"It was pure chaos,"
the reporter continued. "With people pushing and being pushed, many lost their footing. The crowd that had gathered in the morning numbered over 80,000. Authorities have confirmed that around twenty people suffered serious injuries, most from trampling."
The camera panned to stretchers lined up near the gates, paramedics moving quickly, their voices drowned under the wail of sirens.
The sight of bloodied faces and bent glasses scattered on the pavement made the danger of the "free event" impossible to ignore.
The anchor's voice lowered, grave:
"Officials say investigations are underway into the lack of proper safety measures. Parents are urged to remain calm as emergency crews work to secure the scene."
The broadcast cut back to the chaotic crowd, frozen on one frame: an ocean of hands and panicked faces pressed shoulder to shoulder, the very image of disorder.
At the hospital room
Yang Jinsu leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes wide.
"Sprain? That's it?"
Irina nodded, still looking relieved. "Yeah, the doctor said it's just a sprain. His arms were trembling from the weight, but nothing's broken."
Jinsu clicked his tongue in disbelief. "Tch. With that many people piling on him, I thought for sure he'd have at least a broken bone. And he walks out with just a sprain? What the hell is he made of?"
Irina burst out laughing. "Hahaha, right? Guess he's way stronger than he looks."
Jinkyung, sitting at the edge of the bed, sighed with a dreamy grin. "Still… it was pretty romantic, you know. Throwing himself over Hyorim like that."
Irina grinned mischievously, joining in. Together, she and Jinkyung said in perfect unison:
"Seojin really loves Hyorim ❤."
Hyorim's face flared red instantly. "S-shut up…" she muttered, her voice quiet but sharp, eyes darting to the side.
The memory of Seojin's arms bracing above her, his gaze locked with hers, replayed in her mind and her cheeks only deepened in color.
Jinsu, meanwhile, barked out a laugh. "Anyway, forget that did you see the bastard who shoved her? Knocked out cold! Hahaha!"
Jinkyung chuckled, remembering the scene. "Yeah… Seojin's punch sent him flying. He didn't just fall, he launched."
The room filled with laughter, save for Hyorim, who buried her face in her hands, ears burning red.
Hyorim shifted awkwardly, clearly working up the courage to say something. "Seojin… I… th-thank" She cut herself off, her face flushing red as her words trailed away.
Jinkyung and Irina exchanged sly looks, both fighting back grins at her reaction.
I exhaled and gave a small smile, trying to ease the mood. "Well… today turned-out kind of insane. We should just head home."
Then I paused, glancing at everyone around. "Actually, how about this why don't we all come to my place for a bit? Just hang out, relax. After everything that happened, it'll be better than going straight home, right?"
Irina face lit up immediately. "Ooooh, an invitation from Seojin himself! I'm in."
Jinkyung smirked. "Yeah, after all that chaos, I could use somewhere calmer. Count me in too."
Even Yang Jinsu perked up. "What, for real? Then I'll go too!"
I added quickly, "We should call Park Dong and the others as well. No reason to leave them out."
For a moment, Hyorim looked at me, surprised. Then, as if realizing it wasn't just about her, her shoulders relaxed. Still, the faint blush on her cheeks stayed as she muttered quietly, "…Fine. If everyone's going ill come too"
Outside the hospital, the rain had finally stopped, leaving the air cool and damp. We were all standing by the curb, bags in hand, waiting.
Irina stretched her arms with a sigh. "So who exactly are we waiting for again?"
"My driver," I said casually, checking my phone. "He should be here any minute."
Irina blinked. "Driver? You mean like... your personal driver?"
Jinkyung squinted at me. "Hold up, you're rich?"
I just shrugged. "Rich enough."
Before anyone could react, the low hum of an engine echoed down the street.
A sleek black limousine glided into view, headlights cutting through the mist, and came to a smooth stop right in front of us.
Everyone froze.
The driver a man in a crisp suit and white gloves stepped out, bowed politely, and opened the rear door. "Good afternoon, young sir. I hope the wait wasn't too long."
"Not at all," I said, keeping my tone even, though I could feel six pairs of eyes burning holes into my back.
The driver moved to the side, still holding the door open with a respectful nod.
As I stepped forward and ducked halfway into the car, I glanced back.
Irina's jaw was literally hanging.
Seolhyo had her phone halfway up, clearly debating whether to take a photo.
Yang Jinsu's mouth moved soundlessly, like a fish out of water.
Jinkyung was blinking in disbelief.
"What are you all doing?" I asked, smirking. "Get in."
The four of them slid into the limo, the door shutting with a heavy thunk.
