Chapter 6 - The Sacrifice

"Aish! I can't take this anymore! I haven't even started the day!"

The club Vice President wailed in agony as soon as he entered the club's boardroom. He was wet and it was easy to guess that he was dumped with a pail of water early in the morning. Each of the members also took a share of the same unfortunate fate and one by one they rattled on about what happened to them.

On the other hand, Jeon Won's mind was not at present.

"So... did the bullies do that?"

Jeong Won glanced at the obvious intentional cut on his brake's cable wire. He was about to say something when he felt a touch on his face and he jerked in surprise. Jin Ae studied the graze on his face for a short moment but it felt like she was a still frame for him. She brought something out of her pocket, squeezed a small amount of lotion on her pinky finger, and applied it on his left cheek. A sting made him realize that he had a cut on his face, but beyond the pain he felt, his heart beat rapidly because of her closeness. As an ending touch, she put a band-aid with tiara designs on his cut.

"Hand," she demanded, obviously an order.

"It's okay," he said while stuttering. But she didn't accept refusals and so she reached over, took his hand, and treated his bruises too. Stunned, Jeong Won could only stare at her.

"I think you can still walk," she said, more to herself than to him. Then, without even saying goodbye, she left him. She was already so far away when he realized that he didn't get her answer.

Jeong Won let out a heavy sigh after remembering what happened yesterday. Other members of the club let out a heavy sigh too.

"That must have hurt," one of the club members commented on his bruise.

He just nodded and touched his cheek. He felt the band-aid in his fingers, it was still the same band-aid yesterday. It gave him a feeling foreign to him, something he wasn't ready to entertain yet.

Abruptly, the door burst open, revealing five elites: two male elites, Choon Hee, In Na, and Jin Ae. Everyone stood up in surprise and Jeong Won stood up too, more because of Jin Ae's presence. She glanced at him for a moment and looked away. In a stern voice she said:

"I want to talk to the club president."

The members were silent and scared of what was going to happen. The elite group leader, not just an elite member, barged into their club's office and that meant something serious was about to happen.

"Where's the Club President!" Choon Hee screeched with her high tone voice.

"What are you doing here?" Min Jung went out of her built-in office after hearing the commotion in the room. She looked at everyone then lastly at Jin Ae.

"Have you already reflected on your mistake?" In Na spoke this time.

"Mistake? What mistake are you talking about?" Min Jung answered, looking at In Na stubbornly.

"Ha! Really! This brat!" Choon Hee exclaimed which prompted Min Jung to glance at her sternly.

"Ah! Hyungnim! Please forgive us, it was only a misunderstanding from the start."

The club Vice President ran to them and begged for their forgiveness, Min Jung stared at him in disbelief while Jeong Won understood his action, knowing he had already suffered so much.

"Misunderstanding? Is that so?" In Na asked him, raising her eyebrow.

"Ah, no! It was obviously our ignorance. It was a mistake. We've already reflected on our mistakes. Please forgive us!"

"Vice President!" Min Jung yelled, outraged by what he was saying.

Jeong Won also didn't want this to happen, the club's pride was at stake. He knew that Min Jung held great pride in their club's name, but on the other hand, he thought that she shouldn't ignore the member's agony and sentiments this time.

Jeong Won was about to say something when Jin Ae suddenly spoke.

"Starting today, the elites will leave your club alone and the bullying will stop."

The club members froze. Min Jung looked at her in disbelief while Jeong Won was stunned. The other club members rejoiced and the Vice President bowed thankfully saying thanks again and again. But their partying stopped abruptly when Ye Jin lifted her hand up.

"-but... one needs to sacrifice for everyone," she continued saying, making them wonder nervously.

"Wha-what do you mean hyungnim?" the Vice President asked.

"One of you will serve the elites until the end of the semester. And who do you think it will be?" Jin Ae said with one eyebrow up.

She looked at Min Jung.

"The club's president."

The club members gasped in surprise and... relief.

* * *

Early that morning, Jin Ae discussed to Choon Hee, In Na, and to the other elites that she wanted the bullying to stop already. It had already been two weeks anyway and she thought that if it was prolonged, it might disturb the school's normal functions soon.

"But they still act so full of themselves," Choon Hee complained.

"-They don't even seem apologetic," she continued. Against the idea of letting them off so easily. Jin Ae looked at In Na for her opinion.

"Though I think they need more beating, I also feel tired of them," In Na answered.

Ye Jin looked at her with curious eyes then In Na continued.

"What's the point of getting the small fishes? Just get the big one instead! And the little ones will die soon,” In Na remarked evilly.

