The academy never slept.
Not really.
By sunrise, fresh rumors had already made it down every hallway, scribbled into class group chats and whispered behind textbooks.
"Did you hear? Song Hye-Ri is back. And she's claiming Seo-Won."
"Poor Ha-Rin... she was just the interim girl."
"Apparently, his parents were always planning to bring Hye-Ri back."
Kang Ha-Rin heard every word.
Not because she wanted to—but because they made sure she did.
Even the teachers paused a little longer when they saw her name on roll call. Even the cafeteria ladies offered an extra scoop of rice, as if that could fix public humiliation.
But the worst part?
Jin Seo-Won didn't say a word.
No text. No call. No note under her desk.
Nothing.
It was as if the rooftop, the ribbon, the contract—the kiss—had never happened.
Like she had never happened.
⸻
Meanwhile, across campus...
"Shouldn't you be with your fiancée?"
Seo-Won paused mid-step.
Ha-Rin's voice cut like a blade, even when quiet.
He turned to face her.
She stood just outside the archive building, arms crossed, her uniform wrinkled like she hadn't cared enough to fix it.
Her eyes burned, but her lips stayed calm. Dangerous.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"This is my hiding spot too, remember?" she shot back. "Or did your memory reset when she returned?"
Seo-Won's jaw flexed.
He didn't speak.
Ha-Rin scoffed. "You're good at silence, Jin Seo-Won. But it's not protection. It's cowardice."
Still, nothing.
Only his hand clenched tighter at his side.
"I thought you were different," she whispered. "Turns out, I was just another Drop on your list."
She turned to go—
"You were never just a Drop," he said, low.
She paused.
"Then prove it," she whispered, without turning back. "Because right now? You're not him. You're not the boy who fed me bulgogi in the cafeteria and made the world shut up. You're just another rich heir doing what he's told."
The door slammed behind her.
And Seo-Won didn't follow.
Not this time.
⸻
In the library, third period...
Ha-Rin sat tucked into a corner, pretending to study, her eyes barely skimming the lines of her book.
Tae-Hwan arrived quietly, sliding into the seat across from her without asking.
He placed a bottle of banana milk on the table.
She didn't look up.
"He's not worth your tears."
She said nothing.
"He's scared, Ha-Rin."
Still, silence.
"But you're not. That's what makes you powerful."
She finally looked up.
"Then why does it feel like I'm the one who lost?"
Tae-Hwan gave a sad smile.
"Because you played the game with your heart. And he played it with rules."
⸻
Later that day, the Boardroom.
The elite board—formed by a group of chaebol heirs and student leaders—met once a month. But this time, the meeting was called early.
And every seat was filled.
Seo-Won sat at the head, impassive, while Song Hye-Ri stood beside him with polished perfection.
"Let's discuss the Midwinter Ball," she said, flashing a smile. "I propose we make it exclusive to verified elites. No scholarship entries."
Murmurs filled the room.
Do Min-Kyu, usually silent, frowned. "That's not tradition."
"Neither is having a Drop that causes this much scandal," Hye-Ri replied sweetly.
Seo-Won stiffened.
But still said nothing.
"I'll finalize the guest list," she continued, placing her iPad on the table. "And I assume Jin Seo-Won will accompany me as co-host."
That was when the silence broke.
"No."
Everyone turned.
Seo-Won stood slowly.
"If the Ball is hosted under my name, it will remain inclusive. Any tampering with the guest list will be invalidated."
Hye-Ri blinked. "Even she is allowed in?"
"Especially her," he said.
And then, he left.
Just like that.
⸻
That night.
Ha-Rin sat on the rooftop alone, the wind teasing her hair, eyes scanning the distant city lights.
"You still sit here?"
She didn't turn. She knew the voice.
"You came to the Boardroom," she said.
Seo-Won didn't answer.
Instead, he walked closer, finally stopping beside her.
"Why didn't you tell me about her?" she asked softly.
"Because she means nothing."
"Then why did she show up beside you?"
A pause.
Then: "Because I let her."
Ha-Rin flinched.
He continued.
"I thought if I played along, my father would back off. That maybe, for once, I could handle things quietly."
She turned to him.
"You promised to protect me."
His eyes flicked to hers.
"I failed."
Silence.
"And now?" she asked. "What happens now?"
He stepped closer.
"Now I stop hiding."
And in the next breath, he pulled out the contract from his coat pocket.
The original Drop agreement.
With her signature.
With his seal.
"You're not a Drop anymore," he said.
She blinked. "What?"
"I'm tearing this up."
She lunged forward. "No—"
But the paper ripped clean in two.
"Seo-Won!"
He stepped back.
"Because this time, I'm not giving you a title. I'm giving you a choice."
She stared at the shredded paper, then at him.
"And what if I choose no?"
"Then I'll have to start chasing."
His smirk returned—soft, crooked, real.
Ha-Rin's breath caught.
"I don't want to be owned," she whispered.
"Then don't be. Be the girl who made me want to break every rule."
And with that, he turned and walked away.
But this time...
He wanted her to follow.
⸻
Two days later, a flyer went up.
Midwinter Ball – Hosted by the Jin Group
Formal. Inclusive.
All students welcome.
And beneath it...
Student Host: Jin Seo-Won & Song Hye-Ri
Guest of Honor: Kang Ha-Rin
⸻
Somewhere on campus...
Song Hye-Ri crumpled the flyer in her manicured hand.
"Game on, sweetheart," she muttered.
Because this wasn't over.
Not even close.
⸻
END OF CHAPTER 13
💌 My seoulmateu's, here we are with Chapter 13! Things between Ha-Rin and Seo-Won are getting intense 😳🔥 and Hye-Ri... well, she's clearly not here to make friends. The Midwinter Ball is coming, and the tension is only getting sharper.
How do you think Ha-Rin will handle being "Guest of Honor" when her rival is the co-host?
Drop your thoughts and let's scream together in the comments! 💬✨
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