Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Prophecy, Not a Curse
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"What I said wasn't a curse—it was a prophecy. Please, think before you act. Some choices have consequences that last a lifetime."
Whoa. Scary.
I'm twenty-nine years old, and bullies like Song Yeo-reum still terrify me. No wonder no one ever stood up to her.
I secretly wiped the clammy sweat from my hands on my skirt.
Tremble, tremble.
This is what they mean by atmosphere being everything.
They're not gangsters or chaebol heirs. Just high school delinquents—nothing special. But being in the same school ecosystem makes you scared anyway.
I clenched my shaking hands and forced my chin up.
"You think this vibe is gonna last forever, huh? Just one year from now, everyone's buried in studying and won't give a damn about you guys."
Once that shift hits, the mood won't be on your side anymore. You'll get swept up too, wandering academies and reading rooms until 2 a.m., chasing college dreams.
But by the time regret kicks in, it'll be too late.
That college guy who brazenly showed up at graduation, head held high, cracking jokes while rubbing his pregnant teenage girlfriend's belly?
He bolted to the army three months after the baby was born.
She raised that kid alone. Couldn't even attend the university she got into.
I cut ties with everyone, but even I heard about it.
Sucks I can't spoil it for them.
"They say even dogs don't mess with someone eating, but you're picking on a girl who just came back from the nurse's office? Get your head straight. You've got about 400 days until High Teen Mom & Dad airs."
I shut my mouth because Song Yeo-reum's face had turned downright murderous.
"Whoa..."
Song Yeo-reum stared at the ceiling, letting out a hollow laugh, then fixed her eyes on me.
"You. You're done."
As she grinned wickedly and raised her hand, Do-yeon stood up from her seat.
"Cut it out."
Like she'd been waiting, Song Yeo-reum shoved Do-yeon's shoulder.
"Cut what out? You've been keeping your mouth shut this whole time, and now that you've got one loser stanning you, you think you're untouchable?"
Did she stuff a rag in her mouth or what...?
Song Yeo-reum spat curses and raised her hand again.
But.
"Hey. Seriously, stop."
This time, Seo Jae-kyeom stepped in.
He'd been sitting with his friends by the window. He strode over, wedged himself between me and Song Yeo-reum, and forcibly lowered her raised hand. His face was full of irritation and annoyance.
"Song Yeo-reum. I hate noise when I'm eating."
"Was I being noisy? It was Kang Da-hye who—!"
"Yeah. So quiet down."
"No, but she said—!"
"Noisy."
"Ugh, shit..."
"What."
He didn't seem to be taking sides or trying to stop a fight. He just looked genuinely pissed.
Song Yeo-reum could only mutter curses under her breath, unable to retort against Seo Jae-kyeom's exhausted demeanor.
Do-yeon sighed at the sight, grabbed her barely touched tray, and bolted. I hurried after her.
"Hey, where do you two think—!"
"Song Yeo-reum. I said quiet."
"Seo Jae-kyeom, why are you butting in all of a sudden?!"
"'Cause you're noisy."
No one—guy or girl—can stand up to Seo Jae-kyeom. I don't know what wind blew this way (probably just the noise), but thank goodness he stepped in.
As we left the cafeteria, my eyes met Han Ji-su's. I mouthed to her.
Sorry!
I'll buy you chocolate milk later! For real! ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The spot Do-yeon and I ended up was the edge of the playground's wisteria bench... or rather, just the bleachers.
Do-yeon had headed for the bench but veered off when she saw kids gathered there in little groups, plopping down on the bleachers instead.
I followed cautiously and sat right next to her.
Without even glancing my way, Do-yeon spoke.
"Know what I hate most about eating alone?"
"What?"
"People watching."
"Ah."
"Feels like they've plastered 'Getting bullied, no friends' on me while I eat."
"..."
"Why'd you help me?"
She could become a target too if she stepped in wrong, so why? Do-yeon looked at me.
Her eyes rolled dramatically.
