Episode 5 – “The After School Stranger”

🔔 The bell rang.

School was over for the day.

Students rushed out, laughing, calling their friends, some running to catch the bus.

But Sojin’s steps were slow.

Her mind still replayed that strange moment.

> Sojin (thinking):

“That mask… Why did it feel like it was looking inside me?”

Eun-kyung caught up beside her, swinging her bag.

> Eun-kyung:

“Yah, science girl! Why so serious? Did the teacher give you ghost homework?”

Sojin smiled softly but didn’t answer.

They walked together towards the bus stand.

🚏 At the Bus Stand...

Surprise—Eun-woo was already there, leaning against a pole, casually scrolling his phone.

When he noticed them, he walked over, smiling.

> Eun-woo:

“Hey, Eun-kyung. And… Sojin, right?”

> Sojin (softly):

“Y-Yes…”

> Eun-woo (grinning):

“You know, I didn’t get to thank you properly for catching that football with your head earlier.”

Sojin’s face turned bright red.

> Eun-woo (teasing):

“If you ever want to play goalkeeper, let me know.”

Eun-kyung laughed.

> Eun-kyung:

“Careful, Eun-woo. She’s secretly a superhero. One more hit, and she might throw the ball back to space.”

Sojin quickly shook her hands.

> Sojin (panicked):

“N-No! I’m not—I mean—no sports for me—”

They all laughed.

For the first time, Sojin felt… okay.

Maybe this new school wasn’t so scary after all.

But just as she looked across the street—

There it was.

The same black hoodie. The same white mask. Watching her from behind a tree.

But this time…

It waved at her. Slowly. Like it knew her.

Sojin’s smile faded.

> Sojin (thinking, heart racing):

“It’s not gone… It’s still watching me…”

🚍 The bus arrived.

Sojin looked at Eun-kyung and Eun-woo.

She wanted to tell them about the masked person.

But something stopped her.

> Sojin (thinking):

"Maybe it’s nothing… Maybe I was just scared."

Sojin stayed quiet.

They laughed, talked about school, and the bus drove away.

But Sojin’s heart was not peaceful.

The next morning☀️, Sojin walked into the school hallway, feeling a little better.

But her heart still remembered the masked person.

> Sojin (thinking):

"Maybe today will be a normal day… finally."

The hallway was busy with students chatting, laughing, and getting ready for class.

Suddenly—

She heard footsteps.

From behind—Joon-woo.

From the front—Eun-woo.

Both walking towards her at the same time.

The moment felt slow.

> Sojin (thinking, panicked):

"W-Why… why are they both coming…? Why now…?"

Students around started whispering.

> "Wait… are they both going to her?"

"Since when is she this popular??"

"Is this a love triangle??"

Even Minji, standing nearby, froze with a confused face.

Suddenly—

Both boys stopped in front of Sojin at the same time.

> Joon-woo:

"Hey, I want to talk to you."

> Eun-woo:

"I want to talk to you too."

Together:

> "Right now."

The whole hallway went silent.

Sojin’s eyes blinked fast, totally panicked.

> Sojin (thinking):

"What is happening?! Why me?! I just want to survive school!"

Eun-kyung watched from the side, struggling not to laugh.

> Eun-kyung (thinking):

"My bestie is already a K-drama."

Minji clenched her fist.

> Minji (thinking):

"Tch. Why her? What’s so special about that shy girl?"

Sojin raised her hands nervously.

> Sojin (panicked):

"A-Ah… um… sorry! I forgot my… er… my… important air!"

> Everyone:

"Important… air??"

Sojin quickly turned and ran away in full speed, leaving everyone confused.

> Joon-woo (grinning):

"Interesting. She’s funny."

> Eun-woo (smiling):

"She’s really different."

Minji stared, totally annoyed.

> Minji:

"What’s going on… this is getting weird."

🔥Minji stood in the hallway, her face turning red with anger.

> Minji (thinking):

"T-This… this is too much! First, she embarrasses me, now both the most popular boys want to talk to her? That shy, weak Sojin?!"

She clenched her teeth, gripping her notebook so hard it almost tore.

> Minji (angry whisper):

"Enough. I’ve had enough. This ends soon. Just wait, Sojin."

Minji’s friends nervously looked at her.

> Friend:

"U-Um… Minji? Are you okay?"

> Minji (fake smile):

"Okay? I’m perfect."

Her eyes glowed with silent danger.

> Minji (thinking):

"Let’s see how long you can stay so lucky, Sojin."

She turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***