Season 3 – Episode 19: A Cruel Game (II)
Footsteps echoed along the sidewalks as Ellie hurried down the street, running as fast as she could.
She wore a brown sweater, a maroon muffler wrapped around her neck, and earmuffs to protect herself from the cold. Her breath came in short bursts as she rushed forward, desperately trying to make up for lost time.
Ellie: Shit, shit, shit...
She quickened her pace, struggling to catch her breath.
Ellie: No way! I didn't realize it was this late. I'm going to be a whole thirty minutes late on the first day of the new school year!
She pushed herself to run faster, trying to keep her balance as her feet nearly caught against each other.
Ellie: Ouch...
She squeezed one eye shut at the brief sting but kept running, biting her lip to suppress the sound of discomfort.
Ellie: I was so excited about getting my weekly salary from that part-time job that I completely lost track of time!
At last, Blackridge Academy came into view.
The entrance gate stood open, but only a handful of students could be seen on the school grounds. The walls had been cleaned, though patches of rust remained. The trees surrounding the academy were still bare, their branches waiting for the leaves that would gradually return with the changing season.
The damage from the conflict between Jin and the officer had not been entirely repaired, either. The crater remained, and several windows were still cracked.
Yet none of the students knew what had truly happened there.
Even the school's management seemed confused by the damage and the circumstances surrounding it.
---
At Ironfall Academy
The day progressed normally.
Heaters installed in the corners of each classroom provided warmth against the cold, making the rooms comfortable despite the weather outside. The tiled floors and surrounding surfaces gleamed so brightly that they almost seemed capable of reflecting the students' faces.
Samantha walked through the hallway with Kelly and Mina following close behind.
She glanced down at the polished floor, studying her reflection.
Kelly noticed and followed her gaze.
Kelly: Don't be surprised. Our school has always been this clean.
Samantha: I'm not looking at that idiot. I'm looking at myself.
Kelly looked down at the floor again before turning toward her friend.
Kelly: Yeah, well, your old hairstyle wasn't the best. You look absolutely striking now.
Mina, who had been walking behind them, finally spoke up.
Mina: But, Samantha, why did you change your hairstyle?
Samantha stopped and turned to face her.
Samantha: Good question. You're always so observant, Mina. Do you think there's a good reason I did this?
Mina shrugged.
Mina: Obviously. I mean, the timing matches what I'm thinking, but I'd still like to hear it from you.
Samantha waved one hand dramatically, allowing a few strands of her newly styled hair to fall along the side of her face.
Samantha: Well, if I'm going to become the queen here, eliminate Lily, manipulate people, and become popular among the boys, this is the bare minimum.
Kelly and Mina exchanged mischievous smirks.
Both: Oh, yeahhhh?
A faint blush crept across Samantha's cheeks. She lightly slapped both of them to make them stop teasing her.
Samantha: Shut up!
She turned back toward Mina and cleared her throat, quickly returning to the matter at hand.
Samantha: You're going to Lily after school ends, okay?
Mina's smirk faded as she listened.
Samantha: You don't have to do anything big. Just approach her normally, like a—
She stopped, searching for the right words.
Kelly: Like a classmate. Like a normal student. Keep your tone friendly and act naturally.
Samantha clapped her hands together.
Samantha: Exactly!
Mina's shoulders slumped slightly, and her expression turned into a childish pout.
Mina: Sure, sure. So I have to handle the main task now.
Kelly: Now, now. We know you're the smartest among us, don't we? Besides, we might screw things up. You're the only one who can keep yourself together. If it were us, we might end up beating her up instead.
Mina: Alright, alright... You're so dramatic. I'll do it.
Kelly and Samantha immediately jumped with excitement.
Both: Yahoooo!
The girls had made their plans.
And this was only the beginning.
---
Meanwhile...
Inside another classroom, the teacher continued the lesson while the students focused on their work.
Jin sat quietly at his desk, his attention fixed on his notebook.
With nothing unusual happening in the city anymore, he had settled into a relatively peaceful routine. For now, he was simply trying to study and make the most of his time at school.
Yet there was a feeling he couldn't shake.
Something remained unfinished.
He couldn't explain it, but a faint sense of unease lingered somewhere in the back of his mind, as though an event he couldn't yet identify was waiting to unfold.
Jin lifted his gaze toward the window.
Outside, white clouds drifted across the clear sky, slowly approaching before disappearing from view.
He watched them in silence, his thoughts lingering on that inexplicable feeling.
Down on the school grounds, Tom stood with the three friends he usually spent his time with. The group was chatting animatedly about video games, their conversation filled with laughter and occasional complaints.
Dean: Seriously, that level was so difficult.
Oliver: Nah, bro, you're right. If it weren't for Tom, we would've been done for.
Walter: Thanks to Tom, we managed to clear the whole thing.
Tom rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed by their praise.
Tom: Oh, please. You're making me embarrassed.
Oliver: You're good at studying and gaming, man. My mom would've taken you instead of me. All I do is play games.
Dean: Damn, bro! Don't let Tom meet your mom. She might adopt him and throw you out.
The entire group burst into laughter.
However, Walter soon noticed something unusual about Tom's expression. His friend seemed distracted, carrying a nervousness that didn't quite fit his usual personality.
Walter: Are you okay, Tom?
