You've Fallen Like a Dog, Baek Taeyang!
"What?"
"Stop." Kim Minsoo stood up abruptly. There was no chance if he continued sitting. He had to rise while Baek Taeyang was sitting to align his gaze with him.
It was exhilarating to look down at someone who usually belittled others. Baek Taeyang was undoubtedly flustered by Minsoo's unexpected reaction.
Having subtly belittled and ignored him so far, Taeyang was now facing an unforeseen counter, leaving him disoriented.
Minsoo believed that now was the perfect time to turn the tables and reverse all the humiliations. Starting with giving him a sinister look, followed by addressing the ruthless beating he endured during their sparring session.
Even though the gate trip couldn't be helped, he experienced shame in the hallucination dungeon.
You didn't have to be so blunt in the interviews!
Minsoo was angry. Upon reflection, he realized that if it weren't for Baek Taeyang, he and Yoomin wouldn't have fought to this extent.
"I can't stand watching your behavior any longer."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Even in the midst of this confrontation, Yoomin whimpered as if moaning. Seeing Taeyang cupping the exact area where Yoomin's nipples would be, even though covered by a bra, was enough to make Minsoo's eyes roll.
Baek Taeyang, this guy, is the biggest problem. If only this guy disappeared!
"First of all, get your hands off her right now!"
"Ugh!"
With a powerful gesture, Minsoo forcibly removed the hand that was touching Yoomin. The astonished expression on Baek Taeyang's face brought uncontrollable joy.
Yes, as long as I set my mind to it, dealing with someone like him is a piece of cake.
Minsoo spoke to justify how righteous his actions were, "Everyone! This man is different from what the media portrays. Moreover, I am currently in a secret relationship with the lovely lady here, So Yoomin. But now, we want to come out of the shadows and reveal our relationship to everyone. We've been more than just childhood friends for a little over a hundred days, and our relationship is very good. But this guy here! Baek Taeyang has been meddling, making our relationship weird. This is all his trickery and malicious scheming! I will no longer just watch, and I will expose every wrongdoing of this man!"
"Right on! Right on!"
"Cool! So cool!"
"Hey, kid!"
"As expected of the hero, Kim Minsoo!"
[Don Quixote's Delusion Activated! They believe all your lies!]
People stood up simultaneously, starting to applaud. Even Baek Taeyang seemed to believe Minsoo's bold statement, as Don Quixote's delusion applied to everyone on the bus.
Yoomin also disentangled herself from Baek Taeyang, casting a glittering gaze at Minsoo.
This is it! This is my moment!
However, the pearls of wisdom from the illustrious PureDiaryAuthor didn't conclude there. According to his sagacious counsel, it's wiser to deliver a few robust blows than a multitude of feeble ones.
With theatrical flair, Minsoo boldly seized Baek Taeyang's collar. The height disparity prevented him from hoisting Taeyang, but it sufficed to create an awkward posture.
"What's this nonsense, Kim Minsoo?! Let go right now!"
"Hehe, frightening, isn't it? Better to just embrace it!"
A life that had perpetually been on the winning side was abruptly thrown into a disorienting tailspin. The concept of life doing a 180 might be a bit perplexing for Taeyang.
A trash, a bastard, a poster child for popularity since birth, utterly incapable of empathy.
No derogatory term seemed adequate.
Just because you're blessed with good looks, eloquence, combat skills, prowess, a stellar physique, interview finesse, and manners, you think the world bows at your feet.'
Life isn't a cakewalk. It's about facing real challenges without any prior rehearsal. This punishment is unbearable for a student entering the Victory Academy without even a hint of personality education!
"Baek Taeyang! It's time to face your punishment!"
"What did I do wrong?!"
It was the expected reaction. With a clenched fist, Minsoo raised his hand high.
"First! The crime of leering at my woman!"
"Hey, kid!"
Bam!
Minsoo's fist collided with Baek Taeyang's spine in a flash. It might have sent him airborne, but the timely collar grab prevented such a cinematic exit.
If only he had been catapulted out of the bus; perhaps he'd be less battered. This was a method to the madness of grabbing the collar in advance.
Marveling at his own cunning, Minsoo elevated his fist once more, "Second! The crime of humiliating me multiple times!"
Bam!
Minsoo exerted even greater force than before, avoiding the activation of skills for potential serious injuries. It's also illegal.
"And, of course, the sins that managed to slip past my keen observation!"
Shuuuuung! Bam!
Minsoo, mustering every ounce of physical strength, delivered a grand finale to Baek Taeyang's spine. Just as his fist was on the verge of connecting, he released his grip on Baek Taeyang's collar and sent him soaring out of the bus with no anchor to hold onto.
"Gueeh!"
"You've fallen like a dog, Baek Taeyang!"
