Chapter Text
The sun had disappeared behind the school buildings by the time the scavenger hunt reached them, dipping below their silhouettes. In the hallways, the fluorescent lights began to flicker on sequentially, illuminating the space with a hazy glow that danced across the faded linoleum floors. The light cast elongated shadows that stretched ominously along the walls, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the excitement lingering in the air. Laughter and shouts of discovery echoed down the corridors, punctuated by the scuffling of students setting up and running around in laughter.
Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha were surveilling the area to ensure the placements were correct, keeping the plan's purpose in mind.
In the distance, Yunah and Minju were talking… passive-aggressively?
Nope, just arguing.
Probably something stupid.
Their voices carried across the courtyard, tinged with frustration, and their body language screamed of retaliation. They stood as far apart as if an invisible force field separated them, each clearly exasperated by the other’s presence.
Yunah, with her hands buried deep in her pockets, wore an obvious annoyed frown, while Minju’s arms were crossed defiantly, a fortress of cool indifference cloaking her irritation.
As they approached the three girls, the atmosphere grew awkward.
“I won’t work with her. She’s unbelievable,” Yunah exclaimed, her eyes rolling.
“Can you just shut up? And don’t throw around 'won’t’- you just shouldn’t,” Minju shot back, her gaze sharp, casting daggers toward Yunah as if daring her to challenge her.
“As if you even wanted to be partners in the first place,” Yunah replied, her expression betraying a mix of frustration and something more unreadable.
“Oh please, I’d choose my cheetah plushie as a partner any day,” Minju tossed her head back, an air of cocky confidence radiating from her posture as her eyebrow lifted in challenge.
“A plushie? Seriously?” Yunah scoffed, amusement flickering in her eyes. “All I said was that I’d be following students around for pictures, it’s not like I was going to suggest being your partner or anything.”
“First of all, it’s an emotional support plushie. Not that it’s any of your concern, especially given your complete lack of those traits,” Minju replied, a smirk playing on her lips as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “And you can take your camera and get out of here.”
“Lack of those traits?” Yunah pursed her lips, casting her gaze aside in frustration. “Ugh, whatever,” she muttered, walking away and letting out a tired sigh.
“Should we intervene?” Iroha’s voice held a hint of concern, her brows knitting together with worry.
Moka quickly shook her head, a resolute look in her eyes. “Absolutely not. Let them sort this out.”
Iroha’s attention lingered on Yunah, who took a couple of steps away, her stride leading her to a nearby water fountain. Then, shifting her focus, she regarded Minju, whose gaze hardly wavered from the space where Yunah had just been.
“…They’re definitely not over each other,” Wonhee murmured. She stood too close to Iroha, copying her movements in the following direction.
Moka caught the remark and frowned, her voice low enough for just the group to hear. “Don't say that too loudly.”
Iroha nodded in agreement, a hint of humor in her tone. “Yeah, we quite like being alive.”
“It’s not like we’d be wrong about either thing said.” Wonhee shrugged.
Just then, Minju looked at them, her sharp gaze cutting through the moment. “What are you three whispering about?” she asked, suspicion mingling with curiosity as she stepped closer to them.
An instinctive silence enveloped the group, their conversation abruptly halted.
Wonhee interjected, “Nothing,” her voice barely above a whisper.
Minju narrowed her eyes suspiciously, not buying the nonchalant answer. “Right,” she said, her tone dripping with skepticism.
When Yunah came back, two students were calling out to her. She looked as if she was ready to punch someone, but she kept her back towards them. When she reached the group with a flick of her hair, she brushed past them, her shoulders brushing against Minju’s in an almost undetectable moment of contact.
Neither girl stepped aside, nor did they offer an apology.
Instead, both turned back to glance at the other once they had passed, an acknowledgment that went unnoticed by most but was unmistakably felt.
And unfortunately for them, all three witnesses noticed.
— later
“Alright, everyone!” boomed the voice over the loudspeakers, cutting through the chatter, “You will all get into groups of no more than 4 or 5 to participate in tonight’s scavenger hunt!”
Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha ambled through the well-lit pathways of the campus, their eyes darting across the bustling scene before them, where clusters of students zipped past like animated characters in a frenetic cartoon. The trio exchanged amused glances, reveling in the chaos, while their conversation meandered into thoughts on their roles as part-time gamekeepers and full-time strategists behind this extravagant event.
“We’ll give you all ten minutes to figure out your groups, so hurry up! This is a timed hunt, and the lucky winner will receive a surprise at the end of the game!” the enthusiastic voice continued, electrifying the atmosphere even further.
