♥︎ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 13♥︎

𝐿 𝑂 𝑉 𝐸❦⊹܀𝑆𝐼𝐶𝐾❦⊹

ೄྀ𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒ೄྀ____

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀💌🌹ೄྀ𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄ೄྀᴇᴘɪsᴏᴅᴇ ᴏɴᴇ

ᴄʟᴀssʀᴏᴏᴍ

𝐓he door of the classroom slid open with a creak that echoed in the tense silence, drawing every pair of eyes towards the entrance. There stood Hyeon-ju, her hair a wild tangle, a bloodied nose marring her pale face, and she looked almost like a zombie come to life.

A collective gasp rippled through the room, a mix of fear and concern washing over the students as Hyeon-ju's she collapsed onto the floor.

Mrs. Park rushed forward, her heart racing as she knelt beside Hyeon-ju, cradling her head gently in her lap. The classroom buzzed with anxious whispers and worried glances, each student's face reflecting the horror of the scene unfolding before them.

Na-hee stood frozen, her hand instinctively covering her mouth, her wide eyes betraying the turmoil within her. She felt a knot tighten in her stomach, torn between the urge to help and the instinct to flee.

"Hyeon-ju, are you okay? Can you hear me!?" Mrs. Park's voice trembled, laced with fear as she stroked Hyeon-ju's hair, trying to soothe her.

Hyeon-ju's eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain and confusion. "He locked me up..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, sending chills down everyone's spine.

"Who locked you up?" Mrs. Park pressed, her heart racing as she leaned closer, desperate for answers.

"He... the science teacher..." Hyeon-ju replied, her voice trailing off as her body suddenly convulsed, shaking violently as if a storm raged within her.

Instinctively, Na-hee took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. Cheong-san, sensing the danger, moved closer to Na-hee, positioning himself protectively at her side, ready to shield her from any potential harm.

"Mrs. Park, we should take Hyeon-ju to the nurse!" Na-hee's voice cut through the chaos, urgency lacing her words as she glanced around the room, searching for support.

Mrs. Park nodded vigorously, her eyes wide with worry as she scanned the room for volunteers. "Please, someone help me with her!" Mrs. Park pleaded, her voice rising above the murmurs of concern.

Na-hee felt a surge of determination mixed with fear, she wanted to help but felt paralyzed by the gravity of the situation. With a deep breath, she took a hesitant step forward, her heart racing. "Please, someone help us carry Hyeon-ju!" she urged, her voice steadying as she locked eyes with her classmates.

Su-hyeok, sensing the urgency, stepped forward, his expression serious as he nodded in agreement. "I'll help" he said, his voice firm.

On-jo and I-sak quickly joined him, their faces set with determination. Together, they approached Hyeon-ju, ready to lift her gently but firmly, their hearts pounding in unison with the gravity of the moment.

"Nam-ra, please watch over the class while I'm gone!" Mrs. Park's voice trembled slightly, her eyes wide with concern. Nam-ra stood frozen, mirroring the horror etched on all our faces.

Su-hyeok carefully placed Hyeon-ju on his back, his muscles tensing as he adjusted her weight. The five of us rushed out of the classroom, our footsteps echoing loudly in the otherwise quiet hallway. Curious glances froom each classroom pierced through the chaos, but we paid them no mind, our only focus was Hyeon-ju's safety.

As Hyeon-ju thrashed on Su-hyeok's back, her movements were erratic and wild. She suddenly lunged, attempting to bite Su-hyeok's neck. Na-hee gasped, a wave of nausea washing over her at the sight.

We dashed into the nurse's office, the door slamming against the wall. Hee-su looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to alarm as she took in the scene. Na-hee's heart raced, her attention solely on Hyeon-ju, whose condition was deteriorating rapidly. But she felt bad about Hee-su too.

"Please help her!" Mrs. Park's voice was desperate, her hands wringing together as she stepped closer.

The nurse rushed towards us, her face mirroring our horror. Hyeon-ju thrashed violently on the bed, her eyes wide and bloodshot, darting around the room as if she were trapped in a nightmare.

"We need to keep her still" the nurse instructed, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Na-hee glanced at Hyeon-ju, her breath hitching at the sight of her frantic movements. Hyeon-ju's skin felt cold to the touch, contrasting sharply with the heat radiating from her body.

"Hold her arms!" Na-hee shouted, adrenaline coursing through her veins as they struggled to restrain Hyeon-ju.

