"You're the one who told me not to skip classes but here we are," Hyewon cousin before sitting beside her. 

When Yuri told her that they need to talk, Hyewon brought her at the back of the school, in the abandoned orchard to be exact. 

"I don't need lectures right now. I want answers, honest answers. No sugar coating nor white lies." 

Hyewon took a deep breath and nod.

"Ask anything and I'll promise that this time, I'll give you the whole truth."

Yuri looked at her cousin. She cleared before asking.

"I want to know first... The things that Minju, Chaeyeon, Yujin, and Eunbi unnie told me... Are those true?"

"I'm going to answer that with a question..." Kwangbae looked up to the sky to avoid eye contact. "Do you think our friends will lie to you?"

That confirmation was all it takes for Yuri to not contain herself anymore. She stood up and lashed out.

"So those are real?!? Then why didn't you say a thing?!? Hyewon, why didn't you told us??!?"

"Yuri, calm down," Kwangbae pulled Yuri to sit down. "We're not here to shout at each other. We're here to talk, remember?"

"S-Sorry... I-It's just that... Why did you keep this from us, your family? You could have at least told Auntie and Uncle-"

"My father lost his job that time," Hyewon recalled. "The factory he's working in has been bankrupted. My Mom is just working part-time in a shop. We're having a huge financial issue... And then there goes the incident. You didn't see my Dad's face back then so it might be easy for you to say that I should've told him. But when you looked at him a year ago, you can see how much it pained him... Seeing her daughter in the hospital bed with a huge bandage on her head but he can't do anything."

Yuri remained looking at her cousin. She's not getting teary-eyed even after recalling the bitter memories that have happened to her. She is somewhat... numb now.

"So when Byung Soon offered me the deal, I can't do anything but to agree. Believe it or not, Yuri, I hate it. I felt so weak... and so low. But... I guess that's how my life works."

"Why... Why didn't you at least told me? You know that I can always listen to you... comfort you..."

Hyewon let out a small chuckle.

"I tried. I was about to tell you but when I called, it's your Mom who answered the phone. She said that you have slept in the middle of doing your homework and projects. There I realized, that just like me, you're also just getting hold of your new school." Hyewon explained. "Besides, it's in the past now. We can't do anything to change that so what the point of telling you-"

"I might find a way back then! To help you in any way that I can... Kwangbae, I'm- I'm sorry.." Yuri apologized, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Sorry because I didn't do anything. I never thought about something as horrible as this will ever happen to you... I'm really, really sorry-"

"Hey, look at me, Hamster," Hyewon said, preventing Yuri from completely bowing to her. "I'm fine now. Whatever happened in the past will stay in the past... And please don't apologize for something that I did. I'm the one who didn't tell you so I should be the one to blame."

Kwangbae wiped Yuri's tears and enclose her into a tight embrace.

"I really am your favorite cousin." Hye teased Yuri once more.

"You're the sister I never had." The hamster replied sweetly. "You, Minju and Chaeyeon are my second family."

"You bet we are, crybaby," Hyewon said which earned a playful hit on the back. "By the way, we still have a problem."

Hyewon released her cousin from the hug. Yuri just looked at her while wiping the tears.

"You have to go to Byung Soon's party."

"No.. There is NO way," Yuri said in disbelief. "Are you hearing yourself? I'm not going to that girl's party! I don't want to be a murderer."

"You have to go, Yuri. It's for your safety."

"What? Wait, so going into a party of the girl who almost killed you will keep me safe... Nice point there, Hyewon."

"This is not the time to be hard-headed, you hamster." Hyewon scolded. "You just have to do one thing. You just have to talk to them and let them believe that you don't know anything. That way, they won't think of shutting you up." 

Silence filled the air.

"Fine... But I'm just doing this because of you-"

"Don't do this because of me, do this for yourself," Hyewon said, smiling dearly at her cousin.

"How can you still do that?"

"Do what?"

"Smile... And be strong." Yuri replied. "Even after everything..."

Hyewon just ruffled her hair and responded.

"I have to, Yuri... In a cage full of tigers,

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"The only way to survive is to pretend like one."

************

"Did you two brought your ticket?" chaeyeon asked the transferees. They just gave a nod as an answer. "I'm just checking."

Yuri looked around the lobby of the condominium. "Where's Minju? Is she going to be late?"

Eunbi let out a slight chuckle.

"Why did you thought she would be invited? Minju to Byung Soon is nothing but a loser, same as what she envisions Sakura and Nako. The three doesn't reach her standards of being "cool"." Kwon explained, air-quoting the last word. This made Yuri's patience lower than low.

