"Reversal"

That morning, Hae Jin—inhabiting Seung Min's body—decided to take his father's sleek sports motorcycle to school. It was a beast of a machine, gleaming in the morning sunlight, and Hae Jin couldn't resist the thrill.

He grinned as he revved the engine, the loud roar echoing through the neighborhood. His father rushed out, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Seung Min! What are you doing? You don't even know how to ride that thing!"

Hae Jin, trying to stifle a laugh, waved confidently. "Don't worry, Dad! I've got it under control!"

Before his father could protest further, Hae Jin zoomed off, the wind whipping through his hair. Meanwhile, his father stood there, dumbfounded, muttering, "Since when did that kid learn how to ride a motorcycle…?"

The ride to school was exhilarating. Hae Jin felt a rush of freedom, his laughter mixing with the hum of the engine. As he pulled into the school parking lot, students turned their heads, some staring in awe and others in confusion. After all, the Seung Min they knew had always been meek and unassuming, not someone who would casually ride in on a high-end motorcycle.

He parked with a dramatic flourish, flipping up the visor of his helmet with a wide grin. "What a morning!" he said to himself, still buzzing with excitement.

As he entered the classroom, Hae Jin felt a strange mix of excitement and anticipation. Today was the day he'd face whatever mysterious game Seung Min had been dragged into. He sat down at his desk, casually leaning back, trying to mask the nervous energy bubbling inside him.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed loudly, the notification from that mysterious app flashing on the screen. The tension in the room immediately shifted.

Hae Jin pretended to act cheerful, even overly enthusiastic. "Looks like the game's starting! I can't wait!" he said loudly, earning confused and suspicious glances from his classmates.

Most of the boys in the class muttered and grumbled under their breath, clearly annoyed. "Why is he so excited?" one of them whispered.

The boy with the buzz cut nervously bit his fingernails, stealing glances at his phone. Meanwhile, Jin Ho, seated near the back, squinted at his own screen, his sharp eyes scanning every detail of the app. His brows furrowed in deep concentration, as if trying to predict what would come next.

The atmosphere was thick with unease, but Hae Jin, maintaining his cheerful façade, chuckled inwardly. I'll play your game, Jin Seok. Let's see what you've got.

As the notification chimed, their phone screens transformed into an enigmatic interface with a large card image in the center. Everyone in the classroom was fixated on their screens, waiting for their roles to be revealed.

Hae Jin casually opened the app. A bold message flashed on the screen:

"Your Card: Joker"

He raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Interesting," he murmured.

"Joker?" a voice interrupted his thoughts from behind. Jin Ho, who had been suspiciously observing Seung Min, stood up with a wary look. "Someone like you gets the Joker card? Is this a joke?"

Hae Jin chuckled softly, ignoring the sharp gaze. "Maybe I'm just lucky."

The Rules of the Game

The King rules. All players must obey their commands.

The Ace wields hidden power, capable of turning the tide of the game, but only when played at the right moment.

The Joker is the wild card. They are not bound by the rules but are constantly monitored. Serious failures or violations carry dire consequences.

As the game began, players with the King cards started asserting their dominance, ordering others to do bizarre or even dangerous tasks. But Hae Jin observed carefully.

Hae Jin's Plan

Instead of playing along, Hae Jin planned to destroy the game from within. He realized that being the Joker gave him more freedom than any other player. Using this role to his advantage, he started influencing other players, infiltrating the inner circles of power, and gradually shaking the foundation of the hierarchy.

On the first day of the game, the King presiding over their class was Kang Do Hwan, a charismatic figure who ruled with an iron fist. Do Hwan fixed his gaze on Hae Jin, who sat relaxed at the back of the class, showing no sign of fear.

"Joker," Do Hwan called out, his voice commanding. "Stand at the front of the class. I want to see if you're brave enough to face my challenge."

Hae Jin stood up, meeting Do Hwan's stare with a calm smile. "A challenge? I hope it's interesting. I get bored easily."

Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would unfold.

Hae Jin knew this was his chance to show he wasn't the Seung Min they used to know. With every move, he was crafting a grand plan to dismantle the game that had imprisoned everyone in this school.

As Hae Jin—still pretending to be Seung Min—stood in front of the class, the atmosphere grew heavier. The tension in the air was almost suffocating when suddenly, the door slammed open.

Do Jin, Tae Whan, and Ki Seok, the infamous lackeys of Jin Seok, strode into the room with smug expressions. Their presence immediately silenced the chatter in the classroom.

