VNV Chapter 09

Chapter 09

 

It was an entirely unexpected visit—and at the same time, the last person I wanted to see. I deliberately averted my gaze from Jin Ha-seong. Despite my blatant display of discomfort, Jin Ha-seong didn’t leave. Instead, he shamelessly sat down in the chair opposite me, his eyes shining with a strange, almost religious fervor.

“At school, you pretended to cut ties with me just to mess with Yoo Si-eon later, right? I knew it—Min Yu-un, you’re incredible!”

I awkwardly lowered my head, staring at the table while sipping my chocolate latte repeatedly. The conversation I’d had with Min Yu-un earlier still echoed in my head.

‘Is Jin Ha-seong really just a guy trying to leech off you?’

[I told you, he is!]

‘But why is he so invested in your business? Are the other kids like that too?’

[He’s the only one who’s that extreme. Maybe his family owes me money or something. Not that I care.]

Even Min Yu-un, who usually lacked awareness, seemed to recognize that Jin Ha-seong’s devotion was unusual. That’s why I couldn’t afford to leave him unchecked. Someone so deeply involved in Min Yu-un’s affairs was bound to be connected to many things. Even if I stopped tormenting Yoo Si-eon, there was a chance Jin Ha-seong might act on his own.

Min Yu-un’s other followers occasionally caused trouble, but none of them actively harassed Yoo Si-eon. In other words, I’d always been the one leading those efforts. So I thought that if I simply stopped, that would be enough. But Jin Ha-seong was different—too unpredictable and independent.

“You’re misunderstanding something, so let me make it clear one more time.”

For the sake of my future quests, I needed to sever ties with him completely. I couldn’t leave any loose ends.

“I’m serious about cutting ties with you. So stop acting like we know each other.”

“What?”

Jin Ha-seong blinked his strangely gleaming eyes, then smiled slyly.

“Min Yu-un, you don’t have to keep up the act here.”

“No, it’s not an act—”

“I knew you hated Yoo Si-eon, but I didn’t think it was this much.”

Jin Ha-seong abruptly stood up, puffing out his chest with a triumphant air as he looked down at me.

“Don’t worry—I’ll take care of everything.”

“It’s not like that! How many times do I have to—”

“See you tomorrow, Min Yu-un!”

Before I could stop him, Jin Ha-seong waved enthusiastically and walked off without looking back.

“Jin Ha-seong!”

I shouted after him, but he didn’t stop. I couldn’t tell if he hadn’t heard me or was just pretending not to. All I got were curious stares from the other customers. Having just shouted out loud in a café like a lunatic, I slumped back down, covering my face with both hands.

[Is that guy insane or what?]

For once, I wholeheartedly agreed with Min Yu-un. The exhaustion I’d been holding back surged all at once. I bit my lower lip, trying to ground myself in reality. Nothing was going the way I wanted. I’d thought apologizing would be enough, but then this weird guy had to get in the way. On top of that, the system kept forcing these ridiculous quests on me. Even my attempt to enjoy a moment of peace at the café had gone to waste.

‘As if someone like me has any right to enjoy anything.’

From the start, I hadn’t even wanted to live. Yet here I was, foolishly running to a café as if I could forget everything for a while.

‘Is there any point to what I’m doing right now?’

I was only trying so hard because I wanted to rest. I wanted to die. None of this was ever supposed to be my problem. If it weren’t for Min Yu-un’s past and his stupid threats, I wouldn’t be going through all this.

[Just ignore him—let him do whatever he wants.]

The thing that had worn me down, that had clung to me so relentlessly—

[That annoying jerk doesn’t even appreciate what I’ve— Hey! Seong Yu-un!]

I could still hear Min Yu-un’s voice in my ears, though I couldn’t see him. The frustration, anger, and resentment I’d been suppressing all threatened to break free. Yet I didn’t want to take it out on anyone.

[Seong Yu-un!]

So, once again, I did what had become a habit—I turned those emotions inward.

[Are you listening? Don’t ignore me!]

“…Sorry.”

The apology slipped out naturally, as it always did. I let out a shaky breath, feeling a tightness in my chest as if the air had grown too thin.

❤️‍🩹

I arrived at school early the next day—and was immediately horrified. I stopped dead in my tracks, unable to take another step toward my desk. My gaze was fixed on a single spot, my eyes narrowing as I grimaced. The sour stench in the air was unbearable.

Yoo Si-eon’s desk and chair sat there, soaked in spoiled milk. The stench was revolting.

I quickly looked around. The classroom and hallway were still empty since it was early, but someone could show up at any moment. I clenched my teeth in frustration.

“Damn it, Jin Ha-seong.”

This had to be his doing. No one else would go this far. I’d told him over and over—I wasn’t going to bully Yoo Si-eon anymore. But he just had to pull this stunt anyway. Even though I hadn’t ordered it, I knew I’d be the one to pay the price. I didn’t need to read ahead in the novel to know exactly how this would play out.

