The cafeteria buzzed with anxiety as Baek Jina stormed in, her eyes scanning the room for Yuri. Her reputation as Pristin High's biggest bully preceded her.
Jina's gaze locked onto Yuri, seated alone, Minhwan nowhere in sight. Jina's eyes blazed with anger as she approached Yuri.
"Look who it is, the slut of a sister," Jina sneered. "It was already pathetic Yonna thought she stood a chance with Minhwan. You pests never learn until you've been completely eradicated."
Yuri replied calmly, still eating, "Enraged much?"
Enraged, Jina picked up a plate of food and poured it all over Yuri. "You seem to be enjoying your food. You're typically drowning in it." Jina smirked triumphantly.
"Know your place, otherwise you'll end up like your sister," Jina warned, her voice dripping with malice.
Yuri moved swiftly to her feet, grabbing Jina's hand and yanking her back onto the table. A fork pressed against Jina's neck.
"You talk a lot for a chatterbox, you know," Yuri said, her voice icy calm.
" Get the hell off me!"
Yuri's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as she warned Jina, "Never mention Yonna's name again. And don't you dare compare us. You're nothing like us. Yonna was a thousand times better than you'll ever be." Yuri's voice was low and menacing, her words dripping with venom.
With a swift motion, Yuri released Jina, who stumbled backward, clutching her neck. A trickle of blood seeped from the minor wound, a testament to Yuri's restraint. The cafeteria fell silent, witnesses frozen in awe, as Jina's eyes widened in shock and humiliation.
Jina's face burned with embarrassment and rage as she glared at Yuri. Her eyes flashed with malice, her lips curling into a snarl. "You'll pay for this," Jina hissed, her voice barely audible. "You'll regret ever crossing me." The air was thick with tension as Jina's anger and humiliation simmered, waiting to boil over.
With a parting glare, Jina stormed out of the cafeteria, her dignity wounded. The atmosphere remained tense, the air thick with anticipation. Yuri's actions had sent a clear message: she wouldn't back down.
Yuri slipped into the toilet, seeking refuge from the cafeteria's prying eyes. She locked herself in a stall, taking a moment to collect her thoughts.
As she washed her hands, Yuri caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hair was disheveled, and her uniform was stained with food. She let out a wry laugh, shaking her head.
Just then, the door flung open and Jiwon sauntered into the toilet, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Well, well, well. Look at you, Yuri. You're a hot mess." Jiwon chuckled, eyeing Yuri's stained uniform. "I didn't know cafeteria food could be so... decorative."
Yuri rolled her eyes, laughing. "Shut up, Jiwon. You're just jealous of my fabulousness." Yuri playfully splashed water at Jiwon, who dodged with a giggle.
Jiwon teased, "Fabulousness? You call that fabulous? You look like you've been through a war." Jiwon's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm surprised Ji Na didn't finish you off."
Yuri smirked, "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. Ji Na's all bark and no bite." Yuri's confidence was palpable, despite her disheveled appearance.
Jiwon's expression turned serious. "Yuri, what really happened with Ji Na? You can't just brush it off."
Yuri hesitated before revealing, "Ji Na brought up Yonna. Said I'd end up like her." Yuri's eyes flashed with anger.
Jiwon's face contorted in disgust. "Ugh, that girl is vile. Only someone as pathetic as Ji Na would stoop that low."
Jiwon rummaged through her cross-bag, producing a worn, brown folder. "Speaking of vile, I've got something to show you." She handed the folder to Yuri, who opened it and began to sift through the documents.
Yuri's eyes widened as she scanned the papers. "All the victims' families were deeply in debt?" she asked, incredulous. The documents revealed a disturbing pattern: each family had been struggling to make ends meet, with debts piling up and creditors closing in.
Jiwon nodded grimly. "I've spoken to other students who knew the victims. They all confirmed that the families were struggling to make ends meet. The victims were on the verge of being expelled due to unpaid school fees." Jiwon's expression turned somber. "It's like they were backed into a corner."
Yuri's expression turned somber. Her mind racing with the implications. She thought about the victims, their families, and the desperate situations they faced.
