The next morning, the school grounds buzzed quietly with the low hum of students settling into their day. Beomgyu stood by the faculty parking lot, his hoodie pulled low over his eyes, nervously checking his phone.
Soobin approached with a soft smile, holding a takeaway coffee cup in each hand. "Morning," he greeted, handing one to Beomgyu. "You doing okay?"
Beomgyu offered a faint smile, taking the cup. "Not really. That's why I needed to talk."
Soobin nodded understandingly. "Want to talk here, or maybe somewhere quieter?"
Beomgyu hesitated, then glanced around. "Let's go somewhere else. I don't want to risk anyone overhearing."
"There's a café not far from here. It's usually quiet in the mornings."
Beomgyu agreed, and the two began walking side by side out of the school gates. Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes watching them from a classroom window.
Yeonjun's gaze followed their movement, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His expression was unreadable. But the second they turned the corner, an idea sparked in his mind. He grabbed his jacket and followed them from a distance, keeping just far enough not to be noticed.
At the café, Soobin and Beomgyu settled into a small booth near the window. The place was cozy, warm-toned, and filled with the aroma of coffee and pastries.
Soobin stirred his drink, glancing at Beomgyu. "So, what's going on? Still thinking about Yeonjun?"
Beomgyu sighed, rubbing his hands together. "I can't stop thinking about him. He's not the person I saw yesterday. I know him, Soobin. He's scared, but he's not heartless."
Soobin nodded thoughtfully. "I believe you. He's... complicated. And I know what the pressure feels like. I just don't want you to get hurt more."
Beomgyu looked down. "What would you do if Kai's family threatened you like that? If they said you had to choose between your job and him?"
Soobin's expression shifted-softening with something heavier. "I don't know. I think about it more than I should. But I know one thing-I'd want to fight for him. Even if it meant risking something."
Neither of them noticed the faint click of a phone camera outside the café window. Or the red light blinking on a recording app as Yeonjun crouched just out of view, capturing the moment Soobin leaned forward and gently reached for Beomgyu's hand in a reassuring gesture.
Snap.
From the angle Yeonjun took it, the photo looked... intimate. Like something more than comfort.
He watched through the glass as the two continued talking, headphones plugged into his phone now as he caught the audio.
"This," Yeonjun muttered to himself, "will do."
He stepped away from the window, a dangerous determination in his eyes. If the promotion slipped through his hands once, he wasn't going to let it happen again.
Not when he had a weapon now.
Even if it meant using it against the people he once trusted most.
+×+
Later that day, Yeonjun returned to school with a USB drive in his pocket, his jaw clenched as he walked past the staffroom. His phone held the edited audio clip-cut just right to remove context. Soobin's words to Beomgyu, about risking something for love, now sounded like something entirely different. Paired with the photo? It was damning.
He sat alone in his car after classes ended, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. He hadn't submitted anything to the principal yet. A part of him hesitated-buried somewhere under layers of ambition and resentment.
But his pride stung more than his guilt.
Soobin had what should've been his. And if playing dirty was the only way to take it back, then so be it.
Still, as he stared at the photo on his phone again, his thumb hovered over the send button.
His heart twisted-just a little.
But not enough to stop him.
Not yet.
+×+
The next morning, the school atmosphere shifted-heavier, tense. As Beomgyu walked through the gates, he noticed the change almost immediately. Students whispered behind hands, eyes flicking to him, then away. Some stared openly, judgment painted across their faces. Others turned and walked off when he approached.
He furrowed his brows, clutching the strap of his bag tighter. Something wasn't right.
"Beomgyu Choi to the principal's office." The announcement rang through the hallway speakers.
His pulse quickened.
When he reached the office and stepped inside, his eyes fell immediately on the three people already seated: The principal, Soobin, and-
Yeonjun.
"What's going on?" Beomgyu asked, looking between them.
The Principal folded his hands on the desk. "Take a seat."
Beomgyu sat stiffly, his gaze flickering to Soobin, whose expression was tight with confusion and concern.
"We've received evidence of highly inappropriate conduct between faculty and students," the principal said sternly. "Yeonjun brought this to our attention. Audio. A photograph."
Beomgyu's heart dropped. "What?"
Yeonjun slid a printed image across the table-the moment at the café. From the angle, it looked too intimate, too easily misinterpreted. Then came the audio clip.
Soobin's voice played: *I'd want to fight for him. Even if it meant risking something.*
Out of context, it sounded like a confession.
Beomgyu snapped toward Yeonjun. "You twisted everything."
Yeonjun stared ahead, saying nothing.
"This is enough to revoke your promotion, Mr. Choi," The Principal said. "Effective immediately. And due to the nature of this evidence, we're terminating your contract pending investigation."
Soobin looked crushed. "You really believe this?"
Beomgyu stood abruptly. "This isn't what it looks like. He's lying-manipulating everything."
