Chương 8: Chapter 8
Sunhwi, finally free from the man's grip, cast a grateful glance at Seok-Woo, her eyes lingering on his form outlined by his snug clothes. She silently thanked him for intervening and allowing her to escape the unwanted advances.
As the man reluctantly released his grip on Seok-Woo's arm, his frustration simmered beneath the surface, evident in the abruptness of his movements. "Who do you think you are, playing the hero?" he sneered, his attempt at provocation landing with all the finesse of a lead balloon.
However, Seok-Woo remained unfazed by the man's feeble taunt, his composure unshaken as he met the man's gaze with a steady, unwavering stare.
Turning his attention to Sunhwi, Seok-Woo addressed her with a respectful demeanor. "Miss, did you choose to end your association with him due to his persistent advances, or were there other factors at play?" he inquired, his tone empathetic as he sought to understand her perspective.
With a deep breath, Sunhwi gathered her courage and began to recount her unsettling experience with the man. "We met on a blind date, and things took a turn for the worse when he began pressuring me to drink excessively," she explained, her voice tinged with disgust as she recalled the events.
"He took advantage of my intoxicated state, becoming increasingly touchy and making me feel uncomfortable," Sunhwi continued her words resonating with the gravity of the situation. "Despite my protests, he continued to ply me with alcohol, only relenting when my sister arrived and intervened then took me home safely."
As Sunhwi recounted her ordeal, the true nature of the man's actions became unmistakably clear. It was evident to all present that his intentions had been anything but innocent.
Seok-Woo listened attentively to Sunhwi's account, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. "What you've described constitutes sexual assault," he stated firmly, his words cutting through the air with conviction. The man's complexion paled at the blunt accusation, the weight of Seok-Woo's words sinking in.
In a feeble attempt to deflect blame, the man protested vehemently. "That's absurd! I had no such intentions. You're making baseless accusations," he exclaimed, his words ringing hollow in the face of Sunhwi's testimony and the collective murmurs of agreement from the surrounding crowd.
Amidst the growing tension, the man found himself encircled by a crowd that had turned against him, their murmurs of disapproval blending with the distant sound of approaching sirens. Fueled by desperation and a rapidly unraveling sense of sanity, he reached for a pocket knife, his fingers curling tightly around its handle.
"You've ruined everything!" he spat, his voice laced with venom as he brandished the weapon, directing his rage at Sunhwi. "Because of you, I'm being treated like trash! Well, I'll show you. I'll take your life before they take mine!"
With chilling determination, he lunged toward Sunhwi, his intentions clear as he sought to enact his twisted sense of revenge. The crowd recoiled in horror, paralyzed by the sudden escalation of violence as Sunhwi stood defenseless, bracing herself for the inevitable.
In the chaos that ensued, Seok-Woo sprang into action, his instincts honed by adrenaline as he intercepted the assailant with a swift and decisive kick, sending him crashing to the ground. Despite the fall, the man clung to the knife, his resolve unbroken as he attempted to press on.
Seok-Woo wasted no time in asserting his dominance, pinning the man to the ground with a firm foot on his arm, his voice a low, menacing growl as he issued a warning. "Stay down, or I'll make sure you regret it," he threatened, increasing the pressure on the man's arm with each passing moment.
Sunhwi watched in awe as Seok-Woo stood between her and her would-be attacker, his unwavering strength a beacon of hope in the midst of chaos. With a single nod of gratitude, she acknowledged his intervention, her eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and admiration.
Amidst the cacophony of the man's agonized cries, Seok-Woo's voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "Time to dim the lights. Let's hope this is the last time our paths cross," he declared with steely resolve.
With a swift and calculated movement, Seok-Woo delivered a decisive blow, rendering the assailant unconscious with a single, well-placed stomp to the head. As the man crumpled to the ground, defeated and incapacitated, Seok-Woo stood tall and unwavering, his demeanor a testament to his commitment to getting Rolls.
Surveying the scene with a solemn gaze, Seok-Woo's actions spoke volumes, conveying a message of strength and determination in the face of adversity. In that moment, he was more than just a bystander—he was a guardian, ensuring that those who sought to inflict harm were held accountable for their actions.
"It's over," he declared, his voice firm and resolute as he surveyed the aftermath of the confrontation. "But for you," he addressed the unconscious assailant, "The real punishment has only just begun."
The police arrived shortly thereafter, swiftly taking custody of the unconscious assailant and leading him away in handcuffs to the awaiting police car. Sunhwi recounted her harrowing ordeal to one of the officers, providing a detailed account of the events that transpired.
"With this statement, he won't be seeing daylight anytime soon," the police officer remarked solemnly as he diligently recorded Sunhwi's testimony, his pen scratching across the pages of his notebook.
With a nod of acknowledgment, the officer bid farewell to Sunhwi before joining his colleagues in the police car, the vehicle disappearing into the distance as it made its way to the station. As the commotion subsided, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving behind a sense of quietude in the aftermath of the chaos.
Sunhwi turned to Seok-Woo, her expression earnest as she took his hands in hers. "Thank you for being there when I needed help. I owe you more than words can express," she conveyed, her voice tinged with genuine gratitude.
Seok-Woo nodded, his gaze meeting hers with a solemn intensity. "It was the right thing to do. Just promise me one thing – be cautious in the future. We can't always rely on luck," he advised, his tone carrying a weight of concern.
Sunhwi nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of his words. "I will. Thank you for looking out for me," she assured him, a sense of reassurance filling her heart.
As she prepared to bid him farewell, Sunhwi realized she hadn't properly introduced herself. "By the way, I'm Jang Sunhwi," she offered with a warm smile.
