Since that kiss, they hadn't spoken.
When Yoojung returned to Gyuri and Zaire, they asked where Ni-ki was. The still-stunned girl simply replied, "He had to go somewhere."
The tension between the two hung heavy in the air, a palpable barrier that kept them apart in the aftermath of their unexpected encounter on the rooftop. Each passing day seemed to stretch on endlessly, filled with awkward silences and furtive glances exchanged between them.
Ni-ki retreated into solitude once again, returning to the uncomfortable window sill outside Yoojung's home. The memory of their kiss haunted him like a specter, a constant reminder of the boundaries he had crossed and the consequences he now faced.
Yoojung, too, withdrew into herself, burying her emotions beneath a façade of indifference as she struggled to make sense of the tangled mess of feelings that churned within her. The sting of Ni-ki's indirect rejection lingered, a bitter reminder of the vulnerability she had allowed herself to embrace.
In the wake of their shared moment of weakness, they tiptoed around each other, careful to avoid any further confrontation that might dredge up the painful memories they both sought to forget. And so, they remained trapped in a delicate dance of avoidance, each longing for resolution yet unable to bridge the widening chasm that separated them.
Yoojung and Gyuri strolled through the bustling streets, their footsteps echoing against the pavement as they navigated the vibrant tapestry of the city. Despite the lively atmosphere that surrounded them, there was a palpable tension in the air, an unspoken barrier that hung between them like a heavy fog.
Gyuri glanced sideways at Yoojung, concern etched into the furrow of her brow as she noted the distant look in her eyes. She had sensed her growing distance in recent days, a subtle shift in her demeanor that spoke volumes without uttering a single word.
"Are you okay, Yoojung? You've been off for a while now," Gyuri ventured, her voice soft with genuine concern. She finally voiced the concern she felt.
Yoojung forced a smile, though it failed to reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she replied, her tone strained with the weight of unspoken emotions. "Just lost in thought, I guess."
Gyuri nodded understandingly, though the worry lingered in her gaze. She wished her friend would be honest with her, though he knew better than to press her further, respecting her need for space even as she longed to ease the burden that weighed heavily on her friend's shoulders.
"If there is anything that bothers you, let me know. Okay?" Yoojung nodded gratefully, however she couldn't help but feel hurt that soon Gyuri, her closest friend, would forget about her existence. The person, who once cared about Yoojung so much, soon wouldn't even remember she even cared about anyone named Yoojung. Thus, Yoojung couldn't help but relish in Gyuri's care.
As they continued their leisurely stroll through the city streets, Yoojung's mind drifted back to the events that had unfolded between her and Ni-ki on the rooftop. The memory of their brief but intense encounter sent a shiver down her spine, stirring a tumult of conflicting emotions within her.
Despite her best efforts to push the memory aside, it lingered like a stubborn stain, refusing to be ignored. With each passing moment, the weight of her unspoken feelings threatened to overwhelm her, leaving her feeling adrift in a sea of uncertainty.Lost in her own thoughts, Yoojung barely noticed the world passing by around her, her focus consumed by the turmoil within. And as the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was hurtling towards an inevitable collision with destiny.
Just then, a force of nature decided to interrupt them.
The earth trembled beneath their feet, sending shockwaves of fear rippling through the crowded streets. Yoojung's heart raced as the ground beneath her seemed to lurch and sway, threatening to swallow her whole. Beside her, Gyuri's eyes widened in terror as they struggled to maintain their balance amidst the chaos.
"What's happening?" Gyuri cried out, her voice barely audible above the cacophony of panicked shouts and cries that echoed through the air.
Yoojung's mind raced as she tried to make sense of the unfolding disaster. Instinctively, she knew that this was no ordinary earthquake. It was something far more sinister, a manifestation of the turmoil that had been building within her for weeks.
As the ground continued to tremble beneath them, a sudden gust of wind tore through the streets, whipping debris into the air and sending bystanders scrambling for cover. Yoojung's heart sank as she realized the truth – the disaster was of her own existence.
This was a Hybrid's curse.
Ni-ki coldly says, "Just from your existence, misfortune is coming to doom us. The climate here has been going into ruin because of you, and so has the climate at the Vampire realm."
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, she knew that her very existence had triggered the cataclysmic events that now threatened to tear the city apart. The realization weighed heavily on her soul, filling her with a profound sense of guilt and remorse.
As Yoojung and Gyuri navigated the chaotic streets, the deafening roar of the tornado drowned out all other sounds, making it difficult to hear anything else. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Yoojung caught sight of a car hurtling towards her at breakneck speed.
Her heart leaped into her throat as she realized the danger she was in, her instincts kicking into overdrive. With lightning-fast reflexes, she instinctively dove out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, narrowly avoiding being struck.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as she tumbled to the ground, the rush of wind and adrenaline roaring in her ears. Miraculously, she managed to scramble to her feet unharmed, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to catch her breath.
Gyuri rushed to her side, her eyes wide with concern as she helped Yoojung to her feet. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Yoojung nodded, her hands shaking as she tried to process the near miss. "I'm fine," she assured.
As Ni-ki witnessed the havoc wrought by the natural disaster from afar, his thoughts immediately turned to Yoojung. Amidst the chaos and destruction, her safety became his sole concern. Each rumble of the earthquake, each howl of the wind in the tornado, felt like a dagger to his heart, a reminder of the fragile nature of their existence.
Despite the distance that separated them, Ni-ki's connection to Yoojung remained steadfast. His mind raced with worry, imagining her fear and uncertainty amidst the turmoil. He longed to be by her side, to offer her comfort and reassurance in her time of need.
As the disaster unfolded, Ni-ki felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. He yearned to reach out to Yoojung, to let her know that she wasn't alone in facing the storm. Yet, all he could do was wait, his heart heavy with the weight of his concern for her well-being.
As nature gradually calmed its fury, the chaos and panic that had gripped the crowd began to subside. The once tumultuous winds of the tornado weakened, and the trembling earth grew still, allowing a sense of calm to settle over the scene.
People emerged from their shelters, cautiously venturing out to assess the aftermath of the disaster. Relief washed over them as they realized that the worst was over, replaced by a collective sense of gratitude for having survived the ordeal.
In the midst of the chaos, acts of kindness and compassion emerged, as strangers came together to offer assistance and support to those in need. Neighbors reached out to one another, offering shelter and comfort to those who had been affected by the disaster.
Yoojung's resolve to sacrifice herself for the greater good of both realms only strengthened in the wake of the natural disaster. Witnessing the devastation caused by her very existence fueled her determination to find a solution, even if it meant sacrificing her own life.Haunted by the realization that her mere presence could wreak havoc on the world around her, Yoojung grappled with the weight of her decision. But in the face of such destruction, she knew that she could not stand idly by while innocent lives were put at risk.
Driven by a sense of duty and a desire to make amends for the chaos she had inadvertently unleashed, Yoojung resolved to do whatever it took to save the realms from further harm. With each passing moment, her determination grew stronger, her conviction unshakable.
And as she mentally prepared to face whatever challenge lay ahead, she did so with a sense of purpose and determination, ready to confront her destiny head-on.
As Ni-ki observed the aftermath of the natural disaster, interestedly watched the resilience and compassion of the Humans spirit being displayed to him again. Despite the chaos and destruction that surrounded them, Humans banded together, offering aid and support to those in need.
From firefighters battling the flames to volunteers providing food and shelter to the displaced, Ni-ki witnessed acts of courage and selflessness.
He began to love Humans further, like Jungwon did.