Soojin walked through the bustling university campus with her friends, the cool autumn breeze tugging at her hair. The sun cast a golden hue over the pathways, students chattering and rushing between buildings, but the conversation in her group was far from lighthearted.
"You need to break up with Ji-ho," Natty groaned, dragging her feet dramatically as she shot Soojin a disapproving look. "I swear, if I have to hear you complain about him one more time, I might actually combust."
Soojin chuckled, shaking her head. "I will, I will. Soon."
NingNing, who had been scrolling through her phone, narrowed her eyes at Soojin. "Define 'soon.' Because your version of 'soon' is starting to sound like a lifetime subscription to his bullshit."
Xinyu raised an eyebrow. "For real. What, are you waiting for him to fully convince you that you're 'meant to be' and that he's the perfect 'boyfriend'?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she made air quotes.
Soojin giggled, lifting her hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll break up with him in, like, two months."
The group stopped walking.
Natty, NingNing, and Xinyu turned to stare at her as if she had just declared she was moving to Mars.
"TWO MONTHS?!" they shouted in unison, making a few passing students glance their way.
Xinyu placed a hand on her hip. "Do you... schedule your breakups or something?"
Soojin laughed, covering her mouth. "No! It's not like that. I just... need to do something first before I break up with him."
Natty narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Please tell me you're not planning a murder. Because, girl, you are way too pretty to be in jail over that piece of shit."
Soojin frowned deeply, looking genuinely offended. "Excuse me? You think I'd go to jail for him?!" She placed a hand over her heart, gasping dramatically. "Natty, I'm hurt."
Xinyu snorted, shaking her head. "At least you know what he is."
NingNing smirked. "So... what are you actually planning? Some reputation-ruining stunt? Exposing his cheating ass?"
Soojin tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "Hmm. It's... kinda similar to that. But let's just say, it'll definitely ruin some of his family relationship."
Natty let out a loud cackle, clapping her hands. "Finally, some sense is entering your brain!"
NingNing grinned. "Oh, I like where this is going."
Xinyu smirked. "This is the kind of character development I love to see."
Soojin beamed. "Thank you, thank you. I appreciate the compliments."
Natty linked arms with her, dragging her along as they continued walking. "Alright, spill. What's the plan? Are we involved? Because I hope we are."
NingNing nodded eagerly. "I second that. It's about time we put that idiot in his place."
Xinyu sighed dramatically. "You guys are acting like we're in some K-drama revenge arc. I love it. Let's keep going."
Soojin laughed, shaking her head. "Patience, my friends. All will be revealed in due time."
As they walked off, their voices filled the air with excited whispers and mischievous giggles, plotting what was sure to be a satisfying end to Ji-ho's so-called 'perfect family'.
Soojin rang the doorbell to Sion's apartment, standing outside with her arms crossed as she tapped her foot impatiently. She wasn’t sure who would open the door, but after a few seconds, it swung open to reveal Jisung, who blinked at her in confusion.
"Oh," Jisung said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "What do you want?"
Soojin smiled sweetly. "Where's Sion?"
Jisung crossed his arms, looking at her like she was about to commit a crime. "Why?"
Soojin sighed, rolling her eyes. "Relax. I'm not here to rob him or anything. I just need to talk to him."
Jisung hummed, looking unconvinced. "He's probably at Alain's house. You know, with his kids."
Soojin's face lit up. "Perfect! Take me there."
Jisung's eyebrows shot up. "Take you there? Why?"
Soojin simply grinned. "You'll find out once we get there. And before you ask, yes, I have Sion’s permission."
Jisung stared at her for a second before sighing. "Fine, fine. But if I get in trouble for this, you owe me food."
Soojin grinned wider. "Deal."
______♡°
When they arrived in front of the treehouse, they were greeted by a terrified scream from inside.
Jisung and Soojin froze, exchanging a panicked look.
"Did... did someone just get murdered?" Soojin whispered.
Jisung hesitated. "I mean... it's probably just them being dumb but... maybe we should check?"
Soojin didn't wait. She pushed the door open—half expecting to see a crime scene—only to be met with...
Riku lying on the floor, Yushi on top of him with a fork raised in the air like he was about to stab him.
Sion was sitting in a corner, arms crossed, looking at her with the most exhausted expression, as if he was used to this chaos and was embarrassed she had to witness it.
Jaehee, completely unbothered, was sitting with his nose buried in an engineering book for teenagers. He only looked up when he heard the door open, blinking at her like she was a mild inconvenience.
Sakuya and Ryo were lying on the floor, reading a comic book as if nothing was happening. They turned their heads lazily toward her and Jisung before going back to their book.
Alain suddenly appeared behind them, peering inside. His expression was as neutral as ever, completely unfazed. Jisung, on the other hand, sighed like this was just another Tuesday.
Soojin stared at the scene in front of her, completely dumbfounded.
"What the hell am I looking at?"
Sion massaged his temples before glaring at the two idiots wrestling on the floor. "Yushi. Riku. Can you two act like the adults you legally are?"
Yushi and Riku both paused, turned to glare at him, and then—at the exact same time—said, "NO."
Sion sighed, clearly questioning his life choices. "Of course not."
Jaehee finally set his book down and looked at Soojin. "You needed something?"
Soojin snapped out of her daze, shaking her head at the mess before walking over to him. She smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, actually, I need your help with something."
Jaehee raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"
Soojin hesitated before leaning down and whispering, "I need you to help me set up a hidden camera in Ji-ho's room... and hack into his phone. You're good with electronics and technology."
The room fell silent.
Even Yushi and Riku—who had been trying to kill each other a second ago—froze and turned their heads toward her.
Sion, Alain, and Jisung all looked at her like she had just declared war on a nation.
Jaehee stared at her, processing. "...Come again?"
Soojin grinned innocently. "You heard me!"
Ryo, who had been lying on the floor, slowly sat up, intrigued. "Oh? Now this is getting interesting."
Sakuya chuckled, closing his comic book. "Soojin, I never took you for the spy-thriller type. Should we be worried?"
Soojin looked at them with a blank expression. "You two stay out of it."
They both groaned at the same time. "God, you sucks!"
Yushi gasped dramatically, putting a hand on his chest. "And here I thought you were just a sweet, innocent girl!"
Soojin rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! I'm not the 17 years old Soojin anymore."
Riku grinned. "You know what? I support this. I don't even know what your plan is, but if it involves ruining Ji-ho's life, count me in."
Jaehee sighed, rubbing his temples. "And why exactly do you need a hidden camera and access to his phone?"
Soojin's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Because I'm going to destroy him."
Silence.
Then—
"Hell yeah." Yushi fist-pumped the air.
Jisung muttered under his breath, "Oh god, she's serious."
Sion groaned, "I don't want to know but as long it makes you happy."
Alain, ever the neutral party, simply shrugged. "As long as you don't get caught."
Jaehee, still looking slightly skeptical, sighed again before closing his book. "Alright. I'll help because it'll be nice to have some drama."
Soojin smirked. "Fair enough."
Riku clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone! Team Meeting! We are now officially on 'Operation Ji-ho's Downfall.' Let's make history."
Sion groaned louder. "Oh my god, don't name it!"