EPISODE FOUR

The school day had bled into twilight, but the building still hummed with the echoes of students. Even from the rooftop, a distant, persistent buzz reached Hae Soo, like a swarm of bees trapped in a jar.

Hae Soo leaned against the railing, the drop to the ground a dizzying distance. A sharp wind whipped at her skin, scattering her hair.

She wasn't alone.

Pi Han Wool sat perched on a stack of old desks, a makeshift throne. His posture was relaxed, yet his back remained ramrod straight, hands tucked into his pockets. His gaze never left Hae Soo, following her every move as she stared down at the school grounds.

She felt his eyes on her, a constant, warm weight. He always watched her like this. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that made her feel cherished, like she held his entire world in her hands.

Nearby, Ma Min Hwan sprawled in a chair, his face illuminated by the glow of his phone. His fingers flew across the screen, a frantic dance as he battled an unseen opponent. Every few moments, a string of curses punctuated the air, a testament to his mounting frustration.

Kim Sun Chul, Park Min Chul, and Lee Dae Chul sat in a tight circle, their voices a low murmur as they chatted.

The scene was peaceful, save for Min Hwan's outbursts. The afternoon sun cast long, stretching shadows across the rooftop.

"Damn it!" Min Hwan exploded, his voice louder this time. He'd been defeated. He slammed his phone shut, shoving it into his pocket. He was done with the game.

His eyes flicked to Hae Soo, lost in her thoughts, then to Han Wool, whose gaze was glued to her. Min Hwan had seen that look before, the way Han Wool's eyes softened just a fraction when they landed on her.

He'd known Han Wool long enough to read the subtle shifts in his demeanor, the barely perceptible giveaways that betrayed his carefully constructed facade. Min Hwan and Hae Soo were the only ones who saw it.

A cocky smirk played on his lips as he sauntered over to Hae Soo, stopping beside her.

Hae Soo acknowledged his presence but remained silent. She knew he was here to stir the pot, to poke and prod until he got a reaction. He couldn't let her have a moment of peace.

"I still can't figure out how he looks at you," he said, his hands still in his pockets.

His words piqued her interest. For once, he wasn't being annoying. He was talking about Han Wool.

"How?" she asked, even though she already knew. She wanted to hear him say it.

"You know. Like you're the only person in the room." A shy smile touched her lips. "It's so unlike him. It's...weird."

Hae Soo chuckled, turning to him. "You'll get used to it. He's not going to stop anytime soon."

Min Hwan gave her a skeptical look, but he knew she was right. Han Wool wouldn't change.

"You two are strange," he scoffed, turning his attention to the schoolyard below.

"Oh, come on, Min Hwan," Hae Soo said, rolling her eyes. "It's not strange. It's...comfortable. It's knowing someone actually sees you."

Min Hwan snorted. "Comfortable? Sounds boring. And seeing you? I see you. You're standing here, staring at a bunch of kids who should've gone home hours ago."

"That's not the same, and you know it," Hae Soo retorted, a flicker of annoyance in her voice. "It's about... connection. Understanding. Shared feelings."

"Shared feelings? Like shared rage when you lose a game?" Min Hwan asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "Because that's the only feeling I care about sharing."

"You're hopeless," Hae Soo sighed, shaking her head. "You're so focused on winning and games, you don't even know what you're missing."

"Missing? I'm missing getting shot by some random kid online. That's what I'm missing," Min Hwan said, crossing his arms. "And I'm fine with that. Way better than 'shared feelings.'"

"You're so cynical," Hae Soo said, her brow furrowed. "It's like you've built a wall around yourself, and you're determined to stay alone."

"Alone? I have you guys, and I have my games," Min Hwan shrugged. "That's enough."

"You're impossible," Hae Soo muttered, turning back to the railing. "Some people actually enjoy having someone to share their life with. Someone to lean on."

"Leaning sounds tiring," Min Hwan replied, pulling his phone back out. "I'd rather stand on my own."

"You're just...annoying," Hae Soo said, exasperated. "You're so stubborn, and you refuse to even consider that there's more to life than winning and being alone."

"Whatever," Min Hwan mumbled, tapping his screen. "If being in love means someone nagging you about 'shared feelings,' then I'm good."

