criminal love; jungwon

28

Nanhee had thought things were beginning to calm down. The teachers no longer whispered in the staffroom, the morning announcements didn’t mention the ongoing investigation, and the police had stopped coming around the school. But she was wrong.

The students hadn’t let it go.

Rumors were like weeds; once they took root, they were almost impossible to get rid of. And the rumor now, absurd and cruel, was that she was responsible for Chahyeon’s death.

It started with whispers in the hallway, quiet snickers behind her back. She ignored it at first, brushing it off like she always did. But it got worse.

By lunch, it had escalated. A group of girls approached her at her locker, their eyes sharp, voices loud enough to draw attention.

“Nanhee,” one of them, Minji, called out, arms crossed. “Can we talk?”

Nanhee looked up from her books, already feeling the weight of what was coming. “What is it?”

“You knew Chahyeon, right? You guys had… issues.” Minji’s tone was accusatory, not at all friendly.

Nanhee stiffened. “What are you trying to say?”

Another girl, Hyejin, chimed in. “It’s just that… some people think it’s weird. He’s gone, and now you’re suddenly all happy, walking around with Jungwon like nothing happened.”

Nanhee’s heart sank. “I had nothing to do with what happened to Chahyeon,” she said firmly. “Why would you even suggest that?”

Minji scoffed. “You had a motive. Everyone knows he made your life miserable. And you were the last person seen talking to him.”

“That’s not true!” Nanhee’s voice wavered. “I didn’t— I wouldn’t—”

“We’re not saying you did it,” Minji interrupted, though her smirk suggested otherwise. “We’re just saying it’s suspicious.”

The crowd around them grew, students slowing their pace to eavesdrop. Nanhee felt trapped, her chest tightening.

“Leave me alone,” she muttered, pushing past them.

But they didn’t stop. “Just admit it,” Hyejin called after her. “We know the truth.”

Nanhee didn’t turn back. She couldn’t. Her eyes burned, her hands trembling as she hurried out of the building. She didn’t stop until she was home, the safety of her room offering little comfort.

She slammed the door shut and collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow. The tears came quickly, hot and unrelenting. She cried until her chest hurt, until the pillow was damp beneath her cheek.

Seojun, her little brother, peeked into her room, his eyes wide with concern. “Noona?” he whispered.

Nanhee sniffled, wiping her face. “I’m fine, Seojun. Go back to bed.”

But he didn’t leave. Instead, he slipped into the room, climbing onto the bed beside her. “You’re not fine,” he said softly. “What happened?”

Nanhee sighed, pulling him into a hug. “It’s nothing you need to worry about, okay?”

Seojun didn’t argue, but his eyes remained worried. After a moment, he reached for her phone on the bedside table. “I’m calling Jungwon.”

“No, Seojun—”

But he had already dialed, pressing the phone to his ear. A few seconds later, Jungwon answered.

“Seojun?” his voice came through the speaker, calm but alert. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Nanhee. She’s sad. Can you come?”

There was a pause, then Jungwon’s quiet reassurance. “I’m on my way.”

It didn’t take long for Jungwon to arrive. He knocked softly on Nanhee’s bedroom door before stepping inside. Seojun, satisfied that help had arrived, slipped out of the room, leaving them alone.

Jungwon closed the door behind him, leaning against it. His eyes scanned her face, taking in the red, puffy eyes, the tear-streaked cheeks. “What happened?”

Nanhee hesitated, then sighed. “It’s nothing. Just some stupid rumors.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Rumors about what?”

“About me. They think I… had something to do with Chahyeon’s death.”

Jungwon’s expression darkened. He crossed the room, sitting on the edge of her bed. “Who’s saying that?”

“Minji and her friends. They confronted me today.”

Jungwon clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists. “I’ll handle it.”

“No, Jungwon.” Nanhee grabbed his arm. “Please. I don’t want you to get involved.”

“I’m already involved,” he said quietly. “You’re my priority, Nanhee. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

She looked at him, her heart aching. “But what can you do? They’ll just keep talking.”

“I’ll make sure they stop,” Jungwon promised, his voice steady. “Trust me.”

Nanhee nodded, though worry still lingered in her eyes. She didn’t want him to get hurt because of her. But deep down, she knew he wouldn’t back down.

Jungwon stayed with her that night, sitting beside her as they talked about everything and nothing. He made her laugh, distracting her from the heaviness in her heart.

By the time he left, Nanhee felt lighter, the weight of the day’s events no longer pressing down on her.

And as she watched him walk away, she realized something:

She wasn’t alone. She had Jungwon. And that was enough.