Never Trust A Free Apple

The last school bell echoed through the building, and within seconds, the quiet hallways turned into a sea of students. Laughter, conversations, and hurried footsteps filled the air as everyone rushed toward the school gates. It was supposed to be just another ordinary Tuesday.

Kang Min Jae quietly packed his books while most of his classmates had already left. As he zipped up his backpack, a classmate approached him with a confused look, asking for help with a difficult physics question. Min Jae patiently explained the solution before slinging his backpack over one shoulder and stepping out of the classroom. He had no idea that by the end of the day, his ordinary life would never be the same.

It was raining cats and dogs. While many students complained about the weather, Minjae simply opened his umbrella and walked through the rain.

A classmate came up to him and said, " Hey, buddy! Drink this." He gave Minjae a mango juice. After seeing that, his eyes sparkled and he got his energy back. His classmate asked him, "You know... they say heavy rain is a bad omen." Minjae sighed after hearing that and said, "How about you focus on your studies more than focusing on these types of fake stories? You failed the math exam last time." His classmate got away from him because of embarrassment.

Minjae went towards his home. On his way, he saw an old lady holding a basket of apples. The apples looked sweet and shiny. The old lady started coming towards him. He panicked and thought, "Woah! What if she mistakes me for a customer? I don't even have a single penny, but if i don't give her money, I'll feel bad for her. Wait- She's coming faster. What should I do now?" He thought of running away but she grabbed him from his back and unfortunately, he had to face her.

"Oh, my! I can't believe I finally got a customer after days!". The old lady asked him to buy her apples.

He looked at the apples and then at her. "I'm sorry, but i don't really have money right now, so-"

"Don't worry! You can pay me later. I often come in front of this school." She handed him a glowing apple.

He looked at her with a confused look. After a while, he took the apple out of pity for her. "You will come here tomorrow, right? That way, I can give you money."

"Yes, darling," she said and went on her way.

Minjae was about to eat the apple but then thought, "Wait, I didn't ask her about the cost!" He shouted to call her from the back. She noticed him but pretended that she didn't hear him.

"Ah! I feel bad for these types of boys. They are so innocent. Only if my apple hadn't chosen that boy." She shook her head in disappointment.

At first, Minjae thought that maybe the apple is poisonous.

"Well, I guess the world is going to have another snow white story but this time, a boy version." He looked at the apple for a while and then thought, " But, the old lady was sweet and maybe she just wanted the apples to be gone. Whatever, i gotta eat this thing otherwise my stupid heart is going to feel bad!"

He ate a bite of the apple and suddenly, the world around him blurred. His grip on the apple loosened as darkness swallowed his vision and right there, he fainted.

He woke up after a few hours. It was late at night. "Wait a damn minute, did I just faint? Nah! I think I just slept in the middle of the streets."

He stood up and looked around. He noticed something weird. " I think I really slept for hours. It's literally night." He saw a time board near a shop with the time, it said: "Yeosan Town, 12:30 p.m."

An old woman walked past him. She stared at him intensely.

"Never accept a free apple," the old woman whispered with a smile that sent a chill down his spine.