Chapter Text
You're already in your bunk bed pretending to sleep — perfectly still, eyes shut. You counted seconds til the loud classical music is going to turn on waking every participant in the game up. You tried not to smile from the anticipation crawling under your skin, as your fingers twitch against your tracksuit pants, fidgeting.
Suddenly the music starts to play, and you immediately open your eyes and pretend to rub them.
Finally.
You slowly sit up and look around. Other players are starting to wake up too — confusion playing on their faces. Eyes squinting so they can adjust to the fluorescent lights above them.
You get up from your bed and look down at your green tracksuit as your number is staring at you on the left side of your chest.
002
You force your face to look confused. Around you, you can hear other players murmuring.
Where the hell are we?
What's going on?
What is this place?
They all start to gather in the middle of the dorm room, looking around, scratching their heads. Some still sit in their beds, not daring to get out.
You stay away from everyone, watching them.
Your gaze turns to player 456 walking down from his bunk bed by stairs. He is stopped by player 044. You can't hear what she is saying to him, but the look on his face is almost confused, angry even.
Suddenly you hear a buzz and the doors open with a mechanical groan.
Everyone turns.
The room stills.
Figures in pink jumpsuits and black masks step through the doorway in formation. Motionless. Anonymous.
A few players stumble back instinctively. The others try to move closer to see what's going on.
You stay where you are. Watching. Arms crossed.
You already know the script.
One of the guards with a square on his masks steps in front of the other guards.
"I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome you all," the guards says, voice calm. "Over the next six days, you will participate in six different games."
You glance at players who are listening carefully to see their reaction. You see fear, confusion and even anger on their faces.
"Those who win all six games will receive a handsome cash prize." the guard explains.
Silence.
"Excuse me?"
The voice cuts through the room loud enough to grab attention.
You turn your head, along with everybody else, eyes landing on the player who spoke.
Player 120.
She walked down from her bunk bed with slow, deliberate steps.
"If we're just playing games here, then why you'd basically kidnap us?" player 120 takes a glimpse at other players before continuing. "How can we trust you now?"
Everyone immediately turns their heads back to the guards.
"My apologies. Please understand it was a necessary step taken to maintain the strict confidentiality of these games." the guards replies.
"Is that right? Then what's the deal with the masks?" another player asks. "That's a secret too, I'm guessing?"
"Yeah! Why are you wearing those?" another man chimes in next to her. "Where the hell are we? Is this some kind of illegal casino, huh?"
"If this were one of those, you'd see the dealers' faces!" another woman yells out making everyone agree with her.
You also nod your head. Just to sell it better.
"To ensure the fairness and confidentiality of the games, it is our policy not to disclose the faces and identities of our staff to participants." the guard smoothly replies.
You squint your eyes and slowly start to move to the spot where player 456 is standing.
"Did you people strip me when you shoved me into this?" another player yells out holding her green jacket in her hand.
"And where the hell are my shoes?" player with purple hair asks confused while holding his shoe making the previous speaker look at him with a bit of annoyance in her eyes. "God damn it, that pair was fucking limited edition!"
Purple hair man looks at the shoe he is holding with a weird look on his face, "They don't even make those anymore. What the hell? How you gonna fix it if they get ruined?"
"Look at this. The size is all wrong and I hate the colors you're using." the previous speaker was still holding her jacket in her hand and eyeing it with a disgusted face before glancing at the guards and smiling. "Can I have the outfit you guys are wearing instead? The pink's cute as hell."
You approach player 456 finally. You haven't decided what you're gonna say yet. He doesn't notice you at first — too busy watching the argument unfolding near the front of the room.
But you know you have to befriend him.
A previous winner returning back to the game? Willingly? That's a new one.
"Hi.." you speak up.
He slowly turns his head to you. Eyes immediately dropping to your number and then he looks at you.
"Uhh... hi."
You give him a small, nervous smile, "This is weird, right? I feel like I woke up in a dream."
