"Reckoning"

Days passed, Hae Jin, as Seung Min

sat in class, absentmindedly sketching on a piece of paper. The lively classroom was filled with laughter and the playful chaos of students. Some boys cracked jokes, while others tossed paper balls across the room.

Hae Jin's mind wandered as he processed everything he had learned from Seung Min's diary. The revelations about Seung Min's past with Jin Seok, their broken friendship, and the hidden torment Seung Min had endured filled him with unease. However, despite the diary's details, there was no mention of Jin Seok's younger brother.

Suddenly, the door slid open, and a young man entered. The classroom immediately fell silent as everyone turned to look at him. His sharp gaze and confident demeanor commanded attention.

Hae Jin instinctively looked up and, without thinking, asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The young man's expression shifted from calm to annoyance, his sharp eyes locking onto Hae Jin. "You don't recognize me? Seriously?" he snapped. "I'm Min Joon. Jin Seok's younger brother. How could you forget me? You and Jin Seok were best friends—how could you not remember his little brother?"

The room erupted into murmurs of shock and disbelief. Students whispered among themselves, exchanging stunned glances. No one had ever imagined that Seung Min and Jin Seok—now seemingly enemies—had once been close friends. And this new revelation about Jin Seok having a younger brother added another layer to the mystery.

Hae Jin froze, his mind racing. Younger brother? Since when? Why wasn't this in the diary? He struggled to hide his confusion but couldn't find the right words to respond.

Min Joon seemed to take Hae Jin's silence as an insult. His glare intensified, his fists clenching. "You really forgot everything, didn't you?" he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.

Before Hae Jin could respond, another figure appeared at the doorway—Do Jin. His trademark sly smirk was plastered on his face, and his very presence seemed to darken the atmosphere.

"Min Joon," Do Jin called out, his tone calm but layered with malice. "Jin Seok is calling for you." He threw a pointed glance at Hae Jin before turning away, as if silently taunting him.

Min Joon shot Hae Jin one last sharp glare before spinning on his heel and following Do Jin out. The classroom remained in stunned silence, the weight of the new revelation pressing on everyone.

Meanwhile, Dae Hyun was slumped over his desk, soundly asleep, oblivious to the tension. Jin Ho, however, sat quietly, his eyes darting between Hae Jin and the doorway. His expression reflected his disbelief and unease.

Hae Jin, still seated, felt the weight of his classmates' stares. They were silently demanding answers he couldn't give. Although he now knew Seung Min's past through the diary, the mention of Min Joon left him shaken.

This wasn't in the diary. Jin Seok has a brother? What else am I missing? Hae Jin thought, gripping his pencil tightly. The tangled web of Seung Min's life was far more complicated than he had anticipated. And now, with Min Joon and Do Jin's taunting presence, Hae Jin could feel the threads pulling tighter, dragging him further into a past he didn't belong to.

At the same moment, the tension in the classroom rose once again as the door opened for the second time. This time, it was their homeroom teacher, Ms. Nina Park, who entered with her usual calm demeanor. Following close behind her was a new student. All eyes immediately turned to the young man, and the room, already quiet, grew even more silent.

It was Jae Hoon. With his confident posture and piercing gaze, his presence alone exuded an aura that made everyone wary. There was no laughter, no whispers—only a heavy silence that filled the air.

Ms. Nina Park smiled her usual polite smile and addressed the class. "Everyone, this is Jae Hoon. He will be joining our class starting today," she said in a formal tone. "Jae Hoon requested to move to this class because he felt uncomfortable in his previous one. Please make him feel welcome."

But everyone in the class knew that her reasoning was just an official excuse. The students were well aware that Jae Hoon was no ordinary transfer student. Like Seung Min, Jae Hoon was a "Joker card holder" in the dangerous game hidden behind the surface of their school life. The fact that both of them were now in the same class was no coincidence—and it was enough to make the entire room hold its breath.

Jae Hoon walked slowly to his designated seat—right next to Seung Min and behind Jin Ho. Without saying a word, he sat down calmly, his sharp eyes scanning the room as though assessing every single person present.

