GASLIGHTER // BBANGSAZ

19|A dark spiral 🚬

As Minji stood in the dimly lit living room, her forehead pressed against Hanni’s, a flood of emotions coursed through her.

She had kissed Hanni out of a surge of jealousy, driven by the fear of losing her to Danielle’s influence.

But now, as she felt Hanni’s breath against her skin and saw the confusion in her eyes, a deep sense of unease began to settle in Minji’s chest.

The kiss had been wrong. Minji knew it the moment their lips parted.

She had acted on impulse, not out of genuine affection but out of a desperate need to assert control.

The possessive, almost predatory desire to claim Hanni as her own had overridden her better judgment. She had crossed a line, and now the consequences of that impulsive act weighed heavily on her.

As Hanni withdrew, Minji forced a smile, masking the turmoil within. She watched Hanni’s retreating form, her heart pounding with a mix of regret and triumph.

The kiss had achieved its immediate goal: Hanni was more deeply ensnared in her web.

But the price of that victory gnawed at her conscience.

Minji’s thoughts swirled as she sat alone in the living room.

Why had she felt so intensely jealous? Why did the mere idea of Hanni being close to Danielle ignite such a visceral reaction within her? She had always prided herself on being in control, on maintaining a cool detachment.

But with Hanni, everything felt different.

Her mind drifted back to the moment in the schoolyard when she had watched Hanni and Danielle from afar.

The anger, the possessiveness—it had all surged to the surface, consuming her rationality.

She clenched her fists, the memory of the kiss replaying in her mind. Hanni’s response had been hesitant, confused, yet she had not pushed Minji away.

That gave Minji a twisted sense of satisfaction.

Hanni was under her control, and that knowledge brought a dark smile to Minji’s lips.

She could manipulate Hanni’s emotions, steer her actions, and keep her isolated from anyone who might pose a threat to their bond.

Hanni’s dependency on her was a tool, a means to maintain dominance.

The rest of the evening passed in a haze.

Minji tried to focus on her homework, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Hanni, to the kiss, and to the dangerous game she was playing.

She knew she was walking a fine line, but the power she held over Hanni was intoxicating.
_

Late that night, the sound of the front door slamming jolted Minji from her thoughts. Her mother was home. The scent of alcohol wafted through the house, a familiar and dreaded smell that made Minji’s stomach churn.

"Minji!" her mother’s voice slurred as she staggered into the living room. "Where are you?"

Minji froze, a chill running down her spine. She had hoped her mother would stay out late, giving her and Hanni more time to themselves. But now, faced with her mother’s drunken rage, Minji felt the familiar dread settle in her gut.

"I’m here, Mom," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady.

Her mother stumbled into the room, eyes bloodshot and wild. "You think you can just ignore me? Think you’re better than me, huh?"

Minji’s heart pounded as she stood up, her muscles tense. "No, Mom. I was just studying."

"Studying," her mother sneered, stumbling closer. "You and your damn studying. Think you’re so smart, don’t you?"