“Wow… what is happening…?”
Jin Yeseo thought as she passed through the unusually thorough and lengthy security check.
If someone with her distinct features of blonde hair and green eyes felt this way, there was no need to mention how others were feeling.
After passing through the front gate, Jin Yeseo timidly looked around.
The scenery of Yoram, freshly returned from quarantine, was utterly unfamiliar.
The first thing visible was the debris of buildings, burnt and shattered, scattered everywhere. Workers were being deployed to hasten the recovery, but it seemed like it would take more time to restore it to how it used to be.
“I wonder if my sister is okay…”
Jin Yeseo mumbled.
As for that guy, even if he was thrown to the depths of hell, he would find a way to come back, so there wasn’t much to worry about.
The issue was with Baek Seoyeon.
Everyone who knew was aware.
The complete opening of this social gathering was a decision made by the Yoram Education Committee, but behind it lay a significant influence from Paecheon.
It was an attempt to open up the recently stagnant path of Paecheon. However, with that decision came responsibility. There were already whispers underground that they would attempt to impeach Baek Il-yong, the head of Paecheon and the chief delegate of the highest council, using this as an excuse.
At the center of it all was Heukryeon, who had returned, breaking a long silence.
Jin Yeseo was feeling mixed emotions.
Although her heart was set on Heukryeon, she still liked and followed Baek Seoyeon the most.
“…She’ll be fine. After all, she is my sister…”
However, Jin Yeseo soon shook her head. Still, Baek Seoyeon’s position in Yoram was solid. It was a situation where she couldn’t say anything hastily.
As she walked through the hallway, trying to stay alert, Jin Yeseo suddenly caught a glimpse of her reflection in a window.
Her hair, which she normally tied up carelessly to avoid interfering with training, was now gracefully brushed and flowing down. The tips of her hair had a slight wave, glistening with smooth shine.
Her school uniform top was also tightened to highlight her body slightly. The skirt was daringly raised just above the knees, revealing her soft and supple thighs between it and her knee-high socks.
“Do you think he’ll like it…?”
Jin Yeseo murmured awkwardly, twirling her hair as she looked at the window.
But soon, she steeled her resolve again.
During the recent quarantine period, Jin Yeseo had been busy devising a plan to completely win him over.
Having gained justification from her mother, she felt no longer hesitant.
“This time… he should be in the training room…?”
As she made her way, she heard the clacking of high heels coming from the opposite side of the hallway.
Suddenly turning her head, Jin Yeseo’s face broke into a bright smile.
“Sister…!”
She called out happily, running toward someone with black hair, but that person didn’t seem to notice her at all and kept moving.
Wondering if she hadn’t heard, Jin Yeseo hurriedly approached her from behind and called out again.
“Sister! It’s me, Yeseo…!”
Only then did Baek Seoyeon come to a stop, slowly turning her head with a listless demeanor.
And at that moment, Jin Yeseo, who had been ready to rush into her embrace, froze in shock.
“Uh, Sister…?”
Baek Seoyeon’s face, gazing back at her, was shrouded in a heavy darkness. Her once clear and bright eyes were now empty.
The Baek Seoyeon who always greeted Jin Yeseo with a loving smile was nowhere to be found.
“Are you, are you okay…?”
“…”
She remained silent, and that strange distance sent a chill down Jin Yeseo’s spine.
‘She seems to be having a hard time… then again, considering my sister’s personality…’
After the social gathering, which had been pushed through by Paecheon, resulting in such an incident, it was natural for the kind and gentle Baek Seoyeon to be in anguish. Jin Yeseo thought so.
Although, to be honest, seeing her appear more depressed than expected was a little unsettling.
Jin Yeseo fell into deep thought. How could she lift her mood?
And she was able to make a decision without much difficulty.
There was one significant commonality between her and Baek Seoyeon.
They each had someone they loved dearly.
Moreover, Jin Yeseo had just saved her sister from the wrong path.
“Sis, have you heard…?”
Jin Yeseo cautiously spoke to the listless Baek Seoyeon.
While reminding her of her beloved, she aimed to change the atmosphere and also gain some dating tips from her experienced sister.
“Well, actually, I brought my fiancé this time. I kept it a secret… but somehow it happened… Hehe…”
“…”
“I really wanted to introduce him to you, but I completely forgot about it… So, I was wondering…”
But just then, while she was trying to lead the conversation pleasantly…
“…Hah.”
“Sister…?”
An alien and cold chuckle pierced her ears. That voice was undoubtedly Baek Seoyeon’s.
Instead of being startled, Jin Yeseo could only express her confusion.
Did she mishear something?
