"Change"

The next day, the house felt more lively as Hae Jin's parents returned after being away for a few days. Hae Jin, still trapped in Seung Min's body, tried to remain calm even though his mind was racing with unanswered mysteries.

During lunch, his mother suddenly said, "Oh, I almost forgot! Your sister from Seoul will be moving here and attending Cheongdam Vocational High School."

Hae Jin, unaware that Seung Min had a sister, was shocked. "A sister? I have a sister?" he thought, startled.

His mother continued, "She'll be arriving this afternoon, around 3 PM. She's already packed and ready to start her new life here. And remember, she's quite the tomboy, so please don't be too harsh on her."

Hae Jin felt confused and slightly uneasy. The fact that Seung Min's diary never mentioned having a sister made him realize there were even more secrets yet to uncover.

"A tomboy? Should I be concerned? And why did Seung Min never mention this?" he thought, trying to process the situation.

However, he knew he couldn't show his surprise in front of his parents. He simply nodded, hiding the burning curiosity inside him.

At around 3 PM, the front door opened, and a girl with short hair, a black leather jacket, and ripped jeans walked in. She had a large backpack slung over her shoulder and looked directly at Hae Jin with a confident gaze.

"So, you're Seung Min? It's been a while. I'm Lee So Mi," she said casually, patting her own shoulder.

Hae Jin, still trying to process everything, forced a stiff smile. "Lee So Mi? What's going on now?" he thought.

Without much small talk, So Mi headed straight to her room. Before entering, she turned around and said, **"Oh, by the way, I heard Cheongdam Vocational High School is pretty rough .I hope you're not too much of a pushover there, Seung Min."

Her words made Hae Jin realize that So Mi's arrival wasn't just going to change the dynamic at home but could also shake things up at school. He began to suspect that her presence might uncover more secrets that had been hidden all along.

Suddenly, Hae Jin's phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He looked at the screen and saw Dae Hyun's name.

"Hey, Seung Min," Dae Hyun's voice came through the line, "I'm working at this small restaurant today. Why don't you drop by? I'll treat you to some food."

Hae Jin hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed. "Sure. I'll head there now."

The place was cozy, tucked away in a quiet alley. The smell of freshly cooked dishes filled the air as Hae Jin entered. Dae Hyun was behind the counter, wearing an apron and greeting customers with his usual laid-back smile.

"Seung Min! Over here!" Dae Hyun waved him over to a small table by the window.

As they sat down, Dae Hyun placed a bowl of steaming ramen in front of him. "This one's on me. Don't worry about it," he said with a grin.

Hae Jin took a sip of the broth, gathering the courage to ask his question. "Hey, Dae Hyun... do you know anything about Lee So Mi?"

Dae Hyun raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Lee So Mi? Isn't she your sister? Why are you asking about her?"

"Well," Hae Jin replied carefully, "I mean... we've been apart for so long. I just feel like I don't know her anymore."

Dae Hyun nodded, leaning back in his chair. "She's... interesting, to say the least. She's pretty famous at her old school in Seoul. Not for the best reasons, though. A lot of people say she's tough, always getting into fights, standing up for weaker kids. But she's got a good heart, from what I've heard."

"Fights?" Hae Jin echoed, his concern growing.

"Yeah," Dae Hyun continued, "She doesn't back down easily. If someone messes with her or her friends, she's the type to throw the first punch. But honestly, Seung Min, she seems like someone who'd have your back. You might actually get along better than you think."

Hae Jin stared at his bowl of ramen, deep in thought. So Mi isn't just a tomboy—she's a fighter, someone who takes charge. How much of her past is connected to Seung Min's secrets?

As he finished his meal, Hae Jin couldn't shake the feeling that Lee So Mi's arrival was going to change everything, not just at home but at school as well. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly starting to come together, but he still had a long way to go to uncover the full truth.

Not long after, the restaurant door opened, and Jin Ho walked in. He was busy adjusting his slightly slipping glasses. When his gaze landed on Seung Min, he looked a little surprised but still walked closer.

"Seung Min?" Jin Ho asked as he sat next to Hae Jin. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Dae Hyun, who was busy serving other customers, glanced at them with a meaningful smile. "I purposely invited you here. I thought it was time for the three of us to build a closer friendship."

