Why is it?
Why do I not feel refreshed even after sleeping?
Ah, come to think of it, Ye Sara’s body was especially weak in the mornings.
I wasn’t the type to wake up feeling refreshed in my past life either, but it seemed Ye Sara’s body, which wasn’t in good health, had an even stronger tendency for that.
Even after waking up, I was dazed for quite some time, and I remained half-asleep even after showering, sitting there until Yang Hye-in dried my hair.
Still, by the time I had breakfast and arrived at school, I would be clear-headed enough that it wouldn’t cause any major problems in my daily life.
Today, however, I felt as if I had woken up after experiencing sleep paralysis.
My arms were completely drenched.
It seemed I had sweated a lot while sleeping, as the sleeves of my pajamas were soaked.
Other parts of my body were no different.
My stomach and chest were also wet, causing my clothes to cling uncomfortably to my skin.
Two of the buttons that had been fastened up to my neck were undone.
Did I unbutton them in my sleep because it was hot?
Even the hair Lee Soo-ah had so meticulously styled for me last night was sticking out in every direction.
…Was it that hot last night?
Or did I have a fever?
I couldn’t remember anything from the night, so I had no idea.
Groaning, I lifted my body.
The three other girls who had shared the bed with me were already dressed.
In contrast to my state, which felt like I had experienced sleep paralysis, the three of them had glowing, radiant faces.
Well, they were always glowing, but still.
I thought, maybe they were all incredibly diligent, considering how energetic they looked, even in the morning.
“Oh, you’re awake?”
Shin So-hee greeted me as she noticed I had sat up in bed.
She was just buttoning up her shirt, probably having showered not long ago.
Her hair looked mostly dry, though the ends were still a bit damp.
“Ugh.”
I tried to say “Oh”, but what came out of my dry morning mouth was more like a groan.
“Are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”
Yoo Ha-neul, who had already finished dressing, peered into my face and asked.
Without hesitation, she placed her hand on my forehead.
Her hand was warm.
“Hmm~ You don’t seem to have a fever.”
Yoo Ha-neul removed her hand as she spoke.
My forehead, drenched in sweat, must have felt really clammy.
“We still have time. We woke up a bit early, so you can lie down a little longer—”
As Lee Soo-ah said that while tying her hair,
I heard a series of beeps from the door, followed by a “ding” and the sound of the door creaking open.
“Young lady, it’s time to wake—”
Yang Hye-in, dressed neatly in her maid uniform, entered through the door but stopped in her tracks.
She pursed her lips tightly, seemingly at a loss for words as she took in my sweat-drenched pajamas and disheveled hair.
Then, she turned her head slowly and cast a long look at the other three girls.
The uncomfortable gaze made them avert their eyes slightly.
“Ugh.”
I tried to respond to Yang Hye-in, but once again, all that came out was a groan.
*
In the end, it seemed Yang Hye-in decided I wasn’t in a state to wash myself, so she tried to take me straight to the bathroom.
I barely managed to persuade her otherwise.
Up until that moment, I was still in a daze, but the thought that I might have to bathe with Yang Hye-in suddenly snapped me awake.
No matter how you look at it, I wasn’t ready to bathe with another woman.
Especially not in the morning.
It would be a relief if I didn’t get strangely excited.
Of course, I wasn’t saying I could overpower Yang Hye-in or anything, but… something deep in my conscience screamed that I shouldn’t take advantage of this situation.
…Although, strangely, that voice didn’t scream last night.
Anyway, I felt embarrassed.
Changing clothes was fine as long as I didn’t watch, but bathing meant someone else would touch my body.
Feeling Yang Hye-in’s concerned gaze on me, I stumbled into the shower.
At least I was able to come to my senses while showering.
After a quick shower, I came out to find Yang Hye-in waiting with a hairdryer and a comb in hand.
Perhaps seeing Lee Soo-ah style my hair last night had made her want to try as well, because the other girls watched Yang Hye-in with slightly regretful expressions.
In fact, it was usually Yang Hye-in who took care of my morning grooming, but last night, perhaps out of consideration for my friends, she hadn’t come in.
I guess she thought it was better to let the professional handle my morning grooming.
As Yang Hye-in combed my hair, the other three girls stared at me with wide eyes.
…It was a bit embarrassing.
*
Naturally, the four of us had breakfast together.
There wasn’t much conversation.
The breakfast here was tasty, but it wasn’t as extravagant as the dinners.
And with the servants standing by, it wasn’t easy to engage in comfortable conversation.
Only someone who had lived their entire life in such an atmosphere would be able to ignore the presence of the staff completely.
…For example, Ye Sara.
Still, that didn’t mean no one spoke.
“Young lady.”
Yang Hye-in addressed me as breakfast was nearing its end.
“Yes.”
I replied while quietly placing down my utensils.
My plate was almost empty, so it seemed like a good time to wrap up the meal.
“…Last night, the chairwoman contacted us.”
