#in-ho

˖⁺‧₊ ˚✧Hc squid game characters with a flirty reader.˚ ⋆

Character: Thanos, Myung-gi, Gi-hun, in-ho, jun-ho, Sae-byeok, dae-ho.

-Thanos (Choi su-bong)

● If you flirt with him, oh, he's gonna flirt with you back, and he's not gonna stop. He'll flirt right back, one-upping up your flirty comments with exaggerated gestures. He'll say some corny shit like, "Is it getting hot in here, or is it just you, senorita?" He teases. He loves attention and knows how to turn it into a game.

●He'll randomly just start rapping just for you, making sure the attention is all on you. "Yeah, she's so fine, no need to pretend, got me rapping for her, again and again," he'd rap while laughing.

● Thanos loves when you react with his flirty antics, and he'll keep pushing boundaries. He thrives on attention and will keep making bold moves to keep your attention on him. He's not subtle with it he'll always make sure you know he's interested, even if it's a bit obnoxious.

● He might be playful and goofy and making jokes. He's really stubborn if you play hard to get. He'll keep coming at you, pushing your buttons just to see how you'll react. He just loves the chase.

-Myung-Gi

●Myung-gi isn't the type to outwardly flirt back, but he'll notice you more than anyone else. If you flirt with him, he'll most likely respond with a long, intense gaze, his expression unreadable. He doesn't get flustered, but he's intrigued by your flirty personality and the attention.

● if you continue to flirt with him, his responses would be quiet and calculated. "You seem different." He might say showing interest he isn't loud or bold he just wants to keep things mysterious and make you wonder if he's truly interested

● he's the type to observe before making any moves. He would keep you on your toes with his silent and subtle actions. While he's not overt with his affections,he'll make an effort to be around you more often, taking mental notes of your reactions

●He's not going to say to much outright, but if he's drawn to you, he might offer small, thoughtful comments like, "You stand out among the rest." Or someone that feels cryptic yet genuine.

-Gi-hun

●Gi-hun would likely be nervous and awkwardly if you flirt with him, especially in such a dangerous environment. He'd provide laugh nervously, unsure how to rest, "Uhh... thanks?" Hell say, completely unsure of how to handle the attention.

● Despite his awkwardness, gi-hun would be genuine in his responses. If you continue flirting with him, he might get more comfortable, offering sweet but clumsy compliments. "You really think I'm.. worth your time?" He might ask, unsure of himself but flattered.

● as he grows more comfortable with you, he might begin to flirt back with his own goofy charm. "I'm not the best guy, but I'm glad you're giving a chance," he might say, trying to make you smile.

● His flirtation might be quiet but sincere. He might offer to help you with something or share food, showing affection in ways that aren't loud but are deeply caring.

-In-ho

●In-ho, is always in control. He's never caught off guard, and he'll never be overwhelmed by flirtation. If you flirt with him, his response will be calm and composed, and even a little cryptic. He honestly finds the flirty tension a game.

●He might use his flirting to keep you intrigued, but it's all a part of his bigger plan. He'll charm you, only to make you feel like you're in his grasp. "You don't realize how much power you have, do you?" He might say while gently manipulating the conversation.

●He won't overtly show interest, but you can tell he enjoys having your attention. He might drop hints about how you're a valuable player in the game, subtly praising your actions, all while keeping you at arm's length, maintaining the upper hand.

●He won't hesitate to make the flirtation feel dangerous, and if it's playful, it's always with an undertone of power and control. He might enjoy the chase, but he's always thinking one step ahead.

-Hwang jun-ho

●Honestly, the flirtation might catch him off guard. He's not used to attention being drawn to him in that way, so he might act a little surprised. "Why are you flirting with me in a place like this?" He asks, trying to stay focused.

●Despite his initial surprise, he would still be protective. He would probably respond to your flirtation by trying to shield you from danger in submitting ways.

●His flirtation would be hesitant at first, but over time, if you show genuine interest, he might soften, but he'd still have his guard up.

● if you continue to flirt with him, you might find that hwang jun-ho shows his affection through small acts of kindness, like bringing you someone to eat or standing up for you when others threaten you. He may not say much, but his actions would speak volumes.

-Dae-ho

●When you flirt with him, it throws him off. He responds politely at first, thinking you're just teasing. "Persistent, aren't you?" He says with a small smile.

●your playful remarks or brushing against him make him freeze for a second, followed by a subtle blush. He clears his throat and tries to redirect the focus, but his stiff posture gives him away.

●He's fiercely protective of you, standing close in dangerous situations or subtly moving between you and others. If someone flirts with you he won't confront them directly but will watch them with a quiet intensity.

●Over time, he starts to enjoy our teasing, responding with calm, understated flirtation that catches you off guard. "If you're trying to distract me, it's working."

●In quieter times, he softens, showing affection through small but meaningful gestures-offering you food, ensuring you rest, standing watch.

●Dae-ho is so cute, loyal, and protective, making you feel deeply cherished even without grand gestures. His calm demeanor compliments your playful energy.

-Sae-byeok

● if you flirt with Sae-byeok, she'll probably be taken off guard. She's not used to receiving attention in such a forward way.

● Sae-byeok might get sarcastic with her responses, trying to deflect the flirtation. She'd tease you, turning the tables to see how you respond. "If you think I'm impressed by yourcharm, you're wrong." She says, but you'll know it's half-joking.

●Though Sae-byeok's hard to crack, the more you flirt with her, the more she starts to soften, though she'll never admit it. If you show genuine interest, she might get a little less cold over time, even if she'll always keep up her tough exterior.

Anonymous request: Hi can you write a imagine for Hwang In-ho thanks

Warnings: Violence, Deaths, Trauma, Betrayal, Paranoia, Pregnancy, Manipulation, Emotional Distress and spoiler alert 🚨 

You and the players are gathered around sitting down, sharing a rare moment of calm amid the chaos. The tension of survival has made every bite of food feel like a luxury. Laughter and hushed conversations weave through the air, but you’re mostly focused on Jung-bae. You’ve always respected him for his calm demeanor and resourcefulness, so when he leans in slightly, his tone quieter and more serious, your attention shifts entirely to him.

“Y/n,” Jung-bae begins, his voice soft but deliberate, his eyes carrying a weight that immediately makes your chest tighten. “I’ve been thinking a lot about you lately. You remind me of my own daughter. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’ve started seeing you as one, too. And because of that, I feel like I need to tell you something. About Young-il.”

At the mention of Young-il, your boyfriend, your heart skips a beat. The edges of your vision seem to blur as you focus entirely on Jung-bae’s expression. There’s something there hesitation, fear maybe, but mostly guilt. He lowers his voice even more, glancing around to ensure no one else is listening.

“You remember the Mingle game, right? When it came down to two players in each room?”

You nod, your mind racing as you recall the chaos of that day. The screams, the betrayals, the cold calculation it took to survive.

“Well…” Jung-bae exhales sharply, like he’s trying to summon the courage to say the words. “Me and him..Me and Young-il. we ended up in the same room. There was already another player in there when we got there, and…”

He falters, looking at you with an expression that’s equal parts regret and urgency. “Y/n, he—”

“Jung-bae,” a firm, familiar voice interrupts. You turn to see Young-il standing there, his jaw tight, his eyes narrowed in that way that sends a chill down your spine. He’s always had a knack for commanding attention, but there’s something different about him now something darker.

“Am I interrupting something?” Young-il’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it, like he knows exactly what Jung-bae was about to say. His gaze shifts between the two of you, lingering on Jung-bae just a little too long.

Jung-bae straightens, his expression carefully neutral. “No, we were just—”

“I don’t think Y/n needs to hear any unnecessary stories,” Young-il cuts him off, his tone final. He moves closer to you, placing a hand on your shoulder. The gesture feels possessive rather than protective, and it takes everything in you not to recoil.

You glance back at Jung-bae, whose jaw is clenched tight, his eyes darting between you and Young-il. There’s something he wants to say, you can see it in the way his lips part slightly, but he doesn’t. The room feels suffocating now, the earlier camaraderie all but gone.

“I think we should all get some rest,” Young-il says, his voice softer now, directed at you. “It’s been a long day.”

You nod slowly, even as unease twists in your stomach. Young-il hand lingers on your shoulder a moment too long before he turns and walks away.

As he disappears into the shadows, you look back at Jung-bae. He’s still sitting there, his eyes filled with frustration and a silent apology. You don’t know what he was going to say about Young-il, but now, more than ever, you feel like you need to find out.

Later that night, you find yourself sitting on one of the worn-out beds with Young-il. The dim light overhead casts long shadows across the room, and the silence is heavy, broken only by the faint sounds of other players shifting or murmuring in their sleep.

He sits next to you, close enough that you can feel the warmth of his presence, but his body language is off. His arms are crossed loosely, and his gaze is distant, staring at a spot on the floor as though it holds some deep secret.

You study him for a moment, your mind replaying Jung-bae’s unfinished words over and over again. You’ve tried to push it aside, tried to convince yourself that it was nothing, but the unease refuses to leave you. Finally, you can’t hold back any longer.

“Young-il,” you begin softly, your voice cutting through the quiet. He turns his head slightly, looking at you with a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“What is it?” he asks, his tone calm and gentle, but there’s something underneath it a tension you can’t ignore.

You hesitate, feeling a lump form in your throat, but you push through it. “Did… did something happen in that room? During the Mingle game?”

The question hangs in the air like a heavy cloud. For a moment, he doesn’t say anything, his face unreadable. Then, he exhales a soft chuckle, shaking his head.

“Y/n, where is this coming from?” he asks, turning his body slightly to face you. “Why would you ask me something like that?”

You look down at your hands, twisting them nervously in your lap. “Jung-bae said something earlier. He started to tell me about what happened when you two were in the same room, but…” You glance up at him, searching his face for any sign of the truth. “He didn’t get to finish.”

Young-il leans back slightly, his expression softening, but his eyes remain sharp. “Jung-bae talks too much,” he says lightly, his tone laced with an edge of annoyance. “Nothing happened in that room, Y/n. You know how these games are people are always looking for someone to blame, always trying to stir up doubts.”

“But—”

“Y/n,” he interrupts, reaching out to take your hands in his. His grip is firm but not unkind, and his eyes lock onto yours with an intensity that makes it hard to look away. “I wouldn’t lie to you. I care about you more than anything. You know that, right?”

You nod slowly, but the knot in your stomach only tightens. His words should comfort you, but instead, they feel rehearsed, like he’s trying too hard to convince you.

“I just… I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me,” you say quietly, your voice trembling slightly.

He leans closer, his forehead nearly touching yours. “There’s nothing to tell,” he whispers. “I promise you.”