Do Jin, the tallest of the three, smirked as he approached Hae Jin. Tae Whan cracked his knuckles menacingly, while Ki Seok adjusted his glasses, his sharp gaze scanning Hae Jin as if sizing him up.

The students around them shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting nervously to the trio. Everyone knew these three weren't acting on their own—they were clearly here on orders from Jin Seok, who always preferred to work behind the scenes.

Do Jin stopped just a step away from Hae Jin and crossed his arms. "Seung Min, what's with the attitude lately? Riding that fancy motorcycle to school? Acting like you're someone important now?"

Hae Jin raised an eyebrow, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Maybe I've just decided it's time to stop blending in."

Tae Whan stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Hae Jin's chest. "Listen here, loser. Don't think you can suddenly act tough just because you got the Joker card. It doesn't change who you are."

Hae Jin smirked, leaning slightly forward. "Does it scare you? Someone like me not playing by your rules anymore?"

Tae Whan's face flushed with anger, and he looked like he was about to swing a punch, but Do Jin raised a hand to stop him. "Calm down, Tae Whan," he said, his eyes narrowing at Hae Jin. "We're just here to deliver a message."

Ki Seok, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a low chuckle. "Jin Seok says you're stepping out of line, Seung Min. And you know what happens to people who don't follow the rules of the game."

The classroom grew even quieter at the mention of Jin Seok's name. The students glanced at one another, their faces filled with unease.

Hae Jin tilted his head, his smirk never wavering. "Tell Jin Seok this: I'm just getting started."

Do Jin's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, scoffing. "You're digging your own grave, Seung Min. Don't say we didn't warn you."

With that, the trio turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving an air of tension in their wake.

As the door closed behind them, Hae Jin let out a breath, his mind racing. He knew Jin Seok was pulling the strings from behind the scenes, but that didn't intimidate him. If anything, it made the game more interesting.

He leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself, "Let's see how far you're willing to go, Jin Seok. Because I'm not backing down."

Just as the tension in the room began to subside, the classroom door slid open again. This time, the homeroom teacher stepped in, her presence instantly silencing the murmurs.

Hae Jin, still inhabiting Seung Min's body, froze the moment he saw her. His eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat. Noona?!

Standing before the class was Nina Park, Hae Jin's older sister. She exuded her usual aura of confidence and authority, her sharp eyes immediately scanning the room.

Hae Jin stared at her in disbelief. His mind was racing, trying to comprehend why his sister—his noona—was standing there as the homeroom teacher. He wanted nothing more than to call out to her, but he was trapped in Seung Min's body, unable to reveal his true identity.

Nina cleared her throat, her tone calm but firm. "Good morning, everyone. I trust there won't be any more disruptions today?"

The class mumbled a quick, nervous agreement. Even the boldest troublemakers straightened up in their seats under her piercing gaze.

As Nina moved to the front of the room, she scanned the class once more before speaking. "Before we begin, where are Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok? I passed by them in the hallway just now. Shouldn't they be here?"

The room fell silent, and a few students exchanged uneasy glances.

One brave student raised his hand and stammered, "They… um… stepped out for a moment, Miss Park."

Nina's brows furrowed, clearly displeased. "I see," she said, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion. "I hope they're not causing trouble again. If anyone knows where they went or what they were up to, I'd advise you to tell me now."

Hae Jin's heart raced as he pieced everything together. Do Jin, Tae Hwan, and Ki Seok were the same lackeys who had just confronted him earlier. They had delivered Jin Seok's warning, and now they were conveniently absent from class.

Nina's sharp gaze swept over the room again, lingering on Hae Jin for a moment. His stomach churned. Did she suspect something? Did she recognize even the faintest trace of her brother in the way he carried himself?

But Nina didn't say anything further. Instead, she turned back to the board and began writing out the day's lesson.

Hae Jin let out a quiet sigh of relief, though his mind was still reeling. Noona… You're here. But why? And how much do you know about what's really going on in this school?

For now, all he could do was play his part as Seung Min and hope that Nina wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that her presence here was no coincidence—and that she might hold some of the answers he desperately needed.

During the lunch break, the chaos in the school became even more evident. Some students blatantly smoked near the cafeteria, while loud shouts echoed from the classrooms, making the atmosphere feel more like a jungle than a place of learning. Hae Jin—still trapped in Seung Min's body—walked through the noisy halls, his sharp eyes observing the unruly environment.

