Sia's Confession
Lee Yonghwan was half-drunk, so he couldn't quite grasp what was happening right now.
Not only had he shown up unannounced, but he had somehow subdued his entire group of friends in one go.
And the atmosphere was completely different from the one Sia had always carried.
When she was with Park Siwoo, she had a bright, cheerful vibe. Even when it was just the two of them, it had never felt like this.
But right now, the air was so icy cold that you could almost freeze just by touching it.
Moreover, Sia's eyes weren't the usual black anymore. They looked like they were glowing a deep red.
Seeing that completely unfamiliar atmosphere and those changed pupils made Lee Yonghwan's whole body start to tremble uncontrollably.
You… you… what the hell are you…?
What?
This… this is weird! You're…! The Sia I know…!
If it were any other time, I would have just thought I was seeing things because of the alcohol. But the drunken haze had completely vanished now.
The instincts of a sober Lee Yonghwan were screaming that something dangerous was happening.
But the fear kept him frozen in place, staring at Sia while he shook.
Look at this. You're completely different from Siwoo.
…What?
Nothing. Yeah. So what exactly is this Sia you know?
The… the Sia I know… that's obviously her…
I said “obviously,” but Lee Yonghwan had no words left to say.
After all, since middle school, the only thing he had ever done was stalk her because of her looks, with zero other interaction.
A one-sided crush that never progressed.
And that was exactly why he had no right to speak.
I’ve told you many times. I have someone I like.
That… that means…
Don’t make excuses. I was clear when I said I like you, even if my words sounded vague.
Sia had carefully avoided hurting his pride.
But Lee Yonghwan had somehow convinced himself that she had left room for him.
If only I had cut him off cleanly back then…
…I, I…
So I’ll say it one more time. Don’t ever show your face in front of me again. You get it, right?
Hearing Sia’s cold warning filled Lee Yonghwan with primal terror.
But his eyes, filled with fear, seemed to catch something behind Sia’s back.
Seeing that, he trembled violently.
M-Monster…!
But Sia thought it was nothing.
Whatever you say, it doesn’t matter.
You think that guy would like you just because you look like this?!
…
Sia paused for a second when she heard Lee Yonghwan’s words.
Seeing that, Lee Yonghwan started talking like he had won.
Just look at your face right now… that guy will run away from you…!
…
So you have to be good to me…
It doesn’t matter.
…What?
Anyway, I was planning to reveal my true self soon.
My identity, I mean.
Eh… ah…
So go ahead and say whatever you want. I don’t care.
Ha… haha! Don’t lie! Just look at you right now! Clearly…!
Lee Yonghwan screamed desperately, but Sia just laughed brightly as if it was all the same.
Siwoo doesn’t fully like me yet, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll make him fall for me.
Ah… ahh…
*
Sia grabbed Lee Yonghwan by the head.
You’ll never bother me again.
Just like that, Lee Yonghwan passed out.
* * * * * *
It was the weekend.
Yesterday I accidentally confessed to Sia, and somehow it felt like I had pulled it off… but…
The problem was…
No messages yet…
I tossed my mechanical pencil aside and buried myself in my chair.
Even as Sunday evening approached, there was still no reply from Sia.
Normally, even on weekends, a NovelTalk message or two would have come. This time, nothing.
Sia seemed to understand, but… I think it failed.
After all, I thought it was too much of a stretch too, but there was no other way to say it in that situation.
What am I going to do…
We’re in the same class and she’s my seat mate, so I have to face her tomorrow… and no contact so far might mean she feels uncomfortable around me.
Actually, I could understand why she would be flustered after what happened on Friday.
Sigh…
But I don’t regret saving her. If I could do it over again, I’d say the same thing and save her.
Anyway, studying would be impossible now.
I started closing my textbook and forcing my head to think about how I should talk to Sia tomorrow.
But.
Siwoo, good morning.
All my worries vanished the moment I saw her.
