BLAMELESS | michaeng - Chapter 33: Chapter 33

SON CHAEYOUNG'S POINT OF VIEW
Over a month has passed and finally, the day that we've all been waiting for comes. It was the School festival in Seoul National University, Tzuyu, Mina, and I had admittedly prepared so much for this festival it would have been a total waste if the other girls were not there to come and see the setup and of course, Mina's performance. It's a three-day festival where clusters or Departments compete with each other. They'd compete with basically anything. Like quiz bees for general knowledge, play sports, and games. It's a fun event that somehow paints the talents and greatness of Students from within the University. And on the third day, the highlight of the event happens. It's a dance competition between departments. Mina and her team will compete for the pre-law department.
The other girls were kind enough to respond to our invitation. Everyone agreed that they'd come and visit on the third day which is a Sunday. Everything was set and of course, Mina was glad that our friends were going to watch her perform. The smile on her face was lovely when I told her the girls were going. Asking them to come and visit us was worth it, Mina worked hard for this competition and she deserves all the love she could get.
_____
The first two days of the School festival seemed like a blur. It was tiring, very tiring. Especially now that winter was over, the sweating has become a thing again. To be honest, it wasn't that hot since it still wasn't summer just yet. However, if you belong in the production team, you're bound to work tirelessly for hours and cold weather would not even help prevent the sweats.
"I hate it here." Sighs Tzuyu. We were in the middle of doing something for the Festival. At this point, we were just doing what we were told. We didn't ask because asking will just lead to scolding. We're not credited enough to experience scolding right now.
"Well, University isn't really a place that people love." I sarcastically reply to her. She shot me this sharp glare which admittedly scared me a little. "Anyway, we should change clothes before the final event." I tell her.
"What do you mean?" She asked me, we were still walking aimlessly at this point.
"The dance competition and awarding ceremony will be later tonight, I think it would be a good idea for us to change into fresh clothes." I tell her, hoping she wouldn't ask more questions.
"Yeah, that would be a nice idea. I don't want to look tired and homeless later." She smiles at me, I just nod at her. I feel so happy that she didn't ask any more questions after that.
"Yeah, I don't want to attend Mina's event looking like I just worked out." I reply to Tzuyu.
"Yeah, I just want to look good later. I don't want this thankless job to hinder me from looking beautiful." She smiles at me and I knew then and there, Mina's idea will probably work out.
Tzuyu and I finished our tasks early that afternoon, of course, it was a busy day which resulted in both of us not having lunch. So of course, we had lunch but not at Sana's workplace though, I didn't even dare to suggest that. I just feel like Tzuyu's been doing well lately and bringing that up would just destroy her, I don't want to cause her pain. She's my best friend, after all, her happiness is my happiness. So we decided to cook at the dorm since we had all this time. It was the senior's turn to take care of the stage tonight anyway.
Since tonight was the highlight of the School Festival, Tzuyu and I decided to shower again, put on makeup, and wear nice clothes. We worked hard for months just so this festival could succeed, we deserve to look good during the highlight of the event! Besides, I just want Mina to smile when she sees me in the crowd during their performance. I want to see her smile, that's all.
At around quarter to six in the evening, Tzuyu and I made our way to the University. Before going, I made sure to bring some snacks and drinks for Mina. I don't really know if she's the type to experience jitters before a performance or if she's the type who's very laid back. But whatever, I brought her snacks and drinks just in case. When we got to the Uni, I asked Tzuyu to do me a favor and that is to meet the others at the gate while I slip and meet Mina for a few minutes. Tzuyu knew that she's the only one in the dorms that knew about Mina and me, so she agreed and told me to do whatever I had to do.
Since I was in the production team, I knew exactly where the dancers per department were. Each department was assigned a classroom where they could wait, change, do their makeup, and just anything before their performance starts. As I headed to where Mina's department was assigned, I noticed how crowded the University has become, probably too crowded. Maybe students invited their friends over? Who knows, right? All I know is that Universities become shit storm during Festivals.
Anyway, I see students in corridors wearing their costumes and makeup and it amazes me how the hell these people got the time to prepare for such an event while studying, taking tests, and breaking down over long weekdays. It just amazes me how much a person can take at such age.
