Chapter 12: Challenge from the Outside – Political Attacks & a Double Life
Chapter 12: Challenge from the Outside – Political Attacks & a Double Life
Since the revelation of Min Hyuk's scandal, Gevran's name had begun to rise—not just within Daehan International School, but across national media. Within a week, the hashtag #GevranForChange became a trending topic on Korean social platforms. Daehan alumni, educational figures, and even some young politicians praised his bravery.
But… praise never came alone.
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Jido's Office – Korindro Group Headquarters
"He's starting to attract too much attention," murmured one of the finance directors.
"An opposition lawmaker is digging into your son's background," added another, placing a stack of investigative reports on the desk.
Jido nodded, eyes scanning the page—until a single line made his blood boil:
> 'Gevran Yi Jido's origins are questionable. Rumors suggest he is not the biological son of Korindro's Chairman.'
Jido clenched his fist. "Our enemies are starting to target the family."
---
At School – International Cafeteria
"There's a TikTok account spreading rumors that you're an adopted kid from overseas," said Soo-bin, showing her phone screen.
"And another account claims you're actually a homeless child bought by Korindro for a publicity stunt," Ara added.
Gevran exhaled. He had expected this. But it still stung.
"That doesn't matter," he said calmly. "What matters is what I'm doing now."
---
At Home – Night
Jido called Gevran into his private study.
"You need to be ready. The world outside school isn't as fair as a classroom," Jido said, handing him an envelope filled with data from the smear campaign.
"Are you sure you still want to run for Student Council President?"
Gevran looked his father in the eyes.
"Isn't this just the beginning? If I run away now, I don't deserve to call myself an anti-bullying fighter."
---
The Next Day – Open Debate for Student Council President
The debate was broadcast publicly to alumni and parents. The other candidate, So-mi, a third-year student known for her intelligence and conservative stance, stepped forward.
"Gevran's just popular because of drama. We don't need a celebrity in the student council—we need a manager," she said during her turn.
Gevran didn't flinch. When his turn came, he stood and said:
> "I won't promise to please everyone. But I promise to stand for those who've never had a voice—because I used to be one of them."
Applause erupted. Cameras zoomed in on alumni visibly moved by his words.
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Outside School – Office of Young Politicians
"This kid has public magnetism," said a young council member while watching the debate footage.
"Let's recruit him for the Youth Reform Forum next year. If we're lucky, he'll be the face of our party's change."
"And if he can't be controlled?" someone asked.
"Then we destroy him before he grows too big."
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End of the Day – School Rooftop
Han Jimin sat beside Gevran, both of them gazing at the Seoul night sky.
"Tomorrow's the election. You ready?"
Gevran gave a faint smile. "Ready to lose. But even more ready… to win."
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Election Morning – Daehan International School Gymnasium
The gym was buzzing. Students in formal uniforms, teachers in the stands, camera crews setting up for the live broadcast. Banners of both candidates fluttered near the entrance—"Experience, Not Fame – Vote So-mi!" and "A New Voice – Vote Gevran!"
Soo-bin adjusted Gevran's tie, her fingers slightly trembling.
"You know they tried to ban TikTok today?"
"Ironic," Gevran chuckled. "The school that allowed a surveillance network can't handle a couple of truths going viral."
Ara approached with her tablet. "Last-minute data: 68% student support, 51% faculty approval. But some parents have started a petition against you. Rumors of your background are spreading fast on community forums."
"I was never running to make parents happy," Gevran replied. "Just the students."
---
The Vote
The voting system was digital—anonymized, secure, yet still vulnerable to outside influence. Ara stayed behind in the server room with her hacking rig, not to rig the vote, but to protect it.
"I swear," she whispered to herself, typing furiously, "anyone who tries to ghost-vote or crash the server is getting traced."
In the gym, the candidates were called to the stage.
So-mi gave her final speech, elegant and articulate. She spoke of tradition, order, and restoring Daehan's reputation after recent "chaos."
Gevran followed. His voice was steady, but carried weight.
> "They called me drama. They called me fake. Some even called me an outsider.
But maybe being on the outside is what taught me how the system fails those in it.
I don't want to be president to silence others.
I want to be president so everyone gets heard—even the ones like me, who were once forgotten."
Silence. Then thunderous applause.
In that moment, it wasn't about popularity anymore.
It was about hope.
---
That Afternoon – Student Council Room
The results were in.
Soo-bin ran toward the hallway where Gevran stood with Yoon-jae and Ara.
"You won," she breathed. "By thirty-seven votes."
Cheers erupted. Yoon-jae lifted him in the air. Ara allowed herself a rare smile.
But the joy was cut short by a single notification on Ara's tablet.
She tapped the screen—and her eyes widened.
"They just released a full article online," she whispered.
"About what?" Gevran asked.
"About your original identity."
---
Jido's Office – Korindro Headquarters
Jido stared at the headline from a political blog:
> "EXPOSÉ: Korindro Heir or Staged Savior? The Truth Behind Gevran's Adoption, Death Records, and Mysterious Origins."
The page included forged documents and photos from Gevran's childhood—his life before rebirth.
Jido picked up the phone. "Trace the publisher. And send a warning: if they want a war, I'll bury them in truth."
---
Evening – Secret Rooftop Meeting
Han Jimin arrived with snacks, finding Gevran sitting alone under the city lights.
"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" she asked.
"Tell them what?"
"That you weren't born as Gevran Yi Jido. That you were someone else. Poor. Abandoned. Hurt."
He looked at her, eyes tired but burning. "Would they have listened if I did?"
"No. But I still would have stood with you."
For a while, they said nothing.
Then Jimin leaned her head on his shoulder. "Let them dig. Let them scream. You're not fighting alone anymore, remember?"
Gevran smiled—quietly.
"Let them come."
---
Post-Credit Scene – Office of Youth Reform Forum
"That kid just won an election… after a smear campaign."
The young lawmaker smirked.
"He's either a threat to the system or a weapon we can use. Either way, let's bring him in."
A letter was typed that night. Official, gold-sealed, and sent to Daehan's address:
> "Dear Mr. Gevran Yi Jido,
You are hereby invited as a keynote speaker for the upcoming National Youth Reform Conference.
The future is listening."
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Gevran's Journal, Final Entry of the Chapter:
> They tried to erase who I was.
But maybe… I needed to lose everything to become someone new.
Today, I won an election.
Tomorrow?
I enter a world much darker than any classroom.
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