SOFT SPOT, player 380

4.

"Mmhm," Semi hummed, clearly unconvinced. "You seem like the kind of person who punches first and asks questions never."

"And you seem like the kind of person who doesn't know when to shut up," Hyejin retorted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

Semi laughed again, then, without warning, moved towards her, sprawling across Hyejin's legs like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Hyejin froze. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Getting comfortable," Semi replied casually, closing her eyes like she was settling in for a nap.

"You—" Hyejin started, staring down at her in disbelief. Her fists clenched reflexively at her sides, her usual instinct to shove people away screaming at her to act. But for some reason, she didn't. "You can't just... do that... You're lucky I don't just shove you off right now."

Semi cracked one eye open, her smirk as smug as ever. "If you were gonna do that, you would've done it already."

Hyejin hated that she had a point.

She opened her mouth to fire back but stopped herself. Instead, she just stared, her gaze tracing the soft curve of Semi's jaw and the way her chest rose and fell steadily, like she wasn't lying across someone who barely knew her. It was maddening how comfortable Semi looked, like they weren't trapped in a room filled with desperate people who'd just watched nearly half the players die.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Semi asked, not even bothering to lift her head. Her voice had lost some of its teasing edge, softening slightly.

"I'm not," Hyejin said, a little too quickly, shifting uncomfortably.

Semi raised a brow, her lips twitching like she was holding back a laugh. "Sure. Whatever you say, Hyejin."

Hyejin bit the inside of her cheek, forcing her gaze away. She shouldn't care. She didn't care. This girl was just... an obstacle. Another piece on the board. She was here for Saebyeok, for revenge, not to make friends—or whatever the hell this was turning into.

reached up suddenly, her fingers brushing against Hyejin's cheek. Hyejin flinched slightly, but before she could say anything, Semi's thumb swiped across her skin.

"What are you doing?" Hyejin snapped, her voice faltering.

"You had blood on your face," Semi said simply, pulling her hand back and inspecting her fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Figured I'd help you out."

Hyejin stared at her, her heart pounding against her ribs. She felt heat rush to her face, and she hated how she couldn't stop it. "Don't do that again," she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction.

Semi just smiled, a softer, more genuine expression this time. "Whatever you say, Hyejin."

Hyejin's jaw clenched as she looked away, her fists tightening at her sides. She tried to ignore the warmth spreading through her chest, tried to remind herself why she was really here. She wasn't supposed to care about anyone else. Not after what happened to Saebyeok.

But as Semi settled back against her legs, Hyejin didn't shove her off.

An alarm buzzed and the harsh lights were switched on as the doors opened. The square guard and other guards marched back into the room, standing on the platform. The triangle ones had guns on them, and the players murmured in fear, scrambling to their feet.

Gihun exchanged a glance with Hyejin, moving slightly backwards.

"Congratulations for making it through the first game," the square guard said. "Here are the results of the first game."