For a moment, you let yourself believe him. You want to believe him. But as you sit there, his hands holding yours, the shadows in the room seem to grow darker, and the doubt in your heart refuses to fade.

The following morning, the air is heavy with unspoken tension as the group prepares for whatever the next challenge might bring. Everyone moves with a quiet urgency, the weight of the games pressing down on them. Jung-bae sits on the floor near Gi-hun, pretending to sharpen a makeshift tool. His movements are slow, deliberate, as if he’s buying himself time to gather his thoughts.

Gi-hun notices his demeanor and frowns slightly. “You’ve been quiet this morning,” he remarks, sitting down beside Jung-bae. “Something on your mind?”

Jung-bae doesn’t respond immediately. He keeps his focus on the tool in his hands, his expression distant. Finally, he exhales deeply and sets the tool aside, turning to face Gi-hun.

“Gi-hun,” Jung-bae begins, his tone unusually serious. “I need to ask you for a favor.”

Gi-hun’s brows furrow. “A favor? What kind of favor?”

Jung-bae leans in closer, lowering his voice so only Gi-hun can hear. “I want you to promise me something. If anything happens to me. if I don’t make it through this game. I need you to take care of Y/n. And not just her. everyone in our group. But especially Y/n.”

The words hit Gi-hun like a punch to the gut. He stares at Jung-bae, searching his face for an explanation. “What are you talking about? Why would you say that? Are you… are you planning something?”

“No, it’s not like that,” Jung-bae says quickly, shaking his head. “I just… I need to know that she’ll be safe. That someone will look out for her.”

Gi-hun narrows his eyes, his suspicion growing. “Why are you talking like this, Jung-bae? You’re not making sense. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jung-bae insists, though the tension in his voice betrays him. He looks away, his jaw tightening. “I just… I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to survive here. The things we’ve had to do. The things we might have to do.”

Gi-hun crosses his arms, still unconvinced. “This isn’t like you. What’s really going on?”

Jung-bae hesitates, his hands clenching into fists on his lap. For a brief moment, it looks like he might say something more, but then he shakes his head again. “It’s nothing. Just… promise me, okay? If I’m not here, you’ll look after her.”

“Jung-bae…”Gi-hun begins, but the older man cuts him off.

“Promise me,” Jung-bae repeats, his voice firm, his eyes pleading.

Gi-hun sighs, the weight of the request settling heavily on his shoulders. “Alright,” he says reluctantly. “I promise. But you’re going to have to tell me what this is really about sooner or later.”

Jung-bae gives him a faint smile, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks, Gi-hun. That means a lot.”

As Gi-hun watches Jung-bae stand and walk away, his concern only deepens. There’s something Jung-bae isn’t telling him, something important. And though he doesn’t press the issue now, he makes a silent vow to find out what it is.

Later that day, you’re sitting with Young-ll in the dimly lit at the dormitory, trying to distract yourself from the weight of the competition. The two of you exchange light conversation, your laughter quiet but genuine small moments of humanity in a place that feels anything but human.

“You know,” Young-ll says, leaning back against the wall, “I was never much of a team player before all this. Guess this place has a way of forcing you to see people differently.”

You nod, resting your chin on your knees. “Yeah. It’s funny how survival makes you care about people you probably wouldn’t even notice outside of here.”

Young-ll chuckles softly, but his smile fades as his gaze shifts to something or someone behind you. You follow his line of sight and see Gi-hun approaching, his expression as serious as ever. He looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“Y/n, Young-ll,” Gi-hun greets, sitting down next to you. He glances between the two of you before settling his gaze on you. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Jung-bae’s been acting really weird lately.”

You open your mouth to respond, but Young-ll speaks first, his tone casual but with an edge of defensiveness. “He’s just nervous,” Young-ll says, shrugging. “The games are getting down to the wire, and everyone’s feeling the pressure. It’s normal.”

Gi-hun frowns, clearly not convinced. “It’s more than that. He’s been avoiding people, staying quiet, and the way he talks. it’s like he’s expecting something bad to happen. Like he’s preparing for it.”

Young-ll leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Can you blame him? These games mess with your head. Everyone’s scared, everyone’s paranoid. Jung-bae’s probably just dealing with it in his own way.”

You glance between the two men, sensing the tension in their voices. “Maybe we’re all just overthinking it,” you suggest cautiously, though you can’t ignore the knot of unease forming in your stomach.

Gi-hu looks at you, his brow furrowed. “Maybe. But if something’s going on, we need to know about it. We’re supposed to be a team, and if someone’s hiding something—”

“Gi-hun,” Young-ll interrupts, his tone firmer now. “Drop it, alright? Jung-bae’s fine. He’s been looking out for us since the beginning. Don’t start questioning him now just because he’s a little on edge.”

GI-hun opens his mouth to argue, but then he stops, exhaling sharply. “Fine,” he mutters, leaning back against the wall. “But I’m keeping an eye on him. Just in case.”

Young-ll shakes his head, giving you a quick glance and a reassuring smile. “He’s overthinking it,” he says softly, as if to put you at ease. “Jung-bae’s just nervous, like I said. No need to worry.”

But even as he says it, you can’t help but notice the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. It’s brief, barely noticeable, but it’s enough to make you wonder if Young-ll truly believes his own words or if he’s just trying to convince himself.

As Gi-hun stands, brushing off his knees and heading toward the rest of the group, you and Young-ll sit quietly, watching his retreating figure. His concern about Jung-bae lingers in your mind, intertwining with your own growing doubts. The atmosphere feels heavier than before, the unspoken questions filling the silence between you and Young-ll.

You glance over at him, studying his profile. His expression is calm, maybe too calm, as if he’s deliberately masking something. The way he dismissed Gi-hun concerns earlier had been convincing, but now, in the quiet, you wonder if there’s more to it.

“Young-ll,” you begin softly, breaking the silence. He turns his head slightly to look at you, his eyebrows raised in question.

“Yeah?” he asks, his voice casual, though his eyes betray a flicker of something guarded.

You hesitate for a moment, then press on. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on? Between you and Jung-bae, or… just in general? If there’s something you’re not telling me, I’d rather know.”

Young-ll’s expression hardens for a fraction of a second before he forces a smile, the corners of his mouth lifting in a way that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re worrying too much, Y/n,” he says, his tone light but firm. “Jung-bae’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

You narrow your eyes at him, unwilling to let it drop. “Young-ll, please. I can tell when someone’s holding back. If there’s something I should know, just tell me. I can handle it.”

For a moment, he doesn’t respond, his gaze shifting past you as though he’s trying to find an escape. The silence stretches, heavy and uncertain, until he finally meets your eyes again. But instead of answering, he leans in without warning, his hand cupping the back of your neck as his lips press against yours.

The kiss is sudden, catching you completely off guard. Your heart pounds in your chest, and for a moment, the world seems to blur, the weight of the games and all your questions momentarily falling away. His touch is warm, his presence grounding, and yet there’s something desperate about the way he holds you. like he’s trying to distract you, to keep you from asking any more questions.

When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against yours, his breath warm against your skin. His eyes search yours, his expression a mix of longing and something you can’t quite place fear, maybe, or regret.

“You don’t need to worry, Y/n,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just trust me.”

But as he pulls away completely, the doubt in your chest only deepens. His kiss may have silenced your questions for the moment, but it hasn’t erased them. If anything, it’s only made you more certain that Young-ll is hiding something. And you’re determined to find out what it is.

The tension in the air is palpable as you and Young-ll sit together in the dimly lit corner of the room, the quiet hum of the environment only accentuating the weight of the conversation unfolding between you two. The games have worn on you both, the stakes getting higher with every challenge, and despite the exhaustion weighing on your shoulders, there’s a shared silence that speaks volumes.

You take a deep breath, trying to steady your racing heart as you ask the question that’s been gnawing at you. “What do you think happens if we actually make it out of here? If we survive and manage to get out of this hellhole… what happens then? Do you think we’ll be able to go back to some kind of normal life?”

Young-ll shifts next to you, his expression thoughtful. His eyes seem far away, almost like he’s not truly seeing you as he focuses on something in the distance. For a long moment, he doesn’t answer. Then, finally, he speaks, his voice low, almost hesitant.

“I don’t know,” he says quietly. “Part of me wants to believe we could go back to normal, that we could forget this place and pretend like none of it ever happened. But I think we both know it’s impossible. After everything we’ve been through, after the choices we’ve made, nothing can ever be the same again.”

You nod slowly, feeling the truth in his words. The games, the violence, the way everyone around you has changed. it’s left its mark. Even if you made it out alive, you wonder if you could ever truly find peace again.

“Yeah,” you murmur, looking at him, your voice tinged with uncertainty. “But even if everything’s different, I don’t want this to be the end of it. I don’t want this to be the last chapter. I want to rebuild something… whatever that might look like. After all this, I just want to try to find some kind of peace.”

Young-ll turns to you, his eyes softer now, more intense, and there’s a kind of vulnerability in them that you haven’t seen before. His gaze locks with yours, and suddenly, everything feels a little too close, too personal.

“You’re not hearing me, Y/n,” he says, his voice deep and firm, the words more urgent than before. “I don’t care about ‘normal.’ I don’t care about rebuilding a life that doesn’t make sense anymore. What I care about… is you. No matter what happens, no matter where this game leads us, no matter what we face once we get out of here, I need you to promise me something.”

Your breath catches at his intensity. Something in his words feels different, like there’s more hidden beneath the surface than he’s letting on. The air between you thickens, and you feel the weight of the moment press against your chest.

“What is it?” you ask, your voice trembling slightly.

Young-ll leans in just a little closer, his hand reaching for yours, fingers brushing softly against your skin. His eyes are full of something you can’t quite place something you don’t want to understand just yet.

“Promise me,” he says quietly, his voice barely a whisper, “that you’ll be with me. No matter what happens, wherever I go, I need you by my side. Promise me you’ll stay with me, Y/n.”

The sincerity in his voice hits you hard, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades into the background. His plea feels genuine, raw, and you find yourself drawn to him in a way that almost scares you. He’s asking for more than just companionship; he’s asking for loyalty, for a bond that might be impossible to break.

“I promise,” you whisper, your voice thick with emotion. “I’ll be with you. No matter what happens.”

What you don’t know, what he hasn’t told you, is that his request is not just a plea for partnership. It’s a plea for something darker, something far beyond the world you thought you understood. Young-ll isn’t just asking you to stay with him in the aftermath of the games. He’s asking you to join him in something much more dangerous something he’s already deeply entrenched in.

In the shadows of this twisted game, Young-ll is not just a player. He is the frontman the key figure in the organization behind the games. His role isn’t just to survive; it’s to control, to lead, to maintain the structure of the very system you’ve been fighting against. But this isn’t what he wants to offer you.

