Chapter 3: Crimson Confusion

It started with a pain in her lower stomach.

A dull, twisting ache that bloomed just beneath her belly like a knot tightening with every step. Y/N had woken up feeling colder than usual, with her limbs heavy and her head spinning lightly. She thought maybe it was the usual exhaustion. Or hunger. Maybe both.

She tried to stand up, but dizziness washed over her like a wave. Her fingers gripped the edge of the nightstand for support. Her knees wobbled.

She hadn't eaten anything real in almost two days. Yesterday’s chocolate bar from Mr. Han was the only thing keeping her upright. Still, she got ready for school in silence. Brushed her hair, tied her laces, wore her uniform.

The pain in her stomach had worsened. A sharp cramp shot through her abdomen as she walked toward the door.

She winced but said nothing.

No one noticed, anyway.

At breakfast, her brothers were gathered again, chatting about international shipments and security breaches. She sat at her usual place, sipping plain water, trying to hide her trembling hands.

She had no appetite. The pancakes, toast, eggs—none of it mattered.

Suddenly, she felt it.

A warmth.

Strange, uncomfortable.

Like something had spilled.

Her eyes widened slightly. She stood up quickly, and her chair scraped against the marble floor. Every head turned.

“What now?” Yoongi asked, frowning.

“Nothing,” she muttered, grabbing her bag. “Just… I have to go early.”

Without waiting for a response, she rushed out of the room, heart pounding.

She felt it trickling again—warmth sliding down the inside of her thighs.

Confusion.

Fear.

She locked herself inside the nearest bathroom, dropping her bag on the floor with shaking hands. She pulled up her skirt—and gasped.

Blood.

Bright. Red. Blood.

Her legs went weak.

“No… no no no…” she whispered.

She thought she was dying.

Was it an injury? Did someone hurt her? Was this what dying felt like?

She had never talked about these things with anyone. No mom. No sister. And none of her brothers ever explained anything about growing up, about womanhood, about this.

She stumbled backward, heart racing. Her breath came in shallow gasps.

She was too afraid to cry. Her mind was blank. Her body was hurting. Her heart was screaming.

Twenty minutes later, Y/N found herself walking the streets with trembling feet. She had changed into dark pants and covered herself with her long coat, still shaking from what she saw. She had searched for answers online with what little Wi-Fi she could steal from the school.

“First period,” the results said. “Menstruation. Normal for girls around 12–14.”

She stared at the words for a long time.

So she wasn’t dying?

This was normal?

Then why did it feel like everything inside her was breaking?

She walked into a nearby medical store, her fingers clutching a crumpled note she wrote:

"Sanitary pads."

The pharmacist looked at her and raised a brow. “Who’s it for?”

“M-Me,” she said softly, cheeks burning.

He handed her a small pack in a paper bag. “That’ll be 250 won.”

She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a few coins. Her allowance had been cut weeks ago, but she managed to scrape enough.

As she took the bag, her hands shook harder. Her head was spinning. Her stomach still ached. Her face had lost all color.

The world tilted.

And then everything went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on a narrow bench inside the pharmacy. A woman stood nearby with a glass of water, her eyes filled with concern.

“She fainted,” the woman said. “She hasn’t eaten. Poor thing. Pale as a ghost.”

The pharmacist looked awkward. “She came in alone. No guardian, no phone.”

Y/N sat up slowly, blinking at the bright lights.

“I… I’m okay,” she whispered.

“You’re not,” the woman said firmly. “Where’s your family?”

Y/N stayed silent.

Because what could she say? That she lived in a mansion but had no one to hold her? That her brothers were rich and powerful but couldn’t see past her grades? That she just got her period and didn't know what to do?

Instead, she stood up weakly, clutching the bag tightly in her hand.

“I should go,” she whispered.

The woman handed her a chocolate bar. “At least eat something.”

Y/N blinked, surprised. “Why?”

“Because you look like you need someone,” she said gently.

That was all it took.

Tears fell.

Soft. Silent. Like raindrops in the dark.

She didn’t go back to school that day.

Instead, she sat at the edge of the park behind the pharmacy, hugging her knees, watching children play while her body curled with cramps.

She unwrapped the chocolate bar slowly, took a small bite.

For the first time in weeks, something warm filled her chest.

Not food.

Not the chocolate.

But kindness.

From a stranger.

A complete stranger had noticed what her own family didn’t.

When she returned home later that evening, the house was quiet. None of the brothers were in sight.

She climbed the stairs quietly, went to her bathroom, and carefully followed the online guide on how to wear a pad. It was awkward. Embarrassing. She moved slowly, wincing with pain.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror—pale, tired, eyes red.

And whispered to herself:

“You’re strong. You’re strong. Just one more day.”

Little did she know…

Tomorrow would not be just another day.

Tomorrow, they would find out.

And everything would begin to change.

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