I Tried To Run Away, But The protagonist Is Just Too Formidable

“How much farther do we have to go?”

“Just a little more. We would arrive soon… No, it’s definitely up ahead.”

An hour had passed since the two had disembarked at the final stop of the bus they caught just in time. They had walked and walked on the desolate road, kicking up dust with each step, as if the path hadn’t been used in a long time.

“This should be enough. Let’s turn back.”

“I told you we’re almost there! You saw the sign just a moment ago, didn’t you?”

“This is the third time you’ve said that. Let’s stop wasting time and go back.”

“No, I really think we’re close…!”

If you were to ask why they had ended up in this situation, the answer was simple.

The path that Woo-Jin had described was blocked by a pile of collapsed soil.

Though they had heard that unexpected situations could arise when traveling to a remote village, they never imagined they would experience it firsthand.

When they discovered a narrow path next to the blocked road, they thought they wouldn’t need to turn back and hastily entered it. Since it was a path alongside the blocked road, they naturally assumed it led to the village.

However, after walking for a long time, there was still no end in sight. Contrary to their anxious hearts, there wasn’t even a single person, let alone the village.

“Well, considering there was a village sign on the way here, this path should be correct, right?”

Despite the dust making their carefully chosen outfits dirty, Han-Seo’s determination remained unshaken.

Unlike Han-Seo, who couldn’t give up, Jay had different thoughts. He had no intention of wasting any more time.

Jay firmly told Han-Seo to turn back. However, Han-Seo, unable to let go of his stubbornness, continued walking. It was only when Jay, seeing no other option, decided to turn Han-Seo around.

“Look! I told you I knew the way!”

The village from the faded photograph appeared before their eyes.

“Hearing me out would have made you regret it, wouldn’t it?”

Having finally found the location in the photograph, Han-Seo’s face beamed with satisfaction as if expecting some praise. Jay, looking at him like a child who had completed their homework, stared at Han-Seo for a moment before speaking.

“Yes, indeed. Thank you.”

Han-Seo was taken aback, blinking in surprise, as he hadn’t expected to hear a simple thank you from someone who had consistently maintained a stiff demeanor.

Jay thanked Han-Seo and shifted his gaze elsewhere. His expression, as he slowly took in the village scenery, was markedly different from when he was facing Han-Seo.

‘Why does he look so wistful?’

Han-Seo sighed softly as he watched Jay, who seemed to be absorbing every detail of the village scenery slowly and deliberately.

Why had he been so sure that Jay would be single?

Even Han-Seo, who wasn’t particularly perceptive, could tell that Jay’s eyes were filled with longing. For the first time, Han-Seo regretted his decision to try and impress Jay.

‘Could it be that this is a place with memories of a loved one?’

Even if he was a bit clueless, Han-Seo wasn’t about to take someone else’s partner. Especially if it involved complicated matters, he would refuse even if a more handsome person than Jay showed up.

In the end, having squandered a precious day off on this pointless struggle, Han-Seo couldn’t hide his frustration.

“Let’s stop messing around here and head down. I’m getting hungry.”

Perhaps because they had walked for too long, Han-Seo felt his mouth dry and his stomach growling, making him eager to eat something immediately.

Han-Seo tugged on Jay’s sleeve and led the way into the village. Jay, seemingly sharing the same sentiment, followed Han-Seo without any resistance.

“Please tell me there’s at least one restaurant here?”

“…?”

Despite their hopes, as they entered the village, they saw nothing but rows of private homes, with no sign of a restaurant or even a grocery store. Fearing they might have to go hungry, Han-Seo, whining, was interrupted by Jay’s piercing gaze, which made him cover his mouth in realization.

“So, it turns out you were lying about having been here before.”

“Oh, no. It’s just that….”

After having found the place from the photograph, Han-Seo ended up admitting to his lie. He bowed his head, overwhelmed by a rush of embarrassment.

He bit on his lip, trying to think of an excuse, but there was only one answer. Given the ruined situation, he decided to boldly push forward.

“Well, at least we found it because of me, right?”

Han-Seo confidently placed his hands on his hips and lifted his chin. Jay looked at him silently for a moment before shaking his head and heading back. Han-Seo, with his longer strides, often found himself trailing behind Jay.

“Don’t you dare cancel your promise to reward me for finding this place! Got it?”

Realizing that impressing Jay might be difficult now that his lie was exposed, Han-Seo saw an opportunity in the crisis.

‘Isn’t it a rule that a handsome guy has another handsome guy beside him?’

Since things had come to this, Han-Seo was determined to use Jay’s promise of a reward to get something in return for all his trouble. Just then, Jay, who had been moving confidently as if he knew the area well, suddenly stopped.