Just then, Hyeon-ju lunged toward On-jo, her teeth bared. Na-hee yanked On-jo back just in time, but not before Hyeon-ju's teeth grazed her finger, leaving a small but painful scratch.

"Na-hee, are you okay?!" Mrs. Park exclaimed, her voice trembling with concern. The urgency in her tone made her other students pause, their eyes darting between Na-hee and Hyeon-ju in concern.

Na-hee felt a surge of emotions at Mrs. Park's worried expression. She could see the teacher's hands shaking slightly, a reflection of her own anxiety. Na-hee reassured her, She didn't want to add to the chaos, especially when Hyeon-ju needed help. Na-hee turned her attention back to Hyeon-ju.

"Her temperature is too low! Cover her with a blanket!" the nurse ordered, urgency lacing her tone.

They quickly wrapped Hyeon-ju in a blanket, but she continued to thrash, her voice rising in panic. "Hot... too hot.." she cried, her breath coming in quick gasps.

"Hold her!" the nurse commanded, her hands steady as she prepared a syringe.

With a swift motion, she administered the shot, and slowly, Hyeon-ju's body began to relax. Her breathing, once rapid and erratic, started to slow, each exhale a little steadier than the last.

As the room filled with a tense silence, Na-hee felt a mix of relief and lingering fear. Hyeon-ju's eyes fluttered, the wildness fading as she finally began to calm down, leaving us all holding our breath, hoping for the best.

Mrs. Park felt the sweat trickling down her forehead as she sat down on one of the chairs, her heart racing with anxiety for Hyeon-ju. She dialed the hospital's number hurriedly, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the buttons, not wasting a moment.

The other four friends, who had been pacing nervously, felt a wave of relief wash over them as soon as Hyeon-ju's breathing steadied. It was as if time had slowed down, and the frantic energy in the room began to dissipate.

Na-hee stood frozen, her mind racing, still in shock as her eyes lingered on Hyeon-ju's pale figure lying on the hospital bed. The sight of her, made her stomach twist with guilt.

She should've woken Hyeon-ju up yesterday, she thought, her heart heavy with regret. Na-hee let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping as she glanced at the clock on the wall, its ticking sound amplifying the silence that enveloped them.

On-jo slowly approached Na-hee, her heart racing as she took in the sight of the scratch on her finger. "Na-hee... hyeon-ju scratched you..." she said, her voice laced with concern.

The other two, I-sak and Su-hyeok, exchanged worried glances, their expressions mirroring On-jo's anxiety.

I-sak stepped forward, her brow furrowed as she examined Na-hee's injury more closely. "Hyeon-ju had scratched you? Are you okay, Na-hee?" She asked, her tone softening as she noticed that the scratch wasn't as severe as she had feared.

Na-hee nodded, trying to reassure them. "Yes, it's just a scratch. No big deal at all" she replied, forcing a smile despite the lingering tiredness.

Su-hyeok, who had been quietly observing, chimed in, "Still, you should put a small bandage over it, Na-hee. I'll help you" His eyes lingered on her scratch, a hint of worry etched on his face.

Na-hee appreciated the concern but felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her from the chaos of the moment.

"Don't worry. I'm sure my dad will come, He'll treat your wound in no time." On-jo said with confidence, she just knows. Daughter's instinct ey?

Na-hee felt the corners of her lips lift into a genuine smile, grateful for her friend's unwavering support. "Thanks, On-jo" she replied, her voice soft but filled with warmth.

Mrs. Park, who had been observing the scene unfold, looked at her four students with a proud smile. "They're on their way, thank you for helping Hyeon-ju" she said, her voice soothing and encouraging.

"We hope Hyeon-ju will be okay," Na-hee added, offering Mrs. Park a reassuring smile, hoping to ease her own worries.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of sirens pierced the air, and the ambulance finally arrived, its bright lights flashing. The paramedics quickly assessed Hyeon-ju and carefully loaded her onto the stretcher. I-sak, feeling a sense of relief, made her way back to the classroom, leaving the three friends behind to assist with any remaining tasks.

Mrs. Park busied herself helping the others who were assisting Hyeon-ju, while On-jo, Na-hee, and Su-hyeok remained together. They exchanged glances, silently reassuring each other as they waited for news about Hyeon-ju, each of them hoping for the best.

Meanwhile, Na-hee finally had her scratch bandaged up, the small fabric snug against her skin. Though it wasn't severe, her two friends had insisted on taking care of it.

