Chapter X – Tears

With the first day of school coming to an end, since Arthur’s return, Sophie couldn’t help but wonder how he was doing.

Ari didn’t show up to school, but surprisingly it wasn’t all that bad. Hana and her posse weren’t paying attention to her.

After class, Sophie stayed behind to clean up the classroom. She saw Arthur through the window, waiting in front of the school gates. He was having a conversation with his fellow classmates before they parted ways. With a deep breath and a sigh of relief, she smiled.

“Guess you had me worried over nothing Oppa. . .” she muttered to herself.

“What’s gotten you so cheery today?” Hana asked as she reentered the classroom, without Sophie noticing. “Oh right, your brother's back. I wonder how he's doin. Maybe I should go say hi.”

Sophie gritted her teeth, quickly turning towards Hana.

“Please, leave him alone. I followed your orders. . .”

“Tsk, don’t worry so much. I've no interest in him, as long as you act like my little pet.”

“Why do you hate me so much?”

Hana chuckled, slowly making her way towards Sophie. Placing her fingers on Sophie’s chin and forcing her to make eye contact, she bit her lip deviously.

“Who said I hate you?”

“Then why--”

“I despise you,” Hana interrupted. “Pretty girl thinking she owns the place. . .”

“I never thought that way. . .” Sophie mumbled, averting her gaze.

“Come with me. I got a surprise for you,” she said, letting go of Sophie.

Sophie just stood still with anxiety. She knew right away that it was something bad.

“If you don’t, then I’ll just go and see your brother. I’m sure you know that.”

Sophie was helpless.

Swallowing nervously, she began following.

The two were on the way to the bathroom. Sophie only hoped that it would end soon so she could rush to Arthur.

Why?

Sophie couldn’t stop thinking of the reasons why Hana would despise her. She had a hard time accepting the idea that there are people out there who just wish to harm others.

“Go in,” Hana commanded.

Entering the bathroom, Sophie froze in place. Inside she saw the three girls that bullied her before, as well as two guys which were from a different class. She wasn’t sure if they even went to the same school.

Wishing to run away, she got shoved into the bathroom. The doors behind her now closed.

“What's this?” Sophie asked, her voice trembling and her knees weak.

“Whatcha think?” Hana asked condescendingly, circling Sophie. “You’re going to entertain us.”

“What? No!” Sophie yelled.

With force behind it, Hana slapped Sophie, leaving an imprint of her hand.

“Strip.”

The crowd grinned.

“Let me go!”

“Do you not care about your Oppa? Strip!” Hana yelled out furious.

This was too much to bear. No matter how much she loved Arthur and hoped to protect him, she was still a teenage girl who was mortified. With tears running down her face, she hugged herself and squirmed.

“It’s just a bit of fun,” one of the guys commented, gripping his shirt and showing off a dragon-like tattoo on his neck. “No need to be shy. We’ll be gentler than Hana demanded.”

He burst into laughter, the sound of which sent Sophie into a state of panic.

“Strip! Strip! Strip!” everyone chanted.

There was hardly anyone left in school, and the other students wouldn’t dare intervene regardless.

Sophie remained in place, refusing to obey.

“Ugh, I don’t have all day. Girls, take her clothes off.”

“Stay away!” Sophie yelled.

Two out of the three swarmed her, tugging away at her clothes in an attempt to rip them off. Luckily they weren’t strong enough to rip the vest, but the skirt was a different story. With it being pulled to the ground, though not torn, Sophie screamed.

She managed to wiggle out of their grasp and fall to the ground. Without her skirt, she was left with nothing but underwear from the waist down.

“Look at those legs!” the other guy yelled out, clearly excited.

Tears were running down Sophie’s cheeks as Hana approached.

Leaning into Sophie’s ear, she whispered. “Last chance. Strip or I will make you and your brother regret it.”

The school bathroom doors were unable to be locked. A beacon of hope appeared as someone made their way inside. Deep down she hoped it was Arthur coming to save her, but it turned out to be a fellow student.

Dumbfounded by the scene, the female student stood shook.

“I’m sorry. I saw nothing,” she muttered, turning around and running away.

“Whatever. . .” Hana mumbled before her focus returned to Sophie.

