☘️🗝️ *THE ARCHITECT OF SILENCE*🗝️☘️
CHAPTER 10
🌺🌺 MI JIN AH'S POV 🌺🌺
MORNING
The school felt quiet.
Not normal quiet.
Funeral quiet.
I stepped into class.
My eyes moved automatically—
To Jae In's seat.
Empty.
I sat down.
Then—
The classroom computer flickered on.
Static.
Then the news.
*BREAKING NEWS*
> A BODY WAS DISCOVERED AT 2 AM IN AN ABANDONED BUILDING ON SEOLLUNG-RO STREET.
> THE BODY BELONGS TO A FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM SEOUL HIGH SCHOOL.
> IDENTITY NOT YET CONFIRMED.
A body.
My pulse didn't change.
Then every phone vibrated.
Simultaneously.
> THE BODY IS SUSPECTED TO BE PARK JAE IN, DAUGHTER OF ASSEMBLYMAN PARK.
> LAST SEEN AT 8:32 PM LEAVING HER RESIDENCE.
The classroom erupted.
Screams.
Whispers.
Denial.
I let my phone fall onto my desk.
Slowly.
Of course I had to act.
First rule:
Blend.
Inside—
Something rose.
Not joy.
Not excitement.
Relief.
First target.
Eliminated.
But I didn't smile.
I walked to the bathroom instead.
***
I stood before the mirror.
My face was steady.
But my eyes…
They were alive.
A laugh tried to crawl up my throat.
I swallowed it.
Not now.
I adjusted my hair.
Softly whispered—
"Mission accomplished."
Then returned to class.
***
Chaos.
Beautiful chaos.
Then—
He entered.
Detective Song.
The classroom died instantly.
Detective: "Everyone will be interrogated. Park Jae In was murdered."
He scanned faces.
When his eyes met mine—
I didn't blink.
The Principal rushed in next.
Shaken.
Voice trembling.
Principal: "Whoever did this… I will personally make sure justice is served."
A small laugh escaped me.
Too soft.
But enough.
All heads turned.
Me: "Sorry."
"Miss Mi Jin Ah. Interrogation room." Detective Song said.
I stood.
Calmly.
***
I sat across from him.
Again.
Detective Song.
He leaned forward.
Detective: "You were known to be her enemy."
Enemy.
Interesting word.
Me: "Does disliking someone make me a murderer?"
Silence.
Detective: "She called you last night."
He watched my reaction.
I let one eyebrow lift.
Me: "Exactly. Would she call her killer?"
He paused.
Studying.
Trying to provoke cracks.
Detective: "Please cooperate."
Cooperate.
I tilted my head.
Me: "Should I confess? Would that make your job easier? Fine. I killed her."
I leaned back.
Me: "Is that cooperation?"
His jaw tightened.
He slammed the table.
I didn't flinch.
Then I leaned forward.
Quietly.
Me: "When Kim Hana died, you weren't this passionate."
The air changed.
He froze.
Me: "You let her walk free because of a diagnosis."
Detective: "Miss Park was released due to dissociative identity disorder."
I smiled faintly.
Me: "Convenient."
Silence filled the room.
Then I stood.
Me: "If you don't know how to be a detective, resign. Or send someone competent."
And I left.
***
*HALLWAY*
Na Ri looked pale.
Terrified.
Perfect.
I leaned close.
Me: "Careful. Fear is visible."
She trembled.
Na Ri: "I didn't do anything."
Me: "Of course not."
I smiled gently.
Me: "Eyes are everywhere."
I walked away.
***
LOCKER
A paper slid to the floor.
I picked it up.
Four words.
*MISSION ACCOMPLISHED*
*GOOD JOB*.
My fingers tightened.
That wasn't mine.
Someone else was playing.
Me: "Just wait."
I whispered.
Not emotional.
Not loud.
Calculated.
"Whoever you are."
I walked home.
There was someone I needed to thank.
After all—
I was raised well.
*END OF CHAPTER 10*
THE ARCHITECT OF SILENCE