73) Chapter 12. It’s Nothing (5)

Soi and Chae‑yi are very good at reading the mood.

Especially when it comes to me.

Even though they usually cling to me constantly, the moment I look like I need space to think, they quietly step back and give me room.

They did the same on our way back to the dorm.

Still close, but not sticking to me like usual—walking with a little distance.

Their consideration made me feel guilty.

And more than that, among the girls who shared our room, Hyeonji didn’t come near me at all. The three of us walked ahead, and she followed behind at a small distance.

The reason was simple: I suddenly couldn’t talk to her.

Just last night, I’d spoken to her normally—smiled, even. But now, in front of her, I stuttered and broke into cold sweat. Soi, Chae‑yi, and even Hyeonji herself felt awkward.

Hyeonji didn’t seem to understand, but surprisingly, Soi and Chae‑yi reacted calmly.

…Was I really acting that strangely?

There were times when I woke up sweating even while sleeping between them… ah, right. That did happen.

Dreams aren’t something you can choose.

Sometimes the memories flashed vividly in my mind, like I was reliving them.

“……”

Pathetic.

Most heroes go through far worse. Even Uncle Dohyun nearly died once.

Yet he didn’t quit being a hero. He still goes out and fights villains. Even during the middle school riot incident, he rushed out immediately.

But me? I’m still trembling over something that happened when I was a child.

…And Hyeonji…

I glanced back—only to realize she was looking at me. I quickly turned forward again.

“Rua, can I ask why you’re like this?”

Soi asked gently.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

“…Y‑yeah.”

That was all I could say.

It was the easiest excuse.

Pathetic.

Hyeonji never harmed me. She was stiff at first, but that wasn’t a big deal.

She even stepped in to stop that boy from picking on me.

Yet in my dream, she appeared as someone who hurt me. And now I was scared of her because of a dream—something she never did.

Too, too pathetic.

And the worst part—
after hearing her story, the first thing I felt wasn’t sympathy or guilt.

It was fear.

Fear of remembering that day.

Fear stronger than my guilt toward the man who was hurt protecting me.

…How selfish.

And the reason I couldn’t talk to her now was because I was afraid the topic might come up.

“Want to go to the hospital? Some clinics open on Sundays.”

“N‑no, it’s fine. I have counseling soon anyway.”

“…Alright.”

When I shook my head quickly, Chae‑yi sighed softly.

And through all of this, Hyeonji said nothing.

Only her gaze, following behind me, never left.

*

By the time we returned to the dorm and evening came, I’d calmed down a little.

The escaped witch, Seo Arin, still hadn’t been caught. But she hadn’t shown herself either.

And Auntie Yujin was on high alert—if Seo Arin made even the slightest move, she’d rush out immediately.

As long as I was in the academy, villains couldn’t easily infiltrate. Most staff were former heroes, and the students themselves had powers—upperclassmen even had combat experience.

I was safe here.
The danger existed only in my imagination.
Reality was safe.

Repeating that to myself helped.

We returned to our room and took turns showering. After washing up, Hyeonji sat at her desk and opened her textbook. Maybe reviewing, maybe preparing for tomorrow.

But something about her posture…

It looked less like she wanted to study and more like she wanted to avoid an uncomfortable atmosphere.

“…Ah.”

I muttered.

“I‑I’m going to the convenience store for a bit.”

“Convenience store?”

Soi asked while drying her hair.

“Y‑yeah. I forgot to buy… correction tape. Yesterday. Hehe.”

I scratched my head awkwardly. Soi stood up.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“N‑no, it’s fine! It’s like five minutes away. You should finish drying your hair. Really, I’m fine.”

I just wanted some air.

Even though we’d just walked back here, still…

Soi hesitated, then sat back down.

I slipped out of the dorm like I was running away and wandered through the academy grounds.

I didn’t head straight to the convenience store.

I felt a little bad for Soi and Chae‑yi, but sometimes being alone is… nice. Even though last night I’d burrowed into their arms because I was cold, today I wanted solitude. I’m inconsistent even to myself.

“Haa…”

I inhaled deeply, exhaled.

I tried not to think about anything. I knew these thoughts would fade eventually.

Time would dull them.

And then I’d be able to talk to Hyeonji properly again—

“Seo Rua.”

“Eek!?”

I jumped at the voice behind me.

I turned—and saw Hyeonji.

When did she follow me?

Maybe she made an excuse to leave, like I did.

“This isn’t the direction of the convenience store. It’s near the dorm.”

“Ah, um, I just… wanted some air…”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why did you want to be alone? You could’ve come with Soi or Chae‑yi.”

“……”

“You wanted to think without anyone around, didn’t you?”

Well… yes.

But actually, I was trying not to think.

Talking to her didn’t immediately bring back the memories, which surprised me. Instead, a different kind of anxiety rose.

What should I say to her?

Pretending I knew nothing felt wrong. I’d sent letters, but never visited her father. Never thanked him. Never apologized in person.

But how do I bring it up?

And the reason she didn’t mention it earlier—

“Oh.”

I suddenly remembered the boy who picked a fight with me.

He’d said to her, “You too—”
Then she cut him off.

Was that “you too” referring to something she wanted to say to me?

Because of what happened to her father?

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Hyeonji asked.

“Uh…”

“You seemed uncomfortable around me today. Since morning.”

“Ah…”

Should I say it?

Should I apologize? Tell her I learned about her father by accident? Tell her I’m sorry I never visited? Tell her I’m grateful he protected me?

I should.

“I—well—”

“…Sorry.”

But before I could speak, she bowed her head.

“H‑huh?”

No.

She shouldn’t be apologizing.

“I misunderstood you. When we first met. You didn’t do anything wrong. You weren’t hurting anyone. But I judged you on my own and acted cold.”

“N‑no, no, it’s fine—”

It wasn’t wrong.

Anyone would feel that way if their father was hurt so badly he couldn’t work anymore.

She shouldn’t be apologizing.

“Of course, I won’t see you that way anymore. So… you don’t have to be so careful around me. I mean… you don’t have to avoid me.”

She said it awkwardly, but sincerely.

Each word tightened around my heart.

No.

This isn’t right.
This isn’t what I wanted to say.
I—

“Is something wrong?”

She asked gently.

“Something you can’t tell Soi or Chae‑yi?”

Impossible. I always tell them everything.

But…

“N‑no.”

For the countless time, I repeated the same lie.

“It’s nothing.”

“If so, then good.”

She tilted her head slightly.

I fidgeted with my fingers and lowered my gaze.

In the end, I couldn’t say anything to her.

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Pub: 12 Apr 2026 08:47 UTC

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