Chapter 197

“Ah, ah…”

Behind the tree, Seoyeon let out a groan as if in agony.

She wanted to jump out and tear that mouth apart right then and there.

But somehow, her feet seemed glued to the ground, unable to move.

The face of the wounded man she remembered held her back.

“Sigh, I didn’t plan on things turning out this way…”

Minha let out a sigh, clearly disappointed.

“My makeup’s all smudged… my dress is torn to shreds… and I can’t remember a single thing I wanted to say… It’s a total mess…”

“Senior…”

“Why are you so shocked? Acting like this is something new.”

The man’s hoarse voice echoed through the air. He tried to act casual, but Minha’s gaze was thick with unhidden longing.

“You’re not a fool. Deep down, you always knew how I felt.”

“…”

“Jerk. You made me be the one to bring it up first…”

Minha’s words left the man speechless.

“Senior, I…”

“It reminds me of the old days.”

After a long silence, his mouth opened again. Lee Hyun was about to shake his head in refusal. But Minha quickly drowned it out with her own voice.

“Do you remember? The first time we met. When you approached me at the mentor designation ceremony.”

“…How could I forget.”

The man gave a slight nod in agreement.

“I still remember it like it was yesterday. You just picked a fight with me out of nowhere in the banquet hall.”

“…”

“I’m pretty sure you were the first madman in history to treat a noble lady from one of the five great families like that. I guarantee it. I thought you were completely insane…”

By now, she was closing her eyes, reminiscing.

“And back then, I had no idea… that even worse things were waiting ahead…”

Unconsciously, Minha let a faint smile form at her lips. Her body shivered as if recalling something each time her fingers brushed below her navel.

“You have no idea how hard it was. My family’s been withering under Paecheon’s attacks, my mind’s been deteriorating from mental corruption, and on top of all that, I got humiliated by a scoundrel and trapped like a dog on a leash…”

Despite her words, the smile on her lips only grew.

“Back then… I seriously wanted to just end it all…”

“…”

“But then, but then…”

Minha’s voice, lost in memory, suddenly fell silent. She dropped her head, saying nothing more.

Only the rustling leaves and the chirping insects beyond the night’s veil filled the silence.

Then, breaking the stillness, came the faintest whisper, as if barely touching the ear.

“…should have.”

“What did you just say…?”

“If you hated me… you should’ve treated me even crueler.”

When Minha lifted her head again, tears were glistening in her eyes.

*

“If you were going to do this, if this is how things were going to be… then why did you treat me like that…?”

Minha raised her voice, her eyes filled with tears.

“You humiliated me in front of everyone, violated my body multiple times, invaded my dorm room at will, and even forced me into a humiliating contract…!”

“Wait, Minha…”

“You think I didn’t know? You hated me. You hated me so much it disgusted you! If that’s how you felt, you should’ve kept treating me like that!”

She ignored Lee Hyun’s attempts to stop her.

“You should’ve just made me your slave. Drugged me, put a chain around my neck…! Made it so I couldn’t live or die without your permission! Made it so I couldn’t even think on my own!”

Lee Hyun felt as though he couldn’t breathe. Minha staggered toward him.

“But… but…”

She finally stopped in front of him and rested her head against his chest. Her voice, still filled with tears, murmured softly.

“You even gave me hope… all on your own…”

Lee Hyun stood there as if struck by a hammer.

Minha had only one complaint left.

“…Take responsibility.”

Burying her face in his chest, her shoulders shook as she spoke again.

“You made me like this on a whim… so take full responsibility till the end…”

“Senior, I don’t deserve…”

Lee Hyun’s voice was still painfully hoarse. But Minha didn’t seem willing to allow even the slightest objection.

“I know. You haven’t forgotten… the person from before.”

Minha sniffled, and Lee Hyun looked at her in shock.

“How… how did you know that?”

“…”

Minha didn’t answer. She simply wiped her eyes with her sleeve and raised her head slightly.

She lifted her trembling hand and placed it on the smooth, white mask covering his face.

Then, her lips parted as she asked.

“Just for a moment… can I take it off?”

“…”

With a silent nod from him, Minha reached behind his head and began undoing the clasps on the mask, one by one. The metallic clicks echoed through the quiet night.

Finally, with a soft thud, the mask fell, revealing the face beneath.

Slightly tousled hair. Eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and fatigue.

Seeing him, Minha asked in surprise,

“…Have you been crying?”

