Misfits

The staff break room in the hotel was bathed in soft light, creating a cozy atmosphere for employees to take a brief respite from the hustle of their duties. The air carried the scent of freshly brewed coffee, and the silence was interrupted only by the occasional sound of footsteps and muffled noise from the hallway. Jennie stood by the mirror, carefully tying her long dark hair into a neat ponytail. Her thoughts were far away when the door suddenly swung open and Haru — her always-energetic and cheerful colleague — burst into the room. “Jennie! Where are you?” Haru called out, her voice tinged with urgency as she scanned the room for her friend. “Over here,” Jennie replied calmly, casting a glance in her direction. She finished fixing her hair and turned to face her colleague, waiting for her to speak. Haru, slightly out of breath, blurted out: “I just took a day off — can you cover for me tomorrow? It’s my sister’s birthday. Mom and I want her to have a normal celebration this year, like any other teenager. Nayeon said she can’t do it — apparently she has some date or something. So, can you help me out?” She batted her lashes playfully, putting on her best puppy eyes, clearly hoping for a yes. Jennie couldn’t help but smile warmly, seeing how hard Haru was trying. A hint of fondness flickered in her eyes as she responded softly: “Of course. I’ve got nothing to do at home anyway, not until classes start.” She hadn’t even finished her sentence before Haru threw her arms around her in a tight hug, nearly knocking her off balance. “Thank you! Thank you! Jennie, you’re the best coworker in the world!” Haru exclaimed, practically squealing with joy. “All right, all right, I get it — let go,” Jennie said with a smile, gently pulling away. Haru, beaming with happiness, gave her one last grateful grin before rushing toward the door. As it closed behind her, the room fell quiet again, broken only by the low hum of the air conditioner. Jennie was left alone with her thoughts — thoughts that suddenly drifted to the past. Like unwelcome guests, memories crept into her mind, and the image of her former best friend — Kim Jisoo — appeared before her inner eye. That name carried with it a bitter taste of pain and loss. The lives of the Kim families were once intertwined with strong bonds of friendship and trust. Jennie and Jisoo, like their fathers, had been inseparable — more like sisters than friends — tied by an invisible thread. They shared all their joys and sorrows, made plans for the future, and believed that nothing could ever come between them. But one day changed everything, turning their lives upside down — a day of chaos and despair. It became a turning point for both families. The day they were accused of things they never did — slandered, humiliated, and cast out, as if erased from the list of trustworthy people. They were called thieves, frauds, liars — and no one wanted to hear their side. The evidence and charges were too damning for anyone to believe in their innocence. Friends, neighbors, coworkers — everyone turned their backs on them, as if their past kindness and good deeds had never existed. In Jennie’s mind, the faces of their fathers — Kim Jaehwan and Kim Juhyun — resurfaced. They had been the best of friends since childhood, like brothers. Everyone around them saw the two families as one big unit. But even the strongest bonds can break. Jennie remembered how that betrayal shattered their lives into a distinct “before” and “after,” leaving behind only the fragments of what used to be friendship and happiness. Now, looking at her reflection in the mirror, Jennie felt an old wound stir in her heart. Memories of Jisoo, once her dearest friend, now brought only pain and the bitterness of lost hopes. It all felt so far away — almost unreal — and yet, at the same time, so painfully close, as if it had all happened just yesterday. Jennie took a deep breath, trying to shake off the heavy thoughts. She knew she couldn’t change the past, but sometimes, memories would cruelly drag her back to those days when their lives had been so tightly intertwined.

