WW | Chapter 16

“I’m done waiting for you, you know.”

“Are you sulking? Don’t be so petty.”

“I thought you were walking here again today. You said you’d come after school, so what time do you think it is now?”

“I got on the wrong bus.”

“You didn’t even try to get on the right one, did you? Last time, you said you’d come but didn’t show up.”

Director Park clicked his tongue knowingly. He was fully aware of the complicated journey Yoonjo had to take from school to here. There were several bus transfers, and since he often dozed off, he missed his stop about once in every three trips. Sometimes, he’d even get on a bus going in the opposite direction, fall asleep again, and end up back where he started. If he just stayed alert, these mistakes would be reduced, but Yoonjo didn’t really care. If he ended up taking the wrong route or getting delayed, he simply went with it, showing no urgency, which meant he usually arrived late. Some days, he’d wander aimlessly and eventually go straight home.

“Waiting is boring, and being stood up feels pointless.”

“Then don’t wait.”

“Can I, though?”

Director Park raised his voice. He knew Yoonjo’s answers were always the same, and his behavior wouldn’t change either, yet he couldn’t bring himself to give up.

“Just deal with it. I won’t be coming here much longer anyway.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“They want me to study abroad.”

“Who? Your father?”

Director Park was so surprised he nearly forgot what he’d just been complaining about. Sending Yoonjo overseas when he barely managed here seemed cruel. What troubled him more was how Yoonjo sounded like he’d already made up his mind.

“So, are you going to go?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“What’s there to be worried about? As long as I can sleep, it doesn’t matter if it’s here or there.”

Director Park understood Yoonjo’s concerns, but for him, it wasn’t a big deal. The world was always blurred for him, and time slipped by while he was asleep. Whether he spent his repetitive, meaningless days here or elsewhere didn’t make a difference. The only regret he felt was not being able to see this painting, but maybe leaving would be better. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with people he disliked.

“Yoonjo…”

“I’m going now.”

Knowing what Director Park was going to say, Yoonjo turned away without giving him a chance. The painting gave him a sense of peace but also an intense exhaustion. He wanted to board a fast bus and sleep. Sadly, since it was nighttime, there would be no sunlight.

Seohee was absent. Although her group from another class showed up, they didn’t come near Yul’s classroom, likely because Seohee wasn’t around. Seohee returned two days later, and Yul was more cautious than usual, sensing something was off in her expression.

“Seohee got caught going to a club, and her mom banned her from going out,” Jieun, always the informant, looped her arm through Yul’s and shared the news. Knowing Yul was heading to the library, she insisted on joining her. Yul’s left arm felt restricted, but she didn’t pull away, not wanting to upset Jieun.

“Funny, isn’t it? Her mom runs a room salon, yet she doesn’t want her daughter going to places like that.”

“She’s her mom, so it’s natural.”

Jieun seemed completely comfortable around Yul now. She spoke more freely and sometimes even made rather blunt comments like this. Regardless of her mother’s profession, it seemed reasonable to scold a minor for going to a club. Laughing at that felt wrong.

“Oh, right. That’s not what I meant…”

“Where are you two going?”

A familiar voice interrupted Jieun’s words and stopped them in their tracks. Seohee, who’d been chatting with friends in the hallway, dragged her indoor slippers as she approached them. Her expression looked tense, suggesting she’d had quite a scolding at home. Realizing she needed to be extra compliant today, Yul replied softly.

“The library.”

“Why go to such a boring place? Instead, buy me a sandwich at the snack shop. My mom took my card, so I don’t have any money.”

Acting chummy, Seohee wrapped an arm around Yul’s neck. Yul, adjusting herself to Seohee’s height, awkwardly replied.

“Sorry, I don’t have money either.”

“Oh, come on. Just buy it for me. I’ll pay you back later.”

Annoyed, Seohee tightened her grip around Yul’s neck. Her lower back ached from the awkward posture, and now with her neck twisted, her whole body felt uncomfortable.

“Seohee, I can…”

“You, shut up.”

Just as Jieun tried to chime in, Seohee glared and pushed her back. Jieun lowered her head and stepped away without a word.

“Hey, Seomun Yul. Are you seriously not going to buy it?”

“I really don’t have any money.”

