But i wasn't a liar ✔️[ENG ver]

Part 48

Part 48

What if we woke one morning to silence? No news of death, no echoes of heartbreak, no whispers of pain lingering in the air? Why do we still sigh when our eyes open—that quiet, instinctive protest against another day? Because living is the hardest fight we'll ever face. 

The air carried the faintest hint of warmth—not enough to melt the frost still clinging to the grass, but enough to make you believe winter might finally loosen its grip. Almost spring Hyunjin thought, though the world still looked brittle and gray. 

They sat on the bench outside Leeknow's old house, their breath visible in the lingering chill. Yeji had her knees drawn up to her chest, her fingers tucked into the sleeves of her sweater. Hyunjin sat stiffly beside her, his hands clenched between his knees. 

"After three days," she said softly, "we have to go to school. To get our grades... and tips for the general exams." 

Hyunjin stared at the distant treeline. "Will you bring my scores to me? I don't want to go." 

Yeji turned, her brows knitting together. "If I bring your grades, what about the advice sessions? The general exams aren't like school tests. You need guidance—" 

"I don't need it." His voice was flat. 

"Hyunjin." She gripped his sleeve. "This is your first time. You have to—" 

"Fine." He exhaled sharply. "I'll try to come." 

Relief flickered across her face. "Good. That's... that's better." 

A pause. Then, quieter: 

"I've decided to go back to Seoul." His hands clenched. "To live there again." 

Yeji's breath caught. "Are you really...?" 

"I have to fulfill Leeknow's dream." 

For the first time in weeks, Yeji smiled—truly smiled. "I'm so happy, Hyunjin." 

The truth sat between them, bitter but necessary: some wounds never heal. You just learn to carry them. 

The cemetery was quiet, the only sound the rustle of dead leaves underfoot. Hyunjin knelt before the grave, his fingers brushing the cold stone. 

"Hey, Leeknow," he murmured. "We're here. Are you... okay?" 

Yeji crouched beside him, her voice bright despite the tremor in it. "Hi, Leeknow!" 

Hyunjin placed the white flowers carefully against the headstone. "These are for you. I hope..." His throat closed "you...like it "

They sat together in the fading light, shoulders touching. 

"Don't worry," Yeji said to the grave, as if Leeknow could hear. "Hyunjin's getting better." 

Hyunjin shook his head. "I'm not getting bbetter" He met Yeji's eyes briefly before turning back to the stone. "But I'm trying." 

The wind picked up, carrying away his whisper: 

"I'm trying."

Seungmin stood frozen outside the investigator's door, his raised fist trembling slightly before he forced himself to knock three sharp raps. 

*Knock. Knock. Knock.* 

"Hello investigator, can I come in?" 

A muffled voice responded, "Yes, of course." 

The office smelled of stale coffee and old paperwork. Seungmin's fingers curled into his palms as he stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind him like the cocking of a gun.