Haneul Academy felt colder the next morning.
It wasn't the air—it was the shift in power. Rumors were no longer whispers. They had grown fangs. Students followed Ha-Rin with their eyes like she was a glitch in the system, a scandal waiting to explode again.
She could feel it with every step.
But she didn't flinch.
Because this time, she wasn't walking in alone.
Ji-Ae walked right beside her, holding a warm can of vending machine coffee in one hand and a wicked grin in the other.
"Smile more," she whispered. "It pisses them off."
"I can barely breathe."
"Then fake it. That's how the elite survive."
They pushed through the double doors of the main building, past the rows of students pretending not to stare. Just as Ha-Rin reached her locker, another voice called out behind them.
"You should be careful who you walk with."
Ha-Rin turned.
Tae-Hwan stood a few feet away, arms folded, gaze calm—but cold.
Ji-Ae raised a brow. "Oh no. Is this the part where you warn her about me?"
"I'm warning her about everyone."
Ji-Ae gave him a mock salute and disappeared into the classroom, letting the tension simmer.
Ha-Rin narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He stepped closer. "You think this ends with a photo and a few insults? This is just starting."
"Then tell me what I'm supposed to do, Tae-Hwan. Hide?"
"I want you safe."
"I don't need another person trying to protect me by keeping me quiet."
He sighed. "That's not what I'm doing."
"Then what are you doing?"
A beat.
"I'm trying to figure out how to keep you from becoming his next casualty."
Her breath caught.
He didn't say Seo-Won's name.
He didn't have to.
"You think he'll ruin me?" she asked.
"I think he already has."
They stood in silence, tension heavy in the air.
And for a moment, she saw something shift in his eyes.
Something like regret.
"Tae-Hwan..." she whispered. "What happened between you two?"
His jaw tightened. "Let's just say... he has a history of destroying the things he cares about."
Then he walked away.
—
The first message came during second period.
Slipped under her textbook in the middle of Ethics class.
Auditorium. Now. No excuses.
—J.S.W.
She stared at it.
Then back at the board where her teacher droned on about moral duty.
She sighed.
And slipped out the side door.
—
The auditorium was dark and empty, the smell of old velvet and stage paint lingering in the air. She stepped cautiously onto the stage, footsteps echoing.
Seo-Won stood in the middle, sleeves rolled up, tie undone, like he'd been waiting for hours.
"You came," he said without turning.
"You summoned."
He finally looked at her.
Something about his eyes was... different.
Less guarded.
More frayed.
"Why didn't you message me yesterday?" she asked.
"I needed space."
"To think?"
"To stop myself from breaking every student who reposted that photo."
Her chest tightened.
"I told you," she said, "I didn't mind it."
"That's the problem."
He stepped closer, gaze piercing. "You don't realize how dangerous I am."
"You've said that before."
"I meant it."
"Then show me."
He blinked. "What?"
"If you're going to keep warning me about yourself—prove it."
His lips parted, then closed.
She took a step forward, standing on her toes so their faces nearly touched.
"I'm not scared of you, Seo-Won."
"You should be."
"I'm more scared of what happens when you disappear."
Silence.
A dangerous silence.
Then—he moved.
In one swift motion, his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him. His other hand gripped the back of her neck, his forehead pressing to hers.
"You're making me lose control," he whispered. "You don't know what that means."
"Maybe I want to."
His lips hovered over hers, breath shaking.
And then—
He kissed her.
Harder than before.
Desperate.
Hungry.
But this time... different.
This time, she kissed him back like she meant it.
She wasn't his Drop.
She wasn't his toy.
She was his match.
When they pulled apart, both breathless, she whispered, "Tell me the truth."
"About what?"
"Why you picked me."
His grip tightened slightly. "Because you didn't beg. You slapped me. You looked me in the eye. And for the first time in a long time... I wanted something I couldn't buy."
Her throat tightened.
"You're still playing the game," she whispered.
"Not anymore," he said. "I'm rewriting it."
—
She left the auditorium with her heart pounding—and her world spinning.
That kiss had changed everything.
And it terrified her.
Because for the first time... she wasn't sure she wanted to escape this.
—
By the time she reached her locker again, Ji-Ae was waiting.
She tilted her head. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Your hair's messed up. Your lips are pink. And your soul looks like it just came back from war. You kissed him again, didn't you?"
Ha-Rin gave her a look.
Ji-Ae laughed. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. But maybe next time, use a broom closet. This school has no chill."
"I think I'm falling for him," Ha-Rin said suddenly.
Ji-Ae blinked.
"Like actually falling. And I don't know if it's the stupidest thing I've ever done."
Ji-Ae stared at her for a second—then pulled a lollipop from her blazer and popped it into Ha-Rin's mouth.
"Then fall smart. Don't let him catch you unless you're sure he'll hold on."
Ha-Rin smiled. "You're weirdly wise."
"I get that a lot."
—
Ha-Rin passed Tae-Hwan in the hallway that afternoon, eyes lowered, lips still faintly pink.
She didn't look at him.
Didn't have to.
For a second, he almost called her name — almost asked what happened — but the answer was written all over her face.
And it wasn't meant for him.
Later that day, Tae-Hwan found Seo-Won on the rooftop garden.
Alone. Brooding. Predictably dramatic.
"You kissed her again," Tae-Hwan said calmly.
Seo-Won didn't respond.
"You know how this ends."
"I don't care."
"You should."
Seo-Won looked at him, eyes cold. "You still think you can protect her?"
"I don't have to. She's not yours."
"She wears my name."
"She wears her own fire."
A long pause.
Then Seo-Won said quietly, "I won't let her be another casualty."
Tae-Hwan's voice was sharper now. "Then stop treating her like one."
Seo-Won didn't reply.
But something in his eyes cracked.
—
That night, a new message was posted anonymously in the school forum.
"You think the scandal's over? Wait until you see what she was before she got here. Let's see if Seo-Won still wants her then..."
Attached was a blurred photo.
A girl—Ha-Rin—arguing with someone outside a convenience store. A middle-aged woman. A torn backpack. Trash bags on the curb.
Old. Grainy. Poor.
Real.
Within minutes, the post had over 1,000 views.
The next morning... Haneul Academy would see it all.
But tonight?
Seo-Won would see it first.
And blood would spill.
—
End of Chapter 8.
We all knew this kiss wasn't the end—it was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
A power shift. A new threat. And feelings neither of them can ignore anymore.
But with the past clawing its way into the spotlight... will Ha-Rin survive the truth?
Leave a 💬 if your heart stopped at that kiss... or that final post.
— AKByeol ✍🏽
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