Seung Min glanced at him from the corner of his eye, trying to gauge the newcomer's intentions. There was something unsettling about Jae Hoon—something that made Seung Min feel uneasy. Was he a friend or a foe? But Jae Hoon's expression was unreadable, which only heightened Seung Min's wariness.

Meanwhile, Jin Ho, seated in front of Jae Hoon, seemed tense but tried to appear composed. Although Jae Hoon had yet to say a word, his mere presence was enough to make everyone feel on edge.

In one corner of the classroom, a few students whispered quietly. "Why is he here?" one of them muttered. "He's just like Seung Min, isn't he? A Joker cardholder..."

"If there are two Jokers in the same class, what's going to happen?" another student replied, their voice trembling with fear.

Their whispers quickly ceased when Jae Hoon raised his head slightly and locked eyes with them. His sharp gaze was enough to silence them, their faces turning pale as they pretended to focus on their books.

Seung Min felt a growing weight on his chest. What did this mean? Why had Jae Hoon been placed in this class? And how would this affect his already precarious position in the dangerous game that had drained so much of his mental strength?

Beside him, Jae Hoon slowly opened his book. "Seung Min," he said in a calm yet clear voice, startling Seung Min slightly. "It seems we have a lot to talk about."

Seung Min turned to look at him, trying to mask his surprise. But deep down, he knew—Jae Hoon's arrival was only the beginning of something much larger and more complex. Something that could change everything.

Not long after, Dae Hyun stirred awake from his nap. He rubbed his eyes groggily, yawning as he slowly sat up. However, his sleepy expression quickly shifted to one of surprise when his gaze landed on the new face sitting beside Seung Min.

"Jae Hoon?" Dae Hyun blurted out, his voice louder than he intended, drawing the attention of a few classmates.

Jae Hoon glanced at Dae Hyun, his lips curling into a subtle smirk. "Took you long enough to notice," he said in his usual calm tone, leaning back in his chair casually.

"What are you doing here?" Dae Hyun asked, still processing the sight of his old friend. Despite his initial shock, he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. "Don't tell me you transferred to this class!"

Jae Hoon nodded, his expression relaxed but unreadable. "Looks like we're classmates now," he replied simply.

Dae Hyun grinned, his previous grogginess completely gone. "Man, it's been forever! Why didn't you tell me you were coming here? You could've at least given me a heads-up."

The lively exchange between Dae Hyun and Jae Hoon eased the tension in the room slightly. Some students began to whisper among themselves, curious about their connection, while others tried to act like they weren't eavesdropping.

Seung Min, who had been silent until now, glanced between Dae Hyun and Jae Hoon. "Wait, you two know each other?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Of course," Dae Hyun replied, leaning back in his chair with a wide grin. "We've been friends since middle school. Jae Hoon's practically a legend, you know? Smart, athletic, and annoyingly good at everything."

Jae Hoon chuckled softly at Dae Hyun's words but didn't deny them. His gaze, however, shifted to Seung Min, and his expression became more serious. "It's true," he said, his tone calm but firm. "And I'm here for a reason, Seung Min. We'll talk later."

Seung Min stiffened at Jae Hoon's words, sensing the weight behind them. There was something more to Jae Hoon's transfer—something that wasn't just about being in the same class.

Meanwhile, Jin Ho, who had been quietly observing the interaction, raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Dae Hyun to be friends with someone like Jae Hoon. The classroom, once lively and chaotic, now buzzed with a different kind of energy—one of curiosity and apprehension.

As Dae Hyun continued to chatter excitedly about old memories with Jae Hoon, Seung Min couldn't shake the feeling that Jae Hoon's presence would bring even more complications. And judging by the look in Jae Hoon's eyes, Seung Min was right.

Something was about to change, and Seung Min knew he had to be ready for whatever was coming.

During the break, Hae Jin and Jae Hoon sat under a large tree in the school yard. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the chatter of students nearby. Hae Jin appeared more cheerful than usual, a small smile often gracing his face. However, this sudden change didn't escape Jae Hoon's attention.

