episode_0002

Unfortunately, my retribution did not last long.

An old supervisor who was patrolling found me excitedly hitting the girl.

He immediately subdued me and reported the incident to the head of security.

But sadly, by the time he arrived at the school, everything had already come to an end.

“Uh…uh…ugh…”

Upon seeing the girl’s battered appearance, the head of security let out a strange groan. He even grabbed his neck and almost collapsed, needing support from the security guard.

Even to my eyes, the girl’s condition was quite severe. Her usually neat hair was all tangled, and her cheeks were swollen and red.

Her exposed arms and legs were covered in bruises and scratches.

Seemingly unjustly treated, tears hung in her swollen eyes.

But I was more disappointed that I couldn’t give her a proper beating than feeling remorse.

“Hyuna…what is this…”

“Madam! We are all doomed because of your son!”

Following closely behind the pig was the mother. The head of security shouted at the mother as soon as he saw her.

But the mother maintained a more composed demeanor than the head of security. After glancing at me and the girl alternately, she made a strange expression.

Then, taking the medicine brought by the supervisor, she ushered everyone except the girl out of the classroom.

“I should have sent that guy to the Eastern Frontier Development Team long ago…oh…”

The head of security’s anxious muttering continued to echo down the hallway. His character was well known among the children, so initially, I considered it fortunate that I wasn’t beaten.

But as I continued to hear his lamentations, the reality slowly began to sink in.

While the children had complained behind her back, they had never openly shown hostility towards the girl.

Partly due to the parents’ requests, the children were also aware that the girl came from a different background than us.

Yet, I couldn’t control my temper and ended up hitting the girl.

Even the unflappable head of security was trembling.

Of course, the head of security couldn’t possibly know what would happen, but I couldn’t help but worry that the blame might fall on my mother.

And it was quite some time before the classroom door opened.

“Come this way.”

The first to appear was the mother. As the mother looked inside the classroom and spoke in a gentle voice, the girl timidly walked out.

Bandages and ointments were visible all over her face and body.

Seeing her like that made me feel weak all over. I had punished her so harshly, and now seeing her being treated, it was unbelievable.

What was even more unbelievable was how obediently the previously defiant girl was following her mother’s instructions.

Then, the words that stumbled out of the girl’s mouth sealed the deal.

“…If I beg for forgiveness now, will you show mercy?”

What is she talking about?

The worry and anxiety from before were completely gone. The way she spoke, as if I had done something wrong, made my fist clench involuntarily.

“Ugh…”

Seemingly noticing my reaction, the girl’s body shrank back.

But behind the girl, the mother was glaring at me with a sharp expression.

No one could win against that expression. In the end, I had no choice but to submit to the power of the adults.

“I…I’m sorry…”

I hesitantly reached out my hand first, but the girl recoiled and trembled, her arms shaking.

Just now, it seemed like the memory of being slapped had resurfaced.

But in the end, she reached out her finger and lightly touched the tip of my hand.

At first, a soft and cold sensation was felt, and upon seeing us like that, my mother let out a small sigh.

It was right after the arrival of the strict-looking maid who was in charge of the girl. Seeing the girl turned into a pitiful beggar-like appearance, the maid’s expression seemed as if her soul had left her body. Then, she suddenly fell to her knees and began to plead for forgiveness.

I overheard that she had received a call to come back to her family on her way back from school, but was delayed due to a sudden attack by a group of monsters.

I wondered if the reason the girl was alone in the classroom until late was different from usual.

“…Father, you were called by the lady of the house. There was nothing I could do.”

However, the girl just turned her head sideways. Even so, her voice was quite gentle, unlike when she was dealing with others, as if she was her subordinate.

Later, the maid, who had stood up and straightened her position, unexpectedly aimed a sharp blade at my neck.

Surprisingly, the girl stopped her actions, and although the maid seemed a bit surprised, she followed the owner’s command without a word.

The girl, who was about to leave school immediately, seemed to have forgotten something and turned her body back. Then, hesitantly, she slightly opened her mouth.

“…You. What’s your name?”

“What? I can’t hear you. Speak up.”

After hearing my words, the girl hesitated for a moment and suddenly shouted loudly.

“Hey…what’s your name!”

“…? It’s Lee Hyunin.”

“…Lee Hyun…Lee Hyun…”

The girl muttered my name softly. Then, she turned around again and really left the scene this time.

