Daewon blinked, his eyes narrowing as he listened intently. Joon's face filled the screen, and for a moment, there was a silence that hung heavy in the air.
Joon sat in a small, dimly lit room, which looked deliberately somber. A single lamp cast a soft light on his face, highlighting his carefully arranged expression of regret. He stared directly into the camera, his lips pressed into a thin line as if he were struggling with the weight of what he was about to say.
"Hey, everyone," Joon began, his voice low and seemingly sincere. "I know there's been a lot of talk about what happened, and I've had some time to think about my actions..."
For a moment, Joon paused, letting his words hang in the air. Then, his lips curved into a slight, almost imperceptible smirk, which quickly disappeared before anyone could register it.
"I wanna apologize," he repeated, "to Daewon and to everyone who was affected by that video. I've realized that what I did was... well, it wasn't right."
He paused again, a dramatic sigh escaping his lips as he ran a hand through his hair, looking down as if grappling with some deep remorse. But to those who knew him well, like Daewon, there was something off—a hint of insincerity behind the regret.
"I understand now," Joon continued, "that I shouldn't have exposed Daewon like that. It's just... you know, sometimes people do things in the heat of the moment without thinking about the consequences."
He looked back up at the camera, his eyes seeming to sparkle with a hidden amusement. "And honestly, I'm sorry... that you all had to see that. It wasn't my best moment."
His tone shifted slightly, the mockery creeping in at the edges of his voice. "I really feel bad that Daewon had to go through this. It's tough being the center of attention like that, especially when... well, when everyone can see what's really going on."
Joon's smirk became more pronounced, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I didn't mean to hurt him, of course. It's just, you know, when the truth comes out, it's hard for some people to handle."
As he spoke, Joon's friends could be heard laughing softly in the background, though they tried to stifle it. The camera shook slightly as one of them nudged Joon's arm, causing him to break character for a split second and flash a grin before he regained his somber expression.
"But seriously," Joon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I hope Daewon's doing okay. I really do. And I hope he knows that, well, sometimes life is just unfair like that. But I'm sure he'll get through it. He seems like a tough guy."
The laughter in the background grew louder, and Joon's smirk became a full-blown smile. He leaned closer to the camera, his eyes twinkling with malicious glee. "So yeah, Daewon, if you're watching this... I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Sorry that everyone knows what kind of person you really are now."
Joon leaned back, folding his arms over his chest as if satisfied with his performance. "And to everyone else... I hope you can all forgive me for my little mistake. We all make them, right? Anyway, thanks for tuning in, and remember—always be yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks."
With that, Joon ended the live stream abruptly, leaving his audience to process what they had just witnessed. The screen went dark, and the live stream ended.
Daewon's eyes narrowed as the live stream ended, the screen going dark as Joon's mocking smirk faded from view. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the city outside his window. Only the light from his phone illuminated the space, casting shadows that danced across the walls.
He set his phone aside and stood up, the movement revealing a striking transformation. His bare torso displayed a prominent snake tattoo slithering up his left arm. The serpent's scales were meticulously detailed, giving the impression of movement. On his back, an angel was inked, its hands lifted as though reaching for something beyond the confines of reality. The contrast of the dark, coiled snake against the serene, reaching angel was powerful, symbolizing a dichotomy of struggle and aspiration.
Daewon's physique was equally impressive. His muscles were well-defined, his abs visibly sculpted, a testament to his intense training. His skin was pale, accentuating the intricate tattoos and the definition of his muscles. His previously unkempt hair was now styled into a sharp, edgy cut, further enhancing his formidable appearance.
He glanced at his phone once more, seeing Joon's smug face. There was no visible reaction, only a cool resolve as he turned off his phone. Daewon returned to his workout. The sweat that formed on his body mixed with the cool sheen of his tattoos, a visual reminder of his dedication and strength. His focus was unwavering, his demeanor cold and detached.