As he entered the cafeteria, Jin Seok made an appearance, a rare sight since he almost never came to eat lunch there.

Hae Jin furrowed his brow, his mind racing. Isn't he the mastermind behind this twisted game? And wasn't he once Seung Min's best friend? What is he up to now?

Jin Seok, already seated at one of the tables, casually glanced in Hae Jin's direction. Their eyes met for a moment. Hae Jin forced a bitter, sarcastic smile, masking the turmoil bubbling inside him.

Within seconds, the atmosphere shifted. The students, sensing the tension, began quietly grabbing their food and leaving the cafeteria, not wanting to be caught in whatever might unfold.

Hae Jin, however, stayed put, calmly eating his lunch in the nearly deserted cafeteria. The only sound was the clinking of his spoon against the plate.

Before long, Jae Hoon approached him, his face tense and his voice low. "Seung Min, stop eating and leave. Now."

Hae Jin looked up, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Why should I?"

The exchange quickly grew heated, Jae Hoon's tone becoming sharper. "Just listen, okay? Don't make this worse."

For a moment, it seemed like a fight might break out. But after a brief moment of contemplation, Hae Jin relented. With deliberate slowness, he stood, pushing his plate away. As he walked past Jin Seok's table, he shot him a searing glare and loudly sneered, "What, does your grandma own this cafeteria?"

A ripple of shock swept through the room, and Jae Hoon quickly clamped a hand over Hae Jin's mouth, dragging him outside before he could say anything else.

Once outside, Jae Hoon released him, his face a mix of anger and exasperation. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you have a death wish? You're lucky he didn't react this time."

Hae Jin scoffed, brushing Jae Hoon's hand away. "What, are you scared of him? He's just a spoiled brat who thinks he owns everything. I don't care if he used to be my friend. I want nothing to do with him anymore."

Jae Hoon let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, just stop stirring up trouble, okay? If you keep this up, you'll be their next target."

Hae Jin's expression turned cold. "Let them come. I'm not afraid of them." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Jae Hoon standing there, visibly frustrated.

From a distance, Jin Ho—an awkward boy with thick glasses, often the target of bullying—watched the interaction nervously. He wasn't sure whether to admire Hae Jin's boldness or worry about the trouble he was inviting.

Suddenly, a tall, broad-shouldered boy with a buzz cut appeared. His overconfident demeanor was almost comical as he approached Hae Jin and blocked his path, trying to look intimidating.

"You're pretty bold for someone in your position," the boy said in a low, threatening tone. "Do you really think you can get away with disrespecting Jin Seok like that?"

Hae Jin glanced up at him, unfazed. A smirk crept across his lips, filled with defiance. Let's see what you've got, he thought.

Before things could escalate further, the buzz-cut boy abruptly turned toward Jin Ho, his expression shifting to one of forced friendliness. "Hey, Jin Ho! Long time no chat, huh?" he said, slinging an arm around Jin Ho's shoulder.

Jin Ho flinched slightly, laughing nervously. Despite the boy's seemingly cheerful demeanor, Jin Ho felt uneasy. He couldn't forget how often he was bullied in class, including by the friends of this very boy.

"You're so awkward, man," the buzz-cut boy said with a laugh. "Relax, Jin Ho! We're friends, aren't we?"

Jin Ho forced a thin smile, unsure of how to respond. The buzz-cut boy, oblivious to Jin Ho's discomfort, continued to chatter with a cheerful tone, as though everything was perfectly normal.

As school ended, Hae Jin—still in Seung Min's body—walked home with his usual indifferent demeanor. His hands were stuffed into his pockets, his gaze distant, ignoring the chaos of students spilling out of the gates.

On the way, his sharp eyes caught sight of the buzz-cut boy from earlier. The boy was walking slowly, one hand clutching his stomach, his expression strained. For a moment, Hae Jin considered ignoring him but sighed and changed direction, approaching him.

"Hey," Hae Jin called out casually. The boy stopped and looked up, surprised.

"What?" the buzz-cut boy grunted, clearly annoyed.

"You look like you're about to pass out. Come on, let's grab some food." Without waiting for a response, Hae Jin gestured toward a small diner down the street.

The buzz-cut boy hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine."

At the diner, they sat across from each other at a worn-out wooden table. The buzz-cut boy devoured his bowl of noodles like he hadn't eaten in days. Hae Jin watched him with a raised eyebrow, resting his chin on his hand.

