The slap echoed through the room.
Jimin's head snapped to the side.
"It's all your fault, you punk!" his father shouted.
His palm struck Jimin's face again.
Jimin clenched his fists but didn't fight back.
"If my contract or business ends because of you," his father continued coldly, "then forget about being a Park. You can go live the life you always wanted... as just Jimin, not part of the Park family."
He shoved him away like he was nothing.
Jimin stumbled but stayed silent.
His eyes were dark.
*******
Across town, Minju sat quietly in her room.
As she read the news
The park family is going bankrupt
Her chest felt tight.
Maybe it was her fault.
Maybe if she hadn't spoken so harshly that day... none of this would have happened.
She didn't even realize when the video had been recorded.
Now Jimin's family business was collapsing.
And Jimin...
He stopped coming to school.
The only person who appeared sometimes was his sister, Winter.
And the few times Minju saw him in the hallway...
He was always wearing a hoodie.
His face hidden.
Avoiding everyone.
Avoiding her.
Her heart hurt every time.
Maybe she should have accept his apology
*******
Meanwhile, the biggest event of the semester was getting closer.
The school ball.
Students were excited.
Everywhere in the hallways people were asking each other to be their date.
Laughter.
Whispers.
Romance.
Inside the classroom, the teacher had just left.
Students were chatting loudly.
Then suddenly
Yoongi stood up.
The room slowly became quiet.
He walked straight toward Sucy.
The entire class stared.
Even Sucy froze.
Then he asked calmly,
"Would you be my date to the ball?"
The classroom exploded with whispers.
"What?!"
"Did he just-"
"Yoongi asked her?!"
Sucy slowly lifted her head.
Her heart was beating so loudly she thought everyone could hear it.
"Uh..."
She didn't know what to say.
"I...."
***********
Time passed quickly.
Soon the ball was only one day away.
School ended early so students could go buy gowns and suits.
Sucy's grabbed Yoongi arm.
"Come with me to the dress shop!"
Sucy looked at Yoongi.
He was standing nearby.
"Will you come with me?" she asked him quietly.
"No," he replied.
"I'm busy."
Her eyebrows furrowed.
"If you were busy... then why did you ask me to the ball?" she said coldly.
Then she turned and walked away.
Before she could reach the door-
Yoongi grabbed her finger gently.
Her heart jumped.
"I really have somewhere important to go," he said.
She looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
And she left.
The shop was filled with sparkling dresses.
Elegant gowns.
Beautiful designs.
But the prices made Sucy's stomach drop.
1,000,000 won.
For a dress she would wear only once.
She could barely breathe.
Everything looked beautiful.
But everything was expensive.
She heard whispers behind her.
"Isn't that Yoongi's girlfriend?"
"Looks like she can't afford anything."
"How embarrassing..."
When Sucy turned around-
They immediately went silent.
Cowards.
She scoffed.
"Punks."
She walked to the cheaper rack.
The dresses there were simpler.
Not as beautiful.
But at least she could afford them.
She picked up a random one.
"Maybe this one..."
Suddenly-
Two hands covered her eyes from behind.
She froze.
Then sighed.
"Mr. Pervert...?"
A low chuckle sounded behind her.