Season 2 - Prevail

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the messy room. Seung Min woke up with a gasp, his chest rising and falling rapidly, sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes darted around, trying to grasp what had just happened.

"I... I'm back?" he muttered, his voice sounding both foreign and familiar. This was his body—his true self.

Without wasting a second, Seung Min jumped out of bed and rushed to his desk. His hands scrambled through the pile of books until he found an old, worn-out blue journal. Flipping through the pages, he found Hae Jin's handwriting—neat and filled with detailed notes of everything that had happened while occupying Seung Min's body.

"Day 172: Don't trust Min Joon. Stay alert around Jin Seok. Focus on the mission.

Day 230: Jin Ho and Dae Hyun left clues. They can be trusted."

At the bottom of the page, a bold note stood out:

"CHANGE ATTITUDE – BE CHEERFUL."

Seung Min stared at the words, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Cheerful, huh? Hae Jin... you really planned everything."

He moved to the mirror. The reflection that greeted him wasn't the frail, skinny figure from before. His body was now toned, muscular, and felt unbelievably light. "He... didn't just inhabit my body. He transformed it."

A swirl of gratitude, confusion, and longing filled his chest. Even though Hae Jin was gone, traces of him remained—in every muscle, every memory, and every steady step.

"Hae Jin... thank you."

Clenching his fist, Seung Min locked eyes with his reflection. "Now it's my turn to carry this on."

Elsewhere

Darkness. Then—air. Breath. Life.

Hae Jin's eyes snapped open, lungs filling with cold morning air. Disoriented, he sat up, his fingers digging into the unfamiliar sheets beneath him. Where... am I? His head throbbed, but something felt different—his limbs, his posture... everything had changed.

He stumbled toward a mirror hanging on the wall. Staring back at him wasn't Seung Min's face—it was someone else entirely. Sharp jawline, unruly ash-brown hair, and strikingly intense gray eyes. His fingers traced the reflection, disbelief etched into every line on his face.

"Again...? I transmigrated... into someone new?"

Glancing around the modest room, he noticed a student ID on the desk. He picked it up, eyes scanning the name:

"Kieran Han – Cheongdam Vocational High School."

His heart skipped a beat. Cheongdam... where Seung Min studies.

A mix of shock and realization washed over him. Is this... fate? Or just another twisted game?

His mind raced. If he was in Kieran's body, and Kieran attended the same school, this was a rare chance—a chance to meet Seung Min again.

Grabbing the uniform jacket from the chair, he whispered to himself, "Hold on, Seung Min... looks like we're not done yet."

Today wasn't just another day at Cheongdam. Today, Hae Jin was coming back—just in a different skin.

Seung Min stepped out of the bathroom, his hair still damp as a droplet slid down his temple. He wore his uniform neatly, his tie loosely hanging around his neck. His steps were light as he walked toward the living room.

There, Jin Ho and Dae Hyun were already waiting. Jin Ho was scrolling through his phone, while Dae Hyun adjusted the sleeves of his uniform.

Not long after, Lee So Mi emerged from her room, tying her hair in a quick motion. Her gaze briefly flicked toward Seung Min—Jin Ho and Dae Hyun noticed him as well.

Walking casually past them, Seung Min glanced back and offered a small smile.

"Ready to go?" he asked lightly.

Jin Ho chuckled. "Why are you grinning like that? Don't tell me you're still thinking about yesterday's fight."

Dae Hyun nodded. "Or... is there something you're not telling us?"

So Mi remained silent but watched him with a suspicious gaze.

Seung Min shrugged. "Nothing. Let's not be late."

Without further questions, they headed out, though an unspoken tension lingered in the air.

Elsewhere Cold water cascaded over Hae Jin's body. He stood under the shower, letting his thoughts swirl. Turning off the faucet, he walked over to the mirror, wiping away the steam.

His fingers instinctively traced the faint scar running across his abdomen. This scar... it's from this body? What happened to Kieran?

A soft knock echoed at the door.

"Kieran? Are you heading to school?" a gentle woman's voice called out. "Is your stomach feeling better, sweetheart?"

