EPISODE EIGHT

The door groaned as it was shoved open, revealing Min Hwan. He was a picture of indolence, sprawled across a chair, one arm draped over a precarious stack of battered tables. In his other hand, he idly spun his gun, the metallic glint a dangerous counterpoint to his relaxed posture.

Han Wool entered, his movements devoid of any superfluous energy. He didn't afford Min Hwan a single glance, his hands tucked deep into his pockets, his gaze fixed straight ahead. His face, as ever, was an impassive mask, but there was an almost imperceptible shift, a subtle tension that only a keen observer would notice. He sank into the chair atop the makeshift throne of old tables, the rough wood creaking beneath his weight. He could feel Min Hwan's eyes boring into him.

Min Hwan had been watching him intently, searching for any telltale sign, any flicker of emotion that betrayed the carefully constructed facade. He saw it, that subtle change, a ripple in Han Wool's usual stoicism. He knew why. From his vantage point on the rooftop, he had witnessed the unexpected scene unfold on the school grounds.

He rose, his steps languid, almost lazy, as he approached the makeshift throne. He tilted his head, attempting to decipher Han Wool's expression, but Han Wool remained fixed on the sprawling school grounds before him.

Min Hwan clicked his tongue, a sound of quiet confirmation. He had his suspicions, but he needed to hear it from Han Wool himself.

"Did I just hallucinate? Or did I actually see Hae Soo walk through those gates?" His voice, low and laced with curiosity, cut through the silence. Han Wool's eyes flickered, but he didn't turn his head, waiting for the rest. "And, more importantly, not exit your car?"

Han Wool looked away again, offering no response. The image of Hae Soo walking away was still too vivid.

"Did you guys have a fight or something?" Min Hwan moved, positioning himself where he could see Han Wool's face, not just the back of his head.

The silence that followed was an answer in itself. Min Hwan clicked his tongue again, a low, knowing sound. It was obvious. If they hadn't argued, Han Wool would have dismissed the question with a curt denial. He chuckled, a low, amused sound. "That's new. Is this your first?"

Han Wool finally turned, his gaze sharp. This was indeed a first. But was it truly an argument? A fight? He wasn't sure. He had never seen her storm off, never witnessed the tears that had welled in her eyes. The unfamiliarity of the situation left him adrift.

"So it is," Min Hwan confirmed, flipping his gun in his hand. "Whose screw up was it?"

Han Wool's brow furrowed. Was he seriously asking that? He knew Min Hwan would.

But how could he articulate the fact that he was the sole architect of this discord?

"Seeing how she practically stormed through the gate, I'm guessing she's pretty pissed at you," Min Hwan observed, settling onto the edge of the tables, his gaze fixed on Han Wool, who continued to avoid his eyes.

"So, what's the plan? Are you just going to let her stew in her anger?" Min Hwan prodded, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

The question echoed Han Wool's own internal turmoil. What was he going to do? How could he mend the rift he had created?

The scene with Hae Soo's mother replayed in his mind, the memory sharp and vivid. He hadn't intended to reveal their relationship. The words had spilled out, driven by a sensation he was unfamiliar with: fear. A cold, unfamiliar dread had gripped him when her mother declared her disapproval.

What if she had told me to stay away? The thought had clawed at him, an unbearable prospect. He couldn't lose her. A single day without her felt like an eternity of torment. The mere idea of letting her go was inconceivable.

He would fight for her, of course. That much was certain.

But he had been a fool, blinded by a moment of panic. He had allowed her seemingly innocuous threat to unsettle him. Without thinking, he had blurted out the truth, exposing their secret.

And now, she was angry. Perhaps even disappointed. He had likely shattered the trust she placed in him. She had been so resolute, declaring her unwavering commitment despite her mother's objections. Why hadn't he mirrored that same resolve?

Deep within, he knew he would wage any battle to keep her. But why had his voice failed him in that crucial moment? Why hadn't he articulated the fierce determination that burned within him?

