The group met in the study hall after lunch.
A giant blank sheet of paper lay across the desk, labeled "Design Your Ideal City." Markers. Rulers. Sticky notes. Scissors.
Lee Daehyun cracked his knuckles. "Alright! We should make a city that's all about training! Like a taekwondo gym on every corner, and schools with combat classes."
Han Areum raised an eyebrow. "A city for muscleheads?"
"Hey!" Daehyun laughed. "Brains are cool and all, but what's the point if you can't defend yourself?"
Areum looked unimpressed. Raon just smiled gently.
"That's an interesting idea," he said. "But it might limit the city's appeal. What if we design a multi-layered society? One that incorporates training facilities and centers for research, diplomacy, and defense?"
Daehyun frowned. "So... a smart city?"
"An ideal one," Raon corrected softly. "With balance."
Areum nodded. "That sounds better. We could design zones—academic, combat, political."
Raon handed her a marker. "Would you like to draw the layout?"
For the first time, Areum looked… interested.
Daehyun leaned back, arms crossed. "Tch."
He stayed quiet as Raon and Areum began sketching out the city's structure. Raon suggested logical arrangements for schools and public services, which Areum expanded with military and political centers. They flowed like gears in motion—clicking perfectly.
Daehyun? He sat there, chewing his pen cap.
"...What if we made the main district look like a phoenix?" he finally said, grinning. "Cool, right?"
Raon paused. "That would be a difficult shape to structure into functioning city sectors."
Areum didn't even look up. "It's not practical."
Daehyun's smile dimmed. "It was just an idea."
That was intentional, Raon thought. Test complete.
---
Later, after school, Daehyun was outside practicing spinning kicks on the courtyard pads. His sweat dripped fast, his brows furrowed.
From a distance, Raon watched.
Frustration. Emotional instability. I won't need to provoke him again. He'll do it to himself.
---
In his journal that night, Raon scribbled notes:
> Progress:
– Areum's trust level increasing.
– Daehyun entering emotional vulnerability zone.
– Power balance within the group tilting.
He closed the book slowly, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Even perfect cities crack under pressure. Especially when you build them with human hearts."
---