Live or Die

CHAPTER 2

The next day at school, Yeji decides to confront Ga Young and the bully gang for the harmful messages. However, instead of a resolution, the situation takes a violent turn.

Yeji: (confronting the group) Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to you?

Ga Young: (accusingly) Don't act innocent, Yeji. We know you leaked my private conversation.

Yeji: (angry) I didn't do anything of the sort. You're making it all up!

Frustration and anger boil over, and Yeji, unable to contain her emotions, slaps Ga Young.

Do Jin: (enraged) How dare you!

Ga Young: (smirking) Look at her pretending to be the victim. We have proof you leaked it.

In retaliation, Do Jin pours the milk he had in his hand over Yeji's head. The others join in, pushing her until she falls to the ground, scratching her knee.

Yeji: (in pain) Stop! Why are you doing this?

Sang Hwan: (mocking) You think you're better than us? Time to put you in your place.

At that moment, Mr. Kim appears, witnessing the commotion.

Mr. Kim: (authoritatively) What is going on here?

Ga Young: (pointing at Yeji) She's the one causing trouble. We're just defending ourselves.

Mr. Kim examines the situation, his eyes narrowing at the group.

Mr. Kim: (firmly) This behavior is unacceptable. Yeji, come with me.

The group backs off, and Mr. Kim steps forward to help Yeji.

Mr. Kim: (to the group) This ends now. We'll discuss this in my office.

Mr. Kim leads Yeji into his office, offering her a seat as he closes the door behind them.

Mr. Kim: (kindly) Yeji, please sit down. I want to hear your side of the story.

Yeji: (nervously) Thank you, Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim: (sincerely) First and foremost, I want you to know that your well-being is my priority. Can you tell me what happened?

Yeji: (taking a deep breath) They've been bullying me, spreading lies online. I confronted them today, and it just... it got out of control.

Mr. Kim: (compassionate) I'm sorry you had to go through that. No one should feel unsafe at school. I'll do everything I can to address this issue.

Yeji: (teary-eyed) I don't understand why they're doing this. I never did anything to hurt them.

Mr. Kim: (supportive) Bullying often stems from insecurities and misunderstandings. It's not your fault. We'll work together to find a solution.

Yeji: (hesitant) What will happen to them?

Mr. Kim: (thoughtfully) Consequences are necessary, Yeji. I will ensure that appropriate measures are taken to address their actions. No one should escape accountability.

Yeji: (grateful) Thank you, Mr. Kim. I just want it to stop.

Mr. Kim: (assuring) I'll do my best to make sure it does. In the meantime, if you ever feel threatened or harassed, don't hesitate to reach out. We have resources in place to support you.

Yeji: (nodding) I appreciate that, Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim offers Yeji a reassuring smile, knowing that addressing the issue promptly is crucial for creating a safe school environment.

Mr. Kim, concerned about the seriousness of the bullying incident, decides to bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Im Il Sung, the principal and Sang Mi's father. However, Mr. Im Il Sung doesn't seem to take the issue as seriously as Mr. Kim believes it deserves.

Mr. Kim: (expressing concern) Mr. Im Il Sung, I wanted to discuss the recent bullying incident involving Yeji and the students responsible.

Mr. Im Il Sung: (casually) Ah, yes. I heard about that. Kids will be kids, Mr. Kim. I'm sure it's just a small disagreement blown out of proportion.

Mr. Kim: (firmly) It's more than that. Yeji was physically assaulted, and there have been ongoing online attacks. This requires a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences.

Mr. Im Il Sung: (dismissively) Oh, kids these days. They'll be fine. Just give them a light detention or something. They'll learn their lesson.

Mr. Kim: (frustrated) With all due respect, Mr. Im Il Sung, this goes beyond a light detention. We need to address the root of the issue and ensure a safe environment for all students.

Mr. Im Il Sung: (impatient) Look, Mr. Kim, I'm a busy man. I trust you to handle this appropriately. Light detention should be enough.

Mr. Kim, feeling the weight of the situation, realizes that getting the support needed to address the bullying may be an uphill battle.

As Mr. Kim leaves Mr. Im Il Sung's office, he senses a reluctance to address the severity of the bullying issue. His concern for Yeji and the need for a thorough investigation linger in his mind. Later that day, he decides to dig deeper into the school records, suspecting that there might be more to the story.

Under the cover of the evening shadows, Kim Joon Ho discreetly makes his way to Principal Im Il Sung's office. The dim light from the desk lamp flickers as he carefully rummages through documents, searching for the buried secrets within the files.

Kim Joon Ho: (whispering to himself) There has to be something here, something they're hiding.

His eyes scan through records, connecting the dots between the school and the SJ Corporation. As he delves deeper, the shocking revelation unfolds before him.

Kim Joon Ho: (discovering the information) Choi Min Ah... Suicide due to bullying. Covered up by the corporation. This goes beyond Yeji's case.

The gravity of the discovery settles on Kim Joon Ho's shoulders. He learns that not only were previous bullying incidents hushed up, but there's a tragic history of a student pushed to the brink.

As he continues to sift through the documents, he stumbles upon the corporation's influence in manipulating the police investigation.

Kim Joon Ho: (clenching his fists) They closed the case without justice. How many more lives have been affected?

Back in the solace of his home, Kim Joon Ho meticulously organizes the evidence he gathered. He spreads out the photographs of the documents on his table, the weight of the revelations heavy on his mind. As he studies the pictures, a sudden rush of memories floods his consciousness.

Kim Joon Ho: (whispering, lost in thought) The accident... flashes of the past.

In a whirlwind of fragmented memories, Kim Joon Ho finds himself transported back to that fateful day. The screeching sound of tires, the blur of lights, and the haunting gaze of his parents in the midst of the crash.

Flashback:

Young Kim Joon Ho, a helpless witness to the tragedy, sees his parents' eyes reflecting both love and fear as life slips away.

Present:

The sudden recollection startles him, bringing a flood of emotions and forgotten fragments of his past. He takes a moment to collect himself, returning to the present, the photographs of the documents spread before him.

Kim Joon Ho: (reflecting) The accident... the corporation... the secrets. It's all connected.

With newfound determination fueled by a revived connection to his own history, Kim Joon Ho contacts his detective friend Jung Ki Tae to share the startling revelations.

Jung Ki Tae: (over the phone) Joon Ho, this goes deeper than we thought. We need to expose them.