DOWNFALL -HIERARCHY

Chapter 27: The Battle

Narrator's POV:

Nabi stood on the rooftop of the school, the wind blowing around her furiously. Her hair was tossed about by the gusts, a tangled mess that refused to stay in place. She pulled her jacket tighter around her, shivering against the cold breeze. 

The air was crisp and tinged with a hint of frost, making her breath visible in the cool air. The sky was a mix of dark grey and faint streaks of orange, as the last remnants of daylight faded into night. Nabi wrapped her arms around herself, hoping to find some warmth in the chill of the evening. The wind whipped at her face, nipping her skin and making her eyes water. She thought of going back inside, but the solitude and expanse of the rooftop held a strange sort of comfort. 

The sun was setting rapidly, casting long shadows across the roof. The orange hue illuminated the horizon behind the school buildings, painting a picture of melancholy beauty. Nabi heard the creak of the rooftop door as it opened, but she didn't turn around. She continued gazing out over the school buildings, lost in her thoughts. The sound of footsteps approached, the soft thud of someone's approach echoing in the otherwise silent rooftop. 

Curiosity pricked at her mind, but she didn't give in to the urge to turn around. She stood there, staring off into the distance as the footsteps grew closer. Nabi sighed, running her hand through her tangled hair in a futile attempt to straighten it. The other hand clutched her jacket, pulling it tighter around herself against the cool breeze.

The presence beside her was palpable, the tension in the air palpable. She didn't need to turn her head to know who it was. The familiar aura was unmistakable. The person standing beside her addressed her name, the soft yet firm tone of voice cutting through the silence. "Nabi." 

Nabi closed her eyes for a brief moment, the sound of her name sending chills down her spine. Slowly, she turned her head, her gaze meeting the person beside her. Nabi wasn't surprised to find Kang Ha standing beside her. She had a feeling it was him that had appeared at the rooftop door, and her suspicions were confirmed. 

He asked bluntly, "How was your talk with Ri-an?" 
Nabi chuckled humorlessly. "As well as I expected. He wasn't too happy to see me," she confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of hurt and resignation.

Kang Ha let out a huff, a sound of either sympathy or annoyance, Nabi wasn't sure. He leaned against the railing of the rooftop, looking out at the same view that had captivated her earlier. The wind picked up, and she shivered involuntarily, pulling her jacket tighter around her. She could feel Kang Ha's gaze on her, studying her for a moment before he spoke again.

"You know, Ri-an can be stubborn as a mule," Kang Ha said, his voice nonchalant. "He's not exactly the most expressive type. But deep down, I know that he still cares for you. You just have to look past the icy exterior."

Nabi nodded in agreement, acknowledging that she was fully aware of the challenge ahead. "I know it's going to be difficult to earn his trust again," she confided, her voice steady yet tinged with determination. "But I have no choice. I have to try."

Kang Ha offered a slight smile and gave Nabi's shoulder a light pat. "Hang in there, Nabi," he said with a hint of reassurance. "The real battle is just starting."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he spoke with conviction. "If anyone can break through Ri-an's barriers, it's always gonna be you Nabi," he stated confidently. "He may be stubborn and closed off, but you have a way of getting through to him like no one else."