Consequences

Jae Vin watched Seung Jee and Eun Shin from a distance, his patience worn thin. Grabbing his lunch tray, he strode toward their table and slammed it down, startling them both. Eun Shin glanced at him, then quickly looked away. Seung Jee remained calm, though resentment simmered beneath the surface.

“Hello,” Jae Vin said with a forced smile.

Seung Jee exhaled silently, his first instinct to check on Eun Shin. Her trembling hands gave her away, but he resisted the urge to hold her, not wanting to give Jae Vin the satisfaction of knowing how shaken she was.

“Since when were we friends?” Seung Jee asked, tone steady.

Jae Vin chuckled, surprised by his newfound boldness.

“Wow. The stuttering kid finally found his voice. Who knew you’d evolve into a butterfly?”

Seung Jee smiled faintly, eyes dropping for a moment before meeting Jae Vin’s gaze, cold and unwavering.

“At least I grew up. Have you?”

Jae Vin laughed loudly, clapping for effect. Eun Shin clenched her jaw, irritation rising like bile.

“What do you want?” she asked, voice tight.

Leaning on the table, Jae Vin answered with mock innocence,

“I just want to eat with my girlfriend. Haven’t seen her in a while. Is that so wrong?”

Eun Shin scoffed, fists tightening in her lap. Under the table, her trembling hand found Seung Jee’s. He didn’t flinch, simply let her hold on. The quiet between them grounded her.

“When did I become your girlfriend again?” she said coolly. “You seemed to enjoy being away.”

Jae Vin sat, resting his chin on his hands.

“Strange. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy another guy’s company.”

Eun Shin smirked and gripped Seung Jee’s hand tighter. Seung Jee glanced at her, noticing the storm rising in her eyes.

“What are you implying?” he asked calmly. “You mean like what you did to her—before she finally left you?”

Jae Vin’s smirk faded as he turned to Seung Jee.

“This little—”

“If she’s really your girlfriend, and you’re sitting here trying to humiliate her, ask yourself: is that love?” Seung Jee cut in.

Jae Vin bit down on his tongue, fists clenched.

“If you’re here to cause trouble, leave,” Eun Shin said firmly. “I told you—I won’t tolerate this childishness.”

Jae Vin let out a sharp laugh.

“Hah. So instead of coming to me, you’re kicking me out?”

Eun Shin met his gaze.

“I… I still need time before I can even think about coming to you,” she muttered.

Caught off guard, Jae Vin stood abruptly, grabbing his tray.

“Fine. Let me know when you’re ready,” he snapped, turning and walking back to his group.

The moment he was gone, Eun Shin gasped, breath shaking. Seung Jee reached out, gently rubbing her back.

“You’re safe… with me,” he whispered.

She looked at him, eyes softening.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

I want to lean on you… but that would only make things more complicated…

Lowering her head to the table, she closed her eyes. Seung Jee said nothing. He simply stayed there—quiet, steady, and present.

After school, Seung Jee walked out of the classroom with Eun Shin. As they reached the hallway, she suddenly fumbled with her backpack.

“Oh no. I forgot something! I’ll be right back,” she said, panicked.

Seung Jee smiled and nodded.

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”

Eun Shin smiled in return and hurried back toward the stairs.

Just then, Jae Vin appeared, descending from the steps. His smirk widened when he spotted Seung Jee. Without warning, he slung an arm around Seung Jee’s neck.

“Hey,” Jae Vin said casually.

Seung Jee exhaled slowly, steadying himself.

“Yes?” he replied coolly.

Jae Vin chuckled.

“Has Eun Shin ever told you why we got back together?”

Seung Jee narrowed his eyes.

“No. Why would she—”

“She told me,” Jae Vin interrupted, smirking, “that if I didn’t stop bullying you and become a better friend, she’d leave me.”

Seung Jee froze.

She went back to him… for my sake? Am I just a burden?

His fists trembled, clenched at his sides. Jae Vin watched the reaction, satisfied, before strolling away.

“She’s back where she belongs, all thanks to you. Hope you’re proud of yourself,” he called over his shoulder. “Now she’s mine again.”

Seung Jee bit his tongue, swallowing his anger. He missed his chance to respond.

Moments later, Eun Shin returned, smiling brightly. But her smile faded when she saw his twitching hands.

“Seung-oppa?” she asked gently.

Seung Jee closed his eyes, trying to breathe.

Calm down… slow down.

He turned and forced a smile.

“B-Back?” he stammered.

Eun Shin nodded, stepping closer.

“Are you… okay?”

He hesitated, then nodded too quickly.

“Better than ever.”

She blinked at his rushed answer.