Deep down, he does care for you. Despite everything, despite the ruthless nature of his role, he loves you in a way he never thought he could love anyone. He’s seen the horrors of the game, the choices it’s forced him to make, but when it comes to you, he’s different. He wants to pull you into his world, but not just because it’s all he knows. He wants to protect you, to make you part of his life, part of the future he’s building one that, for better or worse, will never be ordinary again.

As you sit there, your hand in his, promising to stand by his side, he feels a surge of hope mixed with a deep sense of regret. The life he’s built, the world he’s a part of, isn’t one you can easily escape. But he’s determined to bring you into it, hoping against hope that love can somehow change things.

And as the promise hangs between you two, neither of you knows what the future holds, but for the first time in a long while, you both dare to believe that, together, you might just survive whatever comes next.

The night has grown quieter, the dim light casting long shadows across the room as you and Young-ll finally rejoin the rest of the group. You both had stepped away earlier to talk, the weight of the conversation still heavy on your shoulders, but now, you find yourself swept back into the rhythm of the group. Despite everything that’s happened the tension, the games, the unknown future there’s a strange comfort in being surrounded by familiar faces, even if only for a moment.

As you sit down, the laughter of your friends fills the air, the conversation shifting to lighter topics, even though the uncertainty of the situation looms in the background. Hyun-ju, ever the bubbly one, leans forward, a teasing smile on her face as she looks from you to Young-ll.

“So,” she says, her voice playful yet genuine. “When are you two getting married?” Her words hang in the air, and for a second, it feels like the room goes quiet, all eyes now on you and Young-ll.

You blink, caught off guard by the sudden question, and Young-ll chuckles lightly, looking a little more amused than you expected. “Marriage?” he repeats, raising an eyebrow. “We’re not even out of here yet. Isn’t it a little early to be talking about that?”

Hyun-ju laughs, clearly not taking the question too seriously. “I mean, if you two end up making it out of here alive, it seems like a good reason to celebrate, right? Maybe it’s better to plan ahead in case we don’t make it. If you’re going to get married, though, you should invite everyone here. You can’t leave us out of it!”

The suggestion is lighthearted, almost playful, but there’s something in the way she says it that makes the conversation feel more real than it should. It’s as though, for just a moment, the horrors of the games and the looming danger that surrounds you all are forgotten in favor of something that resembles normalcy something that feels far away from this nightmarish reality.

You glance at Young-ll, unsure of how to respond, but before you can find your words, Jung-bae, who has been sitting quietly nearby, suddenly coughs loudly. His eyes flicker nervously toward the floor as he shifts uncomfortably on floor, as though the conversation had caught him off guard.

The atmosphere shifts almost imperceptibly, but it doesn’t go unnoticed. You can sense that something is off with Jung-bae, his unease palpable. His gaze lingers on the group for a moment longer than necessary, his hand gripping the edge of the table in a way that suggests he’s trying to stay calm, but there’s a tension in his posture.

Hyun-ju, unaware of the sudden shift in energy, continues to smile, waiting for a response, but you can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to Jung-bae’s discomfort. He hasn’t spoken much since you and Young-ll returned, and you can’t help but wonder if his reaction is tied to something deeper.

You glance back at Jung-bae, your mind racing as you recall his earlier words. He had tried to warn you about something involving Young-ll something that happened in that room but he never finished the conversation. He had been interrupted by Young-il, and you still haven’t gotten the full story. The anxiety building in his chest now seems to speak volumes.

The room, which had been filled with lighthearted chatter only moments before, suddenly feels heavy. The playful banter around marriage, which was supposed to lift your spirits, only makes everything seem more fragile more uncertain. Jung-bae’s cough had broken the moment, but it also revealed the thinly veiled tension between the group, the underlying secrets that have yet to come to light.

You exchange a glance with Young-ll, who seems unfazed by the playful teasing, but there’s a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. his expression still relaxed, but you sense that, like you, he knows something isn’t quite right.

Hyun-ju, still waiting for an answer, leans forward, eyes glinting with curiosity. “Come on, you two. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. You could be the first to escape and get married. Maybe we could have a big celebration once we’re all out of here if you both want that, of course.”

The room goes quiet again as her words linger in the air. The awkwardness thickens, and you wonder if the playful remark has touched on something deeper that no one is ready to talk about. Jung-bae’s fidgeting only amplifies your suspicion. Something is clearly bothering him, but he doesn’t seem ready to share.

You turn your attention back to Young-ll, who’s still sitting beside you, a small, thoughtful smile playing at the edges of his lips. His calm demeanor is a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts in your head. But as you meet his gaze, you wonder if he knows more than he’s letting on if he’s hiding something from the group, something that ties back to Jung-bae’s strange behavior.

But before you can say anything more, Gi-hun, who’s been silent until now, clears his throat, looking at Jung-bae with a concerned frown. “You okay, Jung-bae?” he asks. “You’re looking a little off tonight. Did something happen?”

Jung-bae freezes, his eyes darting around the group as though looking for an escape. His lips press into a thin line, and for a moment, he seems to hesitate before responding. But all he says is, “I’m fine. Just tired. I think we all need rest, that’s all.”

His words, though spoken with an air of finality, don’t seem to convince anyone. The tension is thick now, and though Hyun-ju tries to keep the mood light by continuing to joke about the hypothetical wedding, it’s clear that something deeper is at play something that none of you are ready to face.

As the conversation dies down, you sit back, quietly processing everything. The uncertainty of the future, the unease you feel from Jung-bae, and the unspoken tension between you and Young-ll. Despite the lightheartedness that’s returned to the group’s banter, you know that what’s truly happening beneath the surface is far more complicated, and it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out.

The room is filled with the low murmur of conversation as everyone eats, the exhaustion from the day’s events hanging in the air. You sit at the table with the rest of the group, the food almost tasteless, but a necessary distraction from the overwhelming weight of everything around you. The tension is still palpable, but for a moment, it feels like you can breathe, even if just for a while.

As you glance around the dormitory, your eyes settle on Jun-hee, who’s sitting quietly, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. Despite her exhaustion, she’s doing her best to eat, though it’s clear that her mind is elsewhere. You notice the untouched milk beside her plate. She’s been struggling to keep enough food down lately, and you know it’s because of her pregnancy.

You nudge the carton of milk closer to her, your voice soft but insistent. “Here’s mine. You need it more than me.”

Jun-hee looks at the milk for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as she shakes her head. “Thank you,” she says quietly, “but I don’t need it.”

You shake your head gently, not ready to let her off the hook so easily. “Just take it. You do need it,” you insist, your voice firm but caring. “You know, because of your baby. And besides, I can’t have white milk.”

Her eyes soften slightly at your words, but she hesitates, clearly reluctant. You can see the hesitation in her expression, but before she can respond, a familiar voice interrupts the moment, and you feel a slight shift in the air.

“I was about to give you my milk,” Young-ll says, his voice light with playful teasing. You look up, and there he is, standing by your side with a grin on his face and a carton of milk in his hand. “Now that I know that you can’t have white, what a coincidence we have. I can’t have white milk either.”

Your eyes widen at his words, a small laugh escaping your lips at the sheer coincidence. He’s always been one to bring humor to tense moments, and this is no exception. You shake your head, the corners of your lips tugging up into a smile.

“You too?” you say with mock disbelief, eyeing him dramatically. “What is it with you and milk? I should’ve known, of course. You and I are basically the same person.”

Young-ll chuckles at your response, the playful glint in his eyes not entirely masking the underlying seriousness that’s always there. “What can I say?” he replies with a shrug. “Great minds think alike.”

You glance back at Jun-hee, who’s still holding the milk carton you offered her. The smile on your face fades for a moment as you turn your attention to her, noticing the concern in her eyes. The lighthearted exchange between you and Young-ll has offered some much-needed relief, but you know it doesn’t solve everything.

“You should take it, Jun-hee,” you say softly, your tone gentle but persistent. “We all need to stick together, especially now. We’re all in this mess together.”

She meets your gaze, her lips pressing into a tight line before she finally nods, taking the milk from your hands. “Thanks, Y/n,” she says quietly. “I’ll drink it.”

You watch her for a moment, relieved that she’s accepted, but you can’t shake the worry that continues to settle in the pit of your stomach. The games are far from over, and even in this small, quiet moment of connection, you all know that danger is never too far away.

As everyone continues to eat, you glance back at Young-ll, catching his eye. For a brief second, the world around you feels like it’s standing still, just the two of you in your own bubble. The fleeting moment of calm doesn’t last long, but for now, it’s enough.

The evening wears on, and the group begins to scatter after dinner, some retreating to their beds while others linger in small groups, talking in hushed tones. You find yourself standing by one of the walls, trying to collect your thoughts. The weight of everything happening around you the games, the tension, the unspoken secrets feels heavier than ever.

As you lean against the wall, lost in your thoughts, you hear footsteps approaching. You glance up to see Jung-bae walking toward you, his expression tense and hesitant. There’s something in his eyes, something heavy, like he’s carrying a burden too big to bear alone.

“Hey,” he says quietly, stopping a few feet away from you.

“Hey,” you reply, your voice just as soft. “Everything okay?”

He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looks around, as if checking to make sure no one else is nearby. His behavior is strange, almost paranoid, and it immediately puts you on edge.

“I need to talk to you,” he says finally, his voice low. “About something… important.”

You nod, stepping closer to him. “What is it?” you ask, your curiosity piqued. Jung-bae has been acting strangely for days now, and you’ve been waiting for him to open up. Maybe now you’ll finally get some answers.

Jung-bae hesitates, running a hand through his hair nervously. “It’s about Young-ll,” he begins, his voice barely above a whisper. “There’s something you need to know, something that happened during the Mingle game. I’ve been trying to tell you, but…”

His words trail off, and you can see the internal struggle playing out on his face. It’s clear that whatever he’s about to say isn’t easy for him. You step even closer, lowering your voice to match his.

“What is it, Jung-bae?” you ask, your heart beginning to race. “What happened?”

He opens his mouth to speak, but before he can say anything, the sound of laughter echoes across the room, cutting through the tension like a knife. You both turn to see Jun-hee and Hyun-ju walking toward you, their faces lit up with smiles, seemingly oblivious to the heaviness of the moment.

“There you two are!” Jun-hee says, her tone cheerful. “We were wondering where you disappeared to.”

Hyun-ju grins, her eyes darting between you and Jung-bae. “Are we interrupting something?” she teases, her voice light and playful.

You glance at Jung-bae, whose expression has shifted back to neutral, the tension in his face now replaced with a forced calmness. Whatever he was about to say, it’s clear that he’s not going to continue the conversation with Jun-hee and Hyun-ju here.

