FIRST CLUES

"In the shadows, nothing is ever what it seems. Not even the people you trust."

The following morning, Jieun entered the classroom, her nerves frayed but her resolve unshaken. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on Nari, who gave her a barely perceptible nod. Across the room, Soojin sat quietly, her usual energy muted.

Jieun hesitated before approaching her. "Hey, Soojin," she said softly. "Is everything okay?"

Soojin glanced up, her expression guarded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

Jieun frowned, sensing there was more to it. "If something's wrong, you can tell me. You know that, right?"

For a moment, Soojin seemed to waver, her eyes flicking toward the door as if she were afraid someone might overhear. But before she could say anything, the teacher entered, and the class settled into their seats.

Throughout the lesson, Jieun's thoughts drifted, her focus slipping as she replayed the events of the past few days. She couldn't ignore the tension in Soojin's demeanour or the way she had avoided eye contact. Was she hiding something? Jieun's instincts told her something wasn't right.

When the lunch bell rang, Jieun made her way to the cafeteria, where Nari was already waiting.

"Soojin's acting strange," Jieun said as she sat down, lowering her voice so only Nari could hear. "I think she knows something."

"Do you think she'll talk to us?" Nari asked, her tone cautious.

"I don't know," Jieun admitted. "But we can't ignore it."

 The conversation drifted from rumours of school applications to supposition about their mysterious classmate Kang Dae-Hyun. "I just get this feeling he's stalking me," Jieun confessed, a shiver running down Nari's spine.

"What do you mean?" Nari frowned, her brow furrowing in concern.

Before Jieun could elaborate, Soojin interjected, her voice trembling. "I heard you two talking about him. It's… it's not safe to speculate." There was fear in her eyes, something that made Jieun pause. Taewon, ever observing, remained silent but alert, picking up on the tension as he watched from a distance, his presence intensifying the room's palpable insecurity.

"Soojin, what do you know?" Nari pressed, catching Jieun's attention. But before either could pry further, the lunch bell rang, sending the class into a flurry of movement.

While the other students dispersed, Jieun caught Soojin's gaze, only to see it harden into something she couldn't understand. "I… I just think we need to be careful," Soojin stammered. "There's too much going on, and we don't know who's watching."

Later that evening, in the half-light of Taewon room, Taewon contemplated everything that had unfolded. His mind flickered with thoughts of the shadow he had seen, the struggle, the figure who slipped away, and the unexpected tension among the girls. He observed them for few days and found something suspicious. Stars blinked knowingly across the dark sky, but there was no clarity to be found in their distant light.

Meanwhile Jieun lay on her bed, the moonlight filtering through the curtains and casting an ethereal glow around the room. Her mind wrestled with the questions that had plagued her. What had truly happened to Minho? The rumours swirled at school, each twist more disturbing than the last—a suicide, an accident, a cover-up. The truth clawed at her thoughts, refusing to release her from its grip.

Suddenly, she sat up. A memory flicked like a light switch in her mind. She had seen something in the principal's office weeks ago—a file tucked away; its contents shrouded in secrecy. With resolve, Jieun ripped the hoodie from her closet and pulled it over her head, concealing her school uniform. Heart pounding, she slipped out into the cool night air.

Quietly, Jieun navigated through her neighbourhood, careful to avoid the shadows of streetlights. The school loomed ahead, an imposing structure that held both her dreams and the weight of her fears. She slipped through the gate, heart pounding in rhythm with her footsteps, but the deserted corridors of Hanseong High held secrets that throbbed with life. Approaching the school, every crunch of gravel felt like a shout in the dark. She paused, assuring herself that this was necessary—she needed answers.

Once inside, the building was enveloped in an unsettling stillness. Jieun's footsteps echoed as she ascended the stairwell, heart racing with every creaking step. The principal's office awaited her, the door slightly ajar, almost inviting her in. She pushed it open quietly, her breath hitching in her throat.

As she entered, her breath caught in disbelief. Upon the desk lay a file with Minho's name emblazoned across it. She flipped it open, only to find a photograph of him, his face frozen in time, vibrant and alive. But a sinister red cross marked the image, a chilling signal of something far more sinister. Was it a warning? A mark of his demise?

But before she could delve deeper, a sound nudged her from her thoughts. She quickly dropped the file and ducked behind the door, her heart slam-dancing in her chest. The door creaked further open, revealing the shadowy figures of the principal and a mysterious figure whose body language radiated secrecy.

"What do you mean there are no loose ends?" the principal hissed. "You promised me this would stay buried."

"Yes, but the more we dig, the more dangerous it becomes. We have to… eliminate… any threats." The voice was smooth, almost chillingly calm.

Jieun's stomach twisted. Eliminate? They were discussing murder? Clenching her fists, she restrained the tide of panic threatening to overwhelm her. She needed to escape and find help. As she backed away, a jarring voice broke her thoughts. Suddenly, she was shoved against a wall, too shocked to react, when a voice cut through the silence, "What are you doing here?" Dae-Hyun's voice was like ice, filled with suspicion. Jieun knew he viewed her as a threat to the order he maintained at school.

