The next morning, after an exhausting and frustrating training session, Ji Hwan walked toward school with a heavy mind.
Today was the disciplinary committee meeting—the one that would decide his fate at school. To make matters worse, his parents had been called to attend the meeting because of yesterday's incident.
As Ji Hwan stepped through the school gates, several students immediately began whispering, their eyes following him. Some felt sorry for him, while others were eager to see how this situation would unfold.
"Hey, isn't that Ji Hwan?"
"Is he really getting expelled?"
"I heard Tae Min set him up… But is that true?"
Ji Hwan ignored their stares, took a deep breath, and tightened his grip on his bag strap.
"I have to be ready…" he thought.
Without looking left or right, he walked straight toward the meeting room.
The formal disciplinary committee meeting commenced.
Kang Dae Ho, Ji Hwan's father, sat beside Ji Hwan, facing the teachers and Ms. Lee, who was acting as the vice principal.
The atmosphere in the room was tense. Everyone knew that the decision made today would determine Ji Hwan's fate at the school.
Suddenly, the meeting room door swung open.
All of Ji Hwan's classmates entered, led by Ji Yeon at the forefront.
Everyone in the room was surprised.
Ji Yeon stepped forward, gazing at the teachers with confidence, then spoke in a loud voice,
"Even though Ji Hwan is the most annoying brother I've ever had, this time I'm here to defend him."
Seung Woo, Joo Hyuk, and the other classmates stood behind Ji Yeon, each holding a large piece of paper with writing on it.
They raised the papers high, displaying their message to everyone in the room.
The atmosphere instantly became electrifying.
Ji Hwan looked at the scene with slightly widened eyes.
"What are they doing…?" he thought, shocked but also touched.
Ms. Lee furrowed her brows, clearly unprepared for this sudden interruption. "What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, glancing at the students.
Ji Yeon took a deep breath and held up her paper, which had bold, handwritten words: "Ji Hwan is innocent!"
Seung Woo and Joo Hyuk followed suit, their papers displaying messages like "The real culprit is Tae Min!" and "We have proof!"
The teachers murmured among themselves, and Ji Hwan's father, Kang Dae Ho, looked at his son with a questioning glance. Ji Hwan, still stunned, turned to Ji Yeon. "What are you guys doing…?" he whispered.
Ji Yeon rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? We're proving you didn't do it."
One of the teachers, Mr. Park, adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "Proof? What proof do you have?"
Seung Woo stepped forward. "We recorded Tae Min bragging about how he set Ji Hwan up," he said, holding up his phone. "We can play it for you right now."
A hush fell over the room. Ms. Lee hesitated, then nodded. "Go ahead."
Seung Woo pressed play.
Tae Min's voice crackled through the speakers:
"Hah, Ji Hwan's done for. I made sure everything pointed to him. No way he's getting out of this one."
Gasps echoed around the room. The teachers exchanged glances, and even Ms. Lee's strict expression wavered.
Ji Hwan clenched his fists. The truth was out.
Kang Dae Ho, his father, turned to Ms. Lee. "I believe that settles it," he said firmly. "My son is innocent."
Ms. Lee sighed, rubbing her temples. "It appears we have made a mistake," she admitted. She turned to Ji Hwan. "Ji Hwan, we deeply regret this misunderstanding. The disciplinary actions against you will be revoked immediately."
Ji Hwan exhaled, his body finally relaxing. He turned to his classmates, feeling a warmth in his chest. "You guys…"
Ji Yeon smirked. "Don't get used to it. You're still annoying."
Joo Hyuk grinned. "But you owe us snacks after this."
Ji Hwan let out a small laugh. He had nearly lost everything—but thanks to his friends, he was still here.
On the other side of the school, Tae Min sat in the corner of the cafeteria, feeling restless. He had heard rumors that Ji Hwan was in a disciplinary hearing, and he was confident that everything would go according to his plan.
Just then, his phone vibrated. Mi Soo's name appeared on the screen. Tae Min frowned before answering the call.
