The morning after the paintball game, the entire camp was buzzing with hushed whispers and wide eyes. Conversations floated through the air like wildfire, each more dramatic than the last.
"Did you hear? That girl—what's her name again? Hayeon? She went against him."
"No way… Jay? The Devil King himself?"
"And she won. Like—actually won."
People didn't know where she had come from or how she'd done it, but the fact remained—someone had finally dared to challenge Jay and lived to tell the tale. No, more than that… she walked away unscathed. And that in itself was what shocked them the most.
Because everyone at the elite camp knew the unspoken rule—going against Jay meant calling doom upon yourself. He wasn't someone you crossed in a game unless you were ready to be hunted down afterwards. That was why, in every match, most chose silence and submission over defiance.
But this time… everything was different.
There was no fallout. No screaming. No revenge the next morning. Just silence.
And in that silence, Cha Hayeon walked with her chin held high, elegance in every step, not a scratch on her. It was as if nothing had happened the day before, as if she hadn't just gone head-to-head with the camp's unbeatable king.
Eyes followed her wherever she went. Slowly, admiration began to replace fear in those gazes. The camp, which had once seen her as an outsider, now couldn't stop watching her. They saw her differently now—not just as the girl who dared, but as someone magnetic, dangerous, beautiful.
The way she carried herself, with that cold, composed aura, was like that of a queen—untouchable, sharp, and radiant. But despite the powerful impression she left, she wasn't unkind. Hayeon was surprisingly good at socializing, especially with those who treated her well. To them, she was warm, engaging—even charming in her own cool way.
Everything was beginning to shift in her favor.
And then came the announcement that made her heart skip a beat.
There would be a car racing event at the arena.
A spark lit in her eyes.
Unlike paintball, this was her element. Hayeon had been learning to drive for just about a year, but her progress was remarkable. It was like she was born for the wheel—the way she handled speed, curves, instincts. Her skills had stunned even professionals. She wasn't just good. She was gifted.
And lucky for her, this was the kind of camp where everybody knew how to drive. It was part of the elite training. These weren't ordinary kids—they were trained in everything.
Excited, Hayeon got ready in the changing rooms along with the others. The air was charged with anticipation as everyone suited up, preparing for the high-octane showdown. As she stepped into the hallway on her way to the arena, she spotted a familiar figure walking toward her.
Jay.
Their eyes met.
With a bright smile, Hayeon called out, "Hey! Are you okay now?"
She was referring to yesterday, of course—when he'd been drugged during the paintball match. Her voice was light, almost teasing.
Jihoon stopped in his tracks and offered a soft smile, one corner of his lips quirking upward. "Yeah. I'm good."
"Glad to hear that," she said sweetly. "Good luck for the game today."
A knowing glint sparkled in her eyes as she added with playful confidence, "Just so you know, I'm going to win."
Jihoon tilted his head slightly, clearly amused. "Oh? That confident in your skills?"
"Of course I am," she replied proudly. "You may not know this, but I've raced with professionals before—and they say I'm pretty amazing."
"Huh…" Jihoon chuckled, lips curving into a half-smile. "Is that so? Then I'm really looking forward to witnessing this little racer's great skills."
"You won't be disappointed," she said, puffing up with pride—until she caught the slight emphasis he put on 'little racer.'
Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait a second," she huffed, hands on her hips. "Who are you calling little, huh?! I'm not little, hmph !"
Jihoon simply smiled as she stomped off down the hall, pouting with mock anger. Behind her, he let out a soft laugh, watching her with an unreadable expression in his eyes.
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The arena was electric with excitement.
Dozens of sleek cars lined up under the sun, engines purring, wheels gleaming. The track curved and stretched across the open field like a metallic beast. Flags fluttered in the wind, and the crowd buzzed with adrenaline.
One by one, racers climbed into their cars, strapping in, checking their gear, adjusting their gloves. The scent of fuel and burnt rubber filled the air. Hayeon climbed into her black-and-silver car, fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel. Her eyes glinted with focus and anticipation.
JIhoon, too, slid into his car a few spots away—cool, composed, unreadable.
With everyone in place, hands gripped the steering wheels tight. The whistle was moments away. A deep breath.
Then—
FWEEEET!
The sound sliced through the air, and in an instant, the engines roared to life.
Cars surged forward like beasts unleashed. Dust kicked up. Tires screamed against the asphalt.
And at the front of the pack was Hayeon.
Fierce, fearless, and focused, she sped through the track with her signature smirk. The wind tangled through her hair. Her eyes were sharp as fire. Every twist, every turn—she owned it.
Round after round, she held her lead, with only a couple of cars daring to challenge her speed. But Hayeon was unfazed. She could taste victory already. She was seconds from the finish line now, and confidence radiated from her like heat.
Just one more round. I've got this.
She allowed herself a breath of relief, letting her guard down just a little, convinced it was over.
But then—
VROOOOOM!
Out of nowhere, a jet-black car tore past her, blurring like a shadow across her vision.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened. What the—?!
She turned quickly to see the driver's door just as the car crossed the finish line.
Jay.
He stepped out of the car smoothly, his posture relaxed, his expression smug. He glanced back at her car—and with the most infuriatingly smug smile, he tilted his sunglasses down ever so slightly.
Just like that… he'd won.
The scoreboard lit up.
1st Place: Jay
Hayeon blinked in disbelief.
At the finish line, they stood face to face once more.
"You really were impressive," he said. "You had me on the edge… but here's something to remember—" He leaned in slightly. "It's not over until it's really over."
Still stunned, Hayeon narrowed her eyes. "You hid your skills… You pretended like you weren't good at this!"
Jihoon shrugged innocently. "When did I ever say I was bad at it? I just never revealed anything." He pointed at the scoreboard, repeating her own words back to her—words she had once thrown at him:
"This is fair and square, isn't it?"
Hayeon was left speechless, caught off guard in a way she hadn't been in years.
And that's when it hit her.
For the first time in a long time, she smiled not because she won, but because someone made her feel like she could lose.
Finally… someone as crazy as me. Or maybe… even more crazier.
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