♥︎ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 17♥︎

𝐿 𝑂 𝑉 𝐸❦⊹܀𝑆𝐼𝐶𝐾❦⊹

ೄྀ𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐃ೄྀ____

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀💌🌹ೄྀ𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍ೄྀᴇᴘɪsᴏᴅᴇ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ

ʙʀᴏᴀᴅᴄᴀsᴛɪɴɢ ʀᴏᴏᴍ

"𝐂lose it before they could get in!" Na-yeon urged the others, her eyes darting nervously around the room. But no one paid her any attention as they focused on helping the two boys.

"Would you just close it already?" Na-yeon whined in annoyance, standing up from her seat and crossing her arms.

Na-hee let out a sigh, knowing this wouldn't end well.

Gyeong-su had had enough. He stepped in, moving closer to her.

"What's wrong with you? Su-hyeok and Cheong-san are still out there! Do you want us to just shut them out?" Gyeong-su said, frustration evident in his voice.

"Is it a crime to want the window closed?" Na-yeon shot back, glaring daggers at him, her frustration boiling over.

"How can you be so selfish?" Gyeong-su exclaimed, his voice rising as their argument escalated.

Na-hee scratched her head in disbelief, a small smile creeping onto her face as she watched the two. This bickering reminded her of simpler days, and she couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

Na-yeon finally sighed, rolling her eyes. "I can't stand you, stupid welfie." she taunted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Suddenly, all eyes were on her. The room fell silent as disbelief washed over everyone, they couldn't believe she had just said that to Gyeong-su. Na-hee's smile vanished, replaced by a look of concern when she heard Na-yeon's words.

"Yah! Lee Na-yeon!" Na-hee exclaimed, rushing towards her friend and tugging on her wrist. But Na-yeon stood her ground, unyielding.

"Say sorry right now" Na-hee whispered urgently, her own disbelief mingling with disappointment. She couldn't believe Na-yeon would say something so hurtful to Gyeong-su.

Gyeong-su shoved Na-yeon back into her seat, his frustration boiling over. Na-yeon gasped, clearly taken aback by his sudden aggression. Na-hee stood frozen, disbelief etched across her face as she watched the confrontation unfold.

"What did you just call me?" Gyeong-su demanded, his voice laced with disbelief.

It was evident he had reached his breaking point with Na-yeon. Just then, Cheong-san stepped in, pulling Gyeong-su away to diffuse the tension.

"Did you just hit me?" Na-yeon shot back, her eyes flashing with anger.

Na-hee shook her head, trying to intervene and pull her friend away from the escalating situation.

"Yeah?" Gyeong-su replied defiantly, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Hey, knock it off! What's going on over here, guys?" Mrs. Park exclaimed as she rushed forward, positioning herself between Na-yeon and Gyeong-su. She glanced back and forth, trying to assess the situation.

"He just hit me" Na-yeon accused, her voice rising as she pointed at Gyeong-su.

"Only because you called me a welfie!" Gyeong-su retorted, his anger palpable.

He couldn't believe Na-yeon was attempting to play the victim when she was clearly in the wrong.

"Well, is it not true?" she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You just can't say things like that" Cheong-san interjected, defending Gyeong-su.

Mrs. Park looked at the two of them, confusion clouding her expression. "What's a welfie? Tell me" she asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

The room fell silent, everyone exchanging glances, unsure of how to respond.

"A person on welfare. It means a person on welfare" Su-hyeok finally chimed in, taking it upon himself to clarify.

He noticed the hesitation in the air and decided to break the tension. "Welfie for short."

Na-hee glanced at Gyeong-su, her concern evident. She knew that Na-yeon had crossed a line this time.

Mrs. Park then turned her gaze back to Na-yeon, her expression serious.

"Na-yeon, that was wrong. Don't ever say that again" Mrs. Park scolded, her voice firm and unwavering.

"And Gyeong-su, when you hit people, you're the one who ends up losing. Do you understand?"

"No, I don't" Gyeong-su muttered angrily, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface.

"Listen, we can't be fighting each other at a moment like this. We don't know what's happening outside," Mrs. Park said, her voice steady but laced with concern.

"What about the other teachers? Has anyone called the cops?"

"Don't worry, everyone. I'm sure they'll be here soon. We just have to wait a little longer" Mrs. Park reassured them, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

Tension hung thick in the air, and Na-hee could feel it pressing down on her chest. Luckily, On-jo stepped in to break the silence.

