Beneath the Hierarchy | Hierarchy - Kim Rian

Chapter 15 - Entwined Hearts

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The next morning, Jia and Kangha arrived at school earlier than usual, seeking a brief respite from the overwhelming stress of recent events. As they stepped into their classroom, a sight of chaos greeted them. At the back of the room, Yunseok, Chanmin, and a few other students had Taeho cornered against the wall. Yunseok's face was twisted in a cruel smile as he held Taeho by the collar, and Taeho's lip was swollen and bleeding from a recent punch.

Jia and Kangha's blood boiled at the sight of their friend being treated so brutally. The other students in the classroom watched passively, some casting furtive glances but doing nothing to intervene. The injustice of it all ignited a fierce anger in both Jia and Kangha.

"Hey!!!" Jia's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the murmurs and gasps that followed her entrance. Her eyes were fixed on the scene in front of her, filled with an intense fury.

"Knock it off," Kangha commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. He walked quickly toward Yunseok, with Jia right behind him, determination etched on her face.

Taeho, his eyes filled with pain and relief, looked up at them. "Kangha, Jia," he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and hope. His eyes pleaded for their intervention.

Yunseok chuckled, a mocking tone evident in his laughter. "Hey, look who's here now," he said, his hand tightening around Taeho's neck, forcing him to stand upright. "It's your old middle school friends." He pulled Taeho roughly away from the wall, positioning him directly in front of Kangha and Jia.

Kangha's face darkened with rage as he shoved Yunseok away from Taeho, his strength and anger evident in the force of his push. Jia, her concern evident in every movement, quickly took Taeho's hand and guided him gently toward her. She began to check his injuries, her touch soft but deliberate. Kangha stood in front of Jia and Taeho, his posture protective and ready to confront any threat.

Yunseok's taunt cut through the tension. "That was one hell of a plot twist, huh?" he sneered, his eyes glinting with malicious delight. "We were trying to find dirt on you and dug up something else. If you stay at this school, this douchebag's done for. So what'll it be? He's your friend, so... sound like you should leave now. And then we might let him stay."

"Who the hell are you?" Kangha demanded, his voice low and threatening as he faced Yunseok with unflinching resolve.

"What?" Yunseok replied, clearly taken aback by Kangha's unwavering stance.

"Who are you to decide who gets to stay?" Jia's voice cut through the room, icy and challenging. Her gaze was piercing, her anger so palpable that it seemed to radiate from her.  Jia's eyes narrowed dangerously, her anger manifesting in a fierce glare. Her face flushed red, veins standing out in her neck, and her fists clenched tightly. The other students started whispering amongst themselves, their curiosity and fear palpable.

Rian, who had been quietly observing with his earpods in, finally removed them and turned his full attention to the confrontation. His eyes widened as he saw Jia standing defiantly in front of Kangha, her anger evident in every line of her face. Rian's gaze locked onto Jia, and he was both impressed and intimidated by the sheer intensity of her anger.

Kangha gently placed a hand on Jia's shoulder, guiding her behind him as he took a step forward. He leaned in close to Yunseok, his voice a dangerous whisper that carried across the room. "You're just a pathetic lapdog who bullies peoples for Kim Rian."