The Next Day.
Inmi wrote the names Jay, Win, and Deff on a piece of paper and handed it to Damica, asking her to refer to them only by their initials.
“Dami, tell me everything you know about these people,” Inmi said seriously, her eyes fixed on Damica.
Damica read the names and slowly narrowed her eyes, her brows furrowing suspiciously.
“Hmm… what’s this about? Are you interested in one of them?” she smirked mischievously.
Inmi rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Wait... knowing Damica and her overly curious nature, her habit of meddling, and how impulsively she tries to help—like that one time—maybe it’s better if I just say I am interested in one of them. Just for now, so she won’t suspect what I’m actually planning.
“So? You’re not? What’s going on?” Damica leaned in, getting serious.
“Yes! I like him!” Inmi blurted out reflexively, her voice louder than she intended.
The entire campus café went silent.
Realizing what she’d just done, Inmi immediately bowed her head in embarrassment as everyone around turned to stare.
“Hahaha…” Damica laughed, covering her face as she lowered her head just like Inmi.
“Let’s talk somewhere else. This is clearly serious business,” she said with excitement, grabbing Inmi’s hand and pulling her out of the café.
Haa... So now it’s serious just because I admitted I like someone?
A man wearing a cap who had been sitting behind them smirked slightly at Inmi’s words. The book covering his face slowly lowered as he watched her leave.
“Like…?” the man murmured to himself, then returned to his usual blank expression.
So she has that side to her too. I thought she was all about studying… —Alez
~
Inmi was at work, preparing cake batter, but her mind was elsewhere—still replaying the conversation she’d had with Damica earlier.
“Inmi?” her coworker called out.
“Ah—yes?” she blinked and snapped out of her thoughts.
“Could you make enough batter for five more cakes? We’ll be closing after that.”
“Got it.”
After listening to Damica’s explanation, Inmi went home and began digging into information about the three names she’d written down.
Deff Jhons—his background was easy to find. He was a second-year student from the Jhons family, who ran a business in petroleum and other fuel sources. However, their company had been struggling financially, and its reputation was tainted due to unresolved legal issues.
Win Yoon—a third-year student. His family came from Rekos, a country that had successfully expanded its tech business in Noldon. Their company was currently stable, but two months ago, several investors had reportedly pulled out.
Jay Brill—another third-year student. The only available information was a long list of his achievements in academic competitions and his contributions to health research. Nothing came up about his family or personal background.
Who is this guy? I still can’t find anything concrete about Jay. It might be risky to pressure him with the audio recording from that day...
Inmi let out a soft sigh.
What am I even doing?
She sat in silence.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Your sister is sick again… and she just got out of the hospital last week.”
“What did they say?”
“I’m sorry… we’ve done our best to help her here at the orphanage. But the doctor said the funding isn’t enough to treat her rare disease—it requires further research.”
“I understand. Thank you for telling me. I’ll visit the hospital tomorrow. And thank you for taking care of her all these years. You’ve been like a second mother to her… I owe you so much. I just hope she can hold on. She’s all I have left.”
“Inmi…”
“I’ll hang up now. Thank you again—for being a truly caring guardian to my sister.”
Her eyes welled up, her chest tightening as she tried to hold back the tears.
Click.
She ended the call.
Inmi hugged her knees to her chest and buried her face in them, crying softly.
The night felt even colder.
~
The Next Day.
Knock knock knock
“Come in.”
“I’m Inmi, guardian of the patient named Myra.”
“Alright. Let me begin the explanation—”
They spoke for nearly an hour.
Afterward, Inmi left the hospital.
The entire walk home, her mind was filled with thoughts of her sister.
Her eyes were blank, her body drained.
The amount needed for the treatment... it’s massive. Just massive...
God, what more can I do?
Please don’t take Myra from me. I can’t lose anyone else.
Her expression, usually calm and collected, was now soaked with tears that wouldn’t stop falling.
And before she knew it, her feet kept moving forward—without looking where she was going—
Honk!! Hooonk!!
Inmi turned to the blinding lights of an oncoming car.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and yanked her back just in time.
“Hey! Snap out of it!” Alez held her shoulders tightly.
Seeing her state, Alez quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her head.
The crowd that had gathered slowly began to disperse.
Alez led her away from the commotion.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Inmi didn’t answer, her head still down, hidden under the jacket.
Hah… lately, I’ve become more aware of this girl. Even had to save her now. —Alez
He remembered that day at the café, when he’d overheard Inmi shouting about liking someone.
“Is this really just because of a crush?!” Alez ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“Forget it,” Inmi replied coldly.
She handed the jacket back to him and looked up, trying not to cry again.
“Thank you… for saving me. And please, forget this ever happened.”
“I don’t care. Just watch where you’re going—and make it home alive,” Alez said, turning to leave.
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