Hae Jin, still in Seung Min's body, gave a faint smile, finding the situation rather odd, especially since he didn't fully know Jin Ho yet.

Soon after, the sound of the restaurant's bell rang again. Jae Hoon appeared, wearing a gray hoodie with the hood almost covering his face. He looked hesitant as he stepped inside, and as soon as his eyes met Hae Jin's, he immediately lowered his head, clearly still embarrassed about last night's incident.

Noticing the awkwardness, Dae Hyun quickly approached him. "Jae Hoon! Come sit here. Don't be so formal. You're among friends."

Jae Hoon slowly took a seat at their table, sitting across from Hae Jin. He seemed uneasy, fiddling with the end of his sleeve while stealing glances at Hae Jin. "I... about last night... I'm really sorry," he finally murmured.

Hae Jin looked at him calmly, trying to convey a more relaxed attitude. "I already said I understand your reasons. But from now on, be more careful. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of again."

Trying to lighten the mood, Dae Hyun patted Jae Hoon on the shoulder casually. "Hey, relax. We're here to hang out, not discuss heavy matters."

Jin Ho, who had been quiet until then, finally spoke up. "You two have known each other for a long time, haven't you?" he asked Dae Hyun and Jae Hoon.

"Yeah," Dae Hyun answered casually. "We've been friends since middle school. Jae Hoon is a good guy, although sometimes a bit too stubborn."

Jae Hoon gave a small smile, still looking awkward, but the atmosphere gradually started to ease. Hae Jin observed their interaction carefully. He realized that, even though everything seemed normal, there were many things hidden behind each person's demeanor at the table.

In his mind, Hae Jin knew this wasn't just about building friendships. He had to stay vigilant, as every interaction could potentially open the door to new secrets that had been hidden all along.

After they finished eating, Jae Hoon and Dae Hyun left on Jae Hoon's motorcycle, leaving Hae Jin (in Seung Min's body) alone with Jin Ho. Jin Ho stood near the restaurant, waiting for his ride.

"I'll take you home," Hae Jin offered suddenly. Jin Ho hesitated but eventually nodded.

As Hae Jin was about to put on the helmet, a firm voice called out from across the street.

"Seung Min!"

Hae Jin turned and saw Do Jin, Tae Hwan, Ki Seok, and a few other gang members standing on the other side of the road. Their expressions were serious and commanding.

Jin Ho, noticing the tension, adjusted his glasses and asked, "Are they calling you?"

Hae Jin's heart raced. He recognized them as members of Jin Seok's group. Even though Seung Min had distanced himself from them long ago, Hae Jin knew that Jin Seok wouldn't summon him without a significant reason.

Hae Jin turned to Jin Ho, his voice firm. "Jin Ho, you should just take a taxi home."

"What? But—" Jin Ho began to protest, but Hae Jin cut him off, keeping his tone steady. "Trust me. I'll be fine. This isn't something you need to worry about."

Jin Ho hesitated but eventually obeyed. He walked off to find a taxi, glancing back occasionally with clear concern in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Do Jin and his group crossed the street, heading straight toward Hae Jin. Once they reached him, Do Jin wasted no time.

"Jin Seok wants to see you. Now," he said bluntly.

Hearing that name made Hae Jin's body tense. Jin Seok—the friend who once shared countless memories with Seung Min but also the mastermind behind the deadly Death Card game. As the son of the school's owner, Jin Seok held power, but his manipulative nature and involvement in the dark game had strained their friendship.

Hae Jin knew that if Jin Seok wanted to meet, it had to be something serious. Masking his nervousness, he simply nodded. "Alright," he replied tersely.

Do Jin and the others didn't elaborate. They gestured for Hae Jin to follow them. With mixed feelings, Hae Jin walked behind them, his mind racing.

What does Jin Seok want this time? Could this be related to the Death Card again?

As they walked toward the meeting spot, Hae Jin felt a sense of unease growing inside him. This encounter wasn't just about catching up. He could feel it—it was the start of something significant. Something that could reveal the truths about Jin Seok and the deadly game that had haunted Seung Min's past.

As Hae Jin (in Seung Min's body) arrived at the old, decaying building, he found Jin Seok standing in the dimly lit room. His face was a mixture of regret and hesitation. In another corner of the room, Min Joon, Jin Seok's half-brother, leaned casually against the wall, smoking a cigarette. Hae Jin immediately recognized him, recalling their earlier encounter in class.

