DISGRACE ✴ kim rian

15 ── ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ

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ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ

Yun Mi-hee's heart raced as she leaned against the door of her private room, her hand pressing firmly against her chest as if she could will it to calm down.

Kim Rian.

Her lips still tingled, betraying her. She could feel the weight of his touch, the way he’d leaned down and pulled her up with ease, the hand caging her to the chair as his lips captured hers in front of everyone. Her cheeks burned at the thought. Not out of embarrassment—though the growing whispers she had heard while walking away certainly fueled that—but because she hadn’t pushed him away.

Why didn’t I push him away?

Her hand slid up, touching her lips lightly. The sensation felt both foreign and infuriating. It was a kiss meant for show, just another move in this ridiculous game they were playing. She knew that. He’s still in love with Jae-i, she reminded herself. This means nothing.

And yet, it didn’t feel like nothing.

Her legs wobbled slightly as she pushed herself off the door, her gaze flicking around the room for something to anchor herself to. The bed? No, too comfortable. The desk? No, too cluttered. She needed clarity, and right now, her own space felt suffocating.

Sliding to the floor instead, she hugged her knees to her chest. The stoic mask she had perfected slipped away, leaving her raw and unguarded. She hated how her heart fluttered when she replayed the scene in her mind, hated the rush of heat that had consumed her, and most of all, hated him for doing this to her.

Kim Rian. A bully. Arrogant, reckless, infuriating.

And yet, the memory of his grin after the kiss lingered. Bright, playful, and completely out of character for him. His voice, dripping with honey as he said, “I’ll meet you after.” She clenched her fists at the thought, angry at herself for feeling anything other than contempt.

She hadn’t even managed to hold her usual indifference while walking away. The whispers in the crowd had been too loud, the stares too piercing. And Jae-i—her eyes, unreadable yet sharp, had followed Mi-hee’s retreat.

She exhaled sharply, resting her forehead against her knees. This is just a deal, she reminded herself. A deal to keep Kang Ha off my back and help Rian with his hopeless quest to win back Jae-i.

So why did it feel like something had shifted?

The thought made her stomach churn. No, this wasn’t progress. It couldn’t be. She still hated him. And whatever flutter her heart dared to feel would be crushed. This was a transaction, nothing more.

Finally, she stood, straightening her back and pulling her mask of indifference back into place. She walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, letting the chill jolt her back to reality.

“Get it together, Mi-hee,” she muttered to herself, staring at her reflection.

Kim Rian was still Kim Rian. And Yun Mi-hee would never lose herself to someone like him.

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