– Snap… snap…
Suddenly, an unpleasant noise as if something was splitting apart resonated.
Jin Yeseo looked down at her feet and confirmed the presence of icy branches reaching out to ensnare her.
And at the end of that, was Baek Seoyeon’s face, which now seemed like it could kill her with a glare.
“Sis…?”
Jin Yeseo unconsciously took a step back. She had never seen Baek Seoyeon behave like this before. Just facing her hostility sent shivers through her hands and feet.
And then her next words made Jin Yeseo’s heart drop.
“How dare you call him your fiancé…?”
“Y-Yes…?”
She was so flustered that words barely escaped her mouth. Baek Seoyeon’s words carried an unmistakable meaning.
‘W-Where did this come from…?’
Right now, she clearly knew the identity of the man Jin Yeseo had introduced as her fiancé during the gathering.
“Sis, wait a second, let me explain…”
“You filthy girl.”
Just as Jin Yeseo stammered, trying to defend herself, an unexpected derogatory insult flew out. She never imagined Baek Seoyeon would say something like that, making it all the more shocking.
“What did you just say…?”
Thud. Thud. Her heart raced wildly, feeling like a child caught doing something bad.
Given the way she was treating her now, it seemed evident that Baek Seoyeon still had lingering feelings for that guy.
Of course, she couldn’t just back down.
Jin Yeseo shook her head, attempting to steady her trembling legs.
Nothing would change.
Baek Seoyeon already had an established fiancé. It would only lead to unhappiness for everyone if she entrusted herself to someone just for one night of romance.
Moreover, the guy she was interested in was already taken.
Although her sister had always guided her, it was also the younger sister’s duty to correct her sister if she was going astray.
With a deep gulp, Jin Yeseo took a step forward.
“Pull yourself together, sis… He’s not your man… agh…!!”
But the next moment…
With an explosion-like sound, she was forced back.
“Sis, why are you suddenly acting like this… I’m Yeseo…! Your dearest little sister… wait, let me talk…!”
“How dare you… dare you…?”
Instead of calming her down, it seemed her efforts only inflamed Baek Seoyeon’s anger further.
Baek Seoyeon’s chilly murmur pierced Jin Yeseo like a dagger. Jin Yeseo stumbled back until her back hit the wall.
Time froze as she realized Baek Seoyeon held a long shard of ice in her hand, pointed directly at her.
“S-Sis…?”
“…”
“Y-You’re joking right…?”
No answer came. Baek Seoyeon, displaying intense hostility, slowly closed the distance.
She felt all strength drain from her body, leaving her with no will to fight back. The betrayal felt like a knife to the heart as her sister treated her like this.
Just as Jin Yeseo realized there was nowhere left to flee and braced herself, she heard an all-too-familiar voice from beyond the stairs.
“What’s going on…?”
Turning her head, Jin Yeseo smiled brightly as if she had just been saved. The masked male student rushed over, wedging himself between her and Baek Seoyeon.
As he stood behind Jin Yeseo, he slightly turned his head and whispered softly.
“Are you okay?”
His concern for her made Jin Yeseo almost unable to contain her urge to leap into his arms.
She contemplated her actions for a moment.
But the events had already unfolded.
Given the current reality, she thought shock therapy wouldn’t be a bad approach either.
If Baek Seoyeon witnessed the situation, perhaps she would reconsider.
“…”
Having made her decision, Jin Yeseo nodded to the boy.
Then she dashed to his side and buried herself in his embrace.
Just like someone who had been under immense pressure until now.
“What are you doing all of a sudden…!”
“Just go with it for now. I’ll explain later.”
‘…’
The boy wore an expression of deep contemplation at her words. For some reason, his hesitation made her uneasy, but that wasn’t what mattered right now.
Ultimately, he seemed to decide to go along with her.
With her body hidden in his embrace, Jin Yeseo peeked out to see Baek Seoyeon.
The hostility emanating from Baek Seoyeon had long since melted away. Instead, she gazed at the boy with an almost tearful expression.
However, what was strange was that the boy also seemed unable to meet her gaze directly.
A long and heavy silence lingered between them.
The first to break that silence was the boy.
“…Using magic without permission on school grounds is illegal. Especially treating a junior like that…”
“…”
Baek Seoyeon didn’t respond. Her eyes were growing increasingly watery.
“…I should take my leave.”
Finally, the boy cut off the conversation, leaving behind a brief farewell before turning away.
Jin Yeseo, just about to follow the boy, hesitated as she stole a glance at Baek Seoyeon.
She was slumped down, gazing forlornly at the floor as if she were in despair.
“…”
But after mulling it over, Jin Yeseo swiftly turned and followed the boy.
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