IZ*ONE University [THE REWRITE]

Chapter 13: I'm a bit old school

Third Person's POV

"How was school, little tiger?"

"It was the usual, Grandpa," answered the girl, her knife slicing through the steak with a precision that mirrored her unease.

"How's the Honda Foundation?" The grandfather asked, his voice smooth yet chilling, as he twirled his glass of red wine, his sharp gaze fixed on Chaewon. She tensed at the mention, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. "Don't tell me you're falling for her, Kim Chaewon?"

"No," she replied, placing her cutlery down with a deliberate clink, her eyes locking onto his with a defiance that barely masked her anxiety. "She's merely a pawn for our expansion in Japan."

"Then why do you look so bitter?" His eyebrow arched, a glint in his eye that spoke of both concern and dominance. Each detail of Chaewon's demeanor was under his scrutinizing watch as if he could peel back the layers of her thoughts with a simple glance. "You better not lie to me, little tiger." His voice dripped with an icy calm that suggested the consequences of deceit would be far from benign.

Kim Chaewon's POV

His tone was calm, but it sent shivers down my spine, making me wish I hadn't ever been like him. I messed up so badly, Mom... I'm becoming someone I hate, and it's all my fault.

"I'm not lying, Grandpa," I glared back at him, refusing to back down. His smug smile only fueled my anger as he leaned back in his chair, too comfortable in his power.

"What are you gonna do with the girl once we have her company?" I loathed the way he smirked like he was toying with me.

"Ditch her," he grinned, leaning forward now, his voice dripping with disdain. "Like you said, we don't need weaklings in our family."

"Great! Let's continue eating," he said, dismissing me like I was nothing. The silence between us felt suffocating. I could taste something metallic in my mouth and touched my lip to discover it was bleeding. Had I bitten it too hard in my fury at him? No, I was furious at myself, for being here, for questioning my worth.

After we finished eating, I bolted to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I buried my head in my pillow and screamed, the frustration boiling over. I was so sick of the things I had done when I was young and reckless. My mother was right... I was becoming just like him—merciless and cold.

I thought I had changed after meeting Hitomi and the amazing people who surrounded me now. They believed in me and saw potential beyond my grandfather's twisted legacy. But all he saw in me was an extension of his ruthless power. A weakling, just like he said.

Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of my mom. I wish you were still here, Mom... I need you right now. I felt guilty, and ashamed of the anger I directed at Grandpa when it was a reflection of my turmoil. I missed you so much, and it's all falling apart without you.

FLASHBACK

Today marked the anniversary of my mother's death, a day that always felt heavy on my heart. To clear my head, I wandered the streets of Seoul, trying to refocus my energy on my after-school studies. With Hyewon and I no longer together, the pressure of academics felt even more daunting, especially since my grandfather wanted me to run against Eunbi for student council president. I sighed, thinking about how much weight I carried, and that's when I heard the sounds of someone sobbing nearby, coming from the playground.

I hesitated to intervene until I recognized her. Anyone who followed the news would know her name. She was Honda Hitomi, the daughter of Honda Ryu, the CEO of Honda Motors, who was recently imprisoned for financial fraud. They had moved out of Japan, but I never thought they would end up in Korea. Her bright pink cheerleading outfit clashed painfully with the sadness radiating from her.