The soft leather seats, the faint glow of the ceiling lights, even the built-in cooler it all screamed luxury.
But instead of settling in, everyone just… stared at me.
I shifted uncomfortably, raising a brow. "...What? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Irina leaned forward, eyes wide. "What is this car?"
I blinked at her. "A… limousine?"
Her jaw dropped, and Jinkyung smacked her hand against the seat. "Hold on. Don't 'limousine' me like it's nothing. Are you are you rich or something?"
Yang Jinsu whistled low, stretching his legs across the glossy floor. "Damn… no wonder your clothes seem all brand new. You've been hiding this the whole time?"
Hyorim stayed quiet, arms folded, but I could see her sneaking glances my way, a faint crease in her brow like she was trying to piece me together.
I let out a half-smile, shrugging. "It's just a car. Don't make it such a big deal."
"'Just a car,' he says," Jinkyung muttered, shaking her head. "You really…" She trailed off, half-laughing, half-bewildered.
The limo glided forward, their eyes still on me, like I'd suddenly become someone entirely different.
The ride hadn't even settled when I pulled out my phone. "Wait we're not going straight home. Let's grab the others."
"The others?" Irina tilted her head.
"Park Dong, Daegyu, and Jiseong," I replied, tapping a quick message before leaning toward the driver. "Pick them up at this location."
The driver gave a professional nod. "Yes, sir."
Not long after, the limousine slowed to a stop by the roadside. Three familiar figures stood there, confused, checking their phones. The tinted window rolled down, and Irina's face popped out, waving.
"Hey guys, over here!"
The three of them froze, staring at the long stretch of black luxury in disbelief.
"…What the hell is this?" Park Dong muttered, blinking.
"A limousine?" Daegyu rubbed his eyes as if he couldn't trust them.
Jiseong whistled low. "Damn. Are we sure we're not getting kidnapped by a chaebol heir?"
The door clicked open. I leaned out, smirking. "What are you standing there for? Get in."
The three exchanged quick glances, still baffled, but eventually climbed inside.
"Unbelievable…" Park Dong muttered, shaking his head as he slid into the plush leather seat. "You've been hiding this from us?"
I shrugged, as if it were nothing. "Never came up."
The limousine slowed to a stop in front of a wide two-story house tucked behind tall hedges and an iron gate. It wasn't some sprawling mansion like they'd seen in dramas, but it was still far bigger than any of their own homes. The design was clean and modern for 2006 cream-colored walls with dark wood accents, a broad balcony stretching across the second floor, and wide windows that glowed warmly from the lights inside.
The driver stepped out, circling around to open the door. "Sir, we're here," he said politely.
I climbed out first, the others trailing behind, their eyes fixed on the house in disbelief.
Irina's jaw dropped. "Wait… this is your house?"
Hyorim squinted at me like I was hiding something. "Does your parents even know you're bringing us over?"
I adjusted the strap of my messenger bag and shrugged casually. "I live alone here. My parents don't stay in Korea. But " I jerked a thumb toward the house, "there's someone inside. I called earlier and told them to prepare food for us."
Yang Jinsu gave a low whistle. "Live alone? In a place like this? What the hell are you, some drama character?"
Daegyu muttered, "It's bigger than three of our houses put together…"
I ignored their reactions, walking up the short flight of stairs to the wide wooden front door. "What are you guys waiting for? Come in."
The heavy front door swung open with a quiet creak, revealing a spacious living hall lit by soft yellow lights. Polished wooden floors stretched across the wide space, a large leather sofa set facing a sleek flat-screen TV something rare enough in 2006 to make jaws drop. A glass coffee table sat in the center, neat and untouched, like something out of a magazine.
Irina gasped. "Whoa… this doesn't even feel like a house. It's like a model home!"
Jinkyung twirled slowly in place, her eyes sparkling. "You weren't kidding… this place is huge. A whole living room just for relaxing?"
Yang Jinsu let out a low laugh. "Crazy. My house barely has space for a table, and you've got this whole hall."
I kicked off my sneakers, nodding toward the hallway. "That's just the front. There's a study room, music room, and… uh, a gaming room too. Out back, there's a swimming pool it's not huge, but just the right size. Heated, so it's open year-round. Feel free to look around later."
Irina's eyes widened. "You have a pool? Outside your house?"
I rubbed the back of my neck, a little sheepish. "Yeah, well… my dad insisted on it. Said it 'helps with stress.'"
Park Dong let out a low whistle. "Bro, my stress relief is instant noodles. You've got an indoor pool."
As if on cue, Park Dong and Kim Jiseong shuffled deeper inside, peeking through open doorways.
"Holy shit," Park Dong muttered. "He's not lying."