---
Saturday Morning – 7:42 a.m. – Dae-Hyun's Tiny Apartment
Dae-Hyun awoke to a familiar nightmare: the sound of cardboard boxes being dragged across the floor right next door.
He yawned, rubbed his eyes, and reached for his phone.
> [Current Balance: ₩658,200,000]
[Today's Passive Accumulation: +₩86,400]
[Warning: Danger Approaching.]
"…Huh? What do you mean, danger?"
He blinked at the screen, confused.
Then he heard it.
A very familiar voice.
Right. Next. Door.
"Ahjussi! Be careful with that box, it has my skincare stuff!"
"…Min-Ji?!"
He froze.
Stared at his wall like it had just declared war.
Sprang out of bed. Slammed his ear against the wall.
"No, no, just put the fridge next to the window. Oh! Don't forget the kettle—it's the one with the cartoon bear!"
He fell backward dramatically onto his floor.
"No. This isn't happening. This can't be happening!"
> [System Notification: "Min-Ji has moved into Unit 204."]
[Distance to Min-Ji: 2.3 meters]
"…I live 2.3 meters from a walking lie detector?!"
---
Later That Day – In the Hallway
Dae-Hyun tried to sneak past her door like a cat burglar avoiding emotional confrontation.
Too slow.
Click.
Her door opened.
She poked her head out, smiling.
"Dae-Hyun?"
He froze mid-step, like someone paused his game.
"H-Hi! Wow! You live here?! What a coincidence! I mean, I live here too! Haha, this is wild, huh? So random!"
She tilted her head.
"Did you just say all of that in one breath?"
"Yes," he wheezed.
She stepped out, arms crossed.
"I didn't know you lived here. This is a really old building."
He nodded too fast.
"Yup! Just me and my moldy rice cooker."
She squinted.
"Wait… this building wasn't even on the rental market. I was suddenly offered it by some lady who called me 'chosen.'"
He laughed nervously.
> [Suspicion Level: 61%]
"Life's just… full of surprises," he squeaked.
---
That Evening – Rooftop
Dae-Hyun paced in circles while the system beeped gentle anxiety into his ears.
> [Proximity Alert: Target of Suspicion has entered dangerously close residential radius.]
[Suggestion: Escape to Busan. Fake your death.]
"…I'm not faking my death. Again."
He sighed and looked out over the city.
"Okay. I just need to lay low. Be boring. No gifts. No scooters. No miracles."
The rooftop door opened behind him.
"Hey, neighbor."
He turned.
Min-Ji walked out holding two convenience store drinks. She tossed one to him.
"I figured you'd be up here. You always act weird when something's bothering you."
He caught the drink and immediately tried to act normal.
"Me? I'm the human definition of 'not suspicious.' Totally regular. Just a guy. Breathing air. Living life."
She stared.
"You're hiding something, Dae-Hyun."
He sipped the drink. "What makes you say that?"
"You flinched when I said your name."
"I have… sensitive ears."
---
Later That Night – In Min-Ji's New Apartment
Min-Ji walked through her new home, still confused.
Everything was too perfect.
The walls had been repainted.
The kitchen had exactly her favorite model of rice cooker.
Even the shampoo in the bathroom was her brand.
"Okay… either I'm a main character… or I have a stalker with a gift registry."
She looked out the window and saw Dae-Hyun on the rooftop again, pacing with a glowing phone in his hand and muttering to himself.
"…He definitely knows something."
---
Meanwhile – Dae-Hyun's Room
He sat on his bed with his hoodie over his face.
> [Current Balance: ₩664,700,000]
[System Status: Anxiety Mode Activated]
[Next Suggestion: Move to Mars?]
"…I give it a week before she breaks in here with a lie detector and a taser."
---
End of Chapter 9