Chapter 32: Uncovering the Truth(2)

Waking up, Gahee found herself in the infirmary.

Her body felt heavy as she struggled to sit up.

“I passed out,” she murmured.

Lately, her health had been poor.

It started with shoulder stiffness, spreading to her whole body.

Must be accumulated fatigue, she thought.

Constant part-time jobs left no time for rest.

She’d once worsened a cold the same way.

“This is bad. Will I recover quickly?”

She wasn’t in any shape to work.

Going to her job like this would be foolish—prolonging recovery.

She’d have to rest for now.

Holding her throbbing forehead, she tried to rise, but her strength failed.

Why’s my body like this?

She hadn’t eaten anything weird.

Maybe just ramen?

“Hm?”

A post-it on a recovery drink sat by the bed.

Drink this and get better. – Seol Haru

A small smile formed.

Gahee wasn’t shy but didn’t seek friends.

Relationships needed nurturing, and her circumstances didn’t allow it.

Getting close to Haru was a fluke—frequent talks after being paired led to friendship.

Or rather, Gahee had approached her.

She felt Haru wouldn’t judge her like others.

“Gives me a bit of strength.”

She’d thank Haru later.

Just then, the infirmary door opened.

Expecting Haru, she was surprised.

“You’re awake,” Han Siha said.

“Teacher? Why are you here…?”

“The nurse had to step out, so I came to check on you. You look okay, thankfully.”

His eyes brimmed with concern.

Gahee felt her cheeks flush.

“…Thanks for worrying.”

Her shy voice wasn’t like her.

Students who saw her as a delinquent would be shocked.

Han Siha was different.

Not a childish high schooler, but an adult who saw her for who she was.

He comforted her about her family, praised her efforts.

It’s not your fault. You’re doing great.

Her dad was trash, and her only family—her mom—couldn’t care for her due to illness.

His sweet words easily pierced Gahee’s heart, which had given up on validation.

Plus, Siha was fit and handsome.

For a girl who admired loving couples, resisting was impossible.

‘Does he like me?’

He must. Why else be so kind?

Even with no dating experience, she knew that much.

A teacher-student romance would draw society’s scorn.

But if they both wanted it, what did it matter?

What had society done to take away her small hope?

“Get up. I’ll take you to the hospital,” Siha said.

“I’m fine…”

He helped her up.

His hand on her shoulder felt hot.

They’d go to his car in the parking lot—alone to the hospital?

Her phone buzzed.

It was Haru.

– Be careful of Han Siha.

Her racing heart froze.

Siha was a good person.

So was Haru.

Why would the quiet, smart Haru send this?

Doubting Siha outright felt unfair, but it sparked caution.

“No, I’ll go alone,” she said.

“…Really? It’ll be tough.”

“I’m not that bad off. I’m okay.”

She’d ask Haru about the text later.

Siha briefly stared at her phone, then respected her choice—sort of.

His soft smile persisted, but Gahee sensed something off.

She tried to pull away from his grip, but he was strong.

“We’re almost there. Don’t make this difficult,” he said.

“…What?”

“Seol Haru, right? She sent that text.”

Siha stopped smiling.

“Sharp girl. Others fall for a few smiles, but she keeps getting in the way.”

His flat tone chilled her.

He pushed her onto the bed.

“Eek… mmph—!”

Her scream was muffled.

As his sneering hand slid down her shoulder—

Click!

The door opened.

“That’s enough.”

Seol Haru stood there, phone in hand.

Filming the P.E. teacher’s actions, I was relieved to arrive in time.

I knew he’d make a move, but I needed the perfect moment.

“Seol Haru…” Siha growled, face cold.

“I locked the door.”

This wasn’t his first time.

He was cunning, too much for an average high school girl.

But he didn’t know my true nature, so he’d stay puzzled.

“Haru…” Gahee whispered, shaken, unable to call me Lu-chan.

Her teary face showed betrayal.

Despite her distress, Siha snarled threateningly.

“Haha, a misunderstanding, Haru. Delete that video.”

“Do I look like an idiot?”

“I admit it looks bad. Let me explain—give me the phone.”

As my expression stayed cold, his demeanor shifted.

“You’re naive. Think that video holds legal weight?”

“Don’t know, but it’ll make things interesting if it spreads.”

He’d never teach again.

He approached slowly.

When he got close, he lunged.

Among my peers, only Dodam matched my strength—but Siha surpassed him.

His tall frame and muscular build weren’t student-level.

His shock when I dodged effortlessly was clear.

“Stop!”

Grabbing Gahee’s wrist, I ran.

She was exhausted.

Escaping Siha was impossible, but that was fine.

I just needed to reach help.

Even a madman wouldn’t act out in public.

“Huff… Lu-chan…” Gahee panted.

“Just a bit more…”

It should’ve worked.

But Siha, crashing through the hall, caught up faster than expected.

Dodging his grasp, I rolled with Gahee in my arms.

“Impressive, Haru. Making me go this far with that frail body,” he sneered.

“Guess parentless kids grow up tough?”

“…” Gahee’s wide eyes met mine, but I focused on the dark aura around Siha.

‘A psychic? No, this is…’

Seeing the letters on his keyholder—NBS—my gaze hardened.

Dodging his kick, I rolled again.

Boom!

The wall shattered, debris flying.

Gahee screamed at the impossible sight.

“Kyaaa!”

I thought he was just a vile predator.

But this was worse—a taboo violation.

Normal means wouldn’t win.

With Gahee watching, I couldn’t act freely.

Then, trembling in my arms, she spoke.

“Haru… run. You don’t need to get hurt too.”

“No way.”

Her eyes held guilt and gratitude.

Closing them tightly, she bolted away.

Siha glanced between us, then chased her.

Moments later—

Swish—

A woman in white robes melted through the wall.

It wasn’t hope.

Just despair posing as hope.

Adults were grown versions of kids, but could be far crueler.

Why hadn’t she seen it?

‘Is Lu-chan okay?’

While Gahee was lost in illusions, Haru saw through Siha’s mask.

She’d endangered herself trying to help.

Friends? I just forced my way in.

If Haru got hurt, Gahee couldn’t bear it.

“Gahee, why run?” Siha taunted.

“You blushed every time you saw me. You wanted this, didn’t you?”

His demonic face and inhuman physicality were beyond comprehension.

One thing was clear: she couldn’t escape.

‘Mom…’

If something happened to her, what would her mom do?

Biting her lip, Gahee prepared to resist.

‘Wanted to savor this slowly, but oh well.’

Siha mocked her courage, lunging.

Haru, too clever, was a liability if left alone.

He’d chosen Gahee as his first target post-ceremony.

Pretty, with a tough home life and no friends—perfect.

Haru was next.

Trickier, but her beauty was unmatched.

Playing with her would suffice.

He had a place to bury all secrets.

His kick aimed to break Gahee but stopped mid-air, as if bound by an invisible force.

“…”

A chilling presence filled the air.

A woman radiating cold floated above.

Both froze, mouths agape.