Somewhere in Muju-gu, in a small neighborhood, sits the Kang residence. They own one crappy apartment complex—and the rent? Extremely cheap. Too affordable.

Mr. Kang is a man of his word, generous and kind-hearted—so much so that it’s almost pathetic. Almost everyone has taken advantage of it, and the old man just doesn’t give a fuck. His wife, on the other hand… she’s a kind lady, but that kindness is tiny—about the size of a queen ant. She’s a Karen. A real bitch. Yet she’s never hated nor despised by the neighbors. Why? She’s way ahead of modern technology—she knows the latest gossip in the neighborhood. Your secret? NEVER. safe. She’ll find out.

And then there’s Haerin—their first and only reliable daughter. She’s quiet; the world moves too fast for her. But that doesn’t mean she’s a dummy—she’s incredibly smart. Incredibly smart. Smart enough to get herself into one of the high schools in Daejeon. It was far from home, though, so she had to move out. Thankfully, she had an aunt living in that city, and she settled in almost immediately.

Two years passed. Haerin’s first year was difficult—trying to get used to city life. But when her second year of high school came, things grew harsher. Her younger sister got sick, and Haerin knew the monthly rent from their crappy apartment complex wasn’t enough. So her parents sent her sister to Daejeon. Her aunt helped, but money still fell short of covering treatment. Haerin had no choice but to work herself to the bone.

Deliveries right after school. Helping in her aunt’s chicken shop at night. Giving out flyers every morning, every weekend. Saving every bit she earned—even pennies.

At school, once her second year began, life became hell. She turned into one of the main targets of bullying, and nobody dared step in—because the tormentor was Hanni, the daughter of two doctors. Someone with money. But Haerin never fought back. She didn’t have the spine for it. She just let herself get tormented five times a day.

One Thursday, Haerin decided not to go to school. Her sister’s condition worsened, and the money she’d saved wasn’t enough to keep her sister in the hospital for continuous treatment.

It was afternoon, and she was rushing toward her next delivery—they urged her to arrive fast, but she only had her feet to rely on. She took a shortcut through an alley she knew well, only to stop abruptly in her tracks.

Three girls in school uniforms were there, smoking cigarettes. And another girl—balled up on the ground. Since Haerin had been running, the sound of her footsteps caught their attention before she stopped. Those uniforms… they were all familiar.

“Hey, look who’s here…” a familiar voice trailed with amusement, the words ringing in her ears.

“I was wondering who was running. Turns out it was you, Kang. Missed me that much? Didn’t see you at school today— why?” The girl flicked her cigarette away and took a few slow, deliberate steps toward her.

Haerin stepped back automatically, speaking in a low tone, her head lowering, her hand clutching the small package box behind her back.

“Hanni… I have no time for this…”