CLMO 16

Chapter 16

Sian recalled something she had once heard long ago from the director of the orphanage.

There was a wealthy couple in America who wanted to adopt Ian. They had recognized his genius and said they wanted to raise him properly.

‘That’s why you have to persuade your brother. At least one of you can live well. You don’t want your selfishness to drag your brother down too, do you?’

At the time, Sian thought the director’s words were right.

Even though she was young, she instinctively knew she was a burden to her brother.

So, when her brother insisted he couldn’t leave her alone, that there would be another chance for adoption later, that he didn’t want to be separated, she clung to him and persuaded him otherwise.

‘I don’t want to die like this. I want to live.’
‘……’
‘Can’t you earn a lot of money and come back to save me?’
‘You might not live until then.’
‘I’ll wait.’
‘……’
‘I’ll wait without dying until you come back.’

Back then, she truly believed that was the right path for Ian.

She believed it was the best choice for them both.

But what if she had been wrong?

If the choice she made with all her heart had been the wrong one, and because of it Ian had become unhappy… then Sian would never forgive herself, even until death.

“Nothing is certain yet.”

Aaron suddenly regretted bringing it up.

He should have waited until the facts were clearer before speaking.

That had been his mistake.

Living in isolation, cut off from others, he had briefly forgotten how to be considerate.

So now, belatedly, he tried his best to patch things up.

“Even if it was technically an adoption under the name of ‘investment,’ Ian still grew up in the good environment the Morgans provided. It might not have been all bad for him.”

Maybe his effort showed, because some of the darkness that had threatened to drown Sian’s face lifted, just a little.

But neither of them could come to a hasty conclusion yet.

After pondering deeply, Sian finally said,

“I need to learn more about the Morgans.”

“Agreed. But how do you plan to investigate?”

To his question, Sian gave a bright smile.

It looked like her usual smile, but her black eyes glittered unusually.

“There’s someone else who’s known Ian for even longer than me.”

“You don’t mean… Blade Williams?”

Sian nodded.

She thought it was quite a decent option, but Aaron’s opinion was completely different.

“Find another way. Don’t use Blade.”

“Why? What better method is there than getting close to him and asking about the Morgans?”

Aaron looked at her the way one would look at someone who had just declared they wanted to bungee jump without a rope.

“Before you get any information, you’ll be tied up at the school gate and burned alive—your crime being that you pretended to be close with Blade.”

“You’re kidding, right? That’s unusually exaggerated for you.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

Seeing his serious expression, Sian swallowed hard.

At Wharton School, even coaches could be replaced on a whim.

So what was one ordinary student?

Especially a student without a powerful family backing them. Eliminating someone like that would be nothing.

‘Absolutely not!’

She couldn’t risk getting expelled from Wharton after working so hard to get in.

Only by staying could she clear up the misunderstandings with Ian.

The urgency left a trace of tension on her face.

“Leave it to me. I’ll look into it.”

“…Thank you, Aaron.”

Relieved, she let out a quiet sigh.

Sian still planned to investigate in her own way, but Aaron left her no opening.

“Conversation over. Get up. Let’s run another thirty minutes.”

“Thirty minutes? No way.”

Without waiting, Aaron started running, leaving her whining like a child behind him.

In the end, she had no choice but to follow, grumbling.

“Aaron! Either be nice or be mean, pick one! Stop confusing people!”

Hearing her shout behind him, Aaron smiled silently.

Chapter 3. Test of Friendship

A new week began.

From Monday morning, Janice was in high spirits.

Even though the weekend was over, she was still basking in the sweet afterglow of Friday night’s party.

She had made a new friend.

She had been invited to the most popular party and had enjoyed herself.

‘From now on, my school life is going to change.’

“Fat Janice. Stuttering Janice.”

Those humiliating nicknames were finally a thing of the past.

Full of anticipation, Janice arrived at school.

As she walked down the hall to her locker, she looked around, but no one greeted her.

It was a little disappointing, but she told herself it was fine. She had Sian, after all.

Sure enough, when she met Sian in the classroom, Sian greeted her warmly.

“Janice! Did you rest well over the weekend? How’s your body feeling?”

“Don’t even ask. I was knocked out in bed until Sunday night. But now I’m totally fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

Janice, meeting Sian’s bright smile, apologized awkwardly.

“Sorry I couldn’t practice with you over the weekend.”

“Hm? No, it’s fine. I jogged with Aaron instead.”

Maybe it was the exercise, but Sian looked as lively as ever.

‘Starting today, I’ll make sure to exercise regularly too.’