The sun had barely risen when Seojun checked his phone, his fingers tapping anxiously on the screen, waiting for a response from Daewon. He asked him if he's alright or doing well. The night had been long, filled with worry for Daewon. Finally, a new message notification appeared.
**Daewon:** "I'm okay."
Seojun let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. It was a brief response, but it was enough. He quickly grabbed his things and headed out, feeling a bit lighter as he made his way to school.
Meanwhile, Hyeri was on her way to school, her fingers drumming impatiently on her phone as she awaited a response from Daewon. She had texted him earlier, asking if he would be coming to school today.
Her phone buzzed with a new message. She checked it eagerly and saw Daewon's reply:
**Daewon:** (shrug emoji)
Hyeri stared at the screen, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. "A shrug emoji? Really?" she muttered, her irritation bubbling over. "How rude."
She shook her head in annoyance . "After all that's happened, this is all he can manage? An emoji? It's like he doesn't even care."
As she continued her walk, lost in her thoughts, someone accidentally bumped into her. "Oh, sorry," the person mumbled, continuing on without waiting for a response.
"It's okay," Hyeri replied, turning her head slightly but unable to catch a glimpse of the person's face. She frowned, sensing something familiar but unable to place it.
She shook off the encounter and quickened her pace, eventually meeting Seojun at the school gates. They exchanged greetings, and Seojun asked, "Did you hear back from Daewon?"
Hyeri huffed, crossing her arms. "Yeah, but it was just an emoji. What about you?"
Seojun showed her his phone. "I got two words: 'I'm okay.'"
Hyeri's annoyance flared. "Of course. You get words, and I get a shrug. It's so unfair."
Seojun tried to reassure her. "Maybe he's just keeping things simple. He probably has a lot on his mind."
Hyeri was still frustrated but nodded. "I guess. I just wish he'd be a bit more... open with us."
They walked towards their classroom, and as they approached, they saw a new figure stepping inside. The person's back was turned, so they couldn't see their face, but there was something familiar about the way they moved.
"Who's that?" Hyeri asked, her curiosity piqued.
Seojun shrugged. "Not sure. Maybe a new student?"
They exchanged a look of intrigue before heading into the classroom, unaware that the new classmate was someone they knew very well—Daewon, though they did not yet realize it.
As Hyeri and Seojun walked into the classroom, they noticed the new student sitting quietly in the back. The person was dressed in a hoodie that hid their physique making it impossible to guess who they were. The hood was pulled low over their face, adding more mystery in the air. They sat with a posture that suggested a mix of nonchalance and relaxation, but their presence was enough to catch the attention of the entire class.
The chatter in the room ended as the new student took their place, a subtle unease spreading among the students. Hyeri and Seojun exchanged curious glances but said nothing, their attention momentarily diverted from their earlier conversation.
The door creaked open, and Joon walked in with his usual show off , a smirk appeared on his face. His eyes scanned the classroom with a predatory look, looking for someone to target. He turned his attention at Hyeri, but he quickly noticed Seojun beside her. Joon's smirk widened, recognizing that targeting Hyeri while Seojun was around wouldn't be as easy as he hoped.
Indifferently, Joon scoffed then he turned his attention to the new student in the back. The hooded figure caught his interest, and he made his way over, his eyes narrowing in a mix of curiosity and interest. He stood over the new student, a mocking grin spreading across his face.
"Hey there, new guy," Joon taunted, leaning in close.
The new student remained still, only the subtle movement of their shoulders indicating any awareness of Joon's presence. With a sudden motion, Joon attempted to strike, his fist aimed at the hooded figure's face.
But in a swift, fluid response, the new student's arm shot up, blocking the attack effortlessly. Joon's eyes widened in surprise as the student's grip tightened around his wrist, effectively immobilizing him.
Without a word, the hooded figure slowly pulled back their hood, revealing a familiar face beneath. Joon's eyes widened in recognition "You" he said, aware that he saw this face before.