"Why didn't you eat at the cafeteria earlier?" Hae Jin asked, breaking the silence.

The boy paused, glancing up briefly before returning to his food. "Didn't feel like it. Besides, the cafeteria's a warzone."

Hae Jin leaned back in his chair, smirking slightly. "Fair point. So, what's your name?"

The boy froze mid-bite, staring at him in disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"

Hae Jin raised an eyebrow. "No. What's your name?"

The buzz-cut boy put his chopsticks down, leaning forward with a mix of irritation and confusion. "We're in the same class, and you don't know my name?"

Hae Jin shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't pay attention to people unless I have to."

The boy sighed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. It's Kang Dae Hyun."

Hae Jin nodded, as if storing the information away. "Dae Hyun, huh? Got it."

Dae Hyun studied Hae Jin for a moment, his expression softening slightly. "You've changed, you know."

Hae Jin tilted his head, feigning ignorance. "Changed how?"

Dae Hyun gestured vaguely. "You used to be so… quiet and boring. But now, you're… I don't know, cooler. Confident. It's weird."

Hae Jin chuckled lightly, picking up his own chopsticks. "Maybe you just didn't notice before."

Dae Hyun narrowed his eyes, as if trying to figure him out. "Maybe. Or maybe you're hiding something."

Hae Jin's smirk grew wider, but he said nothing, instead focusing on his food.

For the rest of the meal, Dae Hyun couldn't shake the feeling that something about Seung Min was… different. But he kept his thoughts to himself, deciding not to push further—for now.

Elsewhere, Jae Hoon was sprinting through narrow alleys near the school. His breaths came in short gasps, his legs moving quickly while the shadow of someone chasing him loomed from behind.

"Stop, Jae Hoon! We're not done yet!" a deep voice shouted from afar, but Jae Hoon paid no heed.

His eyes darted around, searching for a way out, desperate to avoid an unwanted confrontation. He knew that whoever was chasing him wasn't just after him but also something he carried. His hand clenched the pocket of his jacket, making sure the item was still there.

"If I get caught..." Jae Hoon muttered, his jaw tightening. He quickened his pace, leaping over a low fence and finally disappearing into the bustling crowd of a small market. This relentless chase felt like it would never end.

Meanwhile, in a cluttered room, Jin Ho sat at his desk. Books were scattered everywhere, but his mind was far from the subject matter. The pen in his hand spun idly between his fingers, accomplishing nothing.

His thoughts kept drifting back to Seung Min—or rather, Seung Min's interaction with Jae Hoon in the cafeteria earlier that day. Seung Min, who was once known as a quiet and unremarkable student, now seemed so confident. He even seemed completely at ease talking to Jae Hoon.

Jae Hoon.

The name alone made Jin Ho uneasy. Jae Hoon was the infamous holder of the Joker card at school. Everyone knew his reputation—dangerous, cunning, and someone who manipulated others for his own gain. Most students avoided Jae Hoon like the plague, yet Seung Min seemed close to him.

"How can Seung Min be that close to Jae Hoon?" Jin Ho muttered, staring blankly at the wall of his room.

He recalled how Jae Hoon always commanded attention, especially in the mysterious Joker card game. The Joker card symbolized power and influence at school, and only a few dared to challenge its holder. But Seung Min—who now appeared completely different—seemed unfazed.

"And now he has a Joker card too..." Jin Ho murmured softly. He vividly remembered how rumors about Seung Min obtaining the card began to spread. Somehow, Seung Min had transformed from a quiet kid into someone so enigmatic and full of intrigue.

Jin Ho shook his head, trying to push away his thoughts. "No way... Seung Min and Jae Hoon..." But he couldn't deny that something strange was going on.

He stood up and walked over to the window, looking out toward the now-empty school. There were so many things he didn't understand. But one thing was certain—Seung Min was no longer the Seung Min he once knew.

Seung Min escorted Dae Hyun to a modest house at the end of a quiet street. The house was simple, with peeling paint and a rusty gate that creaked as Dae Hyun opened it.

"You live alone?" Seung Min asked, raising an eyebrow as he observed the small house.

Dae Hyun nodded. "Yeah. My parents are... not around anymore."

Seung Min didn't push for details. He simply gave a slight nod. "Take care of yourself, then. And eat properly."

Dae Hyun glanced at him, slightly surprised by the unexpected concern. "Thanks... for earlier," he said softly.

