15 The Bus Ride

The bus stop is so unusually empty today that I almost thought I hadn't reached the stop yet. I don't mind though as I have the entire bus stop to myself, plus Seoyun and Dahyeong.

I continue making my way down the sidewalk while looking up at the cars racing across the road. The thought that I am finally old enough to learn how to drive one of those crosses my head. If I had to honest, it's scary since I've always thought that I would be bad at driving.

After arriving at the bus stop, I pull out my phone to message Seoyun and Dahyeong. They usually arrive before me but this time I didn't stop to eat breakfast so I guess that's why.

Minji: Y'all gonna be busing with me or what?

I figured it was still best to send them a message just in case of the off-chance that they aren't going to go. I also don't want to wait for the next bus thinking that they're just late or something. I purse my lips as I lower my phone in anticipation of a reply. I know it's unrealistic to expect a response just like that but my patience won't allow me - or my lack of patience shall I say.

I glance over at a bench nearby the stop and begin to head to it. The seat looked fairly clean and dry so I let myself sit down for a while. I turn around and eye the back rest, ensuring I avoid the back rest as it wasn't as maintained. The glass roofing encasing the bench was somewhat cloudy and scratched up, making the bus stop as a whole look run-down.

My phone's notifications go off and I don't waste a second before pulling my vision back to the screen. I let my eyes glaze across the various responses I was getting.

Seoyun: I'm getting held up by my parents so I might miss the usual bus. Just go without me

Dahyeong: im runbing tjeree rihjt now i havnet missef it yet haev ifcwdaghjhfkvkf

Minji: Nope you're good. It still hasn't arrived

I stifle a laugh as I read the responses. For now, I should expect Dahyeong to arrive here in roughly a minute since she doesn't live far and runs like the flash.

Minji: Also, don't text while running at full speed. You're gonna kill yourself one day istg

My mouth curves upwards into a smile as I see my message left on read by Dahyeong. I think this is the first time I've wanted to be left on read.

I close my phone with my grin still remaining on my face, only for it to turn to a frown soon after realizing the main task at hand. Right, I came to school with one main goal in mind. Everything about school is the same but now, Minjeong told me to solve a feud in the realm of enlighteneds and do so through Jun and Seoyun. Something's just not adding up for me. Minjeong really had to make my life complicated, huh?

How should I bring up to Seoyun and Dahyeong of my new situation? Should I even in the first place? I have a slight feeling Dahyeong's going to think I'm crazy and that if Seoyun knew, she'd just play along if she had something to hide. Then again, she'd still do the same thing if she didn't know. If Seoyun had nothing to hide, she'd tell me outright and if she knew of the existence of this realm but wasn't associated with it heavily then she should also be able to tell me, unless there are rules surrounding the anonymity of the realm. There are just too many 'ifs' and ways to dodge my question that I might as well not even bother with asking. If I ever plan on showing them, I want to be able to prove to them by using my ability. Maybe then I won't be considered as crazy off the bat.

For now, I think I shouldn't tell Dahyeong. When it comes to this realm, she's on a need-to-know basis for stuff from me. Seoyun and Jun should be the people that concern me as of now. How and where do I find out Jun and Seoyun's backstory and will they even tell me if I ask them directly? I'm almost certain that when I ask them about it they could omit some details or not acknowledge it at all. All I can think of right now is to spy on them but I'm not sure if that's even legal. The best I can do right now is to keep my senses heightened, tell Dahyeong only when she needs to know and ask only when I have no other option.

The confusion of this supposed new world along with these questions make my head spin faster than a toy top. It's like whenever I try to make sense of it, I'm only left with more questions than answers. An obvious look of distress crosses my face as I shift my weight on the bench. Luckily, I don't need to dwell on the thought of the future as I see Dahyeong rush a corner and charge down the sidewalk.

Her hair was in a tangled mess from running while her cheeks were puffy and red. I hear her wheezing breath clearly as she begins to pull up to my spot on the bench.

"So, the bus still hasn't left yet, right?" Dahyeong lets her whole upper body collapse onto her lower half, steadying herself by putting her hands on her knees.

"Nope."

"Better be the case."

A huff escapes Dahyeong's lips soon after those words. She takes to the spot on the bench beside me and I use this opportunity to get a closer look at her. Everything about her appearance today was dishevelled from her hair to her outfit. Her laces weren't even tied properly while her bag and jacket remained half unzipped. I let my eyes survey her from head to toe before asking.

"Was there a time crunch this morning or what?"

"I woke up late." Dahyeong buries her face into her palms as she lets out a breathy groan. She proceeds kicks her legs forward and sending her arms back, making a starfish shape. Watching Dahyeong collapse further onto the bench draws a snort from me. Dahyeong perks her head up from her position and looks at me.

"Is it really that obvious that I rushed out the house?"

I start off slowly nodding my head before practically head banging. Dahyeong wastes no time and immediately reaches for her phone from her bag, using the camera to examine herself closely.

"Wow, it really is obvious." Dahyeong says dryly. She raises her hand and uses it to comb and pat down her hair. Dahyeong's hair starts falling perfectly into its usual tidy place as she fixes it. She adjusts her position on the bench before reaching down to tie her shoelaces.

Dahyeong doesn't seem to notice her unzipped bag so I take initiative and zip it up for her. She doesn't blink an eye and continues to finish tying her laces.

"Alright, there. Do I look more put together now?" Dahyeong gestures towards herself.

"A lot more. No one should question it now." I lift two thumbs up, signalling that she was good to go.

Dahyeong seems to stare right through me before abruptly interrupting the silence. She lifts a finger, pointing towards something in the distance. I quickly whip my head around and see the bus coming for the stop.

"Nice!" I stand up while reaching into my bag to grab my t-money card. Dahyeong does the same after me as we both dash to the sign indicating the bus stop.

My eyes follow the bus, staying glued to it right until it appears in front of me. I walk up to the steps of the bus and getting on, steadying myself using the bar. Glancing back, I spot Dahyeong right behind me. She hadn't noticed me staring at her yet so I face back to the front right away. I tap my card on the scanner before rushing to the back seats.

If I have to be honest, I'm not sure as to why Dahyeong, Seoyun and I like the back seats. Maybe it's because it allows for more than two people to sit in sequence beside each other, unlike the usual pairs of seats.

I look up to see Dahyeong jogging down the bus to where I was sitting, dropping down next to me. I would've tried to engage in conversation, but figuring out the first thing I wanted to do when I got to school was more important. I don't think that Seoyun would be there right when I arrive, so I'd want to talk to Jun first thing. Even then though, should I really ask them?

I grimace at my indecisiveness, then allowing my head to lean against the window. Dahyeong notices the drop in mood and copies after me, plopping her head down using my arm as a window.

"Just stop thinking about whatever you're thinking of." She scolds in a muffled tone.

The mere action makes me laugh a little on the inside. Yeah, I don't need to worry too much. Blowing this up out of proportion isn't necessary. I mean, I was chosen for a reason.

Just you wait Minjeong. You might not know me too well and vice versa, but I can assure you that I will try.

Isn't that all that matters?