𝒷𝓁ℴℴ𝓂𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝓌ℴ𝓊𝓃𝒹

Unseen Strings.

The moment you stepped into the school gates, a flutter of nerves mixed with something warmer swelled in your chest. It had only been a week since you'd been away, but to your mind, it felt like a lifetime.

You spotted your friends right away — a cluster near the lockers, raucous and unmistakably them.

"Y/n!" Minji's voice broke through the din, wide grin lighting up his face.

You barely had time to breathe before warm arms surrounded you, pulling you into a tight hug.

"Oh my god, we missed you so much!" Mina exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. "How are you feeling now? You're not still sick, are you?"

You laughed, the tension melting just a little. "Of course not. I'm good. Much better than I was."

You hugged them all back, the noise of their chatter wrapping around you like a shield. The familiar faces, the easy jokes — for a moment, the storm that had shadowed everything felt miles away.

But then, your smile faltered when you noticed Jungwon.

He was leaning casually against a pillar a short distance away, eyes fixed on your group. Not quite stalking, but definitely watching more than he probably should.

You pushed the thought aside. There was no room for that now.

A short while later, Heeseung quietly slipped through a side corridor toward an empty classroom adjacent to the science block. The school was busy — recess hour was in full swing, laughter and footsteps echoing down the halls, students scattered between the cafeteria, courtyard, and classrooms.

Heeseung crossed to the door, opening it slowly and entering without hesitation.

The teacher, Ms. Park, was tidying papers into a folder, unaffected by his arrival.

"I want to make things simple," Heeseung said smoothly, voice low so no wandering students could overhear. "I want Y/n partnered with me for the science project."

Ms. Park looked up sharply, eyebrows knitting together. "Heeseung, you know that project partners have to be from the same grade — seniors with seniors, juniors with juniors. You're a senior, and Y/n's a junior. It's impossible."

Heeseung smiled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It's not impossible if everyone's willing to cooperate."

He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope, heavy and bulging with bills. Sliding it across the desk with deliberate ease.

Ms. Park's eyes flickered to it, almost involuntarily. "That's a... generous offer." She hesitated, glancing around the quiet room. "You're playing a risky game."

Heeseung shrugged. "Sometimes winning requires risks. And this one's worth it."

After a long pause, Ms. Park nodded, sly and resigned. "Fine. Y/n will be partnered with you. But..." Her voice lowered, "Let's keep this quiet."

Heeseung's smile widened. "My lips are sealed."

Unknown to them both, Jungwon had lingered in the hallway outside the classroom, curiosity and suspicion tangled together.

From behind the doorframe, he peeked in, caught the subtle exchange of the envelope, caught the furtive shift in Ms. Park's expression.

"This ... this isn't right," Jungwon whispered, stepping forward.

Inside, Heeseung turned slowly, sharp eyes locking with Jungwon's.

"Well, well," Heeseung said with mock amusement, "Look who's interested in my affairs."

Jungwon squared his shoulders, glare fierce. "This isn't a game, Heeseung. You bribing the teacher? That's just cheating."

Heeseung chuckled, a low, taunting sound that scraped against Jungwon's nerves.

"Cheating? I'm just guaranteeing the outcome I want. Maybe you should try it sometime." He stepped closer, voice dropping. "Or are you too noble for that?"

Jungwon snapped back, voice rising. "This isn't about nobility. It's about fairness. You can't just buy everything — least of all her."

Heeseung's smirk faded; the playful tone hardened into something colder, meaner.

"Get this through your thick head — she's mine. Always has been." His eyes darkened, voice low but sharp. "I showed her what she needed when you couldn't. I took care of her when you weren't around."

Jungwon's fists clenched, jaw tight. "You think throwing money around makes you better? You think that negates everything else?"

Heeseung stepped right in, voice measured but filled with venom. "I'm not asking for your approval. I'm telling you — back off."

The challenge hung heavily between them.

"You don't get to decide what's fair for me or for her."

Jungwon's lips pressed into a thin line, anger simmering beneath his breath. "I'm not done yet."

Heeseung turned, hands in pockets, voice carrying a last barb over his shoulder.

"Then good luck proving you're worth the fight."

And with that, he strode away, leaving the quiet hallway ringing with unresolved tension.

Heeseung stepped into the school backyard, the crisp morning air wrapping around him as the distant hum of classrooms filled the halls. He pulled a cigarette from his pack, fingers deft and confident. Flicking his lighter, the small flame caught instantly, igniting the tip with a sharp orange glow. He drew a slow drag, letting the harsh smoke fill his lungs—knowing full well how much Y/N hated this habit. It wasn't just the smell that got to her; she worried about the damage—the way it could ruin his lungs, steal his breath, shorten his life. But Heeseung didn't care. He lit up anyway, because sometimes control was found in the smallest rebellions.

As the smoke curled from his lips, a sharp voice cut through the quiet. "You seriously think you can keep this from Y/N?"

Heeseung blinked, surprised by the sudden interruption. The cigarette dropped from his fingers before he even thought to stop it, falling to the ground as he crushed it beneath his sole.

"For fuck's sake, you minions," he muttered, already spotting Lara standing with arms crossed, her eyes sharp and challenging, and Jungwon probably lurking somewhere nearby, like always.

Lara stepped forward, voice steady. "Bribing teachers, sneaking off to smoke—you think she won't find out? How do you think she would feel about this, Heeseung?"

Heeseung's smirk twisted into something colder. Without hesitation, he pulled a thick envelope from his jacket and slid it across the ground. "Keep your mouth shut."

Lara recoiled, pushing it back. "Money isn't everything."

Heeseung smirked coldly and peeled off a stack of bills, stuffing them into the envelope. Then another. And another, until the envelope was fat and heavy.

She hesitated, glare sharp as knives, but greed won. Lara yanked the envelope toward her, stuffing it into her jacket with a defiant snap. "This doesn't mean I'm your puppet."

Heeseung lit another cigarette with a slow smirk and took a long drag. "I'm not asking," he said softly, smoke swirling around them. "Just remember who's in charge."