"You've finally come, Seung Min," Jin Seok began, his voice low and calm.

"So, you called me here just for this?" Hae Jin replied coldly, his gaze shifting between Jin Seok and Min Joon.

Jin Seok let out a heavy sigh before speaking, "I want to apologize. I know you've felt intimidated by me… by this whole situation. But I want you to know that it was never my intention."

Hae Jin simply stared at him with a blank expression, waiting for him to elaborate.

Jin Seok continued, "About Death Card, I know you think I'm the mastermind. But the truth is, I'm not. It was my father's idea. He's the one who created the game, and I've only been following his orders."

Hae Jin remained silent, though anger and disappointment churned within him. He had suspected that Jin Seok wasn't acting alone, but hearing this confession only reinforced the notion that Jin Seok's family was steeped in secrets.

Min Joon, who had been silently smoking, finally spoke with a sarcastic tone. "My brother always blames our father for everything. He's just too much of a coward to stand up to him."

Hae Jin shot a sharp glance at Min Joon before turning back to Jin Seok. "So, you want me to believe this is all your father's doing? That you're just a victim? Is that all?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

Jin Seok appeared distressed, but before he could respond, Min Joon let out a small laugh. "You're funny, Seung Min. Pretending not to care, but you still came here, didn't you? You may act indifferent, but I know you'll never escape this game."

Hae Jin stared at him coldly. "If that's all, I'm leaving," he said indifferently before turning toward the door without waiting for a response.

However, before he could step out, he heard the sound of Jin Seok's footsteps approaching. Turning back, Hae Jin saw Jin Seok glaring at Min Joon with a steely expression.

"Min Joon, don't think that just because you're my half-brother, you can do whatever you want at this school," Jin Seok said firmly.

Jin Seok walked over, grabbed the cigarette from Min Joon's hand, and dropped it to the floor, crushing it under his shoe. "This school might belong to our family, but that doesn't mean you can cause trouble whenever you feel like it."

Min Joon smirked, his gaze defiant as he looked at Jin Seok. "Don't worry, brother. I know my limits… for now."

Hae Jin observed the exchange closely before finally stepping out of the decrepit building. In his mind, he knew that both Jin Seok and Min Joon were individuals he needed to keep a close eye on. While Jin Seok appeared remorseful, there was still something about him that seemed untrustworthy. Meanwhile, Min Joon, with his relaxed yet threatening demeanor, was undoubtedly a more immediate danger.

That night, as Hae Jin entered the house and opened Seung Min's bedroom door, he was startled to find Lee So Mi already inside. She was examining the photos and notes on the wall with a curious expression.

Lee So Mi turned as she heard the door open, then gave a faint smile. "You've really changed, Seung Min," she said casually, her voice carrying a hint of teasing.

Hae Jin—now in Seung Min's body—tried to keep his expression neutral. "What are you doing here?" he asked flatly, trying to stay in control of the situation.

Lee So Mi stepped closer, squinting her eyes slightly as she tilted her head. "You used to be quiet, wearing glasses, and completely indifferent. But now…" Her eyes scanned Hae Jin from head to toe with a small smirk on her lips. "Now, you're so much more attractive, even handsome. You've changed, Seung Min."

Feeling uncomfortable under her scrutiny, Hae Jin raised his voice slightly in annoyance. "I don't remember giving you permission to come into my room."

Instead of being offended, Lee So Mi chuckled softly. "Relax. I was just curious. Besides, you're not the same Seung Min I used to know."

Hae Jin tensed for a moment but quickly diverted the conversation. "Enough, So Mi. It's late, and I need to rest." With a firm tone, he stepped closer, placing his hand gently but firmly on Lee So Mi's shoulder, and guided her toward the door.

"So Mi, please don't enter someone else's room without permission again," he said as he closed the door gently behind her.

Before the door fully shut, Lee So Mi turned back with a teasing smile. "You know, Seung Min, I think I like this version of you better. You're much more interesting now."

Hae Jin didn't respond, simply closing and locking the door. Leaning back against it, he let out a long sigh.

In his mind, he muttered, **"The old Seung Min might have been quiet, but I need to maintain his image to avoid suspicion. I have to be more careful."