The sighing captain of the guard also returned to his post. My mother and I also turned back home.

My mother lamented that her lifespan seemed to have been shortened by ten years because of me. When I apologized, she lightly fed me honeyed rice cakes.

My mother asked why she had made the girl like that, but I didn’t answer. Seeing me like that, my mother smiled sadly.

On the other hand, I was curious about how my mother had made the girl so obedient. However, my mother also avoided answering my question, telling me to ask her directly later.

Then, as if to console me, she said to me.

“From now on, get along well.”

“Why should I? I don’t want to.”

“Stop it. You’re in the same class, so you’re friends.”

“Just because we’re in the same class, does that mean we’re friends? I heard she comes from a really good family. Jinho said she might be a magician.”

“Magicians are just people too. Kids are all the same.”

“But she might not want to get along with me, right?”

“I don’t think so, according to your mother? She even told you her name earlier.”

“…But I still don’t like being friends with someone with a bad personality…”

My mother was always quick to pick up on things. She sensed my hesitation and tried to persuade me again.

“If you get to know her, she might be a nice kid. She just lacks a bit in studying.”

“Studying? What studying?”

“Your mother thinks that she really likes friends. But she doesn’t know how to approach them properly. So she just blurts out whatever comes to her mind.”

“Hmm…”

“What do you think? Don’t you feel sorry for her?”

My mother delivered the final blow.

“Your mother thinks that our kind and smart Hyuni would learn quickly if she just showed her the way. Honestly, you’re feeling a bit sorry for hitting her earlier, right? How about letting her know with an apology?”

“Ugh…”

My mother knew my personality too well. And with continued persuasion, I eventually gave in.

‘Well, it’s just that much,’ I thought.

Due to being severely hit, I thought she might not come, but the girl arrived at school before me and sat in her seat. Her face still bore the remnants of yesterday’s bruises.

The students who saw the girl’s swollen face grimaced and whispered to each other. Seeing their reaction, I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the girl.

If she had friends, wouldn’t they be more concerned than whispering behind her back?

I had Jin-ho and Ina by my side, but there was no one around the girl now.

Since I had made up my mind, I thought I should definitely help her. So, instead of sitting in my usual seat, I headed straight for the seat next to the girl.

“…Hello.”

As my voice reached her ears, the girl, who had been staring out the window, quickly turned her head. Her usual cold expression suddenly turned into one of fear as she looked at me.

“Uh…”

“Hey. If someone greets you, you should respond too.”

“Uh…um…”

Upon hearing my urging, the girl made a strange noise and stumbled over her words before suddenly biting her tongue.

I thought we had made up, but seeing her frightened puppy-like eyes, it seemed like yesterday’s events were still fresh in her mind.

After confirming that the girl had no intention of causing any trouble for me, she regained her composure. She cleared her throat a few times and forced her usual arrogant tone.

“Uh…uh, nice to meet you.”

Seeing her struggle to give a proper greeting, I couldn’t help but sigh. The road ahead seemed too long.

But it was something I had already decided and couldn’t back down from.

“…I’m sorry about yesterday. I won’t hit you again. But don’t say those words to me. They’re the ones I hate the most.”

As the word ‘hate’ came out of my mouth, the girl flinched slightly.

“Hate…hate? Then…”

“I said I won’t hit you. I already apologized.”

“Uh…”

“I’ll try to endure other things as much as I can. But those words are a bit much.”

“…”

“So let’s make a promise. I won’t hit you, and you won’t say those words.”

I extended my thumb and pinky finger towards the girl. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively wrapped her fingers around mine.

“…Okay.”

I could feel the cool and soft touch of her skin. Feeling reassured about her safety, the girl let out a light sigh.

“But what’s your name? I heard mine yesterday.”

“…It’s Seo-yeon.”

“Is your name also just one syllable like mine?”

“…No, well…both names…”

Seo-yeon hesitated to reveal her surname.

“Never mind. You don’t have to tell me. But how should I address you? You can just call me Hyun.”

“Hyun…Hyun…”

Seo-yeon repeated my name.

“Then I’ll call you Yeon…or, um. I’ll allow you to call me that.”

“Okay. Take care from now on. I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

“…?”

Seo-yeon looked puzzled after hearing my words, then nodded slightly.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but think that she wasn’t entirely lacking in cuteness.