In Ten Universes (Catnipz)

Universe 1.0

Minji walked silently down the hallway, the familiar click of her heels echoing as she trailed behind her friends. They were a force; dominant, feared, and unyielding, and although Minji never participated in the bullying, she followed them like a shadow, her gaze distant, lost in thought.

Her friends were at it again, cornering a smaller student in the hallway. Minji didn't need to look closely to know what was happening; shoved against the lockers, the kid's eyes wide with fear as they laughed and taunted. She didn't flinch or react, just kept her head down, pretending not to see.

The laughter grew louder as one of them pushed the kid to the ground, but Minji's gaze never wavered. She didn't speak, didn't try to stop it. She had seen it all before. The bell rang, a sharp reminder of the day's duties.

With a soft exhale, Minji turned on her heel, excusing herself. "I have class," she muttered, though the words felt empty even to her. She walked away without looking back, her footsteps steady but her heart sinking deeper with every step.

Minji settled into her seat, the soft murmur of her classmates blending with the low hum of her thoughts. The bell had barely stopped ringing when the door opened, drawing the attention of the room. The teacher, a middle-aged man with a tired expression, cleared his throat.

"Class, we have a new student today. Please welcome Kang Haerin."

Minji's eyes flicked to the door, and there she stood. Haerin. Her presence was almost ethereal, a quiet calm that seemed to fill the room without effort. She had soft, delicate features, the kind that reminded Minji of a cat; reserved, with a hint of mystery. Her hair, dark and slightly tousled, framed her face in gentle waves, and her eyes, deep and observing, seemed to take in everything yet reveal nothing.

The teacher gestured to an empty seat near Minji. Haerin nodded quietly and walked over, her movements graceful, almost fluid. She sat down without a word, her gaze never straying from the desk in front of her.

Minji watched her for a moment, intrigued by the strange aura Haerin carried. There was something about her, something unspoken, that pulled Minji's attention like a magnetic force. Yet, as much as she wanted to know more, she didn't move, didn't speak. There was no place for someone like her in Minji's world. At least, not yet.

Minji stood by her locker, her fingers absentmindedly flipping through her books, her thoughts far away. The hallways were beginning to empty out as students hurried to their next destination, but the familiar sound of her friends' laughter pierced the air, drawing her attention.

She turned just in time to see them rounding the corner; her friends, loud and unapologetic. Their voices grew louder as they neared.

"Did you see her today? The new girl? What a freak," one of them sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "She didn't even say a word. Maybe she's mute."

Another friend giggled, nudging the first. "Poor thing, can't even speak for herself. Wonder if she even knows how to stand up for herself."

The group of them chuckled, their laughter echoing off the lockers, but Minji's gaze drifted towards Haerin, who was standing alone at the other end of the hallway, her posture unflinching as if she hadn't heard a word.

Minji didn't know why, but something in her stomach twisted. It wasn't that she didn't expect it, it was just how things were. Haerin had barely spoken a word since she'd arrived at school, and now her silence had become the target of ridicule. Still, Minji didn't say anything.

She glanced back at her friends, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm sure she's just shy," Minji muttered, trying to brush it off, but her voice lacked conviction.