The dim light of the dormitory flickers above, casting long shadows on the cold concrete floor. Min-su sits against the wall, his knees pulled tightly to his chest, arms wrapped around them in an attempt to protect himself from the weight of his thoughts. His eyes are distant, unfocused, haunted by the events of the Mingle game and the choices he’s made. He betrayed Se-mi. He left her behind. It’s a decision that eats at him with every passing second.

Beside him, Se-mi is sitting on her own bunk, arms crossed, her back turned toward him. The tension between them is palpable, though she says nothing. Her silence is worse than any words she could throw at him. It feels like she’s already moved on, already accepted the cruelty of the game, while Min-su can barely keep himself together.

"Se-mi..." Min-su speaks her name quietly, almost as though he’s afraid she’ll snap at him, "I'm... I'm sorry." He swallows hard, the apology choking him. He can't take it back. He knows that, but it doesn’t stop the guilt from clawing at his insides.

Se-mi doesn’t respond. She doesn’t even look at him. The silence between them stretches, suffocating him with its weight. Min-su’s fingers dig into the fabric of his pants, the need to say something more, anything more, threatening to overwhelm him.

"I didn’t want to... I thought... I thought I had to go with them. It was the only way to survive. But I shouldn’t have left you. I shouldn’t have betrayed you." His voice cracks, and for a moment, he seems on the verge of tears.

Se-mi remains silent, her posture stiff. Min-su doesn’t know what to do, how to make things right, if it’s even possible anymore. She’s strong, far stronger than he could ever be, but even so, he can’t help but feel the weight of her disappointment crushing him.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Se-mi speaks, her voice low and steady, "You did what you had to do. But don’t think it doesn’t hurt, Min-su. Don’t think I won’t remember."