**One Kick Girl — Chapter 170:
"Phone Calls: The True Final Boss"**
Audio-only horror • Social damage • Raon vs. ringing noises
1. The Device Awakens
The phone lay on the table.
Silent.
Menacing.
Raon stared at it from a safe distance.
"…It can ring at any time."
Shion nodded. "Yes."
"That's terrifying."
Yuno sipped her drink. "Just don't answer it."
Raon gasped. "You can do that?!"
Shion sighed. "No. That makes it worse later."
2. Incoming Call
The screen lit up.
RING.
Raon jumped three feet backward.
"WHY IS IT SO LOUD!?"
"It's not," Shion said calmly.
"It is INSIDE MY SOUL."
The phone continued ringing.
Raon circled it like a wild animal.
"…What if they ask questions?"
"They will," Shion said.
Raon whimpered.
3. The Tactical Briefing
Shion placed a hand on Raon's shoulder.
"Remember: You say hello. You listen. You respond with words. No kicking."
Raon nodded.
"…Can I kick emotionally?"
"Yes."
4. Contact Established
Raon picked up the phone with two fingers.
"…Hello?"
Voice on the other end:
"Hi, I'm calling to follow up—"
Raon froze.
Her eyes widened.
Follow up.
THE PHRASE.
Shion mouthed: Breathe.
5. The Long Pause
There was silence.
Too long.
The caller waited.
Raon panicked.
"…Hello?"
"Yes, I'm here."
Raon whispered into the phone, "…Okay."
Shion facepalmed.
6. The Question Trap
"So can you confirm—"
Raon's brain shut down.
Confirm what.
WHEN.
WHY.
Raon blurted, "Yes."
Shion choked.
Synthra whispered, "That was not the question."
7. Damage Control
Shion grabbed the phone.
"Hi! Sorry, bad connection!"
She handled the rest with terrifying competence.
Raon stared.
"…You can do that?"
Shion nodded. "Years of practice."
Raon bowed deeply.
"You're stronger than me."
8. Call Ends
The call disconnected.
Silence returned.
Raon collapsed onto the couch.
"…I survived."
Yuno patted her head. "Barely."
Raon hugged a pillow.
"…Why does talking scare me more than monsters?"
Shion smiled gently.
"Because monsters don't expect replies."
9. Growth (Very Uncomfortable)
Raon sat up.
"…Can I try another one tomorrow?"
Shion blinked. "Voluntarily?"
Raon nodded slowly.
"…I don't want to be afraid of ringing."
Shion smiled warmly.
"That's brave."
Raon groaned. "I hate bravery."
10. Epilogue: The Phone Strikes Back
The phone buzzed.
NEW VOICEMAIL (1)
Raon screamed into the pillow.
Shion laughed.
END OF CHAPTER 170