Ana couldn’t explain it, but there was a quiet tension sitting in her chest, like something was about to break.
She sat beside Ed, her fingers lightly resting on the desk, eyes unfocused.
Ed glanced at her once or twice—she had been quieter than usual—but before he could say anything— The classroom door opened.
Teacher: “Everyone, settle down.
We have a new student joining today.” The chatter softened into curiosity.
Ana didn’t react at first.
New students didn’t matter.
They never did.
But then— Footsteps echoed.
Slow.
Careful.
Something about them felt… familiar.
Ana’s fingers tightened slightly.
She lifted her head.
And the moment her eyes landed on the girl standing at the front— her world stopped.
Seventeen.
Short yellow hair that caught the light.
Bright brown eyes—soft, yet carrying something heavy beneath them.
Her breath hitched.
Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
Ana (whisper, trembling): “How… can she be here…?” Her vision blurred for a second.
Ana (barely audible): “She… she was…” Her hand started shaking uncontrollably.
Beside her, Ed noticed immediately.
Ed (low voice, concerned): “Ana…?
What’s wrong?” Without waiting, he reached out and gently held her trembling hand under the desk.
The warmth grounded her—just a little.
Ed (softer): “Are you okay?” At the front— the girl smiled politely.
New Student: “Hello everyone… My name is Yeonbin.
Please take care of me.” Her voice was gentle.
Too gentle.
Ana’s heart clenched painfully.
Ana (thinking): Yeon…?
Ana (thinking, shaken): She’s Yeonjoo’s sister…?
Fragments of memory flashed—laughter, warmth, a name she hadn’t allowed herself to think about in a long time.
Ana (thinking): She told me about her… but… Her chest tightened.
Ana (thinking): Why does she look so much like her…?
And the biggest question— Ana (thinking, panicking): Why is she here?
Yeonbin walked down the aisle and took the empty seat right in front of Ana.
Too close.
Way too close.
She turned slightly with a small smile.
Yeonbin: “Hi.” Ed, as usual, responded first.
Ed (friendly): “Hey.
I’m Ed.” Ana opened her mouth, trying to speak— but before any words could come out— A voice echoed through the speaker.
Kel (announcement): “Attention everyone.
We request all class presidents from Year 1 to Year 3 to report to the hallway immediately.” The sudden interruption snapped the moment.
Ana stood up abruptly.
Her chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Ed looked at her, confused.
Ed: “Ana—?” But she was already gone.
— In the corridor, Ana stopped midway.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her chest rose and fell too fast.
Ana (thinking): Why is she here…?
Old memories surfaced—uninvited, sharp.
A name.
A face.
A girl.
Yeonjoo.
Ana clenched her fists.
Cold sweat formed on her forehead.
Ana (thinking): Calm down… just breathe… But her body refused to listen.
Then— a hand touched her shoulder from behind.
Ana turned instantly, her expression blank—almost defensive.
It was Kel.
His brows were furrowed, eyes filled with worry.
Kel (soft, concerned): “Ana… what happened?
Are you okay?” He scanned her face quickly.
Kel: “Should I take you to the nurse?” Ana blinked.
Her mind slowly returned to the present.
Ana (forcing calm): “It’s nothing.
I just… don’t feel well.” She looked at him suspiciously.
Ana: “What are you doing here?” Kel froze for a second.
He hadn’t expected that.
Kel (stammering): “I—I was with a teacher.
We were discussing something.” He quickly added— Kel: “Forget me.
Are you sure you’re okay?” Ana exhaled slowly.
Ana: “I’m fine.
Let’s just go to the hall.” Kel hesitated… but nodded.
— In the hall— Students gathered.
Kel stepped forward as one of the leaders.
Min stood nearby, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
As Kel approached, her tone shifted—sweet, but sharp underneath.
Min (smiling): “Oppa, you’re late.
Please come and start the discussion about the trip.” Kel ignored the tone and began speaking.
Kel: “There will be a school trip in five days…” His voice continued, explaining details— But Ana heard none of it.
Her mind was still stuck.
Ana (thinking): Yeonbin… Why now…?
— Back in class— Ana distributed the notices.
Her voice was steady, controlled.
Ana: “These are the rules and schedule.
Make sure you read everything carefully.” No one noticed the slight tightness in her tone.
— Lunch.
The three of them sat together—Ed, Kel, and Ana.
A strange silence lingered.
Because Ana was acting weird so no one talk.
Then— a soft voice approached.
Yeonbin: “Um… can I sit with you guys?” Ed glanced at Ana.
Kel did too.
Ana forced a small, awkward smile.
Ana (hesitating): “Y-yeah… sure.