While clutching the items in my hand, I peek my head through the opened door in the classroom that's assigned for Mina's department. Then I see her, she's always looked beautiful. That's something I know right off the bat when I met her, but something about this look makes her stand out. She looked beautiful in her white tutu, her hair in a beautiful stylish bun with accessories on it, she had her makeup done, and the best thing is her eyes. They made her look so beautiful, the makeup artist did her justice. I was smiling while peeking through the door, I didn't really call her attention but then, just like that, our eyes meet and I swear I've never seen her walk that fast to me.
"You're here!" She exclaimed when she reached me, grabbing my arm and dragging me to a place that was a lot quieter. It wasn't that far from the classroom though, we just needed to away from all those pesky people.
"Damn, you gotta hook me up with your makeup artist. You look beautiful tonight." I chuckled, at this point, I was just looking at her shamelessly from head to foot.
"It's rude to stare at your senior like that." She smirked at me.
"Oh? Is that so? I'm looking at you respectfully though." I raised my eyebrows at her and we just like that, we ended up chuckling. "I'm glad I got to see you before your performance." I see her shyly smile at me and I knew I had to tell her something that would break this tension between us. "Also, the others are already here." I tell her and I saw how her eyes immediately lit up at the information.
"Really?" Was all she could say, but I knew her heart was racing. I knew she's always wanted this, for the others to see her perform. I nod my head and realize that I almost forgot about the snacks.
"Oh, yeah." I try to steer the conversation by handing her the snacks. "I don't know if you're the type to not eat anything before performances but I just thought you might want to snack." I make it sound casual.
"Oi, you didn't need to do this!" She tries to give me the snacks back. Of course, I'm petty so I hide my hands behind me and smile at her.
"Stop acting like a kid and take it." I stare at her. "You've been rehearsing the whole day, God knows if you really ate anything today or not. Just take it." I insisted. She then nodded and before I knew it, she's pulled me to a hug. A tight one which made my face feel hot, to say the least.
"I love you." She whispered as we hugged. She didn't sound shy when she whispered this. Of course, I was nervous, this was the first time she's ever said this to me. I felt taken aback, I've always thought of that phrase for some time but I never thought she'd say it first.
"Oi, I never thought snacks were the way to your heart." I jokingly tease her, we were still wrapped in each other's arms at this point.
Then I feel Mina pull away from me. "I swear to God, you destroy everything." She rolls her eyes when she said this. "I just never thought you were this thoughtful, okay?" She seemed to have become shy, probably because I swept her advances away.
"Hey." I call her attention, she then looks up and shrugs her eyebrows. "I'm proud of you. I really am. I don't think I've told you this before but I'm proud and happy to be your girlfriend, you're such a joy to be around with." I smile at her. She just stared at me and I knew she was flustered, I knew she doesn't know how to respond to whatever I said.
"Minari." I call her attention again. "If you really love me, go and eat snacks. Okay?" I ask her this one last time. I then see her slightly nod, she's gone completely silent now. That was when I suggested that she should go and return to the waiting room. I then accompanied her since it was only a few steps away.
"Thanks." She smiled at me shyly, motioning to the bag of food and drinks.
"Don't mention it." I smile at her and then motion for her to go in. Without really saying anything back, she waddled her way inside the almost empty classroom where there wasn't really anyone. There were probably three to five other people in there so I decided to just shoot my shot. She was midway across the room when I called her back again, she was quick to turn around and then I smiled at her. She had this confused look on her face which made me smile, she looked cute.
"I love you too." I mouth these words to her and I can tell she understood what I said. Even though she was steps away from me, I can see how flushed she had become. That was when I decided to wave my hand at her, indicating I was going to have to go away now.
_____
Right after meeting Mina, I decided to text Tzuyu and ask her where they all were at the moment. Apparently the others were very hungry so they decided to eat at a food tent inside the school. It was a quick walk from where Mina was. When I got there, everyone was there. They all were dressed so nicely which made me chuckle.
"Hey, losers." I call their attention. Immediately, they turn their heads around to my direction and without even skipping a beat started signaling me to sit down and join them to dinner. Of course, I oblige and sit with them. Next to Tzuyu specifically.
"That took long." She whispered, a subtle smile on her lips which made me nudge her a bit. "Are you sure you only handed her snacks? Remember, these corridors have CCTV cameras." She whispers.
"Oi, nosy." I whisper back, trying to stifle back a chuckle. "Shut it or I'll end you." I stare at her and give her a nice smile.
"Anyway, I think Mina unnie is going to perform soon." She hands me the schedule of the program. I stare at her and nod my head. "We should eat dinner fast so that we can be there. " She encourages me.
