In a small and simple room, a girl sat quietly. Her tired, drowsy eyes were glued to the glowing laptop screen. Her fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard—so fast you couldn't even track them with your eyes.
Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
The only sound that could be heard in the entire room was the tapping of the keyboard.
"Hmm..." A small smirk played on her red lips as she saw the reward offer from her online conversation partner.
"20 million, huh? Hm... I'm sleepy, maybe next time." she replied lazily.
"Master R, we sincerely need your help. Please, we will do anything. Name the price. We want to know the mastermind."
Tak. Tak. Tak. Tak.
Her fingers moved again, rapidly, before she leaned back with a sigh.
"But I'm tired. From now on, I want to live peacefully. I'm done with mess, chaos, and wars, okay?"
She didn't wait for a response. She cut the connection. Everything was wiped—no trace of her identity, no leftover data, nothing.
Yawning, Ophelia collapsed onto her soft bed and soon fell into a deep sleep, silently hoping that—for tonight—her nightmares wouldn't come.
---
"Good morning, Ate Rose!"
"You're awake? Come on, let's eat," said Rose with a gentle smile as she looked at the beautiful, kind student beside her.
Rose couldn't help but notice, once again, the girl's way of eating. How could she explain it?
She watched how Ophelia held her spoon and fork, the way she sat so upright, the poised manner of chewing and drinking—every gesture infused with etiquette and class, as if it had been carved into her bones.
Shaking her head, Rose started eating her own fried rice, bacon, and sunny-side-up egg. Somehow, when eating with Ophelia, even the simplest food felt like it belonged in a five-star restaurant.
"Ate Rose, here. For the rent and to help pay for the water and electricity," said Ophelia, placing an envelope on the table—causing Rose to gape.
"Ophelia, we've already talked about this, haven't we? You don't have to give anything. I earn enough to cover all the bills. It's better if you just save that," Rose firmly replied, pushing the envelope back.
She saw the quiet stare in Ophelia's eyes. She never really knew what this student was thinking.
"You'll need this."
"..."
"Take it. I owe you so much for taking me in when I left my house. If it weren't for you, I might've ended up sleeping on the streets. It's been a month already. I can't sit still when I owe someone a debt of kindness. Please?"
"..."
"Ophelia… I'm your teacher. I'm like a second parent to you now."
Sadness crept into Rose's expression. Even without words, she could feel how Ophelia kept her distance from those who tried to get close. There was a wall—a strong, tall wall—blocking everyone out. She didn't know what this girl had gone through at such a young age. She was so mature for her age, yet never showed the brightness or lightness of someone her age.
While others her age laughed, wandered freely, and chattered with friends, Ophelia only ever wanted sleep and silence.
And to top it off—she was incredibly lazy.
Rose's lips pressed into a line as she gazed at her seriously. Ophelia could feel the stare—one that reminded her of someone important from her past who used to worry the same way.
⫷ OPHELIA'S VIEWPOINT ⫸
I glanced at my wristwatch and checked the group chat Mae added me to.
[Girl Power Group]
2:05 PM
Fairy Mae This:
Guys, I'm here!! Where na you guys?!
Desery your Misery:
At the fountain, right? Almost there!!
Nerdy Tina but pretty:
I'm excited!! Especially with the miracle today!!
Fairy Mae This:
Yeah! Our lazy friend finally left her cave!!
-__-
I'm getting chills from these girls. What kind of group name is that? And those nicknames?! Especially mine.
I replied right away—I'd better find them fast before my eyes suffer more from the nonsense I'm reading.
[Girl Power Group]
2:15 PM
Lazy Goddess Ophelia:
I'm here. Wearing blue jeans and a black long sleeve.
After replying, I immediately turned off my mobile data. I already knew they'd spam me with replies.
I adjusted my black facemask—it had slipped a bit. While waiting, I watched people tossing coins into the fountain and making wishes.
"Hm..." I stared coldly, arms crossed.
"Hi, Miss!" a voice called near me. A group of boys were looking at me and nudging each other.
"Sorry, no, I don't know, bye." I replied flatly and moved to another spot near the fountain.
"Pfft!" I frowned and turned toward the snicker I heard behind me.
Oh please, can't they just leave me alone? -_-
I was about to ignore it when I heard familiar voices calling me.
"Ophelia, wait! It's us!" Mae's laughing voice rang out.
