Whispers of the Absent One
Jeong In-ah sat quietly listening to her friends' chatter.
“So that's why he's……”
“Really? Isn't he a crazy bastard?”
“But lately he's……”
These were the same friends she'd once grabbed a meal with and gone bowling alongside. Ever since that one hangout, they'd stuck together at school. They didn't do much—just ate lunch together or huddled up during breaks to gossip. The topics were always the same: trash-talking or praising someone, this guy's story or that one's.
Jeong In-ah just chimed in occasionally, never diving deep into the conversation. She didn't like talking behind people's backs that much. Sure, it was entertaining, but it always left her feeling uneasy and guilty afterward.
“But why hasn't Do Seon-woo been showing up?”
One of them suddenly piped up, as if the thought had just hit her. Jeong In-ah, who'd been half-listening through everyone else's gossip, perked up and lifted her head. But when she did, all her friends were staring right at her.
By now, it was nothing special—whenever Do Seon-woo's name came up, all eyes turned to Jeong In-ah.
“I don't know. Why's everyone looking at me?”
She said it half in disbelief.
“Well…… you're the only one who might know anything.”
“I heard he shows up at the dorms sometimes.”
“Yeah, I still don't even have his number. Doesn't he do SNS either?”
“For real? Can he even function in daily life?”
“Of course he can. I don't do it either.”
Her friends tossed in their two cents one by one.
“But seriously, you really don't know? It's been like a week already, hasn't it?”
“Already that long? I had no idea.”
“Show some interest. He's in our class, after all.”
They veered off into SNS talk for a bit before circling back to Do Seon-woo. Their gazes locked onto Jeong In-ah again. She shook her head with a wry smile.
“I said I don't know. He hasn't been replying much lately……”
Bzzz—!
Her phone on the desk buzzed to life. Jeong In-ah cut herself off and picked it up. An incoming call. She checked the caller ID and shot to her feet. Her hand gripped the phone tight, trembling faintly.
Her friends, mid-conversation, looked up at her with puzzled expressions.
“……Hold on, gotta take this.”
“Huh? Oh, sure.”
She brushed past their awkward nods and stepped out into the hallway. Then she stared at the name on the screen.
Do Seon-woo.
Normally, she'd have answered without a second thought, but not today. Ever since he'd come back from that missionary trip, she'd called a few times and sent some texts. Not a single reply. She'd been inwardly fretting over his empty seat, unaware he'd be out for weeks. Did something happen to him?
But then rumors trickled in from the dorm kids that they'd spotted him occasionally. After that, she decided to stop worrying. Life at school was fun enough without him. Classes were a bit tough but manageable, and she had friends to hang with during breaks and lunch.
So no, she wasn't picking up. Ignoring her messages and then calling out of the blue, expecting her to answer? Infuriating. Absolutely not. No way……
“……Hello?”
Jeong In-ah ended up answering anyway. But there was only silence on the other end. Had it dropped? No, the call was still connected. She kept the phone to her ear as she headed down the stairs. Break wasn't over yet. Even if it ended mid-call, slipping into class late wouldn't be a big deal.
She stepped outside and spoke up.
“Hello? What's this? You call and then say nothing……!”
“……”
His voice hit her, and words failed. She'd meant to chew him out, but hearing him made it impossible. She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them.
“What are you even saying? I'm at school right now.”
“……Don't talk nonsense.”
Jeong In-ah snapped back sharply. She recalled what he'd said right before the trip: everything would be fine, he'd come back. But something had gone down on the trip, and he hadn't returned to school. He hadn't kept a single promise.
If he'd at least kept in touch, she wouldn't be this mad. But radio silence? Yeah, maybe it wasn't that big a deal. He probably had his reasons. Still, not telling her what they were irked her.
She didn't need to know. He didn't have to tell her. Maybe that's what pissed her off—that she was just the kind of friend he didn't bother sharing with unless necessary.
“After school won't work either. I'm busy. Gotta start studying soon.”
“……Why the sudden call and all this? Think I'll just come running because you say so?”
“Said what?”
Jeong In-ah shot back curtly. A brief silence hung over the line.