"Hello?"
"Tae Min," Mi Soo's voice sounded tense. "I just heard from one of the teachers… Ji Hwan isn't getting suspended."
Tae Min's eyes widened. "What?! That's impossible!"
"I'm serious. His friends brought evidence proving that you set him up. They have a recording of your voice," Mi Soo said, panic creeping into her tone.
Tae Min clenched his fists, his breathing uneven. "Damn it! Who recorded me?"
"I don't know, but they played it in front of all the teachers and Ji Hwan's parents."
Tae Min gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He hadn't expected anyone to record him. Now, everything was falling apart.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated again. This time, the name on the screen made his stomach drop—Ha Joon.
His older brother.
Tae Min swallowed hard before answering. "Hyung?"
"Tae Min," Ha Joon's voice was cold and firm. "Come to the club. We need to talk."
Click.
The call ended just like that. Tae Min bit his lower lip, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Ha Joon wasn't the type to waste words, and if he was calling like this… it meant something bad was waiting for him.
Without hesitation, Tae Min grabbed his bag and rushed out of the school. He knew that tonight, at Ha Joon's club, he would have to face the consequences of his actions.
The cafeteria was in chaos. Ji Hwan and his classmates sat at a long table filled with food they had ordered. Some students rushed back and forth, grabbing extra chili sauce, while others were busy passing around drinks and snacks.
"This is what I call a celebration!" Joo Hyuk said, grinning as he poured himself a drink.
"We proved the truth, so of course, you had to treat us," Seung Woo added with a satisfied laugh.
Ji Yeon smirked. "You're still the most annoying brother ever, but I have to admit… I'm kind of proud of you this time."
Ji Hwan just gave a small smile, then looked down at his food—or rather, his nearly empty plate. After treating everyone, he was completely broke. All he had left was a bowl of rice and a tiny bit of side dish.
He sighed. I'm the one treating them, but why do I have the least food…?
Joo Hyuk noticed Ji Hwan's expression and burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Look at him! He's broke because of us!"
Ji Yeon glanced at Ji Hwan's plate and sighed. "Idiot. If you didn't have enough money, why didn't you say something?"
Without waiting for a response, she pushed a piece of fried chicken onto Ji Hwan's plate. "Eat this. If you end up starving, I'll be the one getting scolded later."
Seung Woo chuckled and added a piece of omelet to Ji Hwan's plate. "Here, take this too. Consider it a thank-you gift for treating us."
Ji Hwan stared at the food in front of him and smiled. Even though his wallet was empty, his heart felt full.
"I might have lost money today," he said, picking up the fried chicken. "But I think I still won."
Everyone laughed. It had been a tiring day, but at least they could end it with a warm moment together.
Tae Min stepped into the club, his heart heavy. The dim lights and pounding bass of the music only added to the tension in the air. Inside the VIP room, Ha Joon was already waiting, arms crossed, his usual cold expression in place.
Without a word, Tae Min sat across from him.
Ha Joon's gaze was sharp as he finally spoke. "Yesterday, our father, Jung Dong Wook, told me the truth—something that had been hidden from us all this time."
Tae Min frowned. "What truth?"
Ha Joon took a deep breath before continuing. "This isn't just about you and Ji Hwan. This feud started long before us—back in our grandfather's generation."
Tae Min's confusion deepened, but Ha Joon pressed on.
"Our grandfather and Ji Hwan's grandfather were once powerful business partners. They built an empire together, supporting each other every step of the way."
Tae Min stayed silent, realizing he had never heard this story before.
"But then, greed destroyed everything." Ha Joon's voice grew heavier. "Ji Hwan's grandfather discovered proof that our grandfather was involved in financial scandals—dirty dealings that could have ruined everything. He was about to expose it to the public."
Tae Min swallowed hard.
"Our grandfather acted first," Ha Joon continued, his tone dark. "He framed Ji Hwan's grandfather for an embezzlement crime he never committed. That false accusation destroyed him. He lost everything."
