Everyone was done eating, the table still messy with plates and the twins giggling as they played with the spoons.
Ana stood up, gathering the dishes.
“You guys rest, I’ll do the dishes,” she said naturally, already moving toward the kitchen.
But before she could take another step, Kel and Ed spoke at the same time.
“You should be the one resting,” Kel said firmly, taking the plates from her hands.
“Go sit with the twins, we’ll handle it.” Ed nodded immediately.
“Yeah, just go.” Ana panicked slightly, shaking her head.
“N-No, it’s fine, you guys are guests, I can do this—” but before she could finish, Ed grabbed her wrist lightly and dragged her toward the sofa.
“Just sit,” he said, pushing her down gently.
“Leave it to us.” Ana looked at them for a second, then sighed and gave up.
“…Okay, if you say so.” In the kitchen, Kel and Ed stood side by side, silently doing the dishes, the sound of running water filling the space.
After some time, they returned to the hall—and stopped.
Ana had fallen asleep on the sofa, the twins curled up on both sides of her, holding onto her arms like she would disappear if they let go.
Her face looked peaceful, softer than usual.
Ed stood there quietly, looking at her.
What is going on in your head…?
he thought.
Why do I feel so calm when I’m around you?
He slowly sat down and gently patted her head, careful not to wake her.
On the other side, Kel carefully adjusted the twins, making sure they were comfortable, then lay down beside Ana, his arm instinctively wrapping around her waist as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Ed noticed this, his expression changed slightly, but he didn’t say anything.
Instead, he lay down on her other side, holding her hand lightly, his gaze fixed on her face until his eyes slowly closed.
For the first time in a long while, both of them slept with a strange warmth they didn’t understand.
Ana woke up in the evening, she felt something heavy around her and frowned slightly.
When did the twins get this heavy…?
she thought, still half asleep.
She slowly opened her eyes—and froze.
On her right, Kel was sleeping, his arm tightly around her waist.
On her left, Ed was holding her hand, his grip firm even in sleep.
Ana’s mind went completely blank.
“…What…?” she whispered, trying to move—but both of them tightened their hold unconsciously, not letting her go.
She stayed still, confused and slightly flustered, waiting.
After some time, the twins woke up first and started playing with their hair, climbing over them, which finally stirred both Kel and Ed awake.
They opened their eyes—and immediately realized the situation.
Both froze.
Then slowly turned their heads—and saw each other.
They pushed each other away instantly.
“What are you doing here?!” Ed snapped.
“You’re the one holding my hand!” Kel shot back.
“…Did you guys wake up?” Ana said, sitting up awkwardly, holding out glasses of water she had somehow managed to grab.
Both of them stared at her, still processing, then silently took the glasses and drank.
As the memories of what happened came back, their faces turned slightly red.
Without saying anything, both of them stood up at the same time and rushed out of the house.
Ana blinked in surprise.
“…Why did they run away?” she muttered, then after a moment, she couldn’t help it—she laughed softly.
The next morning at school, Yeon was walking toward the staff room when she suddenly noticed a group of students cornering someone from her class.
It was Jeon Park—blonde hair, blue-green eyes, calm expression even in a tense situation.
The group was clearly about to start something.
Yeon froze for a second.
I shouldn’t get involved… her mind told her.
But her feet moved anyway.
“There you are,” she said quickly, stepping between them and grabbing Jeon’s hand.
“The teacher is calling you.
We need to go.” The boys frowned.
“Don’t interfere.
This bastard needs a lesson.” Yeon’s heart was pounding, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“It’s getting late… Do you really want the teacher to come looking for us?” Her voice trembled slightly, but she didn’t back down.
After a moment, the group clicked their tongues and stepped aside.
Yeon didn’t waste a second—she pulled Jeon away.
When they reached the classroom, she finally let go and took a deep breath.
Ana noticed immediately.
“What happened?
You look pale,” she said, concerned.
“N-No, it’s nothing… just tired,” Yeon replied quickly, not wanting to worry her.
Ana narrowed her eyes slightly.
“…Then who’s behind you?” Yeon turned and realized she was still holding Jeon’s hand.
She quickly let go.
“Ah… this is Jeon-Park.
Same class… we just came together.” Ed looked at him.
“I never thought i will meet you here.” Jeon shrugged.
“I don’t come often.” Ana glanced at Yeon.
“Do you know him?” “No…” Yeon replied.
“Then how do you know his name?” Ana asked.
Yeon hesitated, then explained quickly about the attendance report.
Ana didn’t press further.
Instead, she gently patted Yeon’s head.
“If anything happens, tell me immediately.” Yeon nodded, smiling softly, feeling her warmth.
Jeon watched all of this quietly.
Why did she help me…?
he thought, his eyes lingering on Yeon.
After lunch, Yeon saw Jeon again—with the same group.
Her heart dropped.
Not again… “You guys go ahead, I’ll come,” she told Ana quickly and ran.
Ana frowned.