"There you go! Luckily your wound still hasn't been infected" Mr. Nam said, offering Na-hee a fatherly smile that warmed her heart.

Na-hee smiled back in appreciation, feeling grateful for his kindness. "Thank you, Mr. Nam" Na-hee replied, her voice soft but sincere.

"No problem, kiddo!" Mr. Nam replied cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with warmth.

He then turned his gaze toward his daughter, On-jo, who stood nearby. "You too, you should be careful, On-jo" he said, his tone shifting to one of gentle concern.

On-jo nodded, her expression serious. "Of course I will" she assured him, her voice steady.

Mr. Nam cleared his throat, transitioning back to his role as a caring adult. "You three take care, alright? We'll take care of your classmate" he said, his voice firm yet reassuring. The three friends nodded in agreement.

As Mr. Nam and On-jo began to discuss something quietly, Su-hyeok and Na-hee slipped away, sensing that they needed their personal chat. As they made their way back to the hallway, a comfortable silence enveloped them, the kind that spoke of mutual understanding and support.

"Are you alright, Na-hee?" Su-hyeok asked, glancing at her as they walked slowly. His concern was evident in his eyes, and Na-hee appreciated it.

Na-hee nodded, brushing off the worry. "Yes, I'm alright. It was just a small scratch" she shrugged, trying to downplay the incident. To her, it wasn't a big deal, but she could see the concern etched on Su-hyeok's face.

Meanwhile, back in the classroom, I-sak slid the door open, and the moment she entered, her classmates turned to her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. As she seated herself down, they crowded around her, eager for answers.

"What happened?!" they all chimed in, their voices overlapping in a rush of questions.

Cheong-san, his brow furrowed with worry, also crowded around I-sak, wanting to know what had transpired.

"It's no joke, she was biting people and thrashing around" I-sak responded firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos of the situation.

"Biting? That's scary!" Hyo-ryung exclaimed, her eyes wide as the gossip began to swirl among the students.

"Hey, where's Na-hee?" Cheong-san asked suddenly, realizing she was nowhere to be seen.

"I-sak responded, "Na-hee got hurt." She hadn't even finished her sentence, but Cheong-san's eyes widened in alarm, assuming the worst.

"Where? How bad is it?" Cheong-san asked frantically, his voice rising as panic set in. The others leaned in closer, their expressions tense with concern.

"What happened to Na-hee?" Wu-jin added, locking eyes with Cheong-san, both of them sharing the same worry.

"Hyeon-ju had scratched her. It was scary" I-sak answered, her tone serious.

"You mean- Hyeon-ju had scratched her? Is she alright?" Na-yeon asked, gripping I-sak's shoulder and shaking it gently as if to emphasize her urgency.

Cheong-san had reached his limit with the bickering and was about to rush out when Wu-jin stopped him. "Where are you going? Mrs. Park told us to stay put." he said, trying to keep Cheong-san from going to Na-hee.

But Cheong-san didn't heed him, determination etched on his face as he rushed out of the classroom, intent on finding Na-hee.

Nam-ra, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, felt a pang of worry for Na-hee, even if her expression remained stoic and unreadable.

Wu-jin turned back to I-sak, his brow furrowed in concern. "So where's Na-hee?" he asked, wanting to know where she was.

"They're in the infirmary" I-sak answered, her voice steady but laced with concern for both Na-hee and Hyeon-ju. The atmosphere in the classroom was thick with worry, each student feeling the weight of the situation as they awaited news about their friends.

Cheong-san burst through the door of the infirmary, his heart pounding in his chest as if it was the end of the world. He scanned the room frantically, his eyes darting from corner to corner, searching for any sign of Na-hee.

"Na-hee!" he called out, his voice echoing off the sterile walls. But instead of finding her, he was met with an unsettling sight, a needle lay on the table, and blood on the floor.

His mind raced with worry. *What if something happened to her? What if she fainted or-* Cheong-san shook his head, trying tto avoid the dark thoughts. He couldn't afford to think like that. He needed to find her.

He rushed out of the infirmary, his footsteps echoing in the quiet space. "Na-hee!" he shouted again, desperation creeping into his voice. He felt a surge of anger towards Hyeon-ju for causing this, but he quickly pushed that aside. Right now, he needed to focus on finding Na-hee.

