Just Twilight

Chapter 5

It was Seungwoon who called him. Beomjin's eyes moved slowly, as if he had been expecting someone to be inside.

When his gaze finally settled on Seungwoon's arm, which was resting on Junyoung’s, she instinctively pushed Seungwoon away. An inexplicable sense of embarrassment quickly spread across her face.

"Why, did you come because you're hurt? The teacher already left."

Even as Seungwoon glanced at her with the hand that was pushing her away, he spoke to Beomjin.

Junyoung had never seen the two of them talk before. Beomjin didn’t engage in ‘conversation’ with anyone.

At least, not at school.

Considering what kind of figure Beomjin was at this school, it was strange to see Seungwoon speak to him so casually, as if it were completely normal.

Was it naivety? Was he unafraid because he had never hurt anyone before?

But when Beomjin, his face still expressionless, took a step toward them, Seungwoon subtly stepped in front of Junyoung, blocking her. Junyoung nearly let out a small laugh. It wasn’t obvious, but Seungwoon was quietly nervous too.

Does he think Beomjin might do something to me?

...I can’t exactly say that’s an impossible thought.

Junyoung looked at the approaching Beomjin awkwardly. Was he going to acknowledge me? He probably didn’t come here because he was worried about me.

But to her surprise, Beomjin turned, casually opening the drawer. The sound of him rummaging through bottles echoed through the otherwise quiet nurse’s office.

After what seemed like a moment of finding what he was looking for, Beomjin took something out and silently left the room. His departure, and the fact that he had barely acknowledged either of them, left an odd pressure lingering in the room.

Junyoung pouted slightly, feeling the pressure despite their indifference.

After all, if I glare at him, he’ll still wash my laundry for me.

With a sigh, Seungwoon seemed to shake off the tension. His face was awkward as he glanced back at her.

"I’m still a bit awkward with Beomjin."

Who else at this school is as awkward as you?

Junyoung responded with a neutral face, her steps slow as she began to move. She was planning to ask how he was doing if she ran into him later, but Seungwoon followed her, speaking again.

"I’ll walk you home. We can go together..."

"No, it’s fine."

The abruptness of her response startled Seungwoon. The thought of him seeing her enter her house made her skin crawl.

She ignored Seungwoon’s surprised expression and muttered under her breath.

"Just don’t worry about me."

Seungwoon didn’t follow her out of the nurse’s office. Walking down the corridor painted in shades of red, Junyoung could hear the long sigh she let out, trailing behind her like a shadow.

***

The house in the forest was locked. This meant Beomjin wasn’t there. Alone, Junyoung entered and closed the door behind her. She placed her bag on the desk, her body devoid of any strength.

The exams were fast approaching. It might be a pointless stubbornness, but she didn’t want to relinquish her position as the top student until graduation.

It was a proud title and a medal she had earned with nothing but her own effort. To fail at maintaining that top rank in a school like this was something she couldn’t accept.

But her gaze kept drifting toward the second floor. She hadn’t eaten much for lunch, so her stomach was growling, but more than that, sleepiness was creeping up on her. A slight fever was slowly building, creeping up her spine.

"Even so, you should have been more careful. What if the floor caved in and I fell off? This is the second floor!"

"Is that really your excuse? Anyway, what are you doing here? Do you even know what time it is?"

"What time is it? I just woke up!"

"It's after 2 AM."

Junyoung gasped in shock. Had she really slept that long?

Beomjin, noticing her surprise, sighed heavily as he sat on the bed. Junyoung, still blinking in confusion, sat up awkwardly.

"Anyway, you should've expected me to be here. The lock would’ve been open."

"At this time? You thought I’d be here? I figured you’d have forgotten."

"I never forget to lock the door..."

"Forget that! Are you out of your mind? What are you doing here at this hour? If you were going to be here, you should’ve locked the door. You just fell asleep here without a care? Are you crazy?"

She was taken aback by his harsh words, especially after waking up so suddenly. His angry tone only made her irritation grow. Junyoung scoffed and shot back.

"Are you stupid? How could I lock the door if I’m inside?!"

Beomjin bit back a retort and groaned lowly, turning sharply to face her.

"Then go home and sleep there!"

"You go home and sleep! Why are you sneaking in here at this hour? You said it’s after 2 AM, right?"

Seungwoon, unable to outdo her sharp retort, let out an exasperated chuckle before hitting the mattress with a heavy thud.

"Anyway, the second floor isn’t your territory."

If there had been any light, Junyoung probably wouldn’t have had the guts to argue with him. But in the darkness, where expressions couldn’t be seen, she was invincible.

"Who cares about whose territory it is? If I need it, I’ll use it. My head’s pounding, and my body feels like it’s been trampled on, but the bed is here, and you’re not. So I lay down and slept. Am I committing a capital offense? I was sick, okay? Happy now?"

Junyoung shot her words at him without taking a breath. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit her, and she pressed her temples with both hands, groaning.

Beomjin, watching her struggle, clicked his tongue and looked away.

The silence that followed felt almost unbearable.

She was still annoyed, but at this point, she had no choice but to let it go.

With a slight pout, Junyoung slowly lifted herself from the bed.

"I’m leaving. Fine, take the bed. You can use it for as long as you want."

Beomjin had his legs hanging off the stairs, so she had to pass by him to leave. As she waited for him to move, she glared at his broad shoulders as they heaved with a deep sigh.

"It’s late. Let’s go together."

His voice, now calm, had lost its earlier tension. Junyoung crossed her arms and snorted in disbelief.

"Sure. After you tried to eat me alive just now, now you’re pretending to be concerned?"

"Well, you collapsed just from a ball hitting you...!"

As Beomjin shouted back, Junyoung stopped and glanced at his big, messy hand, which was rubbing his head.

Concerned? I thought he’d laugh at me for still being half asleep.