Sometimes, without even realizing it, my eyes would drift toward the tall tree outside, half-expecting to see his shadow standing there the way he used to. But there was nothing. No Raven. Just silence. Nobody knew if he was alive or dead, and that uncertainty weighed heavily on my heart.
As I got ready for my morning class, there was a gentle knock on my door.
Before I could respond, the door opened slowly.
Minho stepped inside, wearing his usual calm smile. He was already dressed neatly for class, his presence filling the room with a strange sense of comfort.
"You're not ready yet?" he asked, looking at me.
"I'm almost done," I replied quickly, rushing to put on my shoes.
Minho's eyes wandered around my room, as if he were searching for something.
"And where is the music box I gave you?" he asked.
"Oh, that…" I glanced at the table instinctively, but it wasn't there. "I left it here."
Then it hit me. My bag.
I reached for it, and sure enough, I felt something solid inside. When I pulled it out, it was the music box.
"It's here," I said, showing him.
Minho frowned slightly. "I didn't give it to you to keep it in your bag, Jina."
I looked at him, confused.
"When I said I wanted you to have it with you always, I wasn't joking," he added gently.
Before I could respond, he took the box from my hands and placed it carefully on my bed.
"You can keep it here," he said.
I tilted my head, smiling faintly. "And what's so special about this box anyway?"
"Nothing," he replied too quickly. "So… are you ready?"
"Yes, Minho," I said.
He led the way, and outside we met Jan, who was just locking her door. The three of us walked to class together like nothing in the world was wrong.
Classes ended later than usual that day. On our way back to the hostel, Minho had already gone ahead, leaving me alone with Jan. She was unusually quiet.
"Jan, are you okay?" I asked.
She hesitated before speaking. "Jina, I just remembered something. The mistress wants to see me for a brief meeting."
"Oh?" I said.
"And I also need to do something outside," she added. "I don't know how long the meeting will take."
I checked the time. "What do you need to do outside?"
"My clothes for tomorrow," Jan said. "I bought some new dresses, and they're with a woman outside . She told me to come pick them up today."
I raised an eyebrow. "And?"
She looked at me hopefully.
"I guess you want me to help out," I said flatly.
Her face lit up. "Thank you, Jina!"
"Wait," I said quickly. "I haven't agreed yet."
"Please, Jina," she pleaded.
I sighed. "Fine. Just send me the address."
I turned to leave, then paused and looked back at her. "Send it now. I don't want to be outside till six."
"I'm already doing that," she replied happily. "Thank you so much!"
I didn't respond. I went upstairs, didn't bother showering, changed my clothes, and checked my phone. The address was already there.
"Oh, thank goodness," I murmured. "At least it's walkable."
I locked my door and headed out.
As I walked, crossing the main road, I noticed someone behind me. At first, I ignored it, telling myself I was just being paranoid. But the footsteps continued.
The person kept following me.
I didn't turn back.
When I finally reached the location Jan had sent, a hand suddenly grabbed my arm.
I spun around in shock.
"Yoon?"
Her face looked intense, almost terrified.
"I don't know whether to be happy or scared to see you," I admitted.
"Can we talk?" she asked quietly.
Before I could refuse, she led me into a small ramen shop nearby. We sat across from each other, the air heavy with unspoken words.
She stared at me for a long moment.
"Do you want ramen?" she asked.
"No, Yoon," I said softly. "I'm okay."
She didn't argue. She sipped the water they served us.
I watched her closely, my heart pounding.
"Go on, Jina," she said. "Say it."
"H… how is he?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Her expression darkened. "Jina, do you know what state Raven is in right now?"
My chest tightened.
"You almost killed him," she continued. "He's half dead. He's in a coma as we speak."
I looked away immediately, my emotions clashing violently inside me.
"Jina," she said urgently, "your healing power can save him. He needs you."
I didn't know whether to feel relieved or broken.
"Why are you like this?" Yoon asked, frustration creeping into her voice. "It's good to trust, but not like this. Must you believe everything you hear?"
I turned back to her sharply. "Please don't go there, Yoon. And… I'm glad I didn't kill him."
"At least he's alive," I added quietly.
"That guy has risked his life so many times to save you," she said.
I smiled bitterly. "Really?"
Then I looked straight at her. "And do you know what Minho has done for me too?"
"So you believe Raven is a monster?" Yoon asked.
I stood up abruptly. "Don't complicate things. I almost killed him, yes, but I didn't. And that's enough."
I turned to leave, but Yoon stood behind me.
"I just hope you won't regret this," she said. "I stood at the school gate for days waiting to see you. The mistress even banned me from entering. Raven's life is in danger, Jina. Your power could change everything."
I stood still, my back to her.
"These people are removing the good ones from your life one by one," she continued. "So they can get to you easily."
She paused, then added softly, "Remember your father. Remember why he died."
I finally turned around, tears burning my eyes. "You think I'm not trying, Yoon? You think this is easy for me?"
She fell silent.
"If you're saying all this to manipulate me," I said firmly, "it won't work. What I did to Raven… he brought it on himself. He was trying to kill someone innocent."
Yoon shook her head slowly. "Jina…"
"Please," I interrupted, raising my hand. "Go take care of your friend."
I walked out, leaving her standing there.
My heart felt unbearably heavy.
I collected Jan's dress and rushed back to school. Inside my room, I locked the door and collapsed onto the bed.
I picked up the music box and stared at the tiny ballerina spinning softly.
"Tell me," I whispered, "what should I do?"
Should I save him? What if I save him and he hurts someone else? What if my powers fail me?
I dropped the box and turned away.
A knock came at the door.
Minho stood there.
I looked at him, then back at the music box.
"Did your heart summon you?" I asked with a small smile.
Maybe it did.
"I won't stay long," he said. "I have somewhere urgent to go."
Then he looked at me seriously. "Whatever happens, Jina… don't do anything that risks my life again."
He tapped my shoulder and left.
I stared at the door, then at the tree outside my window.
"Oh no," I whispered. "What should I do?"
That night, sleep refused to come.
Yoon's words echoed in my head over and over again.