6th Death - Let's Talk Afterwards

It wasn't long before Eunhee's image changed significantly.

Daniel had kept his word, guiding her on how to choose her clothes, how to dress, and how to behave around Jiho—and men in general.

And she followed.

Every morning, she found herself standing in front of the mirror, wondering if Jiho would like how she styled her hair.

'Just in case, I'll send a picture to Daniel,' she thought. It became routine, almost every morning.

Daniel no longer took hours to reply. Instead, he responded quickly, offering heartfelt feedback, sometimes even criticism...

...but always reminding her that when she was with him, she didn't need to worry about such things.

One day, as Jiho watched her eat, he spoke up. "Eunhee, are you okay? You seem kind of tired..." he observed.

"Haha, I'm fine... It's just school," she replied, forcing a faint smile between bites.

"Oh... I see. I just wanted to say, it's really nice being in the same class with you. You, especially," he added, looking down shyly.

"Oh, that's good to hear! Me too," she responded quickly, brushing it off. She didn't realize Jiho had never been this bold before.

But Jiho was right about her being weary.

She was exhausted from having to constantly monitor her behavior—eating neatly, acting the part of the pure, perfect girl. Daniel had told her plainly: Jiho wouldn't like her if she ate messily or mentioned that she and Daniel had been sneaking into his uncle's bakery at night. How would innocent Jiho react if he knew? She could only confide in Daniel.

By now, she and Daniel had gone out so many times, and she had forced herself to behave perfectly by his standards so often, that...

She preferred confiding in and spending time with Daniel over Jiho.

'He's...' she thought, glancing at Jiho across the table, comparing him to Daniel, who always sat beside her during their make-believe dates. 'He's so far away, isn't he?'

'I know I'm only seeing Daniel for Jiho, but...'

'I look forward to my make-believe dates with Daniel more than I do to my eventual date with Jiho...'

'Wait... will there even be a real date with Jiho?'

'He... He still hasn't made a move. Just ask me out, damn it!' she thought, frustration building as she stared at Jiho.

'I'm not stupid... I know it. I see it. You've started seeing me as a woman, haven't you? I noticed how you always look away when I catch your eyes. I see those glances... They can't just be playful or curious, right?! So just ask me out already!' Eunhee thought, her frustration boiling over as she slammed her fists on her thighs.

"Ah," Jiho's head shot up, locking eyes with her.

'Is... is this it?' Her heart pounded, her eyes almost gleaming in anticipation.

"Eunhee, are you sure you're alright? You seem kind of frustrated..." he asked, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Tsk," she clicked her tongue, standing up abruptly. "It's nothing. I don't feel good, so I'm heading home." She turned and hurried off.

"Eunhee?!" Jiho called after her, but she didn't respond.

Daniel knew exactly how to work his way into her heart. It wasn't just about spending time with her.

Oh no—Daniel was a planner. And this time, he was using all of his experience for this seduction.

While seeing Eunhee in secret, he spread rumors about Jiho, slowly chipping away at his image while raising his own. He enlisted his ex-girlfriends and their friends—people who still spoke well of him despite their breakups—to quietly sabotage Jiho's reputation. They whispered that Jiho was a liar, that he wasn't what he seemed. And Daniel made sure to hide all of this from both Jiho and Eunhee.

A manipulator.

And a brute when no one was watching.

Those were the rumors he spread, just in case Eunhee checked with anyone else. But Daniel was careful—he didn't want Jiho to catch on too soon. In the meantime, he circulated the idea that Jiho was still under his "protection," subtly ensuring that no one would act against Jiho.

But Jiho wasn't entirely oblivious. He noticed how the students' attitudes around him began to shift.

'But as long as I have these two... everything will be alright!' he told himself, walking away from school grounds, unaware of the web being spun around him.

'I'll call Eunhee later... she seemed really off today. I hope it's nothing serious... Maybe I'll surprise her.' Jiho thought, considering his next move.

But Daniel's words echoed in his mind. If he was too bold now, things might get awkward.

He should trust his friend's advice.

"Hey," a firm, feminine voice called as he walked through the school gate.

Jiho turned, his attention snapping to a girl standing nearby. She was older—likely in university—with black hair edged in blonde, wearing short jeans and a tight white t-shirt. Piercings adorned her face, which was carefully made up—not too much, but enough to stand out. She was pretty, but in Jiho's mind, no one compared to Eunhee.

"H-hello?" he greeted hesitantly, meeting her sharp gaze.

She stared at him, looking almost irritated.

'Why is everyone like this with me lately...? That tone, those eyes... it's worse than usual,' he thought, furrowing his brows slightly.

"You're that Jiho dude?" she asked, folding her arms, scrutinizing him.