Without thinking, I tossed my bag aside and approached Yoo Si-eon’s desk. The foul smell grew stronger with every step. I wrinkled my nose and tried to think of a solution.

“Let’s clean this up first. If someone sees this mess…”

“Min Yu-un?”

The familiar voice behind me sent a chill down my neck. My body froze on instinct. Slowly, I turned around, and as expected, it was him—just as I’d anticipated.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Yoo Si-eon’s violet eyes glanced at me, then at his desk, before falling away. A hollow scoff escaped his lips.

“I knew it.”

His empty words scattered into the air, yet somehow, they reached me. Standing there blankly, I took a step forward.

“Wait, Yoo Si-eon—”

“I was foolish to even waver for a moment.”

A faint, unreadable sneer tugged at his lips. Running a hand through his hair, he turned to leave.

“Finish what you were doing. I’ll be back before homeroom starts.”

Yoo Si-eon neither cried nor shouted, nor did he deny the situation. He simply accepted it—calmly, as if resigned to fate. If only he’d reacted like the protagonists in those shōnen manga, burning with righteous fury. If he’d cried his heart out and vowed revenge through gritted teeth—maybe then it would’ve been easier.

Come to think of it, I didn’t know why Yoo Si-eon quietly endured Min Yu-un’s bullying. Without a hint of emotion, he walked out of the classroom. His retreating figure showed no trace of feeling.

That hollow look—it reminded me of myself. Of all the years, I’d struggled to become numb to everything, clinging to life with gritted teeth. My chest ached of its own accord. I wanted to erase that sudden surge of emotion, but there was no time for that. Without thinking, I rushed after Yoo Si-eon, who had already disappeared down the hallway.

“Hey! Yoo Si-eon!”

At my shout, he paused mid-step and glanced back at me. His calm gaze held no trace of anger. Unable to meet his eyes, I let mine drift to the air beside him.

“…It wasn’t me.”

“Of course. You always get someone else to do your dirty work, don’t you?”

I bit my lip. Yoo Si-eon stared at me in silence, then turned away again. He disappeared around the corner before I could stop him. My legs wobbled as I slumped against the wall, drained of all strength. Not even a sigh could escape my chest.

[Damn Jin Ha-seong. Damn Yoo Si-eon! Why is everyone always against me?!]

Min Yu-un’s shrill voice had been screeching in my head ever since Yoo Si-eon appeared. It pounded against my eardrums, as if trying to rupture them. I almost snapped back, but bit my tongue and spoke instead.

“Min Yu-un, you know where the rags are, right?”

[Obviously, in the cleaning cabinet.]

I found the cabinet in the corner of the classroom and grabbed the first rag I saw.

[Hey, wait—are you seriously gonna wipe that milk with my hands? No way! I’m not touching that filthy stuff!]

I simply ignored Min Yu-un’s fierce protests.

❤️‍🩹

By lunchtime, I was still slumped over my desk, unmoving. The whispers and insults from all directions were annoying but not unbearable—I had long since grown used to them. The real problem lay elsewhere.

I scrubbed Yoo Si-eon’s desk as hard as I could, but the fishy stench of spoiled milk refused to go away. I’ve been hit with rotten milk before, but I’ve never tried to get rid of the smell—I had no idea how. When Yoo Si-eon returned just before homeroom, he simply sat down without a word. Even as the others hurled sharp remarks my way, he remained silent.

‘Should I try talking to him again? How could I prove I wasn’t guilty?’

I was still drowning in unanswered questions when Jin Ha-seong appeared during the break. Luckily, Yoo Si-eon had stepped out of the classroom.

Part of me wanted to punch Jin Ha-seong right then and there, but I clenched my eyes shut and pretended to sleep instead. If I reacted, ridiculous rumors would spread, and Jin Ha-seong would twist my words to stir up more trouble. Predictably, he left without trying to wake me.

No one else approached me after that, leaving me free to think in peace—though my back ached from staying hunched over for so long. Glancing around cautiously, I straightened up. With everyone gone to lunch, the classroom was finally quiet. I let out a slow breath.

“…Seriously, what should I do?”

[Just apologize again. He’ll forgive you, right?]

Min Yu-un’s naive, almost stupid optimism was no help at all. No matter how hard I racked my brain, no solutions came to mind. Had my years of avoiding human relationships turned my mind to stone? Pressing my fingers to my brow, I stared down at the desk.

The next moment, my head moved without thinking—driven by a reckless impulse. As if breaking my skull open might somehow fix everything, I let instinct take over. But just before my forehead could slam into the desk, a warm hand gently stopped me.

Someone had appeared out of nowhere, catching my head before it hit the surface of the desk.

❤️‍🩹

Thank you for reading! ♡