checkmate. | pi hanwool

Chapter 06

"I’m thinking of opening your mouth with these." The threat in his voice was unmistakable.

Hyunwoo’s entire body tensed in fear. "Hey! Stop him!" he screamed.

Just as Geonyeop raised the crowbar to strike—Gamin moved.

In an instant, he grabbed the crowbar mid-air, his fingers wrapping tightly around the cold metal.

Geonyeop’s eyes snapped to him.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Then, Gamin spoke. "That’s enough."

His voice was calm—too calm.

Geonyeop pulled at the crowbar. "Let go."

But Gamin held firm. "I don’t know why you’re angry, but you’re going too far."

Geonyeop’s eyes darkened. "‘That’s enough,’ you said?" His grip on the crowbar tightened. "How could I stop?"

Then, his voice dropped to something heavier, something unbearable. "My mom died."

Gamin and Gaeun both froze.

Ms. Lee, standing behind them, stared into nothingness—lost in thought.

Geonyeop’s jaw clenched as he exhaled sharply. "So don’t interfere and leave."

Hyunwoo, still on the ground, panicked. "DON’T LET GO! FUCK!"

In a desperate move, he shoved Geonyeop away.

Geonyeop’s grip slipped.

And that was all Hyunwoo needed. He staggered to his feet and ran. The remaining thugs, seeing their leader flee, immediately followed.

Geonyeop moved to chase them, his body shifting forward—But his knees buckled.

He collapsed onto the ground, his arms wrapping around his stomach. The punch he had taken earlier had finally caught up with him.

Gamin stepped forward, offering a hand.

Geonyeop slapped it away.

Then, with frustrated rage, he slammed his fist into the concrete floor.

The impact echoed in the silence.

His shoulders trembled as he exhaled deeply, as if forcing himself to keep it together.

Finally, he pushed himself up—clutching his stomach.

Then, his gaze landed on Ms. Lee.

"Ms. Lee." His voice was quieter now. "Do whatever you want with those guys who ran away."

A pause.

"Fair punishment? Don’t believe in that kind of stuff." His expression darkened. "I’m telling you this because you remind me of my mom."

He turned, taking slow steps away from them. But his body was still weak.

His balance swayed—

And Gamin caught him by the shoulder.

Geonyeop immediately tensed, his body rigid.

Gamin quickly pulled his hand back.

Geonyeop turned his head slightly, his gaze flickering over Gamin’s expression. Then, his eyes landed on Gaeun.

For a moment, he studied her.

Then, finally—

"You wanted me in your study group, right?"