The fluorescent lights above hummed faintly, casting a sterile glow over the empty classroom. Outside, the chatter of students faded into a dull murmur through the closed door.

Hyunjin stood a few feet away, chest rising and falling with restrained frustration. He had dragged you in so quickly, his hand still tingled faintly where it had caught your arm. For a moment, he didn’t say anything—just stared at the floor, jaw tight, lips pressed into a hard line as if searching for the right words.

He sighed, shoulders dropping, and ran a hand through his hair in that restless way he always did when he was irritated. His usual sharp confidence was dulled, replaced by something heavier, something uncertain.

“You know about the debt, right?” He finally said, voice low but firm. His eyes lifted to meet yours, a trace of exhaustion swimming beneath his calm. “And the other thing…?”

He waited, his throat tightening slightly at the silence that followed.