Mrs. Park, her voice calm yet authoritative, instructed the three to head back to class. "I'll handle the rest from here" she assured them, her warm smile providing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos. Na-hee, Su-hyeok, and On-jo exchanged glances, knowing that they should trust their teacher's judgment. They nodded and turned to lleave.

"Na-hee, are you sure you're alright?" he asked again, his brow furrowed with worry. The sincerity in his voice made Na-hee sigh, a mix of tiredness and affection.

"Yes, I'm fine, Su-hyeok! It's only a tiny, itsy bitsy scratch. No need to be worried about it." Na-hee reassured him, her tone lightening as she tried to ease his concern. She appreciated his care but felt it was time to shift the focus away from her.

As they walked down the hallway, Na-hee suddenly remembered On-jo's earlier words. "On-jo, you told me you wanted to see me on the rooftop? Can you tell me why?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

The three of them stopped walking, and Na-hee turned to face On-jo, her expression eager. On-jo hesitated for a moment, glancing at Su-hyeok with an expression that clearly her desire for him to leave.

Na-hee noticed the tension building between them and furrowed her brows, sensing something was off. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips as she tried to lighten the mood.

Suddenly, Na-hee's eyes widened in realization. "Oh- my bad-" she said, leaning closer to On-jo, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"You were planning to confess to him, weren't you?" The words slipped out before she could think, and she watched as On-jo practically shook her head in denial, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson.

"No! It's not like that!" On-jo protested, her voice a mix of embarrassment and flustered energy. Na-hee's playful grin only widened at her friend's reaction.

"I've noticed you keep looking at him- wait! Isn't it Cheong-san?" Na-hee recalled, her eyes lighting up as she pieced it together. She looked up, trying to remember all the times On-jo had mentioned him, her heart racing with excitement for her friend.

In that moment, On-jo reached into her skirt pocket, her fingers trembling slightly. She pulled out a small item- a nametag with her name written in neat letters. Su-hyeok's eyes widened in disbelief as he processed everything.

"You're serious?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. The realization hit him like a wave, and he looked between the two girls, trying to comprehend what was unfolding before him.

Su-hyeok was about to step forward, his heart racing, but the three of them froze when another footstep echoed through the dimly lit hallway. It was Cheong-san, finally finding them after what felt like an eternity.

His gaze lingered on the two standing too close to Na-hee, a flicker of tension crackling in the air. An awkward silence enveloped them, thick enough to cut with a knife.

Na-hee, however, was lost in her thoughts, her mind drifting to the delicious street food she had been craving all day- sweet tteokbokki and crispy kimbap.

Cheong-san, oblivious to the tension, pushed past the two with a casual confidence, earning him a pair of glares that could have burned holes through concrete.

"Na-hee, I heard you got hurt" Cheong-san said, his voice softening as he lifted her hand, gently caressing her injured finger.

His touch sent a shiver up her spine, and she blinked repeatedly, trying to process the sudden warmth flooding her cheeks.

"I got scratched, but it's not that bad" Na-hee replied, shrugging it off She could feel the weight of the others stares on her, and it made her even more self-conscious.

On-jo, standing to the side, felt a wave of annoyance wash over her. Just when she had finally built up the courage to confront Na-hee, Cheong-san's arrival had stolen her moment. She huffed in frustration, her fists clenching at her sides, and without another word, she stormed up the stairs, her footsteps echoing loudly in the silence, leaving behind a lingering tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Na-hee stared at the retreating figure of On-jo, her brow furrowing in concern. "What happened to On-jo?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Her gaze shifted to Su-hyeok, who felt a warmth spread through him as their eyes met. There was something about her that made him forget the tension in the room, if only for a moment.

Su-hyeok shrugged, his usual confident demeanor faltering slightly. He felt the atmosphere shift as he made eye contact with Cheong-san, whose expression was now serious, brows furrowed in concern.

"What are you doing here?" Su-hyeok asked, his tone challenging as he crossed his arms, trying to mask the unease he felt.

"I'm here to make sure Na-hee is alright" Cheong-san replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice as he clicked his tongue.

Su-hyeok huffed, his pride flaring. "Well, can't you see? She's alright with me" he shot back, giving Cheong-san a light tap on the shoulder, a gesture meant to be friendly but tinged with rivalry.

Cheong-san wanted to shook his hand off in response, but he held back, choosing instead to keep his focus on Na-hee.