Tae Min's eyes widened in shock. His chest felt tight.
Ha Joon leaned back against the sofa, his expression still unreadable. "So before you think about continuing this fight against Ji Hwan, remember one thing…"
His gaze bore into Tae Min.
"We were the ones who started all of this."
Tae Min swallowed hard, his hands clenched into fists on the table. His mind was spinning with the information Ha Joon had just revealed.
"Our grandfather… really did that?" His voice trembled, not just with anger, but with deep confusion.
Ha Joon nodded slowly. "That's why Father always avoids talking about the past. He knows very well that we're living on top of our family's sins."
Tae Min bit his lip, his heart pounding. "But what about our grandfather's death? Everyone said he committed suicide… That he jumped from the company building…"
Ha Joon stared at Tae Min sharply, as if he had been waiting for that question. He let out a long sigh before finally speaking.
"That's what they want people to believe," he said coldly. "But the truth is… his death wasn't suicide."
Tae Min tensed. "What do you mean?"
Ha Joon picked up his glass, swirling the liquid inside before looking back at his younger brother. "After our grandfather framed Ji Hwan's grandfather, he managed to keep his empire intact. But soon after, pressure started coming from all directions. Authorities began sniffing around, and even some people within the company started questioning him."
A cold chill ran down Tae Min's spine.
"There was someone in his business circle who saw him as a liability. They got rid of him before he could open his mouth."
A heavy silence filled the room. Tae Min couldn't speak.
"Our grandfather didn't jump from that building out of guilt," Ha Joon continued, his voice still calm but piercing. "He was pushed."
Tae Min felt his entire body weaken. All this time, he had believed that his family was the victim in this conflict—that they were the ones who always had to defend their honor. But now, everything had turned upside down.
"Who did it?" Tae Min's voice was barely above a whisper.
Ha Joon leaned back against the sofa, his eyes gleaming sharply under the dim club lights. "That's the question I still don't have an answer to. But one thing is certain, Tae Min…"
He leaned forward, locking eyes with his brother.
"If you keep playing with fire, you'll end up just like our grandfather."
Tae Min gritted his teeth. "So you want me to stop? To just back down after everything that's happened?"
Ha Joon exhaled. "I want you to think, Tae Min. Don't just be a pawn in this game. If you really want to face Ji Hwan, do it with a clear head. Don't let yourself be used like our grandfather was."
Tae Min clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
For the first time in his life, he felt doubt.
Not just about Ji Hwan, but about everything.
The classroom buzzed with chatter as students gathered in small groups, their voices overlapping in excitement. Some were discussing the dramatic disciplinary hearing from the day before, while others focused on a lighter topic—the food Ji Hwan had secretly sent them the previous night.
"I still can't believe Ji Hwan sent us all food," Joo Hyuk said, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "It was a full meal too! Fried chicken, tteokbokki, even drinks! That guy went all out."
Seung Woo chuckled as he rested his chin on his palm. "Yeah, but why did he even do that? He wasn't the one at fault."
"Exactly!" Ji Yeon scoffed, crossing her arms. "He was the victim, but he's the one apologizing? Typical Ji Hwan behavior—always taking responsibility for things that aren't his fault."
A few classmates nodded in agreement, while others simply enjoyed reminiscing about the unexpected feast.
Ji Hwan, who had been quietly listening from his seat near the window, let out a small sigh. He had hoped the food would smooth things over and lighten the mood, but instead, it had only made him the center of attention again.
"Hey, Ji Hwan!" one of the students called out, making him glance up. "You didn't have to do that, but thanks! That was the best meal I've had in weeks!"
Another chimed in, "Yeah! But seriously, why? You don't owe us anything."
Ji Hwan scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward. "I just… wanted to make sure no one felt bad. That's all."
Ji Yeon rolled her eyes. "You're such an idiot."
Joo Hyuk grinned. "A generous idiot, though. Hey, does this mean you'll keep sending us free food from now on?"