The others were noisy, they were talking about something which I didn't really understand since I was too busy trying to contact Mina.
"Oi, tell Mina to come and see us before her performance." Says Momo, she didn't really say this specifically to anyone. It's more of a general thought.
"Is she going to perform soon?" Asks Jeongyeon.
"She's going to perform soon." Chimes in the youngest in the group.
"Chaeyoung-ssi, can you ask Mina to come and see us before she actually performs?" Asks Nayeon unnie, when she asked this, it seemed like she was teasing me. I can see it in her eyes and that dumb smirk on her lips. If it were only us, I would've given her the evil eye.
"I don't think I have the heart to disturb her right now, I mean, the program's about to start." I cheerfully reply, but there was a split second when our eyes meet and that was when I gave her a dirty look.
_____
It didn't take long for our food to arrive, we ate in peace. Right after dinner, the program started and that was when we gathered at the venue. There were a lot of people inside the Uni that time and because of that, all the seats were occupied the moment we arrived. As expected, the girls took selfies here and there. Of course, they were very loud while talking but it seemed alright, people around us were very chatty too.
"Is this a normal thing, unnie?" Asked Tzuyu, she was asking Jihyo who's currently beside her.
"What is?" Asks Jihyo back, she's staring directly as the performance.
"Well, you know, Police officers." She blurts out, this made me look around and realized what Tzuyu observed is true. "They've been roving around today. Is that a normal thing?" She asks. This made the others look around too, probably curious because of what the tallest girl has said.
"Yeah, of course." Assures Jeognyeon unnie.
"At big events like this, things tend to happen." Starts Nayeon unnie, she's sitting right beside Jeongyeon unnie. She's hugging Jeongyeon's arm.
"PDA." Coughs Momo unnie. "Too much PDA." She jokingly coughs near the couple which made the others stifle their laughter."But yeah, Police presence is a normal thing in School Festivals so don't think too much about it." She adds.
The night looked beautiful. The stars are out and the air was cold, it seemed like everyone is in high spirits which made me feel at ease. It's times like this that make me realize that maybe life isn't that shitty. Without knowing it, the Fine Arts department has finished their turn and it was another Department's turn. At first, I wasn't able to identify which department it was but then I see the girls wearing Tutus similar to what Mina wore when we met up earlier.
"It's Mina's turn!" I chime up like a child, pointing at the open stage.
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THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW
When Myoui Mina's department came up to the stage, everyone applauded. It was maybe the elegance everyone exuded? Maybe the beautifully worn Tutu and tights were worn by both male and female dancers. The dancers were given the liberty to create a piece that incorporated both modern and classical dance. Mina and a couple of other dancers studied ballet for some time which everyone in their department found very useful for this competition. So it was decided, ballet and hip hop would be the answer for their Department.
The eight girls were at the back, just standing and watching as the beautiful performance started. They were at awe because of of Mina's beauty, it was something they knew of but they didn't expect that the girl would look this beautiful when she gets to dress up.
"You're lucky." Whispers the youngest girl to Son Chaeyoung. of course, Chou Tzuyu made sure that the others would not hear her sentiment.
"The luckiest." Son Chaeyoung whispers back as she watches her girlfriend dance to the music.
Everyone had their eyes glued to the performance and performers, Park Jihyo had her camera out. As one of the oldest, she felt as if it was important to record everything. Momo was seated beside Jihyo. Nayeon and Jeongyeon were in each other's arms. Dahyun and Sana seemed close but cautious, they were seated together, eyes glued to the performance. There would be times when their eyes would meet and they'd break the eye contact immediately, the tension was probably too much. Tzuyu and Chaeyoung sat together, this was expected since they were close.
"I bet she choreographed the ballet dance sequence." Says Sana, she still didn't take her eyes off of the stage.
"Of course she did, that's our Minari." Adds Nayeon.
When the performance finished, all the girls immediately went backstage. Since Tzuyu and Chaeyoung had access to the backstage, the others were allowed inside which brought great joy to everyone. The moment Myoui Mina saw the others, she ran up to them and hugged them. It was a beautiful moment of friendship. The backstage is spacious, everyone was able to be comfortable. When everyone was settled and done saying hello to Mina, the others decided it was best to go out and wait there. Mina asked Chaeyoung and Tzuyu to stay since she needed to tell them to do something.