The symphony of pig-like squeals accompanied this spectacle. Hearing the sound he typically made during their encounters firsthand was a delightful twist for Minsoo. A surge of majestic catharsis swelled in his chest.
"Yoomin, let's disembark! Driver, drop us off here!"
No need to linger on this bus any longer. With Yoomin in tow, the only agenda left is to snag a taxi and speedily head home.
"Hey, kid!"
"Driver? Yoomin?"
As before, So Yoomin stared at Minsoo with those sparkling eyes, silent, smiling faintly, motionless. The bus driver, too, remained steadfast at the wheel.
Even with a legit beatdown, violence had unfolded on the bus. Yet, amidst the chaos, could one simply drive without a single backward glance?
Possibly a monster?
Unbeknownst to all, the bus interior might have transformed into a dungeon. As a precaution, Minsoo cautiously approached the bus driver.
One step, two steps.
As he extended his hand to rest it on the driver's shoulder for a condition check…
"Hey kid! Snap out of it!"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, the surroundings blurred. The sensation of floating swiftly turned into the feeling of descending to the ground.
Why did the feeling I usually experience when waking up from sleep now make sense?
"Driver Kim, what's happening?"
"I noticed there's a student who hasn't gotten off at the back yet. Look, found him while cleaning."
"Hehe, I told you not to mess with the cushions in the back. Focus on the elderly and disabled seats."
"Even if you say that, I didn't expect it to be this bad… Anyway, hey kid, get up!"
"Y-Yes…?"
When Minsoo blinked and regained consciousness, much had changed. No trace of Baek Taeyang being knocked out and flying out of the bus, and the numerous passengers were nowhere to be seen. Despite having applauded his heroic deeds just moments ago.
The two drivers, witnessing Minsoo's perplexed expression, were exasperated.
"Did he eat crow meat and lost his mind?"
"I wonder. Is he one of the victims of Wonderland dungeon?"
"I haven't checked the news yet, I just caught a bit on the radio…"
"It makes sense if it's your bus, Mr. Kim. You're from there right?"
At the mention of Wonderland Dungeon, Minsoo's mind sparked, "Uh… Where are… they?"
"You're waking up… that's good. Hunter Baek Taeyang who was with that student… his girlfriend? They seemed to be getting along just fine. Anyway, they got off."
"Really?"
"They got off first. There were only three people including you on the bus anyway, so I dropped the two off where they wanted. You fell fast asleep and went all the way here to the terminal."
"…"
No words came out.
So, was it all just a dream? My delusion…?
Hastily, Minsoo exited the bus.
All those moments turned out to be a dream!
Feeling embarrassed, he hurried home.
His phone rang.
"It's a message from Yoomin!"
[Yoomin♥]
[Let's go on a date tomorrow, Minsoo.]
[Meet me in front of the mall at 3 PM!]
[Make sure to do your hair nicely!]
++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Why the sudden grin on this guy's face?"
Initially, Minsoo appeared ready to speak while silently staring. It seemed like he was gearing up for a comeback; he smirked as if intentionally making me uneasy.
However, he continued to gaze without saying a word. As time passed, he even closed his eyes entirely. For a moment, I wondered if he had picked up a curse in the hallucination dungeon.
Is it genuine happiness, not just an amused smirk?
"He must be having a delightful dream…"
"Taeyang, after touching me like this, you're not just going to let me go, right?"
Yoomin had followed my instructions from beginning to end. From sparring with Minsoo verbally to quietly cuddling in my arms. Though her hand on my thigh was unexpected, everything else was acceptable.
"Of course not. Minsoo seems to be in a deep slumber. Let's get off carefully."
"Sure."
Ding!
As I pressed the disembarkation bell, the driver asked where I would get off. I expressed gratitude for dropping me off nearby, given the bus route couldn't deviate. After signing on the bus driver's seat, I got off almost right in front of the dormitory.
"There's no one else but us, but Taeyang, you've really become famous."
"Yeah…" The immediate concern wasn't feeling the popularity; hence, my reaction was somewhat indifferent.
For now, I need to push through with this flow… If Minsoo rationalizes it alone, saying that time heals, it'll be a big problem.
I don't want to see the scenario where he sulks alone, then cools down and nonchalantly pesters her, ‘Why are you still mad?' Even though I haven't experienced it myself, the thought of Yoomin going through such a situation is too dreadful.
"Yoomin, send a text to Minsoo, saying to meet at the mall tomorrow at 3 PM."
"Yeah, got it."
Yoomin unquestionably trusted me. I couldn't betray that trust.
"I'll make a quick call."
"Taeyang, when are you going to play with me?"
"I'll do it right after this." I replied as I stroked Yoomin's hair.
"Hello?"
"Melanie, there's something you need to do for me."
Finally, tomorrow will be a big day.