“No, you’re not interrupting,” you say quickly, trying to keep your tone casual. “We were just… talking.”

Hyun-ju raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she doesn’t push. Instead, she steps closer, linking her arm with Jun-hee’s. “Well, now that we’ve found you, why don’t we all sit together for a bit? It’s too depressing to be alone right now.”

You glance at Jung-bae again, hoping for some kind of signal that he’ll continue the conversation later, but he avoids your gaze. Instead, he nods at Hyun-ju, forcing a small smile. “Sure,” he says. “Why not?”

The four of you walk back toward the center of the room, but your mind is still spinning. What was Jung-bae about to tell you? What did he mean about Young-ll? The unanswered questions hang over you like a storm cloud, and as much as you try to focus on the present moment, you can’t shake the feeling that something big is about to come to light.

Jung-bae walks beside you, his shoulders tense, his gaze fixed straight ahead. You don’t say anything, but you make a mental note to talk to him again as soon as you get the chance. Whatever he’s hiding, you need to know. And deep down, you have a sinking feeling that whatever it is could change everything.

The room is dark and quiet, save for the faint sounds of steady breathing and the occasional creak of the old building settling. Everyone is sprawled out in their designated sleeping spots, exhausted from the day’s events. It’s a rare moment of peace, though it feels fragile, as if it could shatter at any second.

Jung-bae sits against the wall, his knees pulled up slightly, arms resting on them. His eyes scan the room, landing briefly on each sleeping figure, but they linger the longest on you. You’re curled up on your side, your face peaceful in sleep, though the faint furrow in your brow betrays the stress you’re carrying. Jung-bae’s heart aches as he watches over you.

“Can’t sleep?” a voice whispers nearby, pulling him from his thoughts. He looks over to see Gi-hun sitting up a few feet away, his sharp eyes catching Jung-bae’s. Gi-hun moves closer, careful not to disturb the others, and sits down beside him.

Jung-bae shakes his head, sighing deeply. “No. Too much on my mind.”

Gi-hun leans back against the wall, his expression thoughtful as he studies his friend. “You’ve been acting weird lately,” he says, keeping his voice low. “We all see it especially Y/n. Whatever it is you’re holding back, you need to tell her. Why haven’t you?”

Jung-bae’s shoulders tense, and he lets out another sigh, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that simple,” he says, his voice strained. “I want her to be happy. More than anything. But I also fear for her safety. What if what I tell her makes things worse? What if it puts her in danger?”

Gi-hun tilts his head slightly, his gaze softening. “You care about her,” he says quietly. “That’s clear to everyone. But keeping things from her isn’t protecting her. It’s only making her worry more. You’ve seen how she’s been looking at you lately she knows something’s wrong.”

Jung-bae closes his eyes for a moment, the weight of Gi-hun’s words sinking in. “I know,” he says finally. “And it kills me to see her like that. Just like I told you before, I see her as my daughter. She’s been through so much already. It would break my heart to see her hurt because of something I’ve done or something I’ve failed to do.”

Gi-hun nods slowly, his expression understanding. “I get it,” he says after a moment. “I really do. But keeping her in the dark isn’t the answer. She deserves to know the truth, whatever it is. And she deserves to hear it from you.”

Jung-bae looks down at his hands, his fingers fidgeting as he processes Gi-hun’s words. “I just don’t want her to think I don’t care about her happiness,” he says softly. “Because I do. More than anything.”

Gi-hun places a reassuring hand on Jung-bae’s shoulder. “She knows you care. Trust me, she does. But if you wait too long, it might be too late. You’ve got to tell her before that happens.”

Jung-bae glances at Gi-hun, his eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and anguish. “Thanks, Gi-hun,” he says quietly. “I’ll think about it. I just… I need to find the right moment.”

Gi-hun squeezes his shoulder gently before letting go. “I get it,” he says. “But don’t wait too long, okay? We don’t have the luxury of time in here.”

Jung-bae nods, his gaze drifting back to where you’re sleeping. His chest tightens as he watches the rise and fall of your breath, his mind racing with the weight of his decision. He knows Gi-hun is right, and deep down, he knows he can’t keep this from you much longer.

But even as he resolves to tell you the truth, a small voice in the back of his mind whispers fears of what might happen when he does. For now, he stays where he is, silently keeping watch over you, hoping that when the time comes, he’ll find the strength to do what’s right.

The quiet hum of the room seems to fade as you sit across from Young-il, the dim light casting soft shadows across his face. The tension of the games has been wearing on everyone, but here, in this moment, it feels like the rest of the world is far away. It’s just the two of you, stealing a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos.

Young-il has been unusually quiet tonight, his gaze fixed on you with an intensity that’s both comforting and unnerving. You tilt your head slightly, studying him. “You’re staring,” you tease lightly, trying to break the silence. “What’s on your mind?”

He doesn’t answer immediately, his hand reaching into his pocket. Your brow furrows as you watch him, unsure of what he’s doing. When he finally pulls his hand back out, your breath catches in your throat. There, in his palm, is a small ring simple but beautiful, its understated design perfect in its elegance.

Your eyes widen as realization dawns. “Young-il…” you whisper, your voice barely audible.

He shifts closer to you, his usually confident demeanor tinged with a rare vulnerability. “I know this isn’t the way I would’ve wanted to do this,” he begins, his voice soft but steady. “And it’s definitely not the perfect place or time. But nothing about this situation is perfect, is it?”

You shake your head slightly, unable to find the words as your heart races.

Young-il takes a deep breath, his eyes locking onto yours. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” he continues. “About us, about what we’ve been through, and about what might come next. And no matter what happens—whether we make it out of this or not I know one thing for sure: I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Your breath hitches as he holds the ring up, his voice trembling just slightly. “Will you marry me?”

For a moment, the world seems to stand still. The weight of his words, the depth of his feelings, and the sheer courage it must’ve taken for him to ask you this here, in the middle of all this madness, overwhelm you. Tears prick at the corners of your eyes as you nod, your voice thick with emotion. “Yes,” you whisper. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”

Relief washes over his face, and he slips the ring onto your finger with care, his hands steady despite the gravity of the moment. It feels warm and solid, a promise of hope in a place where hope is so hard to come by.

But before you can fully process the moment, his expression grows serious again. “Listen,” he says, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. “You can wear the ring, but you can’t tell anyone about this. Not yet.”

You blink, confused. “Why not?”

He hesitates, glancing around the room as if to make sure no one is listening. Then, he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Because I have a feeling,” he says. “A feeling that it’s only going to be us me and you that make it out of this alive. And until we know for sure, I don’t want anyone else to know. I don’t want this to become another target on your back.”

His words send a chill down your spine, the weight of his foresight sinking in. You nod slowly, understanding his reasoning even if it makes your heart ache. “Okay,” you say softly. “I won’t tell anyone.”

He cups your face in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly against your cheeks as he gazes at you with a mix of love and determination. “I mean it, Y/n,” he says. “No matter what happens, I’ll do everything I can to make sure you survive. To make sure we survive.”

You swallow hard, the enormity of his promise and your own feelings threatening to overwhelm you. But you nod again, your voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside you. “We’ll survive,” you say firmly. “Together.”

He presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, the warmth of his lips grounding you. For a moment, it feels like nothing else matters not the games, not the danger, not the uncertainty of tomorrow. It’s just you and him, clinging to each other in a world that seems determined to tear you apart.

As he pulls back, his fingers brush over the ring on your hand, a small, secret smile tugging at his lips. “It looks good on you,” he murmurs.

You manage a small smile in return, your fingers curling around his. “Thank you,” you whisper. “For everything.”

The two of you sit there in silence, your hands intertwined, as the weight of your secret promise settles between you. It’s a risk, but it’s also a lifeline a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can still find a way to shine through.

The room buzzes with quiet chatter, the tension momentarily eased as the group finds comfort in each other’s company. Young-il sits off to the side, his gaze sharp and calculating as he observes everyone. His role as the Frontman is a secret he’s mastered keeping, and every move he makes is careful, deliberate. He’s learned how to blend in perfectly, to mask his true intentions behind an easy smile or a well-placed joke. But tonight, his thoughts aren’t on strategy or the games. they’re on you.

His eyes flicker to where you’re sitting, laughing softly at something Hyun-ju said. For a brief moment, the corners of his lips lift in a small, genuine smile. Then his expression hardens again, the gravity of the situation pulling him back to reality. He knows the danger that lies ahead, knows how fragile life is in this twisted arena. And he knows he’ll do whatever it takes to ensure your safety.

He waits, watching the group closely. They’re distracted, deep in conversation, their guard lowered for just a moment. It’s the perfect time. Rising to his feet, he stretches casually, as if he’s simply restless, before moving quietly toward the shadows where a pink-suited guard stands near the corner of the room.

Young-il’s movements are subtle, his steps light as he approaches. The guard, who had been standing stiffly at attention, straightens even more as he notices Young-il. There’s a flicker of recognition in the guard’s stance, an unspoken acknowledgment of who he’s really dealing with.

Young-il leans in, his voice a low, commanding whisper. “Listen carefully,” he begins, his tone firm but quiet enough to avoid drawing attention. “I’ve got an order for you, and you better make sure it gets through to every single one of you.”

The guard doesn’t respond verbally, but the slight tilt of his head signals he’s listening intently. Young-il’s eyes narrow, his voice dropping even lower. “No matter what happens in these games, no one and I mean no one is to harm Y/n. Not a scratch, not a bullet, nothing. She’s off-limits.”

The guard shifts slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the directive, but he remains silent. Young-il takes a step closer, his presence looming, his voice carrying a sharper edge. “She’s going to be my wife once this is all over,” he continues, his tone filled with an intensity that brooks no argument. “And if any of you so much as think about touching her, you’ll answer to me. Personally.”

The guard finally nods, a quick, nervous motion that shows he understands the weight of what’s being said. But Young-il isn’t done. He straightens, his gaze piercing as he delivers his final warning. “If she’s hurt because of your incompetence or worse, your defiance you’ll wish for death before I’m through with you. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” the guard whispers, his voice trembling slightly.

Young-il holds his gaze for a moment longer, ensuring his message is crystal clear. Then, with a slight nod, he steps back, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he murmurs. “Make sure the others know.”

Without another word, he turns and walks away, his posture relaxed but his mind racing. As he moves back toward the group, he catches sight of you again, your laughter soft but bright in the dim room. For a moment, his chest tightens, the weight of what he’s doing and what he’s risking hitting him all at once. But he pushes it aside, steeling himself. He doesn’t regret his decision. You’re worth every risk, every sacrifice.

Sliding back into his seat near you, he meets your curious gaze with a small smile. “What did I miss?” he asks casually, his tone light.

