Chapter 14
"It's Nehan Senoria."
Mimi looked visibly shaken.
"So what do we do now, Naiiyraa?" Lerah asked Mimi.
"I don't know!" Mimi replied, tense. "He is probably waiting for you."
"I know… but I still don't know what to do. I feel really nervous."
"I know I put all this pressure on you… I don't even know what to say anymore. I can't even properly comfort you. I'm sorry—"
"Stop." Mimi's voice sharpened, controlled but firm. "Why do you keep apologizing? It's like you're treating Zubii's sacrifice like it meant nothing. Just… stop saying sorry."
"I understand…" Lerah hesitated.
"Look, Naiiyraa," Lerah said quietly, "I don't think he's standing there anymore."
Mimi exhaled in relief. "Yeah… you're right. That's a relief."
"But look," Lerah added, shifting toward the window, "I think he's talking to someone."
Mimi moved quickly to the other window. "You're right… but who is he talking to?"
"I think… it's NOSHI!"
Lerah suddenly blurted it out mid-conversation.
"Be quiet, Miss Naiiyraa!" Madam Siera's voice cut through the room.
"I think, ma'am, there's a misunderstanding. I'm Naiiyraa, and she is Mimi," Lerah corrected immediately.
"Oh… is that so? I must have mixed it up. Thank you for correcting me."
"You're welcome, teacher."
"Ma'am, can Mimi and I step out for a moment?" Lerah asked.
"What are you doing? He is standing outside!" Mimi whispered urgently.
"We don't really have a choice. What if Noshi says something about us?"
"…Fine. Let's go," Mimi agreed reluctantly.
"Then ma'am, we may leave," Mimi said aloud.
"Fine. Both of you return immediately."
"Yes, ma'am," Lerah replied.
A few moments later…
"First, let's go to the back of the university," Mimi said, leading the way with controlled anger, while Lerah followed.
"Now tell me—what are you doing here?" Mimi asked sharply.
"What do you mean, what am I doing here? You're acting like you don't already know, Miss so-called Naiiyraa," Nehan replied.
"I don't know," Mimi said firmly.
"I'm here because I've uncovered the truth about your identity."
For a second, it felt like the ground shifted beneath Mimi's feet.
Lerah, standing just behind her, stayed unusually composed.
"What… what do you mean?" Mimi asked.
"You manipulated my sister… just like you did to Zubii, didn't you? Why is she siding with you?"
"Oh…" Mimi let out a small breath, realization settling in.
Lerah stayed calm, as if she had already expected this.
"Finally," she whispered softly—relief rather than fear.
"Hey," Nehan said, narrowing his eyes, "what's with that girl? Why is she always behind you?"
"Not your concern," Mimi snapped.
"I feel like I've seen her before…" Nehan murmured, unsettled.
"Where…?" Mimi asked, cautious.
"That's exactly what I want to know."
"Hello, I am Mimica Asper," Lerah said calmly. "Miss Naiiyraa's friend."
"Oh… I see. So you're the friend of Miss so-called Naiiyraa?"
"Yes. And if I resemble someone you've met before, then yes—we've met once."
"What are you doing, Mimi? Don't talk to him!" Mimi warned.
"It's fine," Lerah said simply.
"We met at a shopping place," Lerah continued, "and had a brief conversation."
"Oh… so it was you. I suppose we did have a… meaningful conversation."
"You're right."
"But you already know who I am—your friend's enemy, correct?"
"You're right, Mr. Nehan," Lerah said evenly. "But right now, you don't feel human. Back then you were calm… now it feels like you enjoy breaking her down."
"I'm afraid you're right, Miss Mimica," Nehan said quietly. "I've finally found the person I've been searching for… for over three years."
"Can you just leave my friend alone?" Lerah asked.
"Oh wow," Nehan gave a faint, cold smile. "Direct. First you were hiding behind her, now you're standing in front of me like this."
"The truth will come out one day," Lerah said.
"Is that so? I thought it already did… the moment she died," Nehan said coldly.
"Truth doesn't exist because it's heard," Lerah said. "It exists because it remains real—even when no one is left to listen."
"Truth doesn't survive by being spoken. It survives by remaining true, even when every voice goes silent."
A line Zubii had once said before dying.
It echoed in his mind.
His expression shifted.
"…I-is that so?"
His face went pale.
"Thanks for reminding me," Nehan said slowly, "but the truth is still this—your friend is responsible for someone's death."
"And you know what," he added after a pause, "you resemble that person."
Tears gathered in Lerah's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She felt pity—real pity—for the man in front of her.
And she could tell… he was holding back his own tears too.
"I will be going now," Nehan said. "And tell your friend I won't let her find peace… even after her death."
He turned and left.
But his eyes were already breaking.
A few hours later…
"Zubii… I met your sister today," Nehan said quietly at her grave. "I talked to her… and her friend."
"And something strange happened."
"Your sister's friend kind of resembles you."
"But your sister… she's nothing like you."
"To be honest, I already know the truth. You and your sister are completely opposite."
"You were the one who chose death for her… and she is the one who let you die for her sake."
The weight finally broke him.
Tears fell freely.
"I still don't understand…" he whispered. "Why would someone like you sacrifice yourself for someone like her…"
"But don't worry," he said softly, voice tightening again. "I will take your revenge. I won't let her live peacefully… even after death."
End of Chapter 14