The entire school felt… different.
---
Class after class—
Door after door—
---
Kang Serin walked in.
---
"…I'm looking for someone."
"…Choi Kyungmin."
---
Every single time—
The same answer.
---
"…We don't know anyone by that name."
"…Sorry."
"…No such student here."
---
Whispers followed her wherever she went—
But no answers.
---
Serin stepped out of another classroom—
Her expression calm—
But her eyes slightly darker.
---
"…Interesting."
---
From the end of the corridor—
Jihun stood—
Watching her.
---
Then slowly—
He walked toward her.
---
"…You've checked enough."
---
Serin turned.
---
Jihun continued—
Calm.
Cold.
---
"…He's not studying in this school."
"…You should leave."
"…Instead of creating more disturbance."
---
A small silence.
---
Then—
Serin smiled.
---
But it wasn't warm.
---
"…Disturbance?"
---
She stepped closer—
Her eyes locking onto his.
---
"…I just arrived and your entire school is already lying for one person."
---
A pause.
---
"…That's not disturbance, Jihun."
---
Her voice lowered slightly.
---
"…That's desperation."
---
Jihun didn't react.
---
Serin leaned in just a little—
Smirking.
---
"…And desperation only happens when something is being hidden."
---
Before Jihun could reply—
---
"JIHUUUN!!"
---
A loud voice echoed from behind.
---
Minji came running—
With Yuna and Harin behind her.
---
Completely unaware.
---
"We told everyone like you said—!"
---
She stopped mid-sentence.
---
Her eyes slowly shifted.
---
And landed on—
Serin.
---
Silence.
---
Yuna froze.
---
Harin blinked once.
---
Minji's brain finally processed—
Too late.
---
"…Oh."
---
Dead silence filled the corridor.
---
Jihun closed his eyes for a second.
---
Great.
---
Serin looked at them—
One by one.
---
Her gaze finally stopping on Yuna.
---
"…I see."
---
A faint smile appeared.
---
"…So these are your new allies."
---
Yuna didn't step back.
---
Instead—
She met Serin's gaze directly.
---
"…And you are?"
---
Minji whispered,
"…Yuna… careful…"
---
Serin tilted her head slightly—
Observing her.
---
"…Interesting."
---
Then calmly—
She replied.
---
"…Kang Serin."
---
A pause.
---
"…Remember the name."
---
Because the way she said it—
---
It didn't sound like an introduction.
---
It sounded like—
A warning.
The silence in the corridor—
Was suffocating.
---
Serin's eyes moved slowly—
From Yuna—
To Harin—
And finally—
To Minji.
---
Then—
She smiled.
---
And started walking.
---
Step by step—
Toward Minji.
---
Minji froze.
"…Why is she coming closer…?"
---
Serin stopped right in front of her.
---
Her voice—
Soft.
Polite.
---
"…So…"
"…What exactly did Jihun tell you to say in every class?"
---
Minji's brain stopped working.
---
"…I… uh…"
---
Before she could speak—
---
Harin stepped in.
---
Smiling casually.
---
"…Ah, that."
---
Everyone looked at Harin.
---
Even Jihun.
---
"…Jihun told us to inform everyone to start preparing for the ceremony."
---
Serin raised an eyebrow.
---
"…Ceremony?"
---
She looked at Harin carefully.
---
"…And you are?"
---
Harin gave a small bow—
Still in her "prince" mode.
---
"…I'm Haru."
---
A pause.
---
"…And it's a… um…"
---
For the first time—
Harin hesitated.
---
Yuna quietly facepalmed.
---
Think faster…
---
Then—
Jihun stepped in smoothly.
---
"…Happy Ceremony."
---
Silence.
---
Serin blinked once.
---
"…Happy… Ceremony?"
---
She looked between them.
---
"…I've never heard of it."
---
Jihun didn't even hesitate.
---
"…It started after you left for New York City."
---
A pause.
---
"…It's new."
---
Minji almost choked.
---
Yuna bit her lip to stop herself from reacting.
---
Harin looked impressed.
---
Wow… he's good.
---
Serin stayed quiet.