"Oh, Tzuyu-ah." Mina calls the younger girl's attention. Mina didn't wait for Tzuyu to come near her, instead, Mina grabs another girl from the crowd of Tutu wearing people.
"Yeah?" Asks Tzuyu back.
"I would like you to meet someone." Smiles Myoui Mina, her eyes shining. Chaeyoung was just there, standing and smiling. Chaeyoung knew what was happening, but she refuses to get in the middle of it. Then, a beautiful looking girl emerged and extended her hand to Tzuyu. Tzuyu immediately extended her hand too, a little hesitant since she doesn't know what was happening.
"This is my Junior. Her name is Elkie. She's from Hong Kong, I just thought you guys might get along." Smiles Mina, she then walked over to Chaeyoung and just observed.
"Hello, my name is Chou Tzuyu. Nice to meet you." Smiles Tzuyu, gripping Elkie's hand tightly.
"Mina unnie has told me stories about you. It's nice that I finally got to meet you in person." Smiles Elkie.
Elkie and Tzuyu then immersed into their own conversation which left Mina and Chaeyoung to themselves. Chaeyoung was all smiles, that was the only thing she could do since she can't possibly kiss Mina in public, but even though things were like that, both of them knew their feelings were genuine and that they didn't need the public's validation to have a good and healthy relationship.
"So, what do you think?" Mina finally broke the silence between them. The people in the backstage had gone now and there was only the two of them.
"You did well and I'm proud of you." Smiles Chaeyoung, it seemed like she couldn't really get her eyes off of Mina. "Hey, we should take a photo together. For remembrance." Son Chaeyoung smiled, her eyes shining. Mina found this beautiful and innocent. Both of the girls had to, of course, ask Tzuyu for help. Two photos were taken, one is a normal-looking photo while the other one...
"Mina unnie, put your arm around her." Suggests Tzuyu. To this, the older girls were taken aback but in a good way. Tzuyu beamed while both Mina and Chaeyoung grew crimson red. "Do it. This isn't a crime." Says Tuzyu, this was to make the couple at ease. "No one is around! Don't be shy." Smiles Tzuyu as held Mina's phone, looking like she was about to take photos. Mina then puts her arm around Chaeyoung and right before Tzuyu finishes her countdown, Son Chaeyoung kisses Mina on the Cheek. This caught both Tzuyu and Mina off-guard.
"See? She's not shy." Says Tzuyu awkwardly as she gave Mina her phone back. Chaeyoung just smiled slyly.
_____
Later that night, the girls have decided to hang out at the same spot where they were watching Mina perform. Of course, this time, Mina was with them. She's changed into more casual and comfortable clothes. Besides, Mina found the outfit uncomfortable anyway. While they were at that spot, they listened to another intermission number by a band. This was supposedly the last intermission number before the actual awarding starts.
The night was cold and it was getting darker, the mood had become calmer than it was before. Mina stood beside Chayoung, she was listening to the band while subtly tugging at the younger girl's hand, shyly brushing her fingers against Chayoung's fingers is the only flirting that she could do as of the moment. She didn't want to be one step ahead of her girlfriend, she knew Chaeyoung also wanted to tell everyone but right now is not the right time.
It was quiet and serene. Everyone enjoyed the music, the night sky, and each other. There wasn't much that they wanted right now, they wish they could stay in this moment forever. However, time doesn't stop for no one and soon all of this happiness will come crumbling down. Everyone knew that the moment they heard the piercing shriek of Son Chaeyoung. She was in a chokehold, a man in a hoodie holding the girl like she was a rag doll. Like she weighed nothing.
Everyone was panicking at this point, shouts, and panicked calls for help can be heard from one of the girls. It all happened so fast, one second they were listening to the band, and then the next minute a man emerges out of nowhere and grabs the girl forcibly. The man moved away, dragging Chaeyoung with him forcibly making the girl choke and turn red. Chaeyoung was coughing which indicated how badly this man is gripping her neck.
"Please Minwoo-ah." Cries Nayeon out, Jeongyeon was restraining her. No one wants Nayeon to get hurt too. "Please let her go! She did nothing!" Tears were already streaming down her face, she was all red and messy. The moment Jung Min Woo heard this, he fished something from his pocket, opened it, and revealed that it was a pocket knife. Jung Minwoo, without hesitation, quickly positioned the knife near Son Chaeyoung's face which made everyone gasp in horror.
People were running away from the scene, even the people performing realized what the commotion was all about and stopped playing.