Leaning his back against the tree trunk, Jae Hoon glanced at Hae Jin with a raised brow. "Seung Min," he called, his tone flat but tinged with curiosity. "What's with you?"

Hae Jin turned to him, looking puzzled. "What do you mean?" he asked lightly, feigning innocence.

Jae Hoon narrowed his eyes, his expression that of someone piecing together a puzzle. "You used to be quiet, didn't talk much, always kept your distance from everyone. But now..." He paused, observing Hae Jin's relaxed posture and the way he absentmindedly swung his legs. "You've suddenly become cheerful. Too cheerful for someone I've known for years."

Hae Jin let out a small, somewhat awkward laugh. "What's wrong with being a little happier? Maybe I just wanted to change," he replied casually, flashing a wide grin.

But Jae Hoon wasn't easily fooled. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp and full of curiosity. "That's the thing. This change... it's sudden. It's like you're someone else," he said, his tone serious.

Hae Jin felt his heart race. Jae Hoon's words hit closer to the truth than he was comfortable with. Quickly, he tried to steer the conversation away, masking his unease.

"Ah, you're overthinking it, Jae Hoon," he said with another laugh. "Maybe I just got tired of being so quiet all the time. Besides, there's nothing wrong with opening up more, is there?"

Jae Hoon continued to study Hae Jin with a blank but knowing expression. "I'm not saying it's wrong," he said quietly. "But I know there's something you're not telling me. If you ever want to talk, I'm here."

Hae Jin smiled, though uneasiness flickered in his eyes. "Thanks," he replied briefly, turning his face away, hoping Jae Hoon would stop staring at him like that.

Finally, Jae Hoon stood up, patting Hae Jin's shoulder casually. "Well, it's up to you. Just don't get yourself into more trouble, alright?" he said before walking away.

Hae Jin exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. He knew his sudden change in behavior was starting to draw attention, and that was dangerous. Yet he also realized that Jae Hoon wasn't someone easily deceived. Jae Hoon's presence could be a challenge, or perhaps... an ally amidst the chaos, he thought to himself.

Not long after, from a distance, Hae Jin noticed his homeroom teacher, Nina Park, walking across the schoolyard. She seemed deep in thought, her steps slow and deliberate. Without hesitation, Hae Jin raised his hand and called out to her cheerfully, "Miss Park! Over here!"

Nina stopped in her tracks, her body tensing slightly as her name echoed across the yard. She turned toward the voice and saw Hae Jin waving at her with a bright smile. For a moment, her chest tightened, and a flood of memories washed over her.

Hae Jin's smile, his voice, and even the way he called out her name—it all reminded her of someone she had lost. Her younger brother. The brother who had passed away so suddenly, leaving an emptiness in her life.

Nina's heart ached as she stared at him. The resemblance was uncanny. Though she had taught Hae Jin long enough to know that he wasn't her brother, there were moments—like now—when it felt as though she was seeing a ghost.

She took a deep breath, forcing a neutral expression onto her face as she approached him. "What is it, Seung Min?" she asked, her tone calm but tinged with a faint tremor.

Hae Jin tilted his head, noticing the flicker of emotion in her eyes. "Are you okay, Miss Park? You looked like you were lost in thought," he said, his voice filled with concern.

Nina smiled faintly, though the sadness in her eyes remained. "I'm fine," she replied. "Just... a little distracted. That's all."

Hae Jin nodded but didn't push further. Instead, he continued, "I just wanted to say thank you for all the help you've given me recently. I really appreciate it."

Nina's heart softened at his words. She nodded and patted his shoulder gently. "You're doing well, Seung Min. Just keep it up, okay?" she said, her voice warmer now, though the weight of her memories lingered.

As she walked away, Nina couldn't help but glance back at him one last time. The way he stood there, watching her with a curious yet sincere expression, tugged at her heart.

He's not Hae Jin, she reminded herself. But the resemblance—the voice, the smile—was enough to make her question everything.