---
Her eyes—
Sharp.
Observing every detail.
---
"…Is that so?"
---
She stepped a little closer.
---
"…And what exactly happens in this… Happy Ceremony?"
---
Dead silence.
---
Minji looked like she might faint.
---
Yuna stared straight ahead—
Trying not to laugh.
---
Harin was holding back a grin.
---
Jihun—
Still calm.
---
"…Students celebrate achievements."
"…And… unity."
---
A pause.
---
"…That's why we're informing every class."
---
Serin stared at him.
---
For a long moment.
---
Then—
She smiled.
---
"…You've gotten better at lying."
---
Silence.
---
Jihun didn't reply.
---
Serin turned—
Walking past them slowly.
---
"…But not enough."
---
Her voice echoed softly—
As she continued down the corridor.
---
"…Let's see how long this 'ceremony' lasts."
---
The moment she was gone—
---
Minji collapsed slightly.
"…I almost died…"
---
Harin burst into a quiet laugh.
"…Happy Ceremony?? Really??"
---
Yuna looked at Jihun.
---
"…You're insane."
---
Jihun exhaled slowly—
Still serious.
---
"…That was close."
---
But deep down—
He knew.
---
She didn't believe a single word.
---
And the game—
Had just become more dangerous.
The corridor had barely returned to normal—
When suddenly—
---
A voice echoed.
---
Loud.
Clear.
Confident.
---
"…Hey, Choi."
---
Every student froze.
---
"…Come on, darling~"
---
"…Come out."
---
Silence.
---
Then whispers exploded.
---
"…DARLING??"
"…Who is she calling??"
"…Choi?? But there is no Choi—"
---
Yuna, Minji, Harin, and Jihun all turned at once—
Toward the source.
---
Serin stood at the far end of the corridor—
Arms crossed—
A faint smirk on her lips.
---
Like she already knew.
---
Harin leaned slightly toward Jihun—
Whispering,
"…Why is she saying darling?"
---
Minji's eyes widened.
"…DON'T TELL ME—"
---
Yuna blinked.
"…Wait…"
---
All three looked at Jihun.
---
Jihun stayed silent.
---
Which made it worse.
---
Harin's eyes slowly widened.
"…Don't tell me…"
"…THIS is why he was hiding??"
---
Minji whispered dramatically,
"…This is not danger…"
"…This is romance gone wrong…"
---
Yuna muttered,
"…More like horror…"
---
Meanwhile—
---
Inside the storage room.
---
Dark.
Quiet.
---
Kyungmin sat frozen.
---
Serin's voice echoed faintly from outside.
---
"…Come on, darling~"
---
Kyungmin's eyes widened.
---
"…NOPE."
---
He stood up immediately.
---
"…Nope nope nope—"
---
He started pacing.
---
"…Why is she calling me that here??!"
---
Another shout echoed—
---
"…I know you're here."
---
Kyungmin froze again.
---
"…She KNOWS."
---
He grabbed his head.
---
"…JIHUN YOU BETRAYED ME—"
---
Then immediately shook his head.
---
"…No, no… focus…"
---
He looked at the door.
---
"…Run?"
---
He looked at the window.
---
"…Jump?"
---
He paused.
---
"…Die?"
---
"…Okay no."
---
Outside—
---
Serin took a step forward.
---
"…You know I don't like waiting."
---
Her voice—
Still calm.
---
But now—
Dangerous.
---
Back with Yuna and the others—
---
Minji whispered,
"…Should we… do something?"
---
Harin smirked slightly.
"…This is getting better and better."
---
Yuna sighed.
"…Your 'interesting' situation is turning into chaos."
---
Jihun finally spoke—
Low voice.
---
"…He just needs to stay hidden."
---
But even as he said that—
---
Serin's lips curved.
---
"…If you don't come out…"
---
A pause.
---
"…I'll come find you myself."
---
Inside the storage room—
---
Kyungmin gasped.
---
"…SHE'S COMING."
---
He looked around desperately.
---
"…JIHUN YOUR PLAN IS A FAILURE—"
---
And outside—
---
The storm—
Was now right at the door.