checkmate. | pi hanwool

Chapter 18

Gaeun frowned. "With what?"

"Cleaning up someone else’s mess. Acting like this is normal."

Gaeun scoffed. "Oh, please. You think this is the worst thing I’ve had to deal with? It’s just a little dust."

Hanwool gave a slow nod, as if he wasn’t convinced. "You’re different from the others."

She blinked. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You don’t act like them," he said simply.

Gaeun rolled her eyes. "Wow, what an observation. What do you want, a medal?"

Hanwool smirked slightly. "Just saying. You stand out."

Gaeun stared at him, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. "And you—" She jabbed a finger at him. "—have a very annoying way of talking."

Hanwool didn’t deny it. He simply stepped past her, continuing down the stairs.

"Are we done here?" she called after him.

He didn’t look back, but he muttered, "For now."

Gaeun let out a frustrated sigh. "What is his problem?" she grumbled, before heading back upstairs.

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By the time Gaeun returned to the study group room, it looked completely different. The dusty, cluttered storage space had been transformed. The air no longer smelled of cigarettes and mold, and the light from the newly cleaned windows made the room feel almost inviting.

"Yoon Gamin, you're the best!" Jun praised, flashing a thumbs-up at Gamin.

Heewon grinned, following Jun’s lead. "You’re the best, Group Leader!" she cheered.

Gaeun patted her brother on the shoulder. "Not bad, oppa," she said with a teasing smirk. "You’re finally useful for once."

Gamin shot her a flat look. "I was always useful."

Their small moment of satisfaction was cut short when a male student stepped inside. The mood instantly shifted. The guy scoffed as he glanced around the room with an unimpressed look.

"What the fuck?" he sneered, taking slow steps inside. "You made the smoking room so pretty."

Before anyone could react, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a slow drag.

Jiwoo immediately stepped forward, her expression darkening. "This is a study group room," she said, her voice sharp. "Put out the cigarette unless you want your mouth on the floor."

Before she could take another step, Jun and Heewon quickly grabbed her arms, holding her back.

The guy just laughed. "What? What? What? A study group?" He looked at them mockingly. "You're losers who are terrible at studying. Give me a freaking break." His lips curled into a smirk as he added, "Seriously."

Gaeun stepped forward, her arms crossed as she looked him up and down. "Wow. All this talk, yet your breath smells like desperation," she said. "What’s wrong? Did no one pay attention to you today?"

The guy’s smirk twitched, but he let out a dry chuckle. "Hey, try to think for a second." He tapped the side of his head mockingly. "Just because you put your heads together and did stuff here, it doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly get smart. There will be static electricity or something."

Gaeun scoffed and took a step closer. "Static electricity? That’s your argument? What, did you get shocked by a doorknob once and decide to blame science?"

The guy’s smirk widened as if enjoying her reaction.

Gamin and Sehyun, sensing Gaeun’s rising anger, quickly grabbed her arms before she could take another step.

"Let me go," she muttered, glaring at them.

"Not a chance," Sehyun murmured back.

Gamin exhaled sharply before looking at the guy. "Hey, you—"

Before Gamin could finish, Sehyun leaned slightly toward him and whispered, "Calm down. If you hurt him, you’ll have to deal with more than just the Vice Principal."

That’s when the guy seemed to finally recognize Gamin. His eyes lit up with amusement. "Oh, it's you," he said. "The No. 1 fighter of 10th grade."

Gamin didn’t react, but the guy wasn’t done.

"I'm the No. 1 in grades." His voice was dripping with arrogance.

Gaeun scoffed loudly. "Congratulations. You must be so proud of yourself for having a functioning brain."

The guy ignored her. Instead, he took another drag from his cigarette before saying, "Should I stop? Will you hit me if I said no?" He smirked, looking directly at Gamin. "Being a good fighter is nothing to brag about in school. You're just an idiot who can't even study."

That was the final straw for Gaeun. She lunged at him, her fists clenched, but Gamin and Sehyun held her back firmly.

"Let me go!" she snapped.

The guy only chuckled, removing his cigarette from his mouth. Then, with a slow and deliberate motion, he pressed it against the notes spread across the table, burning the paper.

"You son of a—!" Jiwoo’s voice was filled with rage as she struggled against Jun and Heewon’s grip.

The guy looked back at Gamin, completely unfazed. "You know what? Not knowing when to give up means you're fucking stupid, too."

Gaeun fought against the grip on her arms. "I swear, if you two don’t let go of me right now, I will start throwing punches!"

Sehyun sighed but held firm. "And then what? You get in trouble while this guy laughs? Not happening."

The guy suddenly turned to Sehyun, a mocking smile on his face. "Hey, Kim Sehyun, what are you doing here?" He tilted his head. "Do you have time to jerk around while playing king of the losers? Shouldn't you start making money soon? Are you tutoring them privately?"

Sehyun didn’t react, his face emotionless.

Gaeun narrowed her eyes. "At least Sehyun has a future," she said coldly. "Meanwhile, you’re just another nameless asshole with a cigarette addiction."

The guy’s smirk faltered, but before he could respond, the door suddenly swung open.

Everyone—except him—turned their heads toward the entrance.

Ms. Lee stood there, her sharp gaze scanning the room.

As if he sensed the shift, the guy’s demeanor changed instantly.

"Anyway, study hard, guys," he said, his tone suddenly light and friendly. "I'd love a friendly competition."

Then he turned to Ms. Lee with a polite smile. "Oh, Ms. Lee, hello." He gave a small bow. "Fighting, everyone." With that, he walked out as if nothing had happened.

Silence filled the room as they all watched him leave.

Then, after a beat, Gamin’s voice broke the quiet.

"Sehyun," he said.

Sehyun turned to him. "What?"

"How much time do we have left until the midterms?" Gamin asked.

Sehyun narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

Gamin’s expression was unreadable. "I need to beat him in grades."

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