Two days had passed since the cafeteria incident, and Haneul Academy was buzzing like never before. Rumors flew through the corridors like wildfire.
"Did you hear? I think it was Jihun's secret rival!" one girl whispered.
"No way! Maybe it was a ghost! Or… a cafeteria fairy!" another giggled.
"Or maybe… it was an alien disguised as a scholarship girl!"
Seo Yuna walked through the corridors toward her classroom, her bag clutched nervously. Every whisper seemed to follow her. Her cheeks heated as she overheard snippets:
"…the mysterious person… might be a genius!"
"…I heard it was a girl, so bold, can you imagine?"
"…I think the cafeteria has a new hero!"
Seo Yuna froze, wide-eyed. Wow… I'm… so popular? she thought, her pulse racing with a mixture of excitement and terror.
When she reached her classroom, Minji caught up with her, smirking. "Hey, careful. Everyone thinks the mysterious person might be a girl."
Seo Yuna's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "W-what? Why?" she stammered, taking a step back as if ready to run home immediately.
"Because," Minji said with a giggle, "most of the students in the cafeteria that day were girls, so naturally… everyone assumes a girl did it."
Seo Yuna's jaw dropped. "I could just… disappear forever!" she muttered.
Minji elbowed her gently. "Relax! Listen, they've been joking around too. One student even said the mysterious person deserves a superhero nickname… and the school decided on… The Scarlet Shadow."
Seo Yuna's eyes widened. The Scarlet Shadow?! My new nickname?! She blinked and stifled a laugh. I can't believe this…
Just as she was trying to digest her newfound fame, the classroom door swung open. Silence fell instantly.
It was him. Lee Jihun.
The entire class froze. Not a single whisper, not a single laugh—just wide, fearful eyes. Jihun walked in with his usual calm authority, and every student instinctively straightened in their seats. The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees in temperature.
He strode to his seat at the front, sitting down with a deliberate, almost royal grace. His piercing gaze swept across the classroom, stopping briefly on Seo Yuna, who felt her heart skip a beat. She shrank in her seat, cheeks flaming.
Stay calm… don't look at him… pretend nothing happened… she thought, though it was impossible.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. The class whispered in hushed tones about the Scarlet Shadow, trying to control their laughter whenever Seo Yuna's face betrayed a little blush or smirk.
When the school day finally ended, Seo Yuna rushed out, barely waiting for the bell, her backpack swinging wildly. She practically flew down the corridors, heart still pounding from nerves and excitement.
Later that evening, in a luxurious room high above the city, the Elite Seven gathered. The room gleamed with marble floors, golden accents, and plush chairs—pure wealth and elegance.
Jihun stood at the head of the table, his dark eyes sharp. "No matter what, I will find that person."
Han Seojun leaned back, smirking. "Relax, Jihun. It's just a small prank. But I agree… it was daring."
Yoon Somin, icy and composed, spoke next. "The Scarlet Shadow… it's become a school-wide sensation. We can't ignore it."
Park Haeun tilted her head, thinking. "The way it was done… it had precision. Whoever did it is clever, bold… maybe even a girl."
Choi Kyungmin's dark eyes flicked to Jihun. "We need a plan. This person could cause chaos if left unchecked."
Lee Jiwon added, elegantly crossing her legs, "I suggest we gather all information from the students. They can't resist gossiping—they'll tell us everything."
Kang Taemin leaned forward, smirking, "And no one can escape… especially if they're as bold as whoever did this."
Jihun's jaw tightened. "No matter what, I will find the Scarlet Shadow myself. Whoever dared to embarrass me… will pay."
The other six members exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the challenge. The hunt for the mysterious, daring person—the Scarlet Shadow—was officially underway.