Irregularity

Troubled Hearts

“How is she doing?”

Steppen instantly prostrated himself in front of the company owner right after his inquiries all while bathing in cold sweat. An unexpected reaction from someone who was feared by his own subordinates.

“This is all my fault! If only the ground floor was guarded tightly, then all of these wouldn’t have happened and the young miss wouldn’t be put in danger! Please allow me to apologize for my men’s lacking ability!”

The company owner just looked at him blankly and buried his face beneath his palms.

“It’s not like I’m pinning everything on you, Steppen. Sure, I’m angry that my little princess was injured but I’m glad that it was the only thing she suffered. Rather than that, I’m far more concerned about her mental health. She hadn’t sulked like this before, locking herself up inside her room and not eating her meal. That’s far more concerning for me.” The company head said, putting his pen and paper down.

“She didn’t tell me anything about the young man who saved her. If only we had some information about that young man, then everything would be solved.”

“Master, will you entrust this to me? I will trace the thugs who injured the young miss and their whereabouts of the young man.” Steppen spoke firmly.

“Do you feel responsible? If that’s what you want, then do as you please just make sure to come back with results. Just get their names and leave the rest to me.”

“But I can’t trouble you when you already have so many things to do-”

Steppen froze in fear and started to tremble as soon as he felt the company owner’s piercing gaze. Without an ounce of hesitation, Steppen nodded his head repeatedly.

“I understand. If that is what you wish, I shall fulfill my duty with my utmost best.”

“Good. Whoever they may be, I will let them taste how bitter and merciless the law can be.”

While Steppen and the company head are discussing some things, Ceri was browsing through the notebook Steppen brought back the night before and found the owner’s name. She immediately tried browsing through the internet and social media platforms, but failed to find the person she was looking for.

“How strange, he is not even on one of the social media platforms. Is this really his real name? ‘Ren Shury’is he a social ghost? Most of the people our age are glued to their phones and owns a single account or two, but he doesn’t have any.” 

Ceri said to herself, and then realized that she might have been staring at the answer all along.

“This is it. He must be one of the students who are striving to shoot for college, huh? Should I try to visit his school? The address is even written here. Maybe I’ll try contacting the school if they have a social media account.”

Ceri did not spare any minute and searched the internet.

**********

It was already noon when Ren woke up. The visible bruises on his face and arms made him grunt in pain. Before coming out of his room, Ren made sure his parents had already left for work.

“Ah- looks like I pushed myself hard last night. My body’s all sore from all that running and fighting. Who would have thought that the lessons of self-defense from a beggar will come in handy one day. I thought my body would forget since it’s been a long time, thankfully my body still remembers how to move properly.”

Ren stretched himself as he sat on the table and saw a note his mother left him.

‘The milk is inside the fridge. Looks like you’re too busy to eat last night that you immediately went to bed after you got back so I prepared a better meal for you. I hope it makes you happy. Love, Mom.’

Ren went to the fridge and took the milk out and started eating his mother’s special breakfast.

“Sandwich is still bread but at least it’s not stale, the chances of choking me to death is low.” he said to himself as he devoured the sandwich in seconds. 

After that, he prepared to go to school to make sure that he doesn’t miss any more classes for the day. Before leaving, Ren made sure to cover the bruises on his face and arms and prepared himself for the interrogation he will meet at school later.

And just as Ren expected, someone immediately jumped on him with questions. It was his friend, Ivan, who was almost shocked to see Ren come to school at noon.

“What the hell happened, dude? Why are you covered in bruises?! Did you get into a fight or something?!”

Ren pushed Ivan’s face away for coming too close to him, but Ivan still clung close to him.

“I tripped and injured myself, that’s all. There’s no need to make a big deal out of it.” Ren said, trying to read his notes.

Ivan grabbed his shoulder and stopped Ren.

“You think this is nothing to be worried about? I was surprised that I didn’t see you earlier, so I was worried. Now I’m even more worried since you won’t talk to me about it. We’re friends, right? You can tell me anything.”

“Tell you anything, huh? The last time you told me that, I got in trouble because of your loudmouth.”

Ivan scratched his head in embarrassment but still remained by his friend’s side until Ren reached his classroom. The sight of the student standing on top of the rankings going late to school was a shock to everyone, what’s more is that he is covered in band aids. Every student they pass by could not help but follow Ren with their eyes.

“It must have been a shock, huh? None of us expected for the top ranker to look like this. It’s not everyday that you see something like this, so obviously everyone will be shocked.” Ivan said with a smile on his face.

Although they looked worried about the injured Ren, none of them walked up to him and asked if he was okay. It was not an unexpected occurrence since most of the students have been compared to Ren and the other students who are shooting for college. And because of that the hardworking students have become the subject of envy and hate.

“It’d be stupid to put me inside a box. I’m just a simple student like everyone else. So of course there will be a time when I will be covered in bandaids. It would be presumptuous on my part to appear perfect in the eyes of everyone around me.” Ren told his friend, who immediately nodded his head in agreement.

“I can’t agree more-”

“Ren! What in the world happened?! Why are you covered in bruises!”

Amidst their seemingly peaceful chat, Ema, who had seen Ren covered in band aids for the very first time, ran towards them at full speed. Ivan, who is usually brave and fearless, hid behind Ren upon seeing her figure from afar.

“Don’t use your power inside the school, you idiot! Do you want to demolish the entire school!?” 

Ivan cried in fear but to his disappointment, nothing bad happened and Ema was staring down at him after hearing what he said.

“Hey, idio-Van! Did you really think that just because my ability is only good for breaking things, I can’t run like a normal person? Are you looking down on me?! Want me to break you instead?”

The peaceful atmosphere before has completely disappeared after the addition of Ema. It was an atmosphere unfit for studying, so ren put away his notes and hang out with them since it was still time for lunch knowing that they will pester him wherever he goes.

Ren spent the day as usual, but with a mix of obvious concerns from the teachers who saw him in such a state. The entire school was in an uproar upon learning Ren’s state that he was unable to study even inside the place he can call heaven. In the end, Ren went to his part-time job early to get away from the endless stares at the inquiries.

“You’re here early. What happened yesterday? I heard some screams and went there but by the time I arrived, there wasn’t a single soul in sight.” Mr. Kim told Ren. “Did you fight, you’re covered in bruises.”

“Mr. Kim is the first person to react so normally after seeing me in such a state, thank goodness.”

Ren let out a sigh of relief and smiled. This made Mr. Kim feel honored and smiled back.

“Well, it’s not that I’m not surprised at all. Of course, I’m shocked! I’m just not the type to show it blatantly. More importantly, what a great coincidence! Someone’s been waiting to meet you.”

Mr. Kim pointed at the table where Ceri ate and to his surprise, her face was completely flushed the moment Ren caught her staring at him. The latter on the other hand is surprised by her visit even after everything that happened the night before.

“She said she wanted to talk to you and had waited here since noon. I told her countless times that you won’t be here until 7 PM but she insisted on waiting. Go talk to her, she’s waited long enough, you know?”

Mr. Kim gave Ren a little push and the young man walked towards his visitor.