diabolical || skz + jisung centric

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chapter one: a new beginning

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jisung's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit hallway, each step drawing him deeper into the shadowy mansion. his heart pounded in his chest, the echo reverberating in the eerie silence. he glanced nervously at the grand staircase that stretched out before him, its dark wood glistening in the flickering light of the few candles that lined the walls.

"i really shouldn't be here," jisung muttered to himself, clutching his duffel bag tighter. the house had an ominous presence, as though it was alive, breathing and waiting for something – or someone. but this was his new home, like it or not. transferring schools in his senior year wasn't part of the plan, but his father's sudden job relocation left him with little choice.

the letter he received from his new school, Black Rose Academy, had instructed him to stay at this mansion with his new "guardians." there had been no mention of who they were, only that they were students at the academy as well. something about the whole situation felt off, but his father had assured him it was a prestigious place, perfect for a fresh start.

jisung took a deep breath and continued up the stairs. at the top, he found himself facing a long corridor lined with numerous doors. each door looked the same, with heavy, dark wood and brass handles, giving no indication of what might lie behind them. he hesitated, unsure of which one to try first.

as he was about to open the nearest door, a voice interrupted him.

"well, well, what do we have here?"

jisung spun around, nearly dropping his bag. a tall figure lounged against the wall at the end of the hallway, partially obscured by shadows. the flickering candlelight caught the stranger's eyes, revealing a mischievous glint.

"i'm minho," the figure said, pushing off the wall and striding towards jisung with a casual yet predatory grace. "you must be the new blood."

"new blood?" jisung echoed, confusion mixing with the unease that had been gnawing at him since he arrived.

minho smirked, stepping closer until he was almost uncomfortably close. "that's right. you're the new one they sent to us. didn't anyone warn you about this place?"

before jisung could respond, another voice called out from behind him, smooth and laced with amusement. "minho, don't scare him too much. we wouldn't want him running off so soon, would we?"

jisung turned to see another young man leaning casually against the opposite wall, his blonde hair falling into his eyes as he watched them with a playful smile.

"hyunjin," minho greeted the newcomer without turning around, "i'm not scaring him. just... informing him."

"whatever you say," hyunjin replied with a chuckle, pushing off the wall and approaching jisung. he extended a hand, his smile widening. "i'm hyunjin. welcome to your new home."

jisung took the offered hand hesitantly, finding hyunjin's grip firm yet oddly comforting. but there was something about his eyes, something that made jisung's skin crawl despite the warm smile.

"um, thanks," jisung said, trying to maintain his composure. "i'm jisung. it's nice to meet you both."

"oh, you're going to meet more than just us," minho said, his smirk never fading. "but first, let's get you settled in."

as they led him down the corridor, jisung couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, not just by the two in front of him, but by something unseen, lurking in the shadows.