Beneath the Hierarchy | Hierarchy - Kim Rian

Chapter 26 - Spring Time

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Inside the boys' locker room, Rian sat on a bench, his heart heavy with anticipation and guilt. He was waiting for Kangha, ready to deliver the apology he had promised Jia. He knew he needed to confront his part in the bullying that had contributed to Inhan's tragic fate. Rian stared at the floor, lost in thought, oblivious to the fact that all the other students had already left, leaving only him and Kangha alone in the room.

The silence was deafening, amplifying his inner turmoil. Rian felt a mix of regret and fear; he knew that words could only go so far in mending the pain he had caused. As he sat there, memories of Inhan flooded his mind—moments of laughter, camaraderie, and the vibrant spirit that had been extinguished too soon.

Taking a deep breath, Rian stood up and approached Kangha, who was standing by his locker. Rian could feel the weight of his remorse pressing on him as he faced Kangha, whose expression was a mix of curiosity and guardedness. Kangha sighed, turning back to his locker, and then looked at Rian again, waiting.

"I want to say I'm sorry," Rian began, his voice steady but laced with emotion. He met Kangha's gaze, which was blank, as if bracing for what was to come. "I went to where Inhan was with Jia."

Kangha's eyes widened in surprise. "You went to see my brother?" he asked, disbelief creeping into his tone. Rian nodded, the gravity of his words weighing heavily between them.

"You went to see my brother?" Kangha was taken aback by Rian's admission, his surprise palpable as Rian nodded slowly, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.

"So, just so you know," Rian began, his voice thick with remorse, "while I didn't directly cause what happened, it's true that guys were bullying him that day. And it's all my fault. I should've stepped in and put a stop to it all." He averted his gaze, staring at the floor, unable to meet Kangha's eyes as shame washed over him.

"At the time, I just couldn't stand seeing him hang out with Jaeyi," Rian continued, anguish evident in his voice. "So I just stood there while they tormented him, pushed him around. I should have done something." He paused, his shoulders slumping under the weight of his guilt. "Look, I know I'll never be forgiven. Jia hasn't forgiven me either. But I'm really sorry. For you, for Jia, and for Inhan."

As Rian's sincere apology poured out, Kangha felt a knot tighten in his chest. Tears prickled at his eyes as he processed the reality of how they had failed Inhan. The memories of his brother's laughter, their shared moments of joy, clashed painfully with the harsh truth of that day.

"I lost my brother, Rian," Kangha said, his voice thick with emotion. "Jia lost her best friend, someone who was like a brother to her. You could apologize a million times, and it still won't bring him back. You think saying you're sorry makes any difference?"

Rian looked away, unable to bear the intensity of Kangha's gaze. Guilt twisted in his stomach like a relentless storm. He understood that no words could undo the damage, and the weight of that truth pressed down on him.

"Must be nice," Kangha said, stepping closer to Rian, his gaze unwavering. "If it wasn't for that accident, my brother would still be here—laughing and joking with me and Jia. If you guys hadn't bullied him, if he hadn't been driven into the street that night... then he'd... he'd still be alive and well."

As he spoke, memories flooded Kangha's mind—images of brighter days when they were carefree children. He could almost hear the echoes of their laughter, feel the warmth of those moments. He remembered the time he and Jia had pulled a prank on Inhan, running away as he chased after them, laughter filling the air. Jia would make them their favorite snacks, and they'd sneak bites before she caught them, playfully scolding them while they erupted in giggles. Those memories felt so vivid, so alive, yet now they seemed like a distant dream, overshadowed by loss.