Hae Jin froze. Kieran's mother...? Turning toward the door, his heartbeat quickened.

"I-I'm fine," he replied, trying to match the tone of the body's owner.

"Breakfast is ready then. Don't be late, okay?"

Her footsteps faded away, leaving Hae Jin standing motionless. Glancing back at the scar, his eyes darkened. This body holds stories... and I need to uncover them.

Grabbing a towel to dry his hair, he took a deep breath, murmuring, "Seung Min... we'll meet again. This time, I'll find the answers."

Elsewhere – Jin Seok's Side Inside an empty classroom bathed in morning sunlight, Jin Seok leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and gaze fixed on the ceiling. His bruises from yesterday's fight had faded slightly, but the tension in his jaw remained.

Min Joon, lounging near the window, glanced at him with a smirk. "So Seung Min's an ace now, huh?" he drawled. "Can't believe they put him on the same level as us. Knowing him... he'll mess up soon enough. One mistake—bam, game over."

Jin Seok shot him a sharp look. "Enough." His tone was cold. "Don't interfere again. Our plan... can't afford another setback."

Min Joon shrugged but didn't push further. The atmosphere thickened with unspoken tension.

Ji Won, seated at the desk beside them, spun his pen lazily. "So... is it time to aim for the king rank?" he asked casually. "Only a week left, right?"

Jin Seok's gaze darkened, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "No rush. Let Seung Min enjoy his temporary glory," he said. "The higher he climbs... the harder the fall."

Outside the window, students bustled about—unaware of the brewing storm beneath their everyday routines.

That morning, the entrance of Cheongdam Vocational High School buzzed with students rushing in. Seung Min walked casually alongside Dae Hyun, Jin Ho, and Lee So Mi. Their steps were steady, though the atmosphere felt slightly awkward.

Lee So Mi glanced at Seung Min, noticing his unusually calm expression. "You're not talking much today," she murmured.

Dae Hyun added, "Yeah... normally you're the one rambling about homework or random stuff."

Jin Ho nodded. "Weird. Feels like the old Seung Min—before everything got messy."

Seung Min just offered a small smile, staying silent. The three eventually walked ahead, leaving him standing at the gate.

As Seung Min was about to follow, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Seung Min!"

His steps froze. That voice...

He turned around—and his eyes widened.

Standing before him was a student in the same school uniform. Their heights matched, and those sharp eyes—he knew them all too well. But that face… it wasn't Hae Jin's. It was Kieran.

His heart pounded. "What...?"

The boy smiled warmly. "Uri Hae Jin," he said softly.

Time seemed to stand still as Hae Jin—in Kieran's body—stepped forward and pulled Seung Min into a firm hug.

Seung Min stood frozen, body stiff. Everything inside him twisted—shock, confusion, and... a strange relief.

"A-again...?" he muttered, barely above a whisper. "You... ended up like this again?"

Hae Jin pulled back, looking him straight in the eyes. "Did you really think I'd let you handle this alone? One more time... we face this together."

Seung Min took a deep breath, still struggling to process it all. "This is... completely insane."

Hae Jin chuckled softly. "Insane? We've been through worse—don't you remember?"

In the distance, Lee So Mi, Dae Hyun, and Jin Ho, now noticing the strange scene, paused and turned around—watching the two figures standing beneath the warm morning sun.

Their journey... was far from over.

It was just beginning.

In the School Hallway Seung Min and Hae Jin walked side by side through the crowded hallway, drawing countless stares. Whispers spread like wildfire around them as curious eyes followed their every move.

"Hey... isn't that Kieran?" one student whispered.

"Yeah... wasn't he the one who almost died? He was in the hospital forever, and now he's back like nothing happened," another said in disbelief.

"What's going on? And look, he's walking with Seung Min... since when are they close?"

Amidst the murmurs, Hae Jin—now in Kieran's body—leaned closer to Seung Min, his voice low. "By the way, I'm close friends with Jae Hoon—the Joker. Consider yourself lucky you befriended them. They're not as bad as they seem."