"Jieun?" Dae-Hyun's expression turned grave as he recognized her.

Heart hammering, Jieun braced herself, trapped between the solid wall and his piercing gaze. It took her a second to realize it was Dae-Hyun, his eyes dark with suspicion. 'This isn't a game, Jieun,' he said, his tone laced with something more dangerous than irritation.

Before she could respond, a loud thump drew attention from the shadows. Jieun's heart raced as realization dawned—we had to leave, and quickly. In unison, Dae-Hyun and Jieun bolted out from the office, their retreat igniting the eldritch darkness with their quick movements.

They dashed through the maze of hallways, adrenaline propelling them forward. Dae-Hyun led the way, navigating the corridors with an unexpected precision. "This place is riddled with secrets," he whispered, glancing over his shoulder as they paused momentarily to catch their breath.

Back-lit by dim emergency lights, the air felt thick with uncertainty, secrets writhed alive from the shadows, ready to consume them. "Your family has ties to this place," Jieun whispered. "You know more than you're saying. Why does the principal want Minho's truth hidden?"

Dae-Hyun's face hardened, revealing a vulnerability beneath his bravado. "I had no idea what you're talking about, but if the principal is involved…" His voice dropped to a whisper, "then it's dangerous and you need to stay out of this."

Next day, Jieun Park stood at the entrance of Hanseong High. She adjusted her school uniform, subtly personalized with the bracelet. As she walked through the halls, her deep brown eyes drifted over familiar faces, but her attention was drawn to one person in particular: Dae-Hyun Kang.

Dae-Hyun felt Jieun's gaze and deliberately averted his eyes from her. He had been carefully monitoring her activities since their late-night encounter in the principal's office room, and it bothered him how effectively she had evaded his questions. Would she ever stop digging? He couldn't let her discover the truth about the principal's secret dealings with the board—deals that threatened the very fabric of his school and the legacies of their families.

But it was more than that. Somewhere deep down, he respected her determination. He couldn't help but admire her fiery spirit—even if he had to contain it.

"How's the student council going?" one of his peers asked, jolting him back to the moment.

"Fine," he grunted, already distracted by his thoughts. He stepped away quickly, needing to escape before Jieun's resolve became more than just a nuisance.

Meanwhile, Soojin Choi and Nari was catching up with Jieun during lunch. Her brightly coloured accessories bounced with enthusiasm, stark contrast to Jieun's more reserved nature. Yet today, Jieun felt her blood run cold as she relived last night's revelations.

"Soojin," she said suddenly, breaking through the lively conversation. "Do you think Dae-Hyun is hiding something? He seemed... off from some days."

"What do you mean?" Soojin tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "He's just a little intense, that's all. A real stickler for the rules."

Jieun trailed off, her brow furrowing. "I can't shake the feeling that he's involved in something shady."

Soojin leaned closer, lowering her voice as though they were plotting a secret mission. "What if you confronted him?"

"Exactly what I was thinking," Jieun replied, determination flooding back. "I have to know what he's hiding."

"Jieun!" Soojin said to get her attention. Soojin looked down, her hands fidgeting nervously. 'I… I think Dae-Hyun suspects you, Jieun,' she whispered, glancing around as if afraid someone might overhear. 'You really need to be careful.' Her voice was barely a whisper, but the weight behind her words was undeniable.

Jieun's heart raced; the careless accident had become the talk of the school, but it was the implications that made her stomach twist. "What do you mean he mentioned me?"

Soojin glanced around, her wide, inquisitive eyes darting back to Jieun. "He said he knows who pushed him, and he thinks you might know something about it! That you're here for a reason."

Jieun turned to Nari as they both shared a tensed glance.

Young-Jae Oh, the school's tech expert, was at his usual corner in the library when Jieun approached. He pushed his round glasses up his nose with a look of surprise as she slid onto the seat across from him.

"Hey, Jieun! What are you doing here? Do you here for Taewon" he said, playful curiosity in his eyes. "What" Jieun looked him with shock and disbelief but not caring about it and got to her point, why she came here.

"I need you to help me dig into Dae-Hyun's activities," Jieun replied, her voice low. "If he's hiding anything—"

"Oh man, you think he's behind something sinister?" Young-Jae's eyes widened, excitement bubbling over. "I'm in!"

After school, the two of them found a secluded corner in the library, shrouded in shadows and quiet. Young-Jae set up his laptop, tapping fervently at the keys, his round glasses slipping down his nose as excitement flickered in his eyes. Jieun leaned closer, intent on their mission.

"I'm not supposed to be doing this, you know?" he said, grinning mischievously. "But this place is full of secrets waiting to be uncovered."

Jieun smirked. "A little rebellion never hurt anybody."

"Right?" Young-Jae chuckled as the screen lit up with a grid of cameras throughout the school. They scrolled through footage as time slipped away, engrossed in unravelling the tangled web surrounding Dae-Hyun.

Together, they pored over the school's security footage, piecing together a timeline of Dae-Hyun's activity around the school.