"I know. But I just needed to make sure" Cheong-san reiterated, his tone softening slightly as he glanced at Na-hee, who was still standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Just then, Na-hee, feeling a sudden pang of hunger, the school bell then rang and she decided to take charge of the situation. "I'm hungry. Let's get our lunch, shall we?" she called out, her voice brightening the mood as she hurried up the stairs, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.

The two boys were left behind, their eyes locked in a glaring contest, the tension between them rising. Su-hyeok's jaw tightened as he watched Cheong-san's expression harden, both of them silently wanting for Na-hee's attention.

The air was thick with unspoken words, and as Na-hee's laughter echoed from above, it only fueled the competition between the two.

It was finally lunchtime, and On-jo sat beside her friend I-sak, who was enthusiastically digging into her food, the clatter of utensils and the aroma of the cafeteria meals filling the air. But On-jo couldn't bring herself to eat, her gaze was fixed on the cafeteria her tray of food remained untouched. She let out a small sigh, her heart feeling heavy.

I-sak, noticing On-jo's distraction, looked up from her plate, her brows furrowing in concern. "On-jo, you alright?" she asked, her mouth full but her tone serious.

Meanwhile, On-jo finally spotted Na-hee being playfully dragged by Cheong-san towards a table, with Su-hyeok trailing behind, wearing an annoyed expression.

I-sak, still focused on her friend, gently pulled On-jo back to the present. "Why are you feeling down? Tell me" she urged, her eyes darting between On-jo and the direction of her gaze. I-sak then glanced at Su-hyeok, misinterpreting On-jo's longing look.

A teasing smirk crept onto her face as she nudged On-jo playfully. "Yah, On-jo. Su-hyeok will melt if you keep staring at him like that."

On-jo felt a wave of annoyance wash over her. "What?" she snapped, clearly not in the mood for jokes.

I-sak raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What's gotten into you?"

On-jo took a deep breath, her heart racing as she finally decided to open up. "I can't tell you" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

After a moment of silence, she sighed deeply, gathering her courage. "I have feelings for Na-hee. Like- in a romantic type" she confessed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

I-sak's eyes widened in shock, and she stood up abruptly, nearly knocking her tray over. "What?!" she exclaimed, her voice rising above the chatter of the cafeteria, drawing the attention of nearby students, including Na-hee and her friends.

On-jo quickly pulled I-sak back down, her face burning with embarrassment. "You're loud, I-sak!" she scolded, glancing around to see if anyone else had overheard.

"Really? I didn't know you loved her that way!" I-sak exclaimed, still processing the information, her surprise evident in her wide eyes.

On-jo felt a mix of relief and anxiety as she continued, "Me either. I thought I liked Su-hyeok, but... I like Na-hee."

I-sak burst into laughter, the sound infectious and lightening the mood. "That's very unexpected for sure! But I support you!" she said, her enthusiasm palpable. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You have to tell her! Imagine how cute you two would be together!"

On-jo shook her head, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "I don't know how I'll tell Na-hee!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've been crushing on her since forever! I know her schedule by heart, what her hobbies are, and even what snacks she likes!" On-jo confessed, her heart racing at the thought of revealing her feelings.

"I think I have a problem." she added, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned closer to I-sak.

I-sak glanced over at Wu-jin, who was sitting a few tables away, his gaze fixated on Na-hee with an intensity that made her stomach churn. "Well... it's not that bad... unlike Wu-jin's" I-sak muttered, her eyes darting nervously between On-jo and Wu-jin.

She felt a shiver run down her spine, a sense of unease settling in as she thought about Wu-jin's obsession with Na-hee. It wasn't just a crush, it felt more like an unhealthy obsession.

On-jo leaned in closer, her brows furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, sensing the tension in I-sak's voice.

I-sak shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. "Oh- n-nothing!" she stammered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. But deep down, she felt a knot of worry tightening in her chest.

As they watched Na-hee laugh with her friends, I-sak couldn't shake the feeling that the people around her had a tendency to take their admiration a bit too far. It was as if Na-hee's charm had a magnetic pull, drawing in admirers who sometimes crossed the line from innocent affection to something more unsettling.

I-sak felt a protective instinct rise within her, knowing that she had to keep an eye on Na-hee, especially with someone like Wu-jin lurking in the background.

*Come to think of it...* I-sak thought to herself as she glanced at her friends, whose eyes were solely focused on Na-hee. She realized that there were a lot more unhealthy admirers, which deepened her worry for Na-hee.