The entire class burst into laughter, and for the first time in days, the atmosphere felt light again.
Ji Hwan shook his head with an amused sigh. "Yeah, no. That was a one-time thing. My wallet still hasn't recovered."
More laughter filled the room, and though the scars of recent events still lingered, for now, things felt just a little bit normal again.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Tae Min walked slowly, his hands tucked into his pockets. Kyung Ho and Mi Soo flanked him, both dressed in their school uniforms despite skipping class. The three of them moved down the long, polished hallway of Jung Corporation—the headquarters of Tae Min's father's powerful business empire.
The tension in the air was thick. Employees who passed by stole cautious glances at Tae Min, but no one dared to meet his eyes for too long. Everyone in the company knew who he was—the troubled second son of Jung Dong Wook.
Mi Soo, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "Are you sure about this, Tae Min? Your father isn't exactly the type to welcome unannounced visits."
Tae Min didn't respond immediately. He kept walking, his mind racing with thoughts about his conversation with Ha Joon last night. The revelation about their grandfather's past still weighed heavily on him. But there was something even more pressing—the suspicion that his grandfather's death had not been as simple as it seemed.
Kyung Ho glanced at him, his expression wary. "Tae Min, what exactly are you trying to find out?"
Tae Min finally stopped in front of a large office door. He turned to them, his voice low. "I need to know the truth about my grandfather's death."
Mi Soo and Kyung Ho exchanged uneasy looks. They both knew how dangerous it was to dig into the past, especially when it involved Jung Dong Wook.
Before they could say anything, the door swung open, revealing an older man in a sharp suit. His cold, calculating gaze landed on Tae Min immediately.
"Tae Min," the man said, his tone unreadable. "I wasn't expecting you."
Tae Min straightened his posture, forcing himself to stay calm. "We need to talk, Father."
Jung Dong Wook studied his son for a moment before stepping aside. "Then come in. But if you're here to waste my time, don't bother."
Tae Min clenched his fists but held back his emotions. This wasn't just about confronting his father—it was about uncovering a truth that had been buried for far too long.
At school, the atmosphere was lively as students moved through the hallways, chatting and laughing. Amidst the commotion, a figure walked confidently, wearing a campus vest that stood out from the usual school uniforms. Kang Ryun, Ji Hwan's uncle, had officially started his field practice as part of his NIS agent training. His sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in the surroundings with an amused smirk.
As he approached the faculty office, a familiar voice called out from the side.
"Yaa, Uncle! Are you here to see Ms. Lee? Ooooh~" Ji Hwan teased, leaning casually against the door with a playful grin.
Kang Ryun rolled his eyes before ruffling Ji Hwan's hair roughly. "Brat, don't start with me this early in the morning."
Ji Hwan laughed, dodging away. "Come on, admit it! You like her, don't you?"
Kang Ryun ignored the teasing, glancing at his watch. His expression shifted slightly—he was on a tight schedule. Without another word, he straightened his vest and strode past Ji Hwan, heading towards the faculty room with purpose.
Ji Hwan watched him go, chuckling to himself. "Man, this is going to be fun."
As Ji Hwan walked casually down the hallway, one of his classmates patted him on the shoulder with a curious expression.
"Hey, idiot! Did you know you're really popular at Incheon Bupyeong High School now?" they said with a teasing tone.
Ji Hwan raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
His classmate smirked. "After you went to their school yesterday, there are a lot of rumors going around. They say you met someone pretty influential in that area."
Ji Hwan leaned against the wall with a relaxed expression. "Arrogant, huh? He's actually one of my guys."
His friend's eyes widened, and they immediately held their head in disbelief. "What?! Are you serious? Did he join your gang?"
Ji Hwan chuckled before answering in a calm tone, "Yeah, he used to be part of my gang. But now, I handed over my position to him."
His friend still looked confused. "Why?"
Ji Hwan looked straight ahead, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Because I don't want to drag them into trouble like before."
