Chapter 19: Friends?(3)

The situation was more serious than I’d expected, and I couldn’t hide my shock.

‘What the hell is going on?’

I’d braced for a simple argument, but this was on another level.

It wasn’t a deadly height, but you never know.

Pyo Jiseok was much taller and bigger than Joo Kihyun, yet he couldn’t resist properly.

I lunged, pulling Kihyun off.

‘Was he always this strong?’

His strength didn’t match his slight frame.

It took a bit of my power to fully subdue him.

“Haa, haa, whew… damn it…”

“…”

“Damn… I almost died, for real…”

Jiseok, cursing and panting, scrambled away from the railing and looked at me.

“Thanks. Think we first talked at school… haha, meeting like this again.”

Embarrassed about nearly being pushed by Kihyun, whom he used to bully, he spoke awkwardly.

“What happened?”

I asked, expressionless.

“No clue, damn it.”

“…?”

“Not you, him.”

He pointed at Kihyun, slumped on the ground from my push.

“That’s all you saw.”

“All?”

“Dunno if it was grades or attitude, but I stayed back as told. Came to the rooftop for a smoke, and this guy shows up and starts pushing me.”

His fuming seemed genuine.

Kihyun stayed silent, motionless.

“So, speak, you punk. Finally lost it?”

“…”

“Talk, damn it! Before I do the same to you!”

Jiseok grabbed Kihyun’s collar, yelling.

I considered stopping him, but Kihyun swatted his hand and bolted for the door.

“Hey, where you going?!”

I stopped Jiseok from chasing.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“He’s off. Chasing won’t help. Tell a teacher. Some are still around.”

“…Teachers? Useless.”

He clicked his tongue but didn’t ignore me, maybe grateful.

“Best to pay him back. Next time, he’s done.”

“Don’t.”

“Hmph… Anyway, thanks, Seol Haru. Need help later, just say.”

Muttering shyly, he shoved his hands in his pockets and added as he walked off:

“Just got caught off guard. That punk’s usually nothing. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

He left without looking back.

After the storm, I stared at the sky.

Sorting my thoughts, I descended the stairs.
Then…

“Possession? Or spiritual power?”

Activating my senses, I tracked Kihyun.

He wasn’t normal.

Insane behavior and unnatural strength.

Yet, no spiritual power or sinister aura of possession.

“That cursed candy he gave me.”

That weird candy triggered the Halloween killer.

I meant to question him, but Hwaseo’s memory wipe stopped it.

He didn’t seem capable of making it, so it was probably a fluke, but without knowing its source, he might be tied to this.

“…Annoying.”

It was getting irritating.

When I found him, I subdued him roughly, partly out of frustration.

Crash!

“Ugh…”

Pinned by his neck and back, Kihyun couldn’t move.

“What’s your deal?”

“Speak. What did you do this time?”

“Playing mute? Got something to hide?”

I pressed harder, but he stayed silent.

Then, he erupted with strength.

– Let go—!

A non-human spiritual aura surged.

I ramped up my own power, pinning him.

“Finally showing your true colors.”

Like the janitor, something unnatural had taken him.

As I tried to expel it, something unexpected happened.

Saaa—

Kihyun’s form vanished like mist.

No exaggeration.

The sensation under my hand disappeared, touching the floor.

My eyes widened.

“What the…?”

Simple possession wouldn’t do this.

Dissolving under spiritual power meant he wasn’t human to begin with.

But Joo Kihyun was a real person.

So where was the real one…?

“Haru?”

“…!”

Hwaseo’s voice.

Suppressing my jolt, I looked up casually.

“What’re you doing? Did you fall?”

“…Yeah, slippery floor.”

“You okay? Not hurt? Be careful.”

I took her pale hand, standing.

Her worried face showed no suspicion.

‘She didn’t see?’

I knew her acting wasn’t great, so I probed.

“Thought you left.”

“Yeah, but as I reached the gate, I remembered something I forgot to tell the teacher. Came back to say it.”

Her eyes scanned around.

I’d used my power lightly and briefly, so she must’ve sensed the fake Kihyun’s aura.

‘Phew.’

Not my energy, and my mimicry was perfect—no risk of exposure.

Regaining composure, I said calmly:

“Could’ve just texted.”

“…Oh! Right!”

Her eyes widened, genuinely unaware.

Her cuteness nearly got me in trouble—funny.

The next day.

Yesterday’s school search turned up nothing.

No sign of Kihyun or other oddities.

Frustrated by the unresolved mess, Dodam spoke up.

“Why the long face this morning?”

“Nothing. Same as usual.”

“Not at all. You look like a kid whose toy got taken.”

“I’m that cute?”

“…Who said cute?”

Dodam looked away, then back.

“Something happen yesterday? Fight with the girls?”

“Nah… couldn’t go. Had stuff to do.”

Investigating that weird incident made me cancel.

Still pissed thinking about it.

‘Sua and her friends probably had fun.’

Without me.

I blew a chance to get closer.

During homeroom, Ms. Park Irim stared at an empty seat.

“Kihyun’s not here?”

“Nope~”

“Odd. No contact. Sick, maybe?”

Students tilted their heads.

He was so quiet and solitary, no one knew much.

Scanning the class from the back, a strange unease nagged me.

“Something feels off.”

“Off? Like the class vibe’s different?”

“Not sure. Just a feeling.”

Dodam just shrugged.

“Maybe you’re overthinking.”

Maybe.

Classes went on normally, proving it was my imagination.

During break, girls’ laughter rang out.

‘Sua and her friends.’

Must’ve had a blast yesterday.

To get closer, I should join in, but I headed to the bathroom.

Didn’t feel like forcing it.
I’d tried changing, but my core personality stayed.

Shhh—

Washing my hands, the girls walked in.

“Oh! Haru!”

“Hey~”

“…Hey.”

Girls really brighten the air.

I meant to leave, but they blocked the way, chatting.

“I always think this, but Haru, you’re so pretty.”

“Right? Been dying to ask—any beauty secrets? Spill~”

“Nah, just bare-faced.”

“Liar~”

It’s true.
Swarmed by girls, my brain started overloading.

Why so much interest in me?

Desperate, I recalled something to change the topic.

‘That’s it.’

“Sua, how’s the plushie?”

“Huh? Plushie?”

“The one I got you. What was it, some animal…”

I blanked on the name.

A fairy tale popped up.

The Tortoise and the Hare.

One of those.

“The rabbit one.”

“Oh~ the rabbit. Keeping it safe. Those long ears are so cute~”

You know when you guess on a test, and the answer hits right after?

That.

“Haha… cool.”

It was a turtle.

No rabbit anywhere.

Pretending it was fine, I tried to leave.

Then, countless hands grabbed and shoved me.

“…!”

Pushed hard against the mirror, the girls wore identical, mechanical smiles.