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A RUDE AWAKENING
chapter three, act one.

❝ sweet dream was over ❞
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FOOL.

That's what Han Ji-ah was. A complete fool.

How could she not have seen it? Noticed it? How was she so blinded by the butterflies that swam through her guts whenever Jae-Joon was around?

She should have known.

She should have been more aware of her surroundings. If she was just careful enough, she could have seen the misery her so-called friends brought to her classmates.

If only she wasn't so ignorant and a fool in love, if she could even call it that.

Of course, she was aware of the daily teasing and pushing during the class, but it didn't come close to what she had witnessed in the gym class.

Ji-ah had confronted them.

"It was a joke," Yeon-Jin said.

"A joke?" Ji-Ah's voice rose, her anger bubbling to the surface. "You call kicking and slapping someone a joke? You think that's funny?"

Hye-Jeong stepped forward; her expression was stony. "Look, Ji-Ah, we didn't mean for things to go that far," she said, her voice devoid of any remorse. "But Soo-Hee was always so sensitive, it's not our fault she couldn't handle a few jokes."

"Jae-Joon, say something," Ji-Ah demanded, her voice breaking with emotion. Jae-Joon remained silent; his face expressionless—he had nothing to say. "Do you think this is funny? Do you think it's a joke to make someone's life a living hell?"

Her deep, hungry eyes pleaded for something . . . something so rich and profound that it made Jae-Joon want to drop on his knees before her, just for her. But he couldn't.

He wouldn't.

Jae-Joon's demeanor shifted, a brief glimpse of inner turmoil slipping through his usual facade. "You don't understand, Ji-Ah," he uttered, his voice low and tense, betraying the conflict within.

Ji-Ah shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "No, I don't understand," she admitted. Her voice was barely more than a whisper. "But one thing's clear—I can't continue like this. I can't bear to see you ruin someone's life for your own pleasure."

Jae-Joon stepped forward, his expression hardening but his eyes were always soft when met with hers. "What do you expect us to do now?" he asked, his tone challenging. "Apologize? Beg for forgiveness?"

Ji-Ah nodded her head, her eyes blazing with determination. "Yes," she replied. "And I expect you to stop. To leave her alone. I won't stand by and let you continue to hurt people."

"She was an easy target," Sa-Ra shrugged nonchalantly, as if discussing the weather. "It's not like anyone cares about her, anyway."

"That's not the point!" Ji-Ah cried, her voice echoing off the walls of the gym. "You hurt her, you bullied her, and you didn't even think about the repercussions. Well, now you'll have to face them." Her words were like arrows, piercing through the air with determination.

Myeong-Oh stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "And what are you going to do about it, huh?" he taunted. "Tell the principal? Call the police? Go ahead, Ji-Ah, do your worst."

And that's exactly what she did.

She had taken the said student, Yoon Soo-Hee, to the principal's office—despite her protests—and had told him about what she had witnessed.

What was she thinking?

That they would punish them? Yes, definitely. But what she definitely didn't think was for her complaints to fall on deaf ears.

Ji-Ah's heart sank as she watched Soo-Hee's tear-streaked face contort in anguish. They stood in the dimly lit corridor, away from prying eyes. The weight of the situation was heavy on them.

"Soo-Hee, I can't just stand by and watch them hurt you," Ji-Ah pleaded, her voice laced with desperation.

But Soo-Hee shook her head frantically, her hands clasped together in a pleading gesture. "Please, Ji-Ah, don't do this," she begged, her voice quivering with fear. "They'll only make it worse for me if they know I told you. I can't handle it anymore."

Ji-Ah's heart ached at the sight of Soo-Hee's distress, her own guilt gnawing at her insides. She had thought she was doing the right thing by speaking up, by trying to protect Soo-Hee from further harm. But now, faced with the reality of Soo-Hee's fear, she couldn't help but question her actions.

"I'm sorry, Soo-Hee," Ji-Ah whispered, her voice barely audible above the echo of their surroundings. "I just can't ignore what they're doing to you."

Soo-Hee's eyes filled with fresh tears and her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I understand," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper. "But please, promise me you'll be careful. They won't hesitate to come after you, too."

Ji-Ah nodded solemnly, her determination wavering in the face of Soo-Hee's fear. "I promise," she vowed, her voice firm despite uncertainty swirling within her. "I won't let them hurt you anymore."

As they stood there in the quiet corridor, their words hanging heavy in the air, Ji-Ah couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew that by involving herself further; she was risking not only her own safety but Soo-Hee's as well. But she also knew that she couldn't turn a blind eye to the injustice unfolding before her eyes.

With a heavy heart, Ji-Ah made a silent vow to herself—she would do whatever it took to put an end to the bullying, no matter the cost. Even if it meant facing the wrath of those she once considered friends.

And even begging her father for his help.

"You want me to interfere in a school matter?" he scoffed, his tone condescending. "Do you realize how that would look? It's not our place to get involved in such trivial affairs."

"But it's not trivial, Dad," Ji-Ah argued, desperation creeping into her voice. "This is serious. Soo-Hee is being bullied mercilessly, and no one is doing anything to stop it."

Her father's expression hardened, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I understand your concern, Ji-Ah, but we have to think about our reputation. Getting involved in this could do more harm than good. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

Ji-Ah's heart sank as her father's words reverberated in her mind. She had clung to a glimmer of hope, wishing he would heed her pleas and aid Soo-Hee. However, his denial only fueled her despair, like a candle flickering in a gust of wind, struggling to stay alight.

"But Dad, someone has to do something!" Ji-Ah's voice cracked with emotion, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Soo-Hee is suffering because of those bullies, and we can't just turn a blind eye to it."

Her father's gaze hardened; his jaw set in a firm line. "And what do you propose I do about it?"

"I want you to use your influence to put an end to this," she said, her voice slowly rising with each word.

Her father's expression turned stern, his lips forming a tight line. "And what's my end of the deal?" he questioned, a hint of menace underlying his words.

"Anything," came the simple, unwavering reply, like a lone leaf bending before a powerful gust of wind.

Her father's expression softened slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. I have one condition."

Ji-Ah looked up, her gaze meeting her father's. "What condition?"

"You will study business in college," he stated firmly. "No more talk of pursuing any other ridiculous career paths. It's time you started thinking about your future and our family's legacy."

Ji-Ah felt a surge of anger and frustration rise within her. She had always dreamt of exploring different paths, of finding a career that truly spoke to her passion. But now, faced with her father's ultimatum, she knew she had no choice but to comply.

Reluctantly, she nodded. "Fine, I'll do it."

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𓆸 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝄢

okay . . . so we finally get to begin with the real game ! i am so excited to write what happens next . . . ! so, stay tuned and i can't promise that the next half of the act one will be sunshine and rainbows because it will be more like thunder and storm . . . ! and I hate Jae-Joon, BYE !