Chapter 7 - The Weight of a Name

Two months had passed since I first started attending R.S High School. The days had settled into a routine—classes, training, and the occasional moments of quiet in between.

But today was different.

Major was coming back for a one-week vacation. We hadn't seen him much since the day he brought me here. He was always busy, always moving, but without fail, he would call us once or twice a week to check in. His voice over the phone was steady, reassuring, yet distant.

It was still a bit awkward having an adult worry about me—something I wasn't used to. But at the same time, it was… nice. A warmth I couldn't quite put into words.

 "Ren, can you go home on your own today? I have to go somewhere," Jin asked casually as we ate breakfast. His tone was light, but there was something different about it—something I couldn't quite place.

We always went to training together, always went home together. It had become our routine. So this was the first time he'd ever asked me to go alone.

I found it a bit strange, but I brushed off the thought. Maybe he just wanted to hang out with his friends.

"Yeah, Jin, no worries," I said with a small smile before taking another bite of my food.

After spending a couple of months here at R.S High School, the glares from my female classmates were as intense as ever. At first, they caught me off guard, but over time, I got used to them. I learned to just let them be.

What bothered me more, though, was the daily mess left on my desk. Every single day, without fail, someone would leave trash on it—crumpled papers, empty snack wrappers, even dirty tissues. It wasn't physical harassment, but in some ways, it was more annoying than a direct confrontation.

Of course, I never mentioned any of this to Jin. I didn't want to cause him unnecessary worry. Besides, I had grown stronger. After spending every day training, I could now take multiple hits from the chief without falling. He was still much stronger than me, but at least I could counter his moves and land a few hits of my own. If I got into a fight here, I was confident I could win easily.

However, this wasn't a fight I could win with fists. If this was how they planned to deal with me—silent, petty, and relentless—I wasn't sure how to handle it.

So, I did the only thing I could. I ignored everything and carried on. I didn't want to cause any trouble for Major or Jin.

After wandering around the school during lunch, I eventually found my way to the rooftop. It was quiet and empty—perfect. The wind was cool against my skin, and from up here, I could see the vast, open sky. It was so bright, almost blinding, the complete opposite of the darkness I once lived in, deep within that forest.

This place quickly became my hideout.

I sighed, letting myself relax as I lay down, arms folded behind my head. The peaceful silence was comforting, but it didn't last long.

A sharp, familiar voice cut through the air.

"That bitch is completely ignoring the harassment. It's so annoying!"

I froze.

Carefully, I shifted and peeked from my hiding spot. A group of girls stood by the railing, chatting casually—no, gossiping.

At the center of them was a blonde girl. I recognized her immediately. She was the same one who glared at me on my first day here.

Her friend, a girl with short hair and bright red lipstick, crossed her arms. "She's so annoying! Eating lunch with Jin and going home together every day! Just who the hell does she think she is?"

So, they were talking about me.

And judging by their conversation, they were most likely the ones who had been leaving trash on my desk.

My fingers twitched.

If that was the case, then I needed to confront them.

"Jia, what if we lock that bitch in a room after PE class today?" the short-haired girl asked, smirking at the blonde.

Jia, the one who had been glaring at me since my first day, chuckled, clearly entertained by the idea.

No matter where I go, there are always people who hate me, huh?

"And? What will you do after?" I asked, stepping out from behind them.

They flinched.

I stood there, completely unfazed, my expression calm as if I had been part of their conversation all along.

Jia and her friends exchanged looks, startled for a brief second before their smirks returned.

"So, you're the ones who've been harassing me?" I asked, my tone as casual as if I were asking about the weather.

Instead of looking guilty, they laughed.

Like I was the one who was cornered.

 "So what will you do about it?" Jia asked, her arms crossed, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"Hahaha! This bitch. I'll be honest—I admire your bravery for confronting us," one of her friends sneered. She folded her arms and tilted her head arrogantly. "Don't you know who Jia is?"

Another girl chimed in, her voice dripping with mockery. "One of the strongest upperclassmen is crazy about Jia, y'know! If you do anything funny, he'll beat you to a pulp."

I tilted my head, unfazed. "Why don't you call him here, then?"

Their smirks faltered for a split second before returning.

"So be it," Jia said, pulling out her phone and making a call.

A few moments later, a tall, muscular guy appeared. He had the same blonde hair as Jia, his white long-sleeve uniform worn lazily over a black shirt. His presence screamed thug.

"J-Jia… you called me?" he stammered, his face slightly flushed as he gazed at her like a lovesick puppy.

Jia, however, didn't even spare him a glance. She only pointed at me and said coldly, "Teach that bitch a lesson."

The blush on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a nasty scowl. He turned to me, his eyes filled with the kind of arrogance that came from being feared.

He grabbed my collar roughly. "What are you looking at, huh?! Why don't you apologize to Jia?!" he barked, his hot breath fanning over my face.

I didn't flinch. I simply glared at him.

"You're nothing compared to Jia! Look at your body—flat-chested and all bones! Are your parents even feeding you properly?!" he jeered loudly, making the girls around him burst into laughter.

I raised a brow. "And what about you?" I shot back. "You look like a chick pretending to be a wolf. And Jia? Don't worry, you two look good together. She's just someone who acts all tough while hiding under the shadow of a chick."

The laughter died instantly. Their faces twisted in fury.

