Unveil | Choi Yeonjun

07 - RETURN

After being in such a vibrant, colourful world, the human realm feels like some shabby, second-rate garment I'm forced to don, paling in comparison to the Louis Vuitton jacket I just paraded in.

But of course, this is life.

It's not colourful nor extravagant, definitely not effortless, and certainly not some rich illusion full of sparkling fabric and gold thread. No, it's a tattered, threadbare sack half-eaten and spit out by moths.

Resting my chin on a propped fist as I listen to my teacher drone about God knows what, I sigh for the millionth time today, hoping that I can sink into myself and fucking disappear already.

While it seems like my nightmares have become less dominant these past few days, all thanks to Yeonjun who transformed them into surreal dreams of winged sheep and fairy floss, everything else is still the same.

But then again, what did you expect, Y/N? To have all your problems replaced by sunshine and rainbows?

If I'm being completely honest, yes.

Seeing a world full of hopes and possibilities makes me believe that there is somewhere out there, purely good and unspoiled by the corruption of man. It gives me a sense of strength, having this thought. Who knows? Maybe if I didn't have these nightmares, or if there was no darkness plaguing the faerie realm, I would already be turning my back on this stupid society by staying with the guardian fae.

I drop my head on the table, startling the classmate beside me.

"Y/N!" my teacher screeches, instantly making me snap back up. "Keep dozing off in my class and I'll make sure you never wake up again!"

A chorus of joyful titters fills the room.

I try not to roll my eyes. Can I die now?

***

"How was school today?" my aunt asks, staring at her laptop screen while lifting a steaming coffee cup to her mouth.

I poke the cold broccoli on my plate and frown in disgust. "Same as always. Also, stop drinking coffee at like 7pm. You need to sleep."

Yona flicks her warm brown eyes to me, a teasing grin smoothing out her puckered lips. "Eat your broccoli and I'll think about it."

I pretend to gag. "Can't I eat fairy floss for dinner instead?"

My aunt lifts a perfectly groomed eyebrow. "Fairy floss? What world are you living in, Y/N?"

A world ten times better than this one.

I hold my breath as I shove the last broccoli into my mouth, hastily chomping on the vegetable before clearing the plates. Dumping them in the kitchen sink, I turn to head upstairs. "I'll wash the dishes tomorrow, Aunt Yona."