***

The motorcycle slowed to a gentle stop in front of a small two-story house nestled among many similar buildings. Lisa, feeling the vibration of the engine fade, was the first to climb off, awkwardly pulling off the helmet. She shook her head, letting strands of hair fall softly onto her shoulders, and glanced around. The evening darkness wrapped around everything like a heavy blanket, making the streets seem mysterious and silent. The only beacon was the warm glow spilling from the windows of the house before her. “Is this… a hotel?” Lisa mumbled thoughtfully, breaking the silence. No response came. She turned, expecting to see Jungkook, but he was nowhere in sight. A flicker of unease crept through her as she looked around in confusion. Where could he have disappeared to so quickly? “What the—” Her thoughts were abruptly cut off by a sudden impact to her chest. Lisa halted sharply, colliding with a solid wall of muscle, and let out a startled gasp, stumbling backward. She nearly tripped over the parked motorcycle behind her, but strong arms caught her by the waist, steadying her. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she bit her lip in a moment of instinctive fear, leaving her with a comically awkward expression. Then came the smooth, familiar voice that made her open one eye. “Don’t you ever get tired of running into trouble?” Jungkook said with a faint smirk, amusement flickering in his gaze. They stood frozen, the moment stretching like an eternity as their eyes locked. Lisa felt warmth rise to her cheeks and quickly pulled away, fussing with her clothes and avoiding his eyes. “Sorry,” she mumbled, lowering her head as a wave of embarrassment washed over her. “Let’s go,” Jungkook said curtly and walked toward the house. Lisa followed, her heart still pounding. Around her was a quiet little courtyard dotted with fairy lights illuminating neatly trimmed bushes and soft green grass. A bed of roses caught her eye, glowing under the soft lights. She wanted to step closer to admire them, but her thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice from inside the house. “Bro! Where’ve you been? I’ve been waiting for you all day!” A young man appeared in the doorway, his face marked with slight irritation — which quickly brightened when he saw Lisa. “Sorry, Alex. Something came up. I couldn’t make it,” Jungkook replied, his tone laced with frustration. He glanced briefly at Lisa, who stood behind him with an uncertain smile. Alex, noticing her, broke into a wide grin as if he’d just solved a mystery. “Hold up. You’re the girl! Yes! The one I saw this morning!” He clapped his hands and tilted his head back excitedly. Lisa and Jungkook exchanged confused glances. “What girl?” Jungkook asked with suspicion. “I told you — this morning outside the café, I met this cute foreign girl. This is her!” Alex said, grinning. Jungkook let out a tired sigh and rubbed his eyes like this was the last thing he needed. Lisa tried to recall her morning — she had indeed run into a couple of Americans earlier. “What are you standing around for? Come on in and tell me how you two met,” Alex said, gesturing them inside. The three of them entered the house and made their way to the living room. “It doesn’t matter. She’s only here for one night. Then, hopefully, we’ll never see her again,” Jungkook muttered, his voice laced with annoyance. Lisa shot him a glare but said nothing. From the kitchen came the soft clatter of dishes, and then a blonde woman with a charming smile appeared in the doorway. “Hey, what’s going on here? Guests?” she asked, motioning toward Lisa. “Yeah, just for one night,” Jungkook repeated pointedly, disappearing into the kitchen. “Hi, I’m Veronica,” the blonde woman said, reaching out to shake Lisa’s hand, her smile warm and welcoming. “I’m Lisa,” she replied, cautiously shaking her hand. “So… how long have you known Kook?” Veronica tilted her head curiously. “I don’t. I don’t know him at all,” Lisa admitted. The Americans exchanged glances, clearly confused by the answer. “I’m sorry — what?” Veronica laughed lightly, her brows raised in surprise. Jungkook, who was sipping water in the kitchen, caught bits of their conversation and was quietly stunned at how fluent Lisa was in English — though she didn’t look Korean at all. “It’s a long story. Can I explain later? I’m just… really hungry,” Lisa confessed, lowering her gaze in embarrassment. “Oh, honey, of course! Why didn’t you say you were hungry? And here I am, bombarding you with questions. Come eat with us — I just made dinner. You can tell us your ‘story’ over food,” Veronica said brightly, guiding her toward the kitchen. “Dibs on sitting next to Lisa!” Alex exclaimed playfully, smiling like a child promised dessert. “You’re an ass,” Veronica rolled her eyes, giving him a playful shove, her face still lit up with amusement. And just like that, the house seemed to grow a little warmer.