Ji Hwan swiftly snatched his friend's phone and dashed away before they could react.
"Ah, he's at it again… That idiot," the classmate muttered, shaking their head in exasperation.
As Ji Hwan entered the classroom, he immediately noticed something unusual—everyone was staring at him intently. Their eyes followed his every move as if analyzing his every step.
Well, almost everyone.
Seung Woo, Raon, and Ji Yeon remained unfazed, continuing their usual chatter without sparing him a glance.
Breaking the silence, Joo Hyuk leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, and asked, "Alright, spill it. What did you do this time?"
Tae Min sat in his father's office, staring blankly at the documents on the desk. Kyung Ho leaned back on the couch, while Mi Soo stood near the window, nervously twirling her hair.
"So… your grandfather is really dead," Kyung Ho muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Tae Min let out a slow breath. "He has been for a long time, but something about it bothers me."
Mi Soo turned to him. "You mean… the history between Ji Hwan's family and yours?"
Tae Min nodded. "I don't know all the details, but I'm sure something was hidden. And I'm convinced Ji Hwan knows something."
Kyung Ho chuckled. "Then why don't we just force him to talk?"
Mi Soo smirked. "Agreed. Let's make him confess."
Tae Min's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Alright… let's kidnap him."
By the time Ji Hwan left school, the sky had already started turning dark. His classmates had all gone home, including Ji Yeon, who had left earlier.
"Ugh… why did I have to be on cleaning duty today?" he muttered, stretching his sore shoulders.
As he walked towards the parking lot, his steps slowed.
A group of men stood around his motorcycle.
They were dressed in black jackets, their expressions cold and intimidating.
A chill ran down Ji Hwan's spine.
Something wasn't right.
Without hesitation, he turned around and started running.
But as he dashed into a narrow alleyway, shadows emerged from the corners, blocking his path. More figures appeared behind him.
He was trapped.
CRACK!
A wooden plank struck the back of his head.
The world spun. His vision blurred, his body went limp—then everything went black.
Not long after Ji Hwan disappeared, Kang Ryun stepped out of the school building after a long discussion with Ms. Lee.
As he walked through the parking lot, something caught his eye.
Ji Hwan's motorcycle.
Still parked there.
He frowned. "Why is his bike still here, but he's nowhere to be seen?"
The tires weren't flat. There was no sign of tampering.
Something was off.
Feeling uneasy, Kang Ryun immediately pulled out his phone and made a call. After a brief exchange, he rushed off to track down Ji Hwan.
At Ji Hwan's father's hideout, Jin Woo, Dong Il, and a few other friends were gathered, waiting for him. They had all planned to meet up, as agreed in their group chat.
But Ji Hwan never showed up.
Not long after, Park Yoon Ho arrived. Looking around in confusion, he asked, "Where's Ji Hwan?"
The group exchanged glances.
"Maybe he's just busy?" one of them suggested.
Jin Woo pulled out his phone and sent a message. No reply.
Ji Yeon, who had just arrived, checked her phone as well. She tried calling Ji Hwan, but he didn't pick up.
She opened their class group chat.
Ji Yeon:Does anyone know where Ji Hwan is?
Silence.
No one knew.
A creeping sense of unease settled over them.
Somewhere dark and cold, Ji Hwan slowly regained consciousness.
His head throbbed painfully, blood trickling down his temple. His body felt heavy. When he tried to move, he realized—his hands were tied. His legs too.
He was sitting on a chair, completely restrained.
In front of him, Mi Soo stood with a furious expression.
SMACK!
A sharp slap struck his cheek.
"You bastard! Where's your cowardly friend?!" Mi Soo yelled.
Ji Hwan, despite his pain, smirked. "Shiball…"
SMACK!
Mi Soo slapped him again. "Your 'shiball' won't save you now."
Ji Hwan lifted his bruised, bloodied face and muttered, "Where's Tae Min? That i sekki."
Kyung Ho chuckled from behind. "Yeah, i ceisekiya, shut up."
