Monday mornings are tough for everyone. After Wonyoung calmed her boyfriend down on Saturday night and took him home at his request, he has only responded to one message since then, asking her to let him go, and understand that he needs time alone.
She didn't insist. It was obvious.
Now she sits on a bench in the main hall, waiting for her friends, especially him. She wants to make sure he's okay. She's nervous and worried. Not only about Sunghoon and Sullyoon's mental state, but also about the situation with Jay.
The sword and gold dust are hidden at her house for better security. In a dorm, sharing a room with other boys, Sunghoon wouldn't be able to provide that.
This is their one, and only, chance to be free from this psychic vampire forever. They are going to fulfill his dream just to get him out of their lives. He has caused them enough trouble and unnecessary suffering. Without him, their lives would definitely be better.
The teenager lifts her face, as her attention is drawn to her sister and two friends, who have just entered the building and are heading her way.
- What's up with Sunghoon? - Niki asks first, without even saying hello. His face is stern, and he's clearly not in the mood. - He hasn't replied to any of my messages. Did you see him over the weekend?
- Yes. Something bad happened...
The boys look at her with worried eyes, especially Niki, who crouches in front of her, resting his hands on her legs.
- What happened?
Yuna looks at Jake, then turns to him:
- Let's leave them alone. I'll explain what happened on the way. Wonyoung told me yesterday.
The boy nods, and they walk away, leaving the nineteen-year-old girl to look at her friend with a dejected look.
- We managed to find gold dust and a sword. We even visited Sunghoon's grandmother, pleased that everything was going well, so Jay will soon leave us in peace. He appeared out of nowhere on the road as we were returning and as a thank-you gift, he restored your brother's memories of the day of the accident...
Niki's eyes widen, clearly disturbed by her words.
- Did it bring back his memories from that day?
- Yes. Sunghoon took it badly. He was shaken, and I couldn't calm him down. He kept saying that he remembered your scared face and your crying... I wrote to him yesterday, but he asked me to give him some rest, that he needed a break from everything. I'm worried about him and waiting for him to show up to make sure he's okay.
- Then I'll wait with you. I also want to know if she's feeling better - the twenty-year-old boy whispers, sitting down on the bench next to her. - And Sullyoon ... how is she?
Wonyoung looks at his friend's face for a moment, noticing his concerned expression.
- I'm worried about her too. She sat in her room all weekend. She ate a little by force and that was it... Furthermore, she came with me but told me she had to go to see one of the professors. I think she just didn't want to see you. It's still hard for her after what she saw in her memories.
Niki sighs heavily, and runs a hand through her hair.
- I'll give her some time to recover, I won't impose my company, but I swear to you, Wonyoung, if she doesn't get herself together in a few days, I'll deal with her on my own.
The girl frowns.
- That sounded bad...
- Don't worry, you know I won't hurt her. I'll just bring her to order in the right way.
- Forgive me for asking so suddenly, but how are you looking at my sister right now?
The boy looks as if he's been caught off guard.
- What kind of question is that? We're all friends...
- Is it possible that lately you've started to look at Sullyoon differently than a friend? I've noticed that you worry about her too much and protect her at every turn.
- It's always been like this, because she's the youngest. She's our little dumpling - he replies, embarrassed, looking away.
- Are you sure, Niki? Maybe you don't get it yourself. Think about it - the girl says, patting him on the shoulder. - Just don't think about hurting my sister in any way. Or I'll beat you to a pulp.
Niki snorts under his breath.
- I could say the same to you. You better watch out that you don't hurt my little brother, or your life will end with Jay.
The two of them look at each other with amused eyes and at the same moment, Sunghoon appears. The boy looks uneasy when he notices that Niki is with Wonyoung.
- We were waiting for you! - The girl gets up from the bench and walks up to the boy. Right behind him is Niki, who carefully looks at the exhausted face of the eighteen-year-old boy.
"Are you okay? You don't look too good," she tells him.