He glared at you with that angry look on his face he had before, before softening for a bit.
"Or a nightmare." he turns his head as players are shown on a screen getting slapped.
The guard calls out the players that just asked questions, with his hand lifted up holding a small remote. He tells who they are and their debt amount.
Your lip twitches a little bit almost curling into a smile as you turn your attention to the screen.
And finally, the last player is called out.
Some kind of old guy.
"100, Im Jeong-dae," the guard pauses for a little bit as the old man is shown on the screen getting slapped. "total debt — ten million."
You hear the players gasp and whisper turning their heads to try and find him.
"What are you looking at?" an angry voice is heard making some of the players jump. "Think it's easy to get loans that large? They don't give out ten billion to just anyone! You have to work in the big leagues for that!"
The crowd murmurs again before turning their attention back to the guards.
You turn your attention to player 456, "You're in debt too?"
His attention is back to you, that angry look on his face returning once again.
"Oh sorry, that was rude of me." you slightly bow down to him apologizing.
His face softens again before speaking up, "No, no debt."
You look at him with a curious look on your face, "Oh? Then what are you doing here? Seems like everyone here is in some kind of debt."
He ignores your question and instead puts his finger in his mouth. You look at him with a curiosity and confusion on your face.
"Toothache?"
"No." His voice is flat. "Just... checking."
You hum and then look in front of you once the lights turn yellow and the big piggy bank is slowly lowering down and then stopping, hanging on the ceiling. You glimpse at other players who are now looking up with mouths slightly open. Some smile, some look confused. You take a quick look at player 456 who looks down angrily at the guards.
When the guard reveals the prize money people start to chatter, with excitement.
The guards also reveal that everyone will be given a chance to vote and leave the games, if the majority of votes will allow that.
That should get his attention.
Your idea after all.
"Hold on," suddenly player 456 steps forward. "After game one, if we vote to go, then the prize money gets divided among us?"
The guard pauses for a bit, "That is correct."
Then the player 456 turns around and looks into the camera behind him. You follow his gaze and turn around with him, also looking into the camera — you bit your lip and smile. Because you know who is watching on the other side of the camera.
The frontman.
Hwang In-Ho.
Your husband.
...
All players walk into the first game. Cold air brushes against your skin as you step out of the building. You keep your face carefully neutral, walking with the rest of the players in the big field where the first game will be held.
Some players murmur amongst themselves, trying to predict the first game. Others remain silent, eyes flicking toward the guards standing on each side by the big robotic doll dressed in an orange dress and two pony tails.
You walk near the back, hands tucked in your pockets, green tracksuit rustling softly. You keep your eyes low, but you see everything. 456 walks ahead, his shoulders tense, jaw tight. His fists are clenched like he's ready for something to go wrong — and of course, it will.
You hear someone whisper behind you, "Is that... a playground?"
You turn your head around and shrug, "Might be, what's with the weird doll?"
"Shit, didn't even notice that." the same player replies.
You hear other players also pointing to the front with confusion asking what is that.
You walk closer to 456 who is now standing next to player 390.
The doors behind you closes making every player turn their heads around.
"Welcome to the first game," a voice calls out from speakers. "You will be playing Red light, Green light."
Now you're standing behind 456 and 390, and you hear player 390 ask, "Is that all they want us to play? Red light, Green light?"
"What the hell is this?" your voice cuts through
They both turn around and look at you.
Player 390 snorts, "Easy enough. I was worried they were gonna make us fight each other or something."
Then 456 turns around and again puts his fingers in his mouth. You step to stand beside him now, looking at him. He pulls out a tooth out of his moth with a terrified look on his face once he turns it around, revealing that there is a hole.
Empty.
Interesting.
"Hey, man, is that your tooth?!" player 390 asks with a shocked look on his face
He holds the fake tooth in his hand and looks straight in front of him, as the voice is explaining the rules of the game.
You bit inside your cheeks as you try not to smile.
Did he really think that he will be able to sneak in a tracker?
