Seo Yuna walked through the school corridors, her mind replaying yesterday's chaos. The Scarlet Shadow strikes again… she thought with a small smirk. Seojun and Taemin had been completely humiliated, and the memory of their coughing, flailing, and sticky mishaps made her quietly chuckle. Maybe some people finally learned their lesson…
Minji, oblivious to her friend's identity as the Scarlet Shadow, appeared suddenly by her side. "Hey! Let's go grab lunch in the cafeteria. You have to eat before your brain explodes from all that scheming," she said, nudging Seo Yuna playfully.
Seo Yuna sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah… let's go."
---
The cafeteria was bright, bustling, and impeccably polished, a place that seemed more like a five-star restaurant than a school. Seo Yuna carried her tray carefully, keeping an eye on the students around her. She was lost in thought, imagining what her next move against the Elite Seven might be, when—
BAM!
The cafeteria froze. Every head turned.
Jihun's expression shifted from surprise to horror in a heartbeat. His pristine, designer jacket was ruined—food dripping across the fabric like a scene from a nightmare.
Seo Yuna froze, staring at him. Then she muttered under her breath, Oh God… why him again?!
Jihun's deep voice cut through the silence: "What—did you do that on purpose?"
Seo Yuna straightened her posture, meeting his furious gaze. "Honestly? If I had a choice, I'd say yes. But I'm feeling generous today, so I'll just blame gravity."
The entire cafeteria stifled gasps and laughter. Minji's jaw dropped. She's actually talking back to him?
Jihun's eyes narrowed. "Do you know who I am?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Seo Yuna's grin turned slightly wicked. "Oh, I know perfectly well. You're the guy everyone worships, the King of Haneul Academy, the Elite Seven's golden boy… But apparently, you're also terribly clumsy."
The cafeteria erupted in whispers, but Seo Yuna wasn't done. "Honestly, if you'd been paying attention, you could have avoided a tray of food ruining your outfit. Maybe try using your eyes next time?"
Jihun's jaw tightened. "You… you will regret this."
Seo Yuna tilted her head, pretending to consider. "Hmm… maybe. Or maybe it's your turn to learn what it's like to be embarrassed for once."
Jihun's dark gaze pierced her, but there was a flicker of something… amusement? Seo Yuna ignored it, retrieving a napkin to help clean up some of the mess.
"You're… bold," he muttered through clenched teeth.
Seo Yuna smirked. "Bold? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just tired of people thinking being rich or part of the Elite Seven makes you untouchable. Trust me, it doesn't."
Jihun's expression hardened, but Seo Yuna could feel a subtle shift in the air—a tension that was less anger and more… curiosity.
Jihun stepped out of the cafeteria, Seojun trailing slightly behind him. The chaos inside—the spilled food, the whispers, the shocked stares—still echoed in his mind, but he kept his expression carefully neutral.
Bold… unbelievably bold.
He clenched his jaw. In my entire life, no one—no one—has dared to act like that toward me. Not even my parents. Not even anyone in the Elite Seven.
His thoughts flickered back a few days. That girl—the new scholarship student—she had already been… noticeable. He remembered the small moments: the way she carried herself, the courage in her eyes, the subtle defiance in her tone. And now, coincidentally, right after he had humiliated a few students himself, the Scarlet Shadow began appearing.
Too much of a coincidence, he thought, narrowing his eyes. Could it be… the same girl?
He glanced sideways at Seojun, who looked a little uneasy. "Keep an eye on her," Jihun said, his voice calm but carrying weight.
Seojun blinked, confused. "Why me? What did she do?"
Jihun didn't answer. He simply kept walking, hands in his pockets, eyes forward. Watch her. Every move. Every word. I want to know everything.
Seojun swallowed nervously but nodded. "Understood."
As they walked down the corridor, Jihun's mind was a mix of irritation, curiosity, and something else—something he couldn't quite name. That girl was audacious, fearless, and—unlike anyone else he had ever met. Suspicious, yes… but fascinating.
Then Jihun thinks "Huh… this is getting interesting.... Looks like I'll be meeting the mysterious hero sooner or later."
The whispers and stares of students slowly settled, but the tension in the air still buzzed like electricity in the cafeteria .
Seo Yuna exhaled quietly, trying to calm her racing heart. Phew… that could have gone much worse.
Minji turned to her, eyes wide and sparkling. "Wait… wait a second!" she exclaimed. "That was… you, wasn't it? You just did what the Scarlet Shadow would do! That was… wow! Incredible! You're just like her!"
Seo Yuna froze for a second, blinking. Careful… she can't know it's really me…
Minji clasped her hands together, practically shaking with excitement. "I mean… think about it! That guy—Jihun, the king of Haneul Academy, number one of the Elite Seven—and you just… confronted him! You didn't even flinch! How can anyone be that brave? If the real Scarlet Shadow were here, she'd probably be impressed!"
Seo Yuna's lips curved into a sly smirk. So bold… so fearless… exactly how I want them to see me.
Minji continued, bouncing slightly in excitement. "Seriously… I don't even know how you did it. That was amazing! You're fearless! You actually made him pause… if anyone else tried that, they'd be trembling right now!"
Seo Yuna nodded subtly, pretending to be modest. "Uh… thanks, I guess. Just… lucky timing, maybe."
Minji shook her head, eyes shining. "Lucky? No way! That was skill, confidence… bravery! You're literally the Scarlet Shadow in my eyes!"
Seo Yuna's heart swelled with satisfaction. Exactly… let them think I'm just an ordinary girl, but secretly… I'm the one creating all the chaos.
The cafeteria buzzed quietly with whispers and laughter, students exchanging glances and theories. And somewhere, the Elite Seven's followers were already taking mental notes, trying to figure out who had dared embarrass Jihun.
Seo Yuna exchanged a glance with Minji and thought mischievously, Maybe tomorrow… I'll show them a little more. Just a little.