The day after Daehyun's murder, the school was a hive of whispers and suspicious glances. Every corridor, every classroom buzzed with theories about the brutal act. Yet amidst the panic, I noticed a calm, unwavering gaze that never left me—Choi Taesung's.
I first saw him in a crowded hallway. While others exchanged fearful looks and frantic conversations, Taesung stood silently at the edge, his eyes fixed on me. There was no shock in his stare, only a steady, calculating focus that hinted he knew more than he let on. It was as if he was daring me to continue my dark game.
Every time our eyes met, a silent battle sparked between us. I could sense his doubts about the official story circulating among the teachers and students. He did not believe that the chaos was born out of chance or a random act of cruelty. Instead, his gaze said he had pieced together parts of a puzzle that I thought were hidden deep in the shadows.
Throughout the day, I became increasingly aware of his presence. In class, I caught him leaning casually against a locker, watching me with an intensity that belied his nonchalant posture. When I passed by the cafeteria, I saw him pause at a corner, his expression unreadable yet filled with a challenge that ignited a spark of dark amusement within me.
I never spoke a word about his silent scrutiny. Instead, I played my part perfectly—a concerned student, a model of composure amidst the school's turmoil. Behind my calm facade, however, I relished this secret duel. It was a game of wits and nerve, a test of who could maintain control the longest. I wondered if he would try to corner me, or if he was simply studying the details of my behavior, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back with his own dark plan.
Every whispered conversation, every sidelong glance, fueled my excitement. Here was a man who wasn't fooled by the masks everyone wore—especially not mine. And as the day ended, I couldn't help but smile at the thought: in this silent battle, it seemed we were both equally matched, each playing our role to perfection in a game where only the strong would survive.