Idiot.
Then he drops the tooth and pushes everyone out of his way to run in front of them.
"Everyone!" he starts yelling loudly. "Everybody, you need to pay attention! Hey, listen up!"
He waves his hand as the crowd goes silent.
"I'm gonna tell you something and you gotta listen close! This isn't just a game, it's more than that! If you move after 'red light,' you're going to be shot!"
You now look at the player 390 who is looking at 456 with confusion on his face as he scoffs. Others start to chuckle and murmur something.
"Excuse me, sir. What exactly are you saying?" random player asks. "That we're all gonna die playing Red light, Green light? Really?"
"Come on, let's do it!" player 100 yells out with excitement.
You already know that he will be a problem.
"Yes, that's right!" 456 yells back. "If they catch you moving, you're going to be killed! They're gonna shoot you. There's guns in the walls!"
Everyone looks at the walls that reveal nothing. Only a yellow field with clouds.
All fake, of course.
You hear other players make fun of him. You start to step closer to the start line. A few players glance at you as you pass, your expression unreadable. You walk slow, deliberate, eyes set on 456.
He glances at you and you nod with a terrified look on your face. Like you're believing him. He nods back before he turns his attention back to the players.
The doll whirs around and slowly pulls the hand up to rest it by the tree, as the speaker crackles with that now iconic, mechanical voice, "With that, let the game begin."
You prepare yourself to be in a position to start walking as the timer on the screen shows up.
05:00
"Green light!"
You and the other players start to walk, as you glance over your shoulder and see 456 standing in the same spot with his hands wide open like he is leading every player, as to when they can move and when they shouldn't.
"Red light!"
Everyone stops, no one is moving.
"Now hold!" you hear 456 yell out.
"Green light!"
Everyone starts to walk again, some run.
"Red light!"
"Hold still!" 456 yells out again.
You roll your eyes, but think to yourself that this is kind of fun in a way — there's no way everyone will survive the first game. Something will go wrong sooner or later.
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
You and the other players are almost half way through.
"Red light!"
Pause. Silence.
Suddenly you hear screaming. Your eyes dart in the direction it is coming from.
And then, the first bang.
Let the fun begin.
"Player 196, eliminated." a voice from the speaker calls out.
Then you hear another woman screaming and a loud bang.
And then more shooting, and even more. Almost everyone is running back to the doors, like they will be able to escape this.
You take a breath. Your face is pale, wide eyed masking the way your pulse thrums with something far from fear.
You love this part.
You hear player 456 yell something about everyone staying still and not running. No one, except some players are listening.
You can only imagine what is happening in the control room right now. The floor with player pictures and numbers slowly disappearing with a satisfying sound. Part of you wishes you'd be there right now, but think to yourself that is way more fun. To be with them. To experience.
Then the shooting stops.
"I will repeat the rules again," voice from the speaker is heard. "You are allowed to move forward when it says 'Green light', when it says 'Red light', you must stop. If your movement is detected afterwards, you will be eliminated."
"Green light!"
No one moves a muscle.
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
You start to run, and hear someone else behind you run as well, while others stay still, not daring to move a muscle.
"Red light!"
You immediately stop.
"Green light!"
You start running and notice that it is player 456 who is also running.
"Red light!"
"If you don't cross the line in time, they'll still kill you!" he speaks up with his mouth covered using his elbow. "Look at the dolls eyes! They're cameras that scan the field for motion! But it's not able to detect you if you're behind something! So if you're short, line up behind someone who's taller than you! Single file, like you're forming a conga line!"
You glance at the time.
02:20
"Green light!"
Everyone starts to slowly move, some run.
"Red light!"
You can hear someone breathing down your neck. Who the hell is standing behind you now?
Bang!
Bang!
"Green light!"
You run faster and move to the side, glancing over your shoulder where you see a man behind you, moving also to the side.
The fuck?
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
Then you hear some people falling over, and three gun shots coming through.
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
More gunshots.
