2. PUNISHMENT .

Shin was standing in front of his apartment building.

He was still confused why Yuki had slapped him and muttered to himself,

"First, my five - year -old relationship ends in five minutes.... and now I get slapped by a guy I barely know for one day?

New experience unblocked : slapped by a stranger".

Shin signed. He was afraid to go inside the apartment because he knew his mother was going to start one of lectures.

"But there's no other option... I hope she is not home today," Shin whispered like a solider about to enter enemy territory.

He opened the front door quietly - no cracks, no noise. He tiptoed towards his room.

But as soon as he opened the door. His mother was sitting in his gaming chair like she owned the place, patting Vanilla, Shin's first pet rabbit, who sat royally on her lap.

She looked at Shin like he just told her he just failed all his exams.

"Where were you last night ? Why weren't you answering my calls?" she snapped.

Shin gulped. He thought he was prepared for this lecture, but the moment he saw her angry face, he felt like a kid about to get scolded for spilling juice on the TV remote.

He sat on the bed, and Chocolate, his second pet rabbit, hopped over and sat on his lap like emotional support. Shin began petting him pretending everything was totally fine.

" Mom... what are you doing in my room?" he asked carefully.

She shot back, "Don't answer my question with another question! You answer me first."

Shin 's brain scrambled.

"Should I tell her the truth, That I got drunk, and a random guy helped me? Yeah, no..."

So he lied," I was drinking at my friend's place after the birthday party."

His mother raised her eyebrow." And why didn't you answer my calls."

"Dropped my phone in the sink," he said as if that was the most believable excuse ever.

She glared at him and said, "You're acting like a five-year - old, Shin. Grow up already."

He suddenly remembered Yuki's words and frowned.

"Why am I remembering him now? Out of all moments...."

Shin's mother was still talking. But Shin was zoned out.

He looked at Chocolate and signed in his head,

" I wish I was a rabbit."

Then his mother folded her arms and declared,

"From tomorrow, you'll be working at my friend's café. And starting next week, you'll also attend art classes."

Shin's mouth dropped open. "What?! That's my punishment? I was just drinking! What is the big deal ?"

She replied, "My problem isn't the drinking. It's the fact that you waste you time - sitting at home, shopping with your girlfriend, playing video games, acting like you have no purpose in life. It's time to learn something."

Shin didn't say anything. Because deep down, he knew there was no way to win this battle.

She handed Vanilla to him and added,

"Drinking? Fine. But if you can drink, then you can work. Time to be responsible."

She slammed the door behind her.

shin hugged the rabbit and groaned internally

" Is she making me responsible... or is she jealous that I have more free time than her."

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