As Harin stood up, ready to face Jiwon for the rematch, the classroom door creaked open.
The air shifted. A strange, cold silence fell.
Gasps escaped from a few mouths. Someone whispered, "W-What is she doing here?"
Even Harin flinched.
Because the person who entered never came to the lower classes.
Han Eunbyeol. The Head of the Student Council.
With slow, confident steps, she walked past the rows of desks, all eyes locked on her as if she were a phantom who rarely appeared—because that's exactly what she was.
She stopped in front of Jiwon.
"You. Come with me," Eunbyeol said, her voice calm yet absolute.
Jiwon stood, expression unreadable, and followed her without a word.
---
Eunbyeol's Office – Council Building
It was lavish. The sunlight spilled through wide glass windows, illuminating the polished marble desk, the shelves lined with trophies, and a single nameplate that read Han Eunbyeol – Head of Council.
Eunbyeol took her seat, crossing her legs.
"Hello, Jiwon. Nice to meet you."
Jiwon looked around the room for a moment, like she was absorbing everything in silence, then turned to her.
"Nice to meet you… Han Eunbyeol."
Eunbyeol smiled slightly. "Oh, you know my name. Even better."
Jiwon didn't smile back. "Tell me why you brought me here. I have to play with Harin."
Eunbyeol tilted her head. "You know who I am?"
"You're the head of the council," Jiwon replied plainly.
"Interesting. But who told you that?"
Silence.
Jiwon didn't answer. Her eyes just stared.
Eunbyeol leaned forward. "Jiwon, I want you to become one of us."
"One of you?" Jiwon echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"You're better than everyone in your class. You made Harin lose. That's... impressive."
Jiwon simply smiled, faint and unreadable.
Eunbyeol's gaze narrowed slightly. "As I thought."
Jiwon's voice cut through the air, calm and sharp. "What I thought is better than yours. And you're asking me to join you? For what? To become your little slave like Harin? Or Miyeon? Or the rest of them?"
Eunbyeol's smile disappeared. "Slave? You really think that's what they are? They became leaders on their own. They have skills. They have minds—"
"On their own?" Jiwon interrupted, tilting her head. "Really? Like Harin? She's in the council because she does everything you tell her to. And Miyeon... do you really think I don't know who spread the rumors about me?"
Eunbyeol's eyes twitched.
"You," Jiwon said quietly, "and the one who helped you… your precious Miyeon. The one you trust the most. She helped spread those lies. No one knows... except me. Your little secret detective."
Eunbyeol's voice turned cold. "What did you just say…?"
Jiwon didn't stop. "And what about Kim Sora? She has more followers than you. But did she always get rank one?"
A wicked smile formed on Jiwon's lips. "You know I know."
Eunbyeol stood up suddenly. "I can have you expelled!"
But Jiwon remained still, eyes locked on her.
"You can't," she said simply. "The principal won't allow it. I saved her precious son."
Silence.
For the first time… Eunbyeol shut up.
Jiwon stepped toward the door.
"I think you already know my answer."
She turned her head slightly, her expression calm, but her words sharp like ice.
"I'm not going to become someone like you."
Then she opened the door.
"And now, I have to go. Harin's waiting. We have a game to play."
____
As Jiwon walked steadily toward the classroom, her steps calm but firm, the hallway buzzed with whispers and glances. Her expression was unreadable, but her silence felt louder than noise.
Just then, Jinwoo appeared, slightly breathless as if he had been searching for her.
Jinwoo: "Are you okay? I mean… did she say something? Did she bully you?"
Jiwon: (shakes head softly) "No. She didn't bully me."
Jinwoo looked confused, still worried.
Jinwoo: "Then… why did she take you to her cabin?"
Jiwon: (pauses, glancing at him) "She wants me to join the council."
Jinwoo's eyes widened.
Jinwoo: "What did you say?"
Jiwon: (simply) "I refused."
Jinwoo let out a huge breath of relief, his shoulders dropping.
Jinwoo: "Thank God…"
Jiwon: (raising a brow) "Why are you getting so happy?"
Jinwoo: "Ohh! Nothing—"
(he turned his face away, a soft blush creeping across his cheeks)
Jiwon stared at him, her gaze lingering for a moment. Then she walked again. Jinwoo followed, trying to calm his racing heart.
They reached the classroom.
Inside, Harin was standing near the front. Her confident expression from before was gone—her eyes kept darting toward the door, anxious. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her school badge.
The air grew heavy.
The class grew quiet as Jiwon entered, her gaze sharp and silent as ever. Harin locked eyes with her—and immediately looked away.
But before the match could begin, the school's announcement system crackled to life.
Voice from speakers:
"All students are instructed to leave their classrooms and return to their dorms immediately. Council members, report to the main meeting room. The head has called an emergency session."
Gasps echoed around the room.
"Did they say emergency?"
"What happened?"
"She never calls a meeting this suddenly…"
Harin looked confused and slightly relieved. Jiwon just blinked slowly, then turned toward the door again, her voice low.
Jiwon: "Looks like the game's paused."
Jinwoo looked over at her, whispering.
Jinwoo: "Do you think it's because of you?"
Jiwon: "Maybe."
And just like that, Jiwon walked out of the classroom once again—this time, headed to the place where the real players sat.