***

Seokjin, elegantly adjusting the cuffs of his jacket, let out a quiet sigh and settled into the back seat of a taxi. Outside, night was falling fast, casting a mysterious twilight over the city. The glow of streetlamps shimmered on the wet pavement, giving the streets a soft, dreamlike glow. As he closed the door, his gaze lingered on his hands before he picked up his phone, as if weighing his words carefully, and began dialing. “Where to, sir?” the driver asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. “The nearest hotel, please,” Seokjin replied, his voice touched by a barely-there accent that gave it a soft, refined tone. Holding the phone to his ear, he watched the flickering city lights pass by in silence. Finally, the ringing stopped, and a familiar yet cold female voice answered, filling the car with an air of detached authority. “I’m listening, son.” There was no warmth in her voice, only stern discipline and demanding control. “I’ve landed. I’m heading to a hotel now. I figured it’s too late to show up at my brother’s door,” Seokjin said calmly, though his voice was carefully measured — every word weighed like it might tip a scale. “As you wish. Just make sure you convince him to come home soon. Better yet, come back together and face your father. He’d better prepare a speech — one worthy of an apology,” she said. Her icy tone softened for only a brief moment, revealing a veiled threat, before returning to its usual formality. Seokjin closed his eyes, trying to quell the wave of exhaustion that swept over him. “I’ll do everything I can, Mother,” he answered with deliberate politeness, masking the internal tension that simmered beneath the surface. He knew the task ahead would be anything but easy — perhaps the most difficult one he’d ever faced. But even now, his voice remained steady, his eyes focused. Slipping the phone into his coat pocket, he turned his gaze back to the road. The darkness deepened, but he was ready for whatever lay ahead.

***

POV — Park Chaeyoung The kitchen hummed with the soft sound of the refrigerator, and from the bathroom came the muffled voice of my mother, cutting through the evening calm. I tore myself away from the book in my lap and sat up, reaching for the canvas robe draped over the back of my chair. “Sweetheart, do we have any kimchi sauce left?” she called from behind the bathroom door, interrupting my quiet moment of reading. “I’m not sure. I’ll check,” I called back, still stretching as I made my way to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and searched the shelves. There was barely any sauce left. I was about to tell her when an uneasiness crept over me, breaking my usual calm. I turned on the TV absentmindedly and poured myself a glass of water, trying to focus on something light and routine. But the news anchor’s voice froze me in place. Clear and composed, her words hit like a thunderclap. “Director of Kirim High School, Kang Jiwon, has officially announced the school will be closing indefinitely.” I stood there in disbelief. The water in my glass suddenly felt heavy in my hands. Before I could fully process what I’d heard, I was overcome by a coughing fit, the shock stealing my breath. “They’re closing my school? What?!” “The school has been deemed unfit for classes due to unfinished renovations. According to the director, he hired the wrong contractors and they failed to deliver quality work. He has promised to refund the financial damages to all parents as soon as possible. He also apologizes to students and asks for their understanding. Discussions with the Ministry of Education are ongoing to determine what will happen next. We’ll update you as soon as we learn more,” the anchor continued, her tone official and steady. Then she smoothly moved on to the next news item, leaving me stunned. My mother, noticing my distress, peeked into the kitchen. Her face was full of concern and confusion, though I barely registered her presence. The thought of sauce, dinner — all of it was gone. Panic surged in my chest. I turned on my heel and rushed toward the door. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” she called after me, but her voice already seemed distant. “Where are you going?” “To Lisa’s,” I choked out, wiping tears from my cheeks and heading out the door. My heart was racing, and the future — once so clear — now lay shattered in pieces before me. All I could think about was finding comfort, or at least someone who would understand.

