Chapter 17: Ji-sung the Traitor & the Dilemma of Loyalty
That morning – Daehan International School Library
Han Jimin typed furiously on his laptop. "The digital footprint matches. All the leaks came from one source—Ji-sung."
"He's the new kid we helped before," added Lino. "But ever since he joined the debate club, he's been hanging out with Min Hyuk and the hardcore student council kids."
Gevran closed his eyes for a moment, then let out a long breath. "Then we need to talk to him directly. But not to punish him."
"What?!" Kasang and Kaeyan exclaimed in unison.
---
Afternoon – Behind the school grounds
Gevran stood alone, waiting. Autumn winds rustled dry leaves across the ground. Ji-sung arrived, face tense.
"You asked to meet?"
"Yes. I know you're the one who leaked the video."
Ji-sung held his breath. "I... didn't have a choice. They threatened to expose a video of my mom—working part-time at a bar. If it got out, she could lose her job."
Gevran stayed silent, his gaze steady.
"You know, Ji-sung... we built this network to protect people like your mom. And now you've helped the ones who hurt us."
Ji-sung lowered his head. "I was weak."
"But it's not too late."
---
Later that afternoon – Secret room
"This is your decision?" Han Jimin asked, stiffly. "To reinstate someone who nearly took us down?"
Gevran nodded. "I know the risk. But if we start kicking people out just because they stumbled... aren't we no better than them?"
Silence fell.
Ji-sung entered slowly. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. But if you'll let me... I want to make things right."
Kasang scoffed. "Don't think this means you get the special popcorn, though."
Kaeyan added, "Or join our TikToks. You're still on probation!"
A small wave of laughter softened the tension.
---
Night – Yi Family Living Room
Gevran and Kaeyan lounged on the couch, watching an action movie, popcorn scattered everywhere. Yi-Ana walked by, amused.
"You two are louder than a theater. Don't you have homework?"
"Hyung said rest is part of strategy," Kaeyan defended.
Yi-Ana patted her son's head. "Strategy for eating snacks too?"
Gevran laughed. "Exactly. Who knows, maybe I'll become the Minister of Snack Strategies."
Kasang passed by, singing, "Snacks... for world peace~!"
---
The next day – Back to school
Gevran and his team's reputation was beginning to recover. Alumni who supported their cause contacted the principal, and even a national media outlet offered them an exclusive interview.
But Min Hyuk wasn't done.
"You think this is over? This school belongs to the elite. Not your little revolution."
But Gevran met his glare.
"We're not here to overthrow anyone, Hyuk. We're here to make sure no one else gets forced to kneel under fear."
---
Chapter 17 Ending
On the school's bulletin board, a new poster appeared:
> Student Open Forum: "Voices Never Heard"
Hosted by: The Student Defender Network
Moderator: Gevran Yi Jido
Meanwhile, Ji-sung stood nearby, quietly smiling—for the first time, not out of fear, but because he had chosen the right path.
---
Evening – Ji-sung's Apartment
Ji-sung stared at his desk, cluttered with old notebooks, debate cue cards, and a half-eaten sandwich. His phone buzzed.
> Gevran (New Message)
"You okay?"
He stared at the screen for a moment, then typed slowly:
> Ji-sung: "I still feel like I don't deserve this second chance."
> Gevran: "Maybe not. But sometimes we give chances not because people deserve them—but because we believe they can grow into someone who does."
Ji-sung wiped his eyes, smiling faintly.
He clicked open his old draft titled "Rebuilding a Just System from Within." The essay he never submitted… because he never thought his voice mattered.
---
Next Morning – Debate Room
Ji-sung entered to find Min Hyuk and a few other student council elites gathered.
"I heard you're joining Gevran's little circus," Min Hyuk said mockingly. "What happened to ambition?"
Ji-sung's reply was calm.
"Ambition without conscience is just greed."
He turned and walked away, not flinching even as whispers filled the room.
For the first time in a long time, Ji-sung wasn't running. He was choosing.
---
Daehan International School – Courtyard
The Voices Never Heard forum had begun.
Students from all years gathered. Some nervous. Some curious. Many silent. But Gevran stood in front of them, not with charisma—but conviction.
"Everyone here has been told to stay quiet at some point. Today, we stop doing that."
He stepped back and gave the mic to a first-year girl with a speech impediment. She hesitated… but then spoke.
Others followed.
A boy talked about being bullied for his weight.
A girl confessed being blackmailed by her ex.
A group of theater students shared how their club was defunded due to elite pressure.
By the time the sun began to set, a dozen voices had echoed through the courtyard.
---
After the Forum – School Rooftop
Ji-sung and Gevran leaned on the railing, watching the last students leave.
"You did good," Gevran said.
Ji-sung shrugged. "Still scared."
"That's normal. Fear means you care."
A gust of wind passed.
Then Ji-sung said, almost too quietly, "Thank you for not giving up on me."
Gevran smiled. "You reminded me why we're doing this."
---
Late Night – Principal's Office
The principal watched the recorded forum on his screen. Behind him, a box of letters—messages from alumni, teachers, and even parents—supporting the Student Defender Network.
He exhaled.
"Maybe… the kids are alright."
---
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