Raven had been distant since school resumed—barely showing up to class, avoiding eye contact, moving like a shadow that refused to be touched. His last warning echoed in my mind, and for some reason, the space between us only grew wider.
The campus felt heavier when I walked into the hostel building. My room looked normal again. I arranged my bed, the silence so thick it almost hummed. After settling in, I decided I needed to see Jan. She had vanished the moment school closed, and ever since that strange encounter outside the gate, I hadn't heard from her.
When I reached Jan's hallway, her door was firmly locked. Maybe she hadn't returned yet.
I turned to leave, heading down the stairs when suddenly someone blindfolded my eyes from behind with warm hands.
An excited laugh.
"Jina!"
I turned sharply. It was Minho—with his usual too-perfect smile stretching from ear to ear.
"Minho…" I breathed out. "You scared me."
"How was your short break?" he asked, still smiling like nothing in this whole world ever troubled him.
"Everything seems the same," I answered.
"So you just returned?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Yes. I was hoping to see Jan, but it seems she hasn't come back yet."
"Maybe," Minho said lightly. "Let's go to the cafeteria together. I want to grab something—and maybe we could talk."
Without waiting for my response, he gently guided me toward the café. His hand wasn't forceful…
"Most students haven't returned," he said as he opened the café door for me. "But by evening, everywhere will be crowded again."
Inside, the café was unusually quiet. A few scattered students whispered over their drinks. Minho pulled out a chair for me. I sat, facing him, watching the way his eyes never stopped observing—even while his lips kept that smile.
"Any troubles?" he asked, locking his gaze into mine.
"Nothing really. Just… the whole thing about Hae. And how quickly everyone forgot."
I leaned forward a bit. "Minho, how long have you been here in this school?"
"Long enough."
His smile widened, almost glowing.
"I've been here for a long time, Jina. Any issue?"
"I just wonder how someone could stay here for that long and be comfortable."
Minho chuckled. "Because you let things get to you. Everything is normal. I like it here."
"Normal?" I repeated, disbelief crawling into my tone. "Seriously?"
He sipped his drink. Calm. Too calm.
"Minho… who is Eunwoo? And Yen? And what actually happened?"
His expression didn't break—not even a twitch. He smiled again, but this time… something under it felt wrong. Cold.
"Jina," he said softly, "you really don't like your mother, do you?"
I blinked. "Like my mom? What does that have to do with—"
"You trust too much."
I stared at him. "I trust too much?"
"Yes," he whispered. "Because not everyone is someone you should be asking these questions. Who told you something happened to Yen?"
"She's been on sick leave," he continued casually, "and she'll be back soon… I heard."
My heart skipped.
"Yen will be back?" I asked slowly.
"Soon," he said, sipping again.
He stood abruptly. "I need to take this call. Hold on for me, okay?"
He walked away, eyes glued to his phone.
I sat there, numb. Confused. The café noise faded until all I heard was my heartbeat.
A sudden movement caught my eye—Raven.
He was slipping out of the café, head down.
"Raven!" I ran to him.
He froze. For a moment, he didn't turn. When he finally did, he only nodded—expression empty, almost hollow.
"Raven… are you okay?" I asked softly.
He forced a small smile, but his eyes weren't smiling. He looked over my shoulder… behind me.
I turned.
Minho had returned and was seated again—watching us with that same unsettling smile.
When I turned back, Raven was already walking away.
I went back to my seat.
"You and Raven seem close," Minho said, still smiling.
"He's just a good friend," I replied.
"Good friend…" Minho repeated slowly, leaning back. "Why? Do you want anything to bother me?"
"What? No. I'm just—"
A tall boy walked in.
"Minho, the field's ready. The match is starting."
Minho stood immediately.
"Thanks for the company, Jina," he said. "And remember—love and respect your mother. She must mean the world to you. Always listen to her."
He reached out and gently tapped my cheek.
A soft touch.
Too soft to be affectionate—too deliberate to be innocent.
Then he walked away with the boy, still smiling.
I watched him until he disappeared.
And who told him I don't respect my mother?
How would he know anything about that?
I stood, ready to leave.
Jan's door was open now.
I walked to her room. She was there—unpacking her bag like nothing had happened.
"Jan?"
She turned and smiled.
"Jina. You just came?"
"Yes. I checked earlier—you weren't around."
"Just returned," she said, her tone flat.
"Okay… you seem busy. I'll go back to my room. We'll talk later."
She didn't answer.
Not even a nod.
I returned to my room and locked the door behind me.
My heart wouldn't stop thinking.
I sat on my bed, staring at the door.