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
You and the man who was behind you were the first ones to cross the line. You turn around and notice players standing in different lines.
You glimpse at the man, who is panting and holding himself up by resting his hands on his knees.
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
Now more players pass through the line, some fall immediately on the ground panting. Some run to the wall to steady themselves.
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
Time 00:29.
You see 456 run back into the field hovering over a player 444 that was shot in the leg.
A leg? Seriously?
"Red light!"
"Green light!"
You see him holding the player 444, with a help from 120. They barely cross the line, as you hear 444 thank both 120 and 456, before he is shot in the head.
You squint your eyes and look up to the guns from the walls.
"Player 444, eliminated."
You look at 456 and 120 both trembling by the limp body of 444.
Then the sound from above makes everyone look up, as the ceiling is closing down, taking away the fresh air from outside.
The first game has ended. What a thrill.
...
Everyone is back in the dorms sitting on their bunk beds. Some people already formed their groups, some are alone.
It's quiet. No one is really speaking. Only some quiet chatters.
You move to 456, who is sitting next to 390 talking.
"Hey, how did you knew that people are going to die?" you ask, making him look at you.
"Yeah! I asked him the same question!" 390 chimes, his eyes not leaving 456.
He opens his mouth to respond, but the lights turn out and a loud buzz comes from the doors, as the guards come in. Armed.
Everyone gets up and tries to hide themselves.
"You have successfully made it through the first game," the main guard says. "Congratulations to you all. Now, if I may have your attention, I will announce the results so far."
The screen that is above the guard heads show numbers, that go down from 456 players to 365 players.
"Once again, congratulations to all of you for making it through the first game."
"Sir, listen to me! Let us go, please!" an old lady runs in front of everyone dragging a man next to her. "Oh, please! Don't kill us!"
She gets on her knees and starts to beg, and then makes her son get on his knees too. You see other players joining them and getting on their knees begging to let them go.
"Didn't you say that we can vote and get out of the games if the majority of votes agree to leave?" you speak up loudly making everyone turn their heads to you and agreeing.
The guard turns his head to you, slightly tilts it and pauses, "That is correct."
"Then we'll do that. We'll put it to a vote." 456 gets up and walks in front of you.
"If that's what you'd like." the guard agrees. "During these games, we will always respect your right to freedom of choice."
Players gasp in relief.
Here comes the twist.
Also your idea.
"But before we vote, we will reveal how much prize money has accumulated after the first game."
Then the guard takes out the remote and lifts his hand up, revealing the piggy bank once again. They money starts to fall in, making players move to the middle and looking up.
You do the same. Pretending to be mesmerized by the money.
"A total of 91 players were eliminated during the first game. Therefore, 9.1 billion won has accumulated so far," the guard starts to explain. "If you decide to stop playing and quit the games now, the remaining 365 players will split the 9.1 billion amongst themselves. Meaning you each leave with an equal share."
"Okay. How much per share?" player asks.
"Each player would get 24,931,500 won." the guard replies
People start to accuse the guards of cheating, and asking more questions. The guard explains again how the split between players would work.
"With that, the voting may now begin."
Two buttons are now revealed. Blue and red.
"If you wish to continue playing, press the blue button with the 'O'. If you wish to stop playing, press the red button with the 'X'," the guard explains smoothly. "You will vote in order of player number, from highest to lowest."
"Player 456." the guard calls the first player out.
He slowly moves through the crowd with the same angry look on his face he had at the start of the games. And without thinking he presses button 'X'. The guards hand him a red patch with 'X' on it, to put in on his chest, also explaining that players have to go and stand in the marked area according to their voting choice.
He attaches the patch and moves to the side with the big 'X' on the floor. His fists and jaw are clenched.
"Player 454." the guard calls out another player
The lady moves fast and immediately presses 'O'.
"Player 453."
'X'
'X'
'O'
'O'
'O'
So far 10 'X' votes, and 8 'O' votes.
