It was Monday morning when Minjeong cornered her.
They were alone near the clubroom, ten minutes before homeroom. Sera was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes when Minjeong placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You okay?"
Sera blinked. "Yeah. Why?"
Minjeong didn't answer immediately. Her eyes scanned Sera's face — the slight puffiness, the faint crease near her mouth, the kind of exhaustion you couldn't cover with concealer.
"You've changed," Minjeong said softly. "Since Friday. You're… quieter."
Sera forced a smile.
"Just tired."
Minjeong studied her a second longer, then nodded.
"Okay. But if something's going on — and I mean really going on — don't shut me out."
Sera nodded. But her hands were already trembling.
She hadn't told anyone about the note she found last night.
yet.
~The Bedroom Note~
She found it after taking a shower.
Tucked beneath her pillow.
Neat handwriting. Sharp. Slanted.
"I liked the way you waited for him. You looked… loyal. But loyalty can be dangerous, Sera."
Her blood ran cold.
Her bedroom window was locked. Her door had been closed.
Someone had been inside.
She slept with the lights on that night.
At School — The Field Trip Announcement
During general assembly, the headmaster stepped forward, all smiles.
"As part of our yearly curriculum, students from Class 2A to 3C will be attending our Fall Leadership Camp next week — a two-night retreat for team-building, creativity, and wellness."
Cheers filled the gymnasium.
The words "camp," "games," and "free time" echoed everywhere.
Sera tried to focus.
But her mind was somewhere else.
Jisoo stood awkwardly near the club window where Minjeong was scribbling notes.
"Hey."
She looked up. "You're… talking to me?"
"Yeah. Um…"
He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes.
"I was wondering what kind of stuff Sera likes. Like… snacks. Or games. Or… anything."
Minjeong froze. Then blinked hard.
"You asking for her or yourself?"
He didn't answer.
She bit back a smile.
"She hates horror. Loves strawberries. Is weirdly competitive during charades. And she likes her ramen spicy but always regrets it."
Jisoo nodded slowly.
"Thanks."
"You planning to surprise her at camp or something?"
He paused.
"…Maybe."
Minjeong didn't say anything more.
But when he turned to leave, she muttered quietly:
"Just don't hurt her. She doesn't need more bruises in her life."
Later that afternoon,
Sera had passed him one of her books during lunch — just a quick, thoughtless gesture.
She forgot what was tucked inside.
Taeyang didn't.
The note slid out onto the table.
He picked it up.
Read it.
Froze.
Then read it again.
His hands clenched.
"You looked loyal. But loyalty can be dangerous."
His heart raced. He turned to look for her but she was already walking out of the cafeteria.
He shoved the note into his pocket and stormed after her.
He caught her just outside the clubroom.
"Sera."
She turned. "Oh, hey—"
"What the hell is this?"
He shoved the note into her hands.
She froze. Paled instantly.
"You weren't supposed to see that."
"No kidding," he snapped. "How long has this been happening?"
"It's… I don't know."
"Sera—! Someone has been stalking you? Why wouldn't you tell us? Why would you keep that from me?"
"Because if I told you, you'd act exactly like this," she whispered.
His jaw clenched.
"Damn right I would."
Silence.
He lowered his voice, pain leaking through every word.
"Do you trust Jisoo more than me?"
"He doesn't even know"
"yhh damn right"