Tom snapped out of his thoughts and looked at him.
Tom: ...Yeah, yeah. I'm good.
Dean: No, you're not. You look like you've been thinking about something for a long time.
Tom hesitated.
Tom: Well... there's someone.
The three boys immediately leaned closer, their curiosity getting the better of them.
Walter: Say it.
Dean: Someone is what? And who?
Oliver: You better tell us quickly.
Tom opened his mouth.
Tom: *****************
For a moment, the three boys stared at him in complete disbelief.
Then all of them shouted at once.
All three: HUUUH?! WHAT?!
Their voices carried across the school grounds, drawing a few curious glances from nearby students.
---
A Change of Plans
The first day of school passed normally for Lily.
As the final lessons ended, she began packing her belongings into her bag, preparing to leave the classroom.
She had just finished gathering her things when Evoxy stepped in front of her.
Evoxy: Hey, Lily. Wait.
Lily looked up.
Lily: Yes?
Evoxy: Are you free? Like, just for an hour?
Lily: I am, but I have to go somewhere before heading home.
Evoxy: Forget that for a moment and listen. I heard there's a new restaurant—or, well, it was renovated. They've added so many new Japanese dishes.
Lily's eyes immediately sparkled.
Lily: You're not kidding?
Evoxy: I sure am not.
Lily: I really love Japanese food! Yes, I'm in.
Evoxy: Good, then. Let's go.
The two girls turned toward the classroom door, ready to leave together.
But before they could take another step, a voice called out from behind them.
Mina: Lily?
Both girls stopped and turned around.
Mina had risen from her desk and was approaching them, looking somewhat hesitant.
Mina: I, um... I want you to come with me, if you're free.
Lily raised an eyebrow.
Lily: You? What could you possibly want from me?
Mina: It's nothing. There are just a few things I didn't understand in today's lesson.
Lily: Ohh, you want me to help you with your homework?
Mina nodded.
Lily hesitated and glanced between Mina and Evoxy.
Lily: Well, um...
Before she could finish, Evoxy stepped forward, positioning herself between the two girls.
Mina's eyes widened slightly.
Evoxy: Sorry, Mina, but Lily isn't free. We already have plans. You'll have to wait for your turn. Come tomorrow, I guess.
She crossed her arms firmly.
Mina instinctively stepped back a little.
Mina: But it's urgent! I really need help with—
Evoxy: You heard me. I won't say it again. Lily and I are going to eat some special food, okay?
Mina fell silent.
After a brief pause, she nodded and walked away.
Evoxy watched her leave before turning back toward Lily.
Evoxy: Why would she suddenly ask you for help?
Lily: She's not the best at studying, you know. She needs help with some problems, too.
The two girls exchanged smiles and left the classroom together, unaware of the trouble their decision had just caused.
---
A sharp slap echoed through the otherwise empty hallway.
Mina stood frozen, one hand pressed against her cheek where Samantha had struck her. Her head was lowered, and she didn't immediately say anything.
Samantha glared at her while Kelly stood nearby, equally displeased.
Kelly: You're kidding us, right? You couldn't even convince Lily to come here!
Mina: I-It was because of Evoxy! She already had plans with Lily, so she told me to come back tomorrow.
Samantha: And you just let them leave? So easily?
Mina shook her head and finally looked up.
Mina: I didn't! I told her I really needed help, but Evoxy ruined everything!
Samantha's expression hardened.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then her lips curled into a displeased smile.
Samantha: So, Evoxy wants to be part of our little game, huh?
She paused, her gaze sharpening.
Samantha: But... no.
Her thoughts shifted back to Lily, and her irritation only grew.
Samantha: Maybe this is just another reason to fuel my anger toward Lily. I'll deal with her myself.
She turned toward the other two girls.
Samantha: Come on. Follow them.
Kelly and Mina exchanged a glance before following her.
---
For the rest of the afternoon, the three girls stalked Lily and Evoxy from a distance.
They followed the pair all the way to the newly renovated restaurant, where Lily and Evoxy went inside to enjoy their meal.
Samantha, Kelly, and Mina remained outside.
Kelly glanced toward the restaurant entrance, clearly unhappy with their situation.
Kelly: If only we had enough money to go inside.
They could do nothing but wait until the two girls eventually emerged.
When Lily and Evoxy finally left the restaurant, they stood together on the sidewalk for a short while before Lily called a taxi.
The vehicle arrived, and Lily climbed inside.
As the taxi pulled away, Samantha kicked a small stone across the sidewalk in frustration.
Samantha: We can't follow her now.
Kelly: So, what now?
Mina looked at the departing vehicle, then at Samantha.
Mina: Today was bad, wasn't it?
Samantha's expression remained unreadable for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Samantha: It's only going to get worse from here. You're not safe from me, Lily.
Her gaze followed the taxi as it disappeared farther down the road.
Samantha: You're already part of the game. You just haven't realized it yet.
Kelly and Mina looked at her.
There was something unsettling about the creepy smile spreading across Samantha's face. Both girls felt a chill run through them, though neither dared to question her.
Samantha: The taxi she took? I already told the driver to leave her outside Tom's house.
The smile on her face widened.
The taxi continued along the road, eventually changing its route and heading toward a destination Lily had never visited before.
A place she would never have chosen to go on her own.
To be continued...