"Mrs. Park, Hyeon-ju's hands were cold too. So were I-sak's," she continued, her brow furrowed in thought.

"What if all of this started with Hyeon-ju?" On-jo finished, her voice barely above a whisper.

Na-hee brought her hand to her mouth, pondering On-jo's words. *Could it be?* she thought, her mind racing.

"She went to the hospital" someone chimed in, the realization dawning on them.

"What if it spread there as well?" Joon-yeong suggested, his voice trembling slightly.

Na-hee nodded in agreement, her heart pounding.

"Maybe that's why no one's coming," Hyo-ryung added, her eyes wide with fear. Na-hee's thoughts spiraled as she began to scramble through her theories.

"I just know all of your words are right. The zombies have already done a lot of damage here, and if Hyeon-ju is in the hospital, she could have bitten people, and it might have already spread there" Na-hee said aloud, joining in on their conversation, her voice steady despite her racing thoughts.

"That's honestly a good point. Na-hee could be both dumb and smart at the same time" Dae-su remarked, pointing at her with a teasing grin.

Na-hee turned to glare at Dae-su, her eyes narrowing in annoyance, but she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

Dae-su chuckled, the tension in the room easing just a bit.

After a while, the others crowded around the computer, eager to check what was happening everywhere.

Na-hee wanted to clear her head, so she stepped away from the chaos and stood near the window, gazing out at their school Hyosan.

As the day wore on, she felt her energy slowly draining, and thoughts of I-sak only added to her heaviness. Disappointment washed over her, she couldn't shake the feeling that she could have done something to help her friend.

Letting out a deep breath she didn't know she needed, she tried to release some of the tension building inside her.

The voices of her friends filled the air, a mix of concern and worriedness, but Na-hee often found herself zoning out, lost in her thoughts.

Just then, she heard a shuffle nearby. Turning slightly, she saw Gyeong-su standing next to her. A smile broke across her face, and he returned it with a warm grin of his own.

It seemed they both shared the same desire to escape the crowded room for a moment, seeking peace in each other's company.

Gyeong-su then stood a little closer to Na-hee, unable to ignore the hose swinging outside the window, though he paid it no mind. Na-hee turned her attention to him, her eyes filled with concern.

"How are you, Gyeong-su? I'm really sorry about my best friend" Na-hee said, scratching her neck nervously.

"It's fine, Na-hee. It all happened so fast, I felt hurt by her words." Gyeong-su confessed, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Na-hee leaned in closer, eager to listen.

"But it's okay for now. Na-yeon will always be Na-yeon at the end of the day" Gyeong-su finished with a light snicker, a hint of amusement breaking through his earlier discomfort.

Na-hee nodded, recognizing the truth in his words. After all, Na-yeon was known for her unpredictable mood swings.

"I'm really glad you're alright, Gyeong-su. Please try to be patient with Na-yeon" Na-hee said, glancing over at Na-yeon, who was with the others, then back to Gyeong-su.

"She can be very frustrating at times" she added with a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with shared understanding.

The two shared a light hearted moment, the tension easing as they exchanged knowing smiles, both grateful for the bond they were forming amidst the chaos.

But suddenly, their moment was shattered when the hose swung violently at the window, causing the glass behind them to shatter.

Gyeong-su, with quick reflexes, grabbed Na-hee and pulled her toward the others, their hearts racing from the unexpected interruption.

Na-hee let out a deep breath, her eyes wide as she stared at the hose that had just shattered the window.

The rest of the group stood alarmed, jumping at the sound of the glass breaking. Gyeong-su kept his hand on Na-hee's shoulder, gently nudging her as he asked,

"Na-hee, are you alright? That hose almost hit you." Concern etched on his face, he searched her eyes for reassurance.

Na-hee nodded, a slight smile forming on her lips as she realized how Gyeong-su had instinctively protected her.

"Yes, I'm alright. Thanks, Gyeong-su" she replied, her voice filled with gratitude.

"What happened?" Cheong-san asked, his gaze fixed on Na-hee, worry evident in his expression.

The two exchanged glances before Gyeong-su responded, "We don't know. It just happened so suddenly."

The others began to murmur among themselves, trying to make sense of the chaos. "What the hell was that?" Dae-su exclaimed, his hand pressed against his heart as if to steady it.

"Oh, shit, that scared me" Wu-jin added, his eyes darting around the room, still shaken.