Their mood wasn’t ruined, but the small confusion gave Sophie just enough time to muster what little strength she had. Shoving Hana, she grabbed her skirt and in her underwear ran into the hallway. With nobody watching the doors, she was able to slip past them easily. Some of the students observed but chose to only avert their gaze.

Sophie was quick. Regardless, nobody followed her. It would have been catastrophic if they were caught by a teacher in the middle of a hallway, chasing after a half-naked classmate.

Putting on her skirt, Sophie made her way outside slowly. She was wobbly and in tears.

“Dammit!” Hana yelled. “Who just ruined our fun?”

“Don’t know her,” one of the girls replied.

“Tsk. . . Whatever. . .” Hana sighed.

“What about us? You promised a piece of fine ass.” one of the guys complained. “I didn’t come all the way here to be disappointed.”

“Shut up dork. If you wanted her so badly, you should've grabbed her yourself.”

He was angry with Hana but refused to raise his hand against her. Sung-Ho, Hana’s brother, was a vicious guy. One which you should avoid provoking at all cost.

“Fun's over,” Hana stated disappointingly. “Rae, go make sure she doesn’t tell anyone.”

“Alright.” Dal-Rae sighed, she wasn’t thrilled with what they were doing.

“And take her money, I want to buy something.”

“Sure, sure. . .”

Rae made her way outside the bathroom.

“Why do I always get stuck with jobs like these?” she muttered to herself.

She was Hana’s childhood friend. Growing up together, she became loyal to her even with all the trouble she tended to cause. Rae never truly understood why Hana picked on Sophie, guessing it was nothing more than a superiority complex. Sophie was both better-looking and smarter, enough to make other girls jealous.

Reaching the exit, Rae saw Sophie gathering herself. She was struggling to breathe but wished not to show it to Arthur.

“Sophie, stop,” Rae called out.

Fear consumed Sophie. Without thinking, she opened the door and rushed outside.

“Dammit. . .” Rae muttered.

Walking outside, Rae watched as Sophie stood bent over and gasping for air.

“Sophie?” Arthur called out, still unaware of what was going on.

“Tsk,” Rae approached Sophie from behind. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Leave me alone!” Sophie yelled out.

There was nobody left on the school grounds, just the three of them.

“Don’t be stupid you little. . .”

Arthur slowly approached.

“Just. . .” Sophie couldn’t muster up any more words.

“What’s going on?” Arthur asked, his voice stern.

“Sophie. . . Don’t,” Rae advised. “You know what will happen.”

Sophie remained quiet. She knew that if she said anything, Arthur would truly get bullied again. Even after what had just happened, not even sure if it was too late or not, Sophie still put her head down and turned towards Rae.

“It’s nothing,” Sophie muttered to Arthur.

Before she could even take a step towards Rae, Sophie’s wrist got grabbed. Arthur wasn’t aware of what was going on, but he could assume that this girl was part of the problem.

“Huh?” Sophie responded surprised.

Before she could even react, Arthur pulled her into a hug.

“It’s okay,” Arthur whispered.

Sophie couldn’t hold it in any longer. All the bottled-up emotions ultimately escaped her, as she started crying into his chest, and ruining his shirt with tears.

“Give me your money. Hana might ignore the fact that you ran off like that. . .”

“Silence.” The only word Arthur spoke.

His voice was stern and unsettling, silencing Rae on the spot as their eyes met.

DEATH

Rae’s instincts froze her body in place. She was unable to speak, move or even breathe. The sight of Arthur, who was merely hugging his sister, terrified her. His gaze probed her. She felt unsafe. She felt. . . Helpless. . .

Rae couldn’t muster a single thought in her head. That wasn’t a sight of a depressed high school kid. That wasn’t the Arthur that stories were about. That wasn’t someone who would ever commit suicide. That was a monster.

The silence surrounding Sophie’s cries was deafening. One wrong move and Rae knew her life would be forfeit. His gaze was wrath incarnated. It felt as if time itself froze. Seconds felt like minutes.

“Run,” Arthur commanded voicelessly.

Even though Rae understood the danger, and even read his lips, she was still unable to move.