On the other side of the schoolyard, a group of boys gathered near the wall, cigarette smoke rising into the air. In Yul, the leader of the gang, glared sharply at Jin Ho, who was sitting alone on a bench, looking nervous.

"Hey, coward! What are you doing just sitting there? Hiding, huh?" mocked In Yul, his tone full of ridicule.

Jin Ho stiffened but remained silent, trying to avoid confrontation. However, his silence only fueled In Yul's enthusiasm. He stepped closer, followed by several members of his gang.

Dae Hyun, who happened to pass by, noticed the scene. Even though he was just Jin Ho's classmate, he couldn't bring himself to ignore the situation. Hesitantly, he approached and said, "Hey, don't you guys have anything better to do than pick on someone?"

In Yul narrowed his eyes, sneering at Dae Hyun. "Oh, another wannabe hero. You think you can stop us?"

Dae Hyun tried to stay calm despite his nerves. "I don't care what you think. Leave him alone," he said, his voice trembling but firm enough to show his courage.

Without hesitation, In Yul gestured to his gang members. They began to circle Dae Hyun. Despite trying to fight back, Dae Hyun was outnumbered. In no time, he was on the ground, bruised and battered.

Before they could continue, however, a cold voice stopped them.

"Hey."

They turned to see Seung Min approaching with a calm stride. There was something different about him. His expression was composed, but his eyes radiated a clear threat.

Without saying a word, Seung Min helped Dae Hyun up. "Are you okay?" he asked flatly.

Dae Hyun nodded slowly, though pain was evident on his face. Jin Ho, watching from the bench, looked terrified but remained silent.

Seung Min fixed his piercing gaze on In Yul and his gang, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I'll give you five seconds to leave," he said in a low but firm tone. "If you don't, I'll make you leave myself."

In Yul scoffed, feeling insulted. "What do you mean by that? You think you can—"

"Don't mess with him," one of his friends whispered, tugging on In Yul's arm. "I heard a rumor. He's one of the Joker card holders."

In Yul's face turned tense. "A Joker? Him?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yeah. If the rumors are true, we don't stand a chance."

After a few seconds of tense silence, In Yul finally raised his hand, signaling his gang to back off. "Tch, you're lucky today," he muttered before walking away with his group.

Dae Hyun looked at Seung Min in confusion. "You... you have a Joker card?" he asked hesitantly. Although they were only classmates, he realized there was much he didn't know about Seung Min.

Seung Min turned to him, a faint smile on his lips. But the smile felt strange—sharper and colder. "I'm not as quiet as you think," he replied nonchalantly, though there was something mysterious behind his words.

Unbeknownst to them, inside Seung Min's body was Hae Jin, who had transmigrated into it. From the moment he woke up in Seung Min's body, Hae Jin quickly understood the unique position of being a Joker cardholder—someone both respected and feared. Although initially disoriented, Hae Jin decided to play his role well to survive.

Dae Hyun observed Seung Min more closely, taking in every detail of his face and gestures. Something about Seung Min felt different—his confidence, the way he spoke, even the aura he exuded, which was far more commanding than before.

"Seung Min," Dae Hyun said softly, trying to piece his thoughts together. But in the end, he simply sighed, choosing not to ask further. Some things, perhaps, were better left unknown.

As the school day ended, Seung Min realized he hadn't brought his sports bike. Left without a ride, he had no choice but to call his mother for help. Just as he reached for his phone, he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Seung Min!"

He turned to see Dae Hyun waving from across the parking lot, standing next to his motorcycle. As Seung Min approached, Dae Hyun smiled and said, "Let me give you a ride. Consider it my way of thanking you for earlier."

From a distance, Jin Ho was just opening the door to his car. Dae Hyun called out to him, "Jin Ho! Come on, buddy, wave back!" Dae Hyun's voice carried an easy cheerfulness, and Jin Ho hesitantly waved back before quickly slipping into his car.

Seung Min climbed onto the back of Dae Hyun's motorcycle, and the two of them left the school.

Unbeknownst to them, Jae Hoon, sitting on his own motorcycle, was following Seung Min from a distance. His eyes remained focused as he trailed them all the way to Seung Min's house.

