Inside the storage room—
Dark.
Silent.
---
Choi Kyungmin stood near the door—
Hands folded tightly.
---
"…Please don't open…"
"…Please don't open…"
"…PLEASE don't open…"
---
His eyes were shut—
Like his life depended on it.
---
Outside—
Footsteps approached.
---
But not one person—
Multiple.
---
"…Hey, Serin."
---
Kyungmin froze.
---
"…It's been a long time."
---
Another voice—
"…Yeah, how have you been?"
---
Kyungmin slowly opened one eye.
---
"…Elite 7…?"
---
Outside—
The other members had gathered around Serin—
Trying to act normal.
---
Serin looked at them—
A small smile on her face.
---
"…I'm good."
"…What about you all?"
---
Casual.
Too casual.
---
Then—
She asked.
---
"…Where is Choi?"
---
Silence.
---
All of them stiffened.
---
"…Choi?"
Seojun laughed awkwardly.
---
"…Who's that?"
---
Taemin nodded quickly.
"…Yeah, never heard of him."
---
Yoon added,
"…Maybe you're mistaken."
---
A pause.
---
Serin looked at all of them—
One by one.
---
Then—
She smiled wider.
---
"…Wow."
---
A small laugh escaped her lips.
---
"…You're still terrible at lying."
---
Inside the storage room—
---
Kyungmin's eyes widened.
---
"…I'm dead."
---
Suddenly—
---
THUD!!
---
A loud sound echoed from the back side of the building.
---
Everyone turned.
---
Outside—
Near the back window—
---
Choi Kyungmin landed on the ground—
Rolling slightly—
Then immediately stood up.
---
"…Oh wow…"
---
He checked himself quickly.
---
"…I SURVIVED—"
---
"CHOI KYUNGMIN."
---
His entire body froze.
---
Slowly—
Very slowly—
He turned around.
---
Serin stood there—
Arms crossed—
Smiling.
---
"…So you were here all this time."
---
Kyungmin gulped.
---
"…Hi…?"
---
Serin took a step forward.
---
"…Running away from me?"
---
A pause.
---
"…Darling?"
---
Kyungmin didn't wait another second.
---
"RUNNNN—!"
---
And he dashed.
---
Serin's smile widened.
---
"…Let's see how long you can run."
---
And she ran after him.
---
The corridor turned into chaos—
Students shouting—
Watching the unexpected chase.
---
Kyungmin ran through the hallway—
Turning corners—
Almost slipping—
---
"…WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME—?!"
---
Behind him—
Serin followed effortlessly—
Like she wasn't even tired.
---
"…Stop running."
---
"…NEVER—!"
---
After a few turns—
Kyungmin quickly hid behind another building—
Breathing heavily.
---
"…Okay…"
"…Think…"
---
He took out his phone with shaking hands.
---
Message sent:
> "I'm behind the old science block. HELP."
---
Back in the corridor—
---
Jihun's phone vibrated.
---
He looked at the message.
---
"…He's there."
---
Yuna stepped closer.
"…Let's go."
---
Minji whispered,
"…This feels like a rescue mission…"
---
Harin smirked.
"…More like a romantic disaster."
---
Without drawing attention—
All four of them quietly slipped away—
Taking a different path.
---
Toward the old science block.
---
Meanwhile—
---
Kyungmin peeked from his hiding spot.
---
"…Did I lose her…?"
---
Silence.
---
He sighed in relief.
---
"…Finally…"
---
"…No, you didn't."
---
His soul left his body.
---
Slowly—
He turned.
---
Serin stood right behind him.
---
Smiling.
---
"…Found you."
---
To be continued…