"Let her go! You bastard, let her go!" Shouts Mina, she was already on the verge of running towards Minwoo but the other girls were also there helping to restrain her. "Leave her alone, you maniac! She's done nothing wrong!" Cries Mina. Jihyo and Momo were quick to call the attention of the police officers nearby. The police officers were there, circling Jung Minwoo and threatening him to shoot if ever he moves.
"W-why." Was all Son Chaeyoung could say, she sounded raspy and it was getting difficult to breathe. Minwoo wasn't letting this go easily.
Son Chaeyoung had lots of questions inside her head. She wondered how the police were able to betray them by not giving out the information that this guy was at large, second is how much she's taken breathing for granted, and third is will she be able to see the sunrise up tomorrow? She was scared, and she can see the girls crying and wanting to reach out to them.
Jung Minwoo only laughs at the girl's question. He couldn't believe he's done this again, being caught. "I don't know. Maybe I want your little friends to suffer too." He whispers, Chaeyoung could smell the body odor coming out of him. She could also smell the stench of his breath. Chaeyoung knew that Minwoo was nervous too and that he was scared of what might happen next. This wasn't the Jung Minwoo she's met months ago, this was a completely different person. He seemed tinner, strong but deranged, and not methodical at all. She had the knife aimed directly at her face, she knew that one wrong move could kill her.
"One wrong move and we will shoot." Says a commanding police officer. There was a total of three police officers pointing a gun at him, he knew he was outnumbered and that he's got nothing to lose.
"I know I'm going to die." Whispers Minwoo to Chaeyoung, he loosed his chokehold on the girl. But still, he had the knife right on the girl's face, barely touching her cheek. "I don't want to die alone." He declared as he tried to move one step away.
"DO NOT MOVE OR WE WILL SHOOT!" out Shouts one of the three police officers. They still were pointing their gun at him.
The girls could only watch as the event unveiled, feeling disgusted with themselves as all they could do was watch in terror. Nayeon was already hysterically crying, shouting words of deceit to Jung Minwoo cursing him straight to hell. The other girls kept telling Chaeyoung to not move and just cooperate, trying to comfort their friend that this all will be over soon. But they all knew that they weren't really sure of what they were saying.
"He's smart. He's using her as a human shield." declares one of the police officers. "I'm afraid the girl might end up getting shot." the police officer whispers this, some of the girls heard this, making Jihyo beg them to not hurt Chaeyoung. She was begging, tears streaming down her face.
"I don't want to die alone." Minwoo reiterates one more time, whispering this to Son Chaeyoung. Chaeyoung was already in tears, seeing her friends react like this was painful. "I want to take you with me." Jung Minwoo adds, drawing the knife closer to Chaeyoung's face, cutting the girl right on the cheek. Son Chaeyoung just let out a loud 'ah' the moment the knife cut her, that was when the blood started gushing from her cheeks.
Myoui Mina couldn't take what was happening, in her mind, she only wanted to save Chaeyoung. It was painful, seeing her girlfriend being treated like an animal. She was about to run towards Minwoo when Momo and Tzuyu got a hold of her. The girls were crying too, begging her to think properly.
"Minayah." Cries Momo, they were already on the floor. it was difficult to keep Mina down, but they had to do everything they can to keep her safe. "Please. We don't want you hurt." Cries Momo.
"Unnie please." Cries Tzuyu too. She sounded pained but also restrained. "Please don't do this." Cries the younger girl as she held onto Mina's legs, restraining her from moving.
"I'm begging you." Chaeyoung was shaking in fear. "I still want to live." She adds, this annoys Minwoo. This resulted in Minwoo to pull her close, aiming the knife directly to her neck. Everyone started shouting and begging at this point, they knew that in one swift motion, they could lose a friend.
"This way I can take you with me." Jung Minwoo eerily replies, tightening his grip around the girl's neck.
Bang.
There was something comforting about how things would become silent when the chaos is unbearable. It's amazing how one ringing tone can make you feel at ease and safe.
Bang.
When the trigger is pulled, does regret follow? Or is regret something that only exists because people shame you?
Bang.
Was this really the right thing to do?
Screams and cries could be heard inside Seoul National University that night, people wanted to directly go and check up on their friend but the remaining police officers have arrived and have come to restrain the girls. These police officers don't want to mess up the crime scene, there was just too much mess.
With three gunshots, two bodies lay seemingly lifeless on a pool of blood.
Everyone could hear the girls calling out Chaeyoung's name. No response.