When they arrived, Dae Hyun stopped his bike. "I guess we're close friends now, aren't we?" he said with a grin.

Seung Min gave him a faint smile and replied, "It seems that way."

Satisfied, Dae Hyun laughed lightly before waving goodbye and riding off.

From a hidden spot nearby, Jae Hoon pulled out his phone and made a call. "He's home now," he said into the receiver. "Tonight's the night. We'll break in and get what we need."

Later that night, Seung Min lay in bed, drifting off to sleep. But his dreams were anything but peaceful. In the dark corners of his mind, he saw the real Seung Min—the boy whose body he now inhabited—approaching him. The figure's expression was solemn, almost resigned.

"I'm giving you my body completely," the real Seung Min said, his voice echoing with a haunting finality. "Forever."

Hae Jin jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat. His breathing was uneven as his mind raced to process what he had just seen. Rising from his bed, he walked to the mirror, staring at his reflection—the face of someone who wasn't really him.

"This is still Seung Min's body," he muttered, his voice filled with frustration. "Why would he sacrifice his life like that?"

Hae Jin leaned forward, his hands gripping the sides of the mirror. He couldn't help but wonder—what had driven the real Seung Min to such a desperate decision? And how was Hae Jin supposed to carry the weight of that sacrifice?

Hae Jin, now trapped in Seung Min's body, was still adjusting to his new life. As a senior liberal arts student with deadly training from his past life, he used every skill he had to survive. But that night, he faced an unexpected test.

Hearing suspicious noises downstairs, Hae Jin immediately sensed something was wrong. Despite Seung Min's younger, unfamiliar body, he moved silently, creeping toward the source of the sound. In the dim light, he spotted three masked men ransacking the house, clearly searching for something.

Instincts from his past life kicked in. Hae Jin moved swiftly through the shadows, using every corner and dark space to remain unseen. Grabbing a curtain cord from the kitchen, he managed to take down one of the intruders and tie him up quickly. Within minutes, all three men were subdued, lying helpless on the floor with their hands and feet tightly bound.

Hae Jin stood in the center of the room, catching his breath as he stared at the men. One by one, he removed their masks. The first two faces were unfamiliar, but the third stopped him cold.

"Jae Hoon?" he muttered in disbelief.

Jae Hoon, his schoolmate, looked back at him with eyes filled with shame and desperation.

"Why are you here? What are you doing?" Hae Jin demanded sharply.

Jae Hoon lowered his head. "I didn't have a choice," he murmured.

"A choice?" Hae Jin's eyes narrowed. "So you chose to steal? You know this is wrong."

Jae Hoon let out a heavy sigh, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "I'm drowning in debt. Jin Seok forced me to do this."

The name made Hae Jin pause. Jin Seok—a cruel loan shark—was someone he remembered vividly from his past life.

"He made you do this?"

Jae Hoon nodded. "My family needed money for my sister's surgery. Jin Seok lent it to us, but the interest… it's impossible to pay off. I had no choice but to steal to repay him."

Hae Jin sighed deeply, his emotions a mix of frustration and pity. He knew how merciless Jin Seok could be in exploiting his victims.

"What you did is still wrong, Jae Hoon. But I understand your position," Hae Jin said finally.

He studied Jae Hoon's remorseful expression and, after a moment of contemplation, made a decision.

"I won't report you to the police," Hae Jin said, his tone firm. "But you need to leave this life behind and stop working for Jin Seok. I'll take care of him."

Jae Hoon looked at him with a mixture of gratitude and fear. "Are you serious?"

Hae Jin nodded. "But remember, this is your last chance. If I find out you're doing this again, I won't hesitate to report you."

After releasing the intruders, Hae Jin stood outside the house, staring into the dark night sky. He knew this wasn't just about Jae Hoon. This was his chance to confront Jin Seok and finally put an end to the man's reign of terror.

"Jin Seok," he muttered softly, his voice filled with determination. "This time, I'll make sure you can't hurt anyone else again."