There she was—Mae, my seatmate. Her hair reached her chin, glasses perched on her nose, wearing a baby blue dress and black flats. With her were Desery and Tina, our classmates. Desery had freshly straightened hair, shoulder-length, wearing a white long sleeve and red skirt. Tina wore white jeans and a tucked-in blue shirt.
They're pretty, alright.
"Did you see how embarrassed those boys looked earlier?"
"Yup! As expected, Ophelia shut them down again!"
I sighed. They must've been watching me for a while already.
I handed them my phone.
I just needed a group photo with them as proof I hung out—to show to Ate Rose.
But then I noticed Tina and Desery pointing their cameras at me.
"What are you doing?" I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Evidence for Teacher Rose that you were planning to ditch us right after meeting up," Mae said sweetly.
"... You guys are too much."
"Too much? Too bad. You're coming with us whether you like it or not, our dear princess." Desery said dramatically, making me scowl.
Who even taught them this attitude? Oh right… me.
It felt like I'd been outwitted. I had no choice but to tag along. Desery and Tina had linked arms with me.
Ah, if only I were in bed right now…
I miss my bed.
Listlessly, I let them pull me away from the fountain.
I glanced back at it one last time, still watching people toss coins in.
They'll be disappointed. Why wish? Everything has a price.
So naïve.
---
"Wow! I can't believe it's almost six. We really had fun today!"
"Yeah, how about you, Ophelia?"
Mae and Tina's voices reached me. I smiled and nodded. It wasn't bad. It was true—I actually enjoyed the places we went to, especially the shooting room.
We went to chill places that weren't too tiring, like karaoke.
It's been a long time since I relaxed like this. And I know this peace won't last. There are still people I need to find. I still have a place to return to.
"Yes. I had fun. Why don't we eat before heading home? My treat! Let's go!" I smiled, making them cheer.
Well, I had money—thanks to that assignment I accepted.
"YES!"
We chose a newly opened restaurant. It was mostly empty, which the staff appreciated since I ordered so much food for the four of us.
"WOW! This is my first time eating at a fancy restaurant!" Desery whispered with sparkling eyes. Cute.
"Yeah, but look at the prices..." Mae muttered, wide-eyed as she checked the menu.
"Whaaat? Thi—this! Everything's..."
I sighed. I didn't want them to feel burdened.
"It's alright, remember? Look at my account. You think I'll go broke that easily?"
"..."
The three of them gulped as I showed them my online banking app.
"And I don't want you guys to feel guilty, okay? Let's enjoy this. We're friends." I said with a smile.
I don't know why, but after saying that, they all lit up.
"Yes! We're friends!"
"Thanks, Ophelia!"
"Groupie! Let's upload this to our moments!"
Click!
The restaurant filled with our laughter and chatter. Since we were the only customers, it wasn't a problem. While listening to them, my gaze was drawn to the flat-screen TV nearby, where the news was playing.
"The topic of black materials exposing government officials involved in bribery, murder, rape, and human trafficking remains hot, with no confirmation yet on who leaked the information or their motive."
I sipped my lemon juice while watching.
"Due to these disturbing revelations, many victims have begun protesting. These officials could face life imprisonment—or even the death penalty."
The screen showed clips of handcuffed individuals.
"Gosh. Serves them right! I still get chills thinking about what those officials did!" Mae exclaimed. Even Desery and Tina were now watching, their earlier laughter gone.
I said nothing and started digging into my halo-halo topped with ice cream.
Delicious.
"What do you think, Ophelia?" Mae suddenly turned to me.
"Hm? What do you mean?" I paused from eating.
"About the death penalty… and that mysterious hacker who leaked the black materials?" she asked seriously.
Why is she asking me?
"Why are you asking me that?" I replied calmly, eyeing all of them.
She doesn't suspect anything… right?
She pouted.
"Well, you're smart! We just wanted to know your opinion. We thought it would be a fun topic so you could join in the conversation." she said shyly, blushing.
"...But if you don't want to..."
I froze.
Looks like I was being paranoid. They just wanted to make me feel included.
They didn't want me to feel left out.
I couldn't help but feel touched. They're so thoughtful. So… cute.
"Hm. Maybe that hacker was just out of money and bored?" I joked, and instantly, the atmosphere lifted.
They burst out laughing.
"Seriously, Ophelia? Out of money and bored?" Tina and Desery laughed.
"Yeah? Why not? As for the death penalty… I don't care if it's right or wrong. But I agree—trash like them should die. I'm not a good person anyway." I rolled my eyes and drank my water, a smirk tugging at my lips.
Yeah. Just die,
you motherf*ckers.