The Results

Episode 3 – The Results

Finally, the day of the examination had arrived. Students filled the halls, each one brimming with anxiety and determination. Mira walked in, heart pounding, carrying the weight of sleepless nights and endless preparation. She was nervous but confident—she had convinced herself she could ace the exam.

Across town, Jae Min was giving his exam in a different department, his own set of papers and challenges. Though they were in separate rooms, the invisible connection between them seemed to hum in the air.

Mira’s hand shook slightly as she began writing. The questions blurred before her eyes, her vision swimming as fatigue and stress took over. A sudden wave of weakness swept through her, and before she could comprehend it, she collapsed onto the bench.

“Miss! Are you okay?!” a student shouted, and she felt herself being lifted and carried to the nurse’s room.

The nurse administered an injection, but Mira remained unconscious for hours. When she finally opened her eyes, the classroom was empty, the exam over. Panic gripped her chest as she realized what had happened.

“No… this cannot be happening! I spent sleepless nights to ace this exam!” she screamed, her voice breaking.

Jae Min appeared suddenly, his face etched with concern. He took her trembling hands in his.

“Mira… what happened? Why did you collapse in the middle of the exam?” he asked gently.

The nurse stepped forward. “She pushed herself too hard and neglected her health. That’s why she fainted.”

Mira wiped her tears, determination flaring anew. She ran to the principal’s office, her voice shaking but fierce. “Please… let me finish my exam! I worked so hard, I cannot let it go like this!”

But the principal shook his head, cruel and immovable. He had his own motives—he didn’t want his son to lose the chance at first place.

The night stretched endlessly. Mira remained in the school, pleading, pacing, her hope waning. Jae Min stayed by her side, silently guarding her, offering what comfort he could.

“We should go home, Mira,” he said softly, worry in his eyes.

“What will I tell my parents?” Mira sobbed. “That their daughter couldn’t even finish the exam because she got sick?”

He handed her a napkin, wiping her tears, and offered a piece of bread. “You can give the exam next year again, Mira. But waiting here won’t help now.”

“I… I cannot lose my parents’ pride. I don’t have the right to break their trust, Jae Min-a. I don’t have the right!” she screamed, her body trembling from exhaustion.

Seeing her weaken again, Jae Min called a taxi in the dead of night. He took her home, explaining everything to her parents.

“Thank you so much, Jae Min,” her mother said, voice heavy with relief.

“I just hope she passes,” her father added, squeezing her hand. “I don’t want to lose my daughter over numbers alone… I’ve seen how hard she works.”

Jae Min nodded. “Take care of her,” he said softly before leaving.

Days later, the results were announced. Mira sat in an air-conditioned room, hands clammy, her breath shallow. Summoning all her courage, she opened the mark sheet. Her heart sank—she had failed.

She called her parents to tell them. Though disappointed, they tried to comfort her, buying sweets and offering words of encouragement.

“It’s okay, dear. Take another year if you need. We’ll wait for you,” they said, smiles trembling but eyes full of love.

But fate was cruel. On their way to visit Mira, a truck lost control and crashed into their car. Mira’s parents died instantly. Her world shattered, grief consuming her every thought.

Meanwhile, Jae Min’s results came in—he had topped his department. His friends and family celebrated his achievement.

“I can finally join the police academy… I can finally serve the people,” he whispered to himself, pride and purpose swelling in his chest.

But the moment he heard about Mira from a friend, his heart pounded with urgency. He rushed to find her, only to discover she had moved away.

He searched everywhere, asking, pleading, but Mira had vanished into the shadows of the city. The girl he cared for, the one whose dreams had once intertwined with his, was now gone—but he refused to stop looking.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***