***

Veronica laughed, her melodious voice harmonizing with the warm hum of the kitchen. Sitting next to Alex, she occasionally glanced at Kook, who sipped his energy drink slowly, a faint smirk on his face. The evening was wrapped in a cozy atmosphere, yet an unspoken tension hung in the air—subtle threads connecting the people gathered at the table. “You’re something else, man,” Alex chuckled, giving Kook a friendly pat on the back, clearly impressed by how he handled the situation. Kook only winced slightly, not retreating, his eyes carrying a trace of amusement masked by his usual guardedness. “This feels like a TV drama, honestly,” Veronica exaggerated, her voice slightly hoarse from laughter. Lisa, whose face bore the weight of exhaustion like a permanent shadow, finished her tea and offered a faint smile, trying not to reveal her inner tension. Then, suddenly, Alex, eyes gleaming slightly from the alcohol, broke the familiar rhythm of the evening with a direct question. “So, Lisa—do you have a boyfriend?” His tone was casual but blunt, and the question caught Lisa completely off guard. She choked on her tea, blushing furiously. “Ugh, stop it. You hit on every girl who walks in here. It’s embarrassing,” Veronica lightly smacked Alex on the head, then turned to Lisa with a smirk. “Well? Do you?” “Maybe you should back off. Can’t you see she’s exhausted? She’s practically falling asleep right here,” Kook unexpectedly cut in. His voice was sharp, more than he intended, and he looked just as surprised by his own reaction. Lisa met his gaze in confusion, but he quickly looked away. Kook took another sip of his drink, clearly trying to compose himself. “Oh—right. Good point,” Veronica said softly. “Come on, Lisa. I’ll show you your room.” She stood up with a kind smile, and the girls left the kitchen, leaving the two guys alone. Alex, squinting slightly from the alcohol, turned to Kook with a mischievous grin, his words dripping with implication. “What?” Kook raised a brow, picking up on the teasing. “Oh, come on, Kook. Don’t pretend. You’ve never brought a girl home. Not once in three years. And today, out of the blue, you show up with this gorgeous girl and say she’s staying ‘just for one night’? After all the effort you put in?” Alex leaned in slightly, still smiling. “You like her, don’t you?” Kook sighed — a low, irritated sound, like he was annoyed with himself more than anything. He took a deep gulp from his bottle and slammed it onto the table, as if trying to shake off the weight pressing down on him. Without saying a word, he left the kitchen and stepped outside into the night air. The star-filled sky stretched above him like a silent witness, inviting him to reflect and breathe freely. Kook closed his eyes briefly, feeling that old, familiar pull toward his motorcycle — the freedom it represented, the peace found in midnight rides. But tonight was different. For the first time in a long while, he had stayed. As expected, his thoughts returned to that look he had seen in Lisa’s eyes — a mix of pain and loneliness he recognized all too well. It stirred something in him, something he had kept buried. He thought of the secret he had carried for years — the truth of being an illegitimate child, the weight of knowing he was someone’s shameful mistake. The memories he worked so hard to suppress now tugged at his chest. His introspection was suddenly interrupted when something caught the light near the rose bushes. Without thinking, his feet moved toward it. His eyes lit up with curiosity as he bent down and picked up a small pendant shaped like a flower, lying quietly in the grass. He held it in his hand, already knowing who it belonged to, and let out a dry, almost amused breath. This tiny object felt like a hidden message — a sign that the night wasn’t done speaking. And maybe… it was just the beginning of something more.