You wonder what will happen, but you can already predict that the games will continue. After all the money isn't enough to cover some of the player debts. They will want to continue. You glance at players standing in the 'X' zone. You see the slight panic on their faces, wondering if this will end tonight.
'O'
'X'
'X'
'O'
"Player 390."
He presses 'X'.
You move to the back and look around the crowd that still hasn't voted.
And then you notice him.
Your stomach drops before your brain can even form the thought. That mask of quiet control, the unreadable expression, the flicker of something dangerous just beneath the surface — you know that face.
You don't know what name he's using here. You don't know how long he's been back in the game.
You move to him closer, his attention now to you.
"Player 001," you look at his number and give him your hand to introduce yourself, before pointing to your number. "I think we will be great friends."
He tilts his head for a bit before taking your hand and shaking it, "002."
Your eyes are on him as you keep shaking his hand, a slight smile playing on your lips.
He looks around once, a casual sweep of the room, before his gaze settles back on your mouth, then your eyes. "So what's your strategy, 002? Stay quiet? Stay pretty? Let the others kill each other off first?"
Your smile sharpens. "Oh, I'm not the quiet type."
He leans in slightly, voice dropping enough that only you can hear, "Oh, I know that."
You slightly bit your lip and turn around, stepping backwards to stand next to him, your fingers brushing against his.
You glance at the screen, just as player 230 voted 'O'.
87'X's, 93'O's.
"Hold on everyone! Wait a minute!" a voice yells out.
456 again.
Your jaw tenses the moment you hear him.
Of course.
456 stumbles forward, sweat pouring down his face, panic clinging to his every word, "Don't do this to yourselves. Just think for a second. Can't you see what's going on? These aren't regular games we're playing."
Beside you, In-ho watches 456 with the same mild interest he might give a fly buzzing at the window. Not cruel. Just... above it. Removed. But you see the faint flex of his jaw, the smallest tick at his temple. He's annoyed. Not by the panic — by the delay.
You don't blame him.
456 pleads again, "If we don't stop this, they'll kill us all! Just focus on getting out of this place. And to do that, we need to win the vote. We can stop this here and now."
"And who do you think you are?" player 100 yells out stepping forward."Why're you trying to egg people on? What're you getting at? The game had just started, and you scared us shouting about getting shot!"
"He's right!" another player chimes in. "You kept going on and on about how we were all gonna die and I got so nervous that I was almost killed out there!"
"By the way, how did you know they were gonna shoot at us?" someone else yells out. "You work for these guys?"
And poor 456 — stands in the middle of it all, shoulders drawn in, eyes wide, caught off guard by the speed of the shift. He's sweating harder now, not from fear, but from realization. They don't see him as a hero. They see him as a liability.
You don't move. You don't speak.
Beside you, In-ho shifts his weight slightly, like he's settling in to watch something mildly amusing unfold. His gaze flicks across the room, calculating, cataloguing. His arms remain at his sides, posture loose, relaxed, in total control.
Fingers slightly brushing with yours.
"I've played these games before!" 456 yells out grabbing his head.
The crowd goes quiet.
"I said I've played these games before." he yells out again more desperate.
You quietly chuckle under your breath, making In-Ho glance at you with the tiniest spark of amusement there. The faintest curve of his lips, just enough to break his usual impassive mask.
"They don't know what's coming," you whisper low enough that only he can hear, voice thick with irony.
In-ho's gaze slides back to 456, who's visibly unraveling, words tumbling over themselves in a frantic scramble to explain, to justify.
"You're enjoying this too much," In-ho murmurs, voice just a breath.
You smirk, fingers tapping lightly against your leg. "I'm not sure if it's the games or the chaos that's better."
In-ho gives you a slight push with his shoulder, before his face expression turns back to the unreadable cold one.
"Wait a minute. If everyone else died, then how did you survive?" player 226 asks. "Unless.. You're saying you were the only winner?"
456 goes quiet, "It's true. I was the only one who made it."
All the players gasp.
