The tension between Haru and me didn't ease up even after we were called in by the teacher side by side for unauthorized ability usage under the bright morning light. It lingered through the classes. And during that time, Sihyun realized just how close he had been sticking to Haru.
"Are you guys a couple?"
People around us were talking.
"What's with the sudden talk?"
"You've been sticking together like soulmates with your partner."
"Why are you separate now? Did you guys fight?"
Even during the theory class and until lunch, there was no reconciliation with Haru. As Daun pointed towards the lone Haru, munching on his meal from a distance, Sihyun, seeing Jihye beside Daun, wondered if the term "soulmates" referred more to them than just him and Haru. It was an unnecessary thought.
"It's my fault."
"Who doesn't know that? The innocent-looking kid wouldn't have done anything."
"...."
Sihyun was taken aback by the matter-of-fact acknowledgment of his mistake. There was no room for justification, yet it oddly left a sour feeling.
"So, when are you two making up? You're making Jihye uncomfortable because of you."
"No, it's not like that! It's not, I'm just... concerned."
When his name was suddenly mentioned, Jihye, feeling awkward, glanced at Haru. Sihyun's expression darkened at Daun's remark about Haru eating alone. He had thought of sharing a meal, but the situation seemed more awkward if Haru reacted unfavorably. It seemed like a display of a relationship to outsiders.
"I don't know what happened, but apologize."
"Yeah, apologize, Sihyun! Haru's been sulking all day!"
"Could you keep it down?"
Hyuk briskly interjected into the conversation, urging Sihyun to apologize. Frowning at that, Sihyun swapped the bread on his plate with Hyuk's. It was a signal to eat and stay quiet.
Despite it being a buffet and not particularly meaningful, Hyuk seemed pleased. Sometimes he was straightforward, sometimes enigmatic. Sihyun had long given up trying to understand Hyuk.
As Sihyun sat, lost in sighs, a piece of cake suddenly appeared on his plate, much like what he had done for Hyuk earlier. Without looking up, he knew who it was. Raising his head, he met the gaze of someone he didn't want to face.
"Seems like you guys had a serious fight."
The affectionate voice spoke softly. Sighing for the umpteenth time that day, Sihyun felt as if everyone was pointing him out. Even the sweetness of the cake couldn't alleviate his mood. He just wished both he and Haru would vanish.
It's not like I didn't apologize.
From the moment he realized his mistake, he had apologized and sought forgiveness. But his actions couldn't be resolved with a simple apology.
Perhaps having three eyes would be better.
Seeing Haru leave after eating alone, Sihyun tapped the table lightly with his fingers before leaving. Hamin frowned as intermittent sounds echoed in the room.
"Just talk it out."
"That's a textbook answer."
Responding to Hamin's unexpectedly wise words, Sihyun realized it wasn't a bad idea.
If only Haru hadn't avoided me.
Rather than risking getting closer or further away by impulsively approaching, Sihyun picked up his tray and left. There was no point in speaking when dessert had already been consumed, but he didn't have an appetite anyway.
***
"The Irregulars, beings that simultaneously emerged worldwide ten years ago, are classified by the world's Awakened Entities Management Agency as 'abnormal entities exceeding ordinary individuals with non-human abilities.' Initially ranked from Grade 1 to Grade 8 based on their threat levels, starting from 2015, they've been designated disaster grades based on the extent of their damage..."
As much as I awaited this theory class, my mind was troubled, unable to absorb the lesson. Sihyun, having given up on taking notes, turned his head with a resting chin, watching Haru writing down the teacher's words. A sudden gust of wind shook Haru's hair as he sat by the window.
The lingering chill of winter carried within the wind caused Haru's black hair to flutter. Sihyun remembered something hidden behind those long strands, and thud! He banged his head on his desk.
"Sihyun, are you alright?"
Startled by the sudden sound, the teacher called out, and Sihyun casually responded while rubbing his sore forehead.
"Yes."
"Did you, uh, doze off?"
"Guess so."
"Recently, Sihyun can't sleep, please understand!"
"Oh, really?"
As if he were my spokesperson, Haewoon lied so smoothly. The teacher nodded sympathetically. After the brief commotion, the class resumed. Listening to the teacher's voice as a lullaby, Sihyun started thinking something he usually wouldn't.
If there were a chance,
I'd go back to the past and give my past self a good slap.
"...."
Curious about what secrets were being concealed, Sihyun, drowning in self-recrimination due to the sudden avoidance, stopped contemplating and turned his head. Once again facing Haru, their eyes met momentarily through the fleeting glimpse of his crimson pupils.
"...."
Haru said nothing. Sihyun was the one who turned away first.
Shouldn't have avoided him. Regret flooded in belatedly. Because of that, when Sihyun turned around, he couldn't properly see Haru's sulking figure.
***
"Is the Cold War still on?"