Seung Min gave a small nod, though his mind was still racing. "Hmph... I didn't expect that. But speaking of which..." He glanced sideways at Hae Jin. "Do you know what's going on with this body? Why are you in Kieran's?"

Hae Jin let out a soft breath. "Not entirely sure. But... this is an opportunity we can't waste, right?" He flashed a small smile. "And about Jin Seok... are you planning to fix things with him? He was your best friend, remember?"

Seung Min's face darkened momentarily as he stared ahead. "I don't care about that," he said flatly. "Right now... I just need to figure a way out of this mess."

Hae Jin chuckled quietly. "You're as stubborn as ever."

The hallway buzzed louder as more students noticed them. Whispers grew more intense, but neither Seung Min nor Hae Jin paid any attention. They both knew—this wasn't just about school anymore. Something far bigger was waiting ahead.

Continuation of the Scene Seung Min grabbed the collar of Hae Jin's shirt, stopping him in his tracks. "Hey, slow down," he muttered. "You do realize we're in the same class, right? Kieran—the body you're in—missed an entire semester because he was hospitalized. People are going to get suspicious if you act like nothing happened."

Hae Jin simply shrugged with a small smile. "Just say it's a miracle recovery. People love those stories."

Seung Min sighed. "Don't be dramatic."

Without another word, they entered the classroom. Conversations that had been buzzing moments ago abruptly fell silent. Dozens of eyes turned toward them—some filled with surprise, others with confusion. The teacher paused mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow.

"Kieran?" the teacher asked hesitantly. "You... you're back?"

Hae Jin smiled politely. "Yes, sir. I'm feeling much better now."

Whispers rippled through the room.

"Seriously? I thought he wouldn't be back this year..."

"How is he walking around like nothing happened after that incident?"

"And... why is he with Seung Min? That's weird."

Ignoring the stares and murmurs, Seung Min headed straight for his seat. Hae Jin casually followed, completely unfazed. As Seung Min sat down, he whispered under his breath, "Please, don't draw too much attention."

Hae Jin grinned. "No promises."

Seung Min stared at the ceiling, already bracing himself for a long day ahead.

Continuing the Scene Seung Min grabbed the collar of Hae Jin's shirt, stopping him. "Hey, slow down," he muttered. "You do realize we're in the same class, right? Kieran's been out for an entire semester because of the hospital. People are going to ask questions if you act like nothing happened."

Hae Jin shrugged with a small smirk. "Then I'll just act like I suddenly recovered. People love a miracle story, don't they?"

Seung Min rolled his eyes. "Just... don't overdo it."

Without saying more, they entered the classroom. Conversations halted the moment they stepped inside. Dozens of pairs of eyes fixed on them—some in shock, others in confusion. The teacher paused mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow.

"Kieran?" the teacher asked. "You're... back?"

Hae Jin smiled politely. "Yes, sir. I'm feeling much better now."

Whispers erupted among the students.

"I thought he wasn't coming back this year..."

"How is he walking around like that after what happened?"

"And why is he with Seung Min? This is so weird."

Ignoring the murmurs, Seung Min went to his seat while Hae Jin casually followed, acting completely unfazed. As Seung Min sat down, he muttered under his breath, "Just... keep a low profile, alright?"

Hae Jin grinned. "No promises."

Seung Min sighed, already regretting everything.

Continuation of the Scene

In Jin Seok's Classroom The classroom door slid open. Jin Seok leaned back in his chair lazily as Shin Kyung entered, heading straight to him. Leaning down, Shin Kyung whispered, "Kieran just came back."

Jin Seok's relaxed posture stiffened. His gaze shifted toward the window, eyes narrowing. "So... he really returned," he thought.

Ji Won, sitting nearby, overheard and smirked. "This is getting interesting."

Jin Seok clenched his jaw but remained calm. "Keep an eye on him. If he's back, there must be a reason."

Back to Seung Min's Classroom As Seung Min and Hae Jin (in Kieran's body) settled into their seats, the tension in the room thickened. Do Jin, seated a few desks away, snickered and called out, "Well, look who's back from the dead."