“Not much,” you reply, your eyes narrowing slightly. “Where did you sneak off to?”

“Just stretching my legs,” he says smoothly, leaning back as if nothing happened. “You know how cramped it gets in here.”

You give him a skeptical look but let it go, turning back to the conversation. As the others continue talking, Young-il glances down at the ring on your finger, hidden from view but glinting faintly in the low light. His resolve hardens. No matter what it takes, he’ll make sure you’re safe. Because in this brutal world, you’re the only thing that truly matters to him.

The room is dimly lit, the faint hum of the fluorescent light overhead the only sound cutting through the heavy silence. Most of the players are sprawled out on their makeshift beds, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to them. The tension that normally lingers in the air is subdued for the moment, giving way to a rare and fragile stillness.

One player, however, can’t seem to settle. She tosses and turns on her thin mattress, frustration etched into her face as she glares at the locked steel door. After what feels like an eternity, she finally sits up, her movements abrupt and sharp. Muttering under her breath, she makes her way toward the door, the light clinking of her footsteps barely audible over the soft breathing of the sleeping players.

Reaching the door, she knocks firmly against the small window, startling the pink-suited guard stationed outside. He stiffens slightly before stepping closer, his expression hidden behind the eerie, faceless mask. He slides open the small metal window, his deep, distorted voice cutting through the stillness. “What do you need?”

The player folds her arms, her irritation clear. “I need to use the bathroom,” she says, her tone sharp and impatient. “I can’t sleep like this.”

The guard doesn’t respond right away, instead glancing into the room briefly, his posture stiff. “Go back to bed,” he says firmly. “You can wait until morning.”

The player’s eyes narrow, her frustration bubbling over. “Are you serious?” she snaps. “You’ve let people leave before! What makes this any different?”

The guard stands motionless, his silence only fueling her anger. She steps closer, her voice rising despite the risk of waking the others. “Then why did you let Y/n and Young-il go to the bathroom earlier?” she demands, her words laced with bitterness. “That’s not fair! You’re playing favorites, and we all know it!”

Inside the room, a few of the players stir at the commotion, mumbling sleepily as they shift in their beds. The guard tenses but doesn’t react to her accusations, his hand moving to the edge of the window.

“You can’t just ignore me!” the player hisses, her voice low but insistent. “I saw them leave. I know what I saw. You let them go, but you’re telling me to just hold it? What kind of crap is that?”

The guard leans forward slightly, his voice colder now, almost menacing. “Return to your bed,” he says slowly, enunciating each word with deliberate precision. “Do not cause trouble.”

The player glares at him, her fists clenching at her sides. “This is bullshit,” she mutters under her breath, but she doesn’t press further. The guard, clearly done with the conversation, slides the window shut with a decisive clang, cutting her off entirely.

Fuming, the player turns away from the door, her movements jerky as she stalks back toward her bed. She throws herself down onto the mattress, her frustration simmering as she glares at the ceiling.

Meanwhile, outside the door, the pink guard remains still, his posture tense. His mind races as he replays the front man’s words, her accusations hitting uncomfortably close to the truth. He glances down the hallway, his thoughts lingering on Young-il’s earlier command.

“She’s going to be my wife once this is over. No one touches her.”

The guard swallows hard, forcing himself to focus. He knows better than to question orders, especially when they come directly from the Frontman himself. Even so, the growing tension among the players doesn’t go unnoticed. He knows it’s only a matter of time before the carefully maintained façade of control begins to crack.

Back inside the room, the player lies awake, her mind racing as her frustration simmers. She glances over at you and Young-il, who are sound asleep on opposite sides of the room. A bitter sneer curls at her lips. “Favorites,” she mutters under her breath, her words a venomous whisper.

But for now, the room settles once more, the uneasy silence creeping back in as the tension lies dormant, waiting for the right moment to explode.

The next morning, the group gathers for breakfast, the mood subdued but focused as everyone eats in silence. The room is filled with the sound of utensils scraping against metal trays, the occasional murmur of conversation breaking the quiet. You and Young-il sit on one of the lower bunk beds, sharing your breakfast and quietly talking, stealing rare moments of calm amidst the chaos of the games.

As you’re mid-laugh at something Young-il says, the same player from the night before approaches you both, her expression sharp and accusatory. She plants herself directly in front of you, arms crossed, her gaze narrowing as she glares at the two of you.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” she sneers, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Must be nice being the favorites, huh?”

You and Young-il exchange a quick glance, confusion flickering across your faces. Before either of you can respond, the player presses on, her voice rising slightly. “You know what’s not fair? The fact that last night I wanted to go to the bathroom, but I got told no. Meanwhile, you two got to stroll out whenever you wanted! What were you even doing? Let me guess? fucking in the bathroom? Wasting the chance while the rest of us suffer?”

The accusation catches you off guard, your cheeks flushing slightly at her boldness. “What are you talking about?” you ask, your tone defensive.

“Oh, don’t play dumb,” she snaps, pointing a finger at you. “I saw it with my own eyes. You and him sneaking out together like it’s some kind of date night while the rest of us are stuck here. It’s not fair! Some of us actually follow the rules, and you two just—”

Before she can finish, Hyun-ju, who’s been listening from a nearby bed, cuts in with a sharp laugh. “Oh, come on,” she says, rolling her eyes. “You expect us to believe that? Everyone was asleep last night. You probably imagined the whole thing.”

The player spins to face Hyun-ju, her frustration boiling over. “I know what I saw!” she insists. “They left the room! I heard the door open and close, and they weren’t here for a while. What were they doing, huh?”

Hyun-ju raises an eyebrow, unfazed by the player’s outburst. “Seriously, just let it go,” she says with a shrug. “Even if they did leave, who cares? It’s not like it’s your business. And besides, if the guards let them go, then maybe you’re the one who should think about why you didn’t get permission.”

The player’s face flushes with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “This is bullshit,” she mutters. “They’re playing favorites, and you all just let it happen. No wonder they’re so cozy over there. they’ve got the guards wrapped around their little fingers.”

You feel Young-il tense beside you, his jaw tightening as he places the tiny tray down. He meets the player’s glare with a cold, measured look. “We didn’t do anything wrong,” he says, his voice calm but firm. “If you have a problem with the guards, take it up with them. Don’t come over here accusing us of things you can’t prove.”

The player scoffs, her eyes flickering between you and Young-il before turning away in frustration. “Whatever,” she mutters. “Favorites. That’s all you are.”

As she storms off, Hyun-ju chuckles softly, shaking her head. “She’s losing it,” she mutters, leaning back against the wall. “Honestly, the paranoia in here is getting ridiculous.”

You sigh, leaning into Young-il slightly as the tension settles. He places a reassuring hand on your knee, his expression softening as he looks at you. “Ignore her,” he murmurs. “She’s just trying to stir up trouble.”

You nod, though the accusation still lingers in your mind. The games have been wearing on everyone, and it’s becoming harder and harder to tell who’s really trustworthy. But as you glance at Young-il, his calm presence grounding you, you remind yourself that you’re not in this alone. Whatever comes next, you’ll face it together.

The room begins to settle down after the tense meeting about the rebellion. The players quietly move to their respective beds, though the air is thick with anxiety and unspoken fears. Everyone knows the plan is risky, but there’s no turning back now. As people murmur their last goodnights and lie down to rest, Jung-bae approaches Young-il, his expression serious and heavy with concern.

He hesitates for a moment, glancing briefly at you sitting a few feet away, and then speaks in a low voice, keeping their conversation as private as possible. “Young-il,” he starts, his tone measured, but there’s a clear urgency behind his words. “Listen to me. When things go down later today, I don’t want Y/n out there with us. She needs to stay here ,where she’ll be safe. I don’t want her to get hurt or worse, shot.”

Young-il leans back slightly, his arms crossed. His expression is calm but unreadable, his dark eyes narrowing as he considers Jung-bae’s words. “I understand your concern,” he says slowly, his voice steady but firm. “But she’s coming with me. Wherever I go, she goes. That’s the way it is.”

Jung-bae frowns, his frustration evident. “Young-il, this isn’t a game. today not just another day. It’s going to be chaos out there. You can’t guarantee her safety. Do you even realize what you’re asking of her?”

Young-il leans forward, his voice dropping even lower, but his tone grows sharper. “I know exactly what I’m asking,” he says firmly. “But don’t you think I’ve thought about this? I’ve thought about her safety, her life, everything. And the truth is, I want her by my side. Not just because I can protect her, but because I need her with me. If something were to happen to me today or the next day… I want my time with her. I want her time with me. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Jung-bae stares at him for a long moment, his expression conflicted. He glances over at you again, his protective instincts warring with the reality of the situation. “You’re asking for a lot,” he says finally, his voice tinged with frustration. “She’s not just another player to me. She’s… like a daughter. I don’t want her in harm’s way.”

“And you think I do?” Young-il retorts, his voice growing colder, though he keeps it low enough to avoid drawing attention. “You think I’d risk her life if I didn’t believe I could keep her safe? I’d rather die than let anything happen to her. That’s why she’s staying with me. No matter what happens today or after that I’ll make sure she’s okay.”

Jung-bae sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t get it, Young-il. You don’t know what it feels like to—”

“To care about someone so much that it hurts?” Young-il interrupts, his voice quieter now but no less intense. “Trust me, I know. And that’s exactly why I’m not leaving her behind. Because if this is the end… I want her to know how much she means to me. I want to spend every possible moment with her, no matter what the risks are.”

Jung-bae looks away, his jaw tightening as he struggles to respond. He knows there’s no changing Young-il’s mind, but the thought of you being part of the rebellion still fills him with dread.

Finally, he exhales slowly, nodding once. “Fine,” he mutters. “But if anything happens to her… it’s on you. You’ll have to live with it.”

“I already live with more than you can imagine,” Young-il replies, his tone carrying a hint of something unspoken, something dark. “But this is one thing I won’t fail at. She’ll be safe. I promise you that.”

Jung-bae gives him one last, searching look before turning and walking away, leaving Young-il alone with his thoughts. He watches you from a distance, his gaze softening as you sit quietly, oblivious to the weight of the conversation that just took place.

As he approaches you, his expression shifts, the hard edges of his demeanor softening into something more tender. Whatever today brings, one thing is certain: he’ll do everything in his power to protect you, no matter the cost.

The air is thick with the deafening sound of gunfire and chaos. You cling tightly to Young-il’s hand, your heartbeat racing as adrenaline surges through your veins. You’ve never experienced anything like this, and the sheer terror of the moment makes your grip on him almost desperate.

Suddenly, Young-il raises his gun, and before you can even process what’s happening, he fires two precise shots. Player 047 lets out a sharp groan, followed quickly by Player 015 collapsing to the ground, a pained cry escaping his lips. The scene feels surreal, and you’re frozen in place, staring at the lifeless bodies in front of you.