Yul responded with a pitiful expression. She was struggling to make ends meet and didn’t want to waste her money on Seohee, even if she had any. It was embarrassing to have people around hear, but she had no choice. Part of her wished Seohee would just check her wallet and see for herself. At least then, Seohee wouldn’t pester her for money, even if she kept teasing her. Luckily, Seohee wasn’t the type to extort money from her.

“No one’s truly broke; they just have a little. If you’re totally broke, that makes you a beggar, right?”

“…”

“You’re not a beggar, are you, Yul?”

Seohee tapped the back of Yul’s neck mockingly. One of her group laughed behind her and chimed in.

“Seohee, she is like a beggar. Look at how shiny her skirt is.”

“Really?”

Seohee tightened her grip on Yul’s neck and looked down at her skirt. Now everyone’s gaze was fixed on the worn-out fabric of Yul’s uniform.

“Oh, yeah. If a fly lands on it, it’ll probably slip right off.”

“Look at the frayed collar and cuffs. Did she dig this out of a recycling bin?”

“What year is that thing from? Are you collecting antiques?”

Seohee’s group took turns mocking Yul. She closed her eyes tightly. No matter how hard she tried to calm herself and endure, the humiliation was hard to bear. The uniform had been a hand-me-down from her landlord’s wife, who’d given it to her after complaining about the school, only to later reveal it had belonged to her daughter.

Once they seemed satisfied from teasing her, Seohee pulled Yul closer, her expression lighter.

“Well, can’t be helped. Hey, loser. You go buy the bread!”

“Y-yeah.”

At Seohee’s command, Jieun stumbled to answer, looking flustered. Yul dug her heels in, resisting as she had no desire to go to the snack shop. It was humiliating enough to be penniless, but being fed by someone else felt even worse. She had endured so much already that this shouldn’t be a big deal, but it still churned her stomach.

“I have to return a book to the library…”

“Don’t piss me off when I’m in a good mood!”

Seohee scowled and slapped the back of Yul’s head. Startled by the unexpected hit, Yul stumbled forward a few steps. Although Seohee had often picked on her verbally, this was the first time she’d resorted to physical violence. The shock momentarily froze her, and then anger surged up, nearly making her retaliate, but she barely managed to hold back. As she regained her composure, anxiety washed over her. It had been like this at her previous school, too. What started as verbal taunting escalated into physical blows. Seohee had struck her, and she’d held back, which meant this was likely to continue. She couldn’t afford to provoke Seohee, but simply going along with everything wasn’t an option either. How could she find a balance?

“Are you okay?”

She was staring at the ground when a pair of white indoor slippers entered her line of sight. Yul lifted her gaze, following the slender ankles and calves to find an unfamiliar girl standing before her. Yul wasn’t short, yet this girl appeared two or three centimeters taller. She was strikingly beautiful, with flawless pale skin, delicate features, and long hair parted to the side that highlighted her pure, innocent look.

Who is she? How have I never seen her before?

“Hey. Yoo Kahi. Just keep walking,” Seohee snapped at the girl who’d spoken, but Kahi ignored her, focusing solely on Yul’s face. Her expression seemed to offer help if Yul needed it.

Yul hesitated briefly. Would accepting her help be a good long-term decision? Probably not. Kahi wasn’t even in her class and didn’t show up around school much. She didn’t seem intimidated by Seohee, but Seohee didn’t seem afraid of her either. Yul didn’t want to risk adding more complications, and strangely, she didn’t want Kahi’s help.

“I’m fine.”

“Really? Okay, then.”

Kahi quickly lost interest and walked away. Watching her leave, Yul felt relieved she hadn’t asked for help.

In the end, she and Jieun went to the snack shop with Seohee’s group. Even though her mood was in the gutter, she tried to pretend everything was fine.

As they were hanging around the snack shop, someone from Seohee’s group pointed to something in the distance.

“Isn’t that Yoo Kahi and Kang Yoonjo?”

Everyone turned to look through the glass walls of the snack shop at a nearby table where a boy and girl were sitting together. There was Yoonjo, usually seen asleep, sitting across from Kahi, looking remarkably awake and, for once, relaxed. It was the first time Yul had seen him like that since she started attending this school.