You gasp too, making In-ho quickly look at you with amusement.
456 looks around, "If you keep playing until the end, I guarantee every person in this room will eventually end up like those players. We will all be killed."
Then the violet hair guy comes into the view like he owns the place, you notice how cheerful he is. Probably on cloud 9 right now. You're not sure how, but you will find out. "If you really did win the thing before, that's good for us. You can give us some tips on how to win. And get to the end like you did."
456 looks at him like he is defeated. You wonder what goes through his head right now.
"That's right!" Player 100 chimes in. "He's won this. There's nothing to worry about. We all can win! Okay, come on! Let's make money!"
A few players agree in excited shouting.
You cross your arms and just look at what's unfolding in front of you with a slight smirk on your face.
In-ho is standing next to you also with arms crossed. His face expression is serious, but you know this excites him just as much as it excites you.
You look at 456 standing there with his head down, as he goes to the players who haven't voted yet.
You decide to walk away from your spot, where you're standing and go to him.
He looks at you with desperate eyes, "Please, 002."
You give him a small nod, "I will vote to leave, don't worry. I want to get out of this place."
Some people agree with you nodding their heads.
Then you see a guard approaching 456 as he puts his gun against 456's back.
"Starting now, we will not permit any action that interferes with the voting process." The main guards explains. "With that, we will now resume voting."
"Player 228." He calls out.
Player 228 slowly walks up to the buttons and presses 'O'.
'O'
'O'
'X'
A lot of people press 'O', and just as many press 'X'.
"Player 002" the guard calls out your number
Right now it's 181 'X's, and 182 'O's.
You walk slowly to the front, acting like your hands are shaking. You glance up to 456 who looks at you with hope in his eyes. You give him a small nod with a smile, as you approach the buttons.
Without hesitation you press 'X'.
Everyone on the 'X' side cheers. You take the patch and put in on your chest while walking to the 'X' side.
You walk up to player 456 who wraps his hand around you in a hug.
"Thank you, I knew you would press to leave." He gives you a smile.
You smile back, "We better hope the last player also votes to leave."
"Any sane person would vote to leave, I'm sure of it." 456 replies smiling and letting you go from the side hug.
You glance back to In-ho standing there, alone. Eyes burning in your back. You give him a quick smile, before turning back to 456.
"And finally, player 001." The guard calls out In-ho
Everyone looks back, trying to see who is the last player to whom the last vote depends on. Both teams are cheering, clapping.
You glance back again with everyone to where In-ho was standing. He pauses for a little bit, before he starts to walk to the front with confidence in his walk. Fast.
Once he reaches the front, his hands are hovering over both buttons. Like he can't decide what to press.
And then he presses 'O'.
Players from 'X' side stay silent. Shocked.
They were so sure.
While on the 'O' side everyone is jumping happily. Even sighing in relief.
Celebrating. Applauding.
Their death?
Morons.
Then In-ho slowly turns around and glances at 'X's side. He doesn't look at you. He looks at 456.
The way he is standing there, head low.
Thinking.
In-ho's expression is almost like he is smiling. Smirking even.
You take your hand and rub 456's back.
"I'm sorry," you say.
456 looks at you, "It's not your fault.."
You glance at In-ho who is now looking at you. Rubbing someone else's back. Comforting.
His smile grows bigger, but you know it's not the smile of happiness. It's the smile that says "we're gonna make 456's life a living hell' and 'you're gonna pay for touching him like that'."
You give him a quick wink and turn around with 456, while you both head to his bunk bed, your hand not leaving his back.
456 sighs and leans his elbows onto his knees, rubbing his face like he's trying to wake up from a dream he can't claw out of. Around the room, players on the 'O' side are still cheering, hugging, clapping one another on the back like they've just won the lottery instead of signing their own death warrants.
You sit next to him in silence, letting the moment hang. Letting him soak in the weight of it.
"I thought that was it," he mumbles finally. "I thought we had it."
