I walked to the door, turning the lock with a decisive click that echoed through the empty classroom.
The sound made Cheon flinch. Her eyes followed me as I turned, watching me like prey tracks a predator. The comparison should have bothered me. It didn't.
"You're sure about this?" I asked, moving toward her with unhurried steps.
She nodded, a single sharp movement. Her back pressed against the wall as if seeking support. The perfect Class Representative looked anything but perfect right now—her breathing shallow, her usual composure cracking around the edges.
"Use your words, Cheon."
"Yes," she whispered, the word barely audible. "I'm sure."
I stopped directly in front of her, close enough that I could smell her lavender perfume. Close enough to see the rapid pulse jumping in her throat.
"You look like you're about to face a firing squad," I said, smiling slightly. "Relax. This isn't a punishment."
"Then what is it?"
"An experiment. A test of your hypothesis."
