NEVER NOT • H.RENJUN

25

| chapter twenty-five |
monsters like you..
« they say that we're out of control and some say we're sinners but don't let them ruin our beautiful rhythms »

Instant rage bubbled in Hyewon's stomach at the sound of the demon's name. Her previously soft expression hardened and her eyes narrowed into slits.

Without a single thought to stop her, the demon walked out of the room. Once she saw Hani, she raged over faster, her stomps angrier. Her hands instantly encircled the other demon's neck, slamming her back against the nearest wall.

"How could you?" Hyewon breathlessly muttered. Hani let herself be strangled, she glared at the aggressive demon blankly but the small smirk on her lips expressed pride.

Hani had a plan yet through he anger, Hyewon hadn't realized it. She was unaware of the fact that she was ruining things for herself.

Hyewon's resentment only grew at Hani's nonchalant behavior. "Why aren't you fighting back? Isn't this what you wanted? To make me mad? You can't even talk back now?"

"You see, she–" Hani gulped, struggling to speak with Hyewon's strong grip. "She's dangerous. Even to her own kind."

But Hani wasn't talking to Hyewon. She was looking at someone over her shoulder.

The confused demon turned around, behind her, stood another entity. An Archangel. Caught off guard, Hyewon slowly loosened her grip from the other's neck and stepped away.

This was her plan. To make her mad, play the victim, make her look like the monster she isn't in front of the Superior, ultimately ruining her chance to ever be able to stay with Renjun.

Hani fell to her knees holding her neck in pain. She continued to play the victim. "If she can do this to me, imagine what she has done to your Angel."

"I wouldn't hurt him," Hyewon still attempted to fend for herself. She was never one to give up easily. "You know that."

"Either way, monsters like you–like us," She pointed at Yoon and Jaemin as well. "Do not belong with Angels." Hani stood up from the floor. She walked closer and whispered in Hyewon's ear, "And you don't deserve any bit of happiness either." She stepped away again and confidently walked beside the Archangel.

Hyewon was angry beyond words. Her hands were clenched at her sides and her eyes were brimming with tears of frustration. She was wordless with rage, suffocating in her anger.

Instead of arguing with Hani, the Demon looked at the Archangel. His expression was stern, almost angry. She let out a deep breath to calm herself, "So what now?"

"I need to take you with me." His voice was like his face, unwavering and serious.

Hyewon already knew what was about to happen. She knew her fate since the day she saw Renjun–since the day she fell captive in his wings.

With a snap of the Archangel's fingers, the two of them appeared before the Gates Of Heaven.

The demon grimaced. She looked around at the new sight in front of her. It was like home, except everything was very bright and white and ear-splitting cries didn't welcome you. "Gosh, this place hurts my eyes."

The large white gates opened and the Demon followed the Archangel inside. Every angel turned its head to watch her. Hyewon couldn't help but chuckle lowly as some of them ran off and others hid from her.

As she walked further, she could see how perfect everything and everyone was. They all talked to each other, were kind to each other, and everyone was included. It was all so perfect. If she were reborn as an Angel, everything in her life would be perfect. Renjun would be in her life, and there would be no problem with keeping him in it.

If only I was an Angel.

Hyewon pinched herself before she could start feeling jealous. She reminded herself that being perfect was boring and that true beauty is often found in imperfections.

And although the angel she loved was supposed to be boringly perfect, he somehow had flaws of his own; he was in love with her. And to her, that was the most beautiful imperfection.

"Go ahead," The Archangel interrupted her train of thought. They stood in front of another tall, white door.

"Is white the only color you Angels know?" She rubbed her burning eyes. The Archangel only stayed silent. He waited for her to enter the room.

Hyewon hesitated to open the door. Truthfully, she was scared. Scared that if she opened that door, she'll be gone before she even gets to see Renjun one last time.

"Will this be my last time seeing you?" She turned to the Archangel again. "Can you maybe do me a favor? I know I'm a heartless demon, boo-hoo, but we were both humans once!" Hyewon smiled. The Archangel remained unbothered. "I'll still tell you anyway, in case, that kind heart of yours gives in. I just need you to tell Renjun that I–wait. Actually, maybe it's better if I leave without saying goodbye. It'll hurt him less, right?" She thought on her own for a while. "Yeah, I guess that'll be better.."

Hyewon turned to the white doors in front of her and she reached for the doorknob. With one last shaky breath, she pushed open the door and walked inside.