Jiwon's eyes locked onto Yuri's. Her voice was laced with a sense of urgency. "We can't let this slide, Yuri. We owe it to the victims and their families to uncover the truth."
Yuri nodded. " This isn't just for Yonna anymore."
Yuri and Jiwon's hushed conversation in the restroom was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a female student. The two friends swiftly exited the restroom, Jiwon already typing away on her phone. Yuri felt her phone buzz, signaling an incoming message from Jiwon. "We'll talk later. Try to squeeze some juice from that asshole of a boyfriend." Yuri chuckled, about to reply, when she heard Minhwan call out her name.
Minhwan's voice was laced with concern as he enveloped Yuri in a crushing hug. "Yuri, are you okay? I heard about what happened. I'm sorry. You didn't have to go through that." Yuri managed a smile, despite being almost suffocated. "I'm fine. I handled the situation. There's no need for Minhwan oppa to blame himself." Minhwan's expression remained unconvinced, his eyes searching for any sign of distress.
Minhwan shook his head, his eyes boring into Yuri's. "Let me make it up to you, Yuri. Attend a party with me." Yuri's thoughts whirled as she considered the invitation. It was time to squeeze some juice out of Minhwan, just as Jiwon had suggested. She gave him a slight smile, trying to sound nonchalant. "If that's what oppa wants." Minhwan's face lit up with a smile as he gave her a slight peck on the lips. "I'll get you changed," he said, holding her hand. Yuri felt a thump in her chest as Minhwan led her away, his grip on her hand firm.
As they walked, Yuri couldn't help but wonder what Minhwan's true intentions were. Was he genuinely concerned about her well-being, or was this just another attempt to control her? Yuri's mind whirled with questions, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. She would play along, see where this party invitation would lead. And maybe, just maybe, she would find a lead.
~~~~~~~
Yuri clutched her black silk dress, the smooth fabric a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her. She tried to control her growing anxiety, but it was no use. Her mind was racing with diverse thoughts. Minhwan's grip on her hand remained firm as he guided her through the crowded private clubhouse, expertly navigating through the sea of people.
As they made their way through the crowd, Yuri's gaze swept around, taking in the familiar faces of Pristin High School's elite students. There was Jina, her nemesis, who seemed to be glaring at her with an intensity that could melt ice.
Jina's scowl caught Yuri's attention, and she flashed her a sly smile. Jina's eyes narrowed, her expression venomous. As Minhwan and Yuri approached, Jina dropped her drink, her voice laced with malice. "Nice, Minhwan. First, you're dating your dead ex's sister, and now you're bringing her to our exclusive party? I'm curious to know what's going on in that head of yours." The air was thick with tension as Jina's words hung in the air, waiting to be responded to.
Minhwan sat Yuri down, giving her a warm smile before turning to Jina. "I would appreciate it if you stopped making references to the past. Yuri is my woman. It's only normal I bring her with me." His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of warning that even Jina couldn't ignore. Jina scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What about that nerd? Didn't you date her for almost a year? She wasn't your woman?" Minhwan shot her a stern gaze. "It would be best if you stuck your nose in your business."
Jina went silent, slumping on the couch with scoff. "Suit yourself." The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by an awkward silence. Minhwan turned to Yuri, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. His smile returned. "I'll be back. Make yourself comfortable, alright." Yuri faked a smile. "Take your time, oppa." The word felt like acid on her tongue, but she knew it was necessary.
As soon as Minhwan left, Yuri poured herself a shot of whiskey. "I'll definitely retch if I call him that again," she muttered to herself. She took a sip, feeling the liquid burn down her throat. Her eyes returned to observing the clubhouse, searching for any signs of suspicious activity. At first glance, everything seemed normal – the music, the laughter, the elite students mingling. But then, Yuri noticed something odd.
A group of students in the corner caught her attention. They weren't among the usual elite crowd, and their clothes seemed out of place. They looked like they belonged in a different world, one that was far removed from the luxurious clubhouse. How did they get invited to this exclusive party, and why weren't they being chased out? Yuri cast a side glance at Jina, who seemed unbothered by the presence of these unknown students. Why?
Was there an exclusive invitation that allowed these students to be in here?