The clash outside Notte World's gates hadn't cooled—it was boiling.
Teachers shouted themselves hoarse trying to corral students into groups, but the roar of voices drowned them out. Phones were already raised, lenses trained on Daniel Park and Seonong Ham, their names buzzing like fire across group chats.
"Yo, Potato High's gonna throw down!""Daniel's not even fighting back—what's he doing?""No way, this is crazy—record it!"
Seonong's Explosion.
Seonong's chest heaved, his tracksuit still stained from Vasco's unfortunate breakfast. His humiliation weighed heavier than the damp cloth clinging to him. He'd been laughed at, mocked, ignored by Soomi—the one girl whose approval meant everything.
Now, with the whole of Notte World watching, his rage snapped.
"You think you're better than me?!" he roared, spit flying. His fist shot forward, sloppy but full of desperation.
Daniel's eyes widened. Instinct took over—his body moved before his mind caught up. He tilted his head aside, narrowly dodging the punch.
Gasps erupted.
"Whoa—did you see that?!""He just slipped it like nothing!""Daniel's fast!"
Seonong snarled and swung again. Daniel shifted back, his body reacting with reflexes he still didn't fully understand. Another miss. Another gasp from the crowd.
"Hold still, you bastard!" Seonong shouted, throwing his whole body into a wild haymaker.
Daniel ducked, the fist whipping harmlessly past. He straightened, panic in his chest.
"I—I don't want to fight you," Daniel tried, voice "you—"
"SHUT UP!" Seonong bellowed, humiliated further by Daniel's calm avoidance. "You're mocking me! You think you're too good to even throw a punch?!"
His pride screamed for blood. His fists rained down in furious, sloppy blows.
Daniel dodged again, stumbling slightly but still untouched. He hated the attention, hated the whispers rising all around—but his body kept moving, protecting him in ways his mind couldn't explain.
Zack Steps In,
"Enough."
The voice cut sharp, hard.
Zack Lee stepped forward from the J High cluster, his knuckles cracking like gunshots. His glare locked onto Seonong with predator's focus.
"You're embarrassing yourself," Zack said flatly. "Picking fights you can't finish. Shoving around someone who doesn't even want to fight."
Seonong froze, sweat dripping down his temple. Everyone knew Zack's reputation. The boxer. The bruiser. The guy who almost stood toe-to-toe with Logan Lee and who is the fastest asides Seong Min.
Potato High students shifted uneasily, their fake bravado faltering.
"I—I wasn't—" Seonong stammered, but Zack didn't let him finish.
"Try that on me." Zack's fists curled tighter. "If you've got the balls."
The crowd erupted again.
"Holy crap, Zack's stepping in!""He'll kill him!""This is gonna get messy—"
Seonong's mouth opened, then shut. His fists shook. His pride demanded he say yes. But the weight of Zack's presence pressed down on him like a mountain.
Before he could answer, teachers surged between them, finally cutting through the chaos.
"That's enough!" one barked, veins popping in his forehead. "This is a school trip, not a street brawl! Everyone back in your groups—NOW!"
Students groaned, booed, scattered reluctantly. Potato High boys tugged Seonong back, whispering frantic warnings in his ear.
But humiliation had already carved itself into him. His pride cracked with every laugh, every side-eye, every whisper of Soomi's name paired with Daniel's.
Soomi's Conflict
Soomi hadn't taken her eyes off Daniel.
When Seonong swung, her heart had clenched—fear, embarrassment, anger all tangled. But Daniel… he hadn't looked afraid. He hadn't lashed out either. He'd simply avoided every punch with quiet, almost graceful precision.
And that calm… it made her chest flutter.
"Did you see?" she whispered to a friend, cheeks pink. "He didn't even need to fight back. He's amazing."
Her friend gave her a look. "Soomi. Seonong's right there."
But Seonong might as well have been invisible.
Her gaze stayed locked on Daniel's profile—the way his hair fell into his eyes, the unease in his expression, the way he still muttered apologies even after being attacked.
Compared to Daniel, Seonong looked small.
And that realization carved another crack into Seonong's pride.
Away from the brawl, Crystal Choi stood with perfect posture, arms folded, her face the same cold mask she always wore.
But inside, fire burned.
Her classmates whispered about the fight, about Daniel's dodges, about Zack stepping in. Some laughed, some filmed, some placed bets about what would've happened if teachers hadn't interfered.
Crystal ignored them all.
Her gaze never left Seong Min.
While others shouted, he stood still. While Seonong raged, he observed. His violet eyes were steady, detached, like none of this mattered.
But Crystal knew better.
The video still burned in her pocket. Yui's flushed face. Her whispered words—"He only rewards loyalty." The smug look Zoe had thrown her on the bus, daring her to react.
And now Yui, standing at his side, wearing his jacket like a badge.
Crystal's nails dug crescent moons into her palm.
No. She wouldn't let it stand. Not Yui. Not Zoe.
Her pride didn't just demand distance. It demanded a counterstrike.
And she already knew when.
Her eyes flicked toward the towering Ferris Wheel at the far edge of the park. Its carriages rose high above Notte World, slow and steady, private.
Perfect.
She exhaled once, masking her resolve with calm composure.
The moment the teachers restored some semblance of order, students scattered toward rides, food stalls, and photo ops.
The noise returned to laughter and chatter, but the undercurrent of the fight lingered in the air.
Seong Min had already begun to drift toward the crowd, Yui glued to his arm.
Crystal cut across the flow of students, heels clicking sharp against the pavement. She didn't hesitate, and called his name.
"Seong Min Park"
Her voice cut like a command. The crowd hushed just slightly, ears pricking at the tone.
He turned, meeting her gaze. Calm. Curious.
Crystal's eyes didn't waver. "Ride the Ferris Wheel with me."
Not a request.
A demand.
Gasps and murmurs spread instantly.
"Crystal Choi—inviting him?""No way… is this real?""She's never asked anyone for anything—"
Yui stiffened at his side, her fingers tightening on his sleeve. Zoe, a few steps back, raised her brows, lips twitching into a wicked grin.
But Seong Min only tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Alright."
Crystal's chin lifted, satisfied. She turned on and strode toward the Ferris Wheel without waiting to see if he followed.
But he did.
The crowd buzzed like wildfire, rumors already spreading faster than the teachers could keep up.
Zoe sidled closer to Yui, her grin sharp. "So… your 'Master' just got summoned by the Queen herself. You gonna let that slide?"
Yui's smirk was equally sharp, though her grip on his jacket trembled faintly. "Crystal can try. But she doesn't know him like I do."
Her voice lowered, smug. "She doesn't know what it means to be loyal."
Zoe's eyes glittered. "Then let's watch her fail."
Her hand flicked toward the ride. "Come on. We're going too."
Yui blinked. "…To spy?"
"To witness." Zoe's grin widened. "Whether she crumbles—or he does."
The two trailed after, slipping into the queue just a few carriages behind.
The Ferris Wheel loomed higher as its cars rotated slowly against the bright sky.
Crystal stepped into one, her mask of calm intact, but her pulse pounding in her throat. Seong Min followed, sliding in across from her, his violet eyes steady, unreadable.
Farther back, Zoe and Yui slipped into their own carriage, leaning close against the glass, anticipation sharp in their smiles.
The wheel creaked, carrying them up, higher and higher, away from the crowd.
From below, J High and Potato High students buzzed with gossip, their phones already lighting up with the newest rumor:
Crystal Choi. Seong Min. The Ferris Wheel.
The storm was only beginning.
✨ End of Chapter 76✨