EPISODE 23: The Aftermath
**SCENE START]
INT. ACADEMY HALLWAY - NIGHT
The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. JUNG MIN-JUN (18) stands frozen in the hallway, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. He's staring at HYUN-WOO (18), who looks more confident than ever before.
JUNG MIN-JUN (Whispering) What did you say?
HYUN-WOO (His voice is low and firm) He'll use you, Min-jun. He'll get you to the top and then watch you fall. I know what he's capable of. I know what he did.
Min-jun's bravado returns. He scoffs, running a hand through his hair.
JUNG MIN-JUN You're crazy. You don't know anything about him. You're just jealous. You can't handle the fact that I'm going to be a star and you're still stuck in this school.
HYUN-WOO (Shaking his head slowly) This isn't about jealousy. This is a warning. The man you're talking to? He's a snake. He'll offer you everything and take away more than you can imagine.
A flash of genuine fear crosses Min-jun's face, but he quickly covers it with a sneer.
JUNG MIN-JUN Get out of my way. You have no idea what you're talking about.
He shoves past Hyun-woo and walks away quickly, his confident swagger gone. He disappears down the hall, leaving Hyun-woo alone.
[SCENE END]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hyun-woo's room is dark, save for the blue glow of his laptop screen. He's surrounded by books and papers, but his focus is entirely on the screen. He's searching online, typing keywords he never thought he'd use again.
He pulls up an old news article from 2025. The headline reads: A-STAR SCANDAL SHAKES K-POP INDUSTRY. Below it, a black-and-white photo of a younger, more confident version of himself.
His hands are shaking as he scrolls. He sees the name of the entertainment company that replaced his, and then a familiar name from his future: DIRECTOR LEE, now just a CEO of a small-time company called Nexus Entertainment.
He pulls up another article. It's from a financial magazine, detailing Nexus's struggles in 2013 and its ambitious plan to acquire a new, talented group to save itself from bankruptcy.
Hyun-woo closes his laptop, the screen's glow fading, leaving him in darkness. The pieces are all clicking into place. Director Lee isn't just a random threat; he's the man from his past who he has to defeat to secure his future.
[SCENE END]
EXT. SCHOOL YARD - DAY
It's a beautiful afternoon, but Hyun-woo doesn't notice. He is sitting on a bench, waiting for JISOO. She walks over, her face bright and cheerful.
JISOO Hey, you wanted to talk?
Hyun-woo nods. He looks around nervously, making sure no one is listening.
HYUN-WOO (He speaks in a low voice) I need you to do something for me. I can't tell you why, but... stay away from Jung Min-jun.
Jisoo's smile falters, replaced by a confused frown.
JISOO What? Why? He seems like a good guy. A bit cocky, but...
HYUN-WOO (Cuts her off) Please, just trust me on this. And if he ever tries to get you to sign with a company called Nexus Entertainment... don't. Promise me.
Jisoo's eyes widen. She sees the genuine fear in his eyes, a look she's never seen before. She doesn't understand, but she knows he's not joking.
JISOO (Her voice is serious) I promise. But Hyun-woo... what is going on with you?
Hyun-woo looks away, unable to meet her gaze. He can't tell her the truth. Not yet. He's now fully aware that the past isn't just his to fix—it's also his to protect.
[SCENE END]