Love's Lethal Game | Night Has Come

Chapter 07

As the bell sound echoed through the speaker, signaling the start of a new day in the twisted game, Ji-Eun's eyes fluttered open. As she blinked the sleep from her eyes, her first instinct was to survey her surroundings, confirming they were still in the safety of the locked cafeteria.

Beside her, Kyung-Jun was also stirring awake. Almost immediately, his eyes were cast onto her form. Their eyes met and silence ensued. There was a brief, silent acknowledgment between them, a shared realization that they had survived another night. It was a fleeting moment of relief amid the ongoing chaos.

As they both sat up, the close proximity of their impromptu sleeping arrangement became apparent. For a brief moment, they refused to look at one another, a silent understanding that last night's events had brought them to become vulnerable to each other. Plus, Ji-Eun did promise him that they would not speak of last night again.

Kyung-Jun's eyes were slightly swollen, a physical reminder of the emotional turmoil he had experienced the night before. He tried to mask it by rubbing his eyes and shifting his focus to the cafeteria. His gaze was sharp and analytical, scanning for any signs of forced entry, but the store gate remained securely locked from the inside. He approached the gate, inspecting it for any marks of intrusion but found none. There was a sense of relief in his posture as he confirmed the security of their hideout.

Behind him, Ji-Eun's voice gently broke the silence, "Here."

Kyung-Jun turned and he found her offering him an unopened water bottle. It was a simple gesture, but it carried a weight of care and concern.

Kyung-Jun accepted the bottle quietly, twisting the cap and taking a long drink. His throat was parched, the water a welcome relief. Ji-Eun turned to move away, giving him space, but the Purge Siren noise abruptly filled the room, followed by a chilling announcement:

"Before the last vote closed, Police used their skill. During the night, Park Ji-Soo was executed by Mafia. Park Ji-Soo was a Citizen."

Their eyes met, a mix of horror and frustration evident in their expressions. Ji-Eun's face reflected the shock and sadness of losing another classmate, while Kyung-Jun's eyes held a deep-seated frustration, a silent curse against the game that continued to claim lives.

"All participants, identify the Mafia and begin to vote," the announcement concluded, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

Ji-Eun leaned against the cashier's table, her hands supporting her weight as she exhaled deeply. "How many Mafias are there?"

Kyung-Jun, his frustration simmering beneath the surface, speculated, "I bet two or three of them are among those who voted for me last night. Soon enough, I will call all of them to gather somewhere. It's about time they start listening to me."

Ji-Eun gave no response as last night's events sprang back to her mind. That's when she remembered a specific part of yesterday's discussion that had gone wrong. It's about Kyung-Jun mentioning that Woo-Ram had confessed to Ji-Eun before. Kyung-Jun's knowledge of that secret encounter was unsettling, as she had guarded that moment closely, never sharing it with anyone. It was a personal memory, one that she had hoped to keep buried.

"Hey, Kyung-Jun," she called out softly, her voice tinged with inquisitiveness. As Kyung-Jun's sharp gaze shifted towards her, she found herself momentarily lost in the intensity of his stare. Gathering her courage, she continued, "Last night, you mentioned about Woo-Ram confessing to me... How did you know that?"

A heavy silence enveloped them. Kyung-Jun's gaze was unyielding, sharp, and piercing as if trying to decipher her thoughts. Ji-Eun's eyes, wide and innocent, searched his for an explanation. The unspoken question hung between them, the air thick with anticipation.