"Well, are you going to say something or just sit there in brooding silence? I can't offer any brilliant insights if you don't give me anything to work with," Min Hwan pressed, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Han Wool turned to him, his eyebrows arching slightly. "And what, pray tell, makes you think I require your assistance in mending my relationship?" He scanned Min Hwan, taking in his relaxed posture, the air of confident assurance that radiated from him.
Confidence that he could help.

The irony was thick. Min Hwan, whose romantic history consisted of fleeting encounters and casual flings, had never experienced the depth of emotion that Han Wool felt for Hae Soo. One-night stands and superficial connections were a world apart from the profound connection he shared with her. How could someone with such limited experience possibly understand the weight of the situation, the sting of being left alone in the car as his girlfriend stormed away?

"Seriously, dude," Min Hwan began, a hint of playful arrogance in his voice, "I get it, you're all, like, 'deeply in love' or whatever. But trust me, I've got more ideas on how to smooth this over than you do right now. Brain's kinda frozen, isn't it?" He punctuated his boast with a self-satisfied grin.

"Yeah, no thanks, Min Hwan. I'll handle it. I'm not about to use one of your 'genius' plans. That'd probably just set things on fire." Han Wool replied, his voice flat, dismissing the offer with a curt wave of his hand. He wasn't about to subject his relationship to any of Min Hwan's outlandish schemes. They would likely exacerbate the situation, not alleviate it.

Han Wool shifted his posture, leaning forward, his forearms resting on his thighs. He fixed Min Hwan with a serious gaze, the intensity in his eyes deepening. The playful banter had vanished, replaced by a steely resolve.

"However," he continued, his voice low and deliberate, "if you're truly intent on being of some use, there is something else you can do for me."

The girls' journey to the library was, as expected, intercepted by Kim Se Hyeon, who was also heading in that direction. The four of them then proceeded together, a stream of chatter filling the air, though Hae Soo found herself mentally drifting, the conversation a dull hum against the backdrop of her troubled thoughts.

Her mind replayed the scene in the car with Han Wool, the abruptness of her departure. A faint sigh escaped her lips, almost lost in the quiet of the hallway. Was I overreacting? she wondered.

The source of her agitation wasn't entirely clear. It wasn't the revelation of their relationship that had sparked her anger, not truly. It was the way Han Wool had seemed to falter, to be swayed by her mother's seemingly innocuous threat.

"We're studying here for now," Se Hyeon announced, sliding the library door open with a decisive push. Hae Soo paused, her gaze lingering on the entrance. She'd almost forgotten their school possessed a library.

As they stepped inside, a peculiar scene unfolded before them, startling yet somehow predictable. Yoon Ga Min sat at a table, his back to them, his posture radiating focused energy. His hands moved with delicate precision, clearly engaged in some meticulous task.

"What's he doing?" Hae Soo whispered, her voice laced with curiosity.

They edged closer, Hee Won practically bouncing with excitement, eager to see what had captured Ga Min's attention. Peering over his shoulder, they finally discerned his project.

A large sheet of paper proclaimed, 'Yusung High Study Group Members'. At its center, a star was drawn, and within that star, a photograph of Yoon Ga Min himself, signifying his self-appointed role as leader. Surrounding his picture were smaller images of the other members: Se Hyeon at the top, Ji Woo to the left, Hee Won to the right, and Hae Soo in the bottom left corner.

"Wow," Hee Won breathed, clasping her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she took in the elaborate design.

"Why is he doing this?" Se Hyeon muttered, a slight cringe marring his usually composed expression. He found the display overly dramatic.

"He gets poor grades, doesn't he?" Ji Woo added, her tone dry.

Hae Soo examined the paper, her gaze analytical. It wasn't poorly executed, but the excessive use of color seemed unnecessary.

"You prepared all this? It's so cool," Hee Won gushed, giving Ga Min a double thumbs-up.

