S.I. Academy wasn't just a school.
It was a brand.
Every student who graduated from here ended up somewhere successful — politicians, CEOs, actors, tech geniuses.
It was a place of perfection.
A place where students smiled with secrets behind their teeth.
---
On the first day of the new term, Class 2-B was loud, buzzing with gossip — until the teacher walked in with a clipboard.
"Alright, class, listen up," she said. "We have two new transfer students today."
Someone in the back shouted, "Two?! There's only one girl at the door!"
The teacher blinked, looked up.
True — only one girl was standing there.
"Uh… the principal told me there were two," the teacher muttered. "I guess one's late or... not coming today? Anyway—"
She turned to the front. "Everyone, this is Kim Yerim."
---
Yerim didn't bow.
Didn't smile.
Didn't introduce herself.
She walked in like a shadow — quiet, unreadable, and full of something cold.
The teacher gestured. "Your seat is there."
Yerim turned and began walking…
---
But then—
Click.
The door opened behind her.
A soft voice followed.
"Oh. Sorry I'm late."
Everyone turned again.
And froze.
---
Standing at the door was a girl who didn't look like she belonged in a school.
She looked like she walked out of a painting.
Doe eyes. Pale skin. Wavy long brown hair.
Soft.
Delicate.
Beautiful in a way that made the room stop breathing.
---
The teacher blinked. "Are you… Kang Jiwon?"
The girl nodded. "Yes. I'm Kang Jiwon."
Her voice was low. Calm. Almost too calm.
The teacher pointed. "Go sit there — next to Kim Yerim."
---
As Jiwon walked down the aisle, the classroom turned completely silent.
No footsteps.
No whispers.
Just eyes following her every move.
And not a single reaction from her.
Like she didn't notice.
Or didn't care.
Or knew.
---
Both new girls sat down.
No talking.
No smiling.
Just silence.
Someone whispered, "Are they friends?"
Someone else whispered back, "They haven't even looked at each other."
"They don't talk at all…"
"They're both so quiet, it's creepy."
---
But not everyone was impressed.
From the second Jiwon entered, one pair of eyes hadn't left her.
Hwang Harin.
S.I. Academy's queen bee.
Perfect scores. Flawless looks. Loyal followers.
She didn't share attention.
And now?
That new girl — that doll-looking stranger — had walked in late, said two words, and stolen the entire room's focus.
Harin's jaw tightened.
She smiled sweetly.
But inside?
She was ready.
If that girl thinks silence will protect her… She's dead wrong ....
...
The next day, the air inside S.I. Academy had changed.
Not loud.
Not wild.
Just whispers.
"Did you hear about the new girl?"
"Which one? That quiet one, Kang Jiwon?"
"Yeah. She's an orphan."
"Seriously? That explains a lot…"
---
Every hallway Jiwon walked through —
Eyes followed.
Lips moved.
But she didn't look back.
Not once.
She walked like none of it mattered.
Like they weren't even speaking about her.
---
In class, the teacher walked in and clapped twice.
"Alright, quiet down. Class, silence please."
But even after that, the rumors didn't stop.
They only got quieter.
---
Lunch break.
Cafeteria.
Yerim sat at the edge of the room, eyes on her tray.
Jiwon sat alone.
As always.
---
And then—
Hwang Harin made her move.
She walked straight over to Jiwon's table, wearing that fake plastic smile.
"Wow," Harin said loudly. "So it's true, huh? You're an orphan?"
Jiwon didn't respond.
Harin tilted her head. "Tell me… how did you even get in this school? You must've really fooled someone good."
Still no reply.
Harin's smile faded slightly. Her voice turned colder.
"I can't believe I have to study in the same classroom as someone like you."
Jiwon blinked once.
Then looked away.
Still no words.
---
That silence?
It drove Harin insane.
"You just gonna sit there like some broken doll? Not gonna defend yourself? Not gonna cry? Come on—say something!"
But Jiwon did nothing.
Nothing at all.
---
Just then—
"Harin."
A calm voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Everyone turned.
Kim jeok soo
Tall. Serious. One of the few students who never got involved in drama.
He stepped forward, hands in his pockets.
"Slow down," he said, voice sharp. "That's enough."
Harin blinked.
"But she—"
"I said enough," he repeated.
Harin clenched her jaw but backed off. Her pride ...
Jeok soo didn't even look at her again.
His eyes were on Jiwon — not with pity, but curiosity.
Then he walked away.
---
Before anyone else could speak—
Yerim stood up, walked across the room, and stopped in front of Jiwon.
"Let's go," she said.
Jiwon stood quietly and followed.
No questions.
No words.
Just the sound of two girls walking back to class — side by side.
---
And behind them?
Whispers faded into silence.
Because now, people weren't just curious about Jiwon.
They were starting to fear her.
---
That night, Yerim sat at the kitchen table, arms crossed, expression serious.
Jeahyun slurped his ramen across from her, messy as ever.
"She's getting bullied," Yerim said.
He paused mid-slurp. "Huh?"
"The new girl. Jiwon."
Jeahyun blinked. "The quiet one?"
Yerim nodded. "They're saying she's an orphan. Harin's targeting her already."
Jeahyun leaned back. "That Baek Harin kid… already sounds annoying."
Yerim shrugged. "She's loud. Jealous. Fake."
Jeahyun sighed. "Poor kid. Orphan and quiet… that's an easy target."
Then Yerim added, "Also... she looks like you."
He froze.
"What?"
"She has a mole," Yerim said casually, "same place as yours."
Jeahyun stared at her. "What kind of observation power is that…"
Yerim stood up with her plate. "I'm just saying. If she ever needs help—"
Jeahyun cut in, soft for once. "Help her."
Yerim turned back.
Jeahyun looked serious now. "Being a good person doesn't mean being loud. Help her when she need...
---
Next Day
Another day.
Another rumor.
This one spread faster than yesterday's.
---
"You know the new girl?"
"Jiwon?"
"Yeah. Guess how she got into the school."
"How?"
"She saved Park Jinwoo's life."
"Wait, the principal's son?!"
"That's how she got in. They owe her."
"Wow… she really looks like a doll but… she's not a doll."
---
Jiwon walked through the halls like she didn't hear any of it.
Maybe she didn't.
Or maybe she just didn't care.
---
Before the last bell rang — just before dispersal — Harin struck.
She walked right up to Jiwon in front of everyone.
"Well, well…" Harin said, voice syrupy and venomous, "I underestimated you."
Jiwon turned her head slightly.
"You're clever," Harin continued. "Better than I thought. Playing the victim, getting into this school by saving the principal's precious son. So smart."
Still… Jiwon said nothing.
Not a single reaction.
That silence?
It broke Harin.
"You think you're better than everyone?!" Harin snapped. "Say something!"
She raised her hand.
Fast.
Everyone gasped.
The slap was coming—
But before it could land—
A hand caught her wrist.
"Enough, Harin."
---
Park Jinwoo.
The room fell silent.
Harin's arm trembled in his grip.
He stared at her with quiet anger. "What do you think you're doing?"
Harin tried to pull her hand away, but his grip stayed firm for a moment — just enough to humiliate her.
Then he let go.
She stepped back, red with rage and embarrassment.
Her voice cracked, but she shouted anyway.
"Fine. You want silence? You want attention? THEN LET'S START THE GAME!"
Everyone flinched.
Whispers broke out instantly.
"W-what did she say?"
"She said… game?!"
"Not now... not already..."
---
And just like that…
The game began.