𝕎𝔸𝕐 𝔹𝔸ℂ𝕂 ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔼 ||𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋||

Chapter - 03

Later that Day

Yeon-hwa walked out of the school gate and took a deep breath. The fresh night air was a relief after the chaos of the classroom. As she walked down the street, she couldn't help but think about Yeong-hoon. She knew that he must be thinking about the events earlier, just like she was.

As she turned the corner, she saw Yeong-hoon sitting on a set of stairs, staring off into the distance. Without thinking, she rushed into a nearby convenience store and bought some bandages. She knew that he needed them.

Yeon-hwa hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should approach Yeong-hoon. But she remembered the look on his face when he pushed her away earlier, and she knew that he needed someone to be there for him.

She walked up to him, trying not to make any sudden movements. "Here," she said, holding out the bandages.

Yeong-hoon looked up at her, surprised by her sudden kindness. He took the bandages from her, still unsure of what to say.

They sat there in silence for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Yeon-hwa spoke up. "I'm sorry about what happened in the classroom earlier. I know it must have been tough for you."

Yeong-hoon shrugged. "It's nothing. I've dealt with Kwon Il-ha before."

Yeon-hwa looked at him with concern. "He's been bullying you?"

Yeong-hoon nodded, but he didn't seem too bothered by it. "I can handle myself. I don't need anyone's help."

Yeon-hwa frowned. "That's not true. No one should have to deal with bullying on their own."

Yeong-hoon looked at her, surprised by her words. He had always thought of her as a bit of an outsider, but now he saw her in a new light. "Thanks," he said quietly. "I appreciate it."

They sat together for a while, and Yeon-hwa took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up, surprising Yeong-hoon who didn't know that she smoked.

Yeon-hwa took a long drag from her cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke. Yeong-hoon watched as the smoke dissipated into the air. He had never been much of a smoker himself, but he had seen enough people around him smoke to know how bad it was for you.

"Do your parents know you smoke?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yeon-hwa shrugged. "No, of course not. They'd throw a fit if they knew."

Yeong-hoon nodded, understanding all too well. He knew that Yeon-hwa's parents were abusive, both physically and emotionally. He had seen the bruises on her arms and the way she flinched whenever someone raised their voice.

"I'm sorry about what happened in class today," he said after a few moments of silence. "I didn't mean to push you away earlier. I was so angry that I couldn't control myself."

Yeon-hwa looked at him, her eyes softening. "I know," she said. "And it's okay. But you don't always have to be alone, you know. You can talk to me if you need to."

Yeong-hoon smiled, a small and genuine one. He appreciated Yeon-hwa's offer, even if they weren't exactly friends. "Thanks," he said. "I'll keep that in mind."

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, the only sound coming from the occasional car passing by on the street. Yeon-hwa finished her cigarette and stubbed it out on the concrete. She turned to Yeong-hoon and held out the pack to him.

"Want one?" she asked.

Yeong-hoon shook his head. "No, thanks. I don't smoke."

Yeon-hwa nodded, understanding. They both stood up and started walking down the stairs. They walked side by side, the tension between them gone. There was a comfortable silence between them, and Yeon-hwa decided to break it.