Upon hearing her next words, I froze.
The faint clinking of forks and knives around us also came to an abrupt stop.
With stiff movements, I turned my head to look at Yang Hye-in, who had quietly approached me.
She stood there, eyes closed, slightly bowing.
It was like a scene straight out of a comic book, where a maid delivers a message to her master.
“What message did she leave?”
I had never met the chairwoman in person.
The most we had done was have a very brief phone conversation.
After that, he hadn’t contacted me directly.
…Could it be that an article had been published, or something about what I did at school had been reported…
Was it about that?
“She wished to reschedule the meeting originally set for April 1st to this coming Saturday. She said she would visit in the morning.”
“…”
I was left speechless.
“This Saturday?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Also—”
Yang Hye-in straightened her back.
She opened her eyes and glanced around at my three friends sitting in the dining room.
“She mentioned it would be nice if your friends could join as well.”
“…”
For a while, there was no sound in the dining room.
*
“Well, it’s not like I can’t go.”
In front of the mansion’s main gate, Shin So-hee said that.
She was dressed the same as yesterday when she had entered the mansion.
Her school uniform shirt was unbuttoned three buttons down, paired with a cardigan and a short skirt.
Though, since she had worn the same outfit from yesterday, it looked a bit more wrinkled today.
“We just have to go and talk for a bit, right?”
Among the four of us, Shin So-hee was the only one who attended a different school.
And since her school was in the opposite direction, it was tricky to give her a ride.
Shin So-hee said that it wouldn’t take long if she walked from here, though.
“Yeah… Nothing major… probably.”
Ha-neul spoke softly as if trying to reassure me.
“…”
Lee Soo-ah remained lost in thought, saying nothing.
As for me…
Well, to be honest, I had a feeling something big was bound to happen, for sure.
Whether it was through intimidation or persuasion…
Honestly, those things could be done without needing to bring me face-to-face.
If they insisted on doing it in front of me—no, in front of “Ye Sara”, it meant they intended to break Ye Sara’s will.
“Well then.”
Shin So-hee shrugged her shoulders at me and said,
“Yesterday and today were fun. Let’s hang out properly next time. Maybe we can grill some meat together.”
“Oh, that’s right! The yard is huge too!”
And the servants would probably be horrified.
“That sounds fun…”
Lee Soo-ah’s eyes were already sparkling.
…At this rate, I wondered if this mansion might end up becoming their playground.
Well, it didn’t really matter to me.
“Alright then. Let’s plan it properly for next time. And make sure to pack proper clothes, too.”
“…”
“Um, hello?”
Why wasn’t there an answer to the last part?
Did they not hear me?
*
In the end, all four of us got into the car.
Since the two guests couldn’t sit in the front seat, Yang Hye-in sat in the passenger seat.
There wasn’t much conversation during the ride, probably because of the driver and Yang Hye-in’s presence.
I stared blankly out the window, while Ha-neul and Lee Soo-ah sat silently, lost in their own thoughts.
“…Have a good day.”
“Yes, I will.”
After being seen off by Yang Hye-in, I entered the school.
People glanced at us as we walked side by side.
Has an article come out again?
Or perhaps rumors about how we acted yesterday had already spread.
Well, considering the brazen things we did during class… like throwing water on the teacher’s head, it would be stranger if no one paid attention to us.
After all, one or two people’s attention can be dealt with.
Whether by spending money, using power to pressure them, or offering them a bribe.
But preventing the attention of a crowd is impossible.
Even if I could somehow control the entire school, as rumors spread beyond the school through students talking outside, controlling those stories would become increasingly difficult.
Even if an article is taken down, chances are someone has already saved a copy of the photos.
Unless I had control over the entire internet, it was inevitable that “rumors” would circulate.
In fact, the reason the kids at school stayed quiet wasn’t because I bribed each of them individually but because I had created a clear example of “what happens if you behave like this”.
Just like the kid who had been close to Ye Sara in her childhood but then suddenly disappeared, as written in Ye Sara’s will.
The more someone has to lose, the more they will avoid going through such an ordeal.
As I walked, aware of the stares from the other students, I felt someone touch my arms.
Yoo Ha-neul and Lee Soo-ah had linked arms with me.
They walked boldly, as if to make a point, despite the stares from everyone around us.
…Though Lee Soo-ah seemed a little shy, she didn’t seem to have any intention of letting go.
Well, alright.
This is fine.
There were only a few days left until the weekend, but by then, the entire school would no longer be able to ignore me—
“Wait a minute!”
—It was only a matter of time.
“…Huh?”
Wait, did someone just call out to me?
Here, in this school?
I stopped walking and turned toward the voice.
In the distance, someone with long, slightly bluish hair was storming toward me.
She wore the same school uniform as us, as she was a student at Hwayoung High School, but—
On her left arm was a large armband that read “Discipline”.
…From the student council?
Showing interest in me?
It seemed like yesterday’s actions had really made a big impact.