ch. 55

"where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned."

-try

"ms. park, can you please explain the meaning behind this so-called 'public evalutation' that has been circulating around school lately?"

eunbi simply sits in her seat with her hands folded on her lap and a tight smile.

it is currently lunchtime, and mrs. hwang decided it was best to hold her back to discuss a specific matter that has been spreading recently. it has been the talk of the week, and the staff members had recently gotten involved. all the administrators held a meeting about this, and they shockingly agreed to proceed with this event.

all except one person.

the instructor taps her foot impatiently as she waits for eunbi to respond to her question.

"uh, no?" the girl raises her eyebrows, hoping what she said will be convincing enough for her to drop the conversation.

the teacher places her hands on her hips and leans forward, her glare staring into her student's soul. "ms. park, i know you are the reason behind this chaos. now please, tell me why you decided to challenge the whole school."

knowing that she cannot avoid this conversation, the brunette reluctantly stops resisting and explains the situation.

"so this girl was bad-talking me," she sugarcoats. "and i had enough of it, so i openly challenged her and any other haters to do their finals in public."

a disappointed sigh leaves the woman's lips as she pinches the bridge of her nose, dumbfounded by the girl's actions. to think that someone was that stubborn to put herself in so much trouble- that someone being a 2nd year student named park eunbi.

"so what are you going to do about this?" the female asks once more. "are you going to pull another of your screaming stunts like you did in the beginning? and what about your identity as the masked singer? do you think this is all fun and games?"

as if it was class time, the girl raises her hand out of habit. "actually mrs. hwang, i took some time to think about this... and i want to do a reveal."

hearing this causes the older female's eyes to widen out of surprise.

"excuse me?!? we have been working on this since the beginning of the year and now you want to put an end to it?!?"

eunbi hesitantly nods her head.

"i'm ready to move up," she states confidently. "i'm ready to show who i really am- the girl behind the mask."

the teacher dismissively shakes her head as the girl stands up from her seat, grabbing her backpack from the side. as she walks toward the exit, the woman shouts for her to stop.

"ms. park, you need to come back here!" she commands. "we are not done yet!"

halting her footsteps in front of the door, she turns her head around with a bored expression on her face.

"mrs. hwang, this conversation makes me wonder if you're using me for your own gains. it's like you're indirectly telling me that you're only helping me because it makes it look like it was you that made me into an amazing singer."

the woman slams her hand on the desk. "th-that is not right! i believe that y-you are not ready to move up! y-you need to stay here longer to improve on your vocals!"

"if you don't recall, i out-sung some of the best singers of this school during the showcase. that clearly tells me that i've been ready since the beginning."

the student opens the door and takes a step outside the classroom. "i hope you have a good day, mrs. hwang."

and then, she shuts the door on her teacher before she can respond to her statement.

her footsteps resonate in the empty hallway while she makes her way to the cafeteria, steam leaking from her ears. with the thought to cool down, an infuriated sigh leaves her lips and she decides to take a quick detour from her designated location.

making her way to the courtyard, the feeling of the gentle breeze brings a smile to her face. she can see the vivid colors of the flowers from afar and she picks up her pace to reunite with the scenery, so she can enjoy nature's beauty.

but when she arrives, she notices two people occupying the bench.

one of them being choi san.

she watches from a distance as he talks to the girl beside him with a gentle smile painted on his lips. with his finger pointing at the different plants, he excitedly tells her about each one while she listens inventively.

to think that the black-haired male has the audacity to bring someone else to this place.

to their place.

continuing with her observation, soojin's eyes brighten at the sight of one of the flowers and asks him what the name of it was and the meaning behind it.

yellow daffodils, a symbol of unrequited love.

that was the first one eunbi taught san.

not wanting to watch the interaction no more, the brunette leaves the scene with a heavy heart. her hands are balled in fists and an exhausted breath escapes her lips as she heads to somewhere away from the courtyard.

she hates how everyone is toying with her.

maybe it's time for her to put an end to all of this.