"It's nothing. It's the Study Group leader's job," Ga Min replied, a flush creeping up his neck as he averted his gaze, though his voice held a note of pride.

"He only hears what he wants to hear, right?" Hae Soo murmured, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Yes, I think you're right," Se Hyeon and Ji Woo agreed, nodding in unison.

Ga Min pressed his palms to his chest, his expression suddenly serious. "I'm nervous."

Se Hyeon, Ji Woo, and Hae Soo exchanged concerned glances. "What is it now?"

Ga Min lowered his hands, pointing to the empty space in the bottom right corner of the star. "It will be filled soon, too."

"Yes. Me, too!" Hee Won chimed in, her voice filled with anticipation. Ji Woo scoffed, rolling her eyes, while the others regarded Hee Won with a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.

"Fighting!" Ga Min and Hee Won exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with an almost childish enthusiasm. The remaining three sighed, shaking their heads as they moved around the table to find seats. Hae Soo slumped into a chair next to Se Hyeon, while Hee Won settled on his other side. She stared down at the table, idly tracing the pattern of the wood grain, her thoughts still consumed by Han Wool.

Despite the pleasant company of her new friends, she couldn't shake the nagging guilt that gnawed at her. The fleeting, almost imperceptible flicker of hurt she'd seen in Han Wool's eyes replayed in her mind. She'd noticed it, but her stubbornness had compelled her to ignore it.

"By the way, did you guys hear? Pi Han Wool got arrested, too," Se Hyeon said, shifting in his seat, his voice cutting through the quiet.

The statement drew everyone's attention, particularly Hae Soo's. However, her expression remained unchanged, a mask of impassivity. They all watched her, waiting for a reaction.

Hee Won broke the silence, her voice filled with curiosity. "Yes, everyone's talking about it. Why did he get arrested?"

All eyes turned to Hae Soo, their expressions expectant. She didn't return their gazes, her attention fixed on her lap. She was as clueless as they were. Why was my boyfriend arrested?

Se Hyeon hesitated, then continued, "If Lee Hyun Woo is being investigated, and Pi Han Wool got arrested... he might go to the juvenile hall, like Lee Hyun Woo..." His voice trailed off, his gaze shifting towards Ji Woo.

The atmosphere in the library became charged with tension. All eyes were now on Ji Woo, including Hae Soo's. They knew this was a sensitive topic, given Lee Hyun Woo is her twin brother.

Ji Woo met their gazes, then looked away, her expression hardening. "Of course they should. They're thugs." She shrugged, then added, "By the way, Pi Han Wool came to school today."

Again, all heads turned to Hae Soo. She could feel the weight of their scrutiny, their unspoken questions hanging in the air. She met their gazes, her face still devoid of emotion, and just as she was about to dismiss their curiosity with a curt response-

The sharp, explosive bang! of shattering glass ripped through the library's quiet atmosphere. The five occupants flinched violently, some letting out startled yelps, instinctively covering their ears as their bodies recoiled from the sudden, jarring sound.

Ga Min was the first to move, rising from his seat with a startled jump. The others followed suit, their expressions a mixture of confusion and lingering shock. A large brick lay on the floor near the window, surrounded by a glittering halo of shattered glass.

"What?" they murmured in unison, their hearts still pounding from the unexpected disruption. They turned towards the window, their eyes searching for an explanation.

Ga Min, displaying a surprising lack of fear, approached the window, ignoring the concerned calls from his friends.

"Hey, Yoon Ga Min! Come down immediately!" a voice boomed from below, loud enough to penetrate the library's interior.

Kim Se Hyeon, with a wary expression, followed Ga Min, standing behind him and peering out the window. Hae Soo, her curiosity piqued, joined them, standing on Ga Min's other side.

On the school grounds below, stood Kang Tae Oh, a figure Hae Soo recognized, though she couldn't quite place from where. He was surrounded by a group of his friends, their postures and expressions radiating an air of menace.