"Yah, Gyeong-su and Na-hee, get over here!" Mrs. Park called out, her voice laced with concern for the two.

Na-hee and Gyeong-su instinctively stepped back a little, the group still feeling the adrenaline coursing through them as they stared at the swinging hose.

"Did someone not make it?" Joon-yeong asked, backing away cautiously, his voice trembling with fear.

Cheong-san, however, began to step closer to the window, his curiosity getting the better of him. "No. No one." he replied firmly to Joon-yeong.

"Wait, Cheong-san!" the others exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with worry as they watched him approach the shattered glass.

"Be careful." Na-hee muttered under her breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and protectiveness as she found herself sandwiched between Gyeong-su and Suh-yeok, both of whom were equally tense.

Cheong-san, trying to appear brave despite the lingering fear, held his posture high as he cautiously stepped closer to the shattered window, his eyes scanning the scene for any clues.

He stopped just short of the edge, peering around, trying to look the cause of the sudden incident.

"Do you see anything?" one of the others asked, their voices laced with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

"It's just the wind" Gyeong-su stated, his voice trying to sound reassuring, though a hint of nervousness still lingered.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the group at his words.

"That scared me." Wu-jin commented, his hand still clutching his chest, trying to calm his racing heart.

Cheong-san, however, remained focused, his eyes darting around, observing the hose still swinging erratically, sending shards of glass scattering with each movement.

Then, in a heart stopping moment, a zombie appeared right in front of Cheong-san, its body tied from above by the white cloth.

Cheong-san flinched violently, dropping to the ground in shock. The zombie let out a growl, its eyes fixed on him with a terrifying hunger, and the sudden appearance sent a wave of panic through the entire group.

Na-hee, startled by the horrifying sight, couldn't help but scream, instinctively grabbing onto Su-hyeok's arm in fear. Su-hyeok, in turn, reacted instantly, wrapping his arm around her protectively, holding her close.

"Look, it's coming in! Watch out!" Dae-su warned, his voice booming with urgency as he tried to alert everyone to the immediate danger.

Cheong-san and Gyeong-su were still on the ground, their eyes wide with terror as they stared at the approaching zombie, slowly ccrawling it's way in. "Yah! Cheong-san, get back!" Na-hee called out, her voice filled with a desperate plea for him to retreat to safety.

Cheong-san, spurred by her words, quickly scanned his surroundings for anything he could use toward the zombie. His eyes landed on a mop leaning against the corner of the room. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, grabbing the mop as he scrambled back towards the zombie.

Cheong-san wielding it like a makeshift weapon against the approaching zombie. He swung with all his might, landing a few solid hits.

"Push it off!" Gyeong-su yelled, his voice laced with panic.

Unfortunately, the zombie managed to grabbed ahold the mop, its decaying grip sending a fresh wave of terror through the group, especially Na-hee. Her breath hitched in her throat.

Gyeong-su rushed to Cheong-san's side, helping him wrestle the mop away from the relentless creature. The zombie continued to growl, its face twisted in a horrifying mask of hunger.

Suddenly, it lunged towards the broken window, clawing its way inside with disturbing speed. In the ensuing chaos, it grabbed Gyeong-su's hand, and Na-hee's heart hammered against her ribs with fear for her friends. She could only watch helplessly as the terrifying scene unfolded, paralyzed like the others.

"Gyeong-su, your hand! Don't let it bite you!" Na-hee shouted, her voice trembling and cracking with fear.

Gyeong-su managed to wrench his hand free from the zombie's grasp, both he and Cheong-san stumbling back in fear, gasping for breath like they'd just run a marathon.

"Should I go forward?" Dae-su asked, determination etched on his face, but his voice wavered slightly. The others quickly denied him, pulling him back in unison.

Su-hyeok glanced at Cheong-san anxiously, then released Na-hee's wrist, stepping forward with a newfound resolve.

"Give me!" Su-hyeok commanded, yanking the broken mop from Cheong-san's hands with surprising urgency.

In the process, he accidentally swung it into Gyeong-su's face. Na-hee winced, her face contorting in sympathy as she saw Su-hyeok's accidental blow connect with Gyeong-su's face.

*ouch! That's gotta hurt* Na-hee thought in her head as she bit her lip in nervousness.

Su-hyeok stabbed the zombie in the shoulder, causing it to momentarily halt. The tension in the room thickened as everyone exchanged anxious glances, gripping each other tightly in fear. But suddenly, to their horror, the zombie resumed its advance, pushing through the window with an unsettling determination.

