After all the chaos of the hospital and the relief of her aunt's release, life didn't slow down-it spun faster, like the pages of a book flipping too quickly to catch the story. Mid-semester exams were creeping closer, deadlines piling up like dark clouds on the horizon, threatening to drown her in pressure.
Yeona barely felt present in her days anymore. Time blurred into a constant loop-after a few hours of unbearable reality, the world shifted, and she'd find herself back home with her pets. Those stolen moments were brief escapes, the only places that felt like hers.
Today was four days before the dreaded exams, and classes had resumed longer than usual. But honestly, Yeona wondered if it was even worth dragging herself through the motions. The way everything felt too smooth, too quiet, it twisted a knot deep in her chest.
Outside, Dan Oh and Haru played tag-or at least something like it. Dan Oh chased Haru, clutching a garland like it was a trophy, while Yeona watched and tried to make sense of their childish chaos. Maybe it was a new game, she thought, but her mind was elsewhere, knitting the wool she'd bought for Na-reul, trying to focus on something warm and soft instead of the cold, harsh world pressing in.
Christmas was coming, and a strange dread settled over her. Everything was just... too perfect, too easy. It was unnerving.
The scene shifted again-she was back at home, the usual TV show flickering quietly in the background, her dog and cat vying for her attention with barks and meows. She remembered the groceries she needed to order but realized she hadn't left the house in what felt like ages.
Shrugging on a shirt that read, "Low battery, can't talk to you now," Yeona headed to the nearby shop. The aisles were only lightly crowded, the humdrum of daily life playing on. She moved past the dull vegetables, eyes lighting up at the snack aisle-her comfort zone. She piled her cart with familiar favorites, the little things that still brought her some joy.
At the checkout, she noticed a tense scene: a man pleading quietly with the cashier to let him take some medicine without paying.
"I don't understand," the cashier said firmly. "This is expensive and strong. I can't just let it go."
The man groaned, frustrated, tugging at his hair in despair.
Yeona's heart caught as she recognized him-Baek Kyung.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward. "I'll pay for it. Add it to my groceries."
Baek Kyung's shocked gaze flickered to relief.
She glanced at him and added, "Go grab two ramens and two sojus. Quick."
Minutes later, they sat outside, the food and drink settling between them like an unspoken truce.
"What are you doing here?" Yeona asked, curiosity overcoming indifference.
Baek Kyung shrugged. "Short on money for medicine, you helped-ta-da."
Yeona smirked, sipping soju without care. "I want the real story."
He shook his head, reluctant. "Nope. Who knows? You'd babble it to the whole school."
"Fine," she said, voice casual but eyes sharp. "I'll say you got beaten up by some punks."
He snorted a bitter laugh. "Close enough."
Her gaze softened for a moment. "You have a place to live?"
His face darkened. "Why do you care? Don't you hate me or something?"
Yeona shrugged, unapologetic. "Leaving would just give you more daddy issues. I don't want to add to that."
He groaned, tugging at his hair again like it could pull the pain away. "YouTube makes running away look easy."
She sighed, tired. "Can you find a place to stay?"
He blinked, stunned.
She glanced at her watch. "Let's go. We'll miss the bus if you don't move."
Their steps matched as they walked to the bus stop in silence. The night wrapped around them like a thick blanket-quiet but heavy with unspoken things.
The stars winked above, indifferent to their struggles, dancing in their celestial playground. The moon, full and glowing, seemed wise, a guardian of broken souls. It bathed their shadows in silver light, steadying their ragged hearts for battles they both knew were coming.
Baek Kyung glanced at her-there was something in her eyes, a desperation that mirrored his own. For once, he felt like maybe, just maybe, he was in good hands.
She slowed her pace, making small talk to mask her impatience. He noticed, but said nothing.
Tonight wasn't about words. It was about the fragile beginning of something neither of them dared name.
YOU ARE READING
|| Philophobia || Baek Kyung
FanfictionPhilophobia - the fear of falling in love " You know you're like the street cats near my house" "I'm sorry wha-" " I mean you have eaten my food and yet you are ungrateful as heck" "Hwang Yeona how dare you"
