Complexity

See where we are

Xinyu POV

The festival is over. Done. Completely done.
And yet somehow, I'm still not free from it.

Because now... I can't even walk through the hallway without someone calling my name.

"Xinyu!"

"Can I get your autograph?"

"Your performance yesterday was amazing!"

I mean, what? Since when did I become this famous? It was just a one-day performance. Just one stage. And now, from the start of school until the last bell, students line up outside my class like I'm some kind of celebrity. Some just peek inside, others actually push a notebook and pen into my hand.

I don't understand. Is this how idols live?

"You're that pretty," one girl giggled when I gave her back her notebook.

"Indeed, I am," I replied without hesitation, flashing my usual grin.

Beside me, ShiOn groaned like she wanted to throw her bread at my face.

"Pretty confident."

"That's the fact. Admit it."

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes and muttered,

"I'm going to look for bread."

Of course. ShiOn and her eternal quest for bread. She can survive anything—as long as she has bread.

But even with all the noise, all the students, and all the chaos that came after the festival... my thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Where is Sohyun?

I didn't see her today. Not once. Not in the crowd, not in class, not even a glimpse of her figure slipping by.

And something about that unsettles me.

Sohyun POV

"Left foot forward. Okay, now bring your right to the side, just a little."

I obeyed, copying Chaewon's movements.

"This is your stance," she explained, circling me like an instructor at a military camp.

"If you can hold it, no wind can move you. We'll focus only on your stance for today."

"Not even a punch?" I asked, feeling my calves already starting to ache.

Chaewon glanced at me, her eyes calm, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Not even a punch. A strong punch means nothing without balance. You need to understand your stance first if you want a perfect strike."

She was right. Of course she was.

"But-"

"No buts, eonnie. You decided to do this, so you follow the process. Slowly. Step by step."

Her tone was firm but never harsh. It was steady, grounding. Something about it made me want to obey without resistance.

"Fine," I muttered, forcing myself to straighten my legs again.

"So... how is it again?"

She patiently repositioned me, guiding my shoulders, adjusting my knees.

The truth is, I wasn't supposed to be here right now. Not training like this, not standing in some empty gym with my legs trembling.

But after the festival, I couldn't ignore it anymore.

Sullin told me something. She said my mother was at the school during the festival. She saw her with her own eyes.

And that was enough.

It means my mother can show up anywhere. Anytime.

I can't predict her. I can't stop her. I don't even understand what goes on in her head anymore. But if she's looking for me... then I need to be ready.

Because my family? They're already broken. My mother, my brother, they're lost in the poisons they've chosen. And I've already given up on fixing them.

But that doesn't mean they'll let me go.

The first time, it was at the amusement park. She cornered SeoAh. If I hadn't acted fast, I don't know if SeoAh would still be alive today.

The second time, it was the festival. Neither I nor Xinyu saw her... but Sullin did. That was enough for me to know: she's still hunting me.

And maybe, just maybe... Xinyu or even Nien had seen something but never told me. I don't know. I don't want to think too much about it.

What I do know is this, if I keep doing nothing, then one day someone I love will get hurt again.

That's why I came here. That's why I asked Chaewon.

Back to the moment when I ask Chaewon to teach me the martial art.

"Chaewon, can you teach me your martial art?" She blinked at me, confused.

"Martial art? That's so sudden, eonnie."

"Nothing much." I tried to sound casual, but my voice cracked. "I just... need to be ready for the worst possibilities."

Her gaze softened. She didn't ask more. She just nodded.

And now, here I am. My legs are on fire. My stance is wobbling. My breath is shallow.

"Isn't it enough already, Chaewon?" I asked, half whining.

She smirked.

"No."

I groaned, almost collapsing. But still, I reset my stance again.

Because no matter how much it hurts, this pain is something I choose.
Not something forced on me. Not something taken from me.

This pain means I'm fighting back.