Chapter 5:
The days drifted by, each one filled with an unmistakable tension that neither Yumi nor Eunchae could ignore. Yumi’s heart raced whenever Eunchae’s gaze lingered on her, and though she tried to focus on her newfound friendship with Floryn, she couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that Eunchae’s watchful presence brought.
It was another rainy Friday afternoon, and Yumi found herself alone in the art room, sketching. The steady patter of raindrops against the windows was a soothing backdrop, but her mind was far from calm. Her pencil moved across the page in soft, deliberate strokes, almost like it was following a rhythm of its own. She glanced down and realized, almost startled, that she had drawn a pair of intense eyes staring back at her—the unmistakable look of Eunchae’s piercing gaze.
Yumi quickly flipped the page, feeling her cheeks flush as if she’d been caught.
The sound of footsteps broke the quiet, and Yumi looked up to see Floryn standing in the doorway, her hands in her pockets and a gentle smile on her lips. “Caught you daydreaming again?” she teased, though her voice was soft, as if not to disturb the tranquility of the room.
Yumi managed a small laugh, closing her sketchbook and shaking her head. “Maybe. I guess I can’t stop thinking.”
Floryn moved to sit beside her, her presence warm and reassuring. “Thinking about her?”
Yumi hesitated, looking down at her hands. She wanted to deny it, but she knew Floryn would see through her.
“It’s complicated,” Yumi admitted, barely above a whisper.
Floryn placed a hand on Yumi’s shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Yumi. Whatever Eunchae’s game is, don’t let her hold that kind of power over you.”
Yumi nodded, but the warmth Floryn brought couldn’t quite erase the feeling of unease that had lodged itself in her chest, where Eunchae’s shadow seemed to live.
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As the school day came to an end, Yumi packed up her things, trying to avoid the usual routes where Eunchae might lurk. But as she turned the corner near her locker, her heart sank. There was Eunchae, leaning casually against the lockers, her gaze steady and unyielding.
Yumi took a breath, forcing herself to remain calm. “What do you want, Eunchae?”
Eunchae tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “You act like I’m here to make your life difficult,” she said softly, her tone almost… hurt.
Yumi blinked, thrown off by the unexpected vulnerability in her voice. “Then why are you always doing this? Watching me, saying these things… I don’t understand you.”
Eunchae took a step closer, her gaze searching Yumi’s face. “Maybe you don’t need to understand.”
Yumi’s breath caught. There was something unspoken in Eunchae’s eyes, a flicker of something fragile beneath the cold exterior she usually wore. For a moment, Yumi almost thought she saw… doubt? But it was gone before she could be sure, replaced by the familiar smirk.
“Just stay out of my way,” Eunchae said, her voice returning to its usual bite. But her eyes lingered a little longer, almost as if she couldn’t help herself.
Yumi stood there, watching Eunchae walk away, feeling an odd tug in her chest. She was left with more questions than answers, but one thought lingered above all others: Why does she keep looking back?
Author: Adelaide Jihan C. Cervantes
Collaboration with: Jaydia Camille B. Momongan
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Beneath the Moonlit Sky. | R - 18+
RomansaOmegaverse | GL In the bustling halls of Elmwood High, quiet artist Yumi has spent her years hiding from the world, constantly tormented by the school's queen bee, Eunchae. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Floryn, a striking new student and ri...