“Young-il!” you gasp, your voice trembling with shock and disbelief. “Why did you—”

Before you can finish, the static crackle of a walkie-talkie cuts through the chaos. Gi-hun’s voice comes through, urgent and full of concern.

“Young-il, what’s going on? Have you guys made a move yet?”

Young-il, calm and composed despite the chaos around him, picks up the walkie-talkie and responds, his tone heavy with feigned despair. “I’m sorry, Gi-hun. It’s over. They got us… and they took Y/n with them.”

You look at him in disbelief, your mind reeling from the lie he just told. What is he doing?

Gi-hun’s voice crackles back through the device, more frantic this time. “Young-il, what’s going on? Are you still there?”

Young-il remains silent for a moment, his hand tightening around the walkie-talkie. The groans of the dying players nearby provide an eerie, convincing backdrop.

“Young-il! Say something!” Gi-hun shouts through the walkie-talkie. “Come on, Young-il! Young-il!”

Without a word, Young-il raises his gun again, silencing the groans of the injured players with two more shots. The sound of the gunfire reverberates in the air, sending a chill down your spine.

He then turns off the walkie-talkie, his expression unreadable as he speaks into the communication device meant for the guards. “Let’s wrap things up,” he says coldly, his tone commanding and final.

He turns to you, his dark eyes locking with yours. There’s something in his gaze a mix of determination and something you can’t quite place. You take a step back, your mind racing with questions.

“Why did you shoot them?” you ask, your voice shaky and barely above a whisper. “Why did you lie to Gi-hun?”

Young-il steps closer to you, his movements slow and deliberate. He holds out his hand, his expression softening slightly, though there’s still an intensity in his eyes. “Just come with me,” he says quietly. “I’ll explain everything. But not here, not now.”

You hesitate, your heart pounding in your chest. Every instinct tells you to run, to demand answers, but something in his voice something raw and almost pleading stops you. You look at his outstretched hand, the same hand that just pulled the trigger moments ago, and then back at his face.

His gaze doesn’t waver, and for a moment, you see a flicker of vulnerability beneath his composed exterior. Slowly, reluctantly, you reach out and take his hand. His fingers close around yours, firm but not forceful, as he pulls you closer.

“We don’t have much time,” he says softly, his voice low and urgent. “I promise I’ll tell you everything. Just trust me.”

As he leads you away from the carnage, your mind races with questions, doubts, and fears. You don’t know what’s happening or why he’s done what he’s done, but for now, you follow him, hoping that his promise to explain everything will bring you some clarity in the chaos.

Hyun-ju had been pacing anxiously, clutching the walkie-talkie as she tried to reach Dae-ho. The cool night air was heavy with tension, her voice breaking through the silence as she called, “Dae-ho? Dae-ho, answer me!” The static crackled in response, but no words came. She tightened her grip, her heart pounding with unease. Something wasn’t right.

Deciding she couldn’t wait any longer, she hurried back toward the dorms. Her steps quickened, echoing in the empty hallways. “Dae-ho! Dae-ho!” she yelled, her voice carrying desperation. She pushed open the door to the dorm, her eyes darting around frantically. “Dae-ho, where are you? Has anyone seen—”

Her voice faltered as she spotted him, hunched over in a shadowy corner. She rushed toward him, her pulse racing. “Dae-ho!” she called again, her tone sharp with concern.

He gasped at her approach, his wide, teary eyes meeting hers. His shoulders were trembling, and he looked like a man on the verge of breaking.

“Dae-ho,” she asked, her voice softening as she knelt beside him, “what’s going on? What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. His head hung low, and his hands were shaking. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Where are they?” she demanded, her voice shaking now.

Hyun-ju’s eyes flickered with confusion and alarm. She glanced around and froze when her gaze landed on a bag nearby. Its contents spilled slightly open, revealing a stockpile of ammunition.

Dae-ho’s face crumpled as he shook his head, his voice cracking with each word. “Forgive me. I’m sorry. I didn’t want this. I’m sorry.”

Before she could finish, the shrill sound of an alarm cut through the air. It was deafening, echoing throughout the dorm and sending a chill down her spine. Gasps and screams erupted from the other players, who scrambled to make sense of the chaos.

The dorm lights flickered, and the metallic voice of a masked manager came through the speakers. “Everyone, face down on the ground immediately!”

The command was cold, final. Players froze in terror, dropping to the floor in submission. Hyun-ju instinctively tried to get up, her adrenaline surging. But a firm hand grabbed her arm.

She turned to see Geum-ja, her expression steely and calm despite the panic around them. “Don’t,” Geum-ja said quietly, shaking her head. Her grip was firm but not harsh. “This isn’t a good way to die.”

Hyun-ju hesitated, her heart thundering in her chest. She glanced at Dae-ho, who was now curled up, whispering “I’m sorry” over and over again, his words like a broken record. The weight of the situation pressed down on her like a crushing force, and all she could do was lower herself to the ground, her mind racing with fear and questions.

The masked guards stormed in moments later, their footsteps heavy and deliberate. The tension in the room was suffocating, and Hyun-ju’s eyes stayed fixed on Dae-ho, silently pleading for answers as chaos unfolded around them.

Over the speakers, the woman on the PA stated.“Attention, Players. The day has ended. It's time to turn in for the night. Please make your way back to your quarters immediately. If you do not comply with these orders, then you will be eliminated.”

“No, don't it!”

Once more, the woman repeats herself. “I will now repeat the instructions. Attention, players. The day has ended. It’s time to turn in for the night. Please make your way back to your quarters immediately. If you don’t comply..”

“Let’s put down our guns. If we surrender, they might not kill us.” Jung-bae tells Gi-hun since the both of them are out of ammunition. “Ah, shit.”

The player numbered 145 and the other player are trying to shoot down the pink guards who keeps coming, and the players notice that they no longer have ammunition, so they know that they’ll have to surrender. “The player numbered 145 talks over the walkie-talkie.”Advance team, do you copy? We're out of ammo over here. I'm gonna surrender.”

The guards quickly came and made their way, and they started shooting at the players, and the player 145 pulled his arms up.”Wait, please don’t shoot. I have a sick daughter at who—.”before he could finish he was shot.

Jung-bae gets down on his knees. “We surrender.” He tells the two guards, and he places down the gun, and as both Jung-bae and Gi-hun are kneeling down, footsteps can be heard, and they look up, and they see the frontman and lots of guards walking towards them. “Player 456 Did you have fun playing the hero?” The front man asks, breathing deeply. ”Now witness the consequence of your little game.” He shoots Jung-bae on the chest, and Jung-bae looks at his best friend. Hoping that Gi-hun will keep his promise of protecting you, “Gi-hun.” He said before hitting the floor

Gi-hun screams as he cries, trying to rush over to his best friend, ”Jung-bae!” But he gets pinned down to the floor by the guards who’s holding a gun at Gi-hun’s head as he cries again for his best friend.

The woman on the PA Informed that a another player has been eliminated. “Player 390, eliminated”

Light and darkness, forever bound together

“Yin and yang — two opposing forces that are complementary and interdependent. They are interconnected and cannot exist without each other. Think of them as two halves of a whole, constantly interacting and defining one another.”

[chinese philosophy — definition of yin and yang]

so the idea is actor!reader plays a character that is also played as the love interest/partner of hwang inho (lee byung hun's character) and during their scenes together (like an intimate scene between their characters) reader just keeps messing up her lines or having trouble staying in character because she keeps getting flustered/shy by lee byung hun causing them to redo the scene over and over again so him and the whole cast just keeps laughing and teasing her about it😣😣🙏🙏🙏

A/n: So I will be going in order of the requests I get in my ask box then I will start on some suggestions I have in the comments. Once again, I do Actor x reader actor! So here is one of those ideas and I love it. I was going to do a tag list but I don’t know why it won't let me tag people!

Trigger warnings: Talks of smut, Partial Smut (lol?)

Squid Game Masterlist

Lee Byung-hun x reader

Quiet On Set

(Y/n) knew this scene would be the hardest to film. Sure as a professional actor, she filmed multiple movies that had intimate scenes. However, (Y/n) never had a romantic interest in the other actors. There was an instant spark when she met Lee Byung-hun. His character happens to have a complex background and in this season goes undercover to destroy Gi-hun, Lee Jung-jae, in an attempt to show him no matter what, people are greedy. Thats when (Y/n) character is introduced. (C/n) is written to be the complete opposite of The Frontman, In-ho. She is kind, patient, understanding, caring, and meant to show the good in humanity even though she has been dealt only hardships in life. Throughout the season their love builds up, soft touches, knowing glances, and quick kisses in secret. All the while (Y/n) had been falling helplessly in love with Lee Byung-hun. Of course, the fans did not let this go unnoticed during their recent interviews. Social media had blown up with edits and multiple bloggers posting about the chemistry they shared. (Y/n) would not admit her guilty pleasure is watching those edits and making comments herself which and fans foaming at the mouths. Lee Byung-hun even found it humorous that people not only shipped their character but them as well. When any with him and (Y/n) not on set but together was posted the fans always blew the comment section up within minutes. 

“Alright places everyone!” Hwang Dong-hyuk called as the crew rushed to make sure everything was set up in the correct frames. “(Y/n), Byung-hun are you all ready?” He asked kindly always wanting to double-check checking the actors were comfortable in scenes where they would be partially on display. (Y/n) nods even though slightly hesitant she walked onto the set and stood by the bathroom wall where the scene was going to be shot.

Byung-hun walked behind her with a smile, “Don’t be nervous (Y/n) this scene will be over before you know it.” It earned a shy smile from the actress leaning against the wall. 

“I am not that nervous… It’s a while since I have done scenes like this. Alright, I think we are ready.” She told the director and Byung-hun nodded in agreement. 

“Quiet on set, Take one, action!” He yelled and silence filled the room. (Y/n) could swear her heartbeat could probably be heard by how badly it was beating against her chest. 

Byung-hun fell into character without hesitation moving to press (Y/n) the cold tile. She breathes heavily cheeks flushed looking into his eyes. “In-ho we can’t” She whispered as he began aggressively kissing up her neck pressing their bodies together. (Y/n) let out a whimper from the pleasure she felt. 

“But you (C/n)” His voice went low showing his absolute dominance. (Y/n) wasn’t used to this side of the sweet Byung-hun. As scripted their jumpsuits were quickly discarded. The heavy breathing filled the room as the two actors stood almost nude in front of each other. His leg slipped between (Y/n). 

She arched up and moaned softly feeling him rub his knee against her covered core. “Byung-hun!” (Y/n) gasped causing him to instantly freeze. “Fuck I’m sorry.” She said as the director yelled cut. 