“…”

He didn’t respond to her question but didn’t push her hand away either.

“Ah…”

And this sight only made Seoyeon’s chest ache even more as she watched.

After all, she was the one who had left an indelible scar on that perfect creation.

“…”

With slender, pale fingers, Minha gently traced the scar etched near his eye, as if it were a flaw. Then, as if comforting him, she whispered quietly.

“I’ll never betray you.”

“…”

“I’ll never hurt you. I’ll always be by your side, standing with you.”

“…”

“You can use me as a substitute for that person. Treat me as a doll for your needs if you like. Use me however you want… body and soul…”

“What are you saying…!”

“So, please!!!!”

Lee Hyun’s final resistance scattered in a desperate cry. Through it, only two eyes, still slightly damp, could be seen.

“So… so please… don’t turn away from my feelings…”

“Ah…”

The small bird that flew into his embrace plunged him into deep agony.

He could never abandon Minha, even if she were the one to walk away first.

Minha had long since become an inseparable part of his life, something he couldn’t cast aside even if he wanted to.

No matter how painful it was, no matter how much it felt like his heart was being crushed.

Just like the guilt and fear that had clung to him for the past two years.

These things born from their relationship left scars on Lee Hyun that would never fade.

And the thing he feared most now was bearing another scar on his heart.

All he could do was hide those wounds behind a mask so they wouldn’t be visible.

But that tremor he felt now. Only then did Lee Hyun fully feel the weight of those delicate fingers.

A heart he could never turn away from, and the responsibility for everything he’d set into motion.

“…”

A heavy silence fell. Minha looked up at him, waiting desperately for his answer.

“Sigh…”

The first sound that broke the silence was a weary sigh.

“Ah…”

Feeling that even all her pleading was in vain, Minha clenched her eyes shut.

Disappointment flooded her, and she felt the strength drain from the arms wrapped around him.

“I’m really not a decent guy.”

But then, at that moment.

With a voice tinged half with resignation, he spoke to her.

It sounded almost like a roundabout refusal. Yet, with the way he seemed to have let go of so much, Minha instinctively looked up in surprise.

“H-Huh…?”

“You know it. Bad temper, rough hands, poor background, no manners…”

“N-No!!”

Minha exclaimed urgently, denying his words, as if she had an invisible tail wagging behind her.

“Well, if we’re being honest, I’m no saint either. I’ve been called a brat plenty of times…!”

“A brat, huh… Not something I’d expect a noble lady to say…”

Lee Hyun shook his head with a faint smile. Seeing him, Minha felt as if her whole body was melting. Her legs, no longer tense, wobbled as they tried to hold her up.

“Wh-who do you think I picked that bad habit up from? Whatever… what does it matter…”

It was enough. It was truly enough. Minha cheered inwardly. His reaction was everything she’d hoped for, the moment she’d dreamed of every night becoming reality.

Still, she held back a smile, glancing sideways at him, gauging his reaction.

Finally, she threw in one last comment, almost like a joke, to settle her lingering worries.

“So… I guess that makes us a villain couple?”

She swallowed nervously. Lee Hyun’s faint smile stayed on his lips.

“A villain couple, huh…”

At last, he spoke.

“That… doesn’t sound so bad. A bit silly, but… senior?”

Lee Hyun steadied Minha as she wobbled slightly, holding her as her shoulders shook. And his own body trembled along with hers.

Tears brimmed again in Minha’s eyes.

“Senpai, are you crying?”

“…I’m not.”

“But…”

“I told you, I’m not…”

Despite her words, she looked at Lee Hyun, her expression wavering as if in resentment.

“You fool… if you were going to give in, you should have just done it sooner… you’re so mean…”

…

Lee Hyun embraced her silently. For a fleeting moment, regret for a time that would never return seemed to cross his face.

Minha savored his hand as it gently stroked her hair.

And from behind a tree, someone watched the whole scene.

—

‘W-What is this…?’

Baek Seoyeon couldn’t believe the nightmare unfolding before her eyes. Her lips trembled as if she were holding back a scream.

‘No… this… how could something like this…’

She loathed Minha, wrapped in his arms, whispering words of love. She wanted to crush that heart and tear apart those deceitful lips.

Yet her feet wouldn’t move. Trembling, she couldn’t even make a sound.

She knew what would happen if she did. She would face a side of him she’d never known, and any last glimmer of hope would disappear forever.