Excitement crackled in the air, palpable as these students raced toward each other, converging in hopeful anticipation.
However, for Minju, a familiar pang of fear gripped her heart, twisting in the pit of her stomach. The dark had always been a bad memory for her, a lingering anxiety that settled heavily on her like a shadowy cloak, casting doubt particularly when she found herself amid the swell of pressing crowds.
Moments before, Minju had stepped briskly out from the area, an illusion of casual cool spirit masking her inner uneasiness.
Suddenly, as if pulled by an unseen force, Yunah’s gaze locked onto Minju’s from across the road, underneath a street lamp. Time seemed to slow, the surrounding commotion fading into a distant murmur, as the atmosphere thickened with unvoiced anticipation and unresolved emotions.
Yunah had been taking a sequence of pictures when she spotted her, her heart felt as if it slowed just a bit from the sight.
What are you doing, Min?
Moka, Wonhee, and Iroha were the first to notice the way they looked at each other. It was clear that they both still had feelings for one another. They encouraged them to talk and work things out, as it was becoming difficult for everyone to keep pushing them.
Nevertheless, not going down without a fight, Moka ran over to Yunah, who was still unintentionally gazing towards Minju’s back.
“Hey, Yunah-yah! How about letting the other staff take over for the pictures, and you can enjoy the challenge?” Moka suggested, eager to diffuse the banter. “You’ve done your part, sounds good?”
Yunah jumped back a bit from the quick presence. She blinked several times at Moka, wondering if she was pulling her leg or if it was something else.
“I mean, I’ll be with students either wa–”
“Okay great! Taking this, and we’ll see you around!” Moka interrupted while snatching away the camera and running off into the crowd.
Well, shit.
Yunah shifted her gaze back to Minju, who was intently focused on her phone, her fingers flying over the screen as she likely plotted her escape from the evening's festivities. Just watching Minju intently for a moment, her eyes tracing the soft contours of the girl’s face and the way her hair rested gently over her shoulders.
Don't stare, Yunah reminded herself, forcing her gaze away to the ground.
“Hey,” a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Yunah turned to find Wonhee standing beside her, arms crossed with a mischievous grin plastered on her face. “What?” she replied.
“Nothing,” Wonhee said, but the teasing lilt in her voice said otherwise. “You keep looking at her.”
“Looking at who?” Yunah replied, a defensive tone creeping into her words.
Wonhee smacked the back of Yunah’s head. “Dumbass, you know who.”
Rubbing the spot where Wonhee hit her, Yunah scoffed, irritation bubbling up within her. “–The fuck?– I don’t do that.”
“Yes, you do,” Wonhee insisted, her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Yunah’s denial.
“She was just in my line of sight!” Yunah retorted, her cheeks warming slightly.
Wonhee raised an eyebrow, a skeptical expression etched on her features. “Really?”
“Really,” Yunah insisted, crossing her arms defiantly.
“Yunah.” Wonhee’s tone shifted, becoming more playful yet serious at the same time.
“What?” Yunah asked, confusion breaking through her irritation.
“You're doing it again,” Wonhee said, unable to stifle a grin.
“Doing what?” Yunah frowned, genuinely puzzled.
“Pretending,” Wonhee replied, her smile widening.
Yunah rolled her eyes, the corners of her mouth lifting in reluctant amusement. “I’m… honest.”
“No, you pretend,” Wonhee clarified with a mock seriousness that only made Yunah’s annoyance falter.
Just as Yunah opened her mouth to reply, a burst of laughter erupted from across the road, breaking the conversation and drawing both their attention.
Minju was standing beside Iroha. Iroha had spoken something that Yunah hadn’t quite heard, but the infectious reaction of Minju was unmistakable.
She laughed—oh, and how she laughed.
Not a small laugh.
A real one.
The lights seemed to narrow around the sound of Minju laughing. Yunah knew the little crease that appeared near Minju's eyes when she laughed too hard. A song she knew too well, and how Minju sometimes covered her mouth afterward, embarrassed that she'd gotten so carried away. She would have her head fall back, hair spilling over her shoulders as she squeezed her eyes tightly shut, gasping for breath through fits of delight.
Then Iroha joined in, clearly enjoying the moment, her laughter harmonizing with Minju’s.
That laugh.
It echoed in her mind, drawing forth a flood of memories altogether too vivid.