Monday morning, I roughly ate breakfast and headed down to the first floor of the apartment. Sia was waiting for me.
She greeted me with a smile like always, but something felt different.
What is it… ah, the makeup looked different.
It wasn’t the usual “barely any makeup” look. It was the opposite—trying her hardest to look put-together.
Of course it didn’t break school rules, but seeing Sia, who was already beautiful without any makeup, with makeup on made her glow even more.
Anyone else would have been stunned by the changed Sia, but because I had known her for so long, I snapped out of it in three seconds and said naturally.
Ah, no messages. You could have left earlier.
Isn’t this early enough?
Well… how long did you wait?
Not long! Let’s go quickly!
…Yeah.
It sounded like the usual “I didn’t wait long” line, but I decided to let it slide.
We walked toward the bus stop side by side.
But something felt off. Our distance was closer than usual.
Normally it was barely touching. Now our arms brushed more often.
Still, I didn’t say anything. Bringing it up now would only make the atmosphere weird.
We boarded the bus, and the usual distance felt completely different.
…
…
*
The other students in the class were staring at us.
In the moment I wondered what was strange, I overheard the girls whispering.
They… are dating?
Yeah… the way they’re getting closer feels weird…
They were whispering, but anyone could hear it. They were definitely asking us indirectly.
And then.
…!
……
*
The other boys’ eyes burned as they glared at me after hearing the girls.
I was suddenly getting death-glare treatment and breaking out in cold sweat.
Luckily, homeroom arrived and the stares disappeared.
But the fear remained unchanged.
Moreover.
Even the homeroom teacher glanced at Sia and me during homeroom.
So the students who hadn’t heard the whispers started staring too.
I was confused about what was going on.
Honestly, we had collided before, but I hadn’t felt any change in the atmosphere.
That’s why I couldn’t sense the weird looks around me.
But that didn’t make it better.
Another day began.
First to fourth periods went without a hitch.
Oh, right. No cigarette smell came from the bathroom today.
Last week there was an incident, and I was worried about what those guys were planning, but I was more concerned about Sia.
Since nothing direct happened, time passed like that.
Lunch break arrived.
I lined up for the cafeteria like always, but the stares were even more intense than before.
I was starting to feel uneasy, but Sia didn’t seem to mind at all.
So I just nodded and tried to ignore them.
Still, I sat by the window and ate.
After finishing lunch and eating my pudding as dessert.
Suddenly Sia asked.
Hey, what if I’m a monster? What would you do?
I was startled.
Why a monster all of a sudden?
I was watching a movie yesterday. A friend turned out to be a monster, so I just got curious.
Ah… um… If Sia is a monster… are you a cannibal?
Um… not really. But I can kill.
Yeah, that makes sense… but I don’t really mind.
…Why?
Why? I scratched my head and answered.
Even if Sia is a monster, nothing has happened so far, right…?
…Ah.
And besides.
I revealed the most important part of my heart.
You’re okay, Sia.
I don’t want to die, but if the one trying to kill me is Sia… I probably won’t be able to resist.
Sia let out an “Ehehe” and brushed it off, but she looked happy.
We finished lunch, finished the rest of the classes, and waited for homeroom.
Today Sia was on cleaning duty.
I wanted to help with the broom too, but Sia refused so fiercely that I waited outside and decided to buy something from the vending machine. I told Sia and went to the vending machine.
I bought the drink and returned to the classroom.
Everyone was leaving, and Sia was the only one left.
It’s over already?
Yeah, finished early.
Let’s go back quick.
Wait.
But Sia grabbed my hand as I tried to leave.
Wait a sec.
Sia pulled me inside the classroom and sat on my desk.
As soon as she did, her skirt rode up, and I quickly looked away.
I was dying to know why she called me over, but my heart started racing because it felt connected to what I confessed yesterday.
At that moment, Sia opened her mouth.
…
Why are you avoiding my eyes?
