Chapter 14 : Moon Rabbit (4)

I arrived at school and stared blankly out the window.

Spring rain obscured the clear sky, blocking the sunlight.
The damp air felt heavy, oppressive.

I continued to watch the scene outside.

The entire city was painted in shades of gray, simply because clouds covered the sky.
I found it fascinating, mesmerizing.

But at the same time, a coldness settled within me.

Rain was an emotional catalyst.
Its inherent coldness amplified happiness and deepened despair.

I knew my own emotions weren’t bright and cheerful.
So, with a forced smile, I wished this gentle rain a beautiful farewell.

Hyelin cautiously approached me.

“H… Haram?”
“Who is it this time?”
“I… I haven’t even said anything… yet?”
“I know. So, who is it?”
“S… Senior… Kang Joohyuk.”

Just as I suspected. Perhaps there was an unspoken rule: “If you want to talk to Lee Haram, go through Lee Hyelin.” Or maybe it wasn’t unspoken at all.

I gave Hyelin a suspicious look, but she just looked confused. I sighed and went out to the hallway.

I found Joohyuk leaning against the wall, a serious expression on his face.

“Sorry for calling you out suddenly, Junior.”
“It’s okay. Is something wrong?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes, it’s written all over your face.”

Joohyuk gathered his thoughts before speaking.

“There’s a strange rumor going around among the second-year drama club members. I thought I should tell you.”
“What rumor?”
“That you’re the one who told the instructor about Hansongi.”
“What?”
“Apparently, someone saw you having a private meeting with her during lunch break yesterday.”

I smirked.
Whoever started this rumor was playing a dangerous game.

“It wasn’t me. You came to me because you believe I’m innocent, right?”
“Of course. The Haram I know wouldn’t do something like that.”
“I appreciate your trust, but this isn’t good. What should I do?”
“I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Some unsavory characters might be involved, so be careful.”
“Thank you, Senior.”

I bowed and returned to the classroom, lost in thought. For a rumor to spread so quickly, it had to be fueled by malicious intent. I couldn’t think of anyone who harbored such strong feelings towards me.

‘It has to be either that delinquent or Hansongi herself.’

Hansongi herself was the most likely culprit, but why target me when she had a direct confrontation with Han Dojun?
The questions kept piling up. I felt like I was missing something.
For now, I decided to keep quiet and trust Joohyuk’s judgment.

Famous last words: “For now.”

It was lunchtime, and everyone was chatting in the classroom because of the rain outside.
Hyelin, who had quietly slipped out earlier, returned, drenched from head to toe.
I immediately jumped up and looked for something to dry her with.

“Nayeon, do you have a blanket or something?”
“Yeah, here.”
“Thanks. I’ll wash it and return it later.”
“It’s okay. Let’s dry Hyelin off first.”

My heart sank.
I wrapped the blanket around Hyelin and asked softly,

“What happened?”
“I… I… It’s nothing. I… I just fell outside.”

I looked her over and noticed something odd.

“You fell, but your skirt is perfectly clean.”
“U… Uh-huh.”
“Look me in the eye and tell me. Did you really fall?”

Hyelin avoided my gaze. I waited, silently staring at her. Finally, she spoke.

“Actually…”

Apparently, some nasty seniors had dumped a bucket of water on her in the restroom.
I made her promise to stay by my side from now on and left the classroom. They might still be there since lunch break wasn’t over yet.

As I hurried towards the restroom, I overheard a conversation between two seniors on the stairs.

“Are you sure this is okay? She was completely drenched.”
“It’s fine. She looks like the type who won’t say anything.”

I turned around and called out to them.

“Excuse me, Seniors. Could you stop for a second?”
“What?”
“You were just coming from there, right?”

I pointed towards the girls’ restroom. One of the seniors, frowning, checked my nametag and smirked.

“Oh, it’s her. The one who snitched on Songi.”
“Is that so? No wonder she’s so disrespectful.”
“Did Senior Hansongi tell you that?”

I called her bluff, and she shut up. I saw a flicker of panic in her eyes.

The pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place. I smiled coldly.

“That’s pathetic, even for high school.”
“Look who’s talking.”

They started walking towards me menacingly. Their attempt at intimidation was laughable.

“Go ahead, try something. I can scream louder than anyone here.”
“Y… You…”

The senior’s hand, clutching my blouse, trembled. But that was all.
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break.
I pointed upwards.

“Aren’t you going to class? Students should be in class.”

Back in the classroom, I looked at Hyelin, who was still huddled in the blanket, shivering.

I pulled my chair closer and hugged her.
She let out a small, surprised squeak, then relaxed against me.

I hoped my warmth could offer her some comfort. Her body felt cold and damp beneath the uniform.
If I felt this way, how cold must she be?

Guilt gnawed at me. The words caught in my throat finally came out.

“I’m sorry.”
“W… What?”
“It’s just… I’m sorry.”

It was my fault.
Your suffering is my sin.

Even if it wasn’t directly my fault, it didn’t matter. I would carry this guilt, not for you, but for my own cowardly self.

After classes ended, I went to see the instructor. I sat down, sipped my iced coffee, and gave her a crooked smile.

“How about we make a deal?”

You said it yourself.
The devil always makes offers we can’t refuse.

Friday afternoon arrived.
The time for casting decisions.

They started with the lead roles, the Moon Rabbit and Kim Jinsol, so those who didn’t get those roles could audition for others.
Students were called out to the multipurpose room two at a time.

One by one, names were called.
A second-year senior and Min Chaerin went out, leaving only Hansongi and me.

The ticking of the clock filled the silence.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

A sense of déjà vu washed over Hansongi, and she looked around. I was staring intently at her.

“What are you looking at?”
“Senior, I like innocent people.”
“What are you…”

Hansongi frowned, but then she gasped.

My usual cheerful smile was gone, replaced by a blank expression. It unnerved her.

“You see, innocence itself can be a sin. The world sees innocence as a flaw and punishes it relentlessly.”

I, too, had once wished to be innocent. Perhaps I craved it all the more because it was something I lacked.

“But there are always survivors, aren’t there? People who defy the odds and cling to their innocence, no matter what.”

Joohyun had been like that. So were Dojun and Hyelin. The people who remained by my side all possessed a certain innocence.

“Innocent people are strong. The very fact that they’ve survived this long with their innocence intact is a testament to their strength. I, however, am a coward. I can only surround myself with strong people.”

I slowly approached Hansongi and touched her neck.
She flinched, like a butterfly caught in a spiderweb.

“I’ve lost too many precious people. That’s why… Strong people are less likely to leave, aren’t they?”
“W… What are you doing?”
“I understand your anger, but your methods were childish. As punishment for targeting the people I care about, I’m going to show you just how inadequate you are.”

Just then, Joohyuk called us from outside.

“Lee Haram, Han Songi, you’re next.”
“Coming.”

I swallowed my emotions and put my mask back on. I had to maintain my composure in front of the others.
I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, a smile was plastered on my face.

I heard Hansongi was serious about acting. That’s why she tried so hard.
She was willing to risk making enemies to get the role she wanted.

But her methods were dirty.
Her childish, clumsy scheming had crossed a line.

I wouldn’t resort to physical violence. That wasn’t true pain.

Physical pain was temporary.
Fleeting pain could never be true suffering.

I would inflict a different kind of pain, a pain that would linger.
A thorn embedded deep within her, a constant reminder of her inadequacy.

I looked at the pale blue sky outside and smiled.
I hoped she would learn, at least a little, about the cruelty of the world.