The rest of the day passed like Hana was underwater.
She attended classes, answered questions when called, even smiled when someone spoke to her—but everything felt distant, muffled. Her thoughts kept circling back to the counseling office, to the careful way Ms. Han had asked if she felt unsafe.
I feel watched sometimes.
The words echoed in her head.
When the final bell rang, Hana packed her bag slowly. She could feel Min-jae waiting without looking, like he didn't want to pressure her but didn't want to leave either.
"Walk home with me?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "Please."
They left the school together, side by side, their steps matching without effort. The sky was overcast, the air cool and calm—too calm, Hana thought.
"You didn't tell me everything," Min-jae said after a while.
She glanced at him. "Was it that obvious?"
He gave a small smile. "I know you."
Hana hugged her bag closer. "They asked if I was being pressured. Or threatened."
"And?" he asked gently.
"I didn't say no," she admitted.
Min-jae stopped walking.
She turned to face him, heart pounding. "I didn't say yes either. I just… couldn't."
His expression darkened—not with anger, but with concern.
"Hana," he said carefully, "has someone been contacting you?"
She hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"Messages," she said. "Notes. Warnings. They never say my name, but I know they're meant for me."
His jaw tightened. "Since when?"
"Before the festival," she answered. "I didn't want to worry you."
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "You should've told me."
"I know," she whispered. "I was scared you'd blame yourself."
Min-jae looked at her, eyes steady. "I don't blame myself for caring about you."
Her throat tightened.
"Who do you think it is?" he asked.
Hana thought of Yuri's smile. The way her eyes lingered. The timing. The careful distance.
"I don't know," she said honestly. "But I have a feeling."
Min-jae nodded once. "Then we stop guessing."
"What do you mean?"
"I talk to the school," he said. "Officially."
Hana's eyes widened. "Min-jae, that could make things worse for you."
"I don't care," he replied. "I won't let you handle this alone."
They reached her gate.
Hana stopped before going in. "What if this changes how people see you?"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Then they'll finally see who I am."
She looked up at him, her heart aching in a way that felt warm and painful all at once.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?"
"For staying," she replied. "Even when it's hard."
He smiled softly. "Especially when it's hard."
As she turned to unlock the gate, her phone buzzed.
Her breath caught.
She didn't want to look—but she did.
Unknown number:
You told him more than you should have.
Her blood ran cold.
She turned around, panic rising—but Min-jae was already watching her face.
"What is it?" he asked.
She swallowed. "They know."
His eyes sharpened instantly. "Know what?"
"That I talked," she whispered. "That I didn't stay quiet."
Min-jae reached out, gripping her hand firmly.
"Then listen to me," he said. "From now on, we don't keep secrets. Not from each other."
She nodded, tears burning in her eyes.
Across the street, just out of sight, someone lowered their phone.
The game had changed.
And silence was no longer an option.