Chapter 4

I was still covering my face with both hands, afraid that I might accidentally make eye contact with another ghost nearby. I absolutely didn’t want to go through what had just happened again. Curled up as tightly as possible with my eyes shut, I suddenly sensed someone approaching me.

A ghost!

Terrified, I began trembling uncontrollably. That’s when a voice spoke from above my head.

“Baek Eun-Seong.”

It was a man. I had no idea why he was calling out the name of an extra villain played by my favorite actor.

“Baek Eun-Seong, look up.”

Was he talking to me? If this were before I saw the ghost, I might have humored the man’s peculiar hobby. But now, there was no way I’d look up—I might see a ghost’s face again, and this time I’d definitely die of a heart attack or something similar.

“I can’t…”

“There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

“I’m scared…”

Admitting my fear felt easier. Thankfully, the man didn’t press further. Then, suddenly, I felt a warm and soft sensation near the nape of my neck. Right after, something clamped down and bit it!

Startled, I instinctively touched the spot where I’d been bitten and finally lifted my head.

“Baek Eun-Seong, look.”

“…”

“Do you still see anything?”

I shook my head. It seemed like he’d done that to prove there were no ghosts.

“See? Told you.”

But seriously, biting someone on the neck?

It was absurd, but at least I wasn’t alone. That was a relief.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen something so scary.”

“How does someone so easily frightened do the things you’ve done until now?”

Was he talking about my late-night projects? How did he know I was in the art department? Could he be a senior at my school?

I hadn’t even learned the faces of my classmates yet, let alone the seniors. But the man seemed too much like an adult to be a senior from the same department.

“I don’t think I can do it anymore…”

“Well, at least you’ve realized it now.”

Oh, so he’s letting me stay here because he’s a senior?

Suddenly, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I might lack social skills, but I know enough to express my thanks for a favor.

“Thank you…”

“Do I look like someone who needs your gratitude?”

“For staying with me.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I won’t let it slide a second time.”

What wasn’t I supposed to repeat? Fainting from seeing a ghost? I guess I really was a burden. How did I even end up being someone who could see ghosts? Was it because my body was weakened from working part-time jobs? Could I avoid panicking if it happened again?

“I’m not confident…”

“Baek Eun-Seong.”

“But I’ll try my best.”

The man’s sharp demeanor softened slightly.

But why did he keep calling me Baek Eun-Seong?

I was curious, but I didn’t feel like asking why.

I just assumed, Ah, fans must really love even minor villains.

Maybe it’s because I could count on one hand the number of times I’d been passionate about something. The man seemed incredible.

Though his choice of words was rough, he was a considerate senior and my landlord. If I managed the conversation well, maybe I could even negotiate the rent.

All-inclusive for 25… no, 30 might be reasonable…

That would give me some breathing room…

“What.”

Lost in thought, I stole a glance at him, and he noticed. He asked what I wanted. Unprepared, I stammered before blurting out a question.

“Uh, what’s… your name?”

“What?”

“What’s your name?”

“…”

The man frowned deeply.

“You don’t know who I am?”

“This is the first time we’ve met…”

“…”

His expression grew even more severe. Did I unknowingly have a conversation with him before? I hadn’t even gone to OT because I overslept and didn’t know most of my classmates’ faces yet…

He had such a memorable face that I wouldn’t have forgotten him if I had seen him. But I’m also someone who forgets things quickly after turning away, so I asked in a hurry.

“Have we met before?”

“…No.”

Well, then I guess it’s fine that I don’t recognize him.

“…So that’s why you were wandering around like an idiot, utterly fearless? Giving you a warning was a mistake.”

He muttered to himself, and I wasn’t sure if it was directed at me.

“Sorry?”

“I’m saying it’s surprising how much of an idiot you are.”

“People say that about me sometimes.”

I couldn’t argue. I’ve always been slow to process things, so I’ve never been the fastest learner. But my practical skills scores were decent.

I wasn’t a target for bullying because I didn’t stand out much, but even my homeroom teacher once told me to fix my absent-mindedness.

The man twitched his eyebrows and said with an expression of disapproval.

“That’s nothing like what I was told. Was your reckless behavior just an act?”

