visor of his helmet.

It was Kenn.

I smiled brightly and, without hesitation, climbed onto his sport motorcycle.

Finally, he gave in.

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