บท 7: Interlude ~ The Poor Girl
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Bada's interlude is here! ^^
This will be the last interlude for a while.
Thank you for reading!
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On with the chapter!
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Geum Bada closed herself off. Her true self. She did it to protect herself.
When she realized that the person she trusted the most might actually loathe her, it hurt so, so much.
In order to not get hurt like that ever again, Bada tried to change who she was so people would like her. She decided to stop showing her true feelings. Seok Oh didn't even notice—not that he ever seemed to notice her in the first place.
Her kindness was all an act, of course.
It was the only way for her heart to be safe.
It was a character she created. A distorted illusion of herself. And anyone smart enough could tell. Her friends distanced themselves. And Bada was left with this feeling of not belonging anywhere.
'I feel sick.'
As Bada got used to this new persona, it started to become more comfortable playing the role, like an actor with all the script memorized.
'Next time when we go out to eat, can't we leave Bada out?'
'I have no idea what Bada is thinking about.'
'She's fine on the outside~ but it's uncomfortable being around her.'
Bada knew about them. Shallow bitches. It was a good thing she never opened up to them. Not that she ever found them interesting either. And this made her feel like she herself was lacking in character. She felt a bit bad for being that way, but after getting a glimpse of their true personalities, it steeled Bada's resolve to never let her mask slip off.
Never.
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Why?!
She felt so miserable crying over someone, pathetic even. But the tears wouldn't stop running.
Hah.
She always brought Seok Oh an umbrella when it rained. Brought materials. Covered for him when he caused trouble. Looked after him when he was studying for tests.
So… why?
Why wasn't she the one?
'Poor girls are a no-no. An innocent girl like Hari Noona—'
She had heard Seok Oh.
Laughing. He was laughing. 'I'm a poor girl, after all, aren't I?'
…Why didn't it rain now, huh? Her tears wouldn't stop...falling…
She gritted her teeth, her eyes stinging and blurring. The wet tracks on her cheeks continued their slow descent down her chin before splattering on her lap.
Why—
"Why are you crying?"
Startled, Bada looked up. Under the rays of a setting sun, her tears sparkled as they fell.
"You…"
Bada stared at Leandro, hands casually tucked in his pockets. She knew of him, hard not to when he was all her 'friends' would talk about.
Seok Oh attempted to befriend him on many occasions—even going as far as dragging her along—though she secretly believed it was to subtly get closer to Leandro's older sister.
Ironically, Leandro was someone Bada could sort of sympathize with. He had this aura around him, of not belonging—of simply existing. An outsider, just like her.
Except that he embraced his role. She tried getting out of it.
Leandro ignored all advances, actively making it seem like he couldn't be bothered with friendship or relationships. He was an odd presence in this school, his maturity making him hard to approach, and harder to ignore. His sharp gaze intimidated people.
And, like her, many boys in school felt uncomfortable around him. His stoic and cold attitude always came off as narcissistic, though she didn't think he was truly like that.
There was a pensive look on his face. He seemed reluctant, ready to turn around and run off. It must've been the sight of her tears, Bada realized. Who'd have thought that the tough, unfeeling Leandro had a soft side?
'Isn't this like the beginning of a very bad romance manhwa?'
She almost felt like laughing.
He approached her.
Step by step.
His shoes clacked against the floor, echoing off in the silent hallway. It was only after he was close enough that she remembered to answer the question.
"I-It's nothing…" Bada stammered, averting her gaze.
Leandro calmly stood in front of her. "Is it because of that fool, Seok Oh?"
"Huh?"
'How does he…'
"He has a loose mouth, and… I saw you."
"..."
The reminder of what Seok Oh said made tears well up in her eyes, but with Leandro watching, she didn't dare to let them fall. Perhaps it was pride, or simply her survival instincts acting up. She was scared Leandro would hurt her as well.
However—
He sat down next to her.
"Don't do that, Bada."
She blinked. "Do… what?"
Leandro simply sighed. "Stop pretending. You think people can't see what you're doing?"
Startled by those words, Bada forgot all about crying—she didn't even want to. Her eyes widened. Her heart palpitated in a mixture of panic and curiosity.
She quietly wiped her eyes, taking a long, hard look at Leandro. "Why are you telling me this? You don't even know me…"
A nonchalant shrug. Leandro leaned against the stairs.
He looked… calm. Beautiful even. He looked like that prince from one of her favorite fairy tales.
Her prince charming...
If Hari was Seok Oh's princess, then it only made sense for Bada to be Leandro's, didn't it...?
Even though they have never interacted with each other until today... Bada suddenly felt strangely connected to the boy. She didn't exactly understand why. Maybe she wanted an escape from reality and hoped Leandro could give it to her. Or maybe Leandro was the person she subconsciously hoped for to appear and rescue her from this pain.
"I'm telling you this because I've seen it happen before. People always think they're being smart, but it's actually pretty transparent to onlookers. And I've come to hate such self-serving people."
He met her bewildered stare evenly.
"They think pretending makes them happy. But in the end, they only end up worse in the lung run. They hurt themselves and anyone close to them."
"...How would you know? That I'm pretending?"
"Are you really going to ask me that?" He looked amused. "You're sitting here. Crying."
"I—"
"How is this making you happy?" Leandro interrupted. "Your mask, no matter how good it may be, is falling apart. Changing yourself for others is like putting on someone else's shoes. It might seem like a good fit at first, but you'll end up stumbling and feeling uncomfortable."