"Is that girl sick in the head?" The hamster said, slightly gritting her teeth. "She really is making my blood boil..."

"Yuri-ah, calm down. Just pretend or else all of us will be in trouble." Chaeyeon reminded. "You too, Chaewon-ah. Whatever they will say about music, instruments or stuff related, just stay quiet. Don't drink anything, it might contain a drug or something. If they ask why you aren't drinking, just say that you're just there to relax. Be careful, you two. You don't know how big the names of the other guests are... And don't even ask."

"Why are you saying all of these things? I thought you're going to be with us all night."

When Hyewon asked permission from Yuri's parents, she said that she'll be Yuri's 'guardian' for that night. But since Hyewon can't enter the party, she entrusted Chaeyeon and her girlfriend to be the Music Club founders' temporary parents.

"Of course we will. But It's not bad to warn, isn't it?"

"Stop the discussion, already," Eunbi said. "We still have a party to attend to."

The three nodded. They entered the elevator and pushed the 5th-floor button.

"Are you okay, Eun? What's wrong?" Chae asked. She noticed that her girl is a bit unlike herself even before they entered the elevator.

"Don't worry about me. I'm just worried about Wonyoungie."

"What about her?"

"I don't know, I just felt it. You know what, nevermind." Kwon replied. "But thank you for asking." 

Chaeyeon just gave her a wide smile. They finally arrived at the fifth floor and the atmosphere is tense. They knocked on Room 540 and what greeted them is smoke inside the unit. To sum up, tables full of alcoholic drinks, eighteen-year-olds smoking, and people making out in every corner of the big room. 
The group sat on one of the couches. They were greeted by other fellow Enozi students who are also invited. Yuri and Chaewon were given drinks because it's their first time; but just like Chaeyeon taught them, they declined and said that they are just here to relax. About 20 minutes have passed and they were already exhausted and extremely uncomfortable just by looking at the other teenagers wasting their lives.

"I'll just go to the restroom," Eunbi said and stood up. 

"Chae, do you need to use the restroom, too?" Yuri asked the girl who's standing beside her Eunbi unnie.

"Oh no... I'm just going with Eun. I hate it when other guys or girls are checking her out. Especially with that dress." 

Yuri and Chaewon laughed at Chae's explanation.

"Excuse me, kids. I really have to go now." 

The two newbies are the only one left. They started chatting to distract themselves when the Music club's president's attention is suddenly averted to a girl in a pink dress entering the unit. Yuri noticed Chaewon's pupil grew bigger and looked where she's looking.

"Go to her," Yuri said and pushed Chaewon to stand. 

"W-What? Sorry, I'm a bit-"

"Distracted, I know. And it's because of the cheerleader." The other girl teased. "Just approach her already. You don't want other people making moves on her, right?"

Yuri is the only one who knew that Chaewon is having a crush on the Hitomi. Surprisingly, the musician is good at hiding her feelings. After she found out, she is teasing the pink-haired girl every time she can.

"But... What about you?" Chaewon asked.

"Don't worry. Pretty sure Eunbi unnie and Chaeyeon will be back anytime soon. Just go and get your girl."

The hamster is now left alone. Cellphones aren't allowed inside the area since they clearly don't want someone to get 'evidence' about the party. Her friends are also nowhere to be found, except Chaewon who are sitting beside Hitomi in the mini-bar. Yuri decided to just close her eyes and maybe get some nap.

"You're stunning, sleeping beauty." 

Yuri jumped in surprise after someone whispered into her ear. She looked back and saw a girl in a black hoodie. 

"What's your problem, really?? Pranking, imitating, and now surprising me when I'm asleep... When will you stop ruining my day, Choi Yena?"

"Never," Yena replied, now sitting beside Yuri. "But aren't you thankful? Those things made us closer."

Yuri just rolled her eyes and uttered a small 'tch'. 

"Yah! I already complimented you but all you're paying me with a 'tch'?"

"Why would I be thankful?" Yuri responded. "For all I know, it's just another joke. And even if it is true, I know that you just said that because I'm not wearing my school uniform or the usual gray sweater."

"Am I that unbelievable?" Yena asked, fake crying.

"Umm... yeah."

"Well for your information, I really am saying the truth. You're always pretty in those hoodie and uniform but tonight..." Yena confessed. She then smirked. "You look like my future wife."

"L-Look like what?"

"I said you look-"

"Look who's here," A voice said. Yena's smile disappeared when she saw the star of the party: Byung Soon.

