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“Found…!”
Theo was found in an abandoned building where no one goes to anymore.
It was a very difficult place to find for me, who did not even know that such a place existed on the site of the orphanage.
Having found Theo after hard work, I hurried to visit him.
I was so happy to see him even though he’s a villain because I had been looking for him for so long.
“Hi!”
I waved my hand in a hoarse voice and ran in his direction.
First impressions always went very well with Iris’ cute face like a doll.
“…”
But Theo’s eyes looking at me were as cold as ice.
“My name is Iris.”
But I expected this kind of reaction! Let’s hit it somewhere! I will never give up!
“Go away before I kill you.”
“…Ah”
I turned my body toward the same direction I had been running.
‘This isn’t it…!’
My head thought I should stop running now, but my body wouldn’t listen.
What he probably thought was,
‘Who are you?’
‘Disappear from my sight.’
‘Don’t bother me.’
I’m scared of him…!
~*~
The next day, after running away from Theo in such an unnatural way, I mustered up my courage again and sneaked to see him.
“Hmmm.”
Last time, I ran away without thinking, but this time it’ll be different.
I was frightened because the future killer was going to kill me, but when I came to think of it, I don’t have a mother, so I have nothing to lose…
Anyway, I changed my mind and decided to talk to him again.
Try to do it as naturally as possible. Natural!
I let go of the hand holding the ball and gently rolled it in front of Theo.
Roll.
“Oh my. Did the ball roll this way?”
“…”
I quickly glanced at Theo and sprinted towards the ball.
Theo, who turned his head at the sight, met my gaze.
His red eyes were staring right at me.
‘Red.’
But it didn’t feel that bad. Rather, I was fascinated by the intense colors.
“Uh… Hello. Good to see you again?”
I picked up the ball and greeted him.
Fortunately, he didn’t swear at me this time.
In fact, it was a reaction that was close to utter ignorance, but even that was something I was willing to put up with.
At least he won’t hurt me now.
“Theo right? As I said yesterday, my name is Iris. Won’t you play ball with me?”
I said so and held out a pink ball.
It’s best for children to play together.
If we get closer naturally, we can talk about various things. Then…
Pop-
And then, and then…
I froze as I saw a bright smile.
It was because Theo, who received the ball from me, mercilessly popped it with his hand.
‘No, I don’t think so. He’s so scary!’
Theo, who threw the ball that had now become a piece of rubber, came closer to me.
I looked at Theo, holding my breath.
Beyond the black hair that covered his face, a well-groomed look that would have been praised everywhere else if not called the symbol of the devil.
And right next to my ear, my slender neck, a sound was heard.
“Was I not clear? Do you want me to take your intestines out?”
“…”
It was scary. The child in front of me did not feel like a child.
I just really felt like he was going to kill me, and tears came to my eyes from fear.
Theo smiled as he saw me trembling in front of him. Then he gently pushed my shoulder away as if there was nothing more to see.
As if it were a signal, I took a small step backward. The sound of shoes being dragged to the floor disturbed the quiet air.
That was then. Several children were heard laughing and chatting in the immediate vicinity.
I looked at them subconsciously.
I thought no one would come to the abandoned building except Theo…
Should I run away? Maybe run to those kids…
The children were trying to turn around.
“Ah!”
But at that moment, I felt a hand push me away. As a result, I was pushed toward the pillars of the building.
‘Why so sudden?’
As I was about to stick my head out in front of me, something blocked me.
‘Huh…?’
It was none other than Theo’s back.
‘Did you hide me?’
I followed his will and held my breath quietly.
“Hmm, what is it? Aren’t you the son of a devil? Have you been hiding in this place?”
After a while, the voice of a boy of the same age was heard. Apparently, the children who turned their heads this way were approaching Theo.
“This place suits someone as ominous as you.”
When I listened closely, it was a voice I knew.
‘William? Is that William?’
William, who I knew, was a rather timid and shy child.
I remember having a few conversations because I met him sometimes.
But in front of Theo, he was even smiling while saying this casually.
‘That double-faced guy…’
No matter how young a child is, I couldn’t let go of such vicious harassment.
But…
What did they even know?
Theo, who blocked my view, held one hand back.
I could tell without having to think about it. That means to stay still.
“Turn around before I rip that unlucky face off.”
Soon after, Theo’s threatening voice was heard. It was a quiet and low voice, but it felt more brutal.
“Why should I be scared by such words? You dirty devil!”
Led by William’s cry, several children began to curse Theo at once.
I covered my mouth with both hands and held my breath.
The moment I actually saw the scene I imagined, the shock felt bigger than I expected.
At a young age, he would have had to listen to such harsh words countless times.
“So, you’re going to come at me?”
“…”
As Theo took a step forward, the children’s mouths shut up.
As he approached a little closer, I heard the sound of footsteps stepping back.
The children who were scared and stepped back looked the same as I did just earlier.
I felt my head go blank.
It was because my appearance overlapped with the children who bullied Theo.
‘I was judging Theo on my own too.’
For Theo, the threat was as a means of survival.
But I was frightened by the defensive posture and treated him like a murderer.
Theo hasn’t done anything yet.
My heart was troubled by guilt.
Even though I knew he was still a child, I was implicitly afraid of him and thinking of him as a monster, just like those who despised him.
‘What makes me different from those kids now?’
I bit my lip and apologized to Theo inwardly. And decided.
I want to see Theo as he is.
No matter what the future holds, I will face the Theo of the present.
Theo smiled as he saw me step back.
He must have been hurt once more when he saw me frightened.
But he nevertheless hid me from children’s eyes…
‘Because you don’t know what you’re going to hear when you’re with them.’
I shut my eyes tight.
I wanted to repay Theo for trying to protect me despite my rude attitude.
And I couldn’t pretend to be ignorant of what made Theo a real demon in front of my eyes.
Because I was supposed to save Theo.
“Hey! William!”
Eventually, I pushed Theo out and stood in front of him. William and the children looked at me with their eyes wide open.
“Oh, Iris? Why are you…”
“You coward! Are you only good at talking badly in front of other people, but also abusing Theo?”
It was surprising that I suddenly appeared on the side of Theo.
William gasped his mouth, unable to answer my words.
“Iris. Do you know who he is?”
Then one of the children by William’s side pointed a finger at Theo.
‘Is he really…?’
I strode forward in front of him and bent his finger as hard as I could.
“Ahhh! what’s the matter?!”
“Why are you pointing? And I know Theo well. He’s my best friend!”
…That was a lie
“Nonsense! Iris is like an angel…”
I snorted.
The nickname “angel” was a bit embarrassing for me because I had unusually bright blonde hair and was kind to everyone.
Maybe it’s because they’re still young, so they don’t know, but they would often follow me, calling me an angel.
Until yesterday, I too had been really kind to such children like an angel.
But now it’s different. As I recalled my past life, I no longer am an ordinary child, and I saw the other side of the children I thought were good friends.
There will no longer be an angel who was kind to everyone.
“You know what? Angels are kind to people. Only to those who do a lot of good things.”
Hello~ if you’re interested to help proofread this novel pls contact Jassie through instagram.