The Principal didn't budge. "You may leave now, Mr. Choi. Mr. Beomgyu, you too."
Outside the office, Beomgyu confronted Yeonjun as he exited. "You've gone too far. You hurt him-me-everyone. Just so you could feel like you won."
Yeonjun's expression wavered. "You don't get it. He stole everything from me. I worked for that promotion."
"And you think destroying him makes you worthy of it?" Beomgyu's voice shook. "You don't love me. You just love winning."
"Beomgyu-"
"No. We're done."
He stormed down the hallway, only to run into Huening Kai and Taehyun.
Kai's face was pale, eyes red. "So it's true."
"What?" Beomgyu asked.
"The audio. The photo."
"It's not-"
Kai stepped back. "Don't. I believed in you. I trusted you. I defended you. And this-" his voice broke, "-is what I get?"
Taehyun raised his hands. "Wait. Let's not jump to-"
But Kai couldn't hold it in. His voice cracked. "You ruined everything."
He turned and ran.
Beomgyu reached out. "Kai, please-"
Taehyun gave Beomgyu a pained look. "He just needs space."
But it was already too late. Around them, students whispered more loudly now, some pointing.
"He's the reason Mr. Choi got fired."
"Disgusting."
"Typical rich kid behavior."
Beomgyu's chest tightened. He couldn't breathe.
Then came the tap on his shoulder.
"Let's go."
It was Chanyeol, his bodyguard, expression unreadable.
"Your mother's been informed. She wants you home. Now."
Beomgyu didn't argue. He just followed, head low, drowning in the storm he never meant to cause.
And in the distance, behind a closed office door, Soobin sat alone-staring at the empty chair across from him, wondering how everything had gone so wrong.
+×+
The front door creaked open as Beomgyu stepped inside and froze in place.
There, standing in the foyer, was his father.
"Dad?" Beomgyu whispered.
His father hadn't been home for three to four months due to overseas business.
Mr. Choi's expression was stern, his jaw tight. "So this is what I come home to?"
Beomgyu didn't have time to answer before Mrs. Choi stormed in from the living room.
"What were you thinking?" she shouted. "Do you have any idea how this affects our name? Our image?"
Beomgyu stepped back. "It's not true. None of it is what it looks like."
"You brought shame to our family!" Mr. Choi's voice boomed. "And after everything we've given you-this is how you repay us?"
"I didn't do anything wrong!"
Before he could say more, a sharp slap struck his cheek.
"You speak back to us now?" Mr. Choi bellowed. "You've always been a disappointment. Ever since your grandmother passed, you've acted like a stray."
Beomgyu's breath hitched.
Mrs. Choi folded her arms. "You're leaving tomorrow. Your new school is already arranged. You'll be flying out first thing in the morning. You're done here."
Beomgyu stared in disbelief. "What?"
"You'll finish your studies abroad. No more distractions. No more scandals."
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"You can't just send me away!"
"We can and we will," his father snapped.
That was the final crack.
Beomgyu's voice rose, trembling. "You've never cared about me! You treat me like a trophy you can polish and parade around. Ever since grandma died, it's like I stopped being your son!"
"Watch your mouth," Mr. Choi growled.
"No! I'm tired of watching everything I say just to please you! You control everything-my friends, my future, my heart-and now you're punishing me for something I didn't even do?"
Mrs. Choi's lips tightened. "You're acting like a child."
"I'm acting like someone who's finally had enough!"
Another slap rang out. Beomgyu's face snapped to the side, his cheek burning.
"You ungrateful brat," Mr. Choi spat.
Beomgyu didn't cry-not yet. He just stared at them, his chest rising and falling in shaky bursts.
Then he turned and bolted out the front door.
"Beomgyu!" his mother shouted after him.
But he didn't stop.
He ran.
Into the night, away from the gates, away from the house that had never felt like home.
Away from everything that had tried to silence him.
+×+
Soobin stood outside the school gates, scanning the area until his eyes landed on a familiar figure pacing near the parking lot. Kai looked restless, his brows knitted and arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Soobin hesitated for a bit before calling out softly, "Kai."
Kai turned, his face stiffening the moment he saw Soobin. He didn't move closer.
"Can we talk?" Soobin asked gently, taking a cautious step forward.
Kai looked away. "What's there to talk about? Everyone already knows. They saw the pictures. Heard the recording."
Soobin closed the distance between them slowly. "None of it is what it seems."
"So explain it," Kai said, his voice brittle. "Explain why you were holding Beomgyu's hand. Why you sounded like you were... involved with him."
Soobin exhaled deeply. "He came to me for advice. About Yeonjun. That's all. He's been breaking apart, Kai. He needed someone to talk to, and I wanted to help him."
Kai's arms dropped to his sides, though his shoulders stayed tense. "But why didn't you tell me? Why keep it a secret if it was innocent?"
