Again

Again 12

W.Li Bie












Just go today. Let's just go today. Byeol dragged her body, which had no intention of getting up, to school. This is boring. Why on earth does this place exist? This world must have truly committed a great sin. To be trapped in a place called school—. Byeol opened the classroom door. It's the same environment every day—Byeol lay down and tried to fall asleep without even preparing for class. But then, something suddenly happened that woke her from this sweet, sweet sleep.



“Hey, answer me straight.”



“I was wrong, I was wrong..”



“You idiot. You’re not listening these days because you’re not getting along.”



“Yeah, I guess I’ll have to give you some training today.”



Those kids put the cigarettes they had in their bags into another kid's. And then, I saw before my eyes the dog-like scene of them using whatever they liked. Where did those bright-haired guys come from? Oh, I see. It's irrefutable, but I wouldn't do something so obscene. I'm getting angry and hurting myself for no reason. Byul watched the kids' voices grow louder and louder, and she burst out in anger.



“Oh shit, shut up you bitches.”



“You shut up.”



“Seriously, keep your mouth shut when I speak nicely. Don’t annoy me.”



“Do you want to end up like him?”



“What are you bitches like you so afraid of that you’re shaking in fear? All you can do is threaten.”



“Are you done talking?”



“Yeah, I’m done.”



“You’re a psychopath dating an adult.”



The kids came up to my desk and stood there in a sullen manner.



“Get out of the way.”



Byul pushed past a kid blocking her path and lay down to sleep again. She was sleepy, but they were making such a fuss in the morning. This is the end of the world. That bullied kid from earlier was getting even worse. Seriously, if I want to sleep well, I need to get rid of the bullying. She slept soundly through class and recess without waking up at all. Perhaps because of last week, Seunghyun didn't bother her. Lunchtime arrived soon. Byul, having decided to skip lunch today, was contemplating going to the bathroom when she heard someone sobbing next to her stall. It felt like everyone else was there. So she opened and closed the door, pretending to leave. Then, perhaps thinking she was really gone, the horrific bullying began.



“Hey, aren’t you going to answer?”



“Bitch. Just wait here for three hours. Okay?”



"wait for a sec..!"



Aren't they the kids who were causing a ruckus earlier? Their names... Song A-yeon, Park Joo-ye, and Nam Soo-hee? I can't quite remember. The three of them whispered, realizing that the person in the next room, whom they thought had left, was pretending to be. Actually, they could hear everything.



“Who’s here? You didn’t hear me, did you?”



"I said it so loudly. If your ears weren't blocked, you would have heard me, right?" Byul left the bathroom and looked at the stall on the right. "What the heck, there's a way to lock someone like this?" Byul opened the door to see who was inside. Seeing only black hair, she was startled at first. Perhaps she was shouting on her own.



“Mom... I’m surprised.”



"who.."



“Uh.. you, you’re that- Bae So-young.. right?”



"huh.."



“Just come out.”



"ah."



Byul grabbed Soyoung's wrist and led her away. She looked so innocent. They only pick on the weak and do their worst. He knew what would happen if he let her go. He decided to talk to her, hoping she might have something to stop the bullying of Ayeon, Juye, and Suhee.



“What did those three do to you?”



“...Nothing..”



“Tell me the truth. I’ll shut those bitches up.”



“It’s just… there’s nothing wrong with it..”



“There is nothing wrong.”



“I’m really okay..”



“Oh, it’s not because of you, but if you keep making noise, I won’t be able to sleep.”



"ah..."



"..sorry."



"Every time school ended, they'd beat me and humiliate me. Sometimes they'd lock me in the gym."



"I see."



“Oh, thank you.”



“Then see you later.”



Something felt off, so Byul decided to move away. It wasn't the kid who was offended, but the atmosphere. Back in the classroom, Soohee and Juye were doodling in my precious math textbook. "They're only going to swear at me. What if Wheein starts swearing too? Is this a real test?" Byul slapped Juye and Soohee on the head.