Here's What Really Happened
The truth was this: Ma Yu-hyeon hadn't brought his own marker, so he'd borrowed one from a teacher for every exam. But that marker was defective, and the machine couldn't read his answer sheets at all. Seeing his provisional scores—all zeros across the board—Ma Yu-hyeon went to complain, which led to a bit of a scuffle.
Normally, using an unreadable marker would be the student's fault, so they'd show no leniency. But since it was one of the markers kept in the staff room specifically for students to borrow, they agreed to regrade his sheets. The result? Ma Yu-hyeon scored 398 out of 400 across four subjects. Needless to say, that put him at the top of the entire school.
Given the drama, word spread like wildfire through the students' gossip, racing across campus in no time. Naturally, the rankings shifted. I dropped from 61st to 62nd, and Jeong In-ah fell from 1st to 2nd.
I watched Jeong In-ah's face as she took her provisional report card. It was expressionless. She looked up at me, our eyes met, and she gave me a small smile.
I walked over to her.
"……."
But I had no idea what to say, so I just kept my mouth shut. Asking if she was okay felt weird, and acting like nothing happened didn't sit right either.
Jeong In-ah folded the report card in half like it was no big deal and tucked it into her desk drawer.
"2nd place is still pretty good, right?"
She flashed a big, beaming smile, as bright and cheerful as ever.
I swallowed my complicated feelings and gave her a small smile in return, mirroring hers.
I hope she doesn't see through the smile to what's underneath. Or if she does, pretends not to.
I opened my mouth playfully.
"I'm not sure—I'm 62nd."
"62nd is still good!"
"Really?"
"R-Really, not kidding!"
Jeong In-ah flailed a bit, hurriedly explaining herself.
"It's still top ranks. Sure, not as good as that diagnostic test before, but…."
"Ouch, throwing shade 'cause my scores dropped…."
"N-No, that's not it! Why do you always twist it negative?!"
She pouted her lips. Seeing that made me chuckle despite myself. Good call on the joke, I thought.
Thanks to Ma Yu-hyeon's commotion, I'd slipped from 61st to 62nd. Just one more person ahead of me—60 to 61. No big deal. But Jeong In-ah had gone from top spot to runner-up. She'd been studying for first place long before exams even started, so the blow had to hit her harder than it did me. This wouldn't fix her mood entirely, but it should shake off the initial shock.
Thinking that, I glanced at her face again. A faint shadow lingered behind the smile.
"How many more exams do we have left?"
"Huh? Um…."
Jeong In-ah tilted her head.
"Excluding third year… about six? Why?"
"Plenty of chances. Take first in all six."
She cocked her head at first, like she didn't get it. Then she burst out laughing.
"Hey, you think that's easy? The other kids aren't slacking either."
"What, can't do it?"
"……No? I totally can."
She laughed like it was ridiculous, full of confidence. But right after, her gaze dropped. Her lips pouted out, shoulders slumped. The shadow on her face darkened. She hunched in, forcing a resigned smile as she spoke with effort.
"Nah, scratch that."
"……."
"I don't think I can. I've been studying so hard these past few months… but I don't have the drive to push harder. Honestly, I wasn't even that diligent. The others probably worked way harder…."
I looked into her eyes. The pupils were blankly empty, the corners drooping. I sensed a hazy mix of despair and resignation in her expression. Her usual vibrant energy felt distant and clouded today, like a thick fog hung between us.
Clichéd comfort wouldn't help. After a moment's thought, I spoke.
"Wanna grab dinner after this?"
I'd already gotten permission from the dorm supervisor for an overnight pass since I'd planned to spend the weekend at the chapel. Plenty of time—at least for a meal with her.
*
Stepping outside, I saw students running laps on the field. Sweating buckets under the blazing sun, they were all from the Diligence Class, judging by Kang Dae-man leading the pack. Han Su-ryeon sat in the shade, watching with amusement, chatting with friends before suddenly bursting into laughter.
It hadn't felt bad in the classroom, but the summer sun stung now. I took off my jacket and draped it over my arm. Jeong In-ah wore her usual uniform topped with a hoodie.
"Not hot?"
I asked, and she nodded casually.