“Let's roll again.” As the scene had to be started over (Y/n) continued to be a flustered mess messing up the lines or using Byung-hun’s name instead of Young-Il.

“You are a mess.” He chuckled as the team thought it was hilarious she could not for the life of her finish the scene. Byung-hun smirked and leaned down whispering in a low sexual voice. “Do it in one shot this time and I’ll let you cry my name tonight.”

synapse: in a place built to strip humanity away, a hardened man and a broken girl find something neither expected—each other. as the games push them to the brink, what begins as survival becomes something deeper because sometimes, the smallest hand can pull you back from the edge.

pairing: hwang in-ho x teen!reader (obviously platonic/father and daughter type bond)

contains: violence, attempted assault, death, blood, pre-front man in-ho, father figure in-ho, during 2015 games

a/n: obviously this is not romantic. this is a father daughter type bond based around joel and ellie from tlou. i really want to write more for this man cuz he’s fine af but my daddy issues scream for him as a dad to cure some of his trauma

here is: in the pines part two

. . .

The dormitory was filled with silence and trembling breaths. No one dared speak above a whisper, like their voices alone might trigger another massacre.

In-ho sat on the lower bunk, his back against the cold wall. His shirt clung to him with sweat, and the metallic scent of blood still coated the inside of his nose. He hadn’t blinked since the game ended.

Four hundred and fifty-six had become two hundred and one.

And yet, somehow, the kid made it.

He’d noticed her—not because she stood out, but because she shouldn’t have been there. A girl, barely old enough to ride the subway alone, with scrapes on her knees and a look in her eyes that said she’d been surviving long before today.

She hadn’t cried.

Not even when the bodies dropped.

Footsteps approached. He glanced up just in time to see her plop herself down across from him on the floor, cross-legged like she was at a sleepover.

“You got a smoke?”

In-ho blinked. “What?”

“A cigarette. You look like you’re dying for one. Figured you might have a spare.”

He stared at her. Her voice was hoarse from screaming during the game, but she held herself like she wasn’t afraid of him. Or anything.

“You’re a child.”

“No shit. Thanks for the observation, Sherlock. And you’re grumpy. This gonna be our thing?”

He didn’t answer. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.

Y/N didn’t move. She just kept sitting there, arms draped over her knees.

“You didn’t watch me,” she said after a moment.

His eyes opened again.

She was picking at the skin around her thumbnail. “During the game. Everyone was watching the people getting shot. But you were watching who was gonna trip. Who was using bodies as cover. You were looking for weaknesses.”

In-ho didn’t speak, but something in his jaw twitched.

“I was behind you,” she added. “You didn’t notice me, but I noticed you. You were calm. Not normal calm. Cop calm.”

That made him shift, just a little. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yeah? I think I do.” Her gaze was steady now. “You’re not here just for the money. You’re looking for something. Or someone.”

In-ho finally sat up straighter, leaning forward. “Listen, kid—”

“Y/N.”

“What?”

“My name. Since we’re roommates now, figured you should know. Y/N.”

He stared at her.

Then, to her surprise, he said, “In-ho.”

She smiled. “Hi, In-ho.”

He shook his head and leaned back again, muttering, “Goddamn kid.”

But he didn’t tell her to go away.

And that, as far as Y/N was concerned, was a win.

In-ho hadn’t said another word, but Y/N didn’t seem to mind. She leaned back on her hands, eyes scanning the rows of bunks like she was casing the place.

“I counted sixteen guys with twitchy eyes and shaking legs,” she murmured. “Bet they crack by lights out. You think they’ll let us sleep?”

“No.”

She nodded like she expected that. “Should’ve known. Most places that claim to be ‘safe’ usually aren’t. Group homes, shelters… dormitories with masked gunmen. Same shit.”

In-ho glanced at her again.

She was too calm.

“Where are your parents?” he asked before he could stop himself.

She looked over at him, surprised. “You tell me.” When he didn’t respond, she shrugged. “Dad ran off before I could spell his name. Mom’s… probably in a ditch somewhere. Or married to a guy who doesn’t like kids.”

She said it with a smirk, like it was a joke. But it wasn’t.

“I’m not looking for a sob story,” she added quickly. “I’m just here to win. Get out. Get a dog. Maybe a PlayStation.”

He let out a breath through his nose—something close to a scoff. “That simple, huh?”

Y/N looked at him seriously now. “It has to be.” She leaned forward again, whispering like they were swapping secrets under a blanket fort. “You’ve got the eyes of someone who thinks too much,” she said. “You keep doing that, you’re gonna break before the sixth game. You need something to keep you going. Like me and the PlayStation.”

In-ho raised an eyebrow. “You think that’s gonna keep you alive?”

“I think people underestimate girls who still want childish things.” She smirked again. “Besides. I’m scrappy.”

She stood up with a grunt and dusted off the seat of her pants.

“Anyway. You seem like a guy who wants to be left alone, so I’ll stop bothering you. Just thought I’d say hi since, you know… shared trauma and all.”

She turned like she was really going to walk away.

And she did.

But halfway to her bunk, some older guy bumped into her hard on purpose. “Watch it, brat.”

Y/N stiffened. She looked like she wanted to mouth off, but silently flipped him off and just kept walking.

In-ho watched the man keep walking too.

Something shifted inside him. Not violently. Not dramatically. Just a slow ignition of something primal and terrifying.

He’d seen girls like her on crime scenes. He’d zipped their bags. Filed their reports. Called names from cracked ID cards no one came to claim.

But not her.

Not this one.

If anyone here so much as touched a strand of her hair again…

He’d burn this whole fucking place down.

He didn’t know why.

Maybe because she reminded him of the boy he used to be. Or the brother he lost. Or maybe because, for the first time since waking up in this nightmare, someone had looked him in the eye and seen him.

She had named him. Spared him the shame of being just “132.”

Hi, In-ho.

She had no idea what she’d just done.

And now he would kill for her.

. . .

The lights snapped off without warning.

A second later, the screaming began.

Metal clanged against metal. Shoes thundered across the concrete. Shadows darted through what little light remained—chaos made flesh.

In-ho was already on his feet, eyes straining in the dark, fists clenched. He’d expected this.

What he didn’t expect was the small voice shouting his name.

“In-ho!”

He spun.

Through the chaos, he saw her. Y/N. Stumbling backward between two bunks, cornered by three grown men who looked less like players and more like predators who’d been waiting for this moment.

“She’s just a kid,” one of them said.

“That’s the point,” another sneered, brandishing a shattered glass bottle.

In-ho didn’t think. He moved.

He lunged into the fray like a reaper, grabbing the nearest man by the collar and slamming him against a post. Someone else threw a punch—he ducked, drove an elbow into the attacker’s ribs, then kicked the third man’s legs out from under him.

The sound of violence surrounded them. People were dying in the dark. But he didn’t care. Not about them.

Only her.

Y/N was frozen in place, eyes wide, back against the steel bars of the bunk. “I—I’m okay,” she whispered, even though she clearly wasn’t.

Then a fourth figure emerged from the shadows, quickly pinning her to the floor.

He hadn’t been part of the first group. No. This one had been watching.

Tall. Greasy. Smiling.

“Hey, sweetheart,” the man crooned. “You don’t gotta be scared. I’ll take care of you…”

In-ho was too far. He saw it happen in slow motion—he couldn’t get there in time.

But Y/N moved.

Fast. Sharp. Terrified.

A glint of silver flashed in her hand.

The fork.

He hadn’t even noticed she pocketed it after dinner.

The man grabbed her wrist, but she twisted—stabbed—right into his neck.

Again.

And again.

And again.

He collapsed with her on top of him, and she didn’t stop.

She kept stabbing.

Over and over, shaking, growling through her teeth like a wounded animal cornered in a cage.

In-ho finally reached her.

“Y/N!”

She didn’t hear him. Didn’t see him.

Just the blood. Just the monster beneath her who almost—

He grabbed her wrists and gently, but firmly, pulled her off.

She resisted at first, like she didn’t know who he was. But when he whispered her name again—

“Y/N. It’s me. It’s me.”

—she finally let go of the fork.

Her hands were soaked. Her whole body trembled as she stared at him with wide, wild eyes.

“He—” she choked, her voice cracking. “He tried to—”

She didn’t finish.

She didn’t have to.

In-ho wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in tight against his chest. She didn’t resist. She crumpled into him like a collapsing building.

“I got you,” he whispered, over and over, as chaos roared around them. “I got you. I got you. I got you.”

He looked down at the blood on her hands. The way her small fingers curled into his shirt like it was the only thing tethering her to this world.

That was the moment he knew.

He would never let anyone touch her again.

Not while he was still breathing.

Not even if it meant dying himself.

. . .

The dormitory reeked of sweat, blood, and the sterile tang of iron.

Guards had come hours ago, dragging away the bodies like they were trash instead of people. No one spoke. No one mourned. Death was routine now.

In-ho sat on the edge of his bunk, elbows on his knees, knuckles split open from punching one of the men last night—he hadn’t even noticed when it happened.

But it wasn’t his wounds he was thinking about.

It was her.

She hadn’t said a word since.

Y/N had curled up beside him after the chaos ended, small and trembling in the crook of his arm, but she hadn’t cried. Not one tear.

Now, in the pale morning light, she was returning from the bathroom—silent, shoulders stiff, face unreadable.

In her hands: a soggy paper towel.

She knelt in front of him without a word.

Carefully—like she wasn’t 14 and covered in the memory of blood—she reached for his hand and dabbed at the torn skin on his knuckles.

She didn’t look at him.

Didn’t make a sarcastic remark or complain about the smell. No playful jabs. No “tough guy” jokes.

Just silence.

In-ho watched her, heart sinking like lead in his chest.

She cleaned his hands like it was a chore. Routine. Mechanical.

Her eyes weren’t wide anymore. They were smaller somehow. Hardened. Distant.

And when she finally finished, she sat back on her heels and said nothing.

“Y/N,” he murmured.

Her eyes flicked up to meet his—but it wasn’t her. Not all the way. Something behind them was gone.

“I’m fine,” she said, voice low. Flat. “You don’t have to ask.”

“I wasn’t going to ask,” he replied gently. “I was going to tell you… that wasn’t your fault.”

“I know,” she said too fast. “It was him. He tried to hurt me. I stopped him. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?”

She was trying to convince herself.

“Still,” she muttered, mostly to herself, “I didn’t know it’d feel like that. Killing someone.”

She rubbed her palm against her pants like the blood was still there.

“I thought I’d feel… strong. Or safe.” Her lip trembled, just once. “But I don’t. I just feel less.”

In-ho’s breath caught.

He reached out, slow and careful, and placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t pull away.

