Hana didn't sleep much that night.
The message still haunted her:
You're not supposed to be with him.
It felt like someone had placed a hand on her chest and squeezed.
She tried to focus on school, on classes, on normal things.
But her mind kept returning to Min-jae.
To Yuri.
To the way Yuri had looked at her like she was a problem.
To the way Min-jae had sounded when he said, "You're not safe here."
Hana didn't know what that meant.
But she couldn't ignore it.
The next morning, Hana arrived at school earlier than usual.
The hallway was quiet.
The sunlight streamed through the windows, making the floor shine.
She stood near the student council room door, waiting for Min-jae.
When he arrived, he didn't look surprised to see her there.
He just nodded.
"Hana," he said quietly. "Did you sleep?"
"A little," she replied.
He paused.
"You should be careful," he said.
Hana blinked. "Why?"
He looked at her with an expression she couldn't read.
"Because there are people who don't want you to be close to me."
Hana's heart beat faster.
"Why would they care?"
Min-jae looked away for a moment.
"Because I'm not a normal person," he said softly.
Hana's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he handed her a file.
"Today's task," he said. "Read it carefully."
Hana took the file.
But her hands trembled.
She looked at the title.
Student Council Event Planning — School Festival
Her heart sank.
The school festival was next week.
That meant the student council would be busy.
And it meant Hana would be with Min-jae even more.
Hana forced a smile. "Okay. I'll do my best."
Min-jae nodded.
"You always do."
The day passed slowly.
Hana worked with Min-jae and the other student council members.
They discussed decorations, stalls, performances, and budgets.
It was normal.
It was fun.
It was… perfect.
But Hana couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Every time Yuri looked at her, it felt like a warning.
Every time Min-jae's eyes shifted toward the door, it felt like he was waiting for something to happen.
At one point, Hana overheard Yuri talking to another student council member.
She didn't mean to.
But she couldn't help it.
Yuri's voice was soft.
But her words were sharp.
"Min-jae is too focused on her," Yuri said. "We need to make sure she doesn't get too close."
The other member nodded.
"Do you think she's dangerous?" the student asked.
Yuri smiled.
"She's not dangerous," she said. "She's just… unnecessary."
Hana's heart froze.
She didn't know what Yuri meant.
But she knew it wasn't good.
After school, Hana stayed behind to finish the decorations list.
Min-jae was already in the room.
He was writing something on a board.
When he saw Hana, he stopped.
"Hana," he said softly. "You can go home now."
Hana shook her head. "I want to finish this."
He looked at her, his eyes filled with concern.
"Hana, you don't have to do everything alone."
Hana smiled.
"I know," she said. "But I want to help."
Min-jae walked closer.
"Then let me help you," he said.
Hana's cheeks warmed.
She looked up at him.
"Okay."
They worked together in silence.
The room felt warm.
Safe.
Like a place where she could breathe.
For the first time since the message, Hana felt calm.
Min-jae reached for a marker and wrote something on the board.
Then he paused.
He turned to Hana.
"Do you like the festival?" he asked.
Hana nodded. "Yes. It feels like a happy time."
Min-jae looked at her.
"Then promise me something," he said.
Hana tilted her head. "What?"
He hesitated.
Then he said, "Promise me you won't stay late alone."
Hana's heart fluttered.
"Okay," she said softly.
Min-jae nodded.
"Good."
As Hana packed her bag, she heard the door open.
She turned, expecting Min-jae.
But it wasn't him.
It was Yuri.
Yuri smiled at Hana.
"Leaving already?" she asked.
Hana forced a smile. "Yes. I have to go home."
Yuri stepped closer.
"I'm glad you're helping," she said. "But you should know something."
Hana's stomach tightened.
"What?" she asked.
Yuri leaned closer, her voice low.
"Min-jae doesn't like people who get attached," she said.
Hana frowned. "What do you mean?"
Yuri's smile widened.
"I mean," she whispered, "if you want to stay close to him, you have to be willing to lose everything."
Hana's breath caught.
She didn't understand.
But she felt fear.
Yuri turned and walked away.
Hana stood there, trembling.
She looked at the door.
She looked at the empty room.
She looked at the board where Min-jae had written the festival plans.
And her mind filled with questions.
That night, Hana received another message.
From the same unknown number.
Unknown number:
Don't go to the festival planning meeting tomorrow.
Hana's heart pounded.
She stared at the message for a long time.
Then she looked at the time.
It was already late.
She decided to reply.
Hana: Who are you?
But the message didn't send.
It stayed on her screen like a warning.
Then, without warning, her phone screen went black.
A second later, her phone lit up again.
And a new message appeared.
Unknown number:
If you go, you'll regret it.
Hana's hands shook.
She looked at the message again.
And she realized—
Someone was watching her.
Someone was controlling her.
And she wasn't sure if it was Yuri…
or someone else.