The school bus was buzzing with excitement as it rolled down thle road towards the youth centre. The air was filled with a mixture of chatter, laughter and the occasional squeal of delight. Some students leaned over seats to talk to their friends, sharing snacks and jokes, while others were deep in conversation of the fun they would have at the youth centre. A few were sprawled out, attemoting to find some sleep despite the noise, their heads bopping with the bumps in the road.

In the midst of this lively crowd sat Yoon Chaemin, she sat quietly among them her eyes watching the game unfold with a joyful curiosity. Despite her friends encouragement for her to join in, she politely declined, content to just observe.

She noticed Lee Yoon Seo looking at the class president, Kim Jun Hee. She smiled knowing how the girl was head over heals for the class president. Kim So mi, the vice president of the class has had a crush on Jun Hee from last year. She was sneakily clicking his pictures and showing it to her friends asking how can he look so handsome even while sleeping.

A few rows ahead, sat Go Kyung Jun, the school's notorious bully and chaemin's ex. He was leaning against the seat, attempting to catch some sleep, but the noisy game of 'Mafia' was starting to get on his nerves. He shifted in his seat, grumbling under his breath as bursts of laughter and playful accusations interrupted his attempts to sleep. He couldn't help but occasionally glance back at the group, catching a glimpse of Chaemin's smiling face. Even tho he tried to act indifferent, a pang of longing hit him everytime he saw her, reminding of the feelings he still had for her.

"They are so fucking noisy" Kyung Jun said out loud enough for the guy beside him to hear. Shin Seungbin, after hearing this he got up and hit Jin Da Beom and Joowon's back of the head and turned towards Kim Jinha and tild him to make them shut up. "Hey! Shut up Kyung Jun is sleeping" he said, making the whole bus go quiet for a while.

Chaemin watching this couldn't help but blurt out the word 'jerks' making a face. She knows they are known throughout the school for their aggressive behaviour and their desire to dominate others. She has seen how they like to assert their power, often cornering weaker students in the hallways or at the back of the schoolyard. Their approach is always the same: intimidating with harsh words, mocking others’ insecurities, and, sometimes, using physical threats to ensure they get their way.

When the bus finally pulled up to the youth centre, the students eagerly disembarked buzzing with excitement. As everyone began unloading their bags and started to head inside the building, Chaemin noticed Ahn Na Hee struggling with the boxes and when she was about to go help her Jang Hyun Ho, the athlete carried away the boxes from her. There was still a box or two left so she decided to take it inside. Without a second thought she carried those boxes tho it was way heavier than  she expected it to be she still carried it.

Kyung Jun, still feeling grumpy from the bus ride, came outside yawning. While he was stretching his body he turned his head a little to the right and saw Chaemin carrying those heavy boxes, his annoyance turning into concern. He knew how she was — always putting others first, always willing to help out, even if it was more than she could handle. It was one of the  things that used to drive him crazy when they were together. He had always wanted her to take care of herself more, to stop sacrificing her comfort for the sake of others.

Seeing her struggle with the boxes now, his protective instincts flared up. He watched as she juggled the weight of the boxes, her small frame bending slightly over the load. A mixture of frustration and affection washed over him. He couldn't help but feel compelled to do something.

Without thinking too much about it, Kyung Jun stepped forward, his footsteps quickening as he reached her. "Hey" he called out, his voice gruff but with an underlying concern. "Let me take those." Chaemin looked up surprised to see him, "It's okay, I've got this" she replied gently. But the bully was already reaching for the boxes, his strong hands easily taking the weight from her "Don't be stubborn. Can't have u struggling after a long trip."

Chaemin paused for a moment, a look of gratitude mixed with a hint of sadness. "Thank you" she said softly, stepping aside to let him carry the boxes. Seungbin and Junha couldn't help but snicker while looking at the two.

The students were scattered throughout the gymnasium, each group engaged in different activities. In the middle, a group of girls danced to the beat of the song they chose, their movement fluid and joyful. At the back some students were playing some instruments while the others were engrossed in their phones. Near one corner a group of students played different games. In various pockets around the room, students chatted, laughed, and snacked on treats from the table lined with chips, sweets, cookies and juice boxes.

Park Woo Ram was filming everyone with his camera but sometimes specifically landing on a particular person for a long time. He had confessed her love for her but was brutally rejected but still he somehow still seems to like the girl. Moving his camera every time he was caught filming her; it landed on Chaemin and Na hee as they smiled and waved at the camera.

After sometime, Chaemin excused herself from her friends and headed towards the washroom. As she made her way back she saw Kyung Jun and his two friends or rather lackeys. He was bending a little bit towering over Da beom cupping his head on his large hands. The boy looked nervous and uneasy. Chaemin immediately sensed the tension in the air. Da beom was looking down, his shoulders hunched, clearly intimidated by the bully, who stood over him with a menacing grin.

Chaemin, driven by her instincts to protect, stepped forward. "Hey, what's going on here?" She asked clearly and firmly. Her eyes were fixed on the bully, her expression firm. The bully's grin faded slightly as he turned towards her. His eyes softened for a moment at the sight of her, but then his face hardened again. He couldn't let his guard down, he had a reputation to uphold. "None of your business" he muttered, his voice rough and low.

