To Be Antagonist Girl

11:No.2 Knight

It wasn't that she enjoyed putting up a facade; it was necessity in this elite commercial college, where she stood out as an outsider amidst wealthy peers. She didn't relish appearing snobbish; rather, it was her commitment to her late parents' wish for her well-being.

Despite her fragile exterior, she never retreated, whether facing mockery or accusatory fingers. Her resilience and perseverance were silent acts of defiance.

Even though she had sought out Thalia's companionship, knowing that she couldn't offer much, Thalia recognized Alia's underlying courage.

In the classroom, Alia hung her head, her hand shielding her eyes as silent tears continued to stream down her cheeks. Thalia gave her a searching look before turning to leave, understanding the charade.

Alia sensed Thalia's departure, yet her performance persisted.

There was still one more to come...

With her tear-stained hand, Alia wiped away the remaining traces of sorrow and lowered her head, resuming her search through her book for any remaining intact pages.

Then...

Ryan burst into the classroom, brandishing the torn and ragged textbook that Alia had discarded earlier.

Ryan: "Why didn't you come to me?I wouldn't have realized their outrageous behavior if you hadn't told me." He added, "Just because I stopped to talk to you that day and someone happened to see it, they tore up your book like this? Is that the truth?"

Alia responded, "No, Ryan..." She averted her gaze from Ryan and shook her head in denial. She continued, "You're overthinking this. This has nothing to do with you."

Ryan interrupted, "Don't justify it! I know everything! Those bitches, they're really bold!"

His usually cute face was now contorted in anger, yet somehow, he still retained a charming appearance.

He reached out to grasp Alia's hand and tugged her along. "I'll take you to find those people!"

Alia gently withdrew her hand from his grasp and swiftly gathered the debris scattered on the table into her backpack. She stated, "No need... I have things to do..." She edged away from Ryan, sidling past him, and exited the room, leaving behind a fleeting remark that was easily overlooked unless one listened closely.

"Thank you, Ryan."

As Alia hurriedly departed, Ryan pursed his lips and frowned, gazing at the remnants strewn across the desk and floor. He had never anticipated that one of his inadvertent actions would cause such trouble for someone else. The first time he spied Alia on the basketball court, she was smiling radiantly like an angel. Yet just moments ago, he had clearly witnessed her tears at the doorway. Everything was because of him.

After a brief pause, Ryan too hurried away, heading towards a particular destination. Alia quickly exited the school and shut the door behind her.

The sadness that had been etched on her face vanished abruptly. Leaning against the door, she exhaled a relieved breath and then flashed a brilliant smile. People always choose to believe what they wish to believe.

Seeing is not always believing... It's a simple truth that the world repeatedly echoes, yet few truly grasp its meaning.

The tears they would see are not the real tears.

The real tears were already shed countless nights of pain and insomnia, on the pillow of the hospital bed before being transferred to a private room.

On those nights, she nearly suffocated beneath the grips of mentally unstable patients, felt her leg muscles gradually succumbing to weakness, and secretly attempted to stand, only to stumble and fall. It was a moment of profound desperation, filled with resentment and a yearning for escape.

As the flames began to consume her, devouring her skin, hair, blood vessels, and ultimately her bones and internal organs, her apparent tears were mere façades.

The genuine tears had already been shed countless nights prior, staining the pillow of her hospital bed in a silent cry for help. They were tears borne of pain, insomnia, and the constant threat of harm.

During that moment of self-immolation, when the flames licked at her flesh and the agony became unbearable, her tears had merged with every inch of her being, becoming a testament to her unforgettable suffering.

Her real tears, the ones that flowed from the depths of her soul, had already left behind deep, bloody scars that would never heal.

Lucas sat in his office, engaged in discussion with Cain, when suddenly the door burst open and Ryan appeared, breathless and urgent.

"Lucas!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with panic. Lucas frowned, a look of concern crossing his face.

"Ryan, what's the matter?" he asked. Cain, too, looked on with confusion, wondering what could have prompted such haste.

