Complexity

Festival Chaos

Sohyun POV

"It's... chaos," I muttered, looking around the festival grounds with Xinyu beside me.

"What did you expect? It's a school festival. People shouting at every booth, games, promotions, and those kids who just like to yell for no reason."

"Like Yubin?"

"Exactly. From your tone, I'm guessing you've never really come to a festival before?"

Don't blame me. I've never liked these things.

Well... I've explained that to you—the reader—but never to Xinyu.

"Not really a fan," I finally said.

"I usually spend the whole festival week working. Pulling double shifts. Then I lock myself in my room. That's why."

"Why?"

Why is she asking again? Is she always this curious?

...Actually, yeah. She is. That's just Xinyu. Always digging into things, always poking at the parts you don't want to talk about.

"You know I was bullied before. Staying at school during festival week is basically the same as—"

"Death," she finished for me.

"Exactly."

She didn't say anything after that. Just wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer.

"You've got me here now," she said, casual but warm.

God.

I do.

I really do.

Why didn't I realize it sooner? It's like I built this fortress, put the walls as high as possible, and swore no one could get in unless I let them. But then this tall, chaotic, soft-hearted idiot just broke in. Like it was nothing. Like the boundaries were made to be crossed.

And because of her, I let everyone else in too. They're... kind of my comfort now. In a weird way. I think.

"Are we interrupting something?" a voice suddenly cut through our moment.

We turned around.

Jiwoo with Chaeyeon.

"Why are you two having this lovey-dovey moment right in the middle of the main walkway?" Jiwoo asked with a smirk.

It's... not that crowded. But yeah. Point taken.

Me and Xinyu were just standing there like two NPCs in a dating sim. Right between Mayu's booth and Lynn's.

"What? Jealous?" Xinyu raised a brow. Don't light the fire— please...

"Jealous?" Jiwoo scoffed.

"Check this out." She yanked Chaeyeon closer by the waist. Bold. Very bold.

Wait—Chaeyeon?

Quiet?

"Chaeyeon-ah?" I blinked.

"Hmm?" she turned.

"You okay? You're quiet."

"Am I?"

"You are."

Chaeyeon being quiet is the equivalent of the school catching fire without anyone noticing.

"Oh. Uh... well..."

She didn't finish.

"She's quiet because Jiwoo's hand just slid from her arm to her waist," Xinyu said absurdly.