War || Penthouse

fifteen

"<Una voce poco fa> is a musical piece..."

As time ticks away, the Hera Kids were getting more anxious.

Joo Seok-kyung constantly bit her fingernail.

Ha Eunbyeol tearing the pages of her notebook.

Yoo Jenny fiddling with her humidifier.

Lee Minhyuk shaking his legs uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Ha-Hyo and Seok-hoon were having their piano lesson.

Ha-Hyo leaned back in her seat, arms crossed.

She was fighting the urge to laugh.

She can't wait to see

Cheong A's reputation

Go down the drain.

From her peripheral view, she could see Seok-hoon staring at her.

Is something wrong?

-

"That's all for today. Thank you."

Ha-Hyo packed up and was getting ready to leave.

DING
A notification sounded.

"Hmm...isn't mine." Ha-Hyo shrugged.

Before she could leave, a hand grips tightly onto her arm.

"Yah! Joo Seok-hoon! It hurts!"

"We need to talk."

"Fine. Talk." Ha-Hyo pushed his hand away.

Seok-hoon looked exasperated.

"You really crossed the line." He brought the screen up her face.

Ha-Hyo frowned in confusion as she took the phone.

The Hera Kids were added into a group chat.

And...Min Seol-ah?!

Someone was playing with them.

"Min Seol-ah is dead. How could she do this?"

Ha-Hyo bit her inner cheek.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Min Seol-ah. She's your best friend."

!!!

Ha-Hyo's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Seok-Hoon.

The photo frame?...

It was a photo of Seol-ah and Ha-Hyo.

"B-but why didn't you expose me?"

"Wait no!" Before he could say anything, Ha-Hyo stopped him.

She seemed to know the reason.

A pang hits her chest, tears blurred her vision.

"I-i gotta go..." she turned away.

The door slams shut as Seok-hoon watches the devastated girl leave.

So was he.

He felt the same.

-
SPLASH

The icy cold water touches her skin.

The sound of running tap echoed in the washroom.

Ha-Hyo looked up into the mirror, staring at the reflection.

Is this me?

Why do i feel so different?

Ha-Hyo hates herself.

Since when did she become like this?

"Fuck this..."

A figure suddenly appeared.

"Oh...Eunbyeol yah..."

Ha-Eunbyeol smiled widely and stood beside Ha-Hyo.

"How was vocal lesson?"

Ha-Eunbyeol stared at the mirror, trying to fix her bangs.

"You and Seok-hoon...are you guys very close?"

"Nah."

"You know i like Seok-hoon right?" She proceeded to apply lipstick.

"What are you trying to say?"

Ha Eunbyeol turns to her, gently dusting Ha-Hyo's shoulder.

"You're smart. You perfectly understand what i mean."

"I told you. There's nothing going on."

Suddenly, Ha-Hyo was harshly grabbed by the throat.

"There's nothing?! Then why would he hold your hands, caress your cheek...look at you so lovingly?!"

Hatred and jealously were written all over Ha Eunbyeol.

"Not everyone with money can be like us...you know that right?" Ha Eunbyeol laughs psychotically.

She was simply putting that Ha-Hyo

Could never be like the Hera Kids.

She was never one.

"Fuck...you crazy bitch..." It was Ha-Hyo's turn to laugh.

"W-what?"

Ha-Hyo pushed the strands of hair away from Eunbyeol's face.

"I am already part of you guys."

She leaned in and whispered.

"I know your secret. You failed at the blind audition...so how did you get into Cheong A?"

Ha Eunbyeol stood frozen as she went pale.

"Hyo yah~" a familiar voice could be heard.

Ha-Hyo pretended to slap herself and fall onto the ground.

Seok-kyung and Jenny happened to walk in.

"Yah! What's going on?"

Crocodile tears streamed down Ha-Hyo's face as she winced in pain.

"E-eunbyeol i'm sorry...I'll definitely stay away from Seok-hoon!"

"What the fuck are you talking about?!"
Eunbyeol screamed.

"She slapped herself! I didn't do it!"

"Yah Ha Eunbyeol! You're too much! Do you think Oppa even likes you?!"

Joo Seok-kyung glared at Eunbyeol.

"S-seok-kyung..."

They helped Ha-Hyo up and pushed pass Ha Eunbyeol.

Ha-Hyo turned back, making eye contact with the pathetic girl.

"Don't mess with me."