checkmate. | pi hanwool

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CHECKMATE

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Gaeun barely paid attention as she walked toward her classroom after her conversation with Hanwool. Her mind was still stuck on their exchange—the way he had looked at her, the way he had noticed the watcher before she did.

She hated that.

Hated that someone was watching her in the first place, and hated even more that Hanwool’s being too observant.

That didn’t sit well with her.

Not at all.

Still, she had more pressing matters to focus on. Like the fact that she had to survive another da at Yusung Tech.

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As soon as the first class ended, Gaeun grabbed her bag and walked toward the door, Heewon and Jiwoo falling into step beside her.

"We're still meeting in the library, right?" Jiwoo asked, her voice casual.

"Yeah," Gaeun replied. "Gamin and Sehyun should already be there."

Jiwoo scoffed.

"Bet they’re buried in books already."

Gaeun smirked. "Obviously."

When they reached the library, Sehyun was already waiting at the door. He didn’t say a word, just pulled it open, allowing them to step inside. Unlike the usual bustling classrooms, the library was silent, except for the faint rustling of papers and the scent of aged books lingering in the air. It was almost calming, a stark contrast to the chaos that usually followed them in the hallways.

Then their eyes landed on a familiar figure seated at the long wooden table. Gamin had his back facing them, hunched over as if he were working on something.

"What is he doing?" Jiwoo asked, tilting her head toward him.

Curious, they walked closer, and Heewon muttered, "Wow."

She stepped to Gamin’s side and leaned in. On the table in front of him was a large white cartoline, a photo glued at the center. It was a candid picture of their study group—Gaeun, Gamin, Sehyun, Jiwoo, and Heewon—all captured in an unguarded moment. Above the image, bold letters spelled out: Yusung High Study Group Members.

Gaeun blinked.

Sehyun muttered, "Why is he doing this?" and glanced at Gaeun, who shrugged her shoulders.

"He gets poor grades, doesn’t he?" Jiwoo mused, exchanging knowing looks with Sehyun.

Meanwhile, Heewon looked genuinely amazed. "You prepared all of this?" she asked.

Gamin looked up at her and smiled. "It’s nothing. It's the study group leader’s job."

Next to Gaeun, Jiwoo muttered. "He only hears what he wants to hear, right?"

Sehyun sighed. "Yeah, I think you’re right."

Gamin’s spoke again. "I’m nervous." His voice was soft, almost as if he was talking to himself.

Sehyun frowned. "What is it now?"

Gamin pointed at an empty space on the cartoline. "We’ll be filled soon, too." He looked up at them, his optimism evident.

Heewon eagerly nodded. "Yes! Me, too." She reached out her hand, and Gamin clasped it as they both said in unison, "Fighting!"

Jiwoo rolled her eyes but grinned despite herself.