Annyeongz One-shots

56. End Game

Ryujin turns his body facing the pool and saw yujins body floating. Its hurt to see.

The announcement that Yujin was a citizen still echoed in everyone’s heads like a curse that wouldn’t fade.

No one spoke.

Some students cried quietly. Others just stood frozen, unable to even process what they had done.

Ryujin hadn’t moved since the speaker went silent.

His eyes were red, fists shaking at his sides, jaw clenched so hard it looked painful.

“They killed him…” someone whispered.

“No,” Ryujin said hoarsely. “We did.”

That broke whatever control he had left.

He let out a sound that wasn’t quite a shout, wasn’t quite a sob — something in between, raw and cracked.

“I told you,” he muttered, voice trembling. “I told you he wasn’t mafia…”

He dragged a hand through his hair, pacing like he couldn’t breathe inside his own skin.

Everyone watched him now.

Not as the bully.

Not as the loud one.

But as someone who just lost the only person who stood beside him.

Then suddenly—

Ryujin stopped.

Completely.

His shoulders slowly dropped.

The fight drained out of him like someone pulled a plug.

“I’m done,” he said quietly.

No one understood at first.

Liz wiped her tears. “What…?”

Ryujin laughed weakly, eyes empty. “You guys are trying so hard to find the mafia. The host. The mastermind behind this.”

He looked around at all of them — guilt, fear, regret written on every face.

“I know who they are.”

Everyone stiffened.

Wonyoung’s head lifted slowly.

Soobin stepped forward. “Then tell us!”

But Ryujin shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

His voice cracked again.

“Because you won’t believe me. Just like you didn’t believe Yujin.”

Silence pressed in again.

Then he did something none of them expected.

He pulled out his phone.

“I’m mafia,” he said.

Gasps.

Leeseo shook her head instantly. “No—”

“Yes,” he cut in, louder now. “I’m mafia. So just vote me. End it.”

“Stop lying!” Liz cried. “Why would you—”

“Because I’m tired!” Ryujin shouted, tears finally falling. “Tired of watching everyone turn on each other! Tired of being scared every second! Tired of this stupid game!”

His voice broke completely.

“And if someone has to go next, let it be me. At least you’ll feel safe for one night, right?”