We walked into class.
And somehow… it was worse.
The silence wasn't just quiet—it was thick.
Like if I spoke, it would echo too loud and everyone would turn and look at me.
At the front, there was a picture of Niran Wongchai.
Smiling.
Of course.
People are always smiling in pictures like that. Like they know something the rest of us don't.
Students were already seated.
Some wiping their eyes, some just staring at their desks like the answers were written there.
One girl in the front—yeah, the priest's daughter—had her hands clasped tightly, whispering prayers under her breath.
I walked in with my head down.
Not because I'm humble or respectful or anything noble like that.
No—if I looked up, I might see that picture again.
And I really wasn't in the mood for a mental breakdown before first period.
Jea-Hyun came in right behind me.
I felt his hand lightly press against my back, guiding me forward like I might suddenly forget how walking works.
"Keep moving," he muttered softly.
"I am moving," I whispered back.
"Barely."
Fair.
We reached our seats and sat down.
I exhaled slowly, then looked around.
Everyone looked… broken.
Red eyes.
Wet cheeks.
Tight faces.
Grief sat in the room like an extra student nobody invited.
Then—
There was her.
Seo-Yeon.
Sitting straight.
Perfect posture. Hands resting neatly on her desk. Her face was calm—too calm.
Eyes clear, dry.
Not a single crack.
She just stared ahead like this was a normal Tuesday.
Seo-Yeon.
Niran's ex… girlfriend… almost something… not really anything.
It was complicated.
Everyone knew she was completely, hopelessly into him.
And Niran?
He barely looked her way.
No—he liked Lalita.
Which made things even more awkward.
And speaking of Lalita…
She wasn't here today.
Which—honestly—made sense.
If she saw what I saw last night…
Yeah. No.
She wouldn't be sitting here like everything was fine.
My eyes drifted back to Seo-Yeon.
And that's when I noticed it.
A small smirk.
Tiny.
But there.
…Okay.
I blinked.
Maybe I'm hallucinating now.
That would be fun. Add it to the list.
But no—still there.
Since the first day I saw her, I thought she was a little… off.
Not crazy.
Just—
Different in a way that makes you slightly uncomfortable without knowing why.
But this?
At least pretend.
Just a little sadness? A fake tear? Anything?
Nope.
Just calm.
And that smirk.
Yeah… not suspicious at all.
Totally normal behavior.
The door opened, and the teacher walked in.
Instantly, the quiet sharpened.
No more whispers.
No more movement.
Everything settled.
I sat there, hands on my desk, staring ahead.
And one thought kept repeating in my head—
I still haven't told anyone.
About last night.
About what I saw.
Not the eyes.
Not the fall.
Not the part where—
Yeah.
That part.
No one knows.
Not even Jea-Hyun.
My one friend.
I swallowed slightly.
Because once I say it out loud…
It becomes real.
By the end of the school day, everyone looked drained.
Not just tired—emotionally wrung out.
Classes were… boring. Extra boring.
Mostly because Niran wasn't there.
He was the kind of person who made school feel less like a prison and more like… a slightly chaotic reality show.
Not for me, though.
Even when we didn't talk, he still managed to drag me into trouble.
Like that one time—we had a quiet test, dead silence, and somehow my answer sheet ended up on his desk.
Guess who got blamed for "cheating"?
Yeah. Me.
And Niran?
He just leaned back in his chair and said, "Relax, Min-Jun, you needed the excitement."
I almost failed that test.
Then there was the time he "borrowed" my homework—didn't return it—and when the teacher asked, he pointed at me and said, "He said he didn't feel like submitting today."
I got detention.
He got… a smile.
I sighed at the memory.
Annoying.
But…
The silence without him felt wrong.
I got home earlier than usual.
As expected—the house was quiet. Big. Empty. Echoing in a way that reminded me I basically lived alone in a very expensive box.
Well… almost alone.
"Min-Jun, you're back," Mrs. Hana's voice came gently as she approached.
She took my bag from my shoulder before I could even protest.
"How was school?" she asked, walking beside me.
I shrugged. "Quiet."
"That doesn't sound like your usual complaint."
"It's worse," I said. "Even Jea-Hyun was behaving."
She smiled slightly. "That serious?"
"Terrifying, honestly."
She laughed softly, shaking her head.
"Go freshen up. I made something for you," she said.
"The fridge food?" I asked.
She gave me a look. "Do I look like someone who would make you eat leftovers?"
"…Sometimes," I said carefully.
"Min-Jun."
"…I'm joking."
"Go."
I smiled—small, but real—and nodded.
That's why I liked her.
I went upstairs, and just as I stepped into my room—
Ping.
A message.
Mom.
"Eat early, and go to bed early. I'll be coming home late. Okay?"
I stared at it for a second.
Then nodded.
…Even though she couldn't see me.
"Okay," I muttered anyway.
I typed back: Sure. On to that.
Sent.
Short. Simple. That's how our conversations usually go.
I took a quick shower and changed into my night clothes—an oversized long-sleeve shirt that basically swallowed me whole, and blue shorts that dropped all the way to my ankles.
Comfort over dignity. Always.
I headed downstairs and into the kitchen.
Dinner was already set.
I sat down and blinked.
"Jjajangmyeon?" I said, looking up.
"My favorite?"
Mrs. Hana smiled. "Of course."
"Thank you."
"No problem," she said, reaching over to ruffle my hair.
I didn't even complain. That says a lot.
As I started eating, she leaned lightly against the counter.
"If you need anything, you tell me, okay?"
I nodded, mouth half full. "Mhm."
"And one more thing," she added. "Your mom said you should get ready tomorrow morning. She has a surprise for you before school."
I paused.
"A surprise?"
She nodded.
"Is she coming back?" I asked.
Mrs. Hana shook her head gently. "No. She cancelled. She won't be coming today."
I blinked.
"Oh."
A small pause.
Then I muttered, "I basically live alone in this mansion."
She smiled softly. "You're not alone. I'm here."
I looked up at her.
"…Yeah."
I nodded.
"Thanks, Hana."