When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 17

And then, we enter the hall.

And there she is.

Han Wool’s grandmother.

She sits with a glass of something dark in her hand, her expression unreadable as she eyes us.

Harin moves first. “Good evening, Grandmother.”

The old woman barely acknowledges her, taking a slow sip of her drink. “Hmph.”

Harin’s smile falters for half a second before she recovers.

I press my lips together, suppressing the small satisfaction bubbling inside me.

Han Wool’s grandmother doesn’t hate Harin. She just doesn’t like her.

That is something I can use.

I step forward, bowing slightly. “It’s good to see you again, Grandmother.”

She finally looks at me properly.

A long pause.

Then a small nod. “You… don’t look as terrible as last time.”

I bite back a laugh. That’s probably the nicest thing she’s ever said to me.

Harin stiffens beside me.

I almost smirk.

The conversation continues, Han Wool’s mother chatting about small things, but I can tell Harin is growing uncomfortable.

Then, suddenly—

“I think I’ll go check on Han Wool,” Harin says smoothly.

My breath catches.

Han Wool’s mother raises a brow. “Oh? He’s in the shower.”

Harin doesn’t hesitate. “I’ll just say hi.”

And with that, she turns and walks off.

I stay frozen.

Watching her disappear down the hall.
She’s going to see Han Wool. She’s going to be the first person he sees after his shower.

She can just walk in and see him.

Meanwhile, I’m still standing here. Still fighting just to be seen.

Something inside me twists painfully.

But I inhale sharply, steadying myself.

One step at a time.

And the first step?

Winning over his grandmother.

Grandmother takes a slow sip of her drink before setting the glass down with a soft clink. “You’re awfully quiet.”

I blink. “Am I?”

She narrows her eyes slightly. “Not like your cousin.”

I know what she’s implying. Harin is lively, charming, always knows what to say to make people like her.

But I have no interest in being Harin.

I smile slightly. “I don’t like talking just to fill the silence.”

Her lips twitch, almost like she’s amused. “Hmph. A rare quality in this house.”

I glance at her drink and hesitate before speaking. “Would you like some tea instead?”

She lifts an eyebrow. “Why?”

“It’s better for your health.”

She lets out a dry chuckle. “You sound like a doctor.”