This was the future she feared the most.

“Hey… you know…”

Minha began, feigning shyness in a way that didn’t suit her, her gaze as sweet as honey.

“To celebrate us… getting together… I’d like a token… would that be alright?”

“A token…?”

“…Yes.”

At his puzzled question, Minha gave a slight nod.

“You… you’re mine now. And I’m yours… so, as proof of that…”

Her breath was uneven, and her cheeks flushed. Lee Hyun hesitated briefly at her words.

“Yes… Senpai is now… mine.”

He echoed her words, with a strange possessiveness and obsession flickering in his gaze as if pulled from the depths of his soul.

“What exactly… this…”

But only for a moment. A faint laugh escaped him as he looked at her in confusion. Minha had already closed the distance between them, standing on tiptoe against his chest.

From her actions alone, he seemed to understand her request.

And so did Baek Seoyeon.

“No…”

Seoyeon murmured in despair. Minha cast a trembling glance at him and whispered softly.

“Hey… have you… kissed before…?”

His breath caught at her careful question. After a moment’s hesitation, he replied.

“…I have.”

“Oh…”

Disappointment briefly crossed Minha’s face, while Seoyeon unknowingly sighed in relief.

Yes. Every first experience he’d ever had belonged to her. No matter what anyone else tried, that fact would never change. And eventually, he would come back to her.

This was destiny, an unchanging truth.

At least, she thought so… until he spoke again.

“Not… on the lips.”

“What…?”

The relief Seoyeon had felt vanished. Her heart pounded as if it were being squeezed.

Suddenly, she was on a high hill covered in white cosmos flowers, watching a boy and girl rolling in the field.

-…It’s enough.

-Why?

-Lip kisses are for adults. Let’s wait a little longer.

The scent of wildflowers and forget-me-nots tickled her nose. The boy’s voice was vivid, as if from last night’s dream.

“Ah…!”

Minha let out a small cry of joy.

“Then…?”

On tiptoe, she asked again. But there was no need for an answer. She was already close enough to feel his breath.

“No… no…”

Seoyeon muttered unconsciously. That clear voice echoed again in her mind.

-There’s no rush, after all.

The girl murmured as she snuggled into the boy’s arms, brimming with confidence at the fish she had caught.

-After all, I’m yours. My body, my heart, everything.

-…Yes.

-And you’re mine, too.

-Yes.

“Ah, ah…”

Seoyeon sighed powerlessly, unable to look away. Finally, their lips met precisely.

“Chup…”

It was like biting into a sweet fruit. Time froze at that instant. Though the kiss lasted only a fleeting moment, the pain of watching stretched into eternity.

Minha slowly pulled away, and a thread of saliva clung between them like a spider’s web, breaking and scattering in the air.

Her face was flushed, a blend of satisfaction and embarrassment.

“Are you satisfied?”

“…Yes.”

He asked with an unreadable expression. Minha nodded slightly, unable to meet his eyes.

“W-Why would you even ask that…?”

“I’m glad. Then I’d like a token as well.”

“W-What…?”

Minha was about to retort in embarrassment when he closed the distance between them again.

She blinked in surprise, not understanding, but before she could say a word, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, as if to prevent her escape.

And then he pressed his face against hers.

“W-Wait… haa…!”

Minha herself seemed caught off guard. She gasped painfully as if suffocating from the intensity.

As if something was probing within her mouth, unlike the earlier light touch.

“Ah, ah, ah…”

Seoyeon instinctively understood its meaning. Her hands were now clutching her hair.

“Mm… mm…”

Unable to keep up with the pace, Minha gasped as if she were drowning.

Then.

In the midst of her struggle, she looked directly toward a distant tree.

She sensed a presence there through her connection with the spirits.

And then, she met someone’s gaze.

A trembling student with golden eyes, hiding behind the tree, like a baby bird caught in a storm.

“…”

Minha’s eyes curved into a sly smile. Her wicked nature showed clearly in her gaze.

“Haah… chup…”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched her back, pressing her whole body against his, as if to put on a show.

“Hah… chuu… haah…”

Now, she welcomed him naturally. Sticky sounds of exchanged saliva echoed in the dark. They clung together, as if they’d been one from the start.

“Ah, ah… ah…”

The girl behind the tree clasped her ears, but it was useless. Her hollow eyes spilled empty tears.

The happy dream of a night was long gone, leaving only an endless nightmare in its place.

---

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