The school was turned upside down.
There was no other way to describe the situation.
*The siren wailed!*
"Be careful with that one!"
"Hurry up and move! Yes, we have an emergency patient here…"
The school, which should have been quiet, was filled with the blaring sirens of ambulances. Paramedics who had arrived at some point were loading male students onto stretchers students with swollen, unrecognizable faces and crushed bones. One student's arm was grotesquely bent, a sight to behold.
While the paramedics diligently did their jobs, another type of vehicle arrived, sirens wailing. In a crazy situation like this, where ambulances were called, police cars naturally followed. The officers stepping out of the vehicles looked dumbfounded. They had initially brushed off the report, thinking,
(How much damage could a male student really do?)
"Good grief… In all my years as a cop, I've never seen anything like this. Officer Chae, can you believe it? They say one male student did all this," said a middle-aged female officer, clicking her tongue and frowning. The rookie officer, referred to as Chae, only nodded.
"I've… never seen anything like this either," she replied.
The two stared intently into the storage room. The other officers shook their heads in disbelief as well. The scene inside the storage room was straight out of a gangster movie: blood pooled on the floor, scattered weapons, a lone knife left behind, and students being carried out on stretchers. It was as if a vivid picture of what had happened was painted before their eyes.
"Now, calm down and tell me slowly. After the fight broke out with the male student named Ryu Sehwa…" The officer sighed.
"Alright, take a deep breath—"
"I don't know anything! Please, just let me go home!" sobbed one of the students.
The police tried to coax answers out of the male students whose limbs were still intact, but the boys, overwhelmed by panic, only cried and gave no proper responses. The officers could only sigh in frustration. Out of the six involved, four had been taken away, leaving just these two. If they couldn't get statements now, things would only get messier later. All they had managed to learn was the name (Ryu Sehwa)Unaware of the officers' frustration, the male students remained silent, while Hyemin and Suyoung each comforted one of them, holding their shoulders.
"Just keep saying you don't know anything… The adults will handle it later."
"You guys were the ones who used weapons first. Keep your mouths shut. You know who that kid you messed with is, right?"
Under the guise of comforting them, Hyemin and Suyoung whispered instructions in the boys' ears. They had already coordinated their stories before calling the ambulance and police. They had informed the boys about Sehwa's background and reminded them that they were the ones who had first used weapons like metal pipes. Though Hyemin and Suyoung hadn't explicitly told them to do anything, they also made it clear that the boys had acted recklessly on their own. Knowing Sehwa's identity, the boys initially trembled in fear but were eventually persuaded to stay quiet. It wasn't so much persuasion as a desperate choice for survival. And this was the result.
"You really don't know anything? Even one detail would help…"
"No…"
Even when the police pleaded, the boys responded with silence. The officers' faces twisted in frustration. It was clear these boys were involved in the fight, but their refusal to talk was driving them up the wall. They were only being gentle because the students were male; if they were female, the officers might have resorted to intimidation to get answers.
The police shifted their focus to Hyemin and Suyoung.
"Do the people who reported this know anything?"
"We don't know much either… We just got here and saw this…"
The two put on an Oscar-worthy performance, acting as if they were genuinely shocked. The officer's frustration was palpable. Anyone would feel the same unable to figure out why the fight started or how a single male student could cause such a catastrophe. Refusing to give statements was probably the best choice, as talking recklessly might provoke him further.
Finally, the officer's patience wore thin, and she glared at the boys with angry eyes.
"We know you students were part of the fight. Stop wasting everyone's time and just tell us everything from the start—"
"Oh my goodness! What is going on here?!"
A scream-like shout came from the distance, and everyone turned to look. Hyemin and Suyoung recognized the approaching figures amidst the commotion: a crowd of teachers, including their homeroom teacher, and even Minho. Feeling overwhelmed about how to explain this to them, the two ruffled their hair in frustration.
---
__
I had a bad feeling about this, and sure enough, Mina led me to the same hospital where I had been with Hayul. Even the male nurse calling my name felt eerily familiar.