Seok-Woo reciprocated the gesture, about to share his name when a sudden cough interrupted him. Both of them turned to see Sung-Hee approaching, with drinks in hand.
Sunhwi's smile faltered slightly as she observed the scene unfolding before her, sensing the tension in the air. She glanced between Seok-Woo and Sung-Hee, feeling a pang of curiosity mingled with apprehension.
Earlier, Sung-Hee had stepped outside the bustling coffee shop, having finished getting their drinks from the long wait inside. Her eyes scanned the area in search of Seok-Woo, only to catch a glimpse of him holding hands with an unfamiliar woman.
A surge of resentment welled up within her, igniting a fiery glare directed at Seok-Woo. Anger simmered beneath the surface as she turned on her heel and strode away, her frustration palpable in every step.
Seok-Woo noticed her abrupt departure, swiftly withdrawing his hand from Sunhwi's grasp. "I have to go," he apologized hastily, casting a regretful glance at Sunhwi before hurrying after Sung-Hee.
Left behind in the wake of their departure, Sunhwi couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. "I never caught his name," she murmured to herself, a sense of missed opportunity lingering in the air.
Seok-Woo hastened his steps to catch up with Sung-Hee, determined to address the tension that hung between them. As he moved in front of her, she sidestepped, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Sung-Hee, please, just hear me out," Seok-Woo implored, gently placing his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to steady her and capture her attention.
For a moment, Sung-Hee remained silent, her expression still etched with anger and confusion. Finally, she spoke, her voice tinged with both softness and indignation. "Who was she?" she demanded, her eyes searching his face for answers.
Caught off guard by her reaction, Seok-Woo felt a pang of bewilderment. "Why is she so upset? Could it be because I was holding hands with another woman? This isn't like her," he mused to himself, grappling with the sudden shift in their dynamic.
Taking a deep breath, he launched into an explanation, recounting the events that had unfolded while Sung-Hee had been occupied inside the coffee shop. With each word, he watched as her features softened, the tension in her expression gradually giving way to understanding.
"Is that so? I'm sorry for reacting that way," Sung-Hee offered an apology, her tone softened by a hint of remorse. Seok-Woo, sensing an opportunity for clarity, seized the moment to pose a question that had been weighing on his mind.
"Why do you react like this? Are you feeling jealous?" Seok-Woo's inquiry was laced with seriousness, his gaze fixed intently on Sung-Hee, awaiting her response. However, she averted her eyes, her reply tinged with uncertainty. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Seok-Woo released a weary sigh, realizing the depth of Sung-Hee's emotions caught him off guard. "Let's find a seat and talk," he suggested, gesturing toward a nearby bench. Walking side by side, their shoulders almost touching, they lapsed into a thoughtful silence, each lost in their own contemplation.
The pair finally spotted a bench along the street. "Let's take a seat here," Seok-Woo suggested to Sung-Hee. They settled down, and Seok-Woo reached for the drink in Sung-Hee's hand. "Cheers," he said, handing it to her.
They sipped their beverages quietly, the bustling city around them providing a backdrop to their moment of respite.
After a brief pause, Seok-Woo broke the silence. "Sung-Hee, I have a question for you," he began, turning to her expectantly. "Do you prefer the old me or the new me?"
Sung-Hee choked on her drink halfway through, coughing uncontrollably as Seok-Woo watched with concern. He reached out, gently patting her back to offer comfort.
"You picked the worst timing," Sung-Hee managed to gasp between coughs, shooting him a playful glare once she regained her breath.
Seok-Woo chuckled softly, relieved to see her recover. "Yeah, I'll admit that wasn't my finest moment," he replied, sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
Once Sung-Hee had composed herself, she turned her attention back to Seok-Woo, waiting patiently for his question.
"I prefer the person you've become," Sung-Hee stated sincerely, her eyes reflecting her genuine admiration. "You exude confidence now, a far cry from the hesitant kid I once knew." She paused, casting a glance at his physique. "And it's not just your outward appearance," she continued, her tone softening. "You've grown stronger, both physically and mentally. But what truly stands out is your personality—it's evolved into something remarkable."
Seok-Woo smiled warmly at her honesty. "Thank you for being straightforward," he expressed his gratitude before they both finished their drinks.
As they set down their empty cups, Seok-Woo turned to Sung-Hee with a question. "Sung-Hee, any thoughts on what hairstyle I should go for?" he inquired, running his hand through his long hair.
Glancing at his head, Sung-Hee replied with a playful jest. "Maybe a bald look could suit you," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she playfully suggested the drastic change. This left Seok-Woo momentarily speechless, his reaction a mix of surprise and amusement at her suggestion.
"Forget I even asked. Come on, let's head to the barbershop," Seok-Woo suggested as he rose from his seat, turning to Sung-Hee.
Sung-Hee stood up in agreement. "Sure, let's go," she replied, falling into step beside him as they made their way through the streets, the sun beginning its descent on the horizon.
They soon located a nearby barbershop, its lights inviting against the dimming sky. As they entered, Sung-Hee gestured towards a row of empty seats. "I'll wait for you here," she offered, indicating where she would be seated.
"Thanks, I'll be quick," Seok-Woo assured her with a nod before making his way deeper into the shop for his haircut.
Seok-Woo settled into the chair, contemplating his options for a haircut. "Stick with the usual two-block style, or try something new?" he mused, torn between familiarity and adventure. With uncertainty clouding his mind, he closed his eyes, visualizing each hairstyle and how it might complement his features.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he let out a sigh of resignation. Opting for the familiar, he requested the usual two-block hairstyle from the barber. The barber nodded in understanding, swiftly getting to work on transforming Seok-Woo's hair according to his request.
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