The way Minju used to laugh heartily whenever Yunah would say something silly, pretending to be serious, hiding a smile that couldn’t be contained.
Just too much.
A few seconds later, Minju and Iroha were now walking towards Wonhee and Yunah… the only difference was that Minju’s face dropped when she saw Yunah.
Both Minju and Yunah looked away from each other, and both unintentionally started walking in the same direction in an attempt not to be in each other's way– step to the left, then to the right, stop, then right again– still in each other’s way.
Then, ultimately, just walking in the same direction as the crowd of students, sighs being exchanged and still walking close but unsure as to why they decided to just leave the matter alone.
Meanwhile, Iroha and Wonhee exchanged an uneasy glance, their expressions concerned. Just then, Moka hurried up to them, breathless and eyes wide with urgency.
"Did it work?" Moka panted, glancing around as if expecting an ambush.
Wonhee let out a frustrated sigh, the weight of the blow hanging heavy in the air. "Not exactly," she replied, her tone laced with weariness.
Wonhee's gaze trailed after Yunah and Minju, both of whom had just vanished around the concession stands and towards another lone amber light with fewer students.
"She ran." Moka's brows furrowed as she processed this information, a grimace forming on her face. "That's... not ideal."
"What did you even tell her?" Wonhee pressed, her curiosity piqued.
Iroha chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "I just suggested that you, me, her, and Yunah should form a team together.”
"…and?"
"And she just started laughing?"
Wonhee looked baffled.
"I don't know what happened either, I just laughed along with her so she wouldn’t think I was losing it too." Iroha raised her hands in resignation.
Moka facepalmed, a mix of frustration and amusement flickering across her features. "Thoughtful," she murmured sarcastically. "We'll see where this goes, but you two need to do more to push them together, got it?"
“Yes ma’am!” Iroha and Wonhee both saluted Moka, and both earned a smack from her.
— SCAVENGER HUNT COMMENCES
The first clue has been unveiled, and the teams are spread out. However, only one team has a unique goal that goes beyond merely winning:
Get Yunah and Minju to talk to each other. NICELY.
FIRST CLUE :
Hearts aren't the only things that race,
Sometimes you need a bigger space.
No desks, no books, no place to sit and hide,
Find the biggest room where Valentine’s plans collide.
“Eyes forward, we got this,” Minju stated, clue and map in hand.
“Loosen up with us, Minju-yah!” Wonhee exclaimed as she skipped through the brightened hallways, her shoes clacking against the worn-down tiles as they echoed.
“Isn’t this fun?” Iroha nudged at Minju. “We’re unsupervised and running around!”
“Sounds proactive.” Minju let out a small laugh. “These things are usually my nightmare to work with, but since I'm not planning it, it feels sooo good.”
Yunah trailed behind the three girls, watching as they strode ahead. A feeling of incompleteness nagged at her, unsure why she was feeling out of place.
They were making their way to the gym, answering the riddle that was given.
Minju dashed off, eager to catch up with Wonhee, who seemed captivated by the night sky visible through the long windows.
As the distance between them grew, Iroha noticed the subtle shift in the group's dynamics. Slowing her pace, she eventually fell in step beside Yunah, her arm brushing against Yunah’s in a comforting gesture. Yunah had zoned out as her footsteps were automatic.
Iroha shot her a knowing glance and leaned slightly closer. She poked Yunah playfully on the shoulder. “Hey?”
Yunah blinked, her attention brought back. “Mm? Iroha?”
“You’ve been quiet.”
“Uhm, yeah…” Yunah pursed her lips. “Do you like Minju?”
Iroha jerked her head away from Yunah, her expression full of offense. “What? No way!” she exclaimed. “You know I’m into someone else.”
“...and it’s not Minju?” Yunah pressed, raising an eyebrow.
“Ew, gross. She’s not my type.” Iroha shuddered as if just saying Minju’s name left a bad taste in her mouth. “I like the weird ones. They’re more interesting.”
“...But Minju is weird.” Yunah tilted her head in a confused manner.
“She's your kind of weird. You guys are similar like that.”
“What the hell do you mean by ‘my kind’? We’re nothing alike!”
“Are you really offended by that?” Iroha teased, crossing her arms.
“Well– duh! She’s so stuck up and rude,” Yunah fumed, her fingers flying up as she counted each statement. “She finds a way to criticize almost everything I do, and when she’s not doing that, she gives me these looks like I’ve just ruined her favorite meal.”
Iroha only looked at her with a meek smile, nodding along slowly as Yunah rambled.