Seung Min just waved it off and turned to leave, his figure disappearing into the dimly lit street.

When Seung Min arrived home, he immediately noticed something unusual. Sitting in the living room were Jin Seok and one of his henchmen. Their presence set off alarms in Seung Min's head. Jin Seok's calm demeanor and the cold gaze of the other guy made the air in the room feel heavy.

Before Seung Min could retreat to his room upstairs, his mother called out from the kitchen. "Seung Min, come here. We have guests."

Reluctantly, Seung Min sighed and walked over to the living room, plopping down on the sofa with a forced calm. His sharp eyes locked onto Jin Seok. "What do you want?"

Jin Seok, always composed, offered a faint, almost mocking smile. "Is that how you greet an old friend? Aren't we still friends, Seung Min?" His voice was low but carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.

Seung Min's expression twisted into a smile, but it quickly gave way to irritation. "Friends?" he spat. "Where were you all this time, huh? While I was being bullied, humiliated, and struggling alone—where the hell were you?"

Jin Seok leaned back in his seat, his smile never faltering. Before he could respond, his henchman stood abruptly, his glare sharp and threatening. "Watch your mouth," the henchman growled.

The tension in the room skyrocketed. But Jin Seok raised a hand, signaling the henchman to back down. "Relax," he said smoothly. "Let him speak his mind."

Seung Min stood, his eyes cold as he faced the henchman directly, unafraid. "What? You want to hit me? Go ahead." His voice dripped with defiance.

The henchman flinched slightly, but before anything could escalate, Seung Min turned away, muttering, "You're pathetic," as he climbed the stairs to his room.

From below, Jin Seok watched him leave, his faint smile still lingering. "He's changed," he murmured under his breath, almost amused.

Seung Min—or more precisely, Hae Jin inhabiting Seung Min's body—slammed the door to his room shut. He stood by the window, gazing out with a sharp, contemplative look. The encounter with Jin Seok earlier had stirred a whirlwind of emotions. It wasn't just about Seung Min's past; it was also about how Hae Jin would navigate a life that wasn't his.

Outside, the sound of Jin Seok's motorcycle and his lackeys faded into the night, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Hae Jin took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. Yet, the lingering anger and frustration that belonged to Seung Min still coursed through this unfamiliar body, making it hard for him to think clearly.

Hae Jin walked over to the bed and threw himself onto it, pulling a phone out of his pocket. He unlocked it and stared at the Joker symbol displayed in one of the apps. It wasn't just a random icon; it was the key to a dangerous game that had ensnared him. "This is seriously troublesome," he muttered under his breath.

Elsewhere, Jin Seok stopped his motorcycle on the side of a quiet road with his lackeys trailing behind. One of them, still fuming, couldn't hold back. "Why'd you let him talk to you like that? If it were me, he'd already—"

"Shut up," Jin Seok interrupted, his voice calm but firm. "Seung Min… he's not ordinary. You don't deal with someone like him using brute force."

The lackey grumbled but fell silent, albeit with a dissatisfied expression. Jin Seok smirked faintly, gazing into the dark distance. "He's changed. Or maybe… he's hiding something," he murmured, his tone laced with intrigue.

Back in his modest home, Dae Hyun sat at a small dining table, sipping on a cup of warm tea. His mind wandered back to his conversation with Seung Min earlier. "He's so different now," Dae Hyun thought. "Bold, but there's something strange about the way he talks… like he's someone else."

Despite his confusion, Dae Hyun felt a peculiar sense of comfort. For the first time in a long while, someone treated him like a person, not just someone invisible.

Meanwhile, back at Seung Min's house, Hae Jin still held the phone in his hand, staring at the Joker app. He scrolled through its contents, trying to make sense of the cryptic data. "What kind of game is this?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

A sudden knock on the door broke his focus. "Seung Min, dinner's ready," his mother called from outside.

"I'm not hungry," Hae Jin replied curtly, doing his best to mimic Seung Min's tone.

There was a pause before his mother responded, "Alright. Don't stay up too late."

Once her footsteps faded, Hae Jin locked the phone and placed it on the desk. He moved to sit by the window, staring at the dark night sky. His mind raced as he began piecing together a plan. He knew this wasn't just about Seung Min's body; it was about a larger game—one that he couldn't afford to lose.

"I'll put an end to this," Hae Jin whispered, determination lacing his voice as it came out in Seung Min's tone. That night, as silence engulfed the room, Hae Jin resolved to confront the storm that was surely coming.