The night bell rang.
I was already in my pyjamas when I opened the door and locked it behind me.
I was heading toward Jan's room, but just before I reached her door, someone suddenly covered my mouth and dragged me away.
He pulled me to a far, quiet corner behind the hostel buildings.
The place was dark, empty, and cold.
I struggled a little, but when he finally let go, he allowed me to see his face.
I had never seen him before, but something about him made me calm.
He paced up and down for a while, breathing fast.
Then he stopped.
"My name is Haejin," he said quietly.
"I'm Yen's younger brother."
My mouth dropped open.
I froze.
I looked around, but no one else was there.
"You're Yen's brother?" I asked.
"And why are you here? Did you come from outside?"
"No," he whispered. "Nobody knows I'm related to Yen. Only you—because I'm telling you now."
"Oh no… you shouldn't risk this," I said, my heart racing. "Not here. I feel like someone is watching. Hae, you look so young… you shouldn't be doing this."
He paced again, running his fingers through his hair.
The darkness around us felt like it was listening.
"I've been quiet for too long," he said. "I feel like this is the right time to say it.
Eunwoo… Yen… this school… everything makes me angry. I can't keep calm anymore."
"Hae, listen," I said, stepping closer. "This is not the right time to talk. I know I need to know the truth, but I'm afraid for your safety. Please, go back to your room. This weekend, we can meet outside the school. We can take a leave pass and talk properly. You can tell me everything then. But right now, I need you safe."
He hesitated.
"Let me have your number," I said.
I brought out my phone and he typed his number into it.
"Please go back," I whispered. "I'll call you tonight to make sure you got to your room safely."
Hae nodded and ran back toward his hostel.
I headed back to mine.
I wanted to check on Jan like I planned, but I decided to leave it until morning.
I went into my room and locked the door.
I saved Hae's number and dialed it.
It rang, but he cut the call.
Maybe he wasn't in a safe place to talk yet.
I dropped my phone and fell asleep.
The morning bell rang earlier than usual.
But the tone was different—sharp and alarming, like a warning bell.
I checked the time: 5:30 a.m.
Students were shouting and screaming outside.
I rushed out of my room.
A crowd was running toward the back of the school building.
I followed—and when I reached the place, I almost collapsed.
Hanging from the tree…
was Hae.
His body dangled lifelessly.
And he was wearing the same clothes he wore last night.
"No… no…" I whispered before screaming.
"What happened?! What happened?!" I asked desperately.
"He hanged himself," a girl said casually. "He's always alone. Maybe he failed his last paper."
"STOP IT!" I shouted. "Enough! That's a lie!"
My voice broke.
"He wouldn't hang himself! Isn't anyone going to investigate this?!"
Students turned to stare at me.
Some backed away, whispering.
Police sirens echoed, and officers taped off the area with yellow ribbons.
I kept crying, shouting, fighting the agony in my chest.
I should have let him talk last night.
I should have listened.
I felt someone watching us then—I knew it.
I was stupid.
Blind.
A hand grabbed me and pulled me out of the crowd.
I looked up.
It was Raven.
He dragged me behind a tree, a place where, for some reason, he seemed to think was the only safe spot.
"Jina," he whispered harshly.
"I told you to stay away. Don't involve yourself. It's dangerous."
"Raven, this is too much!" I cried. "Who are these people? What do they want?! Are they even humans? Demons? Why? What's the problem?!"
"Jina—"
"Raven, do you know Hae is Yen's brother?"
My voice broke.
"He hid his identity all this time… and just last night he met—"
"Stop, Jina." Raven cut me off sharply.
"Please," he whispered, "stop. For your safety—and for the people around you."
"I WAITED for the truth," I said, wiping my tears. "Nobody wants to say anything. But you know what? With Hae's death, I won't wait anymore. I will start my investigation. If anything happens… let it happen."
"Jina," Raven whispered, "you're walking into the wrong place. Be careful."
He turned and left.
I stood there shaking when my phone rang.
It was a voice note from Mom.
"Jina, how are you doing? I called last time but got no response. I hope school is okay. Call me when you're free. Take care."
I didn't even bother listening again.
My heart was crushed.
Hae… a young boy… murdered.
I walked back to the hostel, entered my room, and locked the door.
My thoughts were drowning me.