Wind blew past the three, just barely strong enough to snap Rae out of it. She silently gasped in horror, finally taking a breath of air. Without any sudden movements, as if a wild beast was observing her, she slowly turned around proceeding towards the school. Every step she took felt nightmarishly long. She didn’t have to see him to know that he was watching. It was as if her soul was getting crushed.

Finally, she made her way inside, instantly collapsing on her knees.

“Let’s go home,” Arthur whispered.

Sophie nodded.

A few minutes passed since Rae entered school again. Finally, she managed to climb up to the first floor. Her friends waited in front of the classroom, messing around as usual.

“Rae, you’re back,” Hana called out. “Did you make sure the bitch stayed quiet? Where’s the money? Don’t tell me you went easy on her. . .”

Rae remained quiet, slowly approaching the window. Seeing that Arthur and Sophie were gone, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“Hana,” she said with a serious tone. “You should leave Sophie alone.”

“This again? Why are you so adamant about protecting that little slut?”

“She doesn’t need protection.” Rae sighed. “If you keep going after her, nobody will be able to save you.”

“What are you even saying now? Have you gone insane?” Hana chuckled.

Rae recalled the fear she felt. The helplessness before death itself.

“I’m leaving,” Rae took her school bag. “You should listen to me, Hana. Arthur is not someone you can bully. . .”

Without even allowing anyone to speak up, Rae left them without an explanation.

“Tsk, crazy bitch. What is she on about?” Hana sighed. “Fine, that little slut wishes to play games? I’ll play along. You two still want a piece of fine ass right?! I have a plan. . .”

“Talk to me Sophie,” Arthur said, both of them sitting down on a bench in the park.

Arthur believed it better for the two to stay outside for a bit before heading home, otherwise, she might just run off to her room.

“I couldn’t do it. . .”

Even after an hour, Sophie was still in shock, her voice brittle, and body exhausted. Luckily, no injury was inflicted, but mentally she was on a verge of collapsing.

“Do what?” Arthur asked with a low and caring voice.

“They surrounded me,” she said before sobbing. “They wanted. . .”

Arthur put his hand around her and invited her in for a hug. Sophie let her body collapse into him. He had so much he wished to say, but no matter what words wanted to come out of his mouth, he just couldn’t. His heart shattered with every sad noise she made. His body ached every time she shook.

Every part of him wished to slaughter them, but he knew that this was not his world. He could not risk endangering Sophie and Grandpa Ryung. The world around him was different. In a civilized world such as this, where there are so many rules, and even less barbarism, his solutions were far from ideal. Arthur simply hated the fact that in the world he lived now, even with all those things, it was just as brutal as his old.

“They wanted me to strip. To force me into entertaining them, with two boys in the bathroom,” Sophie mustered up the courage to say it, but could not bring herself to look at Arthur. “They would have raped me.”

Arthur hugged her tighter with one hand caressed her hair.

“I couldn’t do it. I’m so sorry. . .” she whispered, gripping his shirt tighter.

“Why are you apologizing to me?” Arthur asked confused.

“They said. . . They said that if I don’t, they would bully you into suicide. I can’t lose you again!”

Sophie’s cry intensified.

“You foolish girl. . .” Arthur whispered, his eyes watery as he gripped her tighter. “Never do anything anyone tells you again. Never, ever, ever, allow anyone to mistreat you! Especially if they are threatening you with something as pathetic as bullying me. Do you understand me?”

Sophie wanted to protest, but she simply nodded.

“You’ll never lose me. I’m not the same as I was before. I’ve finally found what I wanted, and I shall never let go of this. I’ll never let go of you. Do you understand?”

Sophie finally pushed herself away from Arthur, only to look him in the eyes.

“But it’s my fault. . . Arthur, they will now come for you,” she warned him.

“Who will?”

“Hana, her friends, and even her older brother who is in the same year as you. You don’t remember him, but he is the most notorious person in your year. They bullied you before. . . How are you so confident now, when you failed in the past? How do I know you’ll be safe?”

Arthur wiped her tears away, pushing her hair behind her ear. His eyes looked straight into hers. He knew deep down, Sophie was strong. She was going to push through this. Her soul, so beautiful and peaceful. There was no moment that she spoke of revenge, nor expressed her anger and frustration. All she was thinking about was him.