***

“Jennie!” — breathless, Nayeon burst into the room, her breathing fast and uneven, her eyes sparkling with urgency. She entered like a living spark, bringing a rush of energy into the space. Jennie, who had just stood up from the couch, looked at her colleague with surprise and concern in her eyes. “Why are you just sitting here? Don’t you have guests?” Nayeon asked insistently, her voice pressing gently but firmly, demanding a response. “I just got here,” Jennie replied calmly, tucking her hair behind her ear, as if trying to restore some order after a long day. “You’re not wearing the skirt again? Jennie-ya, can’t you just wear it for once?” Nayeon’s voice turned into a pleading whimper, her tone dripping with desperation. Standing in front of the mirror, she started touching up her makeup with careful precision, every movement part of a practiced routine. “No. I don’t want to. You know how much I hate skirts—especially that one,” Jennie lifted the corners of her mouth in a half-hearted smile, her face showing clear distaste for the bright red uniform she found both uncomfortable and too flashy. “Oh come on, red looks so good on you! And how do you even manage to avoid the manager every single time? Even today!” Nayeon tilted her head, puzzled and a little impressed. She dabbed her lipstick with effortless grace. “What do you mean?” Jennie frowned slightly, curiosity creasing her brows. “Lucky you—he left early this morning. Didn't say where he was going, but he made sure to let us know,” Nayeon lowered her voice, half whisper, half secret. With a relieved sigh, she winked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “By the way… Is it true the hotel owner's son is going to become our new manager soon?” Jennie asked with clear intrigue, her voice full of anticipation. “Looks like it. No one’s seen him except for Haru. Word is, he’s handsome,” Nayeon giggled, her laugh light and airy. “I just hope he’s not as strict as the one we have now. He’s practically our age—still a kid.” “Where does he study?” Jennie asked again, her curiosity growing. “No idea. I heard he’s changed schools more than once. Problem child—gets away with stuff because of his status,” Nayeon scoffed, trying to mask her own frustration and prejudice. She soon disappeared from the room, leaving Jennie alone with her thoughts. As the door closed behind Nayeon, silence filled the room once more, heavy with the echo of their conversation. Jennie stared blankly ahead, her mind now preoccupied with the image of the mysterious new administrator. The enigma of his past and uncertainty of his future buzzed in her thoughts, stirring a strange excitement and a trace of nervous wonder.

***

Kim Jisoo sat in front of her mirror, gently adjusting strands of her dark, wavy hair. Every gesture was precise and deliberate, as if she were trying not only to fix her appearance but to restore some inner calm. Her face was serious, reflecting the tension that grew with the approaching school year. The soft golden lights in her room cast a warm glow, but to Jisoo, they felt more like a reminder that her grey routines were about to begin again—along with the role she had perfected over time: the queen bee, the cold-hearted girl. Behind the mask, though, was a different Jisoo. The one people in Seongnam had once known before everything fell apart. Memories of betrayal hovered like a storm cloud. The incident last year—when trusted friends turned on them and nearly ruined her family—left a deep scar in her heart. Friendship and loyalty had turned out to be illusions, crumbling under the weight of deception. Time hadn’t healed those wounds; she felt each one as sharply as the day it was dealt. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the loud entrance of her cousin, Kim Taehyung, who barged into her room without knocking, as usual. His trademark smirk played on his lips—a mix of smugness and casual arrogance that had always defined him. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, as if her personal space had no boundaries. “Could you please stop barging into my room without knocking? What if I was changing?” Jisoo turned to him, her voice sharp with irritation. Taehyung only scoffed, as if her anger was nothing more than background noise to his amusement. “Wouldn’t have seen anything special anyway,” he replied with a cocky indifference, his eyes lingering on her face without even a hint of shame. “Okay then, what do you want? Is it so important you had to come all the way here yourself?” Jisoo tried to hold on to her sarcasm, though her curiosity began to crack through. “It is that important,” Taehyung said flatly. Jisoo stilled. Her heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by the seriousness in his tone. “Your fiancé is back.” The words dropped like a thunderclap, freezing her in place. Confusion and disbelief flickered in her eyes. All the thoughts she’d just been trying to suppress dissolved under the weight of this sudden news. Silence fell—tense, full of invisible threads that tied her past to a future she had desperately tried to forget.