---
While Yuna was immersed in her thoughts, staring blankly out the window, following with her eyes the movement of the clouds slowly gliding across the sky, as if they were fleeing from something unseen... She felt a strange heaviness in her chest, a weight she didn't fully understand, but it made her uncharacteristically silent.
Suddenly, a soft voice whispered beside her:
— Yuna...
She slowly turned to find Han Si-eul looking at her with obvious concern.
— Yuna, what's wrong with you? Are you okay? You seem very distracted today... Did I hurt you with something? If you want, I can tell the teacher you're not feeling well.
A faint smile formed on Yuna's face as she tried to hide what was inside her.
— No, no... I'm really fine. I was just a bit distracted.
Han Si-eul raised her eyebrows unconvinced.
— Are you sure?
— Yes, don't worry.
Han Si-eul sighed lightly.
— Okay... I hope so.
Then both returned to sitting in silence, as the next class began, then the one after, and time passed very slowly for Yuna, as if the clock hands were deliberately torturing her.
Her mind was filled with unanswerable questions, and memories she didn't want to think about, but they imposed themselves on her without permission.
Finally... the break bell rang.
Yuna felt as if she had survived a long drowning.
Before she could get up, a group of female students approached Han Si-eul with artificial smiles.
— Han Si-eul! Can you come with us to the cafeteria?
Han Si-eul looked at them calmly, then smiled politely and said:
— Sorry, but I'm going with Yuna. Do you want to come with us?
A brief silence prevailed.
The girls' gazes turned to Yuna, scrutinizing her from head to toe with looks full of evaluation and hidden contempt.
One whispered to another, then said in a artificial voice:
— Ah... actually, we remembered we have something to do.
— Yes, something very important!
Then they quickly walked away, as if the place had suddenly become uncomfortable for them.
Yuna remained watching their retreating figures in silence, her heart tightening slightly, even though she was used to such behavior.
But Han Si-eul crossed her arms and said with obvious sarcasm:
— How pathetic they are. Don't pay attention to them, Yuna, they're just garbage walking on two feet.
Yuna smiled lightly for the first time since morning.
— Thank you...
Then Han Si-eul added enthusiastically:
— Come on, do you want to go just the two of us?
— Yes... I'd like that.
Yuna and Han Si-eul arrived at the cafeteria, which was crowded with students, the sounds of laughter mixing with the clatter of dishes and the smell of warm food.
They sat on one of the seats near the window, where sunlight gently entered.
Han Si-eul placed her tray in front of her, then looked at Yuna with a hesitant glance, as if a question had been lingering in her mind for a while.
— Yuna... Have you ever thought about dating?
Yuna's hand stopped in mid-air, then she lowered it slowly.
— What? No... I've never thought about that.
She laughed a short, sad laugh and added:
— Who would love someone like me anyway?
Han Si-eul's face froze. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward with obvious emotion, almost hitting the table.
— Stop it! Why do you put yourself down like this?
Her voice rose slightly, and some students turned toward them.
— You're beautiful, kind, and your taste is wonderful! And the best friend I've ever had in my life!
Her eyes gleamed with anger mixed with fervor.
— Are you doing this because you're comparing yourself to Aren? Yuna, I beg you, don't compare yourself to anyone!
Yuna's eyes widened in surprise, and she felt warmth in her face.
— Huh... Why all this emotion? I was just saying what was on my mind...
She lowered her gaze and said in a faint voice:
— Don't mind my words.
Han Si-eul breathed deeply, trying to calm herself, then reached out and gently held Yuna's hand.
— Because I care about you... that's why I get emotional.
A brief silence prevailed between them, but it was warm.
The classes after that passed slowly. The teacher was giving a long lesson about history, his voice echoing in the classroom like a boring melody. Yuna's head became heavy... her eyelids lowered involuntarily. She closed her eyes a little... then more... until she completely disappeared.
—
— Yuna.. Yuna wake up!
She opened her eyes in fright.
The classroom was empty. The chairs were up, and the board was wiped clean.
What? Everyone left?
She rubbed her eyes in surprise.
— Why didn't anyone wake me up before now?
Han Si-eul smiled a calm smile.
— I thought you were tired, so I didn't want to disturb you.
Yuna felt grateful.
— Ah... thank you.
She began gathering her books into her bag.
Suddenly, she heard Han Si-eul's voice behind her calling:
— Yuna...
She turned.
— Yes?
Han Si-eul hesitated a little, then said quickly:
— Can you come with me to buy some clothes?
I almost refused.
— Actually, I wanted to return to...
But just remembering the house made her heart tighten.
She sighed.
— Okay... I'll go with you.
Han Si-eul smiled with childlike happiness.
— Great! Just tell the driver you'll be returning alone today.
A few minutes after the phone call:
— I'm done! Let's go!
Han Si-eul hailed a taxi, and they rode together. She took out her phone and pointed to the address.
— Take us to this place.
— Okay.
Yuna looked out the window admiringly.
— It's a beautiful place...
In the store, Han Si-eul was moving with unnatural enthusiasm. Pulling dresses, shirts, jackets.
— This will suit you! And this too! No no, try this color!
She was placing clothes in Yuna's hands without giving her a chance to object.
— Han Si-eul... are you shopping for yourself or for me?
She laughed.
— Because my taste is better! You yourself told me at school that my taste is good!
After a full hour, Yuna felt her feet could no longer carry her. This body is so weak.
— I'm really tired... How do you have all this energy?
— Because I'm an energetic girl!
Then she added:
— I know a nearby cafe, let's go there.
— Okay...
As soon as they entered, they sat near the window. Han Si-eul ordered two iced treats.
When Yuna took her first bite...
The taste was wonderful. Cold, sweet, slowly melting in her mouth.
Before I entered Yuna's body, I didn't know the taste of dessert. I wasn't free for this.
But suddenly...
Her body froze. The taste disappeared. A strange image appeared in her mind... a person with white hair. His features unclear. But his presence was heavy... scary... familiar in a strange way.
She felt a chill in her arms.
Her reverie was interrupted by a young man's voice:
— What are you doing here, sister?
Yuna raised her head.
A tall young man, his hair bright yellow, his eyes blue like the sky. It was Si-eun. Han Si-eul's brother. And one of the male leads infatuated with Aren.
Han Si-eul's face immediately frowned.
— What do you want, Si-eun?
He smiled a fake, gentle smile. Then he looked at Yuna with exaggerated kindness.
— Oh hello, Yuna, I didn't expect you to be with my sister.
His reputation was bad. A two-faced person. Nice in front of people... harsh behind them. That's why Aren hated him and refused his love. And he deserved it.
Si-eun said, pointing to the chair:
— Can I sit with you two?
— No.
Han Si-eul said immediately.
— Go away.
— Why? Isn't Yuna your friend? Then she's my friend too.
Han Si-eul exhaled in annoyance.
— Damn you...
Then she said coldly:
— Sit.
Si-eun smiled triumphantly and sat down. He immediately reached for Han Si-eul's ice cream and took a big bite from it.
— Mmm! Really delicious!
Han Si-eul's face tightened. Her eyes reddened with anger.
— What are you doing, you idiot? That's my food!
He laughed indifferently.
— We share things between siblings, don't we?
---