Tae Hwan leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Miraculous recovery, huh? Thought you were gonna spend the year in a hospital bed."

Ki Seok added mockingly, "Or maybe you just wanted some attention. Playing the sympathy card?"

Hae Jin glanced at them, unfazed, but Seung Min's jaw tightened. He clenched his fists beneath the desk, holding back the urge to react. Not now... stay calm, he reminded himself.

But Hae Jin leaned back in his chair casually, flashing a grin. "Missed me that much, huh? Sorry to disappoint you guys—I'm back, alive and well."

The trio exchanged glances, clearly irritated that their taunts didn't land.

Do Jin sneered. "Don't get cocky. Things have changed since you've been gone."

Hae Jin's smile didn't falter. "Good. I like surprises."

Seung Min sighed. Here we go again.

Jin Ho and Dae Hyun exchanged glances, tension thick in the air. Students around them whispered, waiting for what would happen next.

Suddenly...

BANG!

The classroom door slammed open. Jae Hoon stormed in, bruises marking his face. Without a word, he swung his fist straight at Ki Seok's face.

"THUD!"

Ki Seok crashed to the floor, stunned. The entire class fell silent.

Jae Hoon glared down at him, voice low and venomous. "Shut your mouth before I shut it for you."

Tae Hwan immediately stood up. "Hey! Are you looking for trouble?!"

Do Jin stepped forward. "You think you can just hit people like that?!"

Hae Jin, still seated, glanced at them with a faint smirk. "Wow... looks like you really care."

Jae Hoon shot him a sharp look. "Care? Since when were we close?"

Hae Jin shrugged casually. "Exactly. That's why I'm asking. You're the one making this a scene."

The tension spiked. Jin Ho and Dae Hyun quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Enough!" Dae Hyun shouted. "This is a classroom, not a boxing ring!"

Jin Ho added, "If you want to fight, take it outside. Don't drag everyone into this."

Jae Hoon clenched his jaw but finally stepped back, his gaze still fixed on Ki Seok.

Ki Seok wiped the blood from his lip and spat on the floor. "This isn't over..."

Hae Jin chuckled. "Let's hope next time you can talk without losing your teeth."

Murmurs rippled through the class again as the tension slowly eased.

Seung Min sighed to himself, What a chaotic first day... and this is just the beginning.

Continuation of the Scene During the break, Hae Jin casually followed Seung Min, Jin Ho, Dae Hyun, and Jae Hoon out of the classroom. The hallway buzzed with students chatting, but tension still lingered from the earlier incident.

As they walked, Hae Jin leaned closer to Seung Min and whispered, "It seems like they don't remember how close I was to them... back when I transmigrated into your body."

Seung Min glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed. "Makes things less complicated, doesn't it?"

Hae Jin smirked but didn't reply.

Just then, Lee So Mi approached, waving her hand. "Hey! Took you guys long enough," she said, joining their group. Her gaze shifted to Hae Jin. "You're... Kieran, right? Heard you just got back."

Hae Jin smiled. "Yeah. Guess I'm the talk of the school already."

Jae Hoon scoffed but said nothing. Dae Hyun and Jin Ho exchanged glances, still wary of Hae Jin's presence but not voicing their thoughts.

"So," Lee So Mi continued, "are we just gonna stand around or get something to eat?"

Hae Jin chuckled. Some things never change...

Seung Min muttered under his breath, "This is going to be one hell of a day..."

Not long after, Do Jin, Jin Woo, Shin Kyung, and Min Joon walked into the cafeteria. The previously relaxed atmosphere quickly shifted into tension. Students nearby began whispering, sensing the thickening air.

Seung Min, sitting with the others, glanced at them before leaning toward Hae Jin. "Since when did Jin Seok's stepbrother transfer here?" he asked quietly, careful not to draw attention.

Hae Jin shrugged. "Recently, I think. I don't have much info either."

Min Joon stopped in front of their table, pulling out his phone. He opened a flashy gaming app and held it toward Hae Jin. His expression remained calm, but his eyes occasionally flicked toward Seung Min, as if hinting at something.

