Mind Games - Night has come

15

Night descended upon the youth center, the sun hastening its retreat as impatience settled among everyone, eagerly awaiting Jung-won's update on the restored footages.

Throughout the vast youth center, each person found solace in different corners, forming distinct groups. Some, like Yoon-seo and Jun-hee, delved into investigating Ji-soo's death, while others simply lingered, few in numbers.

On her way to the rooftop, Min-ji encountered a tearful Na-hee. Concerned, Min-ji inquired about the cause of her distress, but Na-hee, mustering composure, reassured her that her discomfort was temporary and would soon subside.

Unconvinced, Min-ji noticed the name badge clutched by Na-hee – Jang Hyun-ho's name etched on it. Despite Na-hee's dismissive explanation, Min-ji couldn't disregard the unspoken truth. Aware of Na-hee's hidden affections for Hyun-ho, Min-ji sympathized with her friend, understanding the profound pain of losing someone before expressing feelings. Min-ji was convinced that their affection had been mutual and couldn't help but envisioned the couple they might have become, had fate not intervened with Hyun-ho's untimely death.

"What's on your mind?"

The words jolted Min-ji, causing her body to tense. Startled, she swiftly turned towards the source of the voice.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Da-beom apologized, now standing to Min-ji's right.

"It's fine," she muttered in reply, lowering her phone. Yoon-seo's profile still open on the screen.

"Feeling better?" Da-beom inquired, curiosity evident in his tone.

Min-ji nodded in response, maintaining her gaze ahead as she observed the nocturnal scenery from the rooftop. "I'm okay now."

A brief silence lingered as they both gazed ahead, bathed in the rooftop's soothing blue light. Eventually, Da-beom decided to break the silence, turning to Min-ji, her perturbed state not escaping his notice. "Is there something bothering you? You seem lost in your own thoughts," he asked.

Min-ji sighed softly, also turning to face him. "Just worried about Na-hee; she didn't seem very well earlier," she replied truthfully. After a brief pause, she continued, "And about everything else. Who knows who's meant to be the next victim of this game?" Recalling her earlier conversation with So-mi, Min-ji couldn't shake the looming uncertainty of being targeted in the relentless game they found themselves entangled in.

Looking down at her phone, she exited the app that had been left open, and then stashed her phone away inside her pocket. She had been contemplating her vote before getting lost in her thoughts, and then Da-beom appeared. The truth was, in the end, she found herself unable to vote for Yoon-seo. She reasoned that if she were in Yoon-seo's place, she wouldn't want people to falsely vote for her.

"I really just want to get out of here," she ultimately said, redirecting her attention toward Da-beom. Perhaps she lied; she wasn't feeling entirely okay, her thoughts having taken their toll.

"Hey, Min-ji," Da-beom started, his voice calm, "We will get out of here. So don't worry yourself too much, okay?"

"As long as this stupid game continues, then neither of us is guaranteed to make it out of here alive," she replied, her negativity reflecting the harsh reality. "I'll either die because I was killed by the Mafia or because I was falsely accused of being one." She added, then let out a heavy sigh, "Dying here is surely not how I expected my life to end."

"You've already survived until now, escaping death twice. What makes you think you won't survive a third time?" Da-beom asked.

Min-ji shrugged, looking to her side. She noticed the wind growing heavier, causing the trees in the large forest before them to sway. "I feel like my luck gets reduced after each round."

She grappled with the uncertainty, questioning whether her thoughts were an overanalysis or if her mind was playing tricks on her. Deep down, an intuition whispered that she would be the next target among her classmates. Given their selfish nature, they wouldn't hesitate to cast their votes against her. The impact of So-mi's words on her was undeniably evident.

Da-beom observed her demeanor, discerning her internal struggles. "You won't die anytime soon," he assured, seemingly aware of her inner thoughts.

"What makes you so certain?" Min-ji inquired.

"Because I'll make sure of it," he declared with unwavering certainty. The sincerity in his words suggested genuine commitment. "Alright?" he added after a short pause.

Min-ji blinked, taken aback by both his words and the sincerity behind them. She gazed at him in silence for a moment, the tranquil blue lights casting subtle shadows over his face. She appeared hesitant, contemplating her words before finally breaking the silence, "Why are you so determined to help me? I mean, after everything... why?" She trailed off, seeking the right words and keeping her eyes locked onto his.

"Isn't it obvious?" Da-beom replied, maintaining a firm gaze.

Min-ji stayed silent, feeling like she already knew the answer, a clash of certainty and denial in her mind. Breaking their eye contact, she looked down to the ground beside her. "We should go back inside," she muttered, more to herself than to Da-beom, turning to walk away only to have her arm seized.

Da-beom reached for her arm, ensuring she didn't leave, still standing in the same spot. "You know why," he told her as she turned her face away.

Min-ji released a sigh, turning her gaze toward him. "I just know that I have wronged you in the past, and I'm really sorry for it. I'm grateful for your help, although it's out of sympathy," she expressed.

Da-beom maintained a brief silence, and in their tense situation, those seconds felt like an eternity. His expression was unreadable as he contemplated whether she was being genuine or not. "Don't play dumb with me," he responded.

"I'm not—" Min-ji's words were abruptly halted as her arm, previously seized, was forcefully pulled, causing her to stumble forward unexpectedly. Da-beom swiftly released her arm and extended a hand to her cheek. Leaning down, he pressed his lips against hers. Cutting off her speech instantly.

Min-ji's eyes widened as she struggled to process the unexpected turn of events. Her body responded instinctively before her mind could catch up. Despite the shock, she closed her eyes, yielding to the moment, and soon found herself reciprocating the kiss, mirroring his pace and allowing him to take the lead.

The world around them ground to a momentary halt, the rustle of wind through swaying trees fading into the distance as Da-beom and Min-ji centered their full focus on each other. While Da-beom initiated the kiss, it was undeniable that both shared a mutual desire. His hand on Min-ji's cheek anchored her face, and the other sought hers, fingers gently intertwining—a tactile affirmation of their shared reality and a reassurance that this moment was genuine.

Da-beom's lips, warm and soft against Min-ji's, conveyed a gentle kiss, yet the palpable need for each other was evident in their shared connection. After a moment, Min-ji was the first to withdraw, opening her eyes and catching her shaky breath. Shock painted her features, her lips slightly swollen, and her cheeks flushed.

Da-beom, in contrast, appeared composed, showing no signs of breathlessness. He calmly looked down at Min-ji, one hand still cradling her cheek, and the other hand interlocked with hers. "Do you still think it's out of sympathy?" he inquired, his tone low.

Min-ji swallowed the lump in her throat, finding herself at a loss for words as she grappled with processing everything.

Their phones rang in their pockets, signaling Jung-won's successful restoration of footage, yet neither of them seemed to be concerned about that in that moment.

And unbeknownst to both of them, Choi Mi-na inadvertently became a witness to the unfolding moment, having ascended to the rooftop in search of Min-ji.