Beneath the Moonlit Sky. | R - 18+

Part 4 - Stirring Shadows.

Chapter 4

Yumi thought she'd gotten used to the rhythm of things-the quiet lunches, the way people avoided her, the overwhelming presence of Eunchae looming in the background of every day. But ever since Floryn had arrived, everything felt off-balance, like the fragile bubble of her world was ready to burst at any moment.

Floryn had become a regular part of Yumi's life in just a few days, eating lunch with her, walking with her to class, and even sitting in on her art sessions. Yumi still couldn't quite believe it. She had never had a friend like this before-someone who actively wanted to spend time with her, who stood by her without a second thought.

And yet, there was always the shadow of Eunchae lurking in the back of Yumi's mind. Eunchae hadn't approached her directly since the incident in the art room, but Yumi could feel her presence, like the eyes of a predator watching from the shadows, waiting to strike.

Today was no different.

As Yumi and Floryn sat together in the courtyard, sharing lunch under the warm autumn sun, Yumi's eyes kept drifting to the far corner of the school grounds where Eunchae sat with her usual group of friends. They were laughing and talking, but Eunchae's attention wasn't on them. It was on Yumi.

Yumi shifted uncomfortably under Eunchae's gaze, her stomach twisting into knots. She could feel the weight of it, heavy and unrelenting. She tried to focus on what Floryn was saying, but her mind kept wandering back to the silent tension across the courtyard.

"Yumi? You okay?" Floryn asked, noticing the far-off look in her eyes.

Yumi blinked, snapping herself back to the conversation. "Oh, sorry. I'm just... distracted."

Floryn followed her gaze, spotting Eunchae across the way. She frowned. "She's staring at you again, isn't she?"

Yumi nodded, her heart beating a little faster. "She's been doing that a lot lately. It feels... weird."

"Weird how?" Floryn asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I don't know," Yumi admitted, picking at her food. "It's like she's waiting for something. She's never been this quiet before. Usually, she'll say something or do something, but now she's just... watching."

Floryn's frown deepened. "That's not a good sign. She's probably trying to figure out her next move."

Yumi swallowed hard, her anxiety creeping up again. "I wish she'd just stop. I don't understand why she's always like this with me."

Floryn hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You think maybe she's jealous?"

Yumi blinked, caught off guard. "Jealous? Of what?"

"You, maybe?" Floryn suggested, her tone thoughtful. "You're talented, kind, and she knows it. People like Eunchae can't stand it when they see someone they can't control."

Yumi shook her head, the idea sounding ridiculous. "She's never cared about me like that. If anything, she's always made it clear how much she hates me."

Floryn gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "Well, whatever her deal is, it's not your fault. She's the one with the problem, not you."

Yumi tried to take comfort in Floryn's words, but Eunchae's piercing stare across the courtyard made it difficult to believe. Why was Eunchae still watching her? Why had she been acting so different lately?

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and Yumi and Floryn packed up their things, heading back toward the school building. As they walked, Yumi couldn't help but glance back at Eunchae one last time, only to find Eunchae's eyes still locked on her.

And there it was again-that strange look in her eyes, something dark and intense, something Yumi couldn't quite understand. It wasn't the usual disdain or cruelty. It was something else. Something that made Yumi's heart beat just a little faster, though she couldn't say why.

---

The afternoon classes passed in a blur. Yumi did her best to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to Eunchae. She hadn't said a word to Yumi today, but her presence lingered, like a storm cloud hovering just on the horizon.

After school, Yumi and Floryn met by the lockers as usual. Yumi was about to suggest they head to the art room for some quiet sketching when she noticed Eunchae approaching, her footsteps slow and deliberate.

Floryn noticed too, her expression hardening. "Here we go," she muttered under her breath.

Eunchae stopped a few feet away from them, her arms crossed over her chest, eyes flickering between Yumi and Floryn. For a moment, she didn't say anything. She just stood there, her gaze lingering on Yumi in a way that made Yumi's skin prickle with unease.

"What do you want, Eunchae?" Floryn asked, her tone sharp.

Eunchae's lips twitched into a faint smirk, but there was no humor in it. "You've gotten cozy, haven't you, Yumi?"

Yumi froze, unsure of what to say. There was something off about the way Eunchae spoke, something that felt almost... personal.

"Not that it's any of your business," Floryn shot back, stepping slightly in front of Yumi, "but yeah, we have. You got a problem with that?"

Eunchae's eyes flicked to Floryn, narrowing slightly. "I just think it's funny. Yumi never used to need anyone. Now suddenly, she's got you clinging to her."

Yumi felt a lump form in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. Why was Eunchae saying these things? Why did she care who Yumi was friends with?

Floryn crossed her arms, not backing down. "Maybe you should take a good look at yourself, Eunchae. You're the one who's always been obsessed with Yumi."

Eunchae's expression darkened, her eyes flashing with something Yumi couldn't quite place-was it anger? Jealousy? Or something else entirely?

"I'm not obsessed with her," Eunchae snapped, her voice low and cold. "I just don't like seeing her with... people like you."

The words stung, but Yumi wasn't sure why. Why did it matter to Eunchae who she spent her time with? Why did she care at all?

"People like me?" Floryn scoffed, shaking her head. "You've got issues, Eunchae. Seriously."

Eunchae's smirk returned, but there was an edge to it now. "You'll see soon enough. Yumi's not who you think she is."

With that cryptic remark, Eunchae turned and walked away, leaving a heavy silence behind her.

Yumi stood there, her mind racing with confusion. Eunchae's words echoed in her head, twisting and turning until she didn't know what to make of them. Yumi's not who you think she is. What did that even mean?

Floryn sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Don't let her get to you, Yumi. She's just trying to mess with your head."

Yumi nodded, but the unease in her chest remained. There was something more to Eunchae's behavior-something Yumi wasn't seeing yet. And she had a feeling that whatever it was, it wasn't going away anytime soon.