- I had a rough weekend, but it's okay now - he replies, forcing a smile. Looking at his face, something in him suddenly changes. Tears appear in his eyes. He unexpectedly hugs Niki in front of everyone, bursting into silent tears. - I'm sorry, hyung. I remember everything now. That evening was a nightmare for us.
The two of them hug in the middle of the hallway, which doesn't go unnoticed by the curious students. Even Wonyoung bites her finger, looking intrigued by the scene.
It's impressive that the terror of "Inhon", comfortingly pats the back of the scholarship holder who is crying in his arms. Not long ago, the two of them didn't like each other and everyone knew it.
- It's all right, Sunghoon. We'll send that damned vampire to hell for what he did to us.
Wonyoung sways with joy, smiling brightly. She loves this sight. Two brothers who have found each other after many years of separation.
That's sweet.
***
Between classes, Jake waits for Somi to talk to her. She's been looking sorrowful since she showed up at the lecture.
The blonde girl looks at him with a dejected look, as he stops her in the hallway by the door.
- Can we talk?
"What do you want to talk to me about, Jake? Don't your friends hate me enough? They're right when they say I don't fit in with you. I realized that at Jay's house. I did you a favor so you could save Sunghoon, and that's it. You have nothing to talk to me about."
- Can you and Wonyoung really not come to an understanding?
- No - she replies directly. - We have similar personalities, and she finally realized that I always saw her as competition. We can't be friends. I need someone who is submissive, a gray mouse who can't compete with me in any way. That's what I am. Domineering and envious. I don't like it when someone is better than me, and Wonyoung is undoubtedly.
"So, at this point, I cease to exist to you too?" Jake sounds like a hurt puppy, which brings a slight amused smile to her face.
- Forgive me for saying this, but yes. I know you tried to hit on me, and I've already pushed aside the thought that you were actually doing it on Wonyoung's orders, but I want to completely disassociate myself from your group. I've always liked you, Jake. In my opinion, you're the most handsome in school, although... now you have competition in Sunghoon - she adds in an amused voice. - But seriously, I was just infatuated with you. It wouldn't have worked out.
- But I was serious about you. You're really the only girl I've been sincerely interested in for a long time.
Somi feels bad about his words. It breaks her heart to have to reject him, but it's for the best. His group would never allow anything to happen between them anyway. They wouldn't accept her after everything that's happened.
Their paths must definitely diverge.
"You're amorous," she says, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll find another object of desire in no time."
- You think so? - His words are incredibly funny at this point. It's as if he immediately agreed with her.
- I'm one hundred percent sure. - The blonde girl takes a deep breath and speaks to him one last time. - From now on, let's pretend we don't know each other. Let's go back to how it was before. It'll be best for all of us.
"If that's what you want… fine." Jake gives her a small smile, as she turns and walks away. He jumps in place when Yuna's head pops out from behind the door. "Were you eavesdropping?"
- Poor thing, is your heart broken? - she asks, pouting her lips. - Do you need comforting?
The blond boy gives her an offended look.
- It's not nice to eavesdrop, especially on friends.
- Can I take you to tteokbokki after class?
His eyes begin to sparkle.
- Seriously? Will you go for food with me?
"If that's what I'm suggesting, then of course I'll go, you idiot." Her attitude changes dramatically. She glares at him, offended that he doesn't believe her. "So are you coming or not?"
- Of course I'll go! I can even bear your company.
- It's a pity you're not as nice to me as you are to Somi, my friend - he emphasizes.
Even though she's happy that they'll spend time together, and he doesn't see any subtext in it, her heart still aches at the thought that she'll never replace Somi. The friend zone is the worst fucking thing on earth. I don't think anything hurts more than this...
Jake puts his arm around her, as they walk down the hall.
- What I talked about with Somi will stay between us, right? You won't tell anyone?
A devilish smile appears on her face.
- As long as you pay for the food.
- Seriously? - Jake looks shocked. - You invite me out for food to heal my broken heart, and you're making me pay? What is that?
- Assuming I do not tell anyone what I overheard - she replies with a smile on her face. - So, my dear friend?
- So be it, cunning witch.