Chapter 9
The hostel corridor was quiet.
Dim yellow lights flickered softly as the night settled over the building. Most students had returned to their rooms, their voices faint behind closed doors.
Inside—
Naiiyraa sat on the edge of her bed.
Her breathing was uneven.
Across from her, Mimi stood near the window, arms crossed.
"…Mimi," Naiiyraa said quietly, "you shouldn't have done that."
Mimi didn't turn.
"I had to."
Her voice was calm. Firm.
"If you went there instead of me… he would have recognized something was wrong."
Naiiyraa lowered her gaze.
A faint tremble ran through her fingers.
"…But Miss Siera called my name," she said. "You went instead of me… and she didn't even notice."
Mimi finally turned, her expression serious.
"That's because she couldn't."
A pause.
"I told her earlier that I wasn't feeling well," Mimi continued.
"And when the announcement happened… everyone's attention was on Nehan."
She took a slow breath.
"I kept my head down. Didn't look directly at her. And honestly…"
A faint, bitter smile appeared.
"…she doesn't know you well enough to notice small differences."
Silence.
"Plus," Mimi added softly, "no one expected someone else to answer in your place."
Naiiyraa's chest tightened.
Because it was true.
Everything had happened too fast.
Too naturally.
Too dangerously.
"…Still," Naiiyraa whispered, "you took a risk."
Mimi looked at her.
"And I'd do it again."
That answer came too quickly.
Too easily.
Naiiyraa's hands slowly clenched into fists.
Not from fear.
From something else.
Frustration.
Anger.
Not at Nehan—
But at Mimi.
At the fact that she had to stand there… in her place.
At the fact that someone else had to carry her burden.
But she said nothing.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A knock.
Both of them froze.
Another knock followed.
"…Who is it?" Mimi asked, her voice cautious.
"Open the door."
The voice was familiar.
Mimi's expression hardened.
"…Genya."
Naiiyraa's heartbeat quickened.
Mimi walked toward the door and opened it slightly.
Genya stood there, leaning against the frame, completely at ease.
But her eyes—
Sharp.
Observing everything.
Without waiting, she stepped inside.
The door closed behind her.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
Genya looked directly at Mimi.
"…Impressive."
Mimi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Genya tilted her head slightly.
"You went to Nehan instead of her."
Silence.
Naiiyraa's breath stopped.
Mimi didn't answer.
Genya let out a quiet laugh.
"Relax. I'm not here to expose you."
She walked further into the room.
"I was watching from the entrance," she continued.
"And for a moment… even I thought you were Lerah."
Mimi crossed her arms.
"…So you noticed."
"Of course I did," Genya replied calmly. "You can fool people who don't pay attention."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"But not me."
A pause.
Then—
"You did well."
The words were simple.
Unexpected.
Naiiyraa looked up in surprise.
Mimi blinked once.
"…You're praising me?" she asked.
Genya shrugged.
"You protected her."
Her eyes shifted toward Naiiyraa.
"And you did it without breaking under pressure."
Silence settled again.
Then Genya's tone changed.
"But don't get comfortable."
The air grew heavier.
"Nehan isn't careless," she said.
"He noticed something."
Mimi's expression didn't change.
"I know."
Genya's lips curved faintly.
"Good. Then you understand."
She turned toward the door.
"If he starts doubting… he won't stop."
Her hand rested on the doorknob.
"And next time—"
She glanced back.
"—he won't be this patient."
The warning lingered.
Then she opened the door.
But before leaving—
"…And Mimi."
Mimi looked at her.
Genya's expression softened—just slightly.
"Don't carry someone else's fate too far."
A pause.
"Even strong people break."
For a second—
Zubii's memory felt close.
Then Genya left.
The door closed.
Silence filled the room again.
Naiiyraa slowly looked at Mimi.
"…Why?" she asked softly.
Mimi didn't answer immediately.
She stepped closer.
Then smiled gently.
"Because you're my best friend."
A pause.
"And this time… I'll be the one protecting you."
Naiiyraa's fists tightened again.
But this time—
She relaxed them.
Her eyes lowered.
Not in weakness.
But in acceptance.
Far away—
Under the quiet night sky—
Nehan stood alone.
The cold wind brushed past him, but he didn't move.
His mind replayed the moment on the stage.
Her voice.
Her hesitation.
Her eyes.
He closed his eyes slowly.
"…Lerah."
The name left his lips like something he had been holding onto for years.
When he opened his eyes again—
They were steady.
Certain.
"So you finally appeared…"
A faint smile formed.
Not warm.
Not gentle.
But satisfied.
"I won't let you disappear again."
His gaze lifted toward the dark sky.
"This time…"
His voice dropped to a quiet promise—
"…you'll answer everything."
Silence followed.
End of Chapter 9