"Ryu Sehwa! You can go in now."
At the familiar call, I stood up and entered the room, where a familiar face greeted me.
"Back again, huh?"
As soon as I sat down in front of the doctor who had treated my finger, she began questioning me. Understandably so
my finger had barely healed from being stitched up, and here I was, back in the emergency room.
"…It's been a while," I said.
"And the person with you has changed. Last time it was a different young lady."
…Did she really need to point that out? Was she thinking I was some weirdo who kept showing up at the ER with different girls? She must know we're students since we're wearing uniforms, but the way she glanced suspiciously at Mina suggested otherwise. Maybe she thought I was some idiot who kept getting beaten up by a new girlfriend every time I switched them.
(…I'd rather not be seen that way.)
As I mulled this over, I heard a grinding sound next to me. Turning my head, I saw Mina's doll-like face contorted, her teeth clenched. Though it was kind of cute, I raised an eyebrow in surprise and quietly asked,
"What's wrong?"
"…Nothing. But who were you here with before?"
"Hayul noona."
At my answer, Mina furrowed her delicate brow briefly before relaxing her expression. Sometimes I think Mina's emotions fluctuate the most, even though she doesn't seem like the type. She didn't used to be like this, but something changed after that day the day it poured rain.
"So how'd you get hurt this time? Don't tell me you cut yourself on glass again…"
As the doctor injected anesthetic into my palm and spoke in a scolding tone, I replied calmly with half-closed eyes.
"I got cut by a knife while doing something on my own."
The doctor, examining my palm, shook her head at my emotionless response and leaned in closer to whisper.
"Really, you did this by yourself? If you need help, just say so. This is your second time, so it's hard not to be suspicious…"
I closed my eyes and shook my head slightly in response. The doctor, realizing she couldn't push further, raised her voice as she focused on my palm.
"…Fine, I get it. Your nerves are fine, just like last time. We'll give you a tetanus shot later, so make sure you get it."
After that, the doctor didn't say another word and silently stitched up my palm. I lost count of how many times the needle went in and out of my skin. When it was all done, and we said our goodbyes, she didn't pull Mina aside like she had with Hayul last time. Thanks to that, we didn't waste any time and left the hospital, heading home with heavy steps.
"I really don't get you," Mina said, her voice tinged with hurt as we walked on a brick-paved path, the sound of our footsteps echoing roughly.
I pondered her words. Was she that shocked by what I'd done earlier? I suppose I'd never shown my twisted side in front of her before.
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you so calm? After doing that to people, after getting hurt like that. Do you know what your face looks like right now? It's like you just did what you had to do. A normal person would feel guilt or pain something!"
"They started it. I just responded accordingly."
What, was I supposed to just take it? Besides, this was nothing compared to the hits I took during matches. Was Mina being overly emotional for a girl in this world, or was I the weird one?
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth basic common sense. Feeling like my beliefs were being challenged, I narrowed my eyes, and Mina's expression shifted to one of betrayal, like a lover who'd been wronged. I couldn't describe it any other way.
"How can a guy act like that? Or are you really trying to play the mafia? Were all those moments you showed me a lie?"
Those moments… Was she talking about the time I took care of the dog? Yeah, I guess she'd feel betrayed if she thought I was some saint only to find out I'm the kind of guy who breaks bones.
(But that's not my problem.)
"Mina, I think we've gotten pretty close."
"…Is that how you're going to respond? I'm saying this because I'm worried about you."
Her words, laced with hurt, widened the gap that had briefly closed between us. I kept walking with a blank expression until I spotted an alley. Grabbing Mina, I pulled her into it.
"Hey, what are you doing?! Let go!"
I released her arm and pushed her against the wall.
"Ugh!"
As Mina's sky-blue eyes demanded an explanation, I gave her a cold look, pointed at her shoulder, and said,
"Mutts."
"…What? What did you just say?"