"Nah, still just warm."
"You don't get hot, huh."
"Yeah, summer and I get along. Winter's kinda awkward."
"You and summer are buddies?"
It was such an odd way to put it. I chuckled and repeated her words teasingly.
She tilted her head, shooting me a suspicious side-eye.
"What? Why laugh? Let me in on it."
"No… me too. I like summer better."
It was just to brush off her question, but not a lie. I preferred summer over winter. When it's hot, you cool off by sitting still. Winter? Sitting makes it worse. Not that I love summer. Truth is, I hate both.
Walking side by side, Jeong In-ah spoke up.
"Yeah? You're summer buddies too?"
"Yeah. But closer with you."
She didn't reply. It was just an offhand comment, so I headed toward the school gate without caring. She followed.
On the way, I spotted So Do-jin and Ha Ye-jin coming out of the building. So Do-jin, freshly discharged, was still on crutches. Ha Ye-jin suddenly kicked one out from under him. He glared up at her with murderous eyes. She laughed and helped him up. People everywhere, all looking happy.
Jeong In-ah giggled at them and said,
"They look so cute together."
"Cute?"
"Just a vibe, right?"
She brushed leaves hanging over the fence as she walked, the foliage swaying like it was shaking her hand.
We ate at a nearby restaurant, then dessert at a café. Conversation meandered—exams, her friends, rumors. Mostly her talking, me listening. I just nodded along occasionally.
"So then that guy…."
Sitting across from me, mid-story, Jeong In-ah suddenly stiffened and trailed off. Her eyes were fixed over my shoulder.
Wondering what spooked her, I turned, but saw nothing unusual.
"What? Something there?"
"Oh, no… thought I knew someone. Wrong person."
She brushed it off and kept talking. I listened again.
By the time we left the café, the sun had vanished. Twilight lingered, holding back the night. As I looked up, Jeong In-ah stretched, her joints popping.
"Ahhh… ouch. Sat too long. Where to now?"
"Hm…."
I couldn't answer right away. No plans. I usually schedule tightly, but not today. Sometimes you need to wander aimlessly—you and her both.
Strolling without direction, my eyes caught flowers lining the riverbank.
"Flower shop nearby?"
*
Following her lead, we went to a rundown but cozy shop. Flower scent hit before we entered—dozens, hundreds mingling into something more pungent than pleasant.
"Flowers all of a sudden?"
"Gonna grow one."
Granbwa had asked me to raise a flower in exchange for his power. No idea why, but to use it, I had to comply.
I scanned the flowers and seeds. Wanted something easy, but no clue what qualified.
"Got a favorite flower?"
"Huh?"
Jeong In-ah, admiring the blooms with a small smile, snapped her head up.
"Uh… cherry blossoms?"
Cherry blossoms are hard to grow.
Yeah, sounded tough even to me.
"Something else."
"Hm… that one? What's it called… forget-me-not?"
"Forget-me-not."
"Oh, yeah! Forget-me-not."
She nodded, repeating it. That seemed manageable. Easier than a cherry tree, anyway. I asked the owner for forget-me-not seeds and bought them on the spot, plus a pot and soil. Tiny and round. Hard to believe they'd bloom.
Night had fallen when we left. A sliver of new moon hung in the black sky. Jeong In-ah yawned, then clamped her mouth shut when our eyes met.
"Tired?"
She nodded slowly.
"A bit. Stamina's low…."
"Work out. Sitting all day weakens you."
"I do exercise."
"Like what."
She hesitated, then blurted,
"……After practicals."
"Yeah, sure. Again."
"I will! Stop nagging."
She plugged her ears.
"Listen. Quit groaning all the time."
"You don't listen either. Think you're not groaning? You're all skin and bones…."
She muttered, pouting.
"……Don't talk back."
I said, a bit annoyed. She gaped in mock surprise.
"Whoa, boomer."
"No."
"Totally. Boomer."
Obvious teasing tone and face. I got a little heated but held back. She looked so happy poking fun.
She kept it up as we walked; I just kept walking.
"Where we going anyway?"
"Dunno. Your place?"
"Huh…? What for, middle of the night."
"Not you. Just me."
"Quit joking. For real."