Hae Soo scoffed, her patience gone. "You know what? I'm going to talk to someone who gets it."

She walked over to Han Wool, who'd watched their exchange with amusement. As she approached, she gave Min Hwan a final, exasperated look. "You're hopeless, Min Hwan. Absolutely hopeless."

She joined Han Wool, leaving Min Hwan to his games and his stubborn isolation.

Han Wool stepped down from his perch, leaning against the desks behind him. His hands remained in his pockets.

"You look annoyed," he said, his voice softer than usual. "What did he say?"

He looked at her, his gaze softening as he watched her huff out an annoyed breath. "He's just annoying. Always trying to get under my skin."

A small smile touched his lips. He found their bickering entertaining, a spark of life in his otherwise muted world.

He slipped his hand out of his pocket, hesitating for a moment before taking hers. The warmth of their joined hands spread through her. Even after two years, the simple touch made her blush.

Hae Soo leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. They stood in comfortable silence, no words needed.

Han Wool absentmindedly traced patterns on her hand, a soothing rhythm.

"I heard Ms. Lee called you in?" Hae Soo's voice cut through the quiet, a gentle probe. She'd been turning the day's events over in her mind, and the memory of the summons lingered, a tiny, nagging worry.

Han Wool's body tensed, a flicker of something she couldn't quite place flashing across his face. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but she'd learned to read him over the past two years, to see the cracks in his carefully constructed facade. "Nothing important," he said, his voice flat, dismissive.

But Hae Soo wasn't fooled. She shifted slightly, her head lifting from his shoulder, her eyes locking onto his. "What was it about, Han Wool?" she asked, her voice soft but firm. She needed to know. The way he'd stiffened, the way he avoided her gaze—it all pointed to something he was hiding.

He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "It was about Hyun Woo," he finally admitted, his eyes drifting away. "She asked if I knew where he was."

Hae Soo's brow furrowed. "And you do know, don't you?" she pressed, her voice laced with a gentle accusation. She knew him too well. She could see the lie forming on his tongue.

Han Wool's gaze flickered back to hers, a dark, almost pained expression in his eyes. He looked away again, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't," he said, his voice low. "But he borrowed money from Kim Gyu Jin, so I'm guessing he ran away."

His words were clipped, devoid of the warmth she was used to. It was a cold, hard statement, and it sent a chill through her. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm, but he didn't react, didn't acknowledge her touch.

"You really didn't do anything, Han Wool?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of doubt. She hated that she was doubting him, but something about his evasiveness made her uneasy.

He finally met her gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable. There was something in them—a flicker of hurt, maybe, or disbelief—that made her heart ache. He held her gaze for a long, silent moment, and then he looked away again.

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Hae Soo could feel the tension radiating off him, the unspoken words hanging in the air. She realized he didn't want to talk about it, that he was closing himself off.

She sighed, her hand reaching for his, but he didn't move, didn't offer his own. He just let her take it, his fingers limp and unresponsive. The lack of his usual, immediate grasp sent a wave of cold through her.

"Never mind," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She pulled her hand back, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. "I believe you, Han Wool."

But the words felt hollow, even to her own ears. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his chest. She needed to feel his warmth, to reassure herself that everything was alright.

Han Wool's body remained stiff for a moment, and then, slowly, his arms came around her, pulling her close. His head dipped, resting in the crook of her neck.

"I really had nothing to do with it, Hae Soo," he murmured, his voice muffled against her skin. It was a plea, a reassurance, and a subtle dismissal of the topic all at once.

A small, sad smile touched Hae Soo's lips. She tightened her arms around him, holding him close, letting him lean on her. It wasn't her usual position, but she didn't mind.

She liked it when he let his guard down, when he allowed himself to be vulnerable. She felt his weight, a tangible sign of his trust, even if he couldn't verbally express it. She held him, and let the silence fill the space between them once more.

After a lingering embrace with Han Wool on the rooftop, Hae Soo fabricated an excuse to retreat to the washroom, using it as a pretext to leave. The rooftop door clicked shut behind her, the biting chill of the open air replaced by the familiar, stale scent of the school corridors.