At Seowoo's words while she swished her sword, Sihyun nodded. It was their personal training time, and Sihyun had sought permission to observe others' skills while wandering around the training room.
"Mind copying some abilities and showing me your training?"
If it were me, I'd have hesitated and declined. Surprisingly, the first-year students of Class A welcomed Sihyun's proposal. Even Haru, still maintaining a cold attitude. Communication was only through gestures, but still.
But Sihyun couldn't endure the awkward atmosphere for over an hour. Eventually, his steps naturally took him to another training room, not Haru's.
After some time passed, when Seowoo, who had been swinging her sword for over fifteen minutes, paused to approach Sihyun.
"Water?"
"Yeah."
"Take it."
Certainly! Here's a clear and smooth English translation of the provided Korean text:
Sihyun glanced at the approaching figure heading toward him while seated on the bench. He moved slightly to make room, expecting either a towel or water, and looked up at Seowoo who was eyeing the bottle of water.
"I knew you wanted it."
"Why would I?"
"You're without hands or feet."
Responding to Seowoo's odd request, he casually remarked, "I have both," in an eccentric tone and picked up the bottle from the bench.
Gulping down the water, Seowoo, who had drunk about half, glanced at Sihyun and teasingly narrowed her eyes.
"If you stare like that, even I'd feel embarrassed."
"Oh, come on."
Already troubled by the day, Sihyun stood up as Seowoo kept jesting. He looked somewhat dignified, though he tried to keep it low-key.
"I'm leaving."
No matter how he resisted getting involved, entanglement seemed inevitable. He didn't want to linger on pointless resistance, pretending there was no regret, making moves to depart. However, Seowoo hurriedly grabbed onto Sihyun.
Sihyun's gaze fell on her large hand, catching a glimpse as she subtly clutched his clothes.
"Sorry."
"Embarrassed?"
"Because I like having you around."
"..."
He had always been adept at casually tossing out words that might be misinterpreted in a male-female relationship. Sighing, Sihyun raised his gaze at Seowoo's words and silently took his seat again. He hadn't properly assessed Seowoo's skills, and wasting time like this was a loss on his part.
"Did you know you're the first to come to me?"
"...?"
"I've always been the one seeking you out."
Sihyun blinked his azure eyes at Seowoo's candid words. Without needing to recall memories, it was true that Seowoo had always been the one to approach him. Unable to figure out what she wanted to say, Sihyun maintained his silence.
Actually, I didn't expect her to be here today.
Just to avoid Haru, he entered any random training room, only to find Seowoo there. Sihyun was about to bring that up but then stopped himself. There seemed to be no need to pour cold water when someone was joyously celebrating, resembling a child receiving a gift.
Was I a bit too harsh?
It felt awkward, but deep down, he did want to get close to her. Lost in contemplation, Sihyun pondered if he had pushed her away too much.
Pushing away had long lost its significance when you ended up sticking around regardless. Anyway, the students here all considered Class A as one group, and he, too, had resigned himself to eating with them and getting used to it.
The saying that humans are creatures of adaptation wasn't baseless.
With the turmoil over the Quadruple and the ranking controversy, peace had bid farewell to him. Sihyun wondered if there was a need for him to be as sensitive as before and glanced at Seowoo. Subtly, Seowoo's eyes flickered. At seventeen, all he ever saw was her smiling, and Sihyun swallowed hard.
"What are you thinking?"
"You do whatever."
"Are you thinking about partners again?"
"..."
It wasn't that.
He murmured a small denial under his breath. Seowoo's prediction was wrong, but it would be odd to say he was thinking about her here. After a moment's hesitation, Sihyun came to a conclusion.
"Sorry."
"Suddenly?"
"Just felt like it."
I might have been a bit too much.
Apologizing to Haru had made him reflect on other relationships, and when Sihyun offered an apology to Seowoo, she looked surprised, her eyes widening. Looking pleased, she stretched her smile, and Sihyun, feeling awkward, just moved to leave.
"Why? Did I suddenly appear pretty to you?"
Sihyun furrowed his brow at the sudden question.
Was she a red mask in her past life?
Continuously being asked if she looked pretty made him wonder if there was some odd fixation. Instead of heading towards the exit, Sihyun looked back at Seowoo.
Even under artificial lighting, her platinum color shimmered. Looking at the irises below, Sihyun, somewhat nonchalantly, grabbed the door handle and turned to leave.
"Fine, let's say you're pretty."
Nonchalantly stating it, he opened the door and walked out. Watching Sihyun, who seemed like he was in slow motion, looking at the closing door, Seowoo wriggled her fingertips.
With a click, only after the door was fully closed did he regain his senses. Seowoo's lips drew a rounded line before a genuine smile slipped through.
Her sweet laughter spread like watercolor.
That spring breeze-like laughter filled the training room.
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