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"Why haven't you been going to school?" Naeun asked, sliding onto the gray couch beside Haeun.
Her personality hadn't changed a bit from the girl Haeun had known two years ago. Of course, they'd both matured—they were sixteen now—but Naeun's playful energy remained intact.
She raised an eyebrow at Haeun's silence. "Aren't you gonna answer?"
"I didn't feel like going," Haeun replied, keeping up the act. She was closest to Naeun, but she wasn't about to drop the façade. For everyone else, she wanted to be the "normal" Haeun. "Why? Do you remember me properly following the rules?"
"My god. From what I heard, you've turned into a softie," Naeun snickered, but the expression quickly shifted. "But you can't hide it from me."
"Hide what?" Haeun almost stuttered. Did Naeun know about the messages? But how?
"Who's this girl Seulbi to you? I ran into her today," Naeun said, glancing down before meeting Haeun's eyes again. "How have you not beaten her up yet? That brat is like an annoying fly."
Haeun almost laughed. "Right? But nothing really happened. She just tries to bully me."
"Is that why you've been skipping school?" Naeun pressed, and Haeun decided to turn the tables.
"You have nothing to say! I heard from Taeyong how much you skip school! And here you are now instead of coming during the break," she fired back, smirking. Naeun looked away, clearing her throat.
"Hey, most of those skips were for company reasons. And aren't you happy to see your sister?" Naeun countered, mock-offended.
"No, not at all."
"Hey! You wanna die?" Naeun raised her fist—but for the first time in ages, Haeun genuinely laughed.
"Of course not. I missed you like crazy. How long are you staying?" she asked, curious how long she'd have to keep the act up.
"As long as I want. Dad made a good excuse to the school so I can sit here for months," Naeun smiled.
"What about the 'business' you skipped school for?"
"Shut up," Naeun shot back. They both laughed.
"Anyway, want me to teach that Seulbi bitch another lesson?" Naeun gave her a devilish smirk. Haeun shook her head quickly.
"No, no, no. Do you want me to get kicked out?" Her eyes widened, and Naeun looked her up and down in disbelief.
"Wow. What a good girl. Anyway, where will I sleep?" Naeun looked around the living room.
"With me, obviously. Unless you want to sleep with Mom?" Haeun teased. Naeun's face twisted into mock offense.
