DISGRACE ✴ kim rian

41 ─── ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ

ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ

Kang-ha leaned back on the swing, his arms crossed as he listened to Mi-hee with a half-smile. The playground was eerily quiet, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound accompanying their hushed conversation. The glow of the streetlights cast long shadows on the ground, flickering slightly in the night breeze.

“You think these scholarship kids are going to trust us?” Kang-ha asked, his voice skeptical but tinged with curiosity. “You’re still Yun Mi-hee to them. Rich. Powerful. Untouchable.”

Mi-hee tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “That’s exactly why they will. This isn’t about trust. It’s about strategy. If I’m seen standing with them, speaking out with them, it legitimizes their claims. The school can’t ignore it when the heir of Yun Corporation herself is part of the rebellion.”

Kang-ha shook his head, a disbelieving laugh escaping his lips. “You’re insane, you know that? How do you even know they’ll agree to this? Most of them are too scared to even make eye contact with someone like Kim Rian, let alone file complaints against him.”

Mi-hee’s lips curved into a sly smile. “They won’t be scared if they think they have nothing to lose. That’s where you come in.”

Kang-ha raised an eyebrow. “Me?”

“You’re one of them,” Mi-hee said, her voice firm. “You’ve been in their shoes. You know what it’s like to fight to stay afloat in this school. They’ll listen to you. And if you lead, they’ll follow.”

Kang-ha stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “And what’s your role in all this, Mi-hee? You think you can just waltz into their world and suddenly be their savior?”

Mi-hee’s smile faltered slightly, but her resolve didn’t waver. “I’m not trying to be their savior. I’m trying to be their weapon. If we do this right, we’ll turn the entire system against itself. The school, the board, the parents—they’ll all scramble to protect their reputations. And in the chaos, we’ll expose the rot at the core of this institution.”

Kang-ha studied her, the flicker of admiration in his eyes betraying his attempt to remain detached. “You’ve thought this through.”

“Of course I have,” Mi-hee replied, her tone sharp. “This isn’t just about revenge. It’s about justice. For you, for the others, for everyone who’s been crushed under the weight of people like Rian and Hera.”

Kang-ha sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. Let’s say I’m in. How exactly do we convince the scholarship students to speak up? And what’s the plan after that?”

Mi-hee pulled out a notebook from her bag, flipping it open to a page filled with notes and diagrams. “First, we meet with them. I’ll use my connections to arrange a private gathering—somewhere safe, where they won’t feel intimidated. You’ll talk to them, share your story, and encourage them to share theirs.”

“And then?” Kang-ha asked, leaning closer to peer at the notes.

“Then, we file the complaints,” Mi-hee said, her voice steady. “All of us. Together. The school can’t ignore a united front. Especially not when I’m part of it.”

Kang-ha nodded slowly, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re really going all in, huh?”

Mi-hee met his gaze, her eyes blazing with determination. “I told you, Kang-ha. I’m not playing games anymore.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of what they were planning hung heavy in the air, but there was also a sense of purpose, a flicker of hope in the darkness.

Kang-ha broke the silence, his voice softer now. “You know this isn’t just about Rian, right? You’re taking on the entire system. This could destroy you.”

Mi-hee’s expression hardened. “It already has. But if I’m going down, I’m taking them with me.”

Kang-ha nodded, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. “Alright then, Yun Mi-hee. Let’s burn this place to the ground.”

Mi-hee’s smile returned, sharper this time. “That’s the spirit.”

The two of them spent the next hour refining their plan, discussing every detail, every contingency. By the time they were done, the playground was bathed in the soft glow of dawn, the first light of day breaking through the horizon.

As they stood to leave, Kang-ha turned to Mi-hee, his expression serious. “You sure about this?”

Mi-hee looked at him, her eyes unwavering. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

With that, they parted ways, the weight of their shared mission settling heavily on their shoulders. But for the first time in a long time, Mi-hee felt like she was prepared.

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