**One Kick Girl — Chapter 168:
"Minor Inconvenience, Major Panic"**
When the threat is small • When reactions are not • When Raon absolutely does not overreact (she does)
1. The Inconvenience Appears
It started with a sound.
A quiet, innocent—
BEEP.
Raon's eyes snapped open.
"…No."
Another BEEP.
Shion looked up from her tablet. "What?"
Raon was already on her feet.
"That sound," she whispered. "That's not a normal sound."
Yuno squinted at the kitchen. "It's the microwave."
BEEP.
Raon pointed like she'd spotted a sniper.
"It's counting down."
2. The Timer Situation Escalates
Synthra checked her scanner.
"Microwave timer. Ten seconds remaining."
Raon backed away slowly.
"…Why is it so loud?"
"It always does that," Yuno said.
"No it doesn't."
"Yes it—"
BEEP BEEP.
Raon jumped onto the couch.
"IT'S MOCKING ME."
Shion pinched the bridge of her nose. "Raon. It's reheating noodles."
"That's how it starts."
3. Everyone Else Is Calm (This Is Unacceptable)
The microwave continued its countdown.
9…
8…
Raon whispered, "Shion… if it reaches zero, something happens."
"Yes," Shion replied calmly. "The food stops heating."
Raon stared at her.
"…That's exactly what a trap would say."
4. The Attempted Defusal
Raon crouched behind the counter.
"I can disarm it."
Shion shook her head. "Do not kick the microwave."
"I won't kick it."
Raon took a step.
Her foot twitched.
Shion's glare intensified.
"…I will gently nudge it."
"No."
Yuno sighed. "It's literally designed to reach zero."
Raon whispered, "So was the last countdown I survived."
5. The Final Seconds
3…
2…
Raon inhaled.
Her muscles coiled.
Shion shouted, "RAON—"
BEEP.
Silence.
The microwave stopped.
Nothing exploded.
No alarms.
No shockwaves.
Steam gently fogged the glass.
6. Aftermath: The Real Damage
Raon froze.
"…It lived."
Yuno opened the door and removed the noodles.
"They're fine."
Raon crept closer.
"…You sure?"
Shion nodded. "Crisis resolved."
Raon exhaled so hard she nearly fell over.
"…I hate peaceful technology."
7. The Emotional Crash
Raon sat down slowly.
Her hands shook.
"…Why did that feel harder than fighting the Subscription Overlord?"
Shion knelt in front of her.
"Because there was nothing to fight."
Raon swallowed.
"…I don't know what to do when I can't punch the problem."
Shion smiled softly.
"Then you sit with it."
Raon grimaced.
"…That sounds worse."
8. A New Kind of Training
Synthra cleared her throat.
"Proposal: controlled exposure."
Raon tensed. "…To what?"
Synthra gestured.
The toaster.
Raon gasped.
"You're insane."
"Toast," Synthra said calmly. "On low heat."
Shion nodded. "We'll stay with you."
Raon stared at the appliance.
"…If it pops unexpectedly, I'm roundhouse-kicking destiny."
"That's fair," Yuno said.
9. Progress (Very Small, Still Valid)
The toaster clicked.
Raon flinched.
But she didn't move.
Seconds passed.
POP.
Raon screamed internally.
Externally—nothing.
She stayed seated.
Toast rose.
No chaos followed.
Raon blinked.
"…I did it."
Shion smiled wide. "You did."
Raon whispered, "…I survived breakfast."
10. The Day Continues (Menacingly Normal)
Later, Raon stared out the window.
"…Do you think tomorrow will be like this too?"
Shion joined her.
"Maybe."
Raon nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
A pause.
"…But if the fridge starts making that weird noise again—"
Shion sighed.
"We'll face it together."
Raon cracked a small smile.
"…Deal."
END OF CHAPTER 168