Yunah chuckled, shaking her head. “And don’t get me started on how she carries her backpack, stuffed to the brim with notebooks and sticky notes like the president she is, plus that dumb clipboard she uses like a shield. It’s like she hides behind it from the world, but I see her for who she is. And the way she’s been acting more out of herself to look all poised and perfect? Her smile makes me want to gag.”
“It almost sounds like you’re kind of complimenting her,” Iroha stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.
“Nothing about what I said was a compliment.”
“You stated those in recognition of her, I don’t think anyone sees her the way you do…” Iroha continued, deliberately slow to make Yunah understand. “...You’re basically calling her a pretty and bossy nerd.
“You’ve been hanging out with Wonhee too much.”
“Now, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You sound too knowledgeable. You are infected with love.” Yunah let out a chuckle as she gestured her hands in an animated motion, enunciating her words towards Iroha with finger hearts.
“Hahaaa, very funny.” Iroha rolled her eyes while playfully shoving her.
They went about their way, just teasing each other along the way.
Little did Yunah know, Minju had been quietly observing her alongside Iroha. She watched as Yunah smiled and chatted animatedly, her words rushing effortlessly.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?”
Minju turned to Wonhee, who was looking back at them, seeing how Iroha and Yunah were sabotaging each other from catching up to them.
In Minju's view, her eyes landed on Yunah, who was radiating an infectious joy. Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink, likely a result of her enthusiastic smile that seemed to light up her entire face. The corners of her lips practically stretched to her ears, making her look every bit the embodiment of happiness.
“Sometimes, yeah,” Minju said to herself, still looking back at them.
“Eh? You like Iroha?” Wonhee exclaimed with a bewildered expression.
“What?–” Minju whipped her head towards Wonhee, stuttering with pink cheeks and waving her hands frantically. “Nooononono– I’ve never liked Iroha like that–”
“Who else did you think–” Wonhee covered her mouth in realization, refraining from laughing. “Oh my– Yunah is pretty, but she’s not someone I would say is my kind of girl...”
“Yunah is pretty, there’s no doubt about that,” Minju giggled, her words falling too easily.
Wonhee gave her a knowing smirk. “Ooh, President Park Minju stating the obvious, huh?”
As Minju opened her mouth to argue, Iroha and Yunah came rushing up behind them, their faces flushed and their laughter coming from some inside joke. The sound hung in the air, infectious and lighthearted.
Minju shot Wonhee a sharp, shut up, or you’re dead glance before turning on her heel and stepping into the gym.
SECOND CLUE :
If Cupid went to school today,
This is where he'd probably stay.
Surrounded by hearts, cards, and cheer,
Find the place where celebrations appear.
“Easy,” Yunah said, a confident smirk gracing her lips as she turned away, the freshly acquired clue clutched tightly in her hand.
Minju raised an eyebrow, her features playful, a teasing smirk dancing at the corners of her mouth. “Oh, so you’re the boss now? How adorable.”
Ignoring the jab, Yunah's voice remained steady and replied, “We stick together, find the last clue, and finish this.”
“We?” Minju echoed, skepticism lacing her voice, evident in the tilt of her head and the narrowing of her eyes.
“Yes. We.” Yunah’s insistence was abrupt.
“Interesting,” Minju drawled slowly, a hint of provocation in her eye. “You didn’t hesitate to use the word ‘we.’”
Yunah’s stare deepened, skepticism replaced by something else. “Do you want to finish this or not?”
With an exaggerated sigh, Minju's expression softened, though her tone remained slightly exasperated. “Fine.”
Yunah found herself captivated, gazing at Minju for a moment longer than socially acceptable. This time, there was no smug grin or air of judgment on Minju’s face, pondering whether Minju had always been hiding something beneath her unassuming face.
Minju, too, felt the touch of Yunah’s gaze and returned the look, her thoughts swirling as their eyes locked for a beat too long. There was something sharp in the way she stared, wondering if Yunah knew something she didn’t.
“What?” Yunah said after a bit.
“What?” Minju repeated automatically, accidentally glancing at Yunah’s lips then back to her eyes.
“Um, nothing,” Yunah turned away, unaware of a tingle in her stomach. “Let’s just go.”
“Yah! You’re not even going to say where it is?” Minju followed after, her voice high.
Iroha and Wonhee exchanged glances, each wearing a look of shared confusion as they stood near the exit of the hallway, watching them.
