Sylvania || jjk

11

“Chaeng, it’s for you.”

I looked up, eyes swollen, and saw Eun standing near the door with an envelope in her hand. It was slightly crumpled, the edges marked with brownish stains. My stomach tightened.

I already knew what it was.

Harley must have told them everything. She hadn’t expelled me – but I knew this was the next blow.

I took the envelope from Eun with shaky hands and opened it slowly. The moment I saw the handwriting, my chest sank. It was my dad’s.

Eun sat down beside me without saying a word. I read.

> “Chaeng,

I received a call from your Headmistress, Mrs. Harley.

Your mother and I are very hurt by what we heard. We trusted you to focus on your studies and make the most of the opportunity we worked hard to give you.

You know I’m not a wealthy man. We’ve stretched our savings so you could study at Sylvania because we wanted you to have a better life than ours.

For now, I’ve decided I won’t be sending you extra money. This isn’t meant as punishment. I want you to understand the value of what you have.

Please do better.

– Dad”

My hands shook as I lowered the letter.

It wasn’t even about the money.

It was the way it sounded. So distant. So controlled.

“He didn’t even say he loves me,” I whispered.

Eun leaned closer. “Chaeng…”

“He trusted me,” I said, my voice breaking. “He believed in me. And I ruined it.”

“He’s upset,” she said softly. “But he didn’t pull you out of Sylvania. That matters.”

Tears slipped down my face. “They gave up so much for me. He works all day at a hospital that barely pays him. They sold things just so I could be here.”

“I know,” Eun said, wrapping an arm around me. “That’s why you can’t stop now.”

I rested my head on her shoulder. She held me without saying anything.

“You’re still here,” she said after a moment. “He’s giving you another chance. So use it.”

“I’ve never felt this ashamed,” I murmured. “I don’t even want to look at myself.”

“Then don’t,” she said gently. “Cry today. Let it hurt. But tomorrow? We fix things.”

I let out a small, broken laugh. “You sound like a movie coach.”

She smiled. “I have my moments.”

I wiped my face. “I just hope… one day he forgives me.”

“He will,” Eun said without hesitation. “But first, you need to forgive yourself.”

---

Eun and I walked side by side down the hallway. She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got magic career counseling with Professor Valeria. You okay for Levitation class?”

I nodded, swallowing the tight feeling in my throat. “Yeah. I’ll see you later.”

We stopped at the fork and split up.

Not even a minute later, the whispers started.

“She loves attention.” “Jungkook’s mixed up with her? Makes sense.” “That ended badly.”