Hye Jin, Mr. Kim, Sunggyu, Hoya, and Dongwoo sat together at a small restaurant the Friday that ended her first week of school. They wanted to celebrate her successful stay at the school.

Hoya and Dongwoo invited themselves to the party, the former happily speaking up for Hye Jin about the classes she takes with them and the people they see her associating with. "I think Hye Jin's already got a boyfriend," Hoya teased the girl as she took another bite of her steak. He snickered as he watch Sunggyu choke on his water, spilling half the cup on himself.

"A-A boyfriend already, Hye Jin-ah?!" Sunggyu gave out a high pitched whine, "It's just been the first week of school!"

Hye Jin giggled and picked up her pad of paper, 'I don't know what he's talking about Sunggyu oppa. I don't have a boyfriend.'

"What about the kid you follow around school?" Hoya turned towards the shorter girl, giving a genuinely confused expression, "Myung-something. You've ditched us to hang out with him."

'Ah... how do I explain that?' Hye Jin held up the pad of paper steadily, 'He's not my boyfriend, but he's a friend. He's different like me, so I suppose that's why we get along well!'

"How is he different?" Mr. Kim tensed, giving her a hard stare as he expected an answer from her, "He's not dangerous is he?"

'He wouldn't hurt me purposely, abeoji,' Hye Jin answered, 'He told me he has sczo schizophrenia.'

"Hye Jin, he's dangerous!" Sunggyu bit his bottom lip, "I'm glad you have a friend but he could hurt you—"

'He promised not to hurt me,' Hye Jin's expression hardened. She knew that promises made were promises meant to be kept, so she trusted Myungsoo. 'And he's been really nice to me, abeoji, Sunggyu oppa.'

"Honestly speaking," Dongwoo spoke up, giving a weak smile to Hye Jin, "I've talked to Myungsoo before, and you wouldn't be able to tell he has schizophrenia at times— a bit paranoid and dark humor, but he doesn't seem too dangerous... He's not that bad, he just needs more than black in his closet."

"... I trust you, Hye Jin-ah," Mr. Kim gave a slight nod as he sighed, "But promise me that if there's any sign of danger, you stay away from him, okay?"

'I promise, abeoji,' Hye Jin gave a weak smile as she continued to eat, listening to Hoya talk about her progress in her classes; grades dropping and raising, and tests and quizzes she had passed or failed.

Hye Jin smiled as she inserted herself into the conversation one more time before the night ended and the family of three separated themselves from the two friends. 

'Sunggyu oppa,' Hye Jin and Sunggyu were standing outside of the house as their father quickly made his way back inside, 'Do you ever get a gut feeling that something bad will happen?'

"Why Hye Jin-ah? Is something bothering you?" Sunggyu gave her a questioning look, placing his hand on her shoulder before gently pushing her into the house.

'... No, never mind,' Hye Jin smiled, turning to show her older brother her pad of paper. She made her way up the stairs and to her room to get ready for bed. As she changed, she stared at the black jacket that hung on the back of her chair, 'I just hope Myungsoo is safe.'

장 엔드 | Waking up would stop me