#22

Jung-hoo sunbae’s final words sealed it.
I couldn’t look at him anymore.
Standing there with my head down was the only defense I had left.

There was a day I got caught trying to return something I’d stolen.

It was in high school. The classroom was quiet.
Most of the students had already run off to the cafeteria for lunch, but I stayed behind and opened my friend’s bag.
At that moment, the class duty student opened the door and walked in.
The sudden noise froze me.

My hand was still inside the bag.

In the silence, my eyes met my friend’s.
Their face twisted with confusion and shock.
The item I was trying to put back dangled from my fingertips, barely hanging on.

I was trying to return it—but I knew that didn’t excuse anything. No reason, no justification, would clear me.

Word got to the teacher right away.
The accusing stares of my classmates stabbed into me like knives.
I could only shrink into myself, the target of a silent hunt.

The teacher’s harsh scolding, the murmurs spreading across the classroom—they crushed every bit of my pride, my self-worth, my sense of self.

When I got home that day, my father dragged me aside.

He didn’t say anything. His hands moved first.
My arms, back, and thighs burned from the blows.
Overcome with anger, he yanked off his tie and shouted:

“Did you come into this world just to disgrace me!?”

His words pierced straight through me.
It was a truth I couldn’t deny, couldn’t argue with.
I bowed my head to every word he threw at me.
I wanted to die. I was so ashamed.

That memory—today, in front of everyone—was choking me all over again.

“They say you took Seon-ah’s ring too.”

I hadn’t expected the ring to come up.
I thought people stopped suspecting me after Wei Chen handed out gifts to the group.
But I guess they kept whispering behind my back.

“Give it back. Just return it, and I won’t hold you accountable for anything else.”

Part of me wondered—would this have been easier if I actually had stolen something?
If I gave it back and ran away, at least I could escape this exact moment.

But I had nothing to give.

My head slowly drooped forward.
It felt like my heart was sinking straight to the floor.
I wanted to speak, but I knew anything I said would just sound like an excuse.
Even breathing felt like a sin.

“…I can’t… I don’t have it.”

“Dabi. I knew what kind of person you were.
I was willing to turn a blind eye—as long as you didn’t hurt me or my people.
But in the end, you betrayed me. Don’t disappoint me any further.”

My mind was spinning—I didn’t even know where to start denying things.
The only thing I could say for sure was that I didn’t steal Jung-hoo sunbae’s wallet.

But everything else—the high school incident, Seon-ah’s ring—those memories were still painfully vivid.
Because those were things I had done.

I was ashamed.
To have that ugly past exposed in front of everyone was terrifying.
Under their eyes, I was shrinking smaller and smaller.

I never knew being treated like this by someone I admired and trusted would hurt this much.
It wasn’t just anger. It wasn’t even frustration.
Something inside my chest cracked apart.

My mind went hazy. My whole body froze like it was encased in ice.
My stomach churned, and my vision rippled, twisted.
I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol or the fear.

Can I still go to school after this?

What would my life look like after this awful day?
No matter where I went, whispers would follow.
The word “thief” would cling to my name.
Even strangers would pass judgment.

I didn’t think I had the strength to hold my head high in a world like that.

I shut my eyes tightly, then opened them again.
I hoped desperately that all of this was a nightmare.
But the reality in front of me was worse than any dream.

“Give me the bag.”

Jung-hoo sunbae’s voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade.
His hand reached for my bag.
I didn’t move. I didn’t even try to stop him.

But before he could grab it—
someone else snatched the bag first.

“There’s nothing that cheap in here.”

A low, bored voice.
I recognized the scent before I saw him.
When I looked up—he was there.

Wei Chen.

He calmly took my bag and began inspecting it.
His movements were relaxed as he searched, but there was a quiet, unshakable strength in them.
He casually rifled through the bag, then zipped it shut.

Without a word, he slung the strap over one shoulder.

The sudden appearance of Wei Chen made Jung-hoo sunbae visibly freeze.
His lips parted slightly—

But no words came out.

“…Ah.”

Wei Chen looked down at Jung-hoo sunbae and spoke in a cold, calm voice.

“What kind of certainty makes you act this rudely?”

His voice was low and gentle, but the sharp edge beneath it was enough to make not just Jung-hoo, but everyone nearby flinch. Sunbae kept his lips tightly sealed, and after a long pause, he finally stammered out a reply.

“S-Some people said they saw Dabi hanging around my seat…”

My chest pounded with frustration.
No matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t recall doing anything like that.
Just as I opened my mouth to deny it, Wei Chen spoke first.

He let out a soft, disbelieving laugh through his nose.

“Who?”

The unexpected question left Jung-hoo speechless for a moment.

“Huh? Uh… a few people…”

Wei Chen tilted his head slightly, one hand still in his pocket. His expression made it clear—he didn’t think Jung-hoo’s words had any value at all.

“There’s no logic in this. You sure you’re an adult?”

He muttered like he was talking to himself, still looking down at sunbae.
Being taller and broader, his gaze alone cut Jung-hoo’s confidence in half.

“Let’s say people did see her hanging around. But who saw her steal?”

“You guys agreed with me too!”

“That was only because you were so angry we didn’t dare say anything.”

“……”

That one short, sharp answer shut Jung-hoo down completely.
Sweat formed on his forehead.

The hostile stares aimed at me slowly started to fade.
The glares that had felt like knives just moments ago were now filled with doubt, wavering in uncertainty.

“Jung-hoo, isn’t this your wallet?”

Someone suddenly appeared, holding up a black wallet.
Their hand waved it near the drink fridge, a bit away from the tables.
Everyone’s eyes turned in that direction.

Jung-hoo sunbae’s face went rigid.
I could see his eyes widen in shock.
But his expression wasn’t one of relief at finding his wallet—it was pure embarrassment.

“Here it is. It must’ve fallen near the fridge.”

The person who found it sounded casual.
But Jung-hoo had gone pale, realizing he had falsely accused someone.

His eyes flicked to me, filled with guilt and panic.

His hands fidgeted before he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
Then he rubbed his mouth with a troubled look and muttered to me,

“I… I must’ve been drunk. I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m sorry. Really.”

It was a poor excuse for an apology.
Wei Chen muttered under his breath.

“Even the apology’s pathetic.”

He said it like to himself, but loud enough for both me and Jung-hoo to hear.
Sunbae’s face flushed deeper as he lowered his head.

“I really am sorry, Dabi.”

Just then, Wei Chen cut in with a cool, uncaring voice.

“Clean up the mess your careless mouth made. Don’t let our Dabi get bothered again.”

He practically dismissed Jung-hoo like he was a nuisance, then gently placed his hand on my shoulder, turning me around to walk me out of the restaurant.

The whole time we left, I could feel dozens of eyes burning into our backs.
And just before the door closed, I faintly heard my classmates turn on Jung-hoo.

“What the hell was that, Jung-hoo sunbae?”

“That was seriously out of line.”

“Great. You ruined the whole vibe. I’m just gonna go home.”

“But hey… is it true that Dabi had klepto issues back in high school?”

The door shut, cutting off the noise.
The cold night air hit my skin as I stepped out of that suffocating space.

I took a deep breath.
The chilly, clean air filled my lungs, and the heat that had rushed to my face began to slowly fade.