“Why, why are we stopping?”

Had Jay somehow realized Han-Seo’s scheming plan? Feeling caught, Han-Seo stumbled over his words. Jay immediately extended his palm.

He tilted his head back and looked at the sky for a moment before speaking calmly.

“It’s raining.”

As if his words had triggered something, the few drops of water that had been falling quickly turned into a torrential downpour.

“This is insane.”

It was clear that if they continued to be caught in this rain, neither of them would return in one piece.

Han-Seo quickly scanned the surroundings for a place to seek shelter and spotted a house with its lights on not too far away. Without a second thought, he grabbed Jay’s hand, who was standing still, and urged him to move.

“What are you doing? Run!”

So the two of them ran through the rain, as if they were in a scene from a movie, dashing through the small village with all their might.

***

Was it fortunate or just incredibly unlucky?

They had run into a place with the lights on, seeking refuge from the sudden downpour, only to find out it was a combination of a supermarket and a restaurant.

“Who would have guessed with such a tiny sign…!”

Han-Seo grumbled inwardly, almost having faced the dire situation of going hungry. As if she had read Han-Seo’s thoughts, the landlady, who had approached them, handed them a towel and spoke.

“You were lucky to find it. The sign is so small, it must have been hard to spot.”

“The rain was pouring, and this was the only place with lights on. I just assumed it was a private house. I never expected it to be a supermarket….”

“Oh, you must have had a hard time. Why would young people come all the way out here, especially on a weekend?”

“Exactly. You could have stayed in and watched some entertainment shows instead of coming out and putting yourself through this trouble.”

Unable to express his true feelings, Han-Seo awkwardly smiled while sipping the warm barley tea placed in front of him. Jay, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke up for the first time.

“My grandparents used to live in this village. I don’t remember much, but there are old photos.”

Jay took out a photograph he had hidden in his jacket pocket and showed it to her. It was different from the one Han-Seo had seen. In the photograph, people were huddled together, smiling brightly. Anyone who saw the photo would immediately recognize how happy and harmonious they looked.

“Oh! Grandma Jang’s grandchild? What was it… Han…”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Grandmother Jang’s grandson.”

‘Then those wistful eyes were due to missing family?’

Han-Seo’s eyes widened in surprise, realizing that the reason Jay had come here was to find his ‘family.’

Suddenly, Han-Seo’s eyes grew as round as a rabbit’s, and he focused his gaze on Jay. At the same time, the color returned to his cheeks, which had been pale from the cold. Han-Seo tried to hide the smile creeping onto his lips but couldn’t stop his eyes from shining with excitement.

“Oh my, didn’t you say you lived in Seoul? You’ve come a long way. How did you get here? Do you have a place to stay?”

“Originally, I planned to stay briefly and return immediately. Once the weather clears up….”

The landlady, shocked by the idea of leaving immediately, began patting Jay on the back with a gentle but firm hand, as if scolding a young child.

“Leaving today? Forget it. The road to the city is all washed out, and there’s only one way left. Even that would be dangerous in this weather.”

“No, it’s just unexpected rain, and it’s still not very late, so it should be fine.”

“No, no, don’t be stubborn. If it’s because you have no place to stay, I’ll give you a room. Stay the night and leave tomorrow!”

“…Wow.”

Han-Seo couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.

It was such a delight to see the usually unflappable Jay struggling with the landlady’s every word.

And was that all? The reason Jay came here wasn’t ‘romantic interest,’ so Han-Seo had no reason not to pursue him.

Moreover, there was now an added reason to stay overnight.

‘What a lucky break!’

Han-Seo wasn’t going to let this gift of an opportunity slip away. Taking advantage of the moment when both of their gazes were on him, Han-Seo shivered and wrapped one arm around his other arm.

“Could we stay just for the night, as the lady suggested? It’s quite frightening and very cold….”

Had Jay noticed Han-Seo’s act? Although a sharp look from Jay was directed his way, Han-Seo didn’t mind. Instead, he rubbed his wet body and gave the landlady a pleading look.

Cough. With a small cough added for effect, the landlady immediately showed a face of sympathy.

“Alright. Even if you say you’ll be careful, you’ll definitely catch a cold in this state. You’re so thin, you won’t be able to handle it.”

Seeing the landlady’s stubborn refusal to let them leave, Han-Seo glanced sideways at Jay with half-closed eyes. At that moment, their gazes met in the air, and Jay slowly spoke.

“Understood. Then, I’ll take you up on the offer to stay for the night.”

Thus, their first night came unexpectedly.

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