Chapter 10

The grasshopper and the big guy kept arguing without a break.

Is this how men in this world fight with words?

Neither of them backed down even an inch.

“The big guy speaks so logically. The grasshopper is just spouting nonsense.”

Still, the big guy was at a disadvantage.

Because a normal person can’t win against an abnormal one.

You need to have a conversation to win or lose.

No matter how long they argued, it was clear they couldn’t communicate with a bug like the grasshopper.

“Ugh, I got into a pointless argument with a jerk. Should I stop it now?”

By the way, I wasn’t doing anything.

I got sidelined at some point.

There was no room for me to intervene.

If it were a verbal fight or a brawl, I would’ve stepped in.

Anyway, there was no sign of their argument ending.

“So! Why should I apologize!!”

“Because you did something wrong. Put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if someone called you a jerk while passing by?”

“What? Did you just call me a jerk?”

“No, I was giving an example. Why can’t you understand? This is so frustrating!”

The tense atmosphere escalated.

Their voices grew louder.

Maybe because the commotion got bigger.

People who were shopping nearby started gathering one by one.

“What’s going on?”

“I heard the short guy called the black guy a jerk.”

“What? Then the short guy is in the wrong.”

“But isn’t that guy a YouTuber?”

“What’s their relationship?”

“I’m not sure, but it seems like they just met?”

“Huh? So he called a stranger a jerk?”

“Isn’t he a YouTuber? Or not.”

So many people gathered.

Were there always this many people?

It seemed like three or four times more than when I first entered the mart.

Eventually, we were surrounded by a crowd.

The whispers of the people grew louder.

“He must’ve picked a fight out of inferiority. Just look at his face.”

“When I was in school, there were kids like that… Good-looking people always have a hard time.”

“What’s going on here? Why are so many people gathered? Is there a sale?”

“No. Some guys are fighting.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Well, you see…”

New people kept gathering.

Those who were watching first explained the situation to them.

The public opinion started turning against the grasshopper.

The grasshopper’s girlfriend was sweating profusely, looking around nervously.

Then she urged the grasshopper to apologize.

“Baby, can’t you just apologize? Honestly, we were in the wrong.”

As people’s attention focused, she must’ve felt embarrassed.

“What? Are you telling me to apologize to that jerk? Whose side are you on!?”

“Baby, lower your voice! Can’t you see the people around?”

“…What? When did so many people gather?”

The grasshopper finally noticed the crowd.

Seeing him blush and lower his voice, it seemed he realized the situation.

The big guy still demanded an apology.

“So, are you not going to apologize?”

The grasshopper glanced at the people around.

His expression was priceless, as if he heard them insulting him.

He kept his mouth shut for a moment.

“…This is so annoying. Fine! I’ll do it, okay?”

The grasshopper, who had been adamant about not apologizing when it was just us, changed his attitude when more eyes were on him.

He walked up to me and nodded his head.

“I’ll apologize.”

“What are you apologizing for?”

“For calling you a jerk…”

His attitude was terrible.

The grasshopper looked like he was chewing on something bitter, his gaze elsewhere.

“…I got too excited because you insulted me too much. I’m sorry.”

His apology was laced with thorns.

Guess he has some pride?

Why add all that extra stuff?

It’s clear he’s not normal.

Even Guburi looks like an angel compared to him.

I thought about expanding his earholes with the insults I had ready, but I came up with a better plan.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be so hurt by being called stupid.”

“…Huh? What are you… You said worse things!”

“Ah, right. I also called you an idiot and a mutt. I’m really sorry.”

It was a tactic I learned in the military.

I never used it before.

It felt too petty.

But today was an exception.

This seemed like a better way to mess with the grasshopper than just hurling insults.

The grasshopper was that despicable.

Anyway, this method was highly effective.

As I finished speaking, I heard people murmuring.

They were criticizing the grasshopper.

“Wow, I’m speechless. Is that how you apologize?”

“Isn’t he just forcing himself to apologize?”

“Kids these days, tsk tsk.”

“But he got mad over being called that?”

“Compared to being called a jerk, those words are nothing… How can he get so worked up over being called stupid or an idiot?”

“It’s typical hypocrisy. He can insult others but can’t take it himself.”

“Ah, no…”

The grasshopper, now being criticized, started tearing up.

He must feel wronged. What a jerk.

The grasshopper hung his head low.

Couldn’t even lift his face?

Upon closer look, a few tears were dripping to the ground.

“Baby, let’s just go…”

His girlfriend grabbed his arm.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Uh, okay…”

The grasshopper irritably shook off his girlfriend’s hand and quickly pushed through the crowd to leave. His girlfriend followed him, disappearing.

I felt sorry for the girl.

Anyway, that’s how the trouble ended.

I wanted to follow and hurl more insults, but I didn’t want to waste my emotions and time, so I let it go.

“…What a day. Why is everything so eventful today?”

I’m pretty used to fights.

In the previous world, many men openly picked fights with me. Sometimes it ended with just insults, other times it turned into physical fights.

But I’ve never been called a jerk before.

If it were a joke, fine.

But being called a jerk sincerely felt weird.

‘I thought I wouldn’t be affected by such words, but it feels strangely unpleasant…’

Experiencing this firsthand was peculiar.

I used to face such situations often in this world, but that was a different me.

Even if the memories remain.

That guy and I are distinctly separate individuals.

Still, just in case…

It’s better to forget the memories of this world.

The memories of a life filled with misery won’t help me live better.

***

After the crowd dispersed.

Only the big guy and I were left.

‘Ah. I should thank this guy first. He stepped up to help me.’

With that thought, I immediately approached him and expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you for helping me earlier.”

“No problem, haha! I’ve been through similar situations before. I just helped because I could relate! Haha!”

This guy was something else.

He had a macho, muscular build but a youthful face, a thin voice but a cheerful tone.

He reminded me of the men from the previous world.

Is this the trendy, easygoing guy these days?

After seeing the grasshopper run away crying, seeing this guy felt like a cleanse for my eyes.

“By the way, are you a broadcaster?”

The big guy asked me.

His gaze was fixed on the camera in my cart.

“Ah, yes… I just do it as a hobby.”

“I knew it! You look like a broadcaster! Your visuals are no joke! If it’s not too much trouble, would you like to do a collab with me today…”

As the guy continued.

“Hey, there you are! What are you doing? Hurry up and apologize!”

“Yes, yes!”

Two staff members ran over, shouting.

The guy’s words were drowned out.

Their uniforms were the same as the staff I saw at the entrance.

Of course, they were different people.

The first staff member ran past the big guy, stopped in front of me, caught his breath, and spoke with difficulty.

“Whew, whew! I’m really sorry! Are you the one here for the promotional shoot today? I told the newbie to guide you to the VIP room, but he must’ve been distracted and missed your arrival!”

What’s with this again?

I told you it’s not me.

No need to explain.

Thanks to the late-arriving staff.

“Idiot! That’s not the guy!”

“Huh?”

“It’s this guy next to you!”

The staff pointed at the big guy.

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