Ryan ignored Cain's inquiry, his focus solely on Lucas.

"I need your help with something, Lucas," he said, his voice urgent. Lucas nodded, a serious expression settling on his face.

"Tell me," he said, bracing himself for whatever news Ryan was about to deliver.

As Lucas spoke, Ryan quickly chimed in,"Lucas, can you say something to stop the girls in school from harassing Alia anymore?"

Lucas queried, "Alia?" Upon hearing this, Lucas furrowed his brow again, as it was already the third time he had heard her name from another's lips.

Ryan nodded, assuming Lucas didn't recognize her, and elaborated, "She's the girl who was late for the start of school a few days ago.

Because of me, she's being bullied now... So, Lucas, can you lend a helping hand?"

As Ryan's eager eyes pleaded with Lucas, Cain intervened, inquiring, "So, Ryan, are you quite close with her?"

Ryan shook his head, admitting, "Not really..." Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he continued, "It's just that I didn't think things through and let a girl get bullied. I want to help her sort this out, regardless."

Cain probed further, "Did she ask for your assistance?" Ryan shook his head again, saying, "No, it's just me..." His expression turned slightly somber as he added, "She said it's not my fault... ugh, she probably wants to avoid me now."

Lucas and Cain exchanged a meaningful glance. After a moment of contemplation, Lucas spoke decisively, "I'll take care of it tomorrow." Ryan's face lit up with relief and gratitude as he exclaimed, "That's great! Thank you, Lucas!"

Lucas shrugged, replying with a hint of sarcasm, "Hmph, no problem. Lucas is always here for Lucas."

Ryan chuckled and scratched his head sheepishly before departing, his spirits restored. As Ryan's footsteps faded away, Lucas turned his gaze to Cain, eyebrows raised in a show of intrigue. He seemed to have stumbled upon something unexpected.

Cain hesitated before speaking, "About what Ryan said..." His tone was cautious, as if approaching a delicate subject.

Lucas nodded, his expression hardening, "Since I've promised him, I'll make sure to fulfill my word. I want to see what kind of allure this Alia possesses that has so many people speaking up for her. If there's anything untoward about her, I'll make sure she knows the consequences."

Ryan didn't wait for Lucas to address the issue as someone had already taken charge and resolved it.

It was the same group of individuals who had torn Alia's book yesterday. While Alia was occupied in the bathroom, they had "accidentally" splashed her with filthy water, leaving her in a state of disarray.

Emerging from the bathroom, her clothes damp and dirty, Alia happened to encounter Thalia, whose face was etched with seriousness.

Upon spotting Thalia, Alia nervously averted her gaze and attempted to brush past her, keeping her head bowed.

However, as she took her first tentative step, Thalia firmly grasped her wrist.

"Kensington... Thalia..." Alia stammered, her voice trembling as she stood there, wrapped in her damp uniform, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Thalia remained silent and steered Alia away.

Following Thalia's unsteady steps, Alia found herself being pulled into the school's broadcast room.

Thalia instructed a member of the broadcast team to provide Alia with a clean set of clothes and assist her in changing in another room. Then, turning to Alia with a blank expression, she said, "You go with her."

The broadcast team was promptly instructed by Thalia to provide Alia with a fresh set of clothes and assist her in changing in a separate room. She then turned to Alia, her expression unreadable.

"You'll accompany her," Thalia ordered.

"Yes, Minister," the summoned girl replied, smiling warmly at Alia. "Please follow me."

Alia nodded mutely, returning the girl's smile.

"Thank you," she murmured.

The girl was momentarily taken aback by the brightness of Alia's smile, her cheeks flushing slightly. She quickly regained her composure and escorted Alia to another room within the broadcast studio.

Meanwhile, Thalia strode purposefully to the broadcast desk, sat down in a chair, and activated the microphone. Her movements were swift and decisive.

"Minister..." The broadcaster looked at Thalia with surprise, but she waved her off with a dismissive gesture.