Don't Go
As always, after arriving at school, I headed somewhere other than my own classroom first. Straight to Mary's class. Given how grave the contents of the prophetic dream I'd had that morning were, it was only natural that I'd worry about her—someone I'd shared a long history with. After all, the signs of that tragic end in the future might have already begun in the present.
—Rustle, rustle.
Peering inside the classroom I'd arrived at for that reason, I spotted a crowd of students clustered around one particular girl, chattering away. It was a group centered on none other than Mary. They were chatting amiably, the picture of popular kids, and even those not in the group were casting envious glances her way.
"Mary's so pretty, right?"
"Pretty? Come on, her family's loaded, she's got a great personality..."
"Any guy who dates a girl like that is seriously blessed."
...Come to think of it, she'd always drawn crowds since kindergarten. Maybe I was the blessed one, getting all that attention from her.
"Hey, you—aren't you from another class?"
As that thought crossed my mind, someone sidled up with a casual rustle. I pulled my gaze from Mary and turned toward the voice. It was a girl from Mary's class, by the looks of it.
"Oh, you're that guy, right?"
She seemed to recognize me, then glanced at Mary and spilled what she knew.
"The one Mary went looking for yesterday. So you're Mary's boyfriend!"
"What?"
"Yeah, that's him. People have spotted you two eating lunch on the rooftop sometimes~"
"No, I think there's a misunderstanding..."
"Mary! Your boyfriend's here!"
The girl's shout cut the chatter short. All eyes snapped to me, and a wave of tension hit me like I'd committed a crime. Damn, this kind of unwanted attention is the last thing I need.
"Wh-who are you calling boyfriend?!"
Mary clearly hated the spotlight too. She shoved through the crowd, rushing over and glaring at me with a flustered voice.
"What are you doing here so early in the morning?"
"Nothing much... Just wanted to see if you were doing okay."
"S-see me?"
Her eyes widened in surprise at my words. Then, as if replaying them, her cheeks flushed and she let out a series of giggles.
"Heh, heh... Oh? So you came looking for me first thing in the morning?"
...She was totally misreading this. But with everyone's stares turning obvious, I couldn't stick around.
"Can we move somewhere quieter?"
"Y-yeah, sure."
We shifted to a less crowded spot, and after a brief silence, I cut straight to what was bothering me most.
"Anyone been hitting on you lately?"
"Hitting on?"
"You know, sketchy guys with bad reps or rumors hanging around you."
I didn't know who the groom from the dream was, but if someone was willing to terrorize for him, that guy might already be building bad karma now. And if she'd made a marriage pact with him, she might already know him.
"Heh, that's what you're worried about?"
To her, unaware of my concerns, my words probably sounded like a weak spot exposed.
"You were all stone-faced yesterday, but now you're checking up on me this morning... You act all cool, but you're obsessed with my surroundings, huh?"
Was she thrilled at finally gaining ground in our little rivalry? I couldn't confess about the dream, but it had confirmed one thing for me.
"Of course."
To me, she was precious. I'd jump into fire for her—I knew that much.
"You're special to me. So it's only natural I'd hope you don't date just anyone."
"Wh-what?"
The moment those heartfelt words slipped out, Mary froze, stunned. Realizing what I'd said, I backpedaled in embarrassment.
"I mean... If you're gonna date, pick someone decent. Hanging with bad guys doesn't look good to anyone watching."
Yeah, to avoid that tragedy, she needed a proper guy. I hoped she'd think seriously about her future and grasp real happiness...
"Th-then..."
As I voiced that plea indirectly, Mary whispered timidly back.
"If you're that worried... just date me yourself."
"...Huh?"
A near-direct confession I never expected from this tsundere girl. Stunned, I froze—and she realized what she'd said, panicking.
"N-no, wait! Forget I said that! Like I'd ever ask to date you! P-people might think I like you or something!?"
"Ah, right... Yeah."
"O-of course, if you confessed, I wouldn't say no... I mean, yeah. It's not me liking you—you should like me. So if you care that much, confess already! Th-then, depending on your attitude, I might not turn you down..."
