chapter 9

The world seemed to quiet itself in that corner.

The towering statue of God cast a long shadow across the stone courtyard, its presence both commanding and serene. Kneeling at its base was a student, head bowed, hands clasped tightly as if the entire universe rested in their whispered prayer.

The distant shouts of J-Hope and Vernon still carried across the grounds—like echoes from another world—but here, in front of the statue, it all felt muffled, irrelevant. A gentle breeze stirred, brushing against the student’s hair, carrying with it the faint scent of blossoming flowers from the nearby garden.

For a moment, time itself seemed suspended. The student’s lips moved silently, words only heaven could hear, eyes shut tight as if sealing out every distraction, every chaos of the outside world. There was a softness in their expression, but beneath it, a weight too—a prayer born not of routine, but of something deeper.

Unseen by most, this quiet devotion painted a new layer onto the grand canvas of S.K University. While laughter and madness reigned on the sports field, faith and longing lingered in this corner—two worlds, existing side by side, unaware of how soon they would collide.

The praying student was none other than Seungkwan, a fresher in the Psychology department. It was his very first day at the prestigious S.K University, and his nerves were impossible to hide. Kneeling before the tall statue, he whispered softly, almost pleading,

"God… it’s my first day in this university. Please give me bravery, strength, and courage to face any difficulty. And God… please, bless me with someone who will stay by my side whenever I feel low, sad, or like a failure. A person who won’t leave me, even in my worst times."

His prayer hung in the quiet air, fragile and sincere. But before he could finish, hurried footsteps burst into the courtyard.

It was Vernon, gasping for breath as he rushed in, looking frantically over his shoulder. Seungkwan kept his eyes shut, unaware of the chaos about to invade his sacred moment.

"And also, God… please save me f—"

“ANYONE, PLEASE HELP ME!” Vernon’s panicked voice cut through the stillness.

Seungkwan twitched but didn’t turn, forcing his voice calm.

"God, please save me—"

“SAVE ME!” Vernon screamed again.

Seungkwan’s brows furrowed. His lips pressed thin, but he tried once more.

"God, please save me—"

“SAVE ME!” Vernon’s desperate cry echoed louder this time.

Finally, Seungkwan snapped, whispering through gritted teeth,

"God… it’s better if You save him first."

Vernon stumbled to a halt, just a few steps away from where Seungkwan knelt. His chest heaved violently as he bent forward, catching his breath.

And then, with slow but steady steps, J-Hope entered the courtyard. His eyes were sharp, locked onto Vernon, his every stride deliberate. The atmosphere grew tense—like the calm before a storm.

Vernon swallowed hard, his throat dry, a lump of dread stuck there. He knew he was cornered.

J-Hope moved one step closer. His shadow fell over Vernon.

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