Su-hyeok and the others gasped in shock, their hearts racing as the creature gripped the window edge, its grotesque face twisted in a menacing snarl.

"Shit! We're completely fucked!" Dae-su exclaimed, his voice trembling with panic.

"Su-hyeok, watch your hands!" Na-hee pleaded urgently, her eyes wide with terror.

"Push it away already!" Na-yeon yelled out in fear as she gripped tightly onto Mrs. Park and Hyo-ryung, her heart racing in her chest.

Just then, Cheong-san yanked Na-hee away, pulling her to safety as the zombie continued its relentless approach, the sound of its ragged breathing filling the air.

The group stood frozen, their minds racing as they realized the gravity of their situation.

"Su-hyeok! Fuck it!" Gyeong-su called out anxiously, his voice rising above the chaos that surrounded them. In a moment of desperation, he grabbed a nearby computer and swung it with all his might, knocking it against the zombie.

The impact sent the creature crashing to the ground, taking the device with it.

Na-hee felt a wave of relief wash over her as she watched the zombie fall. Her breath hitched as she gripped Cheong-san's hands tightly, her heart racing as she stared at the window where the creature had once stood.

Cheong-san looked at Na-hee with concern, his eyes reflecting a fierce protectiveness.

"Is it gone?" they asked, their voices barely above a whisper as some of the group cautiously stepped forward to peer out the window.

"That was insane" Dae-su added, letting out a long sigh of relief, his shoulders finally relaxing as the immediate danger seemed to pass.

The room was still filled with the echoes of their frantic breaths and the distant groans of the undead, but for now, they had survived.

Na-hee blinked in surprise as she realized she had instinctively grabbed onto Cheong-san. Slowly, she stepped back, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Sorry, Cheong-san" she murmured, biting her lip nervously.

"It's alright. Are you okay?" Cheong-san asked, concern etched on his face.

Na-hee nodded, relief washing over her.

"Are you okay, Cheong-san?" she inquired, her voice softening.

"Yeah, I'm good" he replied, forcing a reassuring smile despite the tension in the air.

Na-hee's gaze shifted to Gyeong-su, who was standing a few feet away.

"Where did that come from?" she asked, her back pressed against the wall for support.

"You good, Gyeong-su?" she called out, her voice laced with worry.

He nodded, but Na-hee noticed the blood trickling from his nose, likely from an encounter with Su-hyeok. Concern creased her brow as she stepped closer to him, her heart racing.

"Gyeong-su, you're bleeding" Na-hee said, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with concern.

Just then, Na-yeon's voice cut through the tension. "Hey" she said, looking directly at Gyeong-su, her expression a mix of fear and determination. The atmosphere was thick with uuncertainty.

"Gyeong-su, you're bleeding" Cheong-san blurted out, his face etched with concern as everyone's heads snapped towards Gyeong-su.

"Huh? I am?" Gyeong-su mumbled, wiping at his nose. He stared at the blood on his fingers, a weak chuckle escaping him.

"Oh, this? Su-hyeok just whacked me with a freaking mop earlier, remember?"

Na-hee sniffled, a watery laugh escaping her lips. She had seen that earlier, the image still kinda funny amidst all the chaos.

"Stay back! Just stay where you are!" Na-yeon's voice trembled, each word laced with fear as she took a shaky step backward.

"You were bitten, weren't you, Gyeong-su?"

Na-hee's smile faltered, her gaze hardening as she looked at Na-yeon with disapproval. She shook her head slightly. "Na-yeon, don't start," she warned, her voice low.

Na-yeon stared at Na-hee, blinking rapidly. It felt like their friendship was cracking right before her eyes. She could see that her best friend was siding with... Gyeong-su? It stung more than she expected.

It's almost like... Na-hee, her best friend is now looking at her with hatred and disapproval on her eyes.

"I wasn't! Seriously, I wasn't! Didn't you see Su-hyeok hit me?" Gyeong-su insisted, grabbing the tissue Na-hee offered him and nodding his thanks. He pressed it to his nose, shooting a glare at Na-yeon, anger flickering in his eyes.

"What's your fucking problem with me?" he demanded, taking a step closer to her, his frustration building as he saw Na-yeon flinch back.

"You were bitten!" Na-yeon shot back, her voice rising in panic.

Gyeong-su scoffed, disbelief written all over his face.