Hae Jin narrowed his eyes at the screen. What is this supposed to mean? The interface displayed rankings and stats—familiar numbers from a game they knew well.

"Funny, right?" Min Joon finally spoke, his tone casual but dripping with sarcasm. "Some people climb up way too fast… makes you wonder, doesn't it?"

The words were clearly aimed at Seung Min. The table's atmosphere grew heavier. Jae Hoon clenched his fists under the table, ready to act if things escalated.

Seung Min exhaled slowly, keeping his cool. "If you've got something to say, just say it. No need to dance around it."

Min Joon smirked, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Relax. There's still a week left... We'll see who holds out."

Do Jin and the others chuckled as they turned to leave. Hae Jin's gaze darkened as he watched them walk away. "They're not going to back off until something happens," he muttered.

Lee So Mi clicked her tongue. "Those guys are really—"

"Let it go," Seung Min cut in. "If they want to play, I'm ready."

Jae Hoon nodded. "But stay sharp. They don't play fair."

Leaning back in his chair, Hae Jin stared at the cafeteria ceiling. This game… is just getting started.

Hae Jin leaned closer to Seung Min and whispered, "Can you even fight?"

Seung Min smirked. "That's why you need to train me."

Before Hae Jin could respond, Dae Hyun interrupted, frowning. "Why are you two always whispering? Seriously, Kieran, Seung Min—how did you get so close so fast?"

Hae Jin's mind raced. If I tell them I transmigrated into Seung Min's body before, and now into Kieran's… wouldn't that just confuse them even more? He hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.

An awkward silence hung over the table. Hae Jin glanced at Seung Min, as if silently asking for help. Seung Min raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Jae Hoon clicked his tongue impatiently. "Tch, this is annoying."

Lee So Mi propped her chin on her hand, observing them with narrowed eyes. "This feels suspicious…" she muttered.

Meanwhile, Jin Ho, without his glasses, scratched his temple. "I'm lost. Can someone explain what's going on?"

Hae Jin sighed and forced a small smile. "It's... complicated."

"Obviously," Dae Hyun shot back. "We're just waiting for you to make it less complicated."

Seung Min stretched his arms lazily. "Don't overthink it. We just… clicked."

Hae Jin nodded awkwardly. "Yeah. Something like that."

The others exchanged skeptical glances but let it slide—for now.

Suddenly, the sound of phones chiming echoed simultaneously. Seung Min's screen displayed the message: "Death Card Game: ACE Notification."

Seung Min frowned. "Since when did I become an ACE? Is this because of Hae Jin?" His thoughts spiraled. Slowly, he glanced at Hae Jin, who responded with a calm, teasing smile.

Moments later, another notification chimed—this time louder, drawing everyone's attention at the table. "JOKER ROOKIE: Lee Sonny & Kieran."

Hae Jin exhaled softly and stood up. Stretching his muscles with practiced ease, he suddenly leapt onto the bench with fluid grace. Without warning, he executed a complex martial arts technique, precise and dangerous. His movements were sharp—so flawless that everyone watching held their breath.

Seung Min's eyes widened. "That move...!"

Lee So Mi narrowed her gaze, Dae Hyun and Jin Ho exchanged astonished looks, while Jae Hoon leaned back, raising an eyebrow.

"Why does that technique... look exactly like Seung Min's?" Jin Ho muttered in disbelief.

"I thought the same thing... It's identical," Dae Hyun replied, equally stunned.

Lee So Mi's eyes sharpened further. "But... Kieran never trained in martial arts, right? How can he—"

Seung Min stood frozen, his chest tightening. "When Hae Jin was in my body... he really mastered all my techniques... If I have to face other players later... this'll be a problem. I can't fight, but him—he's on another level now."

Landing gracefully, Hae Jin glanced back at Seung Min with a smirk. "So? Not bad for a morning warm-up, huh?"

Seung Min clenched his jaw. "This... is going to be harder than I thought..."

🎵 "God's Menu" – Stray Kids