"..."
"You're not meant to be someone else; you're meant to be you..."
"..." Bada could only stare at her lap in silence, no retorts or denial coming out of her mouth.
Leandro was right, but only in his way of reasoning. Her mask might've seemed good at first, but she was stumbling. She was feeling uncomfortable. She felt miserable being herself, too.
That's why she decided to create an 'act.'
She glanced at him from beneath her wet lashes and, unable to stop herself from questioning him further, asked. "What should I do instead then..."
She didn't expect an answer. In her short time of talking to Leandro, she could tell this was the type of person he was. Stoic, stubborn. Maybe even aloof to an extent. Maybe she expected the worst or maybe she just gave up.
Bada was too depressed to think deeply about anything. Surprisingly, Leandro didn't stay quiet.
He simply shrugged, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. "Go back to your old ways, Bada. You're unique the way you are. Put it like that... there's never going to be someone else like you. They might try to imitate you, but your essence is one of a kind. That's how special your existence in this world is. So why go out of your way to be like those bitches?"
She giggled, surprised that even the mature, always bored-looking Leandro could utter the word 'bitches'.
Still...
"Thank you." Bada beamed at him, purple eyes glimmering. "It... It was a bit comforting." She unconsciously began to twirl the ends of her black hair around a finger.
He shrugged his broad shoulders. A graceful movement—he looked regal doing even the slightest movement.
"Hmm... just a bit? Here I gave you an award-winning speech and that's all you can say?"
Bada smirked, sticking her tongue out. "Well, it's your fault. No one could understand those philosophical words of yours!"
"Hari Noona understands. She also told me I should start writing inspirational books."
"...Wait. Really...?" She sweatdropped.
His eyebrows furrowed a smidgen. "It was a joke, Bada. Hari Noona doesn't give me good pointers."
Her jaw dropped and the beginnings of a fitful of laughter were brewing at the bottom of Bada's throat, just barely slipping out. She coughed, schooling her expression and narrowing her eyes into tiny slits. "Omo. Should I give Hari-unnie a heads up? I think you secretly like her..."
"Shut up." Leandro grumbled, his usual boredom falling to give way to exasperation and annoyance. "I do not like Hari Noona romantically."
...He actually admitted it so bluntly.
Bada dissolved into laughter. It was deep, full-bodied. Leandro simply watched her with mild interest.
"I never said romantically." She grinned.
A rare grin—it was a very tiny one, barely distinguishable—quirked up Leandro's lips.
"I see that you've already dropped the mask. Feeling better?"
"Ah, that's—!" Bada panicked. Her purple orbs flitted around wildly as her eyebrows knitted together. "O-Only... for you."
Leandro went mute at that, not that Bada minded. The silent companionship was actually quite pleasant. Minutes passed before Leandro slowly got up.
She looked up at him.
"Come on. It's getting late."
Bada sprung to her feet, stretching slightly as she did so. "Haah~ What a day..."
As they began to make their way out of the school premises, Bada couldn't help but steal quick glimpses of Leandro. The orange rays of the sunset gave his face a nice glow. They reached the gate and Bada felt disappointed that she couldn't stay longer with him.
"Umh... Leandro, could you keep it a secret that I was crying today?" Bada asked him shyly, eyes downcast.
Leandro suddenly leaned in. Startled, Bada barely felt the lightest flick on her forehead. It was soft, though her forehead still pulsated a bit from the action.
"Aaa—!" She frowned. "Leandro~!"
She whined loudly, her cheeks turning crimson in embarrassment. Bada hastily slapped his chest away from her space, scowling.
"...Stupid." Leandro muttered under his breath. She could hear the low baritone of his voice as he turned his back to her, walking ahead. "Do you take me for someone that would babble it around? Who would I even tell?"
Bada pouted, still rubbing the sore spot on her forehead. "Still… you didn't have to hit me~!" She hastened to catch up to him, until they reached a point where they had to walk separate ways.
Their stride slowed down to a halt.
Bada pointed to the left. "My house is this way."
Leandro didn't bother to nod.
She felt shy standing underneath his scrutinizing gaze and pursed her lips in embarrassment, trying not to turn red like a cherry. 'D-Does he want to see me off?'
He turned around.
'Or maybe not...'
She sweatdropped.
Leandro didn't walk off right away. Instead, he threw her one last look. "Don't be... a stranger when you see me."
She smiled.
"Oh... and, Bada... you're not a poor girl."
It was only then that he started to walk away.
Bada's smile widened. 'Oh... is he embarrassed? How cute~'
As Leandro's disappearing figure got farther and farther away, Bada made an important if not reckless decision. Perhaps it was all the crying that got to her head, or maybe his words truly had a devastating effect. Nevertheless, she cupped her hands around her mouth. "Oh, right~! I'm going to make you my boyfriend someday!"
Maybe it was stupid. Maybe she'd forget about it tomorrow, or the week after, or even a year later.
But in this moment, Seok Oh's face had been wiped off from her mind. Like a burning, black and white photograph. The fire slowly consumed the frame, then his face... before everything went up in flames.
Leandro took that spot.
Bada turned around, her black hair swaying all around.
"Hmm... should I dye it?"
Wouldn't he be surprised the next time he saw her?
She giggled, eyes sparkling.
And as she eagerly walked back home, there was only the silence and stillness of twilight.
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