I might not turn you down if you confess. Even as she corrected herself, her true feelings leaked out. I couldn't help but burst out laughing—"Pfft!"
"Wh-what's so funny!?"
"Nothing, really."
Just glad she was the same girl I knew. At least that tragedy wouldn't befall her. Maybe knowing the future and paying attention was enough to avert it.
"Head back in. Class is about to start."
"...Y-yeah. You too."
With a lighter heart, I sent her off and followed the ringing bell back to my classroom. But then...
A gaze fixed on me from the direction I was heading. Who? Some guy crushing on Mary?
"Hey, wait..."
By the time I tried to call out, they'd bolted around the corner. Tracing them led to my classroom, but it was just students settling in for the next class. The one who caught my eye most was my seatmate—the girl inevitably drawing my attention by sitting right there.
Usually, she'd have a textbook or book out already, but now she was just sitting down, pulling one from her bag belatedly.
...Was she the one watching me?
Staring openly out of curiosity, Soeun glanced at me briefly, then averted her eyes and opened her textbook fully. No one dense would miss it: she was extremely tuned into me right now.
"Everyone, take your seats. Class starting."
But the teacher had just entered, so no digging deeper. I sat beside her, pulling out what I needed, and focused on the lesson...
...While pointedly ignoring the occasional inexplicable glances from my seatmate.
*****
The rest of the day dragged on routinely. Classes, breaks chatting with friends...
"Yo, FullBusted! Soccer after lunch!?"
"...You still using that nickname?"
"C'mon~ It rolls off the tongue! Time to own it!"
Ugh, whatever. No point arguing with Shin Jiho. Shaking my head at his cheerful grin, I unpacked my lunch and study materials, signaling my refusal.
"Sorry, can't today. Vice-class rep duties are piled up—gonna use the whole lunch in the library."
"Tch, fine."
Shin Jiho headed off with the others to the cafeteria. As I gathered my stuff to follow to the library, my seatmate stood and timidly spoke up, lunchbox clutched delicately.
"Um... hey..."
Guessing her intent, I gave a wry smile and turned her down.
"Sorry, got work. Can't eat together today."
"......"
She bowed her head silently, looking dejected. Feeling a pang as I passed, I touched my lips, recalling her earlier kiss. That wasn't just playful—it was serious. The prophetic dream even had us together, so her feelings ran deep.
Hard to believe after just a month, but... no, irrelevant. She'd acted on it; I needed to respond.
"...Maybe keep my distance."
Best move, given today's dream. Rejecting her would hurt, but with Mary's safety priority, I couldn't focus elsewhere until confirmed.
"...She'll be fine."
Yeah, some distance wouldn't kill things. If it was just puberty, it'd burn out fast. Focus on Mary for now.
Sticking to vice-class rep duties till after school, I left as dusk fell. Campus empty long ago.
Strolling the deserted path, I noticed a girl at the gate.
"Soeun?"
Yoo Soeun. My seatmate I'd planned to distance from. But there she was, waiting as before—gaze on me, face emotionless yet fragile, like she might cry any second.
"Uh, hey..."
Some story here? If so, I couldn't ignore it now. About to speak, she suddenly rushed over and hugged me tight.
"Wh-what!?"
An impulsive act from the shy, quiet girl. Clinging desperately, I felt her urgency—no shaking her off. I just looked down, wondering why.
"......Hate... me?"
Waiting silently, her suppressed emotions broke: a choked voice.
"That's why... you're drifting away...?"
Her grip tightened, like letting go meant losing me forever, amplifying the pain.
"Drifting... hurts here... chest aches. First time... don't know what to do..."
"...Soeun."
"Don't... go..."
Clinging, sobbing her plea, she finally voiced her wish.
"If you leave... it'll hurt more..."
"......"
Silent, I placed my hand over hers, unable to push away. I sensed she had no choice but to cling.
"Got it. Let's go home together."
Embracing her, we walked. But in my mind, one question lingered about her: What was I to her? What did she see in me, after so little time, to crave me this desperately?