Against All Odds (Chaeryeong x Male Reader)

Guilt Trip

In an instant, the front line battle ceases as every person in sight makes a full sprint towards the source of the scream. After a brief exchange of glances, your group follows suit. Your heart skips a beat at the scene that unfolded before your eyes: a frantic Yeji screaming for help, chest-deep in frigid lake water, holding onto an intact sheet of ice for dear life. Somehow, she had managed to move a sizable distance away from the shore before falling through the ice, making her dreadfully out of reach. Taking a look at your surroundings, the display of so many people standing idly while your friend could very well be dying sent a tidal wave of rage through your shaking body. 

"What the fuck are you all doing just standing here? I'm jumping in to save her, even if it means going alone. You're welcome to join me, but nobody's going to stop me."

"Don't go alone." A tall figure pushes through the crowd. "You're not strong enough to pull her out alone, and the last thing we want is both of you drowning. Allow me to help," Johnny offers stoically.  

"Me too," Edea chimes in, a long coil of rope slung over her shoulder. 

You manage a smile to express your appreciation before furrowing your brows once again.  

"Here's what's gonna happen," you start. "Johnny, I need you to keep a firm grip on one end of this rope while I crawl out towards Yeji to pass her the other end. Once we know that she's got it, I need as many of you all to pull as hard as you can while I make my way back. Does that make sense?"

"Couldn't have said it any better," says Johnny, giving you an encouraging smile. "God bless."

"Yeji, we're coming for you! Just stay calm and sit tight!" you shout.

"Okay! Please be careful!" Yeji replies, who, thankfully, seems to have calmed down a bit.

Here goes nothing.

You get on all fours to evenly distribute your weight and are taken aback by the slickness of the ice as soon as your first limb makes contact.

Holy shit, you think, taking a moment to collect your wits.

Maintaining a safe but urgent pace, you inch your way over to Yeji, keeping a firm grip on the rope. Once you're within range, you give the rope an adroit toss.

"I got it!" whoops Yeji.

"Tie it around your waist. Your hands might be too clammy to hold on tightly," you command.

Once Yeji flashes a thumbs up signal after securing herself, the people at shore start pulling her to safety. Crawling your way back to shore, you keep an eye out as Yeji slowly glides past you across the ice. Johnny extends a hand to pull you up once you have crawled within reach, and the students break into cheers and applause in relief. Ryujin squeezes your shoulder in validation, and you collapse to your knees out of shock and exhaustion. 

"Yeji." A stern voice silences the crowd. 

"I don't think words can describe how disappointed and appalled  I am right now. What were you thinking running out into the lake like that? Not only did you endanger yourself, but you also endangered everyone else who had to save you!" Mr. Li jostles his way to the front of the circle.

"Y-You see..." Yeji stammers.

"Well? I'm waiting," presses Mr. Li.

"I was getting hit really hard with snowballs and I freaked out. I felt like I was going to get knocked out if I got hit with any more, so I ran out there to escape. That was foolish for me to do, and I have no excuses. I'm sorry." finishes Yeji, head hanging low in shame.