Hours later, the pieces began to align like stars in the night sky. Young-Jae's fingers froze over the keyboard as the footage played out. "I found something," Young-Jae said, his voice tinged with excitement. He turned the screen toward her, revealing a series of security footage clips. One of them showed Dae-Hyun slipping into the principal's office late at night, his movements swift and calculated. Jieun leaned in closer, feeling the weight of the discovery pressing down on her chest. 'This is bigger than I thought,' she whispered, her mind racing.

Jieun squinted, her heart racing as she watched a recording from a night prior. Dae-Hyun appeared, entering the principal's office under the cover of darkness. The timestamp revealed that he had entered just before her own visit.

As the footage continued to play, Jieun's breath caught in her throat. Dae-Hyun didn't just enter the office; he opened the principal's desk, rifling through files for over twenty minutes. Her instincts screamed that something larger was at play, and the pieces began to fit together ominously.

"That's what we need to find out," Young-Jae replied. "But whatever it is, it's big."

"Dae-Hyun is always in the disciplinary committee's room right after class. If we can follow him, maybe we can uncover what he's really up to,"

Jieun suggested, glancing around to ensure their conversation was private.

"You mean right under that arrogant face of his?" Young-Jae chuckled, his nervousness easing slightly. "He's just so… intense. I don't know how you plan to get close to him."

Just then, Jieun's gaze flicked past Young-Jae. A figure lingered at the library entrance; his broad shoulders silhouetted against the dim light. Dae-Hyun Kang, the man she intended to investigate, stood there with an inscrutable expression carved into his features. The air between them crackled with an unspoken challenge—two rivals in a complex game where neither could afford to underestimate the other.

Meanwhile, Taewon Kim leaned against the wall, pretending to scroll through his phone while observing the scene unfold. His heart raced, a mix of curiosity and concern swirling within him as he watched Jieun and Young-Jae shadowing Dae-Hyun. He had grown increasingly intrigued by Jieun since their first encounter—a mysterious girl with a fierce determination that stirred something protective within him.

Jieun straightened, her heartbeat quickening. Dae-Hyun's dark eyes seemed to pierce through the silent veils of the library, assessing her. With a subtle nod, he turned and walked away, a silent warning as much as an exit.

"What do we do now?" Young-Jae whispered; the nervous energy palpable.

"We follow him," Jieun replied, her voice resolute. "We can't let him know we're onto something, though. Just act natural."

They hurried out of the library, making sure to keep a safe distance as Dae-Hyun navigated through the labyrinthine halls of the school. The once calming walls felt claustrophobic as they trailed behind him, tension building with every footstep.

Just as she thought the path would lead to answers, she collided into another solid figure. The warm hazel eyes of Taewon Kim locked onto her own, confusion dancing across his handsome features. "What are you two up to?" he asked, a hint of suspicion threading through his tone.

"Um, nothing," Young-Jae stammered, adjusting his glasses awkwardly. Jieun could feel the tension rise. Would Taewon be a distraction or an ally? She quickly gauged his expression, noticing his intrigue and concern. "We're on a, um, research project," she blurted out, offering a half-hearted smile that failed to mask the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Taewon studied them both, his brow furrowing. "In the restricted section, sneaking around? Sounds more like a covert operation than a school project."

Jieun opened her mouth to deny it but refrained. Something about Taewon stirred a reliable instinct within her; she sensed he could either become a major obstacle or an invaluable ally. "I need to know what's happening at this school, Taewon. Dae-Hyun is hiding something, and we're close to finding out what it is."

For a moment, he seemed to weigh her words carefully. His own life had been somewhat shrouded in mystery since arriving at the school. His resolve solidified when he took a step closer, lowering his voice. "If Dae-Hyun is involved, it could be serious. How can I help?"

Jieun felt a surge of hope. "Help us follow him. We need an eye on his movements."

Taewon's eyes lingered on Jieun's determined face, a flicker of recognition flashing in his hazel eyes. There were things he'd uncovered—secrets that still haunted him, whispering in the dark corners of his mind.

"Consider it done," Taewon replied, the warmth of his hazel eyes filled with determination. At that moment, an unspoken bond seemed to knit them closer—an understanding born not just of shared goals, but of navigating the treacherous underbelly of their school together.

Just then, they caught a glimpse of Dae-Hyun disappearing into a small back office, the door closing quietly behind him. "Now's our chance," Jieun whispered urgently, glancing at Young-Jae, who had pulled up a surveillance program on his laptop. "Can you get us a view from here?"

"Already on it!" he chirped, fingers dancing across the keys as urgency heightened the atmosphere. Within seconds, a live feed flickered to life on the screen, revealing Dae-Hyun meeting with someone cloaked in shadows.

"What are they talking about?" Taewon leaned in; every ounce of his focus trained on the screen.

Jieun's heart raced as she observed their intense exchange. She barely heard Young-Jae mumbled under his breath, "It's going to be a wild ride, isn't it?"

Together, they peered into the darkness unfolding within their school community, ready to unearth secrets buried beneath layers of deception. Each heartbeat resonated deeply; the stakes higher than any of them had initially imagined.