In the fading realm between consciousness and unconsciousness, Yeji perceives a blurry tableau. The ambient noises morph into a distant symphony as the figures of Do Jin and Sang Hwan come into focus, sprinting towards her with urgency.
Do Jin: (voice filled with concern) Yeji!
Sang Hwan: (calling out) Hang in there, Yeji!
Their voices, a lifeline in the hazy twilight, seem to reverberate through the corridor. Yet, with every faltering step, Yeji's connection to the tangible world weakens.
The world spins as Yeji succumbs to the inevitable pull of unconsciousness. The last vestiges of her awareness are filled with the echoes of concerned voices and the sight of Do Jin and Sang Hwan rushing to her aid.
The floor becomes a haven for her surrender, a place where the shadows of the hallway envelope her as she slips into the embrace of unconsciousness.
The infirmary was bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains. As Yeji slowly regained consciousness, she found herself lying on a narrow bed. The rhythmic hum of medical equipment surrounded her.
She turned her head slightly, her eyes adjusting to the light. There, sitting beside her, was Do Jin. In the gentle daylight, she couldn't help but notice the striking features that she hadn't fully appreciated before. His concern for her was evident in the furrowed lines on his forehead.
A fleeting thought crossed her mind – the thought of his handsomeness. It surprised her, and she quickly shook off the distraction, pulling herself together. The gravity of the recent events flooded back, grounding her.
Just as she attempted to sit up, Do Jin, who had been quietly watching over her, noticed her movement.
Do Jin: (softly) Yeji, you're awake.
His voice, a mixture of relief and worry, echoed in the infirmary, marking the beginning of a conversation in the hushed confines of the room.
Do Jin: (apologetic) Yeji, I need to say this. I shouldn't have treated you so rudely. I'm sorry.
Yeji: (curious) What changed your mind?
Do Jin: (reflective) Seeing you hurt like that made me realize how wrong I was. I should've been more understanding.
Yeji: (teary-eyed) I never meant to hurt anyone. I just want to be left in peace.
Do Jin, sincere in his apology, nods and leaves the infirmary, allowing Yeji the space she needs to rest and recover.
Do jin walks to his class and notices ga young and rest of them there
Do Jin: (concerned) Ga Young, are you okay?
Ga Young: (angry) Where were you all this time?
Do Jin: (calmly) I was helping Yeji. You should apologize to her.
Ga Young: (defiant) She doesn't deserve your help.
Do Jin: (earnest) Everyone deserves help. Remember Choi Min Ah? You're repeating the same mistakes that led to her death.
Ga Young: (defensive) Choi Min Ah's suicide had nothing to do with us.
Do Jin: (persistent) Ga Young, our actions can hurt people. We need to acknowledge that.
Ga Young, sensing the conversation turning against her, starts putting up an act, pretending to tear up.
Ga Young: (teary voice) I can't handle all this. It's too much.
Do Jin and the others, concerned, try to console her.
Do Jin: (softly) Ga Young, we just need to make things right. Apologizing to Yeji is the first step.
In the solitude of his cabin, Kim Joon Ho, burdened by thoughts of the ongoing bullying and Choi Min Ah's tragic death, contemplates the tangled web of events. Fueled by a personal quest for justice, he decides to reveal a hidden motive.
Kim Joon Ho: (thoughtful) It's time to find the truth. I came here not just as a teacher but to uncover the ties between SJ Corporation, my accident, and the school.
Determined to seek answers, Kim Joon Ho resolves to take matters into his own hands. The scene transitions to him stealthily making his way towards Seo Jae Hyun's office, the founder of the school, in search of clues or any information that might unravel the mystery.
In the cover of secrecy, Kim Joon Ho slips into Seo Jae Hyun's cabin, avoiding any prying eyes. The muted glow of the computer screens and the faint hum of electronics create an atmosphere of anticipation. Aware of the watchful eyes of the CCTV cameras, he skillfully jams them to ensure his activities remain undetected.
Kim Joon Ho: (whispering to himself) This is the only way.
With a sense of urgency, he rummages through the files and documents scattered across the room. Finally, his eyes fixate on a folder with a name he thought he had lost to the abyss of forgotten memories – his parents' names. Shock washes over him, frozen in a moment of revelation as he grapples with the weight of the unexpected discovery.
Meanwhile, Ga young at her house
Ga Young: (whispering to herself) Choi Min Ah... why did it have to end like that?
As Ga Young wrestles with the haunting memories of Choi Min Ah's tragic fate, she finds herself at the mercy of her own thoughts. The tension manifests in her nervous habit of biting her nails, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within.
Ga Young: (inwardly conflicted) I can't let them see how much it still bothers me. I have to keep up this facade.
Despite the calm exterior she projects to the outside world, Ga Young grapples with inner turmoil. The weight of her emotions drives her to seek solace in stress tablets, a hidden coping mechanism she hasn't shared with any of her friends.
Yeji, at her home
Yeji: (reflecting) Everything that happened today... it's a lot to take in.
Sitting alone in her room, Yeji contemplates the events of the day. As she retraces the steps of the unfolding drama, she decides to disclose a piece of crucial information.
Yeji: (softly) I did hear Ga Young's conversation in the washroom. SJ Corporation involved in embezzlement... but revealing this might bring more trouble my way.
Despite the knowledge that could potentially expose corruption, Yeji grapples with the decision to keep it to herself, fearing the repercussions it might have on her already tumultuous life.
In the midst of her contemplation, Yeji is suddenly seized by haunting flashes of an accident, a specter from her past that engulfs her with an overwhelming sense of dread. Trembling and sweating, she clutches her head, unable to withstand the surging pain.
Yeji: (screaming) No! Not again!
The echoes of the past reverberate through her consciousness, unraveling a painful tapestry that she struggles to contain. The room becomes a battleground of memories and anguish as Yeji grapples with the searing pain in her mind.
YOU ARE READING
Live or Die
Mystery / ThrillerKang Yeji, a high school student, has always faced bullies on her own. But everything changes when she's forced to send a tweet that plunges her into a mysterious and dangerous world of secrets. Suddenly, Yeji is not just fighting her bullies; she's...