"I-sak got a nosebleed just before... you know. On-jo, you saw it too, right?" At the mention of I-sak's name, Na-hee felt her heart shatter all over again.

She bit her lip, glancing at On-jo, who looked equally devastated. The memory of I-sak was a heavy weight on them all.

"That's the same thing that happened to I-sak, right, Na-hee?" Na-yeon pressed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Na-hee didn't utter a word this time. She simply stared at Na-yeon, her silence speaking volumes.

"Gyeong-su!" Mrs. Park called, but he was too caught up in the moment to hear her.

"I'm telling you! I swear I wasn't bitten!" Gyeong-su stuttered, anxiety creeping into his voice.

He was taken aback by their disbelief. The room fell silent, all eyes focused on him, their expressions a mix of doubt and concern.

"Look at your hand. Explain that" Na-yeon challenged, her tone sharp and accusatory. "What is it?"

Gyeong-su glanced down at his hand, noticing a fresh scratch from earlier. "I got it from the computer! Didn't you see that?" he replied, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as he rushed toward Na-yeon, his heart racing.

"Don't you trust me? I can't believe this! I got this trying to save all of you!" he claimed, sitting at the edge of the table, his body tense with emotion. The weight of their gazes felt unbearable.

Na-hee looked at Gyeong-su's hand and let out a scoff. It was just a scratch from the computer. Na-hee couldn't believe Na-yeon would accuse Gyeong-su of being bitten in the middle of an apocalypse.

*Really?* She felt a wave of disappointment wash over her for her friend.

Cheong-san reached out to examine Gyeong-su's hand. "It's not a bite. It's just a scratch" he asserted, his voice steady and calm.

"Whoever wants to check, come look" Na-hee announced, her belief in Gyeong-su unwavering.

A few others stepped forward, curiosity etched on their faces.

Na-hee turned to look at Na-yeon, her expression hardening. "Na-yeon, I can't believe you would accuse Gyeong-su of being bitten,both of you are fighting all the time, but accusing him of being bitten? That's out of the line."

"-especially when you know it's not a joke to accuse him like that" Na-hee told her, her voice firm yet controlled.

The others stood silent, taken aback by Na-hee's unexpected confrontation. She had never spoken to Na-yeon like this before, usually, she scolded her in a calm and warm manner, but this was different.

Na-yeon felt her heart shatter as she looked at Na-hee. She felt as if she no longer recognized her friend, Na-hee's gaze was filled with hatred and disapproval. Na-yeon blinked repeatedly, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill over. The tension in the room was palpable, and the weight of their friendship felt... Empty.

"It's definitely just a scratch" Na-hee told them, her voice steady but laced with concern.

"Ms. Park, please take a look" Na-hee pleaded, her eyes wide with urgency, hoping to convince Ms. Park to believe Gyeong-su.

Ms. Park stepped forward, inspecting Gyeong-su's hand closely, her brow furrowing as she examined the red mark.

"Well, it really looks like just a scratch. Thank God. He's okay" Ms. Park reassured everyone, her words mostly directed at Na-yeon, who still wore a doubtful expression, her arms crossed defensively.

"Done yet?" Gyeong-su asked Na-yeon, his voice firm and tinged with annoyance. "I said, are you done with me now?"

"Wait, this means the computer is gone" Joon-yeong interjected, breaking the tension that hung thick in the air. "No internet."

"Couldn't you have thrown something else instead of the computer?" Dae-su chimed in, disbelief etched on his face as he shook his head.

Gyeong-su shot him a look of disbelief, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"What was I supposed to do? It was coming in!" Gyeong-su retorted, his voice rising slightly, the panic of the moment still fresh in his mind.

"No, you did good. Thank you. Don't be mad" Dae-su stepped forward to Na-yeon directly, his tone earnest.

"Hey, Na-yeon, apologize to Gyeong-su. He's not bitten" he urged, his eyes pleading.

"Why would I?" Na-yeon replied defiantly, her chin raised in defiance.

"He did it to save us," Dae-su insisted, his voice firm. Na-hee crossed her arms, casting a glance at Na-yeon, who seemed resolute in her stance.

"Why can't you just say you're sorry?" she pressed, her patience wearing thin.

"Because I'm not sorry. I saw everything. I saw the creature grab you. I'm right" Na-yeon continued, clinging to her belief as if it were a lifeline. "You could be infected."

