𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌, Go Kyung-jun

three, lifeless

☄️

They gathered in the lobby. Kyung-jun's gentle fingers traced patterns through Rin's hair as she nestled her head against the cool surface of the lobby desk, seeking refuge from the thoughts racing through her mind, desperate for clarity in the midst of confusion.

She couldn't bear to face anyone at that moment. Her mind was in turmoil, trying to unravel the chaos spawned by that cursed mobile game. She'd attempted to rid herself of it, pounding furiously on her screen in a futile attempt to delete it. Frustration boiled over, and she hurled her phone in a fit of rage, relieved when it didn't shatter upon impact.

Silence enveloped them. Only the soft shuffle of feet broke the stillness, allowing her precious moments of solitude to gather her thoughts. But what was there to think about? The game had them trapped, leaving them with no other choice but to play along. Or did they?

Frustration gnawed at her as she struggled to clear the fog in her mind. The clatter of a fallen phone echoed through the room, punctuated by Seung-bin's frustrated outburst. "Damn it! Why won't our phones work?"

Rin shifted slightly, seeking a more comfortable position. Beside her, Kyung-jun perched on the edge of the desk, as he tenderly massaged her scalp.

It was a small gesture, but it brought a brief, welcome relief from the storm surrounding them. She savored the moment, acutely aware of the uncertainty looming over their future. Would she ever have the chance to feel this peace again?

"What do we do now?" Mi-na's voice trembled as she broke the silence, "Will we all die if we stay here?"

"Our teacher will be back soon," Jun-hee reassured quietly, but Rin couldn't help but feel a pang of skepticism. Where the fuck is he, though? It's been a whole day, and he hasn't returned yet. It was suspicious, but something told her that he wasn't to blame. He didn't create the game and set them up. Did he?

"Let's wait."

And even if he did come back, what could he possibly do? Would he be able to enter through the boundaries? Maybe he was already dead, who knows.

"No one's coming!" Ji-soo cried out. "How much longer must we be around the bodies? I can't stand it!"

"Can you not... call them bodies?" Eun-ha said.

There, they go again with their incessant bickering and endless questions. As if anyone knew what was going on. Rin clicked her tongue in annoyance as she lifted her head, rubbing her eyes as she straightened up.

"They're dead. What else am I to call them?"

"Hey! Will do you something? We need to get home!" Ji-soo's words were directed at the class president, Jun-hee.

As Kyung-jun muttered frustrations beside her, Rin's mind drifted away from the conversation. She watched Yeon-seo ascend the stairs, followed by Jeong-won. Rin couldn't help but admire Yeon-seo's quick thinking─she probably thought of something.

A gentle clinking drew her attention to Kyung-jun, who tucked a set of keys into his pocket, meeting her gaze with silent assurance.

"I'm going to the washroom." Rin announced.

"I'll go with you," Kyung-jun offered immediately.