They called it The Grand Hall, but it felt more like a cathedral carved out of power and old money.
White stone. Velvet seats. Chandeliers that looked like they belonged in a museum or a dictator's ballroom. Even the floor hummed with expensive polish. Hae-won stood near the back with Ji-ae and the rest of the scholarship students—five in total. She didn't know the others yet, only that they all shared the same silent calculation in their eyes.
Ji-ae, in particular, looked born to rebel in marble halls. Her hair was pinned into two sharp braids, her uniform cinched with military neatness. A history major with a permanent squint like she was always fact-checking your soul.
"This room smells like colonization," she whispered.
"Don't say that," Hae-won hissed.
"Why not? It does."
She wasn't wrong.
A sudden hush cracked through the hall.
They had arrived.
Four boys in tailored navy uniforms took the steps up to the podium like they had been carved for it. The crowd didn't part; they were already seated. But mid-conversations froze, gestures halted. You could hear a pencil drop.
It was like seeing the sun flare indoors.
"The Elites," someone whispered reverently. The group name passed from lips like legend. No announcement. No fanfare. Everyone already knew who they were—except for the few who were too new to understand. Like Hae-won. Like Ji-ae.
The first to speak was Kyung-min.
He stood at the center. Charisma and perfection packaged into one lean, dangerous form. His smile came slow and deliberate, like he knew it made people weak.
He was the violinist from the music room. The one Hae-won and Ji-ae had caught yesterday, wrapped up with a blue-haired girl in a scandalously intimate moment.
Now she was here again.
She walked in with a grace that made the room feel like a set piece. Black and white uniform tailored like couture. Her blue hair curled like brushstrokes against porcelain skin. Her face unreadable, her steps unhurried. She walked like she didn't need to catch up—like the world would wait. She took her spot beside one of the painting-like looking boys.
Someone gasped. "Is that Soo-min?"
"Soo-min Jeong," another whispered. "The Soo-min Jeong?"
"Her family's practically royalty," said someone else. "She and Jin-woon practically grew up together."
"Are they dating?"
"They're definitely dating. Their families are too close. Arranged from birth, probably."
But Hae-won stiffened.
"She's the girl," she muttered.
Ji-ae's eyes sharpened. "The one with Kyung-min yesterday?"
"Exactly."
"She can't be dating Jin-woon then… right?"
They exchanged looks. Neither said what they both thought.
This was messy.
Kyung-min voice was violin-string smooth. "Welcome to the academic year. To our new first-years—congratulations. You've made it here. Let's see who survives it."
Laughter rose—half-hearted, nervous.
To his right stood Seok-min. Tall, sharp-featured, with rectangular glasses and a glacial stare. The same boy from the library. Hae-won said nothing. She didn't even glance at Ji-ae. She hadn't told her about him. She didn't know why. She just knew that silence felt safer.
Then came Jin-woon Sa.
White uniform. Black gloves. His expression unreadable.
He didn't speak. Didn't even shift. But he radiated a different kind of power—quiet, dangerous. The kind of boy anime fans edited endlessly. The kind that didn't blink unless it was for effect.
And finally, Haneul.
He had ink-stained fingers and a distant look, like he was halfway through painting something in his mind. The artist of the Elites. Rumors floated like feathers around him—gallery showings at sixteen, a museum residency in Switzerland, pieces bought anonymously for millions.
"They're not just students," someone whispered. "They're future legends."
"They look hotter than last year."
"Jin-woon looks so unreal like he is from an alternative universe, don't you think?!"
"Wait..I thought they were in France this week."
"Maybe they flew in just for this."
Hae-won knew they were not in France. At least not kyung-min.
The headmaster stepped forward, bowing slightly. His hands trembled as he took the mic.
"Thank you to the Sa Foundation and to all our partners," he began. "We have a surprise announcement to make regarding this year's class structure and some... unique recognitions."
A wave of whispers surged.
The Elites stepped down in perfect formation. Soo-min walked behind them, like an empress trailing after a royal court. It wasn't just a departure. It was a procession.
They didn't even wait for the headmaster's speech?!
Hae-won and Ji-ae shared a bewildered look.
The man continued his speech looking visibly more relaxed now.
"Welcome to Baekhyun Academy—where every student is a future leader. We would like to formally welcome our new merit scholars, who will have equal access to all academic resources, electives, and clubs... with the exception of private Elite quarters."
"Equal access? To our spaces?"
"Wait. Do we have to share the pool with them now?"
A pause.
"Additionally, all merit students must be in at least one club. And to remain in good standing, merit scholars are expected to maintain Top 30 ranking in academic performance throughout the year."
The crowd erupted.
"Top 30?! That's impossible!" A girl exclaimed. "Maybe we won't have to share with them after all" she giggled.
"I heard the grading system here is insane, and there are thousands students including, insanely smart foreign kids who speak English in their sleep" A merit student whispered to her sitting partner who-judging by his reaction is also a merit student.
"I'll be packing my bags tonight, better than hoping" he replied sadly.
Hae-won should probably learn their names by now, she thought she would at least try to make friends with them tonight but was there really a point anymore?
She would be gone by the semester.
There was no way she was smart enough for this.
Someone snorted at the words "peace and unity" that came next.
"I think they're just looking for a reason to kick us out." Ji-ae half-whisperd to her, folding her arms to her chest begrudgingly
"Their image would be sparkling clean by then" she turned towards Hae-won like she just came to a realization.
"Jesus... Hae-won.. That's their game all along!" she exclaimed quietly like she just solved a huge puzzle.
"Huh huh" Hae-won replied shifting in her sit.
"And lastly," the headmaster continued, "there will be a Welcome Gala for all first-years this Friday evening. Attendance is mandatory for everyone, including, seniors."
Hae-won didn't even care anymore. She had been pressed for ten solid minutes.
"I'll be right back," she whispered to Ji-ae, already half turned toward the exit.
She didn't make it.
As soon as she turned the corner outside the hall, a shadow stepped in her way.
Kyung-min.
He said nothing at first. Just stared. His hand pressed flat against the wall beside her head.
"Did you enjoy the concert ?" he asked.
Hae-won blinked. Her body wanted to flee. Her bladder did too.
"Excuse me," she said, sidestepping.
He moved with her. Smooth. Cornering her again. She backed into the marble.
She was distracted looking to exit, she needed to use the restroom badly.
He looked at her fidgeting and instantly got annoyed. How dare she not acknowledge his presence?!
His fingers brushed her chin, lifting her gaze to meet his.
"Look," she said. "I really need to go—"
"Then listen closely," he murmured. His lips were near her ear now. His voice velvet-wrapped steel.
"You saw something that wasn't your business. You'll keep your little mouth shut, yes?" he said, his gaze flickering to her lips.
His eyes stayed a second longer on the small hole by the side of her mouth before he looked straight into her eyes again.
His eyes looked like a storm was gathering in there.
Hae-won nodded, stunned.
"Good" He slowly withdraw his hands from her face, slightly brushing her cheek and stepped away.
I'll be watching you." He loomed over her.
And then he was gone.
Hae-won suddenly forgot she had to pee.
From the balcony above, Jin-woon stood in the shadows, eyes fixed on her.
He had seen everything.
Hae-won stood there, stunned, breathless—And like she had regained her ability to feel again- she rushed from the scene, desperately needing to pee.