When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

Chapter 2

I stared at myself in the mirror.
I look like a dead body.
My eyes seem tired, sleepy.
My face looks pale.
But I am pretty, right?

This is how I practice self-love—tell yourself you’re pretty when you look in the mirror.

“I am pretty.”

After taking a bath, I walked to my desk, sat down, and pulled out my books.

Well, what do you think? Am I really that obsessed with studying? It’s not like I have anything else to do. I study because I’m bored. But I wish—deeply—that I had something else, anything different.

There’s a piano in the hall. But I was never allowed to touch it. It’s for Harin. She plays it beautifully. She also knows how to play the cello. She knows ballet. Whenever Harin asks, my parents hire the best teachers for her.

Once, I wanted to join a drawing academy. They told me to focus on my studies instead.
I’m not complaining. I just pity myself sometimes, you know?

Flipping through my notes, I made a mental note:
I will be ranked first. I will get into the best university.

I had been studying for an hour when there is a knock at my door.

“Yes?” I raised my eyebrows.

“It’s suppertime. They’re waiting.”

The maid looked at me with those pitying eyes.
I love her. She always cares for me like a sister. She knows how they treat me and stays by my side like a friend.

I smiled. “Sure, I’ll come.”

I stepped into the dining hall, where all four of them were already seated.
They usually don’t wait for me.
I know what’s coming. They want to ask me about my new school.
Beak Harin wants to play the angel while being the devil.

“We were waiting for you,” she said, smiling innocently.

“I was studying, and usually, I—”

“How was your new school? Is it fun? Did you make any friends?” she cut me off.

Ah, I see.
She wants to know if I’m having a hard time—just like she hoped.

I should keep things vague.
Well, I want to—

“It’s interesting.”

Oh.
What did I just say?

“What?” she asked, looking surprised, as if she hadn’t expected that.

“I-I mean—”

“Glad to hear that.”

Oh, now you want to play angels and demons?

I pursed my lips and focused on my food.
I just have to survive this dinner.

Just for some time.

Time.

Time.

Time.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm.

Oh no! I’m late.

I stayed up too late last night, writing in my diary and playing with my kitten, Coco.
Coco was a gift from my grandfather, who passed away three months ago.
He was the only one who truly loved and cared for me.
He was the one who got me into Daehwa High School—the same school Beak Harin attends.
And I got in with my academic excellence. I was ranked first in the entrance exam.

They had no choice but to let me in.

Harin tried to get his attention, but she never got more than me.
I still don’t know why he loved me so much more than his own granddaughter.