As a lullaby played softly in the background, creating a calm and soothing atmosphere, a baby in the crib giggled with delight, reaching out their tiny hands towards the colorful mobile above. It was a heartwarming and precious moment, filled with innocence and joy. With delicate features, sparkling navy blue eyes, and chubby, cute cheeks, the child exuded an irresistible charm. His pale, smooth skin added to his fragility, making him all the more precious and tender.
Approaching the crib, a woman with gentle yet indistinct features leaned in, her voice filled with tenderness. She knelt down, fixing her gaze upon the baby with a mix of curiosity and affection, creating a captivating moment of connection. Radiating a cheerful smile, the baby eagerly reached out for the woman, longing for her comforting touch. However, in an unexpected twist, darkness enveloped their surroundings, casting an air of mystery and intrigue over the scene.
Transported to a pristine white setting, the woman cradled the baby in her arms. Gazing into his sparkling navy blue eyes, she couldn't help but be captivated by his sheer cuteness and adorableness. As he tightly gripped her index finger with both hands, a bond between them formed, creating a heartwarming and tender moment. The woman gently settled the baby on the ground, presenting him with a soft, cuddly stuffed toy—a miniature tiger. Delighted, the baby gazed at his new gift with wide eyes, his face lighting up with joy. However, his happiness turned to concern as he noticed the woman strolling away from him. In frustration, he flung the stuffed toy aside, tears streaming down his cheeks as he let out heart-wrenching sobs. Desperate for her attention, he started crawling towards her, but she just kept on walking, her figure growing smaller and smaller in the distance.
Baek Hyeon awoke with a start, drenched in a cold sweat. Pressing his clammy forehead, he grappled with the lingering unease from the recurring nightmare. Moving sluggishly, he made his way to the window, settling down with a heavy heart. Leaning against the glass, his once stoic face now bore silent tears, tracing a path down his handsome but pallid features. His fingers grazed the window, almost as if searching for the warmth of his mother's touch from his dreams.
"Mother..." he whispered, the ache in his voice echoing his longing.
Jimin gazed at Chin-sun, his silence conveying a depth of emotion. Memories of their time in the orphanage, when Jimin was merely five, flooded his mind.
"Hey, keep away from us, you cross-eyed freak!" jeered a young boy, matching Jimin's age. With cruel disregard, he flung leftover bread at Jimin, a painful reminder of the isolation and hurt he endured. Jimin instinctively shielded his head, seeking refuge from the unkind onslaught. His eyes flitted nervously, taking in the scene—the girls cowering behind the older boys, a mixture of dread and aversion etched on their faces. The younger children clung tightly to their guardians, their innocent eyes wide with fear at the very mention of the word "monster." To them, Jimin was the cross-eyed monster—undesired and shunned, consigned to a world of solitude and rejection. His gaze lingered on his new friend Ha-rin, a silent plea echoing in his eyes, willing her to stand up for him, to defy the unjust circumstances. Yet, her response was to avert her eyes, an evasion that hinted at her reluctance to confront the situation he found himself in.
"What's going on here?" bellowed the warden, her anger palpable. A stout woman in her late thirties, she sported unremarkable features and always wore a self-satisfied smirk, accentuated by garish, inexpensive makeup. Her piercing brown eyes darted menacingly from person to person, exuding a threatening air that left everyone on edge.
"It was him!" accused a chubby-looking boy, pointing an accusatory finger in his direction.
"Yeah, it was him!" echoed the rest in a unified chorus of support.
The bully turned to him, flashing a menacing smile.
"Miss Chae-won, he's the one who started it, calling us names and cursing," he added, attempting to feign an air of innocence as he pouted in a facade of pitiful victimhood.
Miss Chae-won hissed in frustration, muttering some inaudible words as she gestured towards Jimin. He shook his head frantically in denial, but she responded by delivering a vicious boxing of his left ear, causing it to swell and redden from the force of the impact.
She led Jimin to the dimly lit basement and secured the door, leaving him trapped inside. As he pounded on the door with all his might, his fear of the dark gripped him, causing him to tremble and cover his ears.
"No, no, no! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please, get me out of here!" he screamed in desperation. Suddenly, the world seemed to spin around him as he dashed to the corner of the basement, desperately covering his ears. The thought of hearing their laughter, enduring Miss Chae-won's scoldings, or facing imagined monsters in the depths of the basement was too much to bear. In an instant, he froze as the realization washed over him—he, too, was a monster. A vicious, malevolent being. Rocked by this revelation, Jimin burst into fresh tears, embracing his knees closely, repeatedly whispering to himself that he wasn't a monster. It was one of the most traumatic periods of his life.
As the office lights flickered and abruptly went out, Jimin was gripped by a panic attack, feeling the world spinning around him. Chin-sun, startled, spun around in fright, only to realize that the place had plunged into absolute darkness. Suddenly, she felt the tight embrace of strong arms, accompanied by a whispered voice...