"In Na, yah! You're so evil, you brat!" Choon Hee exclaimed sarcastically, thinking she had pushed her aside again.

Jin Ae cleared her throat and they all turned to her, "So the plan is?"

* * *

"Me?"

MinJung was surprised by what Jin Ae said.

"It's natural that the leader takes responsibility for his members, right? If you accept the offer then we might even recognize the club. But, unfortunately, you won't be there. Just consider it as a gift for the club's future," Jin Ae said matter-of-a-factly.

"What if I don't?" Min Jung challenged firmly.

"Don't decide hastily. Considering your member's sake, I trust you'll make a wise decision. I don't usually wait but I'll give you until the class ends today. If you don't come, don't make me responsible for everybody," Jin Ae said, glancing at Jeong Won shortly.

The Vice President courteously guided the elites out of the doorway, then turned to Min Jung.

"This is our last chance Min Jung."

Min Jung looked around and saw the expectant faces of her members.

“Time for class,” she said and went out of the room.

The day passed so quickly, a very strange quiet day for Jeong Won, Min Jung, and the other club members. The bullying stopped and they didn't even see any glimpse of the elites today. They remained in their classroom not talking to each other. Sensing the calm atmosphere which silence just made them more nervous and uncomfortable. As if something more evil was about to happen.

Before the alarm went off, Min Jung stood suddenly and looked at Jeong Won and the other club members.

"I've decided."

She was about to leave the room when Jeong Won stopped her.

* * *

Son Jin Ae was staring outside the window. There were only five students left in their classroom. Choon Hee was busy painting her nails while the boys were passing balls to each other. In Na, on the other hand, was checking her cell phone.

"Are they coming?"

Choon Hee asked impatiently although no one could tell. She couldn't perfectly paint her nails and kept on complaining that she had an appointment in a salon. But whenever they told her to leave, she would just continue painting her nails.

Jin Ae glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and noted that only one minute was left before 5 PM. Jin Ae sighed and was about to stand up from her seat when the door opened, revealing Min Jung. Jin Ae was relieved to see her.

"Very nice! Why did you make us wait if you're going to accept anyway," Choon Hee remarked. She jumped on her feet in satisfaction but stopped when someone appeared at her back.

"But who's with you? Don't tell me you also hired a personal assistant of yours?" she asked sarcastically.

Jin Ae straightened up to her seat upon recognizing the student. It’s the male student who followed her yesterday.

‘Why is he here?’

Min Jung didn’t bother to answer Choon Hee and looked directly at Jin Ae.

"I agree with what you said earlier. The leader should be responsible for his members. For you to do this, I wonder if you're also taking responsibility for your group's actions."

"What's this? Did you come to lecture us?" Choon Hee exclaimed unbelievably.

"Park Min Jung, just accept that the fate of our group and yours are different," In Na snapped back.

Min Jung ignored them and kept her eyes on Jin Ae, "Since this is inevitable, our leader will take responsibility and protect our club."

After Min Jung said that, the male student who came with her stepped in front.

"I'm Kim Jeong Won, president of the Student Org club. I will take responsibility for our actions and will whole-heartedly serve you from now on."

Jeong Won stared at Jin Ae, much to her dismay.

* * *

Jeong Won followed Jin Ae until they reached the bicycle parking lot in the school's backyard. When Jin Ae faced him, he stopped abruptly.

"What are you planning this time?"

Jin Ae curiously stared at him, her eyebrows knitted together.

"Do you think you can fool me? All this time I know Min Jung was the club president, not you."

"Yes," He said without any reservations. Jin Ae blew air from her nose upon hearing it.

"Min Jung is so prideful enough to accept your offer. The girl was too principled." He laughed a bit and continued, "-so I volunteered for her place. From that moment, I was appointed as the president of the club. I can already put it in my college resume."

He laughed thinking about it while Jin Ae clenched her fist

"You can lie all along and convince me that you really are the new club president but why are you revealing this to me now? Are you playing mind games on me?" she said in a slightly raised voice.

"It's because I'm thankful..." Jeong Won stared at her softly this time.

"-I'm thankful that you tried to help. I knew you did this at least to stop the bullying. I won't think it's because I asked you about it... I'm saying this because I believe in you."

"You- Are you taking advantage of me now? The night you saw me save that bullied student, it's not like I wanted it... Stop your fantasy! stop that believing-in-you nonsense!"

As soon as Jin Ae said that, she climbed on her bicycle and left him standing there. Upset and determined to get back at him.