Startled by her bluntness, Jiho nodded.

"Fuck, you're really short. And scrawny. Only good thing about you is your face... You'd look prettier in a dress with a body like that," she spat, her words dripping with dismissiveness.

"Ah... haha... I see. S-sorry... and... thank you," he muttered, lowering his gaze.

'Daniel warned me about these types... I shouldn't be rude. They know guys in high places who could hurt me if I offend them. I just need to wait her out,' he reminded himself.

"Tsk, you've gotta be kidding me... Why would that guy...?" she murmured, clicking her tongue in annoyance, biting her lip in discomfort as she looked away.

Jiho raised his eyes, noticing her anxious expression. He knew he should stay quiet, as Daniel had warned, but seeing her discomfort, he couldn't help but ask, "Is... everything okay with you?"

She snapped back, "HUH?! You calling me crazy or something!?" Her voice boomed as she stomped toward him.

"N-no, I just—"

"Just what, huh!?" she growled, grabbing his shirt violently, her fingers digging into the fabric.

"You just... looked anxious just now, so I asked if you were alright," Jiho murmured, looking away, his eyes tightly shut.

The girl furrowed her brows, biting her lower lip. "Fuck off, you pussy," she hissed, shoving him aside.

"What if I am? What can someone like you do about it? What can someone like you do about anything, really?" she snapped, folding her arms in discomfort.

"I'm... sorry," Jiho apologized quietly.

"...Fuck, you're pathetic, aren't you?" she said, casting him a sideways glance.

Jiho remained silent.

"Either way... you know there are rumors going around about you, right?" she added.

"I... figured something was happening. I've noticed," Jiho admitted weakly, looking down with a forced, somber smile. "I've heard students whisper about me and then stop when I walk by... But it's fine! I... I have my real friends by my side, and—"

"Look," she interrupted, her voice sharp, causing him to look up. "I... owe a favor to this guy I used to date a few months ago." She averted her gaze, her fingers digging into her arm.

"...?"

"And this favor he asked me to do... I hate it, but I have to until he... finishes something," she said through clenched teeth, her face contorted with frustration. "I have my pride, and I pay back what I owe. You got me!?" she barked, almost yelling at Jiho, who sat on the ground, nodding, still unsure of her point.

'What is she talking about...? Is she in trouble?'

"D-do you want me to call someone—"

"JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LISTEN, TWINK!" she roared, freezing him in place.

"What I'm trying to say... I mean, either way..." she stammered, clearing her throat. "I'm... I'm sorry. I'm... really sorry." Her voice trembled, barely holding back tears. "You seem... like the last person who deserves this."

"F-for screaming at me just now...?" Jiho tilted his head, confused.

"Tsk... you... you got more friends to lean on, at least?" she asked, clearing her throat again.

"Uh... yeah! Since you know me, you must know Daniel!" Jiho replied, almost excitedly, causing her to twitch uncomfortably. "He's... he's the most reliable guy ever. My best friend. I don't know what I'd have done without him," he added, warmth in his voice. She could see how his muscles relaxed just at the mention of Daniel.

Suddenly, she began to cackle, pressing a palm against her eyes and nose.

"H-huh...?" Jiho murmured, looking up at her, confused.

"HAHAHA, that piece of fucking shit!!! Evil bastard...!! This is too much...!" she laughed harshly, turning away to hide her face.

"This... this guy I owe a favor to, I mean... not your... precious friend."

"A-ah... I see," Jiho stammered, his voice trembling at her erratic behavior.

"Anyway... after he gets what he wants, my debt's done, you know?" she continued, placing her hands on her waist, her back to Jiho, who suddenly realized he could stand up.

"So... keep coming to school after he's done with whatever he's after. Or, I don't know... maybe take some time off. You'll probably need it after, so... I'll wait here, alright? If you... wanna talk to someone," she said, her voice trailing off as she stood there.

Jiho had no idea who this girl was, what her story was, or what she was really trying to say...

...but he could tell...

...that she was sincere.

"See ya," she muttered, walking away quickly.

Jiho sighed softly. "Got it, Noona!" he called out confidently, causing her to pause momentarily.

"I'll talk to you if I see you again," he affirmed with a smile.

"Tsche, pussy..." she muttered, nodding before continuing on her way.

'Hm... Should I have asked for her name?' Jiho wondered as he watched her disappear into the distance.

'Nah. Daniel said not to go after anyone, especially since Eunhee might distance herself if she heard about it... Not that I could go after anyone, really,' he admitted awkwardly to himself as he headed home.

That older girl was there every morning. After a simple greeting from Jiho, she would disappear for the day. This routine continued since their first encounter, and even Eunhee had grown used to seeing her.