With exams just a week away, the entire school buzzed with pressure and anxiety. Students were expected to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming tests, and while most were scrambling, Beomgyu remained composed. He had been acing everything since day one, and his academic prowess had earned him silent resentment from many of his classmates. They threw him glares like knives and whispered behind his back, but Beomgyu was indifferent. Their hatred didn't faze him.
What truly haunted him wasn't the jealousy—it was Yeonjun.
The way Yeonjun walked away, leaving Beomgyu suspended in silence and pain, still weighed heavy on his heart. No matter how much he tried to distract himself, the ache always returned. He missed Yeonjun deeply—his voice, his warmth, the softness in his gaze before it all vanished. Beomgyu's world had dimmed, and no amount of studying could chase away the cold.
Huening Kai noticed.
He knew Gyu better than anyone. Though the boy appeared stoic, self-reliant, and distant to others, Kai had seen through that hardened shell. He stayed by Beomgyu's side every day, never letting him fall into complete solitude. Maybe his comfort wasn't enough, but he kept trying—offering presence, quiet support, and loyalty without asking for anything in return.
And in all that pain, Beomgyu began to see changes in himself. Somehow, through heartbreak, he'd discovered pieces of who he was. He had grown—less cold, more tender, more human. He hadn't lost himself... he had simply unlocked what was hidden all along.
But one obstacle remained persistent—Park Chanyeol, the ever-present shadow assigned by his mother. The man tailed him everywhere, more a prison guard than a bodyguard. Students began whispering—some mocking him for being an attention-seeker, others envying the so-called VIP treatment. Beomgyu hated it. He felt like a hostage in his own school.
Still, he had to focus. Exams were coming, and more urgently, he had to deal with the jocks once and for all.
Mingyu's phone still held evidence that could ruin Kai. Gyu needed to get that photo and delete it. He had a plan—and surprisingly, it involved Chanyeol.
While walking with the older man, Beomgyu finally spoke up.
"Can I ask a favor?"
Chanyeol raised a brow. "That depends."
"I need you to keep an eye on Junhui and Vernon while I talk to Mingyu alone."
Chanyeol eyed him suspiciously. "How do I know this isn't another trick? You ran last time."
"I swear I won't. This is important. Please, trust me."
Chanyeol remained quiet for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But I'll be watching."
They eventually found the jocks loitering near the facility room. Gyu took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Mingyu."
The boy turned with a grin full of mockery. "Well, well. Look who came crawling back—with his guard dog, no less."
"I need to talk. Just the two of us."
Mingyu looked intrigued. He exchanged a glance with his boys before nodding.
"Alone, huh? You must really miss me." He turned to Junhui and Vernon. "Stay put."
Chanyeol gave Gyu a curt nod before the two walked off. They headed to an empty restroom. Mingyu locked the door behind them.
"So," Mingyu said, grinning. "What's on your mind? Or is this what's on your mind?" He grabbed his crotch with a vulgar chuckle.
Beomgyu scowled but remained calm. "You have something I want. The photo. I want it deleted."
Mingyu's eyes lit up. "This one?" He pulled out his phone and waved it mockingly.
"Yes. And by the look on your face, I can already tell—you want something in return."
Mingyu stepped closer, his grin widening. "Smart and pretty. You know exactly what I want."
Beomgyu's heart pounded, but he stood his ground.
"If I give you my body, you'll delete it?"
"If you don't," Mingyu sneered, "Kai gets humiliated, and that Soobin guy loses his job. Your call."
He reached out and brushed Gyu's hair aside, his fingers trailing to the boy's chin. "You've got until tonight to decide. Meet me again after dark. Alone."
Beomgyu glared at him. "How do I know you'll really delete it?"
Mingyu leaned close, whispering in his ear, "Because I'm a man of my word."
With that, he stepped away, pausing at the door. "And don't do anything stupid. No bodyguards. No friends. You cross me, and it's all over."
+×+
Elsewhere, Soobin had begun to notice the change in Yeonjun.
The man who was once warm, witty, and expressive had become muted, somber—hollow. He walked through the halls like a ghost. Soobin tried to joke with him, tried to lift his spirits, but he only got empty laughs and cold smiles.
It was like Yeonjun had disappeared, leaving only a shell behind.
That same afternoon, Soobin was sharing a quiet meal with Kai in a secret, unused room Kai had discovered. Hidden from the rest of the school, it had become their private sanctuary.
As they sat across from each other, Soobin didn't touch his food. He simply watched Kai eat, a soft smile on his lips.
"Why are you staring at me?" Kai mumbled, cheeks puffed. "Aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm full just watching you," Soobin teased. "You're beautiful when you eat."
Kai blushed, pouting as Soobin leaned in and poked his nose, then pinched his cheeks affectionately.
"Exams are coming," Soobin said, resting his hand over Kai's. "Want me to tutor you?"
Kai chuckled nervously. "Isn't that... favoritism?"
"Only if we get caught," Soobin smirked. "Besides, I like teaching you. Maybe after we study, we can... do other things."
His fingers traced circles on Kai's hand, but something shifted.
In an instant, Kai's expression crumbled. His breath hitched. Eyes widened. His body froze—and then trembled.
"Kai?" Soobin panicked, rushing around the table to hold him. "Kai, hey—it's okay. Breathe. Look at me."
Kai gasped, his body shaking in Soobin's arms. His mind had plunged into a spiral—dark memories, screams, fear, humiliation. The trauma resurfaced like a tidal wave.
"I-I'm fine," he managed weakly. "Just... another episode."
Soobin cupped his cheeks gently. "You're not fine. Please, talk to me. Let me help."
But Kai only clung to him. He couldn't speak the full truth. He didn't want Soobin to see how shattered he really was. He couldn't bear to bring it all back.
Soobin had once suggested therapy. Kai refused. Maybe in time, he'd be ready.
For now, he just needed to breathe.
+×+
Later that evening, as night crept closer, Beomgyu sat down with Taehyun and Chanyeol. The three huddled together, voices low, tension thick.
"I'll go through with it," Beomgyu said. "I'll pretend to surrender. While they're distracted, you two move in."
"That's dangerous," Taehyun said. "What if something goes wrong? Why not go straight to the police?"
"We can't. Not yet," Gyu answered. "If we do that, Kai and Soobin will be dragged into it. We need to destroy that picture first—and catch them in the act. That's the only way to bring them down."
Chanyeol nodded grimly. "I'll be nearby. We strike the moment things turn south."
Gyu looked at them both, heart pounding. "Tonight, it ends. No matter what happens... I'll finish this."