"What do you want?" Yuri was surprised to hear the duck's reply.

"Easy there, girl. We are still your seniors." Byung Soon warned the girl. "First things first, what the heck is wrong with you? You can go shop 'til you drop... You can actually buy the whole mall if you want. Yet you're wearing a cheap hoddie and specs."

Byung Soon and her squad laughed at the duck. Yena, on the other hand, remained silent but is having eye contact with the leader of the gang.

"I see that Jo Yuri is also here," Byung Soon gave her full attention on the girl beside the duck.

"H-How do you know who I am?" 

"Of course I know you... You're Hyewon's cousin, right?" The girl replied. "She's a former member of my club. I can say she's pretty good... for nothing."

Yuri scrunched her brows.

"What-"

"Just kidding," Byung Soon responded and her friends laughed. "Did you... Did you really believed it?" 

"I.. kinda did," Yuri said, lightly laughing. "I actually wanted to punch and you in the face until you beg me to stop." 

The laugh died at the surprising response. Byung Soon gave her a serious look.

"What the heck-" 

Yuri suddenly burst out laughing.

"Just kidding... Did you really believed it?"

Yena smirked at the scenario happening in front of her. Yuri sure knows how to play this game.

"What is wrong here?" Chaeyeon, after a long time, finally returned. 

The hamster slightly breathed a sigh of relief but she noticed something. Chae is wearing red lipstick yet she has some stain of pink in her lips. She then looked at her Eunbi unnie at the back and she saw the older retouching, grabbing the pink lipstick inside her small pouch. Oh my gosh. Yuri facepalmed. So that's why they took so long.

"Oh, nothing. Just want to check on my guests." Byung soon answered. "By the way, I found out that Yena's friend- What's her name again? Saruka?- has invited Hyewon to play in your Gaming Team. You sure you still are the Gaming Club and not Nerds Club?"

Yena quickly stood up to protect her friend. "It's Sakura... SA.KU.RA. And yes, we invited Hyewon. Don't make fun of our club."

"Oh, I am not... I just want to verify. That way, when our school loses in the Gaming Championship, I know whom to blame. Guess I have to check on other people. Bye, everyone." Byung Soon left a sinister smile before walking out.

The girl walked into the kitchen and saw a rather unpleasant visitor.

"The hell are you doing here? How did you even enter in the first place?" Byung Soon bossed.

"Miss me? You know, I'm eager to meet you since I came here. To answer you, I think you might change your guards. They're easily blinded by money."

"Party crashing... Is that the best you can do, Wonyoungie?" Byung Soon tried to provoke the younger. "I mean, I kinda understand. You can't create a party like this."

"You're right, I can't... This is too low for me. I can create a much bigger one."

"How?" Byung Soon sarcastically laughed. "Just accept the fact that you can't beat me. I'm an only child, everything that my family owns will end up on me. You, on the other hand, won't get anything because aside from the fact that Kwon is the rightful heir, you're just... What's the word again? Oh right... Adopted."

"It's fine for me, missy." Wonyoung strongly replied. "At least I haven't experienced being dumped yet."

Byung Soon can't hold herself anymore. She suddenly tugged Wonyoung by the hair but the girl is fighting back. She's about to slap her when someone hold her from the back. 

"Stop it now." Yujin calmly said. She just got out of the restroom and found the two in the middle of their fight. "I... I'll just handle this."

Byung Soon released and pushed Wonyoung. "You better do."

Yujin held Wonyoung by the arm and pulled her to go outside. Since it's a bit dark at the part where they walked. Eunbi didn't noticed her sister.

"Will you let me go?!?" Wonyoung said in an irritated tone. "What are you doing inside? Sorry if I'll offend you but, you're not that famous."

"Byung Soon invited me since I have beaten up her ex. How 'bout you? Have you gone completely crazy? Party crashing just to fight..."

"Whatever I'm doing, it's none of your business."

"It is," Yujin replied. "Kwon's one of my friends. Of course, I'll care for her sister. I'm concerned about you."

"I'm thankful to you for "saving" me, but you don't have to. Now excuse me because I still have to finish a fight." 

Wonyoung was about to enter the room once again but the other tall girl stopped her with her long arms.

"If you want to enter again, I'll let Kwon fetch you from here. I'm not letting you come near Byung Soon again." Yujin stated with a serious tone. "I don't want you to die."

The runner entered the room and left Wonyoung alone on the Corregidor of the fifth floor. 

"Stop, Yujin...

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"Don't make me fall for you even more."