Highway to Hell

"—And so, is Yeo Ri with you?"

After finishing her call with Yeo Ri's father, Kim Misun immediately called Min Chae's number which was listed in the students' information list.

"Yeo Ri?" Goo Min Chae paused, slightly startled. "Yeo Ri isn't staying at my house though?"

"Strange... so, do you know where she is?"

"No, Teacher," Min Chae shook her head. "But I did see her the other day. We went out to play at the marketplace. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary about her, though."

"Then, can you contact her for me? Tell her that she needs to come to school tomorrow. She should know why," Kim Misun sighed.

"Will do, Teacher. Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all. I'll see you when school opens up again. Good evening, Min Chae."

"Good evening, Teacher~" Min Chae bade her a goodbye with a light tone.

After ending the call, Min Chae pondered for some time.

There was definitely something that Yeo Ri was not telling her. Part of her felt like she needed to know why, but another part of her was scared that Yeo Ri might start to distance herself if she pushed her on.

In the end, she decisively called the girl.

"Min Chae-ah? What's up?" Yeo Ri's easy-going soft voice greeted her cheerfully.

"Yeo Ri-ah, I got a call from Teacher Kim. She says that she wants to see you at school tomorrow."

"Ah..." Yeo Ri winced. She could easily tell why her teacher wanted to see her. The teacher must have felt so disappointed after seeing her grades, she thought fearfully.

"Yeo Ri, did something happen?" Min Chae asked with concern.

"No, it's nothing," Yeo Ri immediately replied. Then, she sighed again. "It's just... my grades..."

"What? Did you do that badly on the exams?" Min Chae exclaimed.

"Probably..."

"..." Min Chae pursed her lips. "...Do you want to talk about it?" She asked quietly.

Yeo Ri did not reply.

"Yeo Ri-ah?"

"Mm... Sorry, Min Chae-ah. Can we talk about this another time? I'm kind of tired," she says, feigning a yawn.

"...Okay." Min Chae sighed. It was obvious that Yeo Ri was purposely avoiding the topic.

"I wish you'd rely on me more," Min Chae quietly grumbled.

Yeo Ri chuckled softly, "I know. I'm sorry. I'll tell you everything later."

"Mm."

"Good night~"

"Good night." Min Chae hung up with a slightly gloomy tone.

The next day.

Yeo Ri stood with her arms crossed.

"Which one should I wear...?" She asked herself.

In front of her laid two outfits; her school uniform and the lilac-coloured dress that Gun had bought for her some time ago.

She was going to school, but it was now the holidays. She had never gone to school during the holidays before so she was quite conflicted. Would it be too informal to wear a casual dress?

"Just wear the dress if you want to," Hyuk says, rolling his eyes. She was simply wasting time by trying to choose between the two options.

Gun glared at Hyuk for his remark. These days, he felt annoyed at everything the older guy did; even his breathing made Gun feel like beating him up.

"What?" Hyuk bared his teeth at Gun, clearly picking a fight. Life was seriously not easy when one was living with someone that hates them. He couldn't even look at Yeo Ri when Gun was present. It was utterly ridiculous. It was not as if he was doing anything bad!

Yeo Ri sighed after watching their interaction. She inwardly asked herself, 'When will they ever get along?'

"I'm going to school. Gun-oppa, Hyuk-oppa, behave yourselves," Yeo Ri curled her lips, reprimanding them.

"Do you really not want me to come with you?" Gun asked worriedly.

"I'm only going there to get scolded," Yeo Ri glowered. "I don't want Oppa to be there to see it. It's embarrassing."

"Who dares to scold you? Just don't go then if you're so scared," Hyuk muttered sulkily.

"Easy for you to say, Oppa." Yeo Ri pouted. Unlike Hyuk, Yeo Ri was not the type to disobey her elders. Besides, it was totally her fault anyways. To be called out by her teacher was natural.

"I'm going to go change. Have fun at school, Gun-oppa." In the end, she finally decided on the dress. If she was going to get scolded, might as well wear something she liked. Perhaps that might make her mood less terrible afterwards.

Yeo Ri headed to the bathroom to change her clothes, then grabbed her schoolbag that was now filled with her valuables rather than books.

"Take care, Yeo Ri-ah," Gun waved at her. He was going to be late if he waited for her so he went out first.

Hyuk, on the other hand, had an early shift, but he was still able to send Yeo Ri to school.

After a strict warning from Gun and countless words of reassurance from Yeo Ri, Hyuk was finally able to depart with Yeo Ri in tow.