Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XIX. Admit it.

Haerin walked with determined steps through the campgrounds, trying to push the incident at the lake out of her mind. Several days had passed, but things with Minji were still as tense as that night. She was such a fool, Haerin couldn't understand her at all. Always so unpredictable yet so damn annoying. Why did she have to get involved in the fight when it was Ryujin who started it all? However, she could understand Minji standing up for her friend, even if she was wrong. Loyalty had to count for something, on top of it all.

Meanwhile, Ryujin and Yuna completely avoided each other. Not that they hadn't done so before, but now it was more noticeable. Yuna went out of her way to avoid encountering Ares' daughter, and Haerin could sometimes catch Ryujin looking for her with regret in her eyes, but unable to approach her. Another coward.

She hadn't exactly approached Ares' daughter herself; she didn't feel like it, not after that attitude. It would pass, and she would try to fix things because, to her surprise, both Danielle and her considered Ryujin a friend. A very stupid friend, but one they cherished. She wished she could say the same about Minji.

Every time they crossed paths, the hostile glares and biting remarks were inevitable. The animosity between them seemed to have reached new heights after their violent encounter. Far from resolving anything, it had only fueled the flames of resentment burning between them.

Haerin barely remembered why all this had started. She didn't understand where the tension between them originated beyond their initial clashes when she arrived at the camp. But, for goodness' sake, it had been months since then, and both were old enough to leave behind childish fights.

Haerin clenched her fists in frustration. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't comprehend why Minji despised her so much. Yes, they were very different and perhaps somewhat competitive, but that had never been an obstacle to at least being courteous before. Hades' daughter seemed determined to make her life a living hell, and Haerin wanted to rise to the challenge.

She shook her head, disgusted with herself for allowing Minji to affect her so much. She was supposed to ignore her airs of superiority and that grating attitude that irked her so much, claiming to be more mature despite being younger. But for some reason, it was impossible for her.

Perhaps because deep down, beneath those layers of disdain and rudeness, she had glimpsed a glimmer of vulnerability in Minji. As if she weren't as tough and insensitive as she pretended to be.

Or perhaps simply because, and Haerin didn't want to admit it, the damn girl was as beautiful as she was hateful.

She was so damn attractive that it was already annoying. If only she had as much kindness as beauty, she would be quite charming.

But Haerin would never admit that.

She snorted in annoyance, shaking her head. It was foolish to allow that bitter girl to occupy so much space in her thoughts. She had more important things to focus on. Like going to bother Danielle.

Still, she didn't stop to think about it in time, as she turned the corner and had to collide with Satan in person.

Ironic, isn't it? That she is Satan, being a daughter of Hades.

Haerin was so absorbed, not looking where she was going, and Minji seemed to be running, so the impact was significant for both, ending up on the ground.

The blow knocked Haerin straight onto the ground.

"Damn! My clothes!" she exclaimed, seeing her pants stained.

Minji groaned as she got up from the ground, rubbing her arm where she had hit with force. She looked up at Haerin, her expression even more hostile than usual.