“Do we really need to push them to talk?” Iroha murmured, her brow furrowing as she peered over at Yunah and Minju, who were bickering as they made their way out of the room. “They seem to be… getting along fine, don't you think?”
Wonhee shrugged, her eyes darting between Iroha’s concerned expression and the exchange between Yunah and Minju. “I’m pretty sure we’re just here to observe when they’re not getting along,” she replied, glancing back at Iroha. “Besides, we could always leave them alone to work it out too...”
As Iroha met Wonhee’s gaze, she felt a rush of warmth rise to her cheeks, a sudden flutter of anxiety intertwining with an unexplainable thrill. She glanced briefly at Wonhee's lips, then back to her eyes, unsure of what to do or even say.
“A...lone?” Iroha stammered, her voice barely audible over her heart pounding in response. She could feel Wonhee’s breath gradually drawing closer.
“Yeah… alone.” Wonhee breathed out, her eyes remained focused on Iroha, her heart racing as she instinctively took a step closer, narrowing the distance between them.
Suddenly, their bubble was burst by the bright voice of Minju. “Roha-yah! Wonhee! Are you guys coming? We got it in the ASB office!” she called out, blissfully unaware of the atmosphere.
The interruption jolted Iroha and Wonhee back to reality, bringing a rush of mixed emotions as they exchanged embarrassed glances, each wondering what might have been if Minju hadn't interrupted them.
THIRD CLUE :
I steal no hearts, but I steal their smiles,
Keeping little moments safe for miles.
Even though a moment can vanish in a blink,
In here, find where memories last longer than you think.
Yunah found Moka in the ASB office, talking with other students about the next clues.
“Miss me?” Moka asked playfully.
“I had wondered where my headache went.” Yunah replied.
Moka gasped amusingly. “What!” she gave Yunah a sarcastic push.
“Did you finally decide to join us?” Minju interjected.
“Nope! It’s been entertaining watching the students figure out where to go.” Moka answered.
“I don’t suppose you can help us with this clue then?” Yunah asked in a persuasive tone, holding the card up.
“You have three other people to ask from, Yunah.” Moka crossed her arms.
“Two actually, one of them is a little…” whistle. Yunah circled a finger beside her temple.
“I’m still here.” Minju sent a glare.
“It’s on the pinnacle of shit,” Yunah quipped, her tone dry and cutting.
“Did you mean the brink of shit?” Minju said with annoyance creeping into her voice as she crossed her arms.
“Brink, pinnacle– they mean the same thing,” Yunah insisted with a dismissive wave. “It’s the spirit of the sentence.”
“Have you ever heard of an oxymoron?” Minju shot back, her voice playful yet pointed.
“Did you just call me a moron?” Yunah retorted, the teasing note expressive in her tone.
“Get me out of this conversation,” Moka sighed, exasperated, rolling her eyes at their banter.
“Only if you give us the answer,” Yunah said playfully, batting her lashes at Moka. She framed her face with Moka’s hands, making an aegyo. “It’ll help us both!”
Minju’s mouth fell agape, casting a sideways glance at Yunah. Her brows knitted together in a mix of confusion and amusement, with a meek smile showing.
Moka stared at Yunah.
“Oh, whatthefuck–,” Moka slammed her hands around Yunah’s face, making the girl wince and stumble back. “It’s the photography club room. Just stop making that ridiculous face.”
Yunah cupped her cheeks, still stinging from Moka’s unexpected slap. “Yah! You can’t just hit me like that, especially not in front of the president!”
Minju diverted her gaze towards Yunah, a mischievous look in her eye. “I… didn’t see anything,” she said with a teasing grin, her tone light as she shrugged nonchalantly. “So, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Moka, watching the exchange with amusement, nodded approvingly at Minju's antics. “Wow. Harsh,” she remarked, her expression in playful admiration for Minju’s deflection.
Just then, Iroha and Wonhee entered the room, their cheeks flushed and their expressions grinning.
Moka caught sight of them, and her brows knitted together in a frown, though a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. “Did you even follow through with the plan we discussed?” Moka whispered, her arms crossed as they approached.
“Of course! We just decided to let them figure it out on their own…” Iroha replied in a whisper, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
“They don’t seem to be hurting each other...” Wonhee chimed in, her eyes darting between the retreating figures of Yunah and Minju who were standing a few feet away. “They’re both just doing that thing where they pretend they don’t care.”
“Gosh, they’re impossible.” Moka sighed.
“Maybe we should separate them,” Iroha suggested. “They’ll avoid each other, but we all know they’re going to work together either way.”
