The lunch bell rang, and the cafeteria erupted into a chorus of clattering trays and shouted conversations. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, catching dust motes that floated like tiny stars above the sea of students. In the middle of it all, Minho stood beside Bobae, his hand still clasped around hers, the earlier drama of the hallway already feeling like a distant echo.
Jinho entered the room a moment later, his stride confident, a thin smile playing on his lips. He scanned the crowd, his eyes locking onto the pair at the center of the bustling space. The murmurs that had risen when Minho carried Bobae in a bridal‑style entrance faded into a tense hush as Jinho made his way toward them.
"Bobae," Jinho called, his voice carrying just enough to cut through the chatter. "There you are." He stopped a few feet away, his gaze flicking between her and Minho. "I thought I made it clear—she's mine."
Bobae's fingers tightened around Minho's, her knuckles whitening. "Jinho, please I'm sorry," she whispered, voice barely audible over the clink of cutlery.
Minho turned his head, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. "You've got the wrong idea, Jinho. She's not a possession."
Jinho's smile widened, a flash of something colder. "You're both playing games. I'm not interested in games." He stepped closer, the space between them shrinking. "You know what happens when someone tries to take what's mine."
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the nearby tables. Some students leaned in, eager for a spectacle; others shifted uneasily, sensing the rising tension.
"Back off, Jinho," Minho said, his tone steady. "You're not going to intimidate anyone here."
Jinho's hand moved in a swift motion, grabbing the edge of the table and sending a tray of food crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering plates and spilling sauce echoed like a gunshot. Students scattered, chairs scraping against the linoleum.
"Enough" Bobae whispered, stepping forward to Minho , her voice inaudible than she felt. "This is ridiculous. We're not animals."
Jinho's eyes narrowed. "You think you can defy me? My father—"
"My father is a politician also, not a tyrant," Minho cut in, his voice rising. "You can't own people, Jinho. Not her, not anyone."
The cafeteria fell into a stunned silence. Jinho's face flushed with anger. He lunged forward, grabbing Minho's shirt and pulling him close. "You're going to regret this," he hissed.
Minho's reaction was immediate. He pushed Jinho back with enough force to send the older boy stumbling into a nearby table. Plates clattered, and a bowl of soup splashed across Jinho's shirt, the hot liquid staining his crisp white shirt.
"You're done," Minho growled, stepping back but keeping his stance. "You're not the only one with power."
Jinho wiped the soup from his face, his expression a mixture of fury and disbelief. "You'll pay for this," he snarled, lunging again. This time Minho sidestepped, delivering a swift, controlled punch to Jinho's jaw. The impact sent Jinho sprawling onto the floor, a gasp rippling through the room.
For a heartbeat, the cafeteria was still. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the students erupted into a chaotic chorus of shouts and cheers. Teachers rushed in, their voices raised, trying to restore order.
Mrs. Park, the homeroom teacher, arrived at the scene, her eyes wide as she took in the overturned tables and the two boys on the floor. "What is going on here?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the noise.
Jinho scrambled to his feet, his shirt soaked, his hair disheveled. He glared at Minho, then at Bobae, who stood trembling but unbowed. "This isn't over," he whispered, his promise hanging in the air like a threat.
Minho helped Bobae to her feet, his hand steady. "It's over when you stop," he replied, his eyes never leaving Jinho's.
The bell rang again, signaling the end of lunch, but the tension lingered. As students began to disperse, a small crowd gathered around the two boys, whispering about the showdown. In the corner of the cafeteria, Bobae leaned against the wall, a faint smile breaking through her fear.
He shrugged, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Just keeping my promise. No one messes with my… girlfriend."
Bobae's eyes widened, then softened. "You're impossible," she said, but the smile was genuine.
Jinho, still standing, watched them leave, his jaw clenched. The battle had begun, and everyone knew the next round would be even harder. The cafeteria doors swung shut, sealing the moment, but the echo of the fight would reverberate through the halls of Jejjuk High school for weeks to come.