– Chapter 5
The classroom had emptied almost instantly when the bell rang for lunch. Anna sat quietly, her notes spread before her, though her mind was elsewhere. Seirin sat beside her, calm and attentive, but even she sensed the tension that hung over Anna like a shadow.
The moment the students spilled into the hallway, a scream cut through the noise, sharp and urgent.
"Someone's on the rooftop!"
Anna's head snapped up. Seirin's eyes met hers, wide and alarmed. Without a word, they sprinted with the crowd, hearts hammering.
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When they reached the rooftop, the scene was terrifying. Hyejin stood perilously close to the ledge, trembling, tears streaming down her face.
"No one helped me! Anna, you refused to help me too! If no one cares… I'll end this myself!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
Guilt surged through Anna, sharp and immediate. She didn't hesitate and rush to the rooftop. Her eyes scanned for something—anything—that could save her friend. A rope lay nearby, worn but strong. She tied one end around her wrist, the other to a broken chair, and edged closer to Hyejin.
"Hyejin, don't do this! Don't let go—I'll save you!" Anna cried, desperation coloring every word.
But the girl's footing faltered. Hyejin slipped, and Anna lunged instinctively, catching her hand midair.
"Don't let go! I've got you!" Anna shouted, straining under Hyejin's weight. The rope groaned, and the broken chair scraped against the wall, dangerously close to the edge.
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Below, the crowd panicked.
"Spread the cloth! Quickly!" Seirin shouted, directing other students to hold out a large plastic tarp. They braced for the worst, ready to catch the falling girls.
Anna's arms trembled violently—her acrophobia clawed at her mind—and she lost consciousness as the tension peaked. Joon shouted, "Seirin! Move back!"
But Seirin ignored him, her focus locked on Anna and Hyejin. The chair groaned and finally broke free, plummeting toward the ground.
"Chair!!" the students screamed in unison.
From the side, Yo Chan acted with surprising precision. He grabbed a heavy trash bin and hurled it toward the falling chair. It collided with the chair midair, deflecting it harmlessly aside.
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Seirin exhaled sharply, lowering her head protectively over Anna's, ensuring the unconscious girl was shielded from the danger. When the chair finally landed in a safe spot, she shook Anna gently.
"Anna! Open your eyes!"
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Later, in the nurse's office, Anna lay pale but stable. Hyejin sat in a corner, sobbing quietly, while Yo Chan leaned against the doorway, watching silently. The door burst open as Anna's father and Minjun rushed in, relief washing over their faces.
"How could you do that?" her father asked, gripping her hand. "You have acrophobia!"
Anna could only manage a weak nod as they guided her home, Seirin lingering a moment behind, worry etched across her face.
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That night, Yo Chan sat by his window, restless. The image of Anna grabbing Hyejin's hand, her pale, terrified face refusing to let go, haunted him.
"She was scared… but she still jumped for her. Why would she do that…?" he murmured to himself, voice soft and confused. For the first time, he didn't laugh. He simply stared into the dark, lost in thought.