"No, please don't," I cried out, my voice cracking as tears glistened in my eyes, catching the sliver of light that streamed through the door.
My mother stood by the door, her figure silhouetted against the harsh midday sun. "Get out of this house… right this instant," she commanded with her icy voice, laced with disdain.
The door slammed shut behind her, echoing like a finality that rang through the quiet room. I stood there, stunned, before the weight of her words hit me. This wasn't just about moving out. Rather, it was something deeper, something tangled in the complexity of my isolation.
"No, it's not that complicated," her voice drifted through the thin walls, still sharp and disapproving. "My son has become a NEET, a shadow who hasn't seen sunlight or touched grass in two years. It's time he experiences the outside world."
I could almost see her frustration through the door, pointed like a knife. I groaned, frustration bubbling over. "Mom, stop ruining my suspense element! Just when I was about to hook my readers with a crazy backstory-"
From the other side of the door, her response was a stern reminder. "Don't you dare talk to me with that tone. Do not return for the next 24 hours"
A muffed thud and then the lock clicked with a finality that echoed through the empty space.
As I stepped outside, the UV rays from the sun hit me like a barrage of Kizaru's light beams. My skin felt like it was being burnt by an invisible flamethrower. I squinted and recoiled, clutching my eyes and stumbling around as if I were a vampire exposed to daylight for the first time. The suffering was enough to awaken my Mangekyo Sharingan. But, sadly it was real life.
"This world is a cruel place," I muttered, my eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the blinding glare of the Sun. I looked around with half-lidded eyes, taking in the overwhelming brightness with a mix of disbelief and nostalgia. "It really has been two years, huh?" I said, with a wistful tone, as if the world had changed in ways I hadn't yet realized.
I stepped onto the sidewalk, easing into a slow, aimless stroll with my hands jammed deep into my pockets. The summer heat was hugging me like it was a shoujo protagonist, making me wonder if stepping outside was such a great idea. My head stayed low, eyes locked on the pavement cracks like they were the most interesting thing in the world, because, I am the kind of person who would do anything to not make awkward eye contact with unimportant NPCs.
"Hey, blonde boy with glasses."
The deep voice, which was really deep, almost like Dio-level, ended my cliché light novel monologue, bringing me back to present.
I instinctively glance over my shoulder, expecting to see someone else. I mean… surely he isnn't talking to me.
Wait… that's MEEE..
I snapped my head forward and straightened up like a toy soldier, trying not to look painfully awkward. And there he was… on a white-shiny motorcycle. His dark skin gleamed in the sun like he'd been polished for years. He slowly pulled off his helmet with a muscular arm that probably spent ten times more time at the gym, than I did outside, revealing a face with sharp angles and strong jaw, that could've been carved out of stone. Bro was literally the personification of Sung Jinwoo, except his black moustache and thick lips.
His eyes scanned me up and down with the kind of look that made me feel like I'd forgotten my pants. I quickly pinched the fabric of my blue jeans to confirm that wasn't the case.
He pointed a finger at me, and for a hard five seconds, I genuinely thought something might shoot out of that thing. Just as I braced my elbow for a block, he asked, "Where's the highway?"
What? I turned around, my eyes widening at the sight of two brand-new roads stretching into the distance. It was shocking. I had no idea of when they were built. Had people built these long-ass roads in the two years I was holed up, playing gacha games and writing fanfics?
I had no clue where either of them led. But there was no way I'd admit that to a random stranger. I mean, living here all these years and not knowing about roads popping up near my house? Absolutely not. That would crush my pride as a local resident. If I am going to throw out some bullshit, I better do it with utter elegance.
I flashed a smile, pointing confidently to the left. "Go straight and turn left. You'll find the highway."
"Thanks," he replied, revving his bike and zooming off in the direction I indicated.
As soon as he was gone, I tried to walk like a normal human being—cool, composed, definitely not panicking. But after a few steps, I was practically power-walking, praying to my waifus, that I'd never see that guy again.
TO BE CONTINUED