Chapter 26
The silence is deafening. Juno's manifestation is blank but the heaviness of the background is quivering. In contrast to Haru's mood, Jia sighs as she looks at the two men with different vibes of aura around them.
"Jia, here is my employee," Haru uttered after drinking his hot tea. Jia's eyes widened signaling him to shut up but Haru shrugged off his shoulder ignoring Jia completely.
"Aren't you cousins?" Juno's brows furrowed. He has no idea what this conversation is about but Juno's brain is stubborn enough to divert his concerns.
"Jia made that up." Haru has no filter and Jia is close to smuggling him. She scowled at Haru's gibberish mouth but it did not stop Haru from humor Juno.
"What? Jia, I don't understand." Juno looks at his friend who looks stressed. Her hands shook as she gripped it tightly, uncomfortable on meeting Juno's gaze.
"Everything that I will tell you. I want you to promise me that you will keep it in your grave." Jia finally made her decision. Trusting Juno is the only thing she could do and her fate is already set as much as altering it.
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Juno's raven eyes never leave Jia's face. He listens carefully and groans a little from time to time by the heavy information, trying his best to consume everything without being insane. Juno encloses his mouth while Jia tells him the past. Jia told him in a firm voice that she was a bully and the reason why she chooses regression instead of reincarnation.
"Jia.... what..." Juno lost his voice, afraid to believe the truth. Jia's tears flow as she unravels her sins and how she wanted to repent and save her friends.
"I'm a bad person Juno. Until now, after going back, I continue deceiving them. I-I regret everything..." Jia whispered in a hoarse voice. She wipes her tears because of the embarrassment. She doesn't deserve pity and Jia is scared that Juno will pity him, but thinking about her cruelty in the past... Being pity is the last thing Jia wanted from her friend.
"Then... After your mission, will you vanish?" Juno's emotions are flowing like a river. He looks hurt and betrayed expression is mirrored in his eyes. When Jia nodded Juno burst out that he couldn't hide his disappointment. He felt like the world was laughing at him... After the incident years ago, he couldn't fantom on how to take it without breaking again.
"I didn't mean to be attached and be friends with you... I'm sorry Juno." Jia's tears fled in her eyes afraid that someone closest to her was hurt again by her decisions.
"You're the second person who made me feel this miserable Jia." Juno accuses her. He developed a fondness for Jia and already set her as one of his precious friends.
"I-I'm sorry... I know I sound crazy believing in you Jia. Am I going insane? Believing about the afterlife and...." Juno covered his face with his palms assessing the whole situation but even if he slowly comprehends her words his frustrations remain clear.
"And how about you? What are you?" Juno's voice is low while diverting his attention to Haru. The latter smirk at him but remain silent. He looks amused and Juno is pissed off because of his outgoing reaction.
"I don't care about the living humans. I only minded the dead." Juno's eyes flash emotions. A glint of urging by the idea he soon evicts after hearing Jia sobs beside him. His senses provoked and the tug of his heart ripped deeper by the memories he pushed out against his brain.
"I'm going home... I'm sorry, I couldn't think clearly right now." Juno stood up and quickly walked out. Jia remains her head lower, guilty of hurting her friend. She was supposed to lie... Haru should've kept his mouth shut and made a sad story to tell to Juno. But why did Jia tell him? Why did she let him know about her fleeing to them? Jia couldn't answer her questions. She ceased the tears and a cold expression emerged on her face. Jia agreed to take responsibility while dozing off. Haru looks at her intently with eyes none of them would depict.
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The good thing about talking to Juno last time is that it will be the weekend the next day. Jia received chats from her club members as usual but Juno did not talk to her, not even responding to their nosy chats. His excuse was his part-time job but Jia knows well. Then Monday comes to her door.
Jia woke up earlier than usual. They have a club meeting at 7:00 am sharp. Hyuk said that he will discuss the club activity that will be held this weekend. A mini-concert at the church orphanage in their city. Jia overlooked it because of Juno. She took shower and wore her uniform. She made a tiny brochure last Saturday after being stressed. Jia hung it to her blouse. The design isn't special but good enough to match her uniform. She also made about twenty pieces with different designs and shapes. Jia likes to gift it to the members but she shook her head convincing herself that she shouldn't get carried away.
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Jia ordered Mr. Choi to go to her shop and let him organize it to the design she already planned. It's been a while but Jia decided to commute from home. Mr. Choi was opposed to the idea but he couldn't ignore Jia's order. She is his superior after all. Jia used her card that even Mr. Choi cannot refuse her.
Jia walks to the side street. She sees stray cats and mentally wishes that she could own one. Jia is always fond of cats because of Yumi's influence. In the past, she almost adopted a black cat but changed her mind after being obsessed with Yejun and Penelope. Now, she has a chance but limited time... Jia will adopt if she has opportunities.
There are students everywhere. The bus stop is at the next alley meters away from Jia. She tightened her red scarf to hide her bruises. Her injury is deliberately healing. Jia doesn't like to create more issues that's why she did her best to hide it from everyone.
Jia successfully rode the bus. Mr. Choi gave her a card to use in commuting. He learns what happened to her the first time he rode buses. That's why Mr. Choi did not waste his time teaching her while handling the card.
The gate is way far from the building entrance. Jia feels good walking but still feels tired as her sweat drips on her temple. She handily got tired because of the lack of exercise. The difficulty of the high hill road with lots of trees standing apart made Jia forget her fatigue. The wind is blowing coldly but Jia feels different, it was a cozy morning without the light of the king sun. Many students are paired together, conversing happily ignoring her solitary. This must be the life of an ordinary student, walking with friends and telling them happy stories. Jia only realizes how much her life has been in the past upheavals. She never appreciates plainness. Jia lives life as if someone is chasing her, afraid of disappointment from her parents. pushing too hard to her limits and acting as if she was the only one who has the right to control things. Those moments of her life drain her, living faster than anyone else. Not trusting a single soul and planning ahead of time to protect herself tattooed on Jia. The toxic way of living that she refuses to take back.
Jia has nothing to lose now. She didn't own her life and she didn't need to run fast only to stumble halfway. Jia is determined to live slowly and surely. She wants to experience the world for the last time, as outgoing as she could be.