You get used to the whispers.
At first, they're overwhelming — like standing in a room full of secrets, all begging to be heard.
But after a while… you learn to filter them.
> "I cheated on the exam."
"He doesn't love me."
"If anyone finds out, I'm done."
They all start sounding the same.
Until today.
---
I was walking past the second-floor girls' bathroom.
Didn't look. Didn't care.
Then I heard it.
> "No one will care if I'm gone."
I stopped.
It wasn't loud.
Wasn't angry.
Just quiet.
Broken.
I stood still, waiting.
> "This is the last day. I've already written the letter. I'll do it after class."
I took one slow breath.
---
I didn't even know whose thought that was.
But it wasn't something I could walk past.
Not even for money.
---
I waited outside the bathroom like a creep. A few girls walked out, giving me weird looks. I didn't move.
Finally, I heard her voice.
Soft. Tired.
It was Rina.
Yeah… that Rina.
The one I had a stupid crush on last semester.
The one who posted that photo last week with another guy.
> "He used me. And now everyone's calling me names. I can't even breathe without hearing laughter."
It was her.
---
I could've walked away.
Let her do whatever she wanted.
But this wasn't like the others.
This wasn't someone hiding a scandal.
This was someone falling apart.
---
I followed her to class. Sat in the back. Listened.
She didn't speak all day. Barely looked up.
> "No one will miss me. I'll just fade away quietly."
When the final bell rang, she grabbed her bag and walked toward the roof.
My chest tightened.
So I stood. Quietly. Followed.
---
She didn't notice me at first.
She stood near the edge, hands trembling.
And then — for the first time — I spoke without leverage.
"You don't have to do it."
She turned, startled. Her eyes widened.
"What?"
I took a step closer. "I know how it feels. When everything turns black and heavy."
She laughed bitterly. "You? Don't act like you know anything about me."
She wasn't wrong.
But I said, "You're right. I don't. But I do know this — people forget the pain eventually. But they never forget guilt."
She frowned.
"If you jump, those people who hurt you? They'll move on. But someone else — your family, your sister, even someone who secretly cares — they'll carry that guilt forever."
> "Why is he saying this? Did someone tell him?"
I took another step closer. "You're not weak. You're just tired. So rest. Cry. Scream. But don't let them win like this."
---
She didn't reply.
But she stepped back.
And then… she cried.
---
We sat there for ten minutes, saying nothing.
Then I stood. "Come on. Let's go."
She didn't ask why I was there.
I didn't say how I knew.
And that was enough.
---
As I walked home that day, one thought circled my mind.
I could use this ability to get money. Power. Control.
But sometimes…
Sometimes, the truth is worth more than cash.
---
[To Be Continued…]