Chapter 11

                                    

                                          
The early morning streets are bathed in a soft, muted light. The air is still and silent, the only sounds coming from the occasional rustling of leaves in the trees or soft padding of ji-yo's and my footsteps echo faintly in the emptiness. As we make our way to school, we pass by the darkened fronts of shops and cafes, the windows covered in different shadowed designs on it.
I cleared my throat and began, "So..” 
Ji-yo  looked up from her phone, raising her eyebrows at my interruption. When she faced me, her eyes were sparkling, reflecting the rising sun, Her cheeks catching a little rosy tint due to the cold breeze. 
Though she still appeared to be sleepy, she looked radiant. It was evidence of a good night's sleep. Unlike me, who has been awake the whole time and never slept. 
“Er…I found the contact of the previous year’s vice president.” I inform her, she blinks at me as if there's more to come. When I don't continue it makes her expressions confused more than curious. 
“previous year’s vice president? What for?” I realize that she has forgotten most of the things Iseul told us, anyone would when there are too many things going on in the brain. 
“Ji-yo, remember what iseul told us? The one who escaped the…uh..killer.'' I lowered my voice A little at the end of the sentence, despite the road being lit up with chirping of birds, there are countable people around us, wrapped in coats passing by with hurried steps. I Can't risk talking about such a thing and startling a stranger. 
Just right at the mention of iseul, her face seems to catch a surprised expression, more like she saw a ghost. “What are you saying? Why were you searching for her contact?” When we met, she looked like there was some sleep left in her eyes, Now she was wide awake. 
I continued, “It’s been  bothering me, out of curiosity so I decided to find the roots of the rumor.” 
“You don't have to, I told you not to get involved.” Her voice is louder than mine was before, This was probably not what she was expecting as the first news of her morning, but here we are.
“I have to. I might become a part of the student council, it would be my duty to make sure there are no displeasement rumors going around. I'm just looking into it out of curiosity, and maybe with a sense of responsibility.” It's true what I said, curiosity is one thing, but how can no one report such things to authority? Not only do they look the other way, they also participate in spreading rumors. If no one else will, I should. 
Ji-yo looks at me in disbelief, but doesn't argue anymore, only snarl her way to the school the whole time. 
✧  ✧  ✧
Ji-yo was called by someone in the hallway, the student who blocked our way and almost got an earful from her said that mr. Min wanted to converse about the developing band. 
She then excitedly handed me her bag and went with him, I feel as excited as her, for her. 
Whenever the topic is music, her eyes seem to lighten up from within, like a fire of passion burning behind. I know how much she likes it, it's like her escape from reality when mine is coming to the school. 
I find myself walking alone in the corridor, all of the other students are still scattered around the school grounds, huddled together in small groups, chatting and preferring to spend some more Minutes lounging around before the school bell rings and the lectures eventually begin. 
I pass by all of the other classes in the long corridor. Some students are already in class, sitting on their desks, using their phones or enjoying the silence.