“No,” Moka said immediately. “We just need to make sure things don’t get… ehh…”
Wonhee looked at Yunah, then back at Moka. “Why not? Yunah looks like she got dealt a pretty hard blow to the face. Did Minju do that?”
“No, that was me,” Moka interjected, a smirk creeping onto her face, a spark of mischief in her eyes.
Iroha’s expression shifted from concern to apprehension. “I think we need to keep an eye on you so you don’t end up attacking anyone else instead of worrying about Yunah and Minju going at it,” she suggested nervously, her hands fidgeting at her sides.
“Would you like to be next?” Moka asked, her voice laced with an uneasy cheerfulness as she forced a smile, her hand slowly rising in a ready gesture.
Wonhee wrapped her arm around Iroha’s and pulled her away. “Haa– Bye, no thank you!” she exclaimed, her tone a mix of relief and urgency as she hurriedly ran off with her sneakers squeaking.
In her frantic dash, she collided with Yunah and Minju, grabbing both of them by their arms. “Come on, let’s get out of here!” she urged, propelling the group forward as they all rushed away together.
“What was all that about?” Minju asked suspiciously, prompting her clothes from the surprise movement. “You didn’t have to pull us away.”
“Uhm.. I got too excited to win!” Wonhee exclaimed, showing a bright smile. “It’s only this clue, and then the next one is the last, ahaa!...” she was still tugging all three of them through the hallway.
Yunah’s gaze flickered between Wonhee and Iroha, who stood side by side with their arms locked together. A self-satisfied smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as she leaned closer to her friends. “Yeah, you’re really excited, aren’t you?” she teased, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.
Wonhee hesitated, her focus shifting downward to where her arm was locked with Iroha’s. The two girls exchanged a confused glance, a mix of surprise and embarrassment bubbling up as they slowly uncoupled their limbs, awkwardly freeing themselves from the grasp.
“It’s whatever,” Minju interrupted their moment, her tone dismissive as she waved a hand. “The next clue is at the photography club room. If we hustle, we might even beat that other group.”
Just then, before anyone could respond, Yunah felt a sudden, jarring thud reverberate against her back as a student raced by, barely registering her presence.
“Loser!” the boy shouted, his voice filled with mockery as he sprinted past in a blur of motion.
“What the—” Yunah stammered, attempting to express her disbelief just as another student barged through, delivering yet another smack to her back.
“Watch where you’re going, Noh!” he called out, shoving Yunah’s shoulder harshly as he continued his sprint to who-knows-where.
“MAN, FUCK YOU!” Yunah shouted angrily, frustration boiling over. “What the hell is your problem–” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her friends were staring at her with wide eyes, utterly stunned by the unexpected chaos.
Yunah cleared her throat. “Sorry. I don’t know them,” she muttered sheepishly, rubbing the sore spot with a grimace. “They must just be excited to win.” Her voice trailed off.
The three girls marched forward, their eyes firmly fixed on Yunah, an unspoken anxiety hanging in the air as they exchanged glances, each of them unsure of how to break the silence. They nodded almost automatically, trying to mask their uncertainty as they continued down the dimly lit corridor.
Iroha gently tugged at Yunah’s finger. Yunah looked at her with a small smile. Their eyes met, an unspoken exchange passing between them—Are you okay?—I’m okay.
Minju, however, couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, her gaze remained anchored on Yunah, noticing the way her eyes darted nervously between the floor and the empty stretches of hallway, as if searching for something just beyond her reach.
FINAL CLUE :
Shelves of stories line my walls,
Quiet voices and turning pages call.
Love stories may be found inside,
Find the place where books reside.
“This looks easy,” Yunah murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She stole a glance at Minju, who was intently reading the clue, faintly illuminated by the glow of the room. “Do… you want to lead this one?”
Minju’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Me?” she asked, surprised by the suggestion.
Yunah blinked and averted her gaze, a hint of something else creeping into her demeanor. “Yeah,” she replied softly, “you’re more emotionally invested in this than I am.”
Minju considered Yunah’s words for a brief moment before nodding slowly, a small smile breaking through her momentary hesitation. She reached out to take the paper, her fingertips lightly grazing Yunah’s hand. The contact sent a momentary spark that neither could ignore, yet they chose not to acknowledge it, keeping their eyes focused elsewhere as they exited the room together.
“So… I thought you were taking pictures of the students tonight,” Minju coughed out.
