One more time

Chapter 10

Damage control was managed quite well by the principal as he expelled the bullies just after Mina’s declaration. Some other students also did contributions to the case as they admitted the gang was tormenting them too. Jihyo had a bad reputation but as she didn’t have any reports the principal had to believe the heroic story Mina had told. The fact that Mina’s mother was a well-known lawyer also helped to the Korean girl situation. Both Mina and Jihyo had an additional week to recover and Momo, having slight injuries, had to attend class just as normal.

A scar near her eyebrow was the only visible mark on Jihyo’s face when returning to school. Rumor has it, she has beaten up five girls alone just because she felt like it, one of them being that Japanese girl that barely speak. Some students figured out Jihyo had bullied her so much she didn’t want to stand out. Halls were filled with gossip about the incident and when the news of students being expelled was known, all school was in chaos. Some people was glad and some others were afraid, as bullies along school were quite a bunch. The bad blooded students knew better about the girls beaten up and they were sure Jihyo was more a heroine than the rest has acknowledge. An assembly was done in order to create awareness about bullying and the principal assured that all the students that were found guilty would be expelled, without exceptions. So in one way or another, Jihyo not only helped Mina but the rest of the tormented students that were suffering too.

When Sana was informed about Mina’ situation she got alarmed. She went straight to Mina’s home after school just to find the girl already sleeping. She had a talk with Mina’s parents and apologized for not being able to protect her. She regretted so much that her friend had endured this pain alone. As Mina´s parents comforted the girl, they all discussed on finding a way to help their loved one to be stronger.

In the other hand, Jihyo’s parents were disappointed in the poor way her daughter reacted. They expected her to be level headed and find a better way to find a solution. They knew Jihyo had a temper and that she had acted this way in the past in order to help but still, they didn’t believe violence was a solution. Jihyo got grounded, not able to visit the Son siblings. She just stayed at home studying or helping doing the chores. Jihyo felt ashamed as her parents weren’t happy with her attitude. Jihyo felt she needed to change in order to be loved as she was. She didn’t do it because she felt great hitting people, she did it because she needed to help someone in need. Mina was a sweet girl, even if they weren’t friends she knew it. Mina didn’t deserve to live afraid. No one was there to help her so why was so bad Jihyo decided to take her side on this? Mina couldn’t defend herself, as well as Momo couldn’t do it in the past, so Jihyo would do it for her. Wasn’t that just common sense?

Jihyo wrote grumpily on her diary about the situation, trying to clear her mind of all the negative thoughts that were on her mind. She wasn’t a good writer nor a painter, that was Chaeyoung specialty. She wondered if Chaengie has eaten yet. She couldn’t go and invite the younger to her house but Dahyun could. She thought about it but she didn’t want to have an argument with her parents so she decided not to convince her sister to invite her youngest friend to come. The sunny afternoon made her wonder if Momo was home by now. Or was she hanging out with Sana? Jihyo knew they were good friends and, according Chaeyoung’s previous tongue slip, she used to visit them often. Was Sana with them right now? Did she cook for them too? Was Sana a better cook than her? All those questions made Jihyo frown. Sana seemed nice and all but, Jihyo didn’t want her near her friends.

Dahyun interrupted her divagation and told her dinner was ready. They ate in silence as the tension was still high. Her parents had fought when Dahyun wasn’t home and Jihyo felt guilty they were on bad terms. Jihyo apologized to her family and promised never to cause them trouble. The adults looked at her and softened their gazes, knowing they were too harsh on the girl. Her father smiled and nodded and her mom only hummed. They didn’t say much after it and dinner end peacefully that night.

Dahyun asked her for help and so, Jihyo went to her sister bedroom. Dahyun wasn’t good with words but she was smart enough to know her sister was having a hard time. After asking some silly questions, Dahyun started to fool around. She made some funny faces and acted with so much aegyo, Jihyo couldn’t resist but to hug her. The younger girl was pleased at the affection received and hug her back as tight as she could. They kept on joking and playing, they laughed so hard their bellies hurt. Their smiley faces showed how well they felt being with each other and for a moment Jihyo forgot about her situation as her heart was full of love towards her sister. Things weren’t that bad after all.  That night they snuggled together and slept warmly against each other.