"Because I didn't want to drag you into something messy. You're already at risk just being with me," Soobin said, stepping closer, his voice almost trembling. "I didn't want you to get hurt too."
Kai's expression softened just slightly. "Well, I got hurt anyway."
Soobin looked down, guilt flooding his face. "I know. And I'm sorry. But I need you to believe me. There was nothing romantic going on. Someone twisted everything to make it look that way."
"Yeonjun," Kai muttered.
Soobin nodded. "He followed us. He recorded it. Framed it just right to make it seem like something else. He used it to take the promotion from me... and to hurt Beomgyu."
Kai blinked rapidly, the storm in his eyes dimming. "So he did all that... just to win?"
"He was desperate," Soobin said quietly. "But I won't let him destroy what we have. Not again."
Kai finally looked up at him, searching his face. There was silence between them for a long moment before he whispered, "I wanted to believe you. I still do."
Soobin reached out, gently taking Kai's hand. "Then believe me. Let me fix this. With you."
Kai didn't pull away. His fingers curled into Soobin's palm slowly, hesitant but real.
"We fix it together," Kai said.
And Soobin smiled, the first genuine one in days.
But then Kai's eyes clouded again. "Soobin... what about your job? Are they really letting you go?"
Soobin hesitated. "Yes. The principal made it clear this morning. I'm being terminated effective immediately. They said it's for 'professional misconduct.'"
Kai's breath hitched. "That's not fair. You didn't do anything wrong."
"I know," Soobin murmured, brushing his thumb gently over Kai's knuckles. "But right now, I just care about making sure you're okay. We can figure the rest out later."
Kai shook his head, eyes starting to shine. "You worked so hard for that promotion... for your job. You don't deserve this."
Soobin offered a soft, sad smile. "Maybe not. But if I had to choose between all that and being honest with you, I'd still choose you. Every time."
Kai pulled him into a tight hug, burying his face into Soobin's shoulder. "Then I'm not going anywhere. We fix this. Together."
+×+
The cemetery was silent beneath the night sky, dimly lit by a few scattered streetlamps and the pale glow of the moon. Beomgyu walked slowly, clutching a small cake box in his hands. It was simple-vanilla with soft frosting-nothing extravagant. Just something to mark the day. His birthday.
He found her grave easily. He always did. The stone was clean, the carved letters worn slightly at the edges, but still clear. Choi Areum, beloved mother and grandmother.
Beomgyu knelt down beside the headstone, the earth cool beneath him. He placed the cake on the grass, carefully opening the box to reveal the single candle already stuck in place. It wobbled a little as he set it right.
"Hey, Grandma," he whispered. His voice was hoarse, shaky. "I came to see you. It's... my birthday. I didn't know where else to go."
He smiled faintly, bitterly. "Funny, right? You used to tease me about getting old."
A silence fell between them-the kind only the dead can hold without breaking. And then the weight of everything finally pressed down.
"I wish you were here," Beomgyu said, tears already gathering in his eyes. "Ever since you left, it's like... no one sees me anymore. Not really."
His shoulders trembled as he looked at the cake, his voice low and cracking. "Everything's a mess. I thought Yeonjun loved me. Maybe he still does-I don't even know anymore. But he hurt me. He hurt everyone. Soobin lost his job because of all this. Kai doesn't even want to look at me. People at school... they whisper. Like I'm some disgusting secret."
He wiped at his face, but the tears just kept coming. "I tried to fix things. I tried to believe he wouldn't change just because my mom scared him. But I was wrong. Or maybe I wasn't-and that's even worse."
A sob caught in his throat.
"Why does love feel like this?" he whispered. "Why does it have to hurt so much? And why do they get to ruin everything and call it protection?"
He looked up at the sky, swallowing hard. "You were the only one who ever made me feel safe. After you were gone, they changed. My parents-God, they don't see me. Not really. They just want me to behave, to be silent, to follow their rules. And now they're sending me away."
He shook his head. "I don't want to go, Grandma. I don't want to leave them. Even if everything hurts... even if no one believes me... I still want to try."
The clock on his phone blinked 12:00 AM.
He sat up straighter, pulling a lighter from his pocket. The candle flared to life, its small flame flickering in the night.
He forced a smile and whispered, "Happy birthday, Beomgyu."
Then he sang-quietly, shakily. Just for himself.
"Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you..."
His voice broke at the end. He squeezed his eyes shut, letting a sob slip out. Then, slowly, he made a wish. He didn't say it out loud. He didn't have to.
He leaned forward and blew out the candle.
The flame vanished, leaving only darkness, and the faint scent of smoke.
Beomgyu stayed there in silence, head bowed beside the grave, with the soft sound of his breathing and the sting of grief keeping him company. It was his birthday, but it felt like the loneliest day in the world.