Guardian <remake>

1 ✔️

11th August 2018

Eunbi leaned against the wall in the shadowed corner of the hallway, a bag of snacks in her hand, observing her friends as they tormented their favorite target—Yuna. She munched on a piece of dried seaweed, her expression blank, almost detached, as if she were watching a scene in a boring movie rather than witnessing a real person’s suffering. Her friends took turns pushing and taunting Yuna, who was huddled on the floor, her head bowed in silent surrender.

“Hey, Eunbi, why aren’t you joining in?” Chaeyeon’s voice broke through the sound of the taunts and sneers. She leaned against the wall beside Eunbi, her eyes glinting with something like curiosity. “Isn’t she your favorite to pick on?”

Eunbi barely glanced at her, tossing another snack into her mouth. “Nah, she’s boring. No fun in it today. I’d rather save my energy.”

Chaeyeon raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing on her lips. “Or… is it because no one’s around to protect her anymore?”

Eunbi’s fingers froze mid-reach for another piece of seaweed, her hand clenching involuntarily. She struggled to keep her face impassive, not wanting to show even the faintest reaction to Chaeyeon’s words.

“What do you mean by that?” Eunbi’s voice was controlled, steady.

Chaeyeon’s smirk widened, clearly enjoying the subtle tension she had stirred. “Oh, haven’t you heard? The news is everywhere. Her sister what was her name? Ryujin, right?—died in an accident last week.”

Eunbi felt a dull pain spread through her palm as her fingernails dug into her skin. She forced herself not to flinch, not to reveal the rush of emotions bubbling up inside her.

“No one’s around to interfere with us anymore,” Chaeyeon continued, her voice laced with satisfaction. “Isn’t it… good news?”

Eunbi forced a casual smirk onto her face, avoiding Chaeyeon’s penetrating gaze. “Yeah. Good news.” Her voice sounded hollow, even to herself, but she turned her head away, hoping Chaeyeon wouldn’t notice.

Chaeyeon, satisfied with the answer, shifted her focus back to the scene in front of them. Yuna was trembling, soaked after someone had poured water over her head. Sakura was laughing, her hand raised in a fist, ready to deliver another blow.

Eunbi’s eyes widened slightly as she took in Yuna’s state—her damp hair clinging to her face, her skin bruised and pale. The sight stirred something deep inside Eunbi, a twisting discomfort that felt like shame. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was wrong, even as she tried to bury her emotions under the layers of indifference she had so carefully built up.

Without thinking, Eunbi reached out and grabbed Sakura’s arm, stopping her mid-swing. “Hey, that’s enough,” she said, her voice a little sharper than she intended.

Sakura looked at her, surprised. “What? Why? We’re just getting started!”

Eunbi forced a calm smile, letting go of Sakura’s arm. “School’s over. We should go. It’s not worth getting in trouble over this.”

“But—” Sakura started to protest, but Eunbi cut her off.

“Let’s go to karaoke,” Eunbi suggested, her tone more forceful. “My treat.”

Yena, standing nearby, perked up at the mention of karaoke. “Sounds good! I’m in,” she chirped, her usual cheerful expression returning. The others nodded, the idea of karaoke enticing them more than lingering here.

Chaeyeon tilted her head, looking suspiciously at Eunbi. “You’re really treating us?”

“Yeah. But first, I have something personal to settle with her.” Eunbi nodded in Yuna’s direction, her eyes darkening. “Just the two of us.”