Truth Behind The Glasses | Exo D.o.

chapter 15

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Your support has meant everything. I'm so grateful to have shared this journey with you—this story wouldn't be the same without you.

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The school day dragged on, but my mind was far from the classroom. I doodled absently in my notebook, each swirl and line a distraction from the upcoming press conference looming over me like a storm cloud. The weight of my plan—Operation Goose 2, as Jinah liked to call it—grew heavier with every passing hour. If I pulled it off, Mrs. Kang would lose everything she had worked so hard to steal. But if something went wrong, I could lose my only chance to reclaim my father's legacy.

As the bell rang, I packed my things, still lost in thought. I needed to meet Aunt Min and Jinah tonight for another strategy session, but first, I craved a quiet walk home to clear my head.

I was halfway down the corridor when I heard a familiar voice call from behind me.

"Hey, wait up!"

I turned, already knowing who it was. Kyungsoo jogged up to me, his dark hair falling into his eyes in that infuriatingly perfect way. He had his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, wearing that same cocky grin that always seemed to irk me.

"Thought you were going to ignore me." He fell into step beside me, his hands tucked into his pockets.

I sighed, unwilling to admit that the thought had crossed my mind. "I have a lot on my plate right now, Kyungsoo. Not everything's about you, you know."

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong." He winked, clearly amused by my frustration. "A lot of things are about me. You just haven't realized it yet."

I rolled my eyes. "Is there a point to this conversation, or are you just here to annoy me?"

"A little of both." He glanced sideways at me, and for a moment, the teasing in his expression softened. "You seemed stressed earlier. Thought I'd check in."

I bit my lip, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "I'm fine. Just... stuff going on."

"Stuff, huh?" Kyungsoo slowed his pace, his gaze sharpening slightly. "Does this 'stuff' have anything to do with Mrs. Kang?"

I stopped walking, my heart skipping a beat. "What do you know about that?"

He shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "You talk to Jinah a lot. Word gets around."

My eyes narrowed. "And what exactly did Jinah tell you?"

"Not much. Just enough to know you're in the middle of something big." He paused, his gaze steady. "Something you're not telling me."

I crossed my arms, trying to keep my guard up. "It's not your business, Kyungsoo."

"Maybe not." He leaned against a nearby wall, his casual posture belying the intensity in his eyes. "But it is my business when the girl I happen to care about is keeping secrets."

My breath hitched, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. Kyungsoo had always been an enigma—annoying, arrogant, and somehow charming all at once. But this... this felt different. His words carried a weight I hadn't expected.

"Kyungsoo..." I began, but he cut me off with a small smile.

"Relax. I'm not here to pry." He tilted his head slightly, studying me with that infuriatingly perceptive gaze. "I just want to help."

For a moment, I considered telling him everything—the press conference, the stolen inheritance, the plan to expose Mrs. Kang. But dragging Kyungsoo into my mess felt wrong.

"I appreciate the offer," I said carefully. "But this is something I have to handle on my own."

He nodded, though I could tell he wasn't satisfied with my answer. "Fair enough."

We stood in silence for a moment, the sounds of the school fading into the background. I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, unsure of what to say next.

Just as I turned to leave, he spoke again—softly, but with a pointedness that made me freeze.

"When are you going to tell me that you're Cinder?"

My heart stopped. I whipped around to face him, my pulse hammering in my ears.

"W-What are you talking about?" I stammered, though I knew it was useless to deny it.

Kyungsoo's grin returned, but this time it was softer—less smug, more knowing. "Come on, Kiara. Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out?"

I stared at him, my mind spinning. Cinder was the alias I used to communicate with trusted allies—one of the few ways I could operate under Mrs. Kang's radar. Only a handful of people knew the truth.

"How...?" My voice faltered, and I swallowed hard, trying to regain control. "How long have you known?"

He gave a small shrug, as if it weren't a big deal. "A while. I saw the pattern in the things you said, the timing of your moves. You're smart, Kiara, but so am I."

I felt my knees weaken and leaned against the wall for support. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I knew you weren't ready to tell me." Kyungsoo stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "And because I wanted you to know that I've got your back, no matter what."

My breath hitched. "You... you're not mad?"

"Mad?" He laughed softly. "No, Kiara. I think it's kind of badass, actually."

My heart raced, and I wasn't sure if it was from relief or the way Kyungsoo was looking at me—as if I was the most fascinating puzzle he'd ever encountered.

"Why do you care so much?" I whispered, unable to meet his gaze.

Kyungsoo reached out and gently tipped my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "Because it's you," he said simply. "And because I want to be part of whatever comes next."

My chest tightened, a strange mix of fear and gratitude swirling inside me. I wasn't used to relying on anyone—not after everything I'd been through. But with Kyungsoo standing here, offering his support without hesitation, I realized I didn't have to do this alone.

"Okay," I whispered. "But if you're coming along for the ride, no more paper airplanes."

Kyungsoo grinned, the mischief returning to his eyes. "No promises."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my lips. Somehow, with Kyungsoo by my side, the impossible task ahead felt just a little more manageable.

As we left the school together, the weight on my shoulders felt a little lighter. For the first time in a long while, I dared to believe that maybe—just maybe—I could pull this off. And with Kyungsoo in the picture, things were bound to get even more interesting.