You lean in slightly, just enough for your shoulder to brush 456's. "You okay?" you ask softly, because that's what people like you are supposed to say. That's what keeps the mask on.
He nods weakly, still looking shaken. "I just... I don't get why he did that. He could've saved us."
You shrug with a small, bitter smile. "Maybe he didn't want to be saved."
456 shifts beside you. "We have to get out of here," he says, voice flat now. "There has to be a way."
You nod, looking at him like you believe him. But you already know the truth.
"We will find a way." You say as you glance at In-ho who is now sitting on his bed, looking at you with slightly squinted eyes.
Then you notice someone approach him.
She's timid, maybe mid twenties, hair pulled back, steps cautious like she's unsure of her own bravery. She walks up to In-ho with both arms folded tightly across her chest like a barrier.
He doesn't look at her at first. Just keeps his body angled, relaxed, elbows resting on his knees, fingers laced loosely. His gaze stays on you for a second longer before flicking to her. Slow. Measured.
You can't hear what she says at first — she's quiet, and the room's still buzzing with the aftermath of the vote, but the moment her lips start moving, his head tilts slightly. One of those little, deliberate movements he makes when he's not surprised, just amused. Maybe she's asking him why he voted to stay. Maybe she's asking for protection. Maybe she's dumb enough to try flirting.
Whatever it is, he answers her with something low and soft, and she gives a small, unsure laugh in return. You watch the way she twirls a strand of hair between her fingers.
Nervous. Hoping. Stupid.
456 doesn't notice the shift in your expression.
He's still lost in his own fog beside you, muttering plans to himself under his breath. "If we can just figure out where the cameras are... maybe there's a blind spot. Somewhere we can talk freely."
You barely nod, your focus narrowed now on the girl sitting beside In-ho. She's on the edge of his bed, knees turned slightly toward him, but she keeps glancing away like she can't handle the weight of his attention.
He says something again — something that makes her smile wider.
Your jaw tightens.
You know that smile. You've seen it a thousand times. The way he lures people in like gravity. Not warm. Not open. Just magnetic. He doesn't even have to try. And she, like the rest, thinks she's special because he looked at her for more than three seconds.
Pathetic.
"Excuse me," you say to 456 as you get up.
He looks up to you with confusion on his face at first, before nodding and turning his attention to 390.
You don't even look at In-ho as you walk to the bathroom, but you know that he noticed you walking away. You can feel his stare into your back.
As the guards let you through, you walk out of the dorms.
The hall is colder. Quieter. A lot of pink, yellow. Stairs. A few guards are standing by the door, some of them are guarding other places.
As you find the bathroom, you give the guard a glance, as he lets you through, and push the door open, the flickering fluorescent light above casting that familiar sterile glow. You check the stalls out of habit. Empty.
You walk to the sink and place both hands on the edges, looking up into the mirror.
You stare at yourself for a second. Then smile — slow and sharp and secret.
You weren't jealous. You weren't. It wasn't jealousy, it was.. irritation. Mild. Passing.
Still, your fingers tighten around the edge of the sink as you let out a slow breath.
Pathetic.
That girl with the shaky smile and the flirty nervous giggle — she didn't know anything about him. Not really. She saw a quiet, mysterious man and thought he might be lonely. Maybe misunderstood.
You'd laugh if it didn't make your blood simmer.
The door creaks open behind you. You don't turn around. You don't have to. His presence is like a temperature drop.
You already know that he made the guards not let anyone else in the bathroom.
Slow footsteps echo closer. Measured. Familiar. Calculated. Like everything he does.
In the mirror, his reflection appears behind you. Dark eyes. Calm face. That silence that wraps around you like a noose.
He doesn't say anything. Just stands there. Watching you.
You finally meet his gaze in the glass. One brow lifted, expression unreadable.
"Needed to wash off the sympathy?" he asks quietly, voice low and steady.
You slowly wet your hands under the faucet but don't reply yet. You dry them, then glance at his reflection again, your voice smooth as silk. "Needed to breathe. The room was starting to smell like desperation."
