ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ | ɪɴsᴏ's ʟᴀᴡ

025

"Let's go to karaoke!"

Ju-in said that with a great deal of eunthaism, which caused Chomi to grin softly.

"Yeah!" Yeoryeong chimed in, matching his energy perfectly, their shared enthusiasm illuminating the room as they nodded in unison.

Interlocking his fingers with Chomi's, Ju-in pulled her along, his expression shifting to one of concern as he noticed something amiss in her eyes. Despite her smile, her eyes betrayed a different story, as if weighed down by an invisible burden.

Chomi appeared to be smiling, but as you can see from her eyes, she is not.

It felt as if she was being prevented from moving forward by something.

He couldn't blame her; it had only been two days since they reconciled. Ju-in knew better than to pry immediately, understanding the importance of setting boundaries in their relationship.

Meanwhile, the girl with the light purple hair was visibly distressed. She seemed trapped in a continuous nightmare, haunted by memories that felt all too real. Her struggle to conceal her emotions was evident, her exhaustion evident both emotionally and physically, her lack of sleep and the constant turmoil of her feelings taking their toll.

Though her dark circles were not prominently visible, Chunyoung was observant enough to see Chomi's inner struggles. With careful observation, one could discern the faint signs of fatigue etched beneath her eyes, a testament to her emotional and physical exhaustion.

However, Chunyoung made a conscious decision not to probe further, knowing that delving into her troubles prematurely might exacerbate the situation. The memory of seeing her in such a vulnerable state filled him with apprehension, a fear of witnessing her unravel once more.

Thus, despite his concern and desire to offer solace, Chunyoung refrained from pressing the issue, opting instead to provide silent support and understanding, ready to offer comfort should she seek it.

---

"You'll die from your own hands."

Chomi blinked, her mind reeling with disbelief. She hadn't anticipated the fortune teller delving into her future without her consent. Though grateful for not being directly questioned, the unsolicited revelation stung deeply, leaving an unspoken ache in her heart.

As the others worked to distract Dan-I, Chomi found herself at a loss for words, her gaze fixed on the fortune teller who had uttered the unsettling prophecy. The weight of those words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over her thoughts as she grappled with the implications of her own mortality.

'They heard yet they didn't speak.'

Despite her efforts to conceal her distress, Chomi couldn't escape the knowing glances exchanged among her companions. It was clear they had heard the fortune teller's grim prediction, their silence speaking volumes as they chose not to broach the sensitive topic.

Glancing at Dan-I, Chomi recognized the mirrored concern reflected in their expression, a silent acknowledgment of the shared burden they now bore. Yet, amidst the unspoken tension, they were whisked away, the distraction offering a temporary reprieve from the weight of their newfound knowledge.

With a mask of composure firmly in place, Chomi allowed herself to be led outside, her once effervescent demeanor replaced by the guarded facade of her former self.

'..its fine, I'm used to it.'

---

Night after night passed in silence, each day blending into the next with a relentless sameness that offered little respite.