Chapter Text
The screams of pain finally stopped when Seungje stumbled out of that dark alley, limping along. The smell of freshly grilled meat just made the pain worse.
His legs gave out on him, trembling even after he hit the ground. Leaning his back against the dumpster, he tilted his head back, staring at the cloudy sky.
"Damn, it's gonna rain."
Seungje closed his eyes for a second before the burning pain made him lift his hand, staring at the blood he'd wiped off his wounded stomach. He winced when he heard more shouting, hunching up against the dumpster, hoping nobody would spot him; he didn't have the energy or the will to keep fighting back.
* * *
"Hey, Narin-ah, table four wants an order of scallions!"
"Coming!"
Narin smiled at the customers after delivering their drinks, wiping her damp hands on her apron, and then sprinting to the kitchen counter, grabbing the plate of scallions with her already tired hands, but still full of that same old energy. The kind of energy a girl who needs cash fast has.
"Did you order scallions?"
"Yeah, thanks!" The girl smiled at the young woman who took the plate, giving a little bow before turning around, waving goodbye to some customers who were leaving.
"Narin, sweetheart." The elderly woman, the restaurant owner, called out, making the younger one run over, helping her carry the bag in her hands.
"Mrs. Koo, I told you I'll take out the trash after my shift; you shouldn't be straining yourself at your age." Narin laughed, but winced when the woman playfully hit her head, making her bring a hand to it. "Grandma Koo, that hurt!"
"To teach you not to sass older women." The old lady raised her hand again. "Just wait till you're my age, you cheeky girl; take out the trash and go home, I'll close up early today."
Narin stopped laughing, looking at her with wide eyes. "Are you feeling okay, Grandma Koo?" she asked, stepping closer. "Should we go to the hospital?"
"Of course not, girl, yah, go take out the trash and stop asking questions." Narin smiled, watching the old woman shuffle down the kitchen hallway, her steps slow and a bit unsteady as she muttered under her breath, complaining as always.
It's just her age, Narin told herself. She used to have a grandma like Mrs. Koo, always complaining and muttering.
Grabbing the bag, she heaved it up, stepping out the back door of the restaurant, grimacing as the cold night air hit her skin. She hated the weather right before it rained; she loved the rain and the chill, but the wind always gave her goosebumps.
She walked over to the huge dumpster, ready to chuck the bag in, just like always, with a strength she didn't even know she had, but just as she was about to do it, a noise and a groan startled her, making her scream in fright.
"Shit..."
The girl brought a hand to her chest, seeing a mop of brown hair sticking out from behind the trash bins. She stepped closer, her eyes meeting a pair that were a bit dull but still big; they looked tired, almost sleepy, but that didn't matter to her, not with the state he was in.
Is that blood?
The young woman froze for a moment before that gruff voice made her jump, her eyes widening as she looked into the boy's, who seemed annoyed. "What the hell are you staring at?"
The girl dropped the bag right away, running to the boy, touching his bloodied hand. She was taken aback when he pushed her hand away, pulling back from her touch.
"Don't touch me."
"You're hurt." She insisted, putting her hand back on his, who winced when she squeezed it.
"Damn it, don't touch me, it hurts."
"Obviously, it hurts." She muttered, looking around before sighing; there wasn't a single pharmacy open around here. Looking back at the boy, she saw him breathing heavily, like he was struggling to stay awake. "Listen, wait here."
"Go to hell, I don't even know who you are."
"Don't move." She said, running back to the restaurant's back door; but she stopped and went back, grabbing the trash bag, lifting it with a huge effort, and barely managing to throw it in. Glancing at the boy, she ran back inside, almost tearing her apron off her body.
"Ow, Narin, that hurt." The guy she'd bumped into with her shoulder whined, watching as she sprinted into the kitchen, tidying everything up before grabbing her stuff, saying goodbye before standing in front of the offended guy, shaking his shoulders.
"Ah, little Susu, don't cry, nonna will bring prune cake tomorrow. Muah." She left a dramatic kiss on his forehead before running out the back door, carefully navigating the slippery alley. Glancing around the dumpster, she saw the boy almost unconscious. "Oh my God..."
Quickly, she ran to him, cupping his face in her hands, shaking him a little, but he just groaned, trying to push her hands away from his face. "Ugh... Let go... idiot..."
"Come on..." She complained, making a face at how he'd called her. "Come on, get up, I need to patch you up."
"Leave me, don't... don't touch me, damn it."
Narin made a face, looking around before raising her hand, slapping the back of his head, making him groan. She immediately regretted it, but still, she touched his shoulder with trembling hands. "S-sorry, but... come on, let me help you."
Seungje stared at her, noticing her eyes fixed on his stomach. He was about to refuse, about to tell her to go to hell, but as the raindrops started to fall, he cursed, nodding, seeing her give a small smile; he just made a face at her reaction.
Why is this idiot smiling?
"Come on, it's gonna start pouring soon."
Seungje mustered all the strength he had to get up, starting to walk with her support. "Hey... you..."
"Narin, Hong Narin."
"I didn't ask for your name." He grumbled, looking ahead with a scowl. "Listen up... if you breathe a word of this, I'll find you and break your hand."
"The hand I'll use to patch you up or the other one? 'Cause I need the right one, I write with that..."
The young man looked at her, frowning at that answer. Who the hell is this idiot girl?