"Na-yeon, enough" Ms. Park interjected, her patience wearing thin as she stepped closer, her expression stern.

"Can touching the hand infect you?" Cheong-san asked, disbelief evident in his tone, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"I held I-sak's hand when she fell, why hasn't anything happened to me?" On-jo added, trying to reason with Na-yeon, her voice calm but firm.

"Because he has a cut on his hand. Since there's an open wound, it's probably going to be different" Na-yeon argued, her voice rising as her frustration mounted.

"That's fucking-" Gyeong-su began, but was cut off by the others stepping in front of him to prevent another confrontation.

"Gyeong-su, don't!" they urged in unison, their voices a chorus of concern.

"Stop blaming me. Why don't you just think for yourselves?" Na-yeon shot back, the tension shifting in the air, her voice sharp and defensive.

"Na-yeon, stop. I saw everything too. Gyeong-su was not bitten, the nosebleed was when Su-hyeok took the mop from Cheong-san, he accidentally hit Gyeong-su in the face. And the scratch? It was from the computer he was holding earlier" Na-hee stated firmly, her gaze unwavering as she faced Na-yeon.

Na-yeon was taken aback, surprised by Na-hee's defense of Gyeong-su.

He nodded repeatedly, grateful for her support, his heart swelling with appreciation.

"She's always like this" Ji-min added, her tone dismissive as she rolled her eyes. Na-yeon shot her a glare, but Ji-min merely scoffed and looked away, her indifference palpable.

"If it weren't for him, we would definitely all be dead right now" Na-hee reminded Na-yeon, her expression serious, the weight of her words hanging in the air.

Na-yeon's heart sank at the realization, Na-hee had always looked at her with kindness, but now that warmth was replaced with disappointment.

"And now he might be the one who's killing us" Na-yeon countered, her voice tinged with desperation, her eyes darting around the group.

"Now you're the one who's killing me" Wu-jin muttered under his breath, the weight of the situation pressing down on him, his own fears bubbling to the surface.

"That's enough! We are ending this," Ms. Park declared, stepping in to dismiss the escalating tension that had filled the room. Her voice was firm,

"But Ms. Park-" Na-yeon began, her voice rising in protest, but Ms. Park raised a hand, signaling for silence.

"Alright, let's put an end to this. Gyeong-su, you're going to wait in the recording room for ten minutes" Ms. Park instructed, her gaze steady as she scanned the room for any signs of disagreement.

"I know it won't be easy, but it's better than people thinking you're infected."

"No one else thinks that I'm infected. It's only Na-yeon" Gyeong-su retorted, his tone defensive as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest, frustration evident in his posture.

He felt cornered and misunderstood.

"Ms. Park, that's not fair to Gyeong-su" Na-hee interjected, standing protectively near him, her brows furrowed in concern.

Ms. Park shook her head gently, trying to maintain her authority.

"Na-hee, I understand your feelings, but this is the only way we can handle it" Ms. Park replied, her voice softening slightly.

Na-hee let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the situation.

"Gyeong-su, would you please just do it?" Ms. Park pleaded, her patience wearing thin from the chaos that had unfolded.

Na-hee could see the frustration etched on Gyeong-su's face, and it tugged at her heart.

"Fine, ten minutes? I'll do half that... I'll just do a full hour," Gyeong-su replied, annoyance lacing his words, feeling the pressure of the moment.

"There's really no point in doing an hour since it takes less than five minutes" Cheong-san chimed in, hoping to diffuse the tension.

"Stop overreacting."

"It's just to be sure" Gyeong-su shot back, his voice rising slightly, the irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.

Ms. Park turned her gaze toward Na-yeon, her expression softening as she tried to gauge her feelings. "Is that enough? And if nothing happens, you'll apologize, right?" she asked, her tone encouraging yet cautious.

Na-yeon hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes before she finally nodded, her resolve wavering.

"Yeah" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the weight of the decision pressed down on her.

"And everyone else is okay with that, right?" Ms. Park continued, her eyes sweeping across the room.

"Let's consider this a way to learn to trust each other."

"But I do trust Gyeong-su." Na-hee blurted out quietly, but her words carried enough weight for everyone to hear. Gyeong-su glanced at her, a small smile breaking through his annoyance.

He appreciated her support more than she knew, feeling a flicker of warmth in the midst of the chaos.

"See you guys in an hour."

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀

(The broadcasting room scenes is always my favorite part ❣️ cause more gyeong-su time!)