"...Helps me out too?"
I'm gonna live miserably for the next eleven years, you know?
So I obsessed over what I did wrong to deserve that karma.
Wondering if I'd sinned and was paying for it.
Your name always came to mind first.
I always regretted not standing up for you.
God or whatever gave me this second chance to live right...
"No more regrets from bad choices."
"What?"
Do-yeon frowned, not getting it.
"Nothing. Um... no grand reason. Just felt like the right thing to do."
I looked at Do-yeon's face. She'd die two months from now.
Despite all the crap, I survived to twenty-nine. But your clock stopped at eighteen forever.
Because none of us had the guts.
If even one person had acted differently, everything might've changed.
"Sorry it took so long to have your back."
I knew right from wrong but looked away out of fear.
Sorry for ignoring your pain. My apology came way too late.
Do-yeon stared straight at me.
"Why are you crying?"
"Just... sniff. Sorry."
"Did you bully me? Why're you sorry?"
"Everyone feels bad for you."
"Doubt it."
She pulled tissues from her pocket as I sniffled. I took one with a pathetic honk.
Some regressor I am. Bawling in front of an eleven-year junior.
"Not everyone thinks like you, Kang Da-hye. Even kids with zero connection to me shoulder-check me in the halls on purpose. Ever since I became 'that girl it's okay to mess with.'"
"Sniff... what? That's insane."
"They see an opening. Someone they hate anyway, and now the vibe's against me."
"Never thought of reporting it as school violence? Like... Song Yeo-reum and her crew."
Your mom's a prosecutor, right? Or judge? Something in law. I learned that after the cops came to school post her death.
But Do-yeon shook her head.
"Don't wanna disappoint my parents."
"They wouldn't over something like that."
"I know. But I don't wanna say it. 'Your proud daughter can't adapt at school. Everyone else is fine, but I'm the odd one out.' How do I even?"
"I get it."
I've felt that.
Everyone passes but Mom's daughter fails again.
Everyone does it but me. Words just won't come out then.
"But Do-yeon, it's not your fault."
"..."
"You're blameless. Not one thing you did wrong. You're just an innocent victim."
"..."
"No need to thank me for sticking up for you today. It was the obvious thing. Don't worry about me or force yourself into stuff you hate."
"...Like what?"
"Um... say I ask to borrow your shoes, but you don't want to. You lend 'em anyway 'cause you're scared I won't be friends?"
"You heard about that too?"
Me getting flak for refusing to lend shoes. Do-yeon laughed. I laughed through my tears.
"No, you can ask! But respect a no and back off. What kinda crap is that?"
"Right? Total trash."
"Even a real beggar like me wouldn't stand for it."
I don't borrow stuff much. Can't replace it if lost. We giggled as March sunlight filtered between us.
Still chilly, but definitely warming soon.
"I hate people seeing me eat alone more than eating alone."
"But you come down and eat every time instead of starving. You already won."
"Why starve? For whose sake?"
"True!"
"I don't date teachers."
"Duh! Crazy talk! What do you lack to date some old dude?!"
"I got tons of clothes. Borrow any later if you want."
"Nah, I'm good. Got my uniform."
"You wear uniform out after school too?"
"Yeah, it's basically grafted to me."
"Our uniform's not even cute."
"Still, paid for it. Gotta milk three years."
"Three years is a lot."
"Still using my elementary backpack."
"...When's your birthday? I'll get you a bag."
Two, even.
Do-yeon declared.
That was her way of saying thanks. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Next is math, right?"
"Yeah. We're both in A-Class, so we can grab books together."
"Cool."
"But Do-yeon, I might drop to C-Class next semester..."
"What? You're the top student."
"For now."
We chatted casually down the hall, drawing stares.
I ignored them, smiled brighter, and opened the door to Classroom 1, where Math A-Class was held.
Slide.
And bam—eye contact with Seo Jae-kyeom. He was perched on Han Ji-su's desk, grinning down at her homework.