“Ah… I filled out my portion of the pictures,” Yunah rubbed the back of her neck. “How come you’re not running the event?”
“It was decided I should relax more,” Minju replied, still nervous. “Be with friends and whatnot.”
Yunah raised an eyebrow at the word friends, wondering if she was included in the meaning.
“O-Of course, with classmates too,” Minju cleared her throat, attempting to correct herself. “I am with… Iroha and Wonhee and… you.”
Yunah could feel a jump in her heart and a lump in her throat, her face twitched before blinking a feeling away. “Yeah...”
Wonhee watched them, biting her lip, debating whether to say something or not. Then she looked at Iroha, who was doing the same, unsure of what to do.
“Is Yunah okay?” Wonhee whispered to Iroha, walking a few feet away from Yunah and Minju.
“I'm not sure,” Iroha whispered back, pressing her lips together in a straight line. “But I’m pretty sure those two guys were the same ones that were calling out to her earlier.”
“Odd, I’ve heard Yunah’s been in trouble before but not sure as to why…”
“Beats me, even if she doesn’t tell me.”
Just then, a soft "psst" whispered behind them. Iroha and Wonhee exchanged curious glances before turning around. There, partially covered by the wooden doorframe, was Moka, her eyes glancing around as she beckoned them closer with a wave of her hand.
As they approached, Moka pulled the door wide enough for them to pass through unnoticed.
“Are you guys okay?” Moka asked, curiosity in her face. “There have been students running around and messing around with other groups.”
“Oh, I think we ran into them…” Wonhee replied, her voice quiet and hesitant. “Well, more like they ran into us.”
“Yunah was pissed…” Iroha added, fiddling with her hair. “I’ve never seen her like that before.”
“As long as nothing physical happens, I’m just glad you guys are okay,” Moka gave them a soft smile. “Are you guys ready?”
Iroha and Wonhee nodded, sharing a silent agreement before glancing back into the room where Yunah and Minju were in a quiet conversation. Their postures relaxed yet remained subtly guarded.
“Do you think they’re okay?” Iroha whispered to Wonhee, who shrugged, her brow slightly furrowed.
“They’ll be fine,” Wonhee replied, her voice low. “We’ll find out when they’re ready to share.”
Going back to the nervous duo who were exiting the room, the lights flickered ominously overhead in the hallway as they walked out.
Yunah glanced up, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “That's reassuring.”
Minju chuckled softly. “Scared?”
“No.”
“Sure.”
Flicker.
“Wait, where’s Iroha and Wonhee?” Yunah looked around. “Did you think they already knew to go to the library?”
Another flicker, then–
Darkness enveloped them like a thick blanket.
Neither spoke as the hallway closed in, lights almost completely extinguished, except for the faint glow filtering through distant windows.
“Yunah?” Minju's voice was barely audible, almost swallowed by the darkness.
“I'm here.”
After a moment’s pause, Minju instructed, “Don’t move.”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Yunah replied, her voice soft.
Cautiously, Minju took a step forward, the sound of her shoes echoing in the stillness.
Yunah instinctively reached forward, her fingers brushing against Minju's in a tentative touch that sent a jolt of chills coursing through her. They both stilled, caught in the small yet significant moment.
“I thought you knew the school grounds well,” Yunah whispered, a giggle in her voice.
“You're the one who grabbed my hand first, my bad for being scared.” Minju replied, her voice tinged with nervousness.
Yunah stayed silent, her thoughts swirling. Minju's hand remained firmly in hers, and neither seemed willing to let go.
Minju swallowed, surrendering to the moment. “I hate the dark.”
Yunah felt the heat on her nape. “I know.”
Silence.
“You remembered?” Minju’s voice was barely a whisper.
Yunah hesitated. “...Of course I remembered.”
Minju shifted slightly, leaning closer, even in the dark, their proximity felt static.
“I don’t like it either,” Yunah admitted, her voice unsteady but honest.
Minju leaned her forehead gently against Yunah’s shoulder, a fleeting touch that sent shivers down her spine. Time stilled, and the weight of bitterness between them felt miles away.
“I can feel you staring,” Minju remarked, refraining from a smile.
“...It's hard to look away,” Yunah murmured, looking at her from her peripheral vision. Seeing how the moonlight enveloped and hugged the curves of her features, the light sat on her pale skin like smooth marble, with the patterns of her lashes fluttering.
“Try.” Minju looked at her more intently, catching her sneaking gaze.
“I have.” Yunah’s face turned fully toward her, eyebrows raised.