She laughed and punched my shoulder.
"Walk for now. Get some exercise."
"Tired."
"No whining."
"……Be nicer."
"Listen first."
"Pfft, rude! Unbelievable."
I slipped my jacket back on. Day was hot; night cooled off. She followed, shooting me grumpy looks but silently.
We stopped near school. Florence's grandeur held even at night—towering main building roof piercing the sky, dorm windows glowing faintly. She eyed the buildings, then me, puzzled.
"Why school?"
"Forgot something. Grabbing it."
"Okay, hurry. I'll wait."
"Scared alone. Come with."
I headed in. The "scared" bit was a lie, of course. She lingered at the gate.
"What changes with me there?"
"Less scary?"
"C-Can't you just go alone?"
"Harsh. Friend says scared."
"……Fine, let's go."
Reluctantly, she followed, hunching and glancing around. Dark spooked her. School at night felt extra eerie, shadowy. I was used to it from dorm life; she wasn't.
I led her to that secluded spot where Baron Samedi had given me the dice. Bench still there, overgrown flowers and grass decorating it. Empty, silent.
"Y-You said you needed something. Why here?"
Her face screamed suspicion. I sat on the bench casually.
"Obviously a lie."
"You tricked me…."
"So what."
I grinned. She edged closer, sitting at a careful distance. Extra dark here—could barely see her face right next to me. Wind rustled flowers and grass against our clothes.
"Nice vibe. Quiet."
She glanced around. I nodded.
"Hardly anyone comes. That's why I like it."
"Where you sneak smokes, huh."
"I don't smoke…."
"Sure, sure, whatever you say!"
She said it like humoring me. I sighed in defeat.
Silence fell. No words, no sounds—just her faint, steady breathing.
In the quiet, I recalled my talk with Baron Samedi.
"What're you staring at?"
Jeong In-ah's voice pulled me back.
"Sky."
"What, something up there?"
"Stars. Look close."
"Yeah?"
She craned her neck like me, staring intently before continuing.
"Okay, see a couple now."
"Count 'em. More than you think."
I looked up with her. Sometimes, exhaustion hits—eyes heavy, book blurring despite forcing them open. Happens during cramming. I'd sneak to the dorms, chat with Legba here. When even that bored me, I'd count stars. Darker ground, brighter sky. One star leads to another hidden nearby, then more. By the time I lose count, the sky's full. Darkness yields to light, distant stars feel close. Sleepless nights tire, but counting them delights.
Suddenly wanted to teach her. That's why I brought her here.
"Take a break."
"Huh?"
Her eyes still skyward, puzzled.
"Rest a bit. Studying or whatever. Don't burn lifespan."
"……What, like I overdid it. Lifespan? So what."
"You gotta live long."
At least till Jeong Yun-ah fully recovers. Ideally longer. Couldn't pinpoint why—guilt? Something else? Better guilt.
She smirked.
"To what, 100?"
"Nah, 500."
"Hey, too much."
"Why? Long life good."
"Boring after too long. …But what's it mean? Can't just will it."
She dropped her gaze to the ground, shoulders slumping, idly kicking dirt with her heel.
"One question."
"Shoot."
"Um, you…."
She hesitated, lips twitching, then trailed off.
"……Nah, forgot."
"Now I'm curious. Won't sleep."
"Don't then."
"Mean."
I chuckled emptily. She gave a small laugh too. The faint smile in the dark vanished quick, leaving a touch of sadness.
Her eyes held some strange heat or chill as she spoke.
"Don't lie to me."
Cryptic. I nodded—a promise I might break.
She beamed, satisfied. Eyes adjusted now; her smile shone clear.
After parting with Jeong In-ah, I headed to the chapel. Saw her sister. Skin a bit pale, but otherwise much like her—similar looks, heartbreakingly so. I knelt before Jeong Yun-ah, who sat blankly staring into space, mouth half-open, matching her gaze.
"Sorry. Can you wait a little longer?"
She nodded slowly, like responding. Head moves were her limit now, but someday she'll smile like her sister. Everything will be fine. All happy. Someday….
"Sorry. Really, I'm so sorry…."
Familiar dizziness and headache surged.
(To be continued)