𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗩𝗲𝗶𝗹 | 𝗧𝗫𝗧 & 𝗘𝗡-

「 ✦ EPISODE 5 ✦ 」

The six of them were being treated differently—pushed to the edges, scrutinized with cold, accusing glares. They all felt it. And yet, they were still hesitating.

Jungwon's grip on his phone tightened, his frustration bleeding into his next message.

Jungwon: Guys, please. This is serious. Can't you see the treatment we six are getting? We need to talk about this.

He sent it and stared at the screen, willing them to understand.

More silence.

No more replies.

Jungwon exhaled sharply, his gaze flicking to the clock.

Tomorrow. 7 PM.

At the park.

Whether they showed up or not, he was going to be there.

Because the truth was out there, lurking beneath the whispers, the silence, the fear.

And Jungwon was going to drag it into the light.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Aecha tightened the straps of her bag, ready to slip out unnoticed, but the moment she turned toward the door, her mother's voice cut through the silence.

"Where are you going?"

She froze.

"I... uh, I'm going to the library." The words tumbled out, too quick, too rehearsed.

Across the room, Ara looked up from her phone, gaze sharp as it met Aecha's.

"The library?" Her mother's eyes narrowed.

Aecha forced a nod. "Yeah. I heard they got new books. Thought I'd check them out."

A pause. Then, a slow nod. "Fine. But don't take long."

Relief settled in her chest as her mother disappeared down the hall.

Ara smirked, lowering her phone. "Who are you really meeting?"

"It's complicated," Aecha muttered, adjusting her bag. "I'll explain later. I'm already late."

Before her sister could press further, she was out the door.

The park was shrouded in an eerie stillness, the streetlights flickering against the dense fog rolling in from the river. As Aecha stepped onto the path, she spotted them—Jungwon, Bella, Ni-Ki, and Keira—huddled together beneath a dim lamplight.

But one person was missing.

"Hey," Aecha greeted, voice low.

Jungwon exhaled, relieved. "Thanks for coming, Aecha."

"I had to lie to my mom," she muttered. "So let's make this quick."

Bella crossed her arms. "Do you think Kai will come?"

Ni-Ki scoffed. "Doubt it. The guy's like a ghost. And even if he does, he'll just stand there and glare at us."

As if summoned, a shadow peeled away from the darkness.

Kai emerged from the mist, hood low over his face, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone sent a shiver through the group.

Ni-Ki tilted his head, smirking. "Didn't think you'd show."

"I didn't come for you," Kai shot back. His gaze flicked to Jungwon. "I want to know why you think any of this matters."