– Chapter 1
The school hallway buzzed like a hive, a river of students shoving, laughing, whispering. Lockers slammed shut, sneakers squeaked, and voices collided in a chaotic symphony. Through it all, Anna walked with a measured calm, her books hugged to her chest as if they were armor. Whispers followed her like a shadow that refused to fade.
"That's Anna… scary girl. Don't mess with her," one student murmured, voice trembling.
"Even the bullies avoid her," another added.
Anna didn't flinch. Her dark eyes were fixed ahead, unwavering, unreadable. Behind her, Minjun shuffled along, small and tentative, a storm of unease brewing in his chest. Every glance over his shoulder made his stomach twist, and every step felt heavier than the last.
By the time they reached their classroom, Minjun's pulse was a frantic drum in his ears. The moment he sat, a group of classmates closed in, smirking.
"Hey, Minjun, did you do my homework?" one sneered, leaning over him like a predator.
"You're useless. Just like your sister, always acting tough," another spat, yanking at his collar.
Minjun's fists curled beneath the desk, trembling. Fear and shame mingled into a bitter taste in his mouth. The door swung open—the teacher arrived—and the bullies scattered, muttering, retreating to safety. Minjun exhaled, his chest heaving, relief and humiliation entwined.
---
By afternoon, the school had shifted to a different kind of chaos. In the seniors' classroom, Yo Chan lounged with Joon and Joungki, the three of them erupting with laughter over a ridiculous joke.
"…and then the chicken said, 'At least I crossed the road, what about you?'" Yo Chan said, smirking.
The classroom shook with their laughter, drawing a sharp glare from the teacher.
"Yo Chan! Read question 3 from the board!" the teacher barked.
Yo Chan stretched lazily, a grin tugging at his lips. "Teacher, even if I read it, I won't understand it. Why waste time?"
The classroom exploded again. The teacher rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"You'll never pass at this rate," he muttered.
Yo Chan leaned back, unbothered. "Then I'll just buy the school when my dad retires."
Outside the hallway window, Seirin, Anna's best friend, paused. She shook her head, lips pressed tight. Unbelievable. Always joking, never serious.
---
Night fell over the rigid walls of Anna's house. The air was thick with unspoken tension as the family sat down to dinner. Her father, a man whose presence could chill a room, spoke with measured authority.
"Anna, Minjun. You must focus on your studies. Discipline is everything."
Anna's gaze stayed fixed on her plate, expression unreadable. Minjun nodded quickly, swallowing hard, wishing invisibility were possible.
"You remind me of your mother sometimes… but don't let emotions make you weak," their father added, softening slightly, eyes lingering on Anna.
She clenched her chopsticks, jaw tight. Inside, a fire burned—a vow she didn't speak aloud.
Later, outside under the ink-black sky, Anna tilted her face upward, letting the cool night brush her skin. Thoughts coiled like a serpent in her mind:
I hate weakness. If the world tries to break me… I'll be stronger. For Minjun. For myself.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Seirin: "See you tomorrow." Anna slipped it away, expression unreadable, the night reflecting in her unflinching eyes.
---
The city whispered the lives of those around her.
Minjun stared at the ceiling, fear and worry waging a quiet war inside him.
Yo Chan laughed loudly with Joon and Joungki outside the convenience store, steam curling from their ramen cups in the cold night.
Seirin studied late, letting out a sigh, eyes lingering on Anna's name glowing on the phone.
And Anna, alone in her room, closed her hand into a fist, heart pounding with determination.
Tomorrow, everything changes.