Isaac_Kingzeez

At Daehan Elite High, love is not just a feeling—it’s a battlefield.

Seo Hana, a bright and ambitious girl, believes in love’s purity, but her heart is torn between Park Min-jae, her charming childhood friend, and Kang Ji-hoon, a mysterious transfer student with a past shrouded in shadows. As she navigates the intense world of romance, friendships, and rivalries, she soon realizes that love comes with a price.

Beneath the perfect façade of their school lies a web of secrets, betrayals, and dangerous conspiracies. Min-jae is not the golden boy he appears to be. Ji-hoon’s past is tied to a crime that no one dares to speak of. And someone within their circle is plotting Hana’s downfall—a scheme driven by jealousy, power, and revenge.

When an anonymous threat turns into a shocking tragedy, the fight for love becomes a fight for survival. Lies unravel, hidden enemies emerge, and hearts are shattered. As love turns into obsession and loyalty into treachery, Hana must decide: Who can she trust? Who truly loves her? And who is willing to destroy everything to have her?

In a world where love is both a gift and a curse, how far would you go to protect your heart?

IF LOVE HAD A NAME

The next morning, Hana felt it before she even stepped onto school grounds.

Students huddled in groups, whispering.

Everywhere she walked, eyes followed her.

Ji-hoon's grip on her hand tightened. "Ignore them."

Hana nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease.

A huge banner hanging over the main hallway.

"JI-HOON'S TOY—HOW LONG WILL SHE LAST?"

Ji-hoon stiffened beside her. His entire body radiated anger.

Min-ji stood nearby, arms crossed, smirking.

Hana swallowed hard. "She did this."

Ji-hoon's jaw clenched. "I'm going to—"

"No." Hana grabbed his arm. "She wants you to react."

Ji-hoon's eyes burned with fury. "This is crossing the line."

Min-ji stepped forward, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

"What? Upset because people are finally saying the truth?"

Hana held her ground. "The truth?"

Min-ji smirked. "You're just a phase. A distraction. Ji-hoon doesn't love you."

Ji-hoon took a step forward, but Hana tightened her grip on his hand.

"Then why are you so scared of me?"

Hana tilted her head. "If I don't matter, why are you trying so hard to ruin me?"

Min-ji's expression darkened. "You think you've won?"

Hana met her gaze without flinching. "I think I don't need to play your game."

Then, she turned and stormed away.

Ji-hoon exhaled, squeezing her hand.

Hana laughed, nudging him. "Come on, let's get to class."

That evening, Ji-hoon showed up at Hana's doorstep.

Hana opened the door, raising an eyebrow. "If you keep doing this, my parents are going to think you live here."

Ji-hoon smirked. "Maybe I should."

Hana rolled her eyes, but her cheeks burned.

Ji-hoon chuckled, then grabbed her hand.

Minutes later, they stood on a quiet rooftop, overlooking the river.

Hana's eyes widened as fireworks exploded in the night sky, showering the world in bursts of color.

She turned to Ji-hoon, heart pounding. "How did you—"

Ji-hoon shrugged. "I have my ways."

Then, Ji-hoon's fingers brushed against her cheek.

The fireworks reflected in his dark eyes.

Like he had all the time in the world.

Hana realized she was completely, utterly in love.

Chapter 24 – The Trouble with Love