Her eyes narrowed, her concern for the boy evident. "Let him go" she said firmly, " He hasn't done anything to you." The bully scoffed, rolling his eyes "Why are you always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?" He snapped, his tone harsh. "This is between me and him" he said pointing towards himself and Da beom.

The smaller boy tried to pull away, but the bully held him firmly in place. Chaemin stepped forward, her fists tightening at her sides. Despite the strange feeling she felt, she wasn't going to back down. "You need to stop  doing this" she insisted, her voice strong "Just let him go."

But Kyung Jun's frustration boiled over. His feelings for her, his anger and his own  inner turmoil all mixed into a storm of emotions he couldn't control. "Why do you always have to be so...so perfect?" He slightly shouted, "Always putting yourself in the middle of everything! You don't understand."

Chaemin flinched slightly at the sudden raise of his voice. "I understand clearly, enough to know that you are a jerk. That no matter how much a person loves you or is there for you, you aren't grateful. You make everyone around you feel miserable Kyung Jun." He stared at her, his chest falling and rising with each heavy breath. For a moment, there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes — something like regret or conflict. But then he set his jaw, pushing it aside. "Whatever" he muttered, shoving Da beom.away roughly. "Just stay out of my way."

Chaemin decided to explore the youth centre, curious about the things that were there in the building. She suddenly got a notif and she opened to see what it was.

Welcome to the Mafia Game.
Check your occupation.

As she clicked on the button a message popped up.

Your occupation is a Civilian.

Frowning, she looked at it for a while before putting her phone inside her pocket, thinking that it was one of her classmate's pranks. As she continued to explore. While exploring, she stumbled upon Yeon seo, Oh Jung Won and Jun hee. "Hey where are you going" Yeon seo asked upom seeing Chaemin. "Just exploring the building" she answered quietly, as she was about to speak Jun hee interrupted her. "Joo won" he said as the said boy looked up, he had a tissue stuck up his nose with some blood on it. As Jun hee stepped down he called out to Joo won "I'll talk with him, you can be going" he said, Chaemin having a gut feeling asked if she could tag along.

The three of them made their way towards the gymnasium. As they reached the entrance they heard some noises from inside. Chaemin's heart quickened, a sense of dread settling in her stomach. When they stepped into the gymnasium, the scene unfolded before them. In front of the basketball post Da beom was kneeled down as Kyung Jun threw the ball inside the net and it landed on Da beom's head. "Aaa.....ceeee" they said in unison grinning.

"Hey!" Jun hee shouted as he walked towards them followed by the other two. His voice was sharp and stern. Chaemin's eyes immediate went to the boy on the floor as she reached near them. His face was pale, and there was blood dripping from his nose. She rushed towards him, kneeling down to help him up. Her touch was gentle and her voice was soothing as she asked, "Are you okay? Can you stand?"

The boy nodded, feeling embarrassed and grateful. With the help of the girl he stood up slowly on his feet, wincing slightly from the pain. Jun hee handed him a tissue to stop the bleeding. Meanwhile, the bully stood there, with his arms crossed, his expression smug and indifferent. He didn't seem to care about the boy's condition or the fact that he had been caught red-handed. But deep down he felt something strange, he didn't liked the way Chaemin talked and touched Da beom. He knew Da beom liked the girl, well who wouldn't. She was sweet, kind, gentle, helpful; everything he was not in short. He hated the fact that there were other people who liked her, that there were some better than him and that they would treat her better than he can. He was insecure to say the least.

"Really? Kyung Jun stop with ur pranks" the class president said frustratedly. "Pranks? Im fucking serious right now" Kyung jun replied, a smirk playing on his lips. Jun hee glanced at the boy who was still holding the tissue and looking down at the floor. "He decided to help us tmr for the event. So, im taking him" Jun hee said slowly, Da beom glanced back at Kyung jun and looked back at the class president again. "No..im fine here" he said lowly. Grinning Kyung jun grabbed his hands and pulled him by his side.

"Hey, who the fuck is that. Shit." Seung bin said out aloud as he looked here and there to find who threw the ball at him. "Seung bin u have gotten pretty big. Have u been working out?" Hyun ho said coming along with Dong hyun, "Shit. Jang Hyun ho. You son of a bitch" he said sounding irritated. Kyung jun stepped up and stood straight in front of Hyun ho slightly looking up at him. "Why is everyone gathered here and making a chaos" he said looking at Hyun ho in the eye. "We came here to workout. Why? Can't we?" Hyun ho standing his ground said, irritated Kyung jun said, "You jerks couldn't even get in the national team. Fuck, sure. Work ur asses off then." Spitting at the side of Hyun ho's shoes he went away from there followed by Seung bin and Jin ha.

Kyung jun glanced at Chaemin who had been looking at the scene before her unfold silently. Kyung jun knew that look, he knew she was disappointed. But his ego which is as big as his body always comes in the way, often leading to things getting more worse.

