Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XLIV. The Things I Hate About You.

Minji had seen countless lost souls since she was a child. She walked through the Underworld as if it were her playground, more than once getting spooked by a ghost or nearly falling into one of the five rivers of the realm, only to be rescued by Charon, the ferryman of the Underworld.

But none of those ghosts compared to the dead look on Minji's face that day. Haerin's words haunted her mind like an endless echo; it was impossible to erase her voice and expression.

After fleeing the lake, she ran aimlessly through the camp, her mind a whirlwind of contradictory thoughts.

I love you.

She shook her head in frustration, trying to silence that voice in her mind. How could it be true? After everything that had happened, after all the times Haerin had left her confused and hurt... how could she just show up and say something like that?

I really love you, Minji...

"Enough!" Minji growled quietly, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Hours passed before she returned to the cabin; she stayed outside until she was mentally exhausted. She could hardly sleep, not knowing how to control or manage the pressure in her chest... and at the same time, the tingling in her stomach.

She splashed water on her face more than once, trying to wake up from this nightmare... although it felt more like a dream.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. Minji didn't respond, hoping the other person would leave; she wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone at that moment. But another knock sounded, followed by a familiar voice.

"Min? I know you're in there," Taehyung's voice sounded too worried for her liking.

She buried her face in her hands, sighing, knowing she couldn't escape him.

Taehyung's room was in the basement, separated by another door, like two different rooms, spanning the width of the entire cabin for more privacy. Taehyung usually teleported to his room or just barged into Minji's floor, but this time, he seemed considerate enough to knock.

Minji let out a tired sigh. "I'm busy, Tae. Not now."

But her brother, as stubborn as she was, didn't give up. "Come on, Min. I know something's wrong. Let me in before I have to appear next to you."

After a few moments of silence, Minji relented. "Do what you want, I don't care."

The second she said that, a black blur appeared beside her, and out stepped her brother.

Taehyung found his sister sitting on the bed, staring blankly ahead, like she was in the midst of an emotional wreck.

"Minji."

She looked up, meeting Taehyung's concerned eyes.

"What do you want?" Minji snapped, her tone harsher than she intended.

Taehyung sat next to her, keeping a respectful distance. He knew his sister well enough to understand that she needed space.

"What happened?"

"There's nothing to talk about," Minji replied curtly. "It's just... it's complicated."

"Matters of the heart usually are," Taehyung commented with a sympathetic smile.

Minji scoffed, irritated. "Since when are you an expert on matters of the heart?" She turned to face him. "Besides, it's got nothing to do with that."

Taehyung sighed. "Don't lie, Minji. I know you talked to that girl..."