Before I could truly escape, a strong grip seized my shirt. I struggled with all my strength, but the figure behind me was too powerful. It felt like running in place, going nowhere.
"Grandma, help me! I don't want to die at the hands of this Ugly Ghost!" I shouted desperately.
The moment the words left my mouth, the grip on my shirt loosened, and I was thrown forward like a small stone from a slingshot. I fell face-first, holding back the pain spreading through my body, then slowly turned around. Before me sat a ghostly figure, its face disheveled and eyes glistening with tears.
Looking closer at her clothes, a realization hit me—these were exactly the clothes Mina had worn before leaving. If this really was Mina, why did she look so disheveled, almost unrecognizable?
"Mina…?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes, maybe because I look ugly," she replied softly.
"W-what?" I froze. Now I recognized her voice. Clearly, the woman before me was Mina—the same one who had gone on a date earlier, now back in a shattered state.
"Did you just break up?" I guessed, making her crying even harder, as if my question needed no answer.
I had no idea how to comfort a heartbroken woman. This was uncharted territory for me.
"Forget it. There are plenty of guys out there. You'll find someone better than him."
"I really want to make you fly across the room right now," she snapped, annoyed.
I stayed quiet. Lecturing Mina would only worsen her mood. I approached, attempting a sympathetic hug. But my gesture was immediately rejected with a strong shove.
"What do you want?!"
"I just want to hug you," I said innocently.
"That's exactly what I mean! Why are you hugging me? You think this is your golden opportunity?"
Her accusation hit me like a slap. Did I look like some lecherous guy taking advantage of a woman's sorrow?
"I'm only trying to comfort my heartbroken roommate. I'm sympathizing, and you're accusing me of taking advantage?"
"That's enough! Get out of my room right now!" she shouted, voice full of anger.
"Strange girl," I muttered softly before stepping out.
Standing outside her door, I suddenly remembered my original goal—to ask her to teach me a martial arts move before my weekend outing with Jia. But now, it was too late, especially when I heard the sound of the lock turning.
***
Time crept closer to the weekend. With Mina still trapped in her gloomy mood, I worried about how I could prepare myself to protect Jia. Stuck in a mental rut, I attempted to practice martial arts alone. But it was far harder than I imagined. My body, almost unused to exercise, felt stiff and unskilled.
Day after day passed while Mina remained locked in her room. My concern deepened, both for her condition and my approaching meeting with Jia. In an effort to resolve this, I began thinking of ways to coax Mina out of her room.
I decided to make corn soup, hoping it could lift her spirits. Once the soup was ready, I carefully poured it into a bowl and carried it to her door.
I knocked lightly. "Mina, have you eaten? I made too much corn soup and I'm worried it won't get finished."
No answer came from inside. Peering through the small gap under the door, a silly idea struck me.
I placed the bowl of soup on the floor and began fanning the steam wafting from it, hoping the aroma would seep under the door and lure Mina out.
Soon, the door to Mina's room opened. She appeared before me, a confused look on her face. "What are you doing?"
I paused awkwardly. "Want some corn soup?" I asked, forcing a sheepish smile.
Mina didn't answer, instead walking straight to the kitchen. I followed, still holding the bowl of soup. We sat at the table, and I could only watch as she eagerly devoured it.
"You're not eating?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm already full," I replied.
After a while, Mina began glancing around, seemingly searching for something. I smiled, realizing what she wanted. "Want more?" I offered.
Mina nodded shyly. I poured more soup into her bowl. Surprisingly, she finished three more bowls before letting out a satisfied burp.
"Your corn soup is really good," she said, flashing a sweet smile that made me momentarily stunned.
"S-stop that," I stammered, trying to hide my embarrassment.
"Hm? Why?" she asked, still smiling.
I averted my gaze, feeling a little awkward. "Because… I'm going on a date with Jia," I confessed, a mix of complicated feelings swirling inside me.