He steps closer behind you — not touching, but close enough that your body picks up on every inch of space he isn't filling.
"I notices that he hugged you." In-ho says. His tone doesn't change. Still soft. Still casual. But the words are a blade.
You smile at his reflection. "He was grateful."
"So was she, she thanked me for choosing 'O' side." He is so close now, you can feel his breath on your skin. "I didn't see you ripping her hands off me."
"Smart girl." You close your eyes and smile, while turning around. As you open them, you meet his eyes and tilt your head slowly, letting your gaze drag across his face like fingers trailing skin.
In-ho's hand comes up, fingers hovering near your face like he might touch you. Might not. His thumb brushes your jaw, deliberately slow.
You don't move. Don't speak. You just let him.
The rough pad of his thumb grazes the edge of your jaw with maddening precision, like he's mapping out something only he can see. It's not tender. It's calculated. A warning, maybe. A promise. You aren't sure which you prefer.
You lean in until your nose nearly brushes his. "Did you enjoy it?"
He lets the silence stretch, cruelly, before answering.
"No," he says. "But I liked that you were watching."
Your breath hitches — but just for a moment. That flicker of something dark coils in your stomach, heady and sharp. He knows exactly what he's doing. He always does.
You tilt your head, a slow smirk blooming on your lips, "Then maybe I should let her try again."
"You could," he breathes, lips brushing yours now — not quite kissing, just hovering there, torturing you both. "But I know that next game you will let her die, if she touches me again."
"You sound so sure," you murmur, voice silky and dangerous, the distance between your lips barely a breath. "Maybe I will. Maybe I'll even do it myself."
His eyes burn at that — slow, hungry. Proud.
"That's my girl," he says, like it's the answer he was hoping for. Like you've just told him you love him in the only language that matters.
Then, finally — finally — his mouth crashes into yours.
It's not gentle. It never is. His hands are in your hair, gripping tight, pulling you in until your teeth clash and your breath tangles in his throat. You answer with equal fire, your fingers clawing into the fabric of his shirt, dragging him closer, closer, like you're trying to rip him apart just to see what he's made of.
You bite his lip and he groans, his hands already moving lower, urgent now. The kiss grows messy, angry, real — the kind that could tear the skin off a lie. The kind that leaves bruises in the shape of devotion.
"I missed this," he growls against your mouth. "Missed you."
Then he lifts you effortlessly and makes you sit on the counter. The counter is cold, but his mouth is fire, trailing down your jaw, your neck. Your back arches into him. His fingers dig into your hips.
Your fingers tangle in his hair. His hands trail up your sides, over your ribs, up to your throat — just hovering. Not squeezing. Not yet.
Knock. Knock.
"Uh, sir-" the guard pauses. "Players 001 and 002. Your absence has been noticed. You need to return to the sleeping quarters."
You don't move. Neither of you does.
In-ho's hand is still planted on your hips, firm. Your lips are swollen, breath shallow, and he's staring at you like the interruption is an offense worth blood.
You smirk up at him, not even glancing at the door, "They're getting bold."
In-ho doesn't answer right away. His thumb drags a slow, deliberate circle against the curve of your hip, like he's trying to decide whether the guard outside is worth acknowledging — or punishing.
Then, finally, he speaks. "Then we have to teach them."
A breath escapes you — half a laugh, half something darker.
"Alright, let's go." You jump off the counter and move to the door while trying to straighten your clothes as they look wrinkled now.
In-ho goes in front of you and opens the door for you. You give him a smile as you walk out first.
The guard steps back instantly, eyes darting from In-ho to you. He lowers his head without being told. "Apologies. It won't happen again."
"No," you say smoothly as you pass him, your tone casual but laced with ice. "It won't."
In-ho doesn't even spare the man a glance. His hand brushes yours for the briefest second as you walk side by side back toward the sleeping quarters.
But then he stops. "You go, I'll be right there."
You give him a quick glance and nod.