Two days had passed since the earring incident, and the atmosphere in Class 2-3 was heavy and suffocating, like the air before a storm. Soojin and Yoojin no longer even looked at each other. Soojin had bonded with a new group of girls and left Yoojin in humiliating isolation. Yoojin, with red eyes and hands that fidgeted nonstop, resembled a wounded animal circling itself, waiting for the next blow.
Dongwoo had changed too. He no longer spun those flashy stories. He was quiet, and every time Jiho passed by, his breath caught and he stared at some undefined point. Fear was the best nourishment for paranoia.
But Jiho was focused on his new target: Jungho. The tall, muscular boy who was Minsoo's loyal shadow, yet his heart beat elsewhere—for Soojin. And Jiho knew that Minsoo was aware of this crush and mocked it as a ridiculous weakness.
---
Tuesday, before first period. Eastern hallway.
Jungho stood by his locker, examining himself in the small mirror with trembling hands. He smoothed his hair. Today, after school, he was supposed to meet Soojin alone in the back courtyard. Their date was secret, like a sin he didn't want anyone to discover.
Jiho watched from a safe distance, timing everything. Minsoo was approaching from the other end of the hallway, laughing loudly while recounting last night's adventure to Taesun and two other boys.
Jiho slipped like a shadow toward a side locker. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a small folded paper—written the night before in handwriting that mimicked Minsoo's but not perfectly. It read: "Jung, come behind the gym after school. We need to talk about the 'starfish problem.' Don't think you can sneak around behind my back and I won't notice." No signature, but the tone was exactly Minsoo's.
Just as Minsoo and his group reached a few meters from Jungho's locker, their backs to Jiho, Jiho slid the edge of the paper through the locker vent—not too obviously, but enough that anyone paying attention would see it. Then he melted silently into the crowd.
Taesun was saying loudly, "…then I walked up to him and said, 'You're the one who disrespected my friend, you bastard?' And then one punch—"
"Shut up already, Tae," Minsoo interrupted, bored. His eyes landed on Jungho, still fussing with the mirror. "Jung! Fixing yourself up for your wedding night date, asshole?"
Jungho spun around lightning-fast, his face draining of color. "N-no… hyung. Just my hair…"
Minsoo approached with a mocking grin and slapped his back hard. "Relax, loyal dog. Today we're gonna start a new game with Park. It's a dirty idea—you'll love it."
Jungho's eyes flashed for a moment—a mix of excitement and relief. Jiho noted it from afar: Jungho enjoyed tormenting Jiho because it earned him Minsoo's attention. His greatest fear: losing that attention, becoming nobody.
As the group started moving, Minsoo's gaze caught the white edge of the paper. "What's this? Love letter from your sweetheart?" he sneered, and before Jungho could stop him, he yanked the paper out with a swift motion.
Heavy silence.
Minsoo read it. His face shifted from curiosity to surprise, then gradually darkened into menace. He crumpled the paper and smashed it into Jungho's face. "What the fuck is this, Jung? 'Starfish problem'? What game are you planning behind my back, dog? Thought I wouldn't figure out who you're messing around with?"
Jungho, confused and terrified, took the paper and read it. His hands shook. "I… I didn't write this! I swear I have no idea what this is, Minsoo!"
"Then why's it in your locker, idiot?" Minsoo lowered his voice, but it dripped with venom. "Starfish… Soojin's earring? You know something about that theft you've been hiding from me, huh?"
Taesun and the others crowded closer, eager for blood.
"No! I swear on my mother's life!" Jungho shouted, sweat pouring down his forehead. "Someone's trying to drive a wedge between us!"
Minsoo stared at him. Then he suddenly pointed with disgust at Soojin, who was standing across the hallway with her new group. "You wanna go on a date with that stupid doll, Jung? Wanna play hero and 'solve her problem'? Thought I was blind? I always knew you were winking at her behind my back, you filthy bastard."
Taesun's laugh barked like a dog. Jungho felt the world spinning. Minsoo knew. He'd always known. And now he was stripping him bare in front of everyone.
"No… I… that's not what I meant…" Jungho stammered, his voice breaking.
"Shut up," Minsoo said in an icy tone, tossing the crumpled paper to the floor. "We'll settle this later. Now come to class before I crush you in front of everyone."
But the look between them was no longer the same. It was full of suspicion, betrayal, and hatred.
Jiho watched everything from the end of the hallway. The right corner of his mouth twitched faintly. Next step: deepen this rift.
---
P.E. period. Soccer field.
The boys were playing. Jiho sat on the substitute bench, observing. Minsoo and Jungho were on the same team, but their coordination was stiff, laced with hidden daggers.
In one play, Jungho gave a good pass to Minsoo, but Minsoo lost the ball. Instead of accepting it, he turned and yelled angrily, "Next time pass faster, asshole! You think you're playing with your whore, all slow and lovey-dovey?"
Jungho froze as if slapped. His face flushed with rage and humiliation. He said nothing, just clenched his teeth.
Taesun, who'd seen the exchange, murmured to Jungho, "We're winning this game, buddy. Better wipe that dirty stain from your mind before Minsoo cleans it for you."
Stain. Meaning Soojin. Jiho heard it. Data logged: Taesun was enjoying the tension and saw himself rising in the ranks.
Throughout the game, Jungho shot several hateful glances at Minsoo. Years of blind loyalty were turning into pure poison. And only Jiho saw it.
---
End of the day. Empty classroom.
Most students had left. Jiho deliberately packed slowly. He knew Jungho had whiteboard-cleaning duty today—and was alone.
Jungho was erasing the board furiously. Jiho stood quietly and headed for the door. As he passed, he deliberately let a book slip from under his arm. It hit Jungho's foot.
Jungho turned with a scowl. "Watch where you're going, you filthy shit."
Jiho bent to pick up the book. Head down, he whispered softly and mysteriously, "You were supposed to meet her today. Behind the gym. Too bad… I knew Minsoo wouldn't let you."
Jungho froze. His chalked hand stayed on the board. He slowly turned and stared at Jiho. For the first time, Jiho's eyes met his directly—cold, knowing, fearless.
"What… what did you say, you little shit?" Jungho asked, voice trembling.
Jiho stood straight. He clutched the book to his chest. Said nothing. Just held the gaze one second longer and shook his head slightly in regret—as if to say, "Too bad. I knew it would end like this."
Then he walked out silently.
Jungho was left alone, his mind spinning wildly. How does this scum know? Did Minsoo tell him? No… Minsoo wouldn't say anything to this insect. Unless… unless it was all a setup. He wanted to humiliate me in front of everyone. He wanted everyone to know I'm just an obedient dog.
The crack Jiho had planted had now, with this poisonous whisper, become a deep chasm. Jungho could no longer trust Minsoo—and that was exactly what Jiho wanted.
In the hallway, Jiho walked toward the exit. A lot had been accomplished today. Dongwoo terrified, Yoojin isolated, Soojin distrustful, and now the alliance between Minsoo and Jungho fractured.
The right corner of his mouth lifted slightly—a cold, satisfying tremor. This time, the silent smile lasted a little longer, felt a little more real.
Tomorrow, maybe he'd go after Taesun. Or maybe he'd let these cracks deepen on their own. He had time. Patience was his deadliest weapon.
Their world no longer needed fire. The chill of distrust was enough to freeze and shatter the bones of their friendships. And Park Jiho, the architect of this eternal winter, advanced his plans with the precision of a neurosurgeon.