I-sak looked over at On-jo, who had finally started to eat. Maybe her own best friend might end up like them...

Na-hee chewed on her food, laughter bubbling up as her classmates exchanged jokes. Her eyes drifted to the other table, and she felt a jolt as they locked onto Gwi-nam's unwavering gaze. Her chewing halted, and she lowered her chopsticks, a frown forming on her face.

*Has he been staring at me this whole time? Creep.* Na-hee thought, irritation bubbling beneath her skin. She let out a soft tsk, shaking her head in disbelief.

Dae-su, ever observant, caught the shift in Na-hee's expression and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Yah, Na-hee, you look grumpy?" he asked, a mouthful of food still lingering on his lips as he gulped it down with satisfaction.

The rest of the group turned their attention to her, sensing her discomfort. Na-hee let out a nervous laugh, her chopsticks fidgeting with her food as she gestured toward Gwi-nam's table.

"Yoon Gwi-nam has been staring at me this whole time. It's weird" she admitted, glancing back at him, who was still intently watching her.

"Yah, that's so weird" a classmate chimed in, eyes wide with intrigue. Na-hee nodded, her heart racing slightly.

"He is looking. Maybe he likes you very, very much?" Dae-su teased, a playful grin spreading across his face as he chewed on his food.

Na-hee shook her head vigorously, her cheeks red in annoyance. "Yah! Don't say that, that's creepy." she shot back, her voice rising slightly, and the others quickly echoed their agreement.

"What's his deal?" Joon-yeong asked, his tone firm, as if he were ready to confront Gwi-nam himself.

Na-hee shrugged, feeling a mix of annoyance and embarrassment. "Whatever, I'm finished eating." she declared, standing up from her seat, with her tray in hand clattering slightly.

"Yah? Already?" Dae-su exclaimed, surprise etched on his face as the group watched her walk away.

Na-hee waited in line, her mouth letting out a sigh as she glanced back at On-jo, I-sak, and Cheong-san deep in conversation. *Aw man... I want to join* she pouted, her fingers nervously tapping against her tray.

Meanwhile, I-sak playfully urged On-jo to speak up, but On-jo stubbornly shook her head, a hint of frustration in her eyes. With a mischievous smirk, I-sak grabbed their trays and ahead, she grabbed Na-hee's and winked at her.

Na-hee who blinked in surprise but felt a rush of gratitude as she stepped out of line.

On-jo turned to Cheong-san, her frown deepening. "You're close with Na-hee, right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cheong-san raised an eyebrow. "Why?" he replied, crossing his arms.

On-jo glanced around, catching a glimpse of Na-hee's bright smile in the distance, and let out a deep breath. "Can you tell her what she thinks about me?" she urged, her tone laced with hope.

"Why would I do that?" Cheong-san shot back, his tone firm.

On-jo's frustration bubbled up as she insisted, "You're close with her." With a huff, Cheong-san turned to walk away, but On-jo quickly chased after him.

"Lee Cheong-san." she called, her voice a mix of determination and anxiety.

He paused, turning around. "What?" he replied, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"I'm planning to confess to Na-hee." On-jo stated, her heart racing.

Cheong-san felt his emotions swirling. "Excuse me?" he asked, not believing his hearing it right.

"What? Why are you like that? Can't you help a friend?" On-jo pressed, locking eyes with him. "Do you like Na-hee?" she asked, her tone suddenly serious.

"What if I like Na-hee?" Cheong-san taunted, a hint of defiance in his voice.

Na-hee, sensing the tension, furrowed her brows as she approached them. "Hey, how are you two?" she greeted, her smile brightening the mood. "Want to get to class together?" she invited, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Sure." Cheong-san replied, though his mind was elsewhere.

Na-hee took the lead, and the two followed behind in an awkward silence. Suddenly, a wave of students surged into the cafeteria, pushing past them in a chaotic rush. Na-hee's worry grew as she turned to the entrance, confusion etched on her face.

"What's happening?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Just then, a student covered in blood lunged forward, sinking their teeth into another student's neck and spitting out a piece of skin. Na-hee's world turned upside down, her eyes widening in horror as panic set in.

"Let's go!" she shouted, urgency in her voice. But before she could react, someone shoved past On-jo, causing her to fall to the floor, panic sets in as On-jo watched the gory scene in front of her.

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀

Oh my, finally the longest chapter yet? Hehe hopefully you enjoyed this chapter! (Finally..it's getting on the good parts 😈)