She descended the stairs at a deliberate, unhurried pace, each step allowing her to process Han Wool's recent words.

A nagging unease lingered.

He hadn't lied outright, yet his words felt like a carefully constructed half–truth. A flicker of doubt, foreign and unwelcome, stirred within her. She despised questioning him, as she had always placed unwavering trust in him. But something in his demeanor had shifted, leaving her unsettled.

With a deep, steadying breath, she attempted to dismiss her apprehension. She trusted him, more than anyone.

As she continued her descent, the murmur of a commotion grew louder, a common occurrence at Yusung Tech. Fights were a daily ritual, a brutal hierarchy where strength dictated respect and fear. Each victory propelled a student up the ranks, solidifying their position.

Hae Soo initially ignored the noise, until two figures caught her attention: Choi Hee Won, her classmate, and Kim Se Hyeon, the friend of Yoon Ga Min. They huddled together, whispering anxiously, their eyes darting towards a point beyond the wall. They appeared genuinely panicked.

Assuming Yoon Ga Min's involvement, considering his friend's distress, Hae Soo glanced around. She found herself near the Disciplinary Committee rooms. A frown creased her brow as she pieced together the situation. If Yoon Ga Min was here, it could only mean a confrontation with Kim Gyu Jin.

A sardonic smile touched her lips. The Disciplinary Committee, a gang approved by the school, held dominion over this area, their reputation for brutality deterring most students.

But Yoon Ga Min and his friends had dared to trespass. Their courage, or perhaps recklessness, piqued her interest.

She approached Hee Won and Se Hyeon, her curiosity overriding her usual indifference. She was keen to witness Yoon Ga Min in action, especially after learning of his victory over Lee Hyun Woo.

"Is Yoon Ga Min in there?" Her voice, sharp and direct, startled the pair. They flinched, then their eyes widened as they recognized her. Why was Jang Hae Soo addressing them?

They exchanged hesitant glances, unsure of how to respond. Would she help? Unlikely.

Hae Soo observed their discomfort, her patience wearing thin. "I'm not going to bite. Just tell me if Yoon Ga Min is involved." Her tone was cold, as always.

"Yes," Se Hyeon stammered, his gaze fixed on the floor. He briefly considered asking her for assistance, knowing her presence would deter any resistance. But he quickly dismissed the idea, intimidated by her and her connection to Pi Han Wool.

"Is he fighting Kim Gyu Jin?" Hee Won nodded, confirming Hae Soo's suspicion. She knew Hae Soo was aware of the earlier classroom incident, so she didn't elaborate.

Unbeknownst to her, the fight was over something else entirely.

Se Hyeon glanced back at the Disciplinary Committee room, his anxiety escalating. "Shit, he's in trouble. Three more went in."

Hee Won, hiding behind him, gasped. "My gosh."

"This is no good. Let's fight." Se Hyeon turned, his attempt at confidence betrayed by his trembling voice.

"What?"

"The two of us will fight." Hae Soo nearly scoffed. They looked utterly incapable of fighting.

"The Disciplinary Committee comes in whenever there's a commotion. We'll be pretending to fight, so Yoon Ga Min gets to escape." Se Hyeon explained hurriedly, his eyes constantly returning to the closed door.

Hae Soo watched them, feeling as if she were invisible. They were completely ignoring her. She'd thought to intervene, but now, she decided watching would be far more entertaining.

"If I go there, yell at me saying, 'Hey, you fucker!'" Se Hyeon instructed Hee Won, who froze.

She had never cursed.

"What? Me?" The mere thought seemed overwhelming.

Hae Soo, amused, watched their interaction.

"By chance, you've never cursed before? But you should do that so it looks like we're fighting."

"I'll do it." Hae Soo interjected, startling them.

"You'd do that?" Hee Won asked, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Why?"

"Why not? It's just words. I can even throw a few punches if you want." She deadpanned at Se Hyeon. "It'd look more convincing."

"Right." Hee Won agreed, looking to Se Hyeon, who was still in shock.

Before he could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the stairs. Lee Ji Woo appeared, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Choi Hee Won? Jang Hae Soo?" She muttered, stepping closer. "What are you guys doing?"