Mina, sensitive to the term perhaps because she was also of mixed Russian descent, reacted sharply. Ignoring her fierce glare, I kept poking her shoulder and continued.
"Mutts. Bastards of whores."
At that moment, Mina's eyes widened, and she lunged at me. Our positions reversed, and now my back was against the wall.
(As expected, she's strong for a girl)
I thought as she pressed her arm against my chest, pinning me down and speaking through teary eyes.
"How… how did you know? If you said that knowing, I swear I won't let it slide. Don't make me do this…"
Tears welled up in her reddened eyes as she bit her lip. I didn't know the full story, but it seemed I'd unintentionally touched a nerve. Overcome by a sudden wave of pity or something else, I wiped her tears with my finger. She flinched but didn't let go. With a faint smile, I murmured,
"How does it feel to hear that?"
"What do you mean…"
"That's what they said to me. How does it feel?"
"…"
"I didn't let it slide. I just gave it back as it was. Do you think that's wrong?"
Mina said nothing, slowly lowering her arm and stepping back. I looked at her with a cold, sharp gaze and continued.
"You might not understand the way I've lived. But you know what? Just now, how do you think you acted, pretending to be so kind?"
I shattered her façade of kindness while imparting the "common sense" of men from my original world. But Mina, misunderstanding something, closed her eyes tightly and responded.
"I had my suspicions, but… Sehwa, you're really not a normal person, are you?"
I nodded quietly at her words. They were obvious, even a compliment in a way. If I were a typical guy in this world, it'd be like being called a sissy. If Mina wanted a kind, docile friend in me, this was where we'd part ways.
"If you get it, let's leave it at that. I'm going to keep living like this, and I'm not going to change just because you're uncomfortable. It's how I've always lived."
My words, like a declaration of cutting ties, left Mina frozen. I gave her one last look, patted her head as usual, and turned to leave the alley, leaving her standing there in a daze.
---
_
Mina stood still, trying to sort through the chaos in her mind. She didn't know when it started, but at some point, she had developed feelings for Sehwa beyond friendship, even though he wasn't her lover. Watching him throw punches filled her with disappointment, and seeing his injured hand stirred resentment and worry.
That's probably why she threw off her usual mask and let her emotions take over, doing things she shouldn't have. When she pinned Sehwa down with force, she wanted to cry inside. But his provoking words pushed her to keep going, and only then did she hear everything.
He said this was how he'd always lived.
Repaying grudges tenfold, crushing faces and breaking bones without a flicker of emotion she finally understood. And his indifference to pain, too.
(He really is… a mafia.)
She didn't question how a guy could do such things. She had seen what Sehwa did with her own eyes. Hyemin and Suyoung were terrified of him for a reason they must have known something about his background from the start.
But Mina knew it couldn't be true. She knew Sehwa's parents had passed away, and if he were some terrifying mafia, he wouldn't be living in such a rundown house. She closed her eyes, recalling the first time she met him, like a scene from a film reel. Sehwa, sitting alone, emptying a bottle of liquor, looked so fragile, like he could collapse at any moment.
She didn't know his story, but it couldn't have been good. Maybe that's why he left everything behind and came to Korea.
Mina shook her head vigorously.
(That's not okay… He's trying to start anew.)
If he kept weathering these storms alone, without anyone to lean on, even someone like Sehwa would eventually break. With a resolute look, Mina straightened up, stepped out of the alley, and fixed her gaze on the figure walking away in the distance.
His broad back looked lonelier than ever today, and without realizing it, she quickened her pace toward him. When she finally reached his shadow, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I didn't understand. We've lived differently, and… I think I hurt you. But I can't just let you go like this, Sehwa."
Her tearful voice made him turn his head toward her, his neatly styled black hair swaying. Feeling the scent of his shampoo settle on her skin, Mina continued.
"…I want to protect you. So… will you teach me how to fight?"
_______________________________________
Translated by Reversalmanhwa.web.id
/ Reversalnovel.web.id