Chapter 16

Chapter 16 — (Cracks in the Group)

The next morning, the four friends met before class.

But things weren't the same anymore.

Han-seok barely spoke to Me-yongi.

Seo-jun seemed distracted.

Miho noticed everything.

Miho: “We're supposed to be solving this together. We can't keep acting like this.”

Han-seok looked at her.

Han-seok: “I'm just being careful.”

Me-yongi lowered her eyes.

Me-yongi: “It's okay. I understand.”

Miho frowned.

Miho: “No, it isn't.”

Seo-jun finally spoke.

Seo-jun: “Miho's right. We need to focus on Soo-ah.”

Han-seok opened the notebook.

Han-seok: “Then let's focus.”

He pointed at the clues.

Han-seok: “The student who died saw Soo-ah before the party.”

Seo-jun nodded.

Seo-jun: “And he knew she was talking to someone.”

Miho added:

Miho: “Soo-ah's sister saw a girl with her.”

Han-seok looked at Me-yongi.

Han-seok: “And someone doesn't want us to find out who that girl was.”

Me-yongi looked uncomfortable.

Me-yongi: “Maybe we should stop.”

Miho immediately shook her head.

Miho: “No.”

Me-yongi looked at her.

Miho: “We can't stop just because someone is trying to scare us.”

Han-seok nodded.

Han-seok: “Agreed.”

After School

Seo-jun went to the library to look through old school records.

Me-yongi followed him.

Seo-jun: “You don't have to help.”

Me-yongi: “I want to.”

They sat together and searched through old class lists and activity records.

After a while, Me-yongi pointed at a name.

Me-yongi: “Look.”

Seo-jun leaned closer.

Me-yongi: “She was in Soo-ah's club.”

Seo-jun wrote the name down.

Seo-jun: “That's useful.”

Me-yongi smiled.

Me-yongi: “See? I'm helping.”

Seo-jun: “You are.”

She looked at him.

Me-yongi: “You still trust me, right?”

Seo-jun paused.

Then nodded.

Seo-jun: “Yeah.”

Me-yongi smiled.

Me-yongi: “Good.”

Meanwhile…

Miho and Han-seok were walking home together.

Han-seok suddenly stopped.

Miho: “What?”

He looked at her.

Han-seok: “You're still defending Me-yongi.”

Miho nodded.

Miho: “Because I don't believe she's involved.”

Han-seok: “Even after everything?”

Miho: “She's my friend.”

Han-seok sighed.

Han-seok: “Just promise me something.”

Miho: “What?”

Han-seok: “If you ever feel like something is wrong, don't ignore it.”

Miho smiled.

Miho: “I won't.”

Han-seok nodded.

They continued walking.

After a few steps, Miho's hand accidentally brushed against his.

Neither moved away.

They looked at each other.

Han-seok smirked.

Han-seok: “You nervous?”

Miho rolled her eyes.

Miho: “In your dreams.”

He laughed.

That evening, Seo-jun sent everyone a photo of the information they found.

SEO-JUN: We found another connection to Soo-ah.

Miho replied immediately.

MIHO: Who?

Before Seo-jun could answer, another message appeared.

SEO-JUN: I'll tell you tomorrow.

Miho frowned.

Then her phone vibrated again.

This time, it was an unknown number.

UNKNOWN: You're trusting the wrong person.

Miho stared at the screen.

She didn't reply.

Across the city, someone else was staring at the same conversation.

And smiling.

To be continued…