Sit.” Yeonbin sat down carefully.
Ana tried to speak— Ana (awkward): “W-well… Yeonbin—” Yeonbin smiled faintly.
Yeonbin: “You can call me Yeon.
My sister used to call me that.” Ed tilted his head.
Ed: “You have a sister?
Is she in this school too?” For a moment— Yeon’s expression changed.
Her smile didn’t disappear.
But something inside her broke.
Yeon (quiet, bitter): “My sister… is dead.” Silence.
A Complete silence.
Ed froze.
Kel looked away slightly.
Ana’s chest tightened painfully.
She knew exactly what that meant.
She wanted to say something— anything— But the bell rang.
Sharp.
Final.
Ana stood up quickly.
Ana (soft, avoiding): “Let’s go.
Lunch is over.” No one argued.
— After school— Ed walked beside Ana.
He had been thinking all day.
Finally— Ed (serious): “Ana… do you know Yeon?” Ana stiffened.
Ed continued— Ed: “It feels like you do.” Ana looked at him, surprised.
For a moment, she almost told the truth.
Almost.
But— Ana (forcing a smile): “N-no.
I don’t.” She looked away.
Ana: “It’s just… I’ve always been alone.” Her voice softened.
Ana: “So having someone new talk to me feels… awkward.” Ed stopped walking.
Ana turned slightly.
Ed looked at her—direct, unwavering.
Ed: “She’s not your first friend.” Ana blinked.
Ed stepped a little closer.
Ed (firm, but gentle): “I am.” A pause.
Ed (softly): “I’m your first friend.
And I’ll stay.” Ana stared at him.
Something inside her shifted.
Memories surfaced—small moments.
Walking together.
The park.
Their conversations.
When did this become… normal?
When had she started feeling… comfortable?
She didn’t know.
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Ana (flustered): “S-stop messing around.” She turned away quickly.
Ana: “Let’s just go.” Ed smirked.
Ed: “I’m serious though.” Ana: “You’re annoying.” But her voice was lighter now.
And they walked forward together.
— Next day.
Sports period.
The sun was harsh.
Teacher (whistle): “Everyone—five rounds of the ground.
Now.” Students groaned.
Student 1: “Five rounds?!
In this heat?!” Student 2: “We’re going to die!” Teacher (shouting): “Start running!” They ran.
Slow.
Exhausted.
Except— Ana.
Her pace was steady.
Controlled.
She finished first.
Standing in the middle, stretching calmly.
Ana (thinking): Everyone’s almost done… Her eyes searched— Ed—still running, but steady.
Then— Yeon.
Struggling.
But trying.
Then— Ana’s gaze sharpened.
A group of girls.
Whispering.
Positioning themselves.
Ana’s expression darkened.
Ana (thinking): …No.
The moment came.
They moved.
Yeon’s foot was about to get trapped— She would fall— But— Ana ran.
Fast.
She reached her just in time—catching her before she hit the ground.
But— Pain shot through Ana’s leg.
Sharp.
Sudden.
She collapsed slightly.
Yeon panicked.
Yeon (shaking): “Someone help!
Please!” Ed rushed in.
The moment he saw Ana— his expression changed completely.
Ed (furious): “Who did this?!” His voice echoed across the ground.
Ana grabbed his arm weakly.
Ana: “Ed… stop…” But he was shaking with anger.
Without another word— Ed lifted her in his arms.
And ran.
— Nurse’s office.
Time passed.
Two hours.
Ana slowly opened her eyes.
The room was quiet.
She turned her head.
Yeon was sitting beside her— crying silently.
Ana blinked.
Ana (soft): “Yeon…?
Why are you crying?” “Are you hurt?” Yeon shook her head quickly.
Yeon (stammering): “I—I’m not hurt… but you… you got hurt because of me…” Ana let out a small breath.
Relief.
Ana (gentle): “Hey… it’s nothing.” She leaned back again.
Ana: “I’m just glad you’re safe.” Yeon froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
She couldn’t believe it.
After everything— She was saying this to her.
Her voice trembled.
Yeon: “Ana… I think… we shouldn’t be friends.” Ana looked at her.
Yeon lowered her gaze.
Yeon: “If you stay with me… you’ll get bullied too.” Her fingers clenched.
Yeon (quiet): “I don’t want that to happen again.” Ana went silent.
For a moment— She saw Something in Yeon she saw herself.
Her past self.
The same fear.
The same distance.
But— there was someone, once— who didn’t walk away.
Who stays with her.
Holding her hand.
Ana’s eyes softened.
She looked at Yeon— not with pity— but understanding her.
And something else.
Something stronger.