“……”
“Don't. I'm not coming anyway.”
Click.
Do Seon-woo hung up after that. Jeong In-ah stared at her phone and sighed. Unbelievable.
“……Crazy bastard.”
It was 3 p.m. now.
*
Stepping outside, the air felt pretty chilly. Just recently, short sleeves had been too hot; now the breeze cut right through them. I ordered a drink at the cafe where I'd told Jeong In-ah I'd wait, sat down, and cracked open a book. Outside of handling the Retrograde Staff and practicing reverse voodoo, reading had become a habit.
It started as a way to hunt for any clues on reverse voodoo, but eventually, I got hooked. Gaining knowledge meant trial and error; books let me skip or shorten that process.
Bzzz.
My phone went off. I thought it was Jeong In-ah at first, but it was a text from Seong Ha-yeon. I closed the book and checked it.
I nodded. Seong Ha-yeon was moving exactly as I'd anticipated.
Those loaded phrases—“what you mentioned then,” “not something for text”—what would Mun Yo-seop think if he saw them? Already looking forward to it.
Truth was, I'd instructed her to phrase things that way. Mun Yo-seop might be tapping my texts or calls, so avoid direct talk and meet in person for anything important. We'd planned it out ahead.
Anyway, she was playing her part perfectly. Now the key was Mun Yo-seop and Seong Yu-da. The plan's success hinged on their moves.
Ting-a-ling—!
The cafe door chimed, and Jeong In-ah walked in. She glanced around, spotted me, and approached. I waved, but she ignored it, sitting across from me wordlessly.
“You're early.”
I checked the time on my phone and said. I'd told her till 7, but it was just past 5. Straight from school after classes, still in uniform.
“Didn't think you'd actually wait.”
“Wasn't waiting. Just got here myself.”
“What…… another ridiculous lie.”
She snorted at my deadpan fib. She ordered at the counter, came back, and stared at me in silence for a while. When her drink arrived, she fetched it—a strawberry smoothie thing—and set it down. Then she spoke.
“You've been skipping school lately.”
“Yeah, got some prep to do.”
I nodded.
“Prep? What kind?”
“Just this and that.”
“……Right. Don't wanna say, huh.”
“Not that. Can't right now.”
I met her eyes and continued.
“I'll tell you soon. Real soon, I think.”
“……”
Jeong In-ah glared at me, lips pressed tight. Those brown eyes felt so familiar—they overlapped with Jeong Yun-ah's gaze in the chapel. The sisters looked so alike, they could pass for twins. That was part of why I'd called Jeong In-ah specifically.
Jeong Yun-ah could speak now. At this rate, full recovery wasn't far off. Jeong In-ah would see her sister soon. I wanted to share that joy with someone. First person who came to mind: Jeong In-ah.
“……Won't even tell me, skips school. What exactly is so amazing that you're prepping for?”
“Something huge.”
I kept up the straight face.
“Get excited. For you too.”
“If it's nothing special, I'm punching you.”
“Go ahead.”
I nodded. We chatted lightly after that. Mostly school stuff, which I struggled to follow since I'd been out. Even in my short absence, school had churned on—new incidents and rumors daily.
About 10 minutes in, she finished her drink. I returned our empty cups to the counter, stowed the book from the table in my bag, gathered my stuff, and stood.
Jeong In-ah looked up, puzzled.
“Already?”
“Don't wanna steal more of your time. You said you were busy.”
“……No, that. You can stay longer…… if you want.”
“I'm good. Just wanted to see your face anyway.”
“……”
She seemed regretful I'd stood so soon. Her “busy” excuse must've been a lie, judging by her face. Still, I left the cafe.
I wanted to restore Jeong Yun-ah to a real person ASAP. Get back to the chapel even a minute sooner. Jeong In-ah looked great in her uniform—full of life and energy. I wanted to see Jeong Yun-ah like that too. Vital, truly alive.
Jeong Yun-ah living without uniform or spark—my fault. Seeing Jeong In-ah made the guilt heavier on my shoulders.
But no more despair, sadness, or helplessness like before. Now I had a way to heal her. No time for moping.
(To be continued next time)