"What's so funny, huh?!" the blonde guy snarled. His grip on my collar tightened before he raised his fist, aiming for my face.

Big mistake.

The moment he swung, I clenched my fist and drove it straight into his gut.

I didn't hold back.

This was the same punch I'd thrown at the chief during training—one that had knocked him down once.

The blonde guy's body stiffened. His breath hitched, his eyes bulging as he staggered backward. He collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air. His once-flushed face turned pale as sweat beaded on his forehead.

I watched him writhe on the ground before shifting my gaze to Jia and her friends.

They weren't laughing anymore.

"You damn bitch!" Jia hissed, her hand raised, ready to slap me.

But before she could, I clenched my fist and drove it straight into her gut—just like I had done to the blonde guy.

The impact sent her stumbling backward. She gasped, clutching her stomach as she collapsed onto her knees, struggling to catch her breath. Her face turned pale, her confidence from earlier completely shattered.

I turned to her friend, the one who had been running her mouth just a moment ago.

"Wanna go next?" I asked, my voice calm but laced with warning.

She trembled. Instead of answering, she darted a glance at Jia, silently pleading for guidance—but Jia was too busy gasping for air to help her. The girl remained frozen in place, her bravado crumbling.

I exhaled and crossed my arms.

"Listen, I don't know why you're doing this to me. I just want a quiet, normal life. But if you ever harass me again, if you ever put trash on my table again..." I paused, making sure they felt the weight of my words. "This is not the only thing you'll get from me. This isn't a warning—it's a threat."

I turned on my heel and began walking away when suddenly, Jia's friend called out, her voice shaking.

"I-It wasn't us!"

I stopped.

"It wasn't us… Jia never did anything!" she insisted, her tone desperate.

I turned my head slightly. "You expect me to believe that?"

Her expression was pleading, her eyes darting between me and Jia. "She really didn't do anything! Her parents will lock her up if they find out about this… She really did nothing! I swear!"

I shifted my gaze to Jia.

She was still on the ground, her face pale—but not just from the pain.

She looked scared.

Not of me.

Not of the fight.

But of something else.

She lifted her head weakly and met my eyes. There was no arrogance, no smirk—only silent, unspoken begging.

"Please… it wasn't us!" her friend pleaded again.

I didn't say anything. Instead, I simply turned and walked away.

For some reason, I believed them.

Jia and her friends didn't return for the afternoon class. The official excuse was that Jia had gone to the clinic due to a sudden stomachache. No one questioned it.

But I couldn't shake the thought.

If it wasn't Jia… then who?

Who hated me enough to do something so petty?

Jia was just a kid acting on impulse, no different from the kind of kids you find everywhere—entitled, reckless, but ultimately normal.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, and as I made my way out of the school gates, I saw her.

Jia stood in front of the school, her shoulders tense.

A man stood in front of her, scolding her harshly.

I didn't know who he was—her father, perhaps? A guardian?

Whatever the case, it wasn't my problem.

I ignored them and continued walking.

But for some reason…

I felt a little sorry for her.

-

Jin walked home, his steps steady but his mind unsettled. Today was the day the Major would return, and while Jin was glad to see him again, there was something weighing on his mind—something he could no longer ignore.

For the past two months, he had kept quiet, pushing aside his thoughts out of respect for the Major's responsibilities in the army. But now, the unease had grown too large to dismiss. He needed answers.

As he reached the mansion and pushed open the grand doors, he was immediately greeted by Sir Steve.

"You worked hard today, Jin. Please head to the Major's study—he wants to speak with you," the butler informed him with a polite nod.

Jin didn't hesitate. He made his way through the familiar halls, his heart steady yet his thoughts restless.

Upon entering the study, he saw the Major standing near his desk, his broad shoulders framed by the dim evening light filtering through the open curtains. He was gazing out the window, his presence commanding even in silence.

Jin stopped at the doorway, taking in the sight. No matter how many times I see him, his presence is always something else, he thought.

Sensing Jin's arrival, the Major turned. A familiar smile played on his lips as he raised a glass filled with amber liquid, the ice clinking softly against the glass.

"You're here."

Jin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed as he watched the Major take a sip from his glass.

"Drinking as soon as you're home?" Jin remarked, raising an eyebrow.

The Major chuckled, swirling the liquid in his glass before taking another sip. "Hah! Come on, spare me! I only taste alcohol when I'm off duty!" he said with a grin. But just as quickly as the lightheartedness came, it faded.

His expression grew serious. He set the glass down on the desk, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room.

"Jin... I have to tell you something about Ren's identity."

Jin straightened, his casual posture shifting into something more rigid.

The Major met his gaze and spoke, his voice firm yet careful.

"Or should I say... the Young Lady, Reina Dmitri's identity."

Jin felt his breath hitch. The name hit him like a bolt of lightning. His body froze, and his eyes widened in shock.

Reina Dmitri.

It had been years since he last heard that name, but the weight it carried hadn't lessened. His heartbeat pounded in his chest, faster than usual.

He had wanted to ask the Major if he knew something about Ren- He had suspected it, considered the possibility...that maybe she was the girl they were supposed to meet that day. but hearing her name come from the Major's mouth with his own ears sent a shiver down his spine.. his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his breath unsteady. The weight of the past, of everything he thought was long buried, came crashing down on him all at once.

"…What did you just say?" Jin's voice was quiet, but his eyes burned with intensity...