“Close your eyes then,” Minju suggested, her tone shifting into mock seriousness as she squinted while pointing a finger at her.
“How about you cover them for me?” Yunah proposed, trying to provoke the expression.
“I could also knock you unconscious.” Minju countered with a full smile as she tilted her head.
“Eyes closed.”
Just then, flashing lights illuminated the hallway as four students came barreling through, urgency etched on their faces. “Out of the fuckin’ way!” they shouted, pushing past the pair as they rushed toward the library.
The spell of the moment shattered as it dawned on them that they had completely overlooked the plot of the game. Realizing their mistake, and without hesitation, they broke into a full sprint.
Answer in the Library
As the sounds from the library started to gradually become lively, the commotion in the room erupted in cheers. There was a team of students who had just clinched their victory in the game.
“Can you believe it? We actually won!” a student exclaimed, jumping up and down.
“I know! But what’s the surprise prize?” another student questioned, scratching his head.
At that moment, their teacher, Mrs. Kim, stepped forward with a playful smirk. “Well, you’re in for quite the treat. The surprise prize is a one-on-one dance with Minju!” She scanned the crowd and saw her entering. “And there she is!”
Everyone gasped, looking towards the direction, and a student’s face lit up. “Wait, THE Minju? The class president?”
“Yes! And it is set to happen at the Valentine's Night dance on Friday!” Mrs. Kim added, signaling to the students to calm down. “The game is concluded, and the second- and third-place winners may get their prizes over at the concession.”
Minju, who had been quietly observing the scene unfold, finally mustered the courage to voice her confusion. “Wait, what?” she exclaimed, her brows furrowing in disbelief.
Yunah turned her gaze sharply towards Minju, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. She shifted her attention to the students who had just emerged victorious, then back to Minju, her expression unwavering: not entirely revealing her thoughts but hinting at a brewing storm beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, Moka, standing several feet away and watching the exchange with keen interest, couldn't help but notice the tension. She stifled a laugh by covering her mouth, trying to suppress her amusement.
Beside her, Wonhee leaned in closer to Iroha, her voice lowered conspiratorially. “Oh no, this is about to take a turn,” she murmured, her anticipation palpable.
Iroha followed her gaze, eyes worrisome. “Oh, this is going to be very interesting,” she whispered back, though intrigued by the dynamics at play.
“Was this supposed to happen?” Wonhee asked Moka, who was still maintaining her composure. “And you’re sure this is going to work?”
“Turning off the lights when they were in the hallway was a good idea, though! I saw them talking!” Iroha added. “Although, I am a little skeptical about where this is going.”
“Please just trust me,” Moka answered, still smiling. “And as of right now, nope!” she admitted.
The lively group of students formed a circle around Minju, their voices buzzing as they asked about her thoughts on the upcoming event. Among them were two boys and two girls, each taking turns to playfully nudge her, insisting that Friday was going to be an unforgettable experience filled with fun and laughter. They playfully teased her about the idea of dancing with them, their banter drifting through the air. Minju, caught up in the infectious energy, responded with bright smiles and giggles, her heart fluttering with a mix of joy and nervousness.
But in those few minutes, every now and then, Minju stole a glance at Yunah, who stood a little off to the side, quietly observing the cheerful commotion. Yunah's expression was unexpressed, and Minju felt a pang of curiosity about what thoughts might be crossing her mind.
After a few minutes of playful teasing, there was a pulling feeling, Minju decided to step away from the group and approached Yunah, her heart racing with an unexplainable feeling.
Yunah crossed her arms defiantly, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. “Congratulations," she stated.
Minju shot her a sideways glance, sensing the underlying tone. “Why do you sound like you're congratulating me on a funeral?” she retorted, a hint of playful sarcasm dancing in her voice.
“I’m not,” Yunah insisted, her tone firm but her expression betraying her.
“You are,” Minju replied, a teasing smile appearing on her face.
“I’m being supportive, actually,” Yunah countered, her confidence unwavering even as she wrinkled her nose in mock indignation.
“Your face says otherwise,” Minju shot back, unable to hold back a chuckle.
Yunah's eyes widened in surprise, her defensiveness flaring. “I’m not jealous,” she said, her words firm but lacking conviction.
With a grin slowly spreading across her face, Minju leaned in slightly. “I didn’t say you were.”
Realizing she had given away more than she intended, Yunah's expression dropped slightly. “...I hate you,” she muttered, her faux annoyance only deepening the humor of the moment.
“Sure.”