Chapter Text
The flame on the front desk guttered low, stretching the shadows into strange, restless shapes.
Mystery tapped the chalkboard twice. The room quieted.
“Well,” he said, voice curling like smoke, “you’ve heard them all. Now - tell me. Who do you think did it?”
The room burst into voices.
“I think it was Mira!” one girl blurted, nearly knocking over her tea.
“She hated Eunji for being too… quiet. Like, aggressively quiet. You know those types? Probably drove her mad.”
“No way,” a boy scoffed.
“It was obviously Abby. His ‘golden boy’ ego couldn’t handle Eunji making him look bad, so he threw her into the river-”
“That’s not even-”
“-but then a fisherman rescued her,” the boy continued breathlessly, “and she swam to France and started a new life selling baguettes. Open your minds, people.”
Romance coughed politely. “France is very far from here.”
Another guest waved a notebook.
“You’re all wrong. The sigils? Ghost-coded messages from an underground school society. Eunji was their leader. The club faked her death to protect her from… THE GOVERNMENT.”
Several groaned.
Mystery’s smile was faint.
“Ah, I love enthusiasm. But perhaps… you’d like the truth?”
The chatter died instantly. The candle’s flame swayed.
“It began,” he said, “not with hatred… but with something tender.”
A ripple passed through the crowd - students, alumni, and two PTA moms leaning forward like this was a live drama.
“Jinu and Rumi,” Mystery went on, “had been dating quietly for a while. She - perfect student council president, admired by everyone - kept her private life hidden. Jinu never pushed.
One rainy afternoon, after council duties, she found him waiting under the old oak tree. Alone under an umbrella, rain streaming around him like he’d stepped out of a romance film.
When she reached him, damp from the dash across the courtyard, he tilted the umbrella toward her and pulled her close. A quick kiss. A private moment. Something they thought no one else had seen.”
Mystery’s tone dropped lower.
“But someone had. Eunji.”
The guests shifted.
“She convinced herself Jinu was single - maybe even waiting for her. In her mind, the girl under that umbrella wasn’t Rumi at all. It was her. And she clung to that belief like it could rewrite reality.
The next day, she found Mira by the lockers. Her voice low, urgent. She said Rumi didn’t deserve Jinu - not someone who already had everything: the looks, the brains, the money, the respect.
When Eunji asked for help, Mira’s answer was simple. No.
Something in Eunji’s eyes changed. A stillness. A door closing. Admiration twisted into fixation.
She began watching Rumi - just behind her on the walk home, in the corner of the library, a reflection in a hallway window.
When Rumi finally told her to back off, firmly and without room for argument, Eunji didn’t retreat. She hardened.
Later, Rumi confided in Mira. But instead of sympathy, Mira made a poor choice. She read Eunji’s love letter aloud to the class - a public humiliation disguised as a ‘reality check.’
The wound festered. And the spark became something dangerous.”
Mystery’s pacing slowed.
“Eunji went to the oak tree to confess to Jinu. He listened kindly, but the answer was still no. She left burning - not with shame, but determination.
She told Rumi to meet her there. Her voice was steady, edged in frost.
If only Rumi would disappear, then Jinu could finally be hers - just as it was meant to be.
Eunji demanded Rumi step aside. Rumi refused - called her delusional - and turned to leave. Eunji lunged. Rumi shoved back to defend herself.
That’s when Jinu arrived. He tried to pull them apart, but Eunji stumbled, struck the tree’s roots, and crumpled.
They knelt beside her - no breath, no heartbeat. Rumi had left her phone at home. Jinu’s was dead so they ran for help.
When they returned… she was gone. Mud disturbed, drag marks trailing toward the school.”
Mystery’s gaze swept the room.
“The next morning, Jinu found an envelope in his locker. Inside - Eunji’s handwriting.
It said only: Meet me at the old oak tree.
That same morning, muddy footprints smeared the hallway. A girl swore she saw a pale, dripping figure in the bathroom mirror.
And on rainy evenings, when the last bell rings, some say she’s still there - waiting for the boy who never came.”
The café lights sputtered, shadows snapping sharp against the walls. The candles gave a single shivering waver - and went out.
In the dark, a slow creak from the back. Then, the wet slap of shoes approaching.
A pale face appeared in the doorway - hair hanging limp and dripping - before vanishing.
The café’s warm chatter returned. Sweet pastry scents curled through the air.
Mystery had stepped away to help at Zoey’s table, where the line had begun to form.
Two nervous boys shuffled forward.
“Sorry to bother you… we just think you’re really cute, and, uh, do you have plans after your shift?”
Zoey blinked, caught off guard. “No-”
A low growl cut her off.
Who the hell was growling?
She turned. Mystery stood beside her, eyes narrowed, protective heat radiating off him.
She laughed softly, swatting his arm.
“Bad Saja boy! And yes, I guess I do have plans after all.”
Mystery pouted, arms folded like a scolded child, until Zoey hooked a finger in his collar and tugged him closer.
“You still have to be the cashier,” she teased, “but afterwards… we’ll walk around. Together.”
From across the room, Rumi could’ve sworn Mystery suddenly had perky dog ears and a tail wagging like it might take off.
After their shift, the group clustered outside, debating where to go next.
Jinu nudged Rumi as she chatted with Mira and Zoey.
Without a word, Mira and Zoey started drifting away, motioning the others to follow, leaving Rumi and Jinu blissfully unaware.
“So…” Jinu murmured, leaning close, “we should’ve acted everything out.”
Rumi narrowed her eyes.
“You just wanted an excuse to be close to me, pretty boy.”
He puckered his lips.
“Don’t act like you didn’t want to kiss me.”
“In your dreams,” she rolled her eyes, but without heat.
“Imagine it - us, a couple. Perfect, right?”
Rumi punched his arm. He laughed, warm and unbothered. She turned -
- and realized the hallway behind them was empty.
Oh, she was absolutely going to strangle Mira and Zoey for abandoning her with him.
“So,” Jinu said with a grin, “adventure time with me?”
Rumi crossed her arms, fighting a smile.
“Fine. But don’t expect me to thank you.”