Chapter 188 - [Bonus ] Burden Of Conscience

"Counselor, the head of the school security said that the CCTV on 3rd floor is still under repair. They cannot provide data to us," the assistant of the counselor reported. The students sitting on their chairs did not even have any reaction after hearing it. They knew it all along that there would be no working camera in the area. In fact, their leader had announced it to their targets before her legs were broken.

"What a pity!" the counselor shook her head in displeasure. She was aware of some repairs that were ongoing with the school vicinity. But to think such a crucial matter that could easily help her to solve the situation was also affected by the repairs, her level of disappointment had turned to the next level.

Just then the door of her office was flung with a bang and two figures stormed angrily. Their footsteps were like marching soldiers ready to engage in war. Before anyone could speak, the figures were already screaming as they stepped inside.

"What happened to our daughter? We demand an explanation!"

The figures were the parents of the girl. After they entered the room, they noticed the friends of their daughter first. They glared at the students and then, their line of vision went to the guidance counselor, waiting for her explanation.

"I also want to know what happened to your daughter. But, her friends claimed that it was only an accident. I don't know what explanation should I give to you when the witnesses are unwilling to speak of the truth," the guidance counselor stated. She was displeased with how the two made their entrance. But, she understood that given the gravity of the situation, it was also normal for any parents to react like them.

The students who were already tensed became frozen. Their eyes were focused on the floor and refused to make eye contact with anyone. The scene of Kristelle's domineering figure was still fresh in their memories.

"Counselor, why must it be the student's responsibility to tell us what happened? Is this school so useless? We just visited our daughter and the school nurse is transferring her to the hospital! This matter is serious!" the father of the girl urged the counselor.

"We will continue our investigation, rest assured!" the guidance counselor replied as she felt heavily burdened.

"My daughter is injured now. But this is only what you are going to say to us?" the mother felt discontented and wanted answers right away. 

"If you want my word badly, then, based on the witnesses, it was an accident. Then, it is an accident!" the guidance counselor almost yelled but after remembering her position, she managed to control all her emotions and also muttered her response coldly.

"How could it be an accident?!" the man's voice burst in all corners of the room and it can even be heard from the outside of the office.

"This is why an investigation should be done. Instead of screaming in my office, why don't you comfort your daughter in the school clinic?!" the guidance counselor suggested.

"Whoever is responsible for the injury of our daughter, this person must pay doubled!" the man uttered with a dark expression on his face. Then, the two figures exited the office.

The guidance counselor closed her eyes and meditated for a while. Then, she gazed at the students.

"Let me ask you one last time. What happened? No need to be scared. The school will handle everything for all of you."

The students finally looked up and meet the counselor's sharp eyes.

"It was an accident," all of them repeated, insisting that there was no foul play.

"Just tell me what happened I won't tell anybody. Your friend will go to the hospital. Her parents deserved to know what really occurred in the hallway. Don't you feel guilty for your friend to suffer in pain?" the guidance counselor continued. She did not want to stop questioning them until their response would change.

But the students had already hardened their heart and was totally traumatized by what they had witnessed. In the end, they just repeated their response, "It was an accident." 

"Fine! You may call your parents to come and get you here," the counselor said and permitted the students to go home early.

Only then did the students sighed in relief and quickly took their phones to call their parents. The counselor could only shake her head as she felt very conflicted.

Back in the comfort room, Sofia suddenly felt overwhelming emotions bubbling in her chest. She had admired her classmates earlier for their lack of response to the provocation that was spoken by the regular students. Now, her mind was totally disturbed.

"What are you thinking?" Kristelle asked after seeing how Sofia was staring intently at her reflection on the wall mirror. The comfort room on this floor was more elegant than most that were built for students' use. It was because the auditorium was usually used to receive visitors. 

Sofia remained silent and pressed on the faucet. Waters streamed down the sink. Sofia looked down, gathered some water on her palms, and bent slightly to wash her face.

"Sorry if my actions shocked you earlier. It seemed like it really affected you," Kristelle continued to speak after realizing that Sofia was not going to talk. She tried to read the expression on Sofia's face however, there were really no emotions on it. 

"I'm okay," Sofia muttered and examined her elbow that was bumped on the wall when she was shoved earlier. There was a small scrape on her skin but it was not painful. "Kristelle, you are older than those girls. You must exercise self-control. You were wrong to break her legs."

"Cheh! I know those kinds of students. If we don't show them our capability, they would just use their parents to handle us. Sometimes, self-defense is not enough. You have to let them know where the boundary lies," Kristelle said, defending her actions. 

"Those were young girls. I don't think they could make serious damage," Sofia debated.

"Yeah, wait until their reasonable parents hunt us. And the damage would be out of control. You don't need to think of it anymore. Just pretend you are not there," Kristelle stated. She also put some water on her knees that was bleeding.

'This girl is so young but she is this ruthless already!' Sofia secretly thought. Although, in her present body, Kristelle is probably 2 years older than her, still, it will only make her 19 years old! But the way she dismissed what she had done was really something that Sofia could only describe as ruthless.

By the time they returned to the venue of the contest, the awarding had already begun but it was interrupted as the incident in the hallway spread around the students.

"Have you seen the girl that accidentally broke her legs? hey say that it happened in the hallway," one of the night class students asked Sofia just right after she took her seat.

"We did not see anything," Kristelle casually replied.

"Ah, they were quick to bring her to the school clinic because her injury was too alarming. They said that her legs were completely snapped," the classmate commented.

"By the way, the host said that the winners will just be announced in the bulletin board and we can go home now. They will suspend the class to finish all the repairs," another classmate said.

"Ohh, then, I'll go home first!" Kristelle announced and swiftly made her way out of the auditorium.

"Why is she in a hurry?" one of the classmates wondered while looking at the back of the girl.

"Maybe she planned to work half day? Ahh, I'll go now too!" another classmate responded.

The school forums published an announcement that the class will be suspended. Sofia was already entering her apartment unit when the announcement was released.

As she checked her phone, there was a message from her group that asked her if they would have a practice playing. Claire personally went to her place before the other members could come.

"What a nice day to play a game! Let's play, Sof!" Claire beamed. She sat in the living room while Sofia was just drinking bottled water. 

"I think I'll go to sleep and play after. Are they coming over?" Sofia asked.

"Yes, they are on their way here to play. Sof, if you want to rest, we will just hang out in my place. Come down and join us when you are awake," Claire thoughtfully said. She stared at Sofia and felt something was not right in her expression. But, she only assumed that it was probably because she was tired.

"Sure. I'll go sleep first," Sofia excused herself and went to her room.

There was a heavy feeling in her heart that she felt totally guilty of the incident.

No matter how she wanted to forget about it, it was already etched in the depth of her memories, hunting her conscience.

She had never met such a cruel and repulsive girl like Kristelle in her current or past life. No matter what, it was but an extremely terrifying experience.