“You’re not less,” he said quietly. “You’re still you.”

But even as he said it, he saw the lie in her eyes.

She wasn’t the same girl who sat cross-legged in front of him cracking jokes two nights ago. That girl had left the second she drove a fork into someone’s neck to save herself.

This one was still here, but she was different.

Harder. Quieter. Changed.

And he hated this place for it.

He hated the guards, the games, the piggy bank that glowed with blood money. He hated the man she had to kill. He hated that he hadn’t seen him sooner. He hated that he hadn’t protected her from everything.

But most of all, he hated how quickly she was adapting.

How quickly she was becoming like the rest of them.

He looked at her small, blood-scabbed hands.

He swore to himself once again, right then—

No matter what, he’d keep her alive.

But more than that… he’d keep what was left of her human.

Y/N sat back, her hands now empty, gaze unfocused as she stared down at the blood-stained paper towel on the floor.

In-ho’s hand hovered above it for a moment before he set it aside. Quiet settled between them like fog, and for once, she didn’t try to fill it with words.

She just waited.

Like she knew there was something he hadn’t said yet.

“You asked me why I’m here,” he said at last, his voice low and rough.

She looked up.

He wasn’t meeting her eyes.

“My wife,” he began, jaw tightening. “She got sick. Acute liver cirrhosis. When we were going through the tests, we found out she was pregnant.”

Y/N blinked, sitting up straighter.

“The doctor gave her a choice,” he continued. “Terminate…and she might live. Or go through with it, and…she probably wouldn’t.”

Y/N’s lips parted. “What’d she choose?”

“You see, my wife is stubborn. She didn’t even hesitate.” He let out a breath that could’ve been a laugh in another life. “Said she didn’t care if it killed her. She wanted to meet our child, even just once.”

His fingers twisted together in his lap, like he didn’t know what to do with them.

“I tried to be strong, tried to raise the money, find a donor, anything. But the transplant…the meds…even just keeping her comfortable…” He swallowed. “I was desperate.”

Y/N’s voice was soft. “So you borrowed money.”

He nodded. “From someone I shouldn’t have. Then one of my oldest vendors offered to help. I thought I could pay it back. Thought I’d fix it before anyone noticed.”

“But they did,” she guessed.

“They thought I took a bribe.” His voice was bitter now. “Didn’t matter that my record was spotless. Or that my wife was dying. My superior didn’t even look me in the eye when he fired me. Just said I ‘should’ve known better.’”

He finally glanced at her.

And what he saw wasn’t judgment.

It was understanding.

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t look at him like he was a failure.

She just asked, “Is she…?”

“I don’t know,” he said quietly. “When I joined this place, she was still holding on. I just… I thought maybe if I won, I could give her a second chance.”

His voice cracked for the first time.

“I didn’t want this life for my kid,” he whispered. “I didn’t want them to be raised without a mother. Or worse… not be born at all.”

Y/N’s breath hitched.

She stared at him, wide-eyed—not in pity, but something deeper. Like she’d just found the last good part of this place and it happened to be him.

Without saying anything, she reached for his hand.

And this time, he let her hold it.

“You know,” she murmured, “if your baby’s anything like you… he or she’s gonna be okay.”

He looked at her then—really looked—and saw not just a kid, but someone trying to believe there’s still something worth saving.

He gave her a small nod.

But inside, something else burned.

A vow.

If he couldn’t save his wife… if he never saw his child…

He’d save her.

This girl who cleaned his wounds and carried his secrets and still had blood under her nails. This girl who should’ve been at a school desk, not stabbing a man to death to stay alive.

He couldn’t undo what she’d done.

But maybe he could keep her from doing worse.

Maybe, in the end, saving her could be enough.

. . .

The lights never truly turned off anymore—not after that night. It had only been a day since then, more people died and there was only eight of them left.

They only dimmed to a sickly hum, casting long shadows across the room filled with rusted bunks and broken people.

In-ho sat on the floor, back against the metal frame of the lower bunk. His knuckles were still raw, his eyes heavy, but he didn’t let himself sleep.

Not while she was here.

Y/N had crawled into his bunk without saying a word. She hadn’t asked for permission. She hadn’t needed to. She just curled up, back to the wall, and passed out the second her head hit the thin mattress.

It had taken her three whole minutes to start twitching in her sleep.

Nightmares, probably.

She hadn’t talked about that night again. The man. The fork. The blood on her hands.

She hadn’t needed to.

He saw it in the way her shoulders stayed tensed even while she slept. In the way her fingers still curled like she was holding a weapon.

Quietly, gently, In-ho stood.

He pulled the thin blanket up over her shoulders, tucking it behind her back to keep her warm. She didn’t stir.

Then he lowered himself back to the floor, knees pulled up, eyes scanning the room. Watching. Waiting.

If anyone even looked at her wrong again, he wouldn’t hesitate.

He’d kill them before they got close.

He was supposed to be a police officer. A protector of the law. But right now, the law didn’t mean shit.

Not in here.

Here, he was just a shield with a heartbeat.

Time dragged. He rubbed his tired eyes, almost drifting off, until—

She mumbled something.

He turned.

Her brow furrowed in sleep, her lips parting.

“…Appa…”

His breath caught.

He froze, as if the floor might crumble beneath him.

She shifted, curling into the blanket, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.

“Appa…” she whispered again, softer this time. Like a memory she was chasing in a dream.

In-ho swallowed hard.

His throat burned.

He hadn’t heard that word in months. Not from his wife. Never from his unborn child. Not even from his own mind—he’d buried it, shut it away to survive this place.

But here it was again.

From her.

She didn’t even know she’d said it.

And he wouldn’t tell her.

But he reached up—slowly, with trembling fingers—and brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

His voice barely escaped him, a whisper only the dark would hear.

“I’ve got you, baby girl.”

And for the rest of the night, he didn’t close his eyes.

He kept watch. For her. For the child he never got to hold. For the piece of himself he thought was long dead.

Now tucked under a threadbare blanket, breathing soft and even, calling him appa in her dreams.

And maybe… maybe that was enough to keep him going.

. . .

The dormitory was silent again.

Too silent.

In-ho stood in the middle of it—alone except for the sleeping bodies around him, blood beginning to pool beneath their bunks. The air smelled of iron and death. Again.

He was still holding the knife.

His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps as he looked down at the last man he’d killed—still curled under his blanket, eyes open now, but empty. He had barely stirred. Same with the rest.

It had been easy.

Too easy.

Four lives taken in under five minutes. Silent. Efficient. Controlled.

It wasn’t like the other times. This wasn’t defense. This wasn’t panic or fear.

This was strategy.

This was survival.

This was what Oh Il-nam wanted—what the masked old man offered. A chance. A deal. An out.

There couldn’t be a final game with only two players left. Not according to the rules. So if In-ho eliminated the rest before sunrise, it would end.

They would win.

She would win.

And right now, that was the only thing that mattered.

He turned slowly, knife still trembling in his hand, and walked to the last occupied bunk.

Hers.

Y/N was curled on her side, one hand beneath her cheek, the other loosely holding the edge of her blanket. Her lashes fluttered every now and then—dreams, maybe. Nightmares. He hoped not.

She didn’t know.

She didn’t hear the wet sounds of his blade in the dark.

Didn’t smell the blood.

Didn’t see him become something else entirely.

He dropped to one knee beside her bunk, lowering the knife to the floor.

And for a long moment, he just looked at her.

She was older now. Not in years, but in her eyes. In the way she held herself. In the way she moved. She hadn’t called him appa since that first week—but he still heard it when she looked at him like he was the only thing in the world that felt safe.

He wondered what she’d say when she found out.

If she ever did.

Would she understand? Would she hate him?

Would it matter?

He reached for the blanket and gently pulled it higher, covering her shoulders. She stirred slightly, letting out a soft sigh—but didn’t wake.

His hand hovered over her hair, then dropped.

And then he sat beside her bunk on the floor, back to the steel frame, knees drawn up.

The knife stayed by his foot.

He didn’t cry.

Didn’t tremble.

Just stared ahead at the far wall, coated in shadow, until morning would come. Until the loudspeakers would crackle to life and declare them winners. Declare them alive.

And maybe when she asked what happened to the others, he would lie.

Or maybe she’d just know.

But for now… for these last few hours…

He sat in silence, a blood-streaked guardian in the dark, keeping watch over the only person left worth saving.

Even if it meant damning himself to do it.

Soon, the overhead lights flickered to life with a low, electrical hum.

In-ho didn’t move.

He hadn’t slept. His back ached from the concrete, his hand still curled near the knife, dried blood crusted beneath his fingernails. His eyes were open, locked on the far wall, but he wasn’t really seeing it.

He was waiting.

For the moment she’d look at him and see what he’d become.

A sharp crackle from the speakers broke the silence, followed by the cold, sterile voice of the announcer:

“Players 045, 177, 229, and 412 have been eliminated. The game is over.”

The words echoed off the dormitory walls like a funeral bell.

Y/N stirred beneath the blanket, groggy, confused. “What…?

She sat up, blinking into the harsh light—and then she saw them.

The beds.

Empty.

Or stained.

Bodies gone, but not the aftermath.

Her breath caught as she looked around. Then—

Her eyes landed on him.

In-ho didn’t speak. He didn’t move.

He waited for the inevitable shift in her face. The betrayal. The fear. The look that would gut him more than any blade ever could.

But it never came.

Y/N looked at him for a long moment. At his blood-splattered suit. His still body. The knife by his foot.

And then—she crawled down from the bunk.

Slowly. Quietly.

She sat beside him on the floor.

Their knees touched.

She reached for his hand.

He hesitated—but only for a breath—before letting her take it.

Her fingers curled around his.

Then, softly, her voice broke through the suffocating quiet. “That wasn’t your fault.”

His throat clenched. His jaw locked to keep the tremor from escaping.

But she wasn’t done.

“You’re not less,” she whispered. “You’re still you.”

The words echoed in his mind like a mercy he didn’t deserve.

The same words he had once spoken to her, when her hands were shaking and covered in blood. When she had looked at him like she didn’t recognize herself.

And now she was giving them back.

To him.

Not with pity. Not with fear.

But with something closer to faith.

Her thumb brushed the back of his hand, slow and grounding.

“I know why you did it,” she said, still looking ahead, not pressuring him to speak. “And I’m glad you did.”

He closed his eyes.

A tear slipped out before he could stop it.

But he didn’t pull away.

She didn’t let go.

And in that moment, In-ho wasn’t just the man who killed four people in cold blood. He wasn’t the monster the Games had tried to shape him into.

He was her protector.

Her family.

And the last flicker of humanity still burning in his chest stayed alive—because she let it.

Because she saw him.