"I'm not a monster," he repeated, his voice trembling.
Chin was both frightened and bewildered. Was this the Jimin she knew? The typically poker-faced and detached professor? As tears dampened her back, she softly patted him.
A young girl stood at the university entrance, exuding an adventurous and outgoing aura. Her olive eyes gleamed mischievously, framed by a sly grin.
Meet Mia. With dyed blonde hair styled in tight ponytails, she boasted fair features and a bold edge with pierced nose and belly button. Wearing a cute crop top that accentuated her cleavage along with a short jean skirt, Mia's adventurous spirit shone through. As a foreign exchange student from B country, she showcased an impressive blend of traits—fluent in seventeen different languages, a top-notch student, a troublemaker, and someone unafraid to speak her mind.
She unwrapped a candy, popping it into her mouth with a mischievous grin.
"Well, well, well, Y University, here I come."
Jimin's panic came to an abrupt halt as a comforting hand patted his back, instantly offering reassurance and safety. In that moment, he finally relaxed, feeling a profound sense of ease wash over him. As the lights flickered on in the office, Jimin quickly disentangled himself from Chin. He wiped his eyes and glasses, feeling a bit embarrassed for showing his vulnerable side. With a nod of apology, he motioned to go back to his usual indifferent demeanor.
As he discreetly adjusted his glasses, he whispered, "Let's keep this between us." Chin-sun nodded, her obedience clear. "You may go now," he dismissed her. Exhaling with relief, Chin walked down the hallway, reflecting on the unexpected and uncomfortable situation she had just experienced.
"Psst, there's a fresh face at the university," one student whispered slyly.
"Eh, new students come and go every day," the other replied nonchalantly.
"No, no, but this one's different, she..." the male student stammered, cheeks turning rosy. The female student's eyes widened, captivated by his unexpected confession.
Intrigued, Chin-sun nodded thoughtfully. A new student? Curiosity piqued, she pulled out her phone and scrolled through the online forum. She stumbled upon a photo of a beautiful girl, accompanied by derogatory captions about her looks. With a mix of concern and determination, Chin-sun delved into the comments section,
"As some people criticized her appearance, others found nothing wrong with it. Amidst the buzz, Chin hurried to her department, eager to attend her business communication lectures. Suddenly, Bai's voice cut through the excitement, tinged with anticipation. "Chin-chin, have you seen the forum?" she asked, clearly ready for a lively chitchat.
"Indeed, I've seen it," Chin-sun replied nonchalantly.
"Huh! How can you stay so calm when something like this has happened?"
Bai excitedly whipped out her phone.
"Look! She's stunning, like a model; her face is beautiful. Look at those high cheekbones, and her eyes are just lovely," she exclaimed.
"She's absolutely perfect," Bai said in her best English accent.
Byeol snatched Bai's phone and scoffed, "Pretty?! She doesn't meet any standard. Poor people do have bad taste," as she slammed Bai's phone on the table. "Oops! my bad," she said, wiping her hands carefully as her minions tittered behind her. Bai picked up her phone and examined it thoroughly. It had obtained a slight crack, but it was still functional. She was about to unleash a stream of cursed words, but Chin-sun quickly placed her hand over Bai's mouth, shaking her head in disapproval, as Professor Ji-hu stepped in.
During recess, as Bai sauntered towards the cafeteria in search of any new updates on the forum, Chin held her arm in a bridal style, leading her out of harm's way. At that moment, Bai spotted a girl walking with her head down, sporting a bob hairstyle with a few braids.
"Ae-cha seonbae!" Ae-cha whirled around, spotting Chin and waving back. She waited as Chin approached her, accompanied by another girl.
"Ae-cha seonbae..." "Please, just call me Ae-cha," she spoke softly. Chin nodded in understanding.
"Ae-cha, meet Bai. Bai, this is Ae-cha."
Bai nodded without lifting her head for a moment. Chin chuckled in embarrassment and kicked her. "What!" Bai replied, but didn't leave her phone for a minute. Chin apologized, but Ae-cha smiled, admiring the closeness of Chin and Bai. They seemed so close, she thought. Slowly, they made their way toward the cafeteria. Chin and Ae-cha engaged in a small conversation as they entered the cafeteria. As they walked, a student deliberately bumped into Ae-cha, causing her books to scatter across the floor. Without hesitation, Chin left Bai and rushed to help Ae-cha.
Meanwhile, Bai, sauntering somewhat aimlessly, seemed oblivious to the fact that Chin wasn't leading her. In a mishap, she accidentally bumped into someone, causing her food to spill over.
😨😱
Amid a chorus of horrified gasps, the onlookers froze in disbelief. The duo turned to see Bai standing in front of Hee young, her clothes smeared with food, aghast expressions etched on their faces.