INK AND SHADOWS [???]

The classroom was a sea of muted chatter, pencils scratching against paper, and the occasional thud of a dropped book. Hara sat in her usual spot, second row from the back, her head bent low over her notebook.

Thick-rimmed glasses framed her face, her school uniform swallowing her frame. To anyone looking, she was just another quiet student, her presence barely a blip on their radar.

But inside, her thoughts raced. Calculus equations mingled with half-formed sketches of tattoo designs in the margins of her notes. She wasn't just preparing for the upcoming exam; she was thinking about the new client she'd booked for the evening and the nightclub she planned to hit afterward.

Hara had mastered the art of stereotyping her life, tucking away the rebellious, tattooed, nightlife-loving version of herself beneath layers of fabric and the guise of a shy, bookish girl.

At the front of the classroom, Jay Park strolled in, late as usual. The room quieted slightly, heads turning as he sauntered to his seat in the center row, a lazy grin on his face.

Jay didn't need to try; his mere presence commanded attention. Tall, with sharp jawline and a tousled mop of jet-black hair, he looked every bit the bad boy he was rumored to be.

Jay threw his bag onto the desk and leaned back in his chair, pulling out his phone and completely ignoring the lecture. Beside him, Sunghoon and Jake, his closest friends and partners-in-crime, whispered jokes and exchanged smirks. The three of them were inseparable, the golden trio of the school—rich, popular, and untouchable.

Hara kept her head down, but she couldn't help stealing a glance. Jay had a reputation: a serial flirt with a penchant for skipping class and getting into fights.

But there was something about him that intrigued her, though she'd never admit it.

He was everything she wasn't supposed to be drawn to.
_

That night, the two worlds collided.

Hara stood in front of the mirror in her tiny room, transforming herself piece by piece. Her usual school uniform was replaced by a tight black dress that clung to her figure.

She painted her lips a deep red, her eyes sharp with smoky makeup. A silver wig covered her dark, braided hair, and her piercings sparkled in the light.

Looking at her reflection, she smirked. No one would recognize her now—not even her classmates.

The nightclub was alive with music, the bass vibrating through her chest as she pushed her way through the crowd. Under the pulsing neon lights, she felt like a different person, free from the constraints of her carefully curated school persona.

But the heat inside grew suffocating after an hour of dancing. Hara made her way toward the exit, her legs wobbly from the heels she rarely wore.

Once outside, the cool night air brushed against her flushed skin. She reached into her clutch, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with shaky hands. Taking a long drag, she leaned against the brick wall, letting the smoke curl around her like a protective veil.

The door to the club's side alley swung open with a creak. Jay Park stepped out, running a hand through his messy hair. He had just escaped the chaos of the packed restroom and needed a moment to breathe.

The faint glow of the moon illuminated his sharp features as he reached into his pocket, fishing out his lighter and a cigarette.

Hara stiffened as he stepped closer, the flame of his lighter catching her eye. Her heart pounded, a mix of panic and adrenaline. She quickly averted her gaze, blowing out a stream of smoke in the opposite direction.

Jay noticed her immediately, his brows lifting slightly in curiosity. She was stunning, with her silver hair, bold makeup, and a confidence that seemed to seep from every pore. She didn't look like someone who belonged in his world, yet there was something strangely familiar about her.

"Got a light?" he asked, holding up his cigarette.

Hara turned her head slightly, her lips quirking into a smirk as she extended her lighter. Their fingers brushed briefly, and Jay's eyes lingered on hers, searching for something he couldn't quite place.

"Rough night?" she asked, her voice low and teasing.

"You could say that," he replied, taking a long drag. His gaze never left her, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"What about you? You don't look like you're here to dance the night away."

Hara let out a soft laugh, flicking ash from her cigarette. "Maybe I'm just full of surprises."

Jay chuckled, leaning casually against the wall. "You seem like my kind of surprise. How about a drink? My treat."

Hara hesitated for a moment, the alarm bells ringing faintly in her mind. But the thrill of the night and the intoxicating charm of Jay Park drowned out her better judgment.

"Why not?" she replied, her smirk widening.

The two found their way to the bar, where Jay ordered shots that burned their throats and loosened their inhibitions. Conversation flowed easily between them, laughter punctuating their words as they exchanged teasing remarks and half-truths.

Drink after drink, the line between reality and recklessness blurred. Jay leaned closer, his voice low and velvety. "You know, I don't usually do this, but... wanna keep the night going?"

Hara raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance even as her pulse quickened. "What do you have in mind?"

"My place," he said simply, his grin both daring and inviting.

Hara could have said no. She could have walked away, left him with nothing but a lingering memory of the mysterious girl from the club. But she didn't.

The ride to Jay's house was a haze of laughter and stolen glances.

By the time they stumbled through the front door of his sleek, modern apartment, the world outside ceased to exist.

In the dim light of his bedroom, their walls came down completely. Hara shed her carefully constructed disguise, and Jay shed the weight of his public persona.

For one night, they were just two people seeking solace in each other.