(Adrian's POV)
The classroom had gone quiet after Ciel found the van's location.
The others were already gearing up, but I stayed behind for a moment —
because Valerie was sitting there, trembling, her hands bandaged, her face pale.
I crouched down beside her.
She tried to smile, but her eyes were glassy.
"괜찮아? (Gwaenchanha? — Are you okay?)"
"조금… ( Jogeum… — A little bit )," she whispered, flinching when I dabbed disinfectant on her arm.
"You shouldn't have run all the way here," I said softly. "You could've passed out."
"나는 그냥… ( Naneun geunyang… — I just ...) 제이제이를 도와야 했어 ( Jayjayreul dowaya haesseo — had to help Jayjay )," she murmured, looking down.
I sighed, taping the last bandage. "You did well, Val. You saved us all time."
Her eyes lifted to mine. "아드리안… ( Adrian ...) 너 지금 무서워? ( Neo jigeum museowo? — Are you scared right now ?)"
"Of course I am," I admitted in English. "But she's out there, and fear won't bring her back."
Valerie's lips trembled. "She's lucky to have you as a friend."
I forced a faint smile. "We're not friends, Val. She's family to all of us."
There was a brief silence.
She reached out, her fingers brushing mine.
"Be careful out there, okay?" she whispered in English.
"항상 그렇게 무모하지 말고 ( Hangsang geureohge mumohaji malgo — Don't be so reckless all the time )."
I chuckled softly, standing. "You sound like my mom."
Valerie smiled faintly. "Maybe I learned from her spirit."
Ciel peeked in. "They're ready."
I gave Valerie's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Go home straight, will call u if anything ."
As I left the room, her voice followed me in Korean, soft but strong:
"제이제이를 데리고 와. ( Jayjayreul derigo wa — Bring Jayjay back .)"
I nodded without turning back.