School life was unbearable to Jihyo as now her classmates were acting more distant than before. The students on the hall keep on gossip when she passed by and some of them tried to avoid her. Jihyo was pissed off as some teachers also believe on the rumors and looked as uncomfortable with her presence.

She didn’t want to drag Momo into this as Jihyo knew she was doing great on her own. Momo was still shy but also friendly and she and Sana were a popular couple among students. Looked like school was under a spell when SaMo arrived a place as all of them admired them even if they still were first graders. In the future, Jihyo realized, Momo would be even more popular as she would become prettier.  She didn’t want to stop her friend happiness so she avoided her at school. Momo wasn’t pleased with Jihyo’s decision as she loved to hang out with her but Jihyo was firm and so Momo gave up.

Mina came back to school and just as rumors followed Jihyo, they also followed Mina. The Japanese had still some bruises on her face and her knee was bandaged so people was horrified to see her state. Instead of helping her, they kept on sending glances and murmuring when she was near, making the young girl uncomfortable. Jihyo noticed how sensitive the girl was and, if she was having a rough time, Mina was probably more annoyed with all of it.

So one day, as if it was the most natural thing on the world, they started to hang out. It was quite the view to see them laugh. Neither of the girls was particularly friendly to their classmates so it was awkward to see them suddenly in high spirits. They were partners in projects and they also studied together on the library after school. Students keep on glancing them from time to time but Jihyo’s fierce gaze made them all to back off.

Eventually, all the rumors fade and it became just a memory. Momo adjusted perfectly and started to manage school life so well she even got in the cooking club. Sana became a fundamental part of Momo’s life and people started to call them twins as their interactions were way too similar. Sana also started to help her with her studies so Jihyo didn’t spend as much time as before in her house. Jihyo was still close with Chaeyoung thought, as the youngest frequently hanged out with Dahyun at Jihyo’s house.

Jihyo still struggled with the label of rebel but hanging around Mina made her soft enough not to fight back at those comments anymore. Jihyo´s grades got higher as she started to focus on studying. Mina remained as the top student, and she was usually teased for it but as Jihyo keep her company, no one dared to harm her. People laugh at them as it seemed Mina had a bodyguard, taking care of her 24/7.

First school year was coming to an end, just a month remained in the calendar before their break. As Mina got closer to Jihyo, it was natural her parents grew curious of her. The Myoui were kind but reserved and they didn’t want to see her hurt again so when Mina keep on talking about Jihyo, they wanted to meet her.

It was just a casual meeting after school, the girls had just finished their homework and were heading home when Mr. Myoui escort them to his car. They went to a nearby restaurant and chat easily. Mina’s dad was as quiet as her daughter and Jihyo felt uneasy at first but managed to keep on her cool. He asked her about her family, her school life and interest. Jihyo answered honestly all of his doubts and even make him laugh, thing that startled Mina. Mr. Myoui saw clearly that Jihyo wasn’t a bad kid and that Mina was very fond of her. The way his daughter looked at her companion was different from the way she looked at Sana, and they both were very close friends. He hadn’t see Mina this alive in a while so he was grateful with the girl for taking her of his daughter.

Mr. Myoui drove Jihyo home and waited for Mina in the car as she went to Jihyo’s gate to bid her farewell. Mr. Myoui keep on glancing the girl’s interactions trough the car’s mirror. His brows furrowed, deep in thought as he saw Mina coming back giggling, with a notebook in hand.

-What is that? - asked his dad curious
-Is just our diary -Mina replied shyly
-A diary?
-We just become friends so we are knowing each other better trough this- answered Mina while placing it on her backpack
-I see…

Mr. Myoui saw her daughter happily humming through their way home and he couldn’t help but smile sadly. That night Mina’s parents talked about their daughter’ situation: They all had agreed on moving back Japan when the academic cycle ended. Their oldest son was already back home and Mr. Myoui already had a job waiting for him. Neither of Mina’s parents thought Mina would get better after the incident. Next day they remind her to tell her friend she was moving back.