"Why?" Ga Min asked, his voice laced with an almost disarming innocence. Even Hae Soo nearly scoffed at the sheer audacity of his question, mirroring the disbelief of the group below.

"Why?" Kang Tae Oh repeated, his voice incredulous. He scoffed, a dark amusement twisting his features. "Why? Fuck. He asks why. What do we do?"

"Shit. I knew it," Se Hyeon muttered, his eyes narrowing.

"What do you mean?" Ga Min asked, his large, innocent eyes fixed on Se Hyeon, who glared back at him.

"You might not be interested, but you're the center of attention at Yusung Tech High right now, Yoon Ga Min,"

Hae Soo smirked at Se Hyeon's words. She had anticipated this. After Ga Min's audacious stunt the day before, she had expected repercussions. After all, he had violated a long-standing rule.

"I know Yusung Tech High is a mess, but different grades don't fight each other, by a rule. But you broke that rule." That rule. Different grades don't fight each other. But Yoon Ga Min, an 10th grader, did. He fought Kim Gyu Jin, an 11th grader.

"So, who is he?" Ga Min asked, his gaze fixed on the group below.

Se Hyeon pulled out his phone, tapping on the ranking app-the app that had become the official ruler of the school, the app Pi Han Wool had created.

"Kang Tae Oh. The number one of the 11th grade," Se Hyeon announced, displaying Kang Tae Oh's profile on the app.

"Come down, you fucker! Let's decide who's above whom!" Kang Tae Oh yelled, his voice filled with aggressive challenge.

Ga Min leaned against the window, his expression nonchalant. "You can be above me," he stated casually, then turned and walked away from the window.

Hae Soo lingered by the window for a moment, observing the group below as they conversed amongst themselves. They immediately recognized her. Of course they did.

"Jang Hae Soo?" they murmured, their expressions a mix of shock and surprise. They clearly hadn't expected to see Jang Hae Soo, Pi Han Wool's girlfriend, associating with the study group.

Rolling her eyes, she turned away from the window and returned to her seat. "You're the center of attention now, Yoon Ga Min. What're you gonna do?"

Ga Min shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. As if being the center of attention at a school like this was no big deal. Was he truly oblivious to the potential consequences?

Hae Soo was about to speak again when Kang Tae Oh's voice boomed once more. "Hey, you son of a bitch!"

Everyone sighed in unison. "They don't know when to give up, do they?" Hae Soo murmured, her voice laced with exasperation. They could hear the group below continuing their taunts, but they ignored them, letting their voices fade into the background.

Until-

"What's this? Study group application?" Kang Tae Oh yelled, his voice filled with mocking amusement.

Ga Min dashed forward, back to the window. Hae Soo sighed again, watching Ga Min as she remained seated. She could hear the others laughing mockingly.

"Hey, Yoon Ga Min. You influenced him and turned him into a fucking loser," Tae Oh spat, referring to someone the others didn't know. But Yoon Ga Min flinched, his expression hardening.

"Give me that," he stated sternly, his voice low and dangerous.

"This?" Kang Tae Oh asked, pretending to rip the paper. The others followed suit, mimicking his actions, their laughter echoing through the air as Ga Min watched, his fury growing.

He wouldn't tolerate them disrespecting his study group. He simply couldn't.

"I'll kill whoever is holding this from now on, okay?" Kang Tae Oh announced, his tone laced with a menacing edge. Ga Min's anger intensified, and so did Hae Soo's. Their patience was wearing thin.

Suddenly, Ga Min jumped over the window, startling everyone. Before they could react-

He was gone.

EPISODE EIGHT, END

We all know who's coming next chapter hehehe (hint: my boyfriend) I'm so excited to write the next chapter-although I'm kinda nervous about writing the fight scene, idk how it'll turn out, I'm literally losing my minddd.

ALSO this book already got 2k??? That was sooo fast. Thank you so so much!!!

Don't forget to vote and comment your views on the chapter! I love reading them! I love u all, good night (or good morning, depending on where you live) <33