Footsteps echoed through the deserted campus—no, not even students remained.
Outside the school, hands crossed, some giggling behind their hands, others with faces filled with worry, concern, or pitiful eyes.
All eyes were particularly fixed on one person: Ji-Woo.
She moved silently, her white T-shirt soaked and stained with soda, hanging limply from her frame.
Her blazer dragged behind her on the ground as she walked, emotionless.
Her short black hair clung to her face, damp and disheveled, strands sticking to her forehead.
Her grey eyes, tired and sleepy-looking, darted from one person to another.
She let out a deep sigh, walking slowly and deliberately, each step weighted with exhaustion and resignation.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone. She looked up—her eyes met a girl's. Everyone knew her as Mi-Sook: the girl who acted as if everyone was beneath her.
Maybe they were.
Mi-Sook was strikingly beautiful, with sharp features, clear skin, and a confident stance. Her uniform fit her perfectly—pressed, pristine, and immaculate.
She chewed gum lazily, a sinister smile curling her lips.
"You smell awful," Mi-Sook said low, her voice menacing. "You smell like expired soda."
Ji-Woo's gaze flickered, but she didn't answer.
She tried to walk away, her body tense.
In a flash, Mi-Sook's hand shot out, grabbing a handful of Ji-Woo's hair and pulling her back.
With a rough shove, she threw Ji-Woo to the ground. Gasps erupted from the surrounding students, but no one dared to interfere.
"How dare you walk away when I'm talking to you?" Mi-Sook sneered, towering over the trembling girl on the ground. "Don't you have any manners?"
Ji-Woo's trembling eyes filled with tears.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked up, voice trembling. "Just leave me alone, Mi… Mi-Sook. I… I don't want anything to do with you."
Mi-Sook smirked, tilting her head mockingly. Then, from behind her, two other girls appeared—both tall, with cold, calculating expressions. One had long, straight hair that framed her face sharply; the other had a mischievous glint in her eyes and wore a crooked smile. They began pulling at Ji-Woo's shirt, yanking her back and forth as she struggled.
Some students watched in silence, others quietly slipped away, unwilling to get involved.
"Don't spare her, guys," Mi-Sook whispered into her phone, pulling it out and beginning to record. "Make sure she's exposed."
Ji-Woo's face twisted with fear and humiliation. She fought desperately, trying to pull away, but the girls' grip was firm. Tears blurred her vision, and her trembling hands flailed helplessly.
Suddenly, the crowd dispersed further as a figure approached—an older student with piercing eyes and a commanding presence. She stepped forward, her voice sharp and icy. "Enough, Mi-Sook. Leave her alone."
Mi-Sook hesitated, sneering but slowly lowering her phone. The other girls reluctantly released Ji-Woo, who scrambled to her feet, trembling and crying.
The girl who had intervened looked down at Ji-Woo with a mixture of concern and disdain.
"Get out of here," she said quietly but firmly. "And don't let me see you bothering her again."
Ji-Woo, tears still streaming, nodded weakly and stumbled away, her soaked shirt clinging to her trembling frame.
Ji-Woo finally reached the end of the lavish gate, where a sleek car waited patiently.
The vehicle was a shiny black limousine, its polished surface gleaming under the afternoon sun, with tinted windows that hinted at secrets inside.
The wheels glided silently over the paved driveway, giving an air of quiet authority.
She approached the car, opened the door with a soft click, and tossed her backpack inside without a word.
Slipping into the seat, she closed the door gently and whispered, "Let's go."
The engine roared to life, filling the quiet with a deep, powerful rumble.
The driver in the front seat, a tall man with a calm, friendly smile and sharp eyes, turned slightly to glance at her. He was dressed in a crisp uniform, his hair neatly combed back.
"How's your day, madam?" he asked in a smooth, polite tone.
Ji-Woo's voice was low, almost a bass-like whisper.
"It's fine. Nothing new," she replied quietly, her eyes staring out the window as the car smoothly pulled away from the gate.
She let out a long sigh, running a hand through her damp, tousled hair, trying to settle her racing thoughts.
The world outside blurred past the tinted glass, a quiet hum filling the space.
Suddenly, a notification buzzed on her phone. She reached into her pocket, pulling it out and glancing at the screen.
MOM: Come home quickly now.
Ji-Woo sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging.
She shoved the phone back into her pocket and kept her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, the weight of the day pressing down on her.
---
Soon, she arrived at a grand, lavish house—a towering mansion that exuded wealth and modern elegance.
The façade was sleek and imposing, with large glass windows reflecting the sunlight and a sprawling driveway leading to a massive front door.
The garden was meticulously manicured, with perfectly trimmed hedges and blooming flowers that added a touch of softness to the imposing structure.
She cracked open the gate, ignoring the driver who waved at her from the car. With her head bowed, her backpack slung over her shoulders, and her blazer dragging behind her, she stepped onto the marble floor of the opulent hall.
The interior was stunning—wide, bright, and tastefully decorated with modern art and luxurious furnishings. It shimmered with wealth but felt cold and distant.
She sighed softly, her voice almost a whisper in the grandeur.
"All this, and I'm not happy about it. What's the point?" she murmured to herself, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
Just as she was about to ascend the staircase, a woman appeared from the shadows—a tall, elegant figure with striking features.
She had flawless skin, sharp eyes, and hair styled perfectly into a sleek updo. Dressed in a designer dress that accentuated her graceful figure, she radiated wealth and authority.
"Ji-Woo," the woman called out, her voice smooth and commanding.
Ji-Woo paused, then stepped down from her place by the stairs. "Yes, Mother," she responded softly.
Her mother's expression was serious but composed.
"I need you to get ready. The tycoon and renowned businessman has invited us to his son's birthday party. I need you to look impeccable." She paused, her tone emphasizing the importance. "You need to make a good impression. Go—there's a maid waiting with your clothes."
Without waiting for a response, she simply turned and walked away, leaving Ji-Woo standing there.
Ji-Woo blinked, her mind racing. She hadn't even noticed her own appearance—her rumpled shirt, the way she looked, or how sad she felt.
Was this life how everyone just carried on, unnoticed and unappreciated? she wondered silently.
But she shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. Resigned, she slowly turned and made her way upstairs.