Something’s wrong.
She waited a few seconds—then followed.
Behind the building, the group surrounded Jeon again.
“Thought you’d escape?” one of them said.
Jeon looked annoyed.
“Finish this fast.
I’m busy.” They moved to attack—but Yeon rushed in again, standing in front of him.
“Stop!” she shouted.
The boys groaned.
“You again?” Yeon was shaking, but she didn’t step back.
“If you don’t stop, I’ll tell the teacher.” “Why do you care?” they mocked.
Yeon grabbed Jeon’s hand tightly.
“Don’t worry… we’ll be okay,” she whispered, even though she herself was terrified.
Jeon looked at her, surprised.
She’s scared… but still standing here?
One of the boys raised his hand to hit her— —and suddenly a water bottle hit him straight in the face.
Everyone turned.
Ana stood there, breathing heavily, eyes sharp.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she said coldly, stepping forward and pulling Yeon behind her.
The boy attacked her—but in one smooth motion, Ana caught his arm and threw him against the wall.
Silence.
“Anyone else?” she asked, her voice low and dangerous.
The group didn’t wait—they ran away.
Ana turned immediately to Yeon.
“Are you okay?” Yeon nodded quickly.
“I’m fine…” Ana exhaled slowly.
“Let’s go.” Then she looked at Jeon.
“You too.” He didn’t argue—just followed.
Later, everyone was sitting together outside, talking about sports day.
Yeon asked, “What are you going to play?” Ana Blank and sighed.
“I want to play everything… but my body gives up.” Yeon smiled.
“You’re already strong.
I saw you that day.” A sudden chill passed through the group.
Kel and Ed were standing behind Ana.
“…That day?” Ed repeated, grabbing Ana’s shoulder.
“What happened?” Ana pushed his hand away.
“Nothing serious.” Ed frowned.
A little sad “You never tell me anything.” Ana paused, saying “I’ll try… you’re my first friend?” (to just cheer him up) Ed froze slightly.
“First friend?” Kel’s voice came out cold.
Ana looked at him.
Why?
Ana was confused and blank.
Was I not your first friend?
Kel hurt and Blank.
Ana turned slowly.
Not angry.
Not hurt.
Just… watching him.
“…Weren’t you the one who left first?” she said.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
The group went still.
Kel froze for a second, like the words are sharp knives.
“…What are you talking about?” he said, his voice cracking slightly.
“I never—” Ana didn’t interrupt.
She let him speak.
Let him hang there.
Then— She said sharp not care if he hurts or what.
“You avoided me,”she said calmly.
You are the one”Stopped talking to me.
Walk past me like I didn’t exist.” Each word landed clean.
Precise.
“Then one day… you told me not to come near you.” Kel shook his head immediately.
“No—no, that’s not true.” His breathing became uneven.
“You were the one who pushed me away,” he said, faster now.
“You sent me messages—said you didn’t want to talk to me anymore.
You blocked me.
You—” He “Stop.” Ana’s voice wasn’t loud.
But it cut through him instantly.
Silence.
She looked at him directly now.
She is Sharp.
Focused.
And said, “When?” Kel blinked.
“…What?” “When did I send those messages?” she asked.
He opened his mouth— Then stopped.
“…I—” “What did I say?” she continued, her tone unchanged.
No anger.
No emotion.
Just pressure.
“You remember being hurt,” she said softly.
“But do you remember the exact words in those messages ?” Kel’s eyes wavered.
“…You said I was annoying,” he muttered.
“That you didn’t want to see me again.” Ana tilted her head slightly.
“…And you believed that?” That hit him hard.
Kel stiffened.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked, defensive now—but weaker.
Ana took a step closer.
Not aggressive.
Just enough to make him uncomfortable.
“If I wanted to cut you off,” she said quietly, “why would I come looking for you that same week?” Kel’s eyes widened slightly.
Memories flickered.
Confusion.
Doubt.
“I called you,” Ana continued.
“More than once.” (she never wants to get involved in this.
but she still finds this annoying that Ana who cares about you so much.
but you just because of this misunderstanding.
you cut her off.
Can’t you trust her for once.) A pause.
“You never answered.” Now the silence wasn’t just heavy— It was suffocating.
Ed frowned slightly, glancing between them.
Yeon held her breath.
Even Jeon, who had been quiet the whole time, narrowed his eyes.
Something wasn’t adding up.
Kel took a step back.
“…No,” he whispered.
“That’s not possible…” Ana’s gaze didn’t soften.
“If I blocked you,” she said, “how did I call?” That was it.
The crack.
Kel’s expression broke.
For the first time— He looked uncertain.
Lost.
“…Then… what happened?” he said, almost to himself.
Ana watched him for a moment.
Then looked away.
“…That’s what I’d like to know too.” Silence fell again.
But this time— It wasn’t just tension.
It was something else.
Something deeper.
Something wrong.
And for the first time— They both understood— This wasn’t a misunderstanding.
It was manipulation.