“I see… let’s go,” she said softly.

Seung Jee took a deep breath.

“Yes.”

They walked side by side toward the school gates. Though she noticed the sudden coldness in his voice, she said nothing.

On the way to Seung Jee’s home, Eun Shin walked a few steps ahead. When the silence stretched too long, she stopped and turned to him, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Seung-oppa… do you want to talk about it?” she asked gently.

Seung Jee paused, eyes shifting away from hers.

“About what?”

“Whatever’s bothering you. I can’t stand you acting like this,” she said.

Instead of answering, Seung Jee walked past her, continuing down the path.

“I’m… just tired,” he muttered.

Eun Shin turned and followed.

“Did something happen?”

He closed his eyes.

“Eun Shin, look—nothing—”

“Then why aren’t you being yourself? Do you… hate me?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Seung Jee stopped in his tracks, taken aback.

“Eun Shin… I don’t hate you,” he said quietly.

She bit her lip.

“Liar. If you didn’t feel differently, you wouldn’t be avoiding me like this. You can’t even look me in the eye.”

He turned away again.

“I just… need time to think.”

Eun Shin’s expression fell.

“Then go think.”

She turned and sat on a nearby bench. Seung Jee stood still for a moment, then sighed and joined her.

“Why… did you get back with Jae Vin?” he asked suddenly.

This time, she looked away.

“Why do you care?” she replied.

“Was it… because of me?” he asked, his voice low.

Eun Shin hesitated.

“I…” she stopped, biting her tongue.

Seung Jee smiled faintly, almost bitterly.

“Do I matter to you?”

Her eyes welled, but she blinked the tears back.

“You do… Maybe too much.”

Seung Jee fiddled with his fingers, lost in thought, haunted by the feeling of being a burden—to his family, to his mother.

He exhaled slowly.

“Eun Shin… I want to be the one protecting you… not the one you have to protect.”

Eun Shin let out a small laugh through her tears, her lips curving into a soft smile.

“Seung-oppa, I…” she paused, unable to finish.

Before she could say more, Seung Jee turned to her and gently pulled her into a hug. She froze in his arms. He held her tightly, as if letting go meant losing her forever.

“I… I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered, voice raw.

Eun Shin slowly nodded, resting her cheek against his chest.

“I just… need some time,” she said softly. “I need to clean myself up first.”

Seung Jee smiled faintly and pressed a kiss to her forehead, holding her a little closer. She sank into his arms, pulling him in.

I hate this ache… hating how much I feel for you… I never agreed to go back… I just stopped fighting to protect you.

Eun Shin shut her eyes as silent tears slipped down her cheeks.

Seung Jee held her a while longer before gently pulling back, studying her face with warmth. They walked the rest of the way together. At the corner near her home, they paused.

Eun Shin smiled and reached for his hand one last time. He looked down at her hand, then up at her face, smiling softly.

“I’ll see you tomorrow… at school.”

She nodded, eyes bright with hope.

“Every day… at school.”

Eun Shin stepped inside the house and looked around, searching for her father. The silence was immediate and heavy. She removed her shoes and turned on the kitchen lights.

Jim Yae suddenly emerged from behind the stairs.

“Miss, you’ve returned,” she greeted warmly.

Eun Shin smiled.

“Where’s Abeoji?”

Jim Yae’s expression shifted. She avoided Eun Shin’s eyes, a flicker of worry in her gaze.

“Your father is… busy at the moment. He asked me to let you know he won’t be home for dinner.”

Eun Shin sensed something was wrong but didn’t press it.

“I see… okay. What about Mother?”

Jim Yae hesitated, biting her lower lip as she searched for the right words.

“She… Madam hasn’t come home. Not since last night.”

Eun Shin noticed the tremble in her lips and hands. She frowned.

“Did…” she paused. Jim Yae looked at her. “Is Abeoji okay? Did something happen between them?”

“Miss…” Jim Yae’s voice caught. “I—”

“It’s okay,” Eun Shin cut in softly. “He probably told you not to tell me.”

Jim Yae’s eyes filled with quiet sorrow as she watched Eun Shin retreat up the stairs. Avoiding the empty dining room, Eun Shin gently closed her bedroom door, collapsed onto the bed, and buried her face into the sheets to cry.

Abeoji, what’s happening now? You barely come home anymore. Mother… what did you do to make him like this?

She sobbed.

BING.

Eun Shin wiped her tears and checked her phone.

Abeoji ❤️: “My princess, don’t forget to eat. I’ll be home late tonight. I really love you”

Abeoji ❤️: “You will always be my choice”

Eun Shin broke down, curling into herself as muffled cries filled her room.

“Abeoji…”