When she was next to Sian, it felt like her positive energy rubbed off.

As she was thinking that and smiling along, a boy sitting in front of them suddenly turned.

“You’re Siana, right?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Hi. I’m Hector. I heard you basically owned the party last Friday.”

“Wow, news really travels fast.”

Sian giggled at Hector’s playful words.

Janice silently looked back and forth between the two.

She had never noticed before—Hector, who always ignored her without expression, actually had such a smile.

“So, would you come to my party too? My parents won’t be home this Saturday.”

“Saturday?”

If it had been Janice, she would have jumped to accept, but Sian, after thinking it over, politely declined.

“I’d like to, but I always do volunteer work on weekends, so I don’t think I can make it.”

“Ah… I see. That can’t be helped then.”

Though he said it was fine, Hector’s disappointment was obvious.

Feeling sorry, Sian naturally turned toward Janice.

“What about you, Janice? Are you free Saturday?”

Only then did Hector seem to notice Janice, looking at her reluctantly.

Then, in a half-hearted voice, he asked,

“Janice, do you want to come to my party?”

“I… uh…”

With those eyes silently demanding she decline, how could she possibly accept?

She had no choice but to mumble,

“I already have plans that day.”

Hector smirked at her, his face mocking.

It was as if he were asking, “What plans could you possibly have?”

Janice’s chest burned, but as always, she swallowed it down.

Years of bullying by boys weren’t going to be erased in a single day.

“That’s too bad. Next time I’ll invite you on a Friday. Then you’ll come, right?”

“If you do, I’d be grateful.”

Turning back, Hector ended the conversation.

Even after he disappeared from view, Janice’s displeasure lingered.

She leaned toward Sian’s ear and whispered,

“You’re not trying to be friends with him, are you? Please tell me you’re not.”

Sian, startled, looked between her and Hector, then nodded firmly.

“I won’t. If you don’t like him, I don’t like him either.”

With those decisive words, all Janice’s irritation melted away.

Instead, her heart swelled, and she hugged Sian tightly.

“Thank you.”

“Come on, what are friends for?”

If only the day had ended there, it would have been perfect.

But the day was long, and many more people came up to greet Sian.

Even the cheerleaders, gathered in the practice room after school, surrounded her, their curiosity finally spilling out.

“I’ve been dying to know, Siana—what lipstick are you wearing? Can you tell us?”

“Lipstick? I have it with me. Want to see?”

“Really? Thanks!”

“And, um, could you also tell me what perfume you use?”

“Oh, I don’t use perfume. It’s probably just my fabric softener you smell.”

“No way. A scent that good can’t just be fabric softener.”

And all the while, they treated Janice as if she weren’t even there.

“……”

Just like she had with Hector, Sian tried to pull Janice into the conversation too.

But that only made Janice feel more miserable.

‘Why is it always me…’

Surrounded by people, Sian laughed brightly.

And the place she now stood—that was exactly where Janice had always wanted to be.

‘And she’s Asian, too.’

Janice flinched at her own thought.

‘No. That’s not what I meant. I’m not racist.’

Shaking her head in denial, she happened to meet Victoria’s eyes from across the room.

Her chest tightened, as if her true feelings had been exposed.

‘No, she couldn’t have noticed.’

But above her bowed head came Victoria’s cold voice.

“Janice Perry.”

“Yes?”

“Stay after practice. I’ll check your moves.”

Everyone turned, surprised.

Victoria, who had once tried to stop Janice from even joining the cheer squad, offering to help her? No wonder they stared.

“Janice, will you be okay?”

Sian had come to her side, her voice full of concern.

“I’ll wait for you outside.”

Hearing her kindness only deepened Janice’s guilt.

‘She’s so kind, and I was thinking such awful things about her…’

Janice shook her head.

“No. I’ll be fine, so don’t wait. Go on ahead.”

“But still—”

“Really. I’m okay.”

It wasn’t like before, when she was bullied by a whole group.

If it was just Victoria, she could endure it.

With a heavy heart, Janice finished practice and sent Sian ahead.

At last, only she and Victoria were left in the practice room.

“Let’s start with the basics, shall we?”

Janice hesitated, then stepped in front of her.

But Victoria only stood with arms crossed, staring at her.

“Why are you looking at me like that—”

“Honestly, don’t you resent Siana?”

“What?”

“You’ve been bullied for years at this school, but she shows up and instantly gets welcomed by everyone. Even Blade treats her specially.”

Why was it…

She should have denied it, insisted she didn’t resent Sian at all.

But the words just wouldn’t leave her lips.