Tae Min's gang burst into laughter, mocking Ji Hwan, who was already beaten and restrained.
Kyung Ho stepped closer, his tone dark. "Just tell the truth. What's the connection between your grandfather and Tae Min's grandfather?"
Ji Hwan exhaled shakily.
"If you tell us, we'll let you go," Kyung Ho promised before punching Ji Hwan's face.
Triple kill.
Blood dripped freely. His eyes were swollen shut.
From the shadows, Tae Min finally emerged.
With slow, deliberate steps, he approached Ji Hwan, hands in his pockets.
"Wow…" he drawled mockingly. "So you really don't know the secret?"
He stopped, tilting his head.
"Oh yeah… do you know who killed my grandfather?"
Ji Hwan let out a breath, then let out a weak chuckle despite his pain. "You think I know all their secrets? If you're so curious, why don't you ask them yourself at their graves?"
Tae Min's jaw tightened. He spat on the floor and pulled out his phone.
"In that case, ask your father." He tossed the phone onto Ji Hwan's lap.
Ji Hwan stared at it, blood trickling down his face. Then, slowly, he smiled.
"Fine," he rasped. "Give it to me… so I can go home."
Kyung Ho stepped forward to untie his ropes.
The moment his hands were free—Ji Hwan struck.
BANG! SMASH! CRACK!
Despite his injuries, he moved with lightning speed, using the martial arts his uncle had taught him.
Within seconds, he took down several of Tae Min's men.
Tae Min took a step back, pulling out a switchblade.
Panting, bleeding, and battered, Ji Hwan grinned through his pain.
Tae Min held up his phone. "You have two choices." He dropped it onto the ground and crushed it under his foot.
"Or…" He flicked open the knife.
Blood dripped from Ji Hwan's head. His vision was blurry, but his determination was clear.
With a smirk, he spoke, his voice unwavering.
"Ya, i ceisekiya. If you're so tough, come at me."
Ji Hwan steadied his breath, his muscles screaming in pain. Blood dripped down his face, his vision slightly blurred, but he refused to back down.
Tae Min twirled the switchblade in his hand, smirking. "Still standing? You're tougher than I thought."
Ji Hwan clenched his fists. "Yeah? And you're more pathetic than I thought."
Tae Min's smirk vanished. With a quick motion, he lunged forward, slashing at Ji Hwan.
Ji Hwan barely dodged, twisting his body to the side. The blade grazed his arm, drawing blood, but he ignored the pain. Using his momentum, he launched a counterattack—his fist slamming into Tae Min's ribs.
CRACK!
Tae Min staggered back, wincing. His eyes darkened with rage.
"You bastard!" he growled, swinging the knife again.
Ji Hwan tried to step back, but pain shot through his leg—one of Tae Min's men had managed to injure it earlier.
His reaction was a second too slow.
SLASH!
The knife sliced across his calf.
Ji Hwan gritted his teeth, stumbling slightly as blood trickled down his leg. His body was reaching its limit.
Tae Min saw the weakness and charged forward.
But just as he was about to strike—
BANG!
The warehouse door burst open.
A powerful voice echoed through the air.
"JI HWAN!"
Everyone turned.
Standing at the entrance, panting but furious, was Kang Ryun.
His sharp eyes swept across the scene—the bloodied Ji Hwan, the grinning Tae Min, the gang members surrounding them. His fists clenched.
"What the hell are you doing?" he growled.
Ji Hwan, still panting, let out a small, relieved chuckle. "Took you… long enough, Uncle."
Tae Min's gang tensed. They knew who Kang Ryun was. He wasn't just a regular college student—he was trained, experienced, and dangerous in a fight.
Tae Min sneered but took a cautious step back. "Tch… You're ruining my fun."
Kang Ryun cracked his knuckles. "If you don't want broken bones, I suggest you back off. Now."
The tension in the air was suffocating.
Then, Tae Min smirked. "Fine. Let's see how strong you really are."
And with that, the fight escalated.