Hee Won explained, omitting certain details. She claimed she had asked Yoon Ga Min and Kim Se Hyeon for help because her father's job was forcing her to transfer schools.

Apparently, Ga Min wasn't fighting Kim Gyu Jin because of the classroom incident, but to delete a video.

Hae Soo knew about the video, the one that had stripped Ji Woo of her power. She knew Kim Gyu Jin was using it against her, though she didn't know its contents.

"How embarrassing," Ji Woo muttered, sighing.

"Well, the thing is—" Se Hyeon began, unsure how to explain.

"I'm sorry, Ji Woo. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret—"

"No, it's not that." Ji Woo cut Hee Won off. "I should've fucked them up sooner. It's annoying that I put you guys through this."

Before anyone could react, she strode past them, heading for the Disciplinary Committee room.

Hee Won hurried after her. "Ji Woo, are you going to the Disciplinary Committee room?"

"Watch closely. I might get hurt later, but I can at least throw a punch."

"But you shouldn't be doing that right now, Ji Woo," Hee Won pleaded.

Se Hyeon and Hae Soo watched them go, their voices fading. Se Hyeon was visibly nervous. Hae Soo remained composed, her expression impassive.

She felt a strange sense of pride seeing Ji Woo stand up for herself. They weren't friends, they barely spoke, but something in her resonated with Ji Woo's resolve.

Just as they reached the door, it burst open, splintering as Yoon Ga Min emerged, dragging a computer tower with trailing wires.

"Hey! You crazy bastard!" Kim Gyu Jin followed, blood trickling from his lip. He had clearly taken a beating.

While everyone else was shocked, Hae Soo was amused. She watched as Yoon Ga Min sprinted past, Hee Won and Ji Woo stepping aside. Disciplinary Committee members, clad in taekwondo uniforms, chased after him.

"Why is he taking all that?" Se Hyeon asked, wide–eyed.

"That crazy idiot." Hae Soo murmured, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I'll destroy it. If this is destroyed, you'd no longer—" Ga Min tripped on a wire, falling forward. The computer slid across the floor.

"Get the computer!" Gyu Jin yelled.

"Kim Se Hyeon. Get it." Hae Soo commanded. Se Hyeon was stunned.

Yoon Ga Min threw a keyboard at his pursuers, creating an opening. He then tackled them, pinning them to the ground.

The computer stopped at Se Hyeon and Hae Soo's feet. "Se Hyeon, the video is on there. The video!" Ga Min shouted.

Se Hyeon hesitated.

Kim Gyu Jin advanced, cursing.

Hae Soo, impatient, knelt down. "Move, you useless fool." She hissed, quickly disconnecting the wires to make it easier to carry. "Grab it."

"Se Hyeon, hurry! Take it with you now!" Ga Min urged.

Finally understanding the urgency, Se Hyeon knelt to disconnect the wires, but time was a luxury they didn't possess. He snatched the PC from her grasp, his movements frantic.

"I don't know, I don't know," he muttered, panic lacing his voice as he fled. He darted down the stairs, then back up, encountering more Disciplinary Committee members ascending.

Hae Soo was momentarily stunned, the chaotic situation overwhelming her. The sheer volume of information and action left her speechless.

As Kim Gyu Jin advanced, ready to pursue them, Hae Soo reacted instinctively. She swung her arm, her fist connecting with his face.

Gyu Jin's head snapped to the side, the force of the blow causing him to stumble. When he regained his composure, his eyes blazed with fury. A girl had just punched him. A girl.

His fists clenched, his knuckles whitening, but he couldn't retaliate. Not against her.

She was Jang Hae Soo, Pi Han Wool's girl. He wouldn't dare lay a finger on her. "Fuck you!" he cursed, then charged up the stairs.

Lee Ji Woo followed immediately, leaving Hee Won standing alone by the wall.

In the blink of an eye, the chaos subsided, replaced by an unsettling quiet. The Disciplinary Committee members had vanished, leaving only Choi Hee Won and Jang Hae Soo trailing behind Yoon Ga Min, who was being escorted away by the Dean of students.

"Hee Won! That thing!" Ga Min shouted, drawing Hee Won's attention. She looked back, her eyes landing on the