After the confrontation with Nari, Na-young tried to settle back into her routine, but the tension lingered. Nari's threat still hung over her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that things were shifting, like the calm before a storm. At least Ji-ho had been there for her, through his words from that day echoed in her mind: "Nari's relentless."
It wasn't long before Na-young began to notice new faces at Willow Heights. Not all of them were students. One morning, as she walked toward the music room, she spotted a girl her age leaning against the wall, her dark hair tied back in a sleek ponytail. She had an air of quiet confidence, her sharp gaze taking in her surroundings as if she knew more than she let on.
"Hey you're Na-young, right?" the girl said, stepping forward. Her voice casual, but her eyes were keen, observing every movement Na-young made.
"Yeah," Na-young replied, slightly wary. "Who are you?"
"I'm Sophie," she said with a small smile."Foreign exchange student. I've been hearing about you."
Na-young tensed, wondering if this was another set up for more gossip. "What have you heard?"
"Relax," Sophie said, laughing lightly. "I'm not with Nari and her minions. I actually think it's pretty cool what you've been doing- standing up for yourself and all."
Na-young blinked in surprise. It wasn't often that someone acknowledged her struggles in a position way. "Thanks, I guess." "I'm serious," Sophie continue, her tone sincere . "It takes guts to survive in a place like this, especially with people like Nari running around. You're stronger than you look."
Na-young wasn't sure how to respond but there was something about Sophie that put her at ease. Maybe it was her relaxed demeanor or the way she seemed to see through the superficiality of Willow Heights. Either way, Na-young found herself smiling, "I'm just trying to make it through the year"
Sophie nodded,"Aren't we all?" As the two of them talked, Na-young realized that Sophie was different from most of the students at Willow Heights. She wasn't interested in typical social games; she was sharp, witty, and had a quick sense of humor. Na-young found herself liking and more and more, glad to have someone who didn't see her as just "the scholarship girl."
But Sophie wasn't the only new face that Na-young encountered that day. In the afternoon, Na-young was called to meet with one of the school's administrators, Mr Copper, who had always seemed stern and distant. As she made her way to the office,a group of students huddled together, whispering about something. Normally, Na-young as ignored it but a name called her attention . she's slowed her pace listening carefully. "He's been acting strange lately," one of the students muttered. "Like he is hiding something."
"You don't think it has to do with his family do you? asked another. I mean, his dad's pretty powerful. Maybe there's something going on behind the scenes." Na-young heart skipped a beat. Ji-ho had always been private about his family, but now that she thought about it, there had been moment when he seemed distracted, as if something was weighing on him. Later that evening.
Na-young met up with Sophie in the library. They were beginning to form an easy friendship, and Sophie had quickly become someone Na-young could talk to. But as they sat together, discussing homework and sharing jokes, Na-young's phone buzzed. it was a text from Ji-ho. "Please meet me outside the music hall. urgent."
Na-young frowned. Ji-ho really send cryptic messages like that. She quickly packed up her things, telling Sophie she had to go.
Outside, the campus was quiet, the sky was dimming into twilight. When Na-young reached the music hall, Ji-ho was already there, pacing back and forth his face tense.
"What's going on? Na-young asked, approaching him.
Ji-ho looked up, his expression dark, "I need your help."
Na-young's heart raced. "Help with what?"
Before Ji-ho could answer, a black car pulled up to the curb. The windows tinted, and door swung open with a crack. Inside sat a mad Na-young had never seen before- tall, well - dressed, with a cold, calculating gaze.
" Ji-ho, get in," the man said sharply. Ji-ho's face paled, but he didn't move. "Na-young, this is my father's driver," he explained, his voice stained. "My family... they're
involved in something dangerous. I
didn't want to bring you into this, but
I didn't want have a choice." Na-young's blood ran cold."What do you mean?"
The driver's voice grew impatient. "We don't have time for explanations. Get in the car. Now."
Before either one of them could react, two man stepped out of the car, their faces expressionless. one of them grabbed Ji-ho by the arm pulling him towards the vehicle "Ji-ho!" Na-young shouted, running forward, but the second man blocked her path, his grip firm as he shoved her aside, Everything happened so fast. Na-young tried to fight back, her mind racing, but the men were too strong. Ji-ho struggled against them, his face contorted with fear, but he was not much for their force. "Na-young, ran!" Ji-ho shouted as they forced into the car.
Before Na-young could do anything, the door slammed shut, and the car sped away, leaving her standing in the empty courtyard, her heart pounding in the chest. Ji-ho has been kidnapped.