"The First Crack in Trust"
Jeigan slowly opened his eyes.
His head felt heavy and his vision was blurry.
He tried to move but quickly realized something was wrong.
His legs were tied tightly with rope.
His hands were also bound.
The room was completely dark.
Jeigan looked around nervously.
"Where… am I?"
Only silence answered him.
Fear slowly started filling his chest.
"Hello?! Is anyone here?! Please! Someone get me out of here!"
Meanwhile…
Inside the Lamia Forest Castle hall.
Walinsiya was sitting comfortably on a sofa.
In front of her sat Julian, Hanaume, and Takemishi.
Julian laughed.
"Haha… that idiot is shouting."
Walinsiya smiled coldly.
"Let him shout. Soon he'll scream even louder."
Takemishi looked uncomfortable.
Hanaume also seemed uneasy.
Takemishi leaned closer to Hanaume.
"This… doesn't feel right."
"I think we went too far."
Hanaume nodded slightly.
"I feel the same."
Walinsiya suddenly spoke.
"Listen carefully."
"I have a task for you three."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"What task?"
Walinsiya leaned forward slightly.
"That boy must kiss a girl."
Julian blinked in confusion.
"Kiss…?"
Hanaume suddenly understood.
"Wait… I get it."
"You want to force Jeigan to kiss a girl, take a photo, and then show that photo to Jinha."
"That way her trust in Jeigan will break."
Walinsiya smiled proudly.
"Exactly."
"Once Jinha loses trust in him…"
"She will become mentally weak."
Takemishi suddenly stood up.
"Sorry."
"I can't do this."
"This is too much."
"I'm leaving."
Julian immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Sit down."
"We're doing this for revenge."
Hanaume looked shocked at the tension between them.
Takemishi pushed Julian's hand away.
"I don't want revenge."
"You two can do whatever you want."
"I'm done."
Julian's voice became colder.
"If anyone finds out about this…"
"I won't spare you."
Takemishi glared at him.
"Are you threatening me?"
The room became silent.
Walinsiya raised her hand calmly.
"Enough."
"Takemishi, you may leave."
"But promise me you won't tell anyone about this."
Takemishi took a deep breath.
"Fine."
"I promise."
Hanaume looked at him worried.
"Take—"
Julian interrupted.
"Let him go."
Takemishi turned around and left the castle.
Walinsiya leaned back on the sofa.
"So…"
"Do you know any girl who could do this?"
Julian and Hanaume both pointed at her.
"You."
Walinsiya frowned.
"Me?"
"No."
"Find another girl."
Hanaume tilted his head.
"But you're also a girl, Marry."
Walinsiya remained silent for a moment.
(If Jinha sees my face in the photo… the whole plan will fail.)
(She knows me too well.)
"I can't."
"I don't kiss anyone except my husband."
(Husband…? Huh.)
Julian looked surprised.
"You have a husband?"
Walinsiya smiled casually.
"Of course."
Hanaume crossed his arms.
"Then who will do it?"
Julian suddenly snapped his fingers.
"I know someone."
Meanwhile…
University classroom.
Lunch break.
Suire and her group walked toward Jinha's desk.
Jinha was sitting quietly.
Her eyes looked slightly worried.
(Why didn't Jeigan come today?)
(Is he okay?)
Suire tapped on the desk.
"Looks like someone's donkey didn't come today."
"That's why someone looks sad."
The girls burst into laughter.
Jinha slammed the desk loudly.
"What do you want?"
Jessica shrugged.
"Why are you always so angry?"
"Tell us."
"Where is your friend Jeigan?"
Jinha looked slightly nervous.
"I don't know."
Tina laughed.
"Maybe he ran away with some girl."
More laughter followed.
Suire suddenly raised her hand.
"Quiet."
She stared at Jinha seriously.
"Did he say he would come today?"
"Yes," Jinha replied.
"He said he would come."
Suire frowned slightly.
"Something feels strange."
"Julian, Hanaume, and Takemishi are also absent today."
She shrugged.
"Whatever."
"Let's go girls."
They left the classroom.
Jinha sat silently.
(Julian, Hanaume, and Takemishi are also absent…)
(Something is definitely wrong.)
At that moment—
Takemishi quietly entered the classroom.
Jinha looked at him immediately.
"You."
"Did you see Jeigan today?"
Takemishi froze for a second.
"No…"
"Oh," Jinha said.
"Okay."
Takemishi silently sat down at his desk.
Meanwhile…
University canteen.
Suire and her friends were sitting at a table.
Suddenly her phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
Julian:
"Wait at the university gate this evening. I need to talk to you."
Suire read the message.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Jessica noticed it.
"You look very happy today."
"I'm always happy."
"Not like this," Jessica said.
"Today it's different."
"You're imagining things," Suire replied.
Evening.
Outside the university gate.
Suire waved goodbye to her friends.
"Bye everyone."
"See you tomorrow."
They left.
Suire waited near the gate.
Looking around.
Suddenly—
Julian appeared in front of her.
Suire stepped back slightly.
"You scared me."
"Sorry," Julian said.
"So," she asked.
"What did you want to talk about?"
Julian looked serious.
"You need to kiss Jeigan."
Suire's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"Kiss that idiot?"
"Are you crazy?"
Julian spoke calmly.
"In return…"
"I will do anything you ask."
Suire paused.
(Something interesting…)
"Fine."
"I'll do it."
"But after that…"
"You must go on a date with me."
"For one whole day."
Julian looked embarrassed.
"A date…?"
He sighed.
"Fine."
"I accept."
Suire crossed her arms.
"So where is he?"
Julian replied quietly.
"Lamia Forest Castle."
Suire froze.
"Are you serious?"
"That place is dangerous."
"Lamia live there."
"They could kill me."
"They won't touch you," Julian said.
"I promise."
Suire hesitated.
"Not today."
"It's getting late and my dad will scold me."
Julian nodded.
"Then tomorrow morning."
"9 AM."
"Near the park."
Suire nodded.
"Okay."