“Reckless behavior?”

“You were apparently excluded from the Baekseung Group heir position early on, but that wasn’t the case either. Well, I suppose you were the only viable heir to Chairman Baek.”

The man was talking about Baek Eun-Seong from Please Obsess Over Me—the heir to Baekseung Group who was ousted from the succession due to his reckless behavior. All he had was money to back up his bad character.

Because of a single warm gesture extended to the twisted Eun-Seong, Kang Ji-Ah had to endure his obsessive, pathological behavior.

He tried to gaslight her, control everything about her, and isolate her by damaging her surroundings. Kang Ji-Ah accidentally found out that the CEO of OUN was laundering money through art sales. She also learned that Cha Gil-Do was looking for an unknown artist to disrupt the competition, which involved the CEO of OUN.

Wanting to escape from Baek Eun-Seong, Kang Ji-Ah proposed a deal. Cha Gil-Do, finding her interesting, said that if she proved her abilities, he would help her get away from Baek Eun-Seong.

Kang Ji-Ah proved her worth, and Cha Gil-Do kept his promise.

“He said he sent the female lead abroad…”

This started with Cha Gil-Do neatly removing Baek Eun-Seong from the scenario, and gradually, Cha Gil-Do, who had been attracted to her artwork, became enamored with her as a person.

Anyway, now that I’m thinking about the drama Please Obsess Over Me and the character Baek Eun-Seong, I’m starting to get scared.

There was something off from the moment he called me Baek Eun-Seong, but surely…?

“Is your name by any chance Cha Gil-Do?”

“Are you not a complete fool?”

“……”

What should I do… He’s too immersed.

I was worried he might threaten to kill Baek Eun-Seong like Cha Gil-Do, especially since I had memories of being hit before.

He would definitely be upset, and I might get hit again, but I had to say something before things went too far.

Swallowing dry saliva, I spoke up.

“I’m saying this with the best of intentions…”

“……”

“There’s a psychiatric clinic at the old city crossroads, would you like to go with me?”

“I’m considering an inpatient stay.”

“Not that far…”

“Are you anxious?”

” …A little?”

“Even if you say that, it won’t change your situation.”

That meant, even if he stayed in the hospital, I could still stay here?

Though his tone was sharp, it was gentle. I had never received such kindness before…

Was that why, even though it was probably just a casual remark, I felt awkward?

Scratching my cheek, the man asked.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

I must have smiled unknowingly because I felt relieved.

“Just, happy…”

“Everything seems to make you happy.”

“Seems so.”

It looked like the man was smiling too, but he quickly turned his head away.

By the way, what time is it now?

I had been in the room for so long that I didn’t know how much time had passed. Also, what day is it today? It felt like I had been here for a day, but I wasn’t sure. I needed to transfer my tuition as soon as I got my part-time wages, so I was a little anxious.

“Um…”

The man turned around at my call.

“Where’s my phone?”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

Surprised by his sharp response, I asked again. The man stared down at me, his expression stern. It was hard to tell if he was just normally like that or really angry.

“Anyway, no one’s looking for you.”

That may be true…

“I just wanted to check the date…”

“14th.”

“Huh? Not the 11th?”

“14th.”

“…”

“I slept like I was dead for three days. If I don’t wake up today, I’ll be buried… What’s wrong with you?”

That meant I had missed the tuition payment deadline. I could apply for installment payments before the final exams, but that wasn’t the problem. If I didn’t pay on time, my scholarship would be canceled.

“I’ll be stuck working part-time in the second semester…”

I didn’t have enough time to finish my art, and if this kept up, I might not even be able to apply for a scholarship next semester.

“Baek Eun-Seong.”

I felt my body shake as I heard the man’s voice. When I looked up, there he was. Something welled up inside me.

This wasn’t about the scholarship being canceled. It was because he kept calling me by that villain’s name.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Then what should I call you if I don’t call you Baek Eun-Seong?”

“Dong-Yoon.”

“What?”

“My name is Kim Dong-Yoon. So, please stop calling me that villain’s name…”

Suddenly, the man held out his palm toward me and stood up. Then he grabbed his phone and urgently dialed a number, saying:

“Bring the psychiatrist immediately.”