If I am to choose which person I avoid the most, my answer will be Seo JaeHoon.

Seo JaeHoon is a well-known student. He consistently places among the top students, while working hard as a member of the school's official basketball team. Not an easy feat to pull off. Adding it to the fact that he always has a smile plastered on his face, it's no surprise he is admired by many—teachers and students alike.

With that much attention, getting discovered by such a person is the worst-case scenario. It will automatically be broadcasted to the entirety of the school. Ever since I have learned he and I will be classmates this year, I've been extra cautious. However, it seems I am not careful enough. Because the person I should be avoiding most has just seen my soul and is now looking down over me.

"I'm really sorry. Are you ok?" he continues.

I rummage my brain for words to no avail. As if on cue, the violin playing in the background intensifies. It has shifted from a slow sentimental stanza to a fast-paced dramatic refrain.

"Are you hurt? Can you get up?" He stands up fully and extends his hand.

Now standing to his full height, his form looms over me. Panic clenches my chest at the sight. Escape. I need to escape. I scramble back to my feet and run. Away from the main building, away from the school. I know running won't break me free from the situation. In fact, it does nothing at all. But I carry on, hoping it will.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

A bowl of heaping rice is placed in front of me. It's my usual serving for breakfast, but at the moment, it feels like a lot. The scent of omelet wafts, my favorite, but it fails to pique my interest as well. Regardless, I grab my utensils and force myself to eat.

Dad sitting in front of me lets out a giggle.

"You must be really hungry," he comments. "Take it slow. You'll get indigestion."

I seem to be overdoing my acting. I nod in response.

"That's why you shouldn't skip dinner. It makes you very hungry in the morning," Mom says as she sits beside Dad. "What time did you come home, by the way?"

"Around midnight…" I reply in as neutral a tone as possible, trying not to let on what I really feel.

"That late? Were you able to sleep?"

I nod and give her the brightest smile I can muster to assure her. I actually have not slept. My mind keeps replaying yesterday's incident.

“Senior year sure is difficult nowadays, huh?” Dad notes. “Staying out in the library for that long.”

Except I didn’t. After running away from Seo JaeHoon, I didn’t know where else to go. I had never risked going elsewhere other than home, school, or the city library, so I walked aimlessly, letting my feet lead me to unfamiliar streets. Eventually, I stumbled upon a small alley of closed shops. It was eerie, but it was the only refuge I could get at the time. And there, I cried my eyes out.

"Do you want another bowl?" Mom asks.

"I'm good."

I hastily drink my glass of water, grab my pack, and rush to the door. After contemplating how to tell them, I still cannot bring myself to say anything. I cannot bring myself to break their hearts.

“I’m going,” I wave goodbye.

“Ok, be careful,” they reply in almost perfect sync.

I exit the house, hoping I don’t look like I’m too much in a rush. I take my usual path. At this early in the morning, there aren't many students yet—the perfect time for me to walk to school. But what is the point of that now, when I know the entire school already knows my true self. Seo JaeHoon must have told someone by now, who in turn has broadcasted it to everyone. I want to hate him, but I can’t. Deep inside, I know he is just doing the right thing. It’s only natural to alert anyone from a potential threat.

Biting my lips hard, anxiously imagining how my day will be, somebody calls my attention.

“Good morning, MinSeok”

Leaning against the black frame of the school gates, as if waiting for someone, the boy greets me with his beaming smile. Seo JaeHoon, the person who found out I am a Myriad. My whole body tense at the sight of him.

He straightens and walks towards me. I will myself to step back and run, but my body seems to have frozen in place. He continues his approach and stops only an arms length away. He is towering over me with his height. My eyes only reach up to his shoulders, which is good, given that I can’t look at him.

“Good morning,” he repeats with his deep voice, “Here. I don’t know if you like this. I just grabbed it on the way.”

He lifts his right arm towards me, his hand offering me a box of strawberry milk. He’s holding the box upside-down, the image of the strawberry appearing as a bright red triangle in my eyes…

… Like a warning sign.