The evening is quiet, with the low hum of conversations and the occasional sound of laughter echoing through the hallways. Chaemin after finding out what So mu did, was furious and was rambling things showing her fists to Yeon seo who kept saying it was fine and Jun won who agreed with Chaemin. "Guys, go back to ur rooms now" Jun hee shouts as everyone slowly starts to go inside. Suddenly, every phone in the building dings at the same time, breaking the calm. "Hey who did u vote for?" asked Jung won "Heo yool" the other two replied.

The students inside their rooms peek out, curious, and those still in the hallways pause, glancing at their screens. The buzz of whispers spreads quickly as students start gathering in small groups, their expressions ranging from confusion to intrigue."Heo Yool must have done something," one student mutters, looking around suspiciously.Others start nodding in agreement, some pointing fingers and raising voices. "Yeah, im sure everyone voted for him. We know u did this" Eun ha says. Heo Yool stands in the middle of the crowd, looking irritated. His brows furrow, and he clenches his fists as the accusations pile up. "Why did u all vote for me? It'sno fun this way" he snaps, his voice edged with annoyance.

Voting had ended.

Heo yool with the most votes will be executed.

A robotic voice spoke out as one of his friends waved at him saying 'bye-bye'. But before he can say more, a chilling, almost otherworldly sound reaches his ears, and only his ears. The noise is eerie, a sharp, high-pitched ringing that seems to cut through his thoughts.His hand instinctively flies to his head, gripping it tightly as he bends slightly, his face twisted in pain. The students around him watch with a mixture of confusion and scepticism. Some start to laugh, assuming he's just messing around. "Come on, Heo Yool, cut it out!" one shouts. "He's sure asking for sympathy" Eun ha says slightly being done with his antics. But their laughter and banter dies quickly when Heo Yool suddenly stands up straight, his posture unnaturally stiff. His eyes, once sharp and annoyed, are now wide open and eerily blank, completely white, devoid of any pupils or colour.

A stunned silence falls over the crowd as fear ripples through the students.Without warning, Heo Yool drops to his knees with a thud that reverberates through the hallway. His movements are jerky and erratic, like a marionette controlled by invisible strings. Then, to everyone's horror, he starts banging his head against the floor, each impact sounding louder and more brutal than the last. The sickening thuds echo off the walls, mingling with the terrified screams of the students.

The students recoils, a wave of panic sweeping through them. Some try to reach for Heo Yool to stop him, but the fear holds them back, paralysed by the sight of his self-destructive behaviour. Chaemin, her face pale and eyes wide with fear, finds herself being pushed back by the crowd. She stumbles slightly, her frame nearly lost in the sea of bodies, until she reaches the back.

She realises she is now near the bully. His expression is hard to read, a mix of shock and something else—perhaps concern or maybe just the realisation of the seriousness of the situation. Despite everything, she instinctively feels a small, conflicted sense of safety being near him, even in the chaos. Heo Yool suddenly rises to his feet, his movements mechanical and unsettling. Without a moment's pause, he turns toward the walls, smashing his head into them with a brutal force. Each impact is accompanied by a sickening crunch as photo frames shatter and glass rains down to the floor. The sound of breaking glass echoes through the hallway, mingling with the gasps and shouts of the students, who are now frozen in shock and fear.

"Hey!" the class president shouts. Heo Yool stands still for a brief moment, as if gathering strength or waiting for some unseen signal. Then, suddenly, he starts sprinting forward, his eyes still eerily white, focused on nothing yet filled with an unnatural intensity. Panic spreads through the crowd like wildfire, and they begin to back away, their instincts screaming at them to get out of the way. Chaemin, still at the back of the crowd, feels a surge of fear as Heo Yool charges forward. Before she can react, Kyung jun moves swiftly. Driven by protective instinct, he reaches out and grabs her by the arm, yanking her back. She stumbles, her back colliding with his solid chest. The impact is firm but oddly reassuring, his presence a surprising comfort amid the chaos.Heo Yool doesn’t stop. With a single, fluid motion, he leaps through a nearby window. The sound of shattering glass is followed by the collective scream of the students, who watch in stunned horror as he disappears from sight. The room fills with the sounds of gasps and panicked whispers, the reality of what just happened slowly sinking in.

Chaemin, still pressed against the bully, is sweating and breathing heavily. Her heart races, pounding in her chest as she tries to process the chaos around her. Yeon Seo, starts to move forward, intent on checking the window, but just as she takes a step, a strange, melodic tune fills the air. It’s haunting and slow, like a lullaby. As the tune continues to play, it seems to seep into their bones, compelling them to sleep.Yeon Seo sways on her feet, her eyes fluttering closed. She collapses to the floor in a deep sleep, and one by one, other students begin to fall as well, succumbing to the strange melody.

Chaemin feels her eyelids grow heavy, her body weakening against the bully’s chest. She tries to fight it, but the sound is too strong. Her knees buckle, and she falls back, landing softly against Kyung jun, who catches her instinctively.He holds her gently, his arms wrapping around her to keep her from hitting the floor. As her consciousness fades, the last thing she feels is the steady beat of his heart against her back, a comforting rhythm in the midst of the surreal nightmare unfolding around them.

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