“Sophie Park. Listen to me young girl,” Arthur spoke with a clear and empowering voice. “Never again will you have to worry about me. Never again will I let anyone lay their hands on you. Never again will I allow you to feel helpless and alone. I don’t remember how I was. I don’t know who I was, and I never will. I have risen from the ashes and have been reborn once more. The universe gave me another chance, and I shall not waste it. Put your trust into me, as I have in you. Sophie, you are my sister. You might have not been as long in my life as I’ve been in yours, but you’ve shown me more care, compassion, and love than any other being ever did. You might even think that it wasn’t much, especially when compared to the time we have spent together. Trust me, it’s a lot more than you can imagine. Now. . . I want you to take a deep breath, and trust me when I say that everything will be alright.”

Sophie’s care for Arthur was always one-sided in the past. He was the only family she truly had except for Grandpa, but even he was not the same. Arthur always used to be mean to her, ignored her, and shoved her further and further away from himself with every passing day. She knew that if things continued that way, she would have lost her brother. No, she already did lose him. That fact crushed her spirit for months. He was no brother to her. The night before the accident, she asked herself if he would’ve even cared if she died. If he would even notice. That was the loneliest she ever felt. Losing her father, and being abandoned by her mother, felt pale in comparison to the pain she felt then. It could have been due to her being too young when her parents disappeared from their lives.

When Arthur got into an accident, she knew the truth. She knew that it was an attempted suicide, even though Arthur was trying to hide it. It wasn’t the first time he wished to kill himself, but he never tried. The truth was when the truck driver that hit Arthur showed up, she knew he was telling the truth when he cried claiming that the boy jumped into him. For that reason, Sophie asked her Grandfather to forgive the driver and no lawsuit followed, regardless of right or wrong. Sophie cried each night after the accident. She begged for a second chance. She wanted not to be alone in this world.

The next day Arthur woke up. She was shocked. Never before has she felt such joy, but at the same time, she was afraid that it made no difference. There was no reason for it not to go back to how it was, before the accident. Sophie tried her best to mask her fear, and not let it show. Seeing how different Arthur was compared to before, slowly that mask dissolved. He was no longer the same person. He was to her what she had always hoped for, an older brother she could look up to.

Sure, he was clueless. There was so much he had forgotten. Yet he never felt lost. Never felt as if he was not worthy of respect. When the whole world was unknown to him, he kept moving forward. Not only that, but he looked forward to each new challenge. His routine changed, as well as his lifestyle. He had this aura of calmness around him. Maturity. He became someone she could trust.

With her worries shattered, reality struck her. Hana and the rest kept on talking about how Arthur was in the past. How he was bullied into suicide. When they threatened her using Arthur as leverage, she felt terror. The fear of losing him after finally becoming close mortified her. The trust he earned did not outweigh the fear she felt of losing him. She endured the best she could for his sake, till the very end.

But now. . . Things were different.

The look in Arthur’s eyes, and the words he said, did not belong to someone who’d revert to what he once was. The weight of her worries finally lifted. She felt free. With her entire being, she finally accepted that Arthur was there. That she was safe to trust him completely. Even if he was wrong, even if he could not keep his words, the life she wished to live had no room for doubt. For better or worse, she trusted him.

“Alright,” she whispered, with a smile on her face.

“Thank you, Sophie.”

“I love you Oppa.”

“I love you too, Soph.”

The two returned home afterward. Sophie was to stay at home for the next few days and recover. She felt much better and thanks to Arthur managed to overcome the fear of what happened. What Arthur believed proved true. Sophie had an unshakable spirit, with the ability to keep on moving forward no matter what happened. Same as he did, but that didn’t mean she had to do it alone.

The agreement was that she’d stay at home for the next two days, and return to school on Monday. Thanks to Doctor Miller, the two managed to get her a note of absence. When at school, Arthur would lead her to the classroom in the morning and the two would return together from school. If she was ever bullied or threatened, she was to rush to him immediately. After telling Ari what happened at school, she swore to never leave Sophie’s side again. Now that there was no fear of Arthur being hurt, Sophie could tell the principal everything if she so chose. No longer did Hana have any power over her. The bullying has come to an end.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.