"I deserve that number one spot. Not that bitch, Park Mirae!"
Lim Yoona's voice cracked, twisted with bitterness as her friends giggled in the bathroom, glazing her on. She flushed the toilet, wiped her lips, and forced herself to laugh at their stupid jokes about her weight and body.
Too bad she didn't realize who was standing just outside the stall.
"Pathetic. She really thought her little stage play in here wouldn't reach me? Wow then, she's dumber than I thought," I thought.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, running my fingers across my long, silky, black hair. When I finally spoke, my voice cut through the chatter like I had used an off button on them.
"I heard my name."
The bathroom fell silent. Yoona froze inside the stall, her heart was practically pounding out of her chest. Slowly, she pushed the door open only to find me waiting, arms crossed. I never made eye contact but this one was worth it.
Her knees tightened, stopping her from moving.
"Oh. Hello, Mirae. Didn't know you use the bathroom here," she said with a hint of something that sounded like sarcasm.
"First, rumors. Now your little bathroom performance? How... creative," I said, tilting my head.
Lim Yoona.
I arched my right eyebrow.
I moved closer towards her. She almost stepped backwards. Almost—like she wasn't even afraid.
"That's two strikes. Wonder what'll happen at the third strike," I said with my hands cupping my chin to make a thinking gesture.
Before she could even answer, I just raised my index finger to her face—a gesture which meant that she should be quiet. I straightened, slammed the stall door shut, and walked away. Her friends didn't even breathe until I was gone. I couldn't waste such precious time on a lowlife who doesn't know her place.
***
At home, the mansion was silent... as always. The maids scurried around like ghosts, never daring to meet my eyes.
The heavy doors were pushed open for me and, of course, Eunji was waiting in the grand hall like she owned the place. She was in her mid forties, short, wavy, blonde hair, smooth skin, and everything a man could ask for, sadly. She had a perfect posture, that annoyingly flawless smile, and her voice dipped in honey.
"Got a lunatic in school and one at home too. Great," I thought.
"Mirae, my dear," she said warmly, her arms slightly open as if I'd ever step into them. "You must be tired from school. Come, let's have tea together."
I stopped in the middle of the marble-floored hall, meeting her eyes with none of the sweetness she tried to fake.
"Drop the act, Eunji," I muttered, brushing past her like she was a last season Prada bag. "It hurts my eyes seeing you try so hard."
Her smile didn't shake, but her eyes sharpened for a split second, enough for me to catch it before she slipped that mask back on.
"You really should work on your manners, darling. Your father won't like this," she sang, as if the threat was casual or something.
"Good," I shot back without turning around. "He's the only one left I want to disappoint."
The maids froze mid-step at my words. Eunji's heels clicked behind me, but I didn't give her the satisfaction of looking back.
I climbed the endless staircase, my heels dragging this time. I was exhausted. When I reached my room, I locked the door behind me and dropped onto my bed.
The silence pressed in. My mind replayed Yoona's face, her fake confidence. She wasn't smart enough to think she was gonna get past me. Right?
Someone was pulling her strings.
I rolled over, staring at the ceiling, a smirk grew on my lips.
"I wonder who's next."
***
It was Tuesday.
My limousine rolled up in front of the school building, black and glossy like always. I stepped out, tired but unbothered. Every pair of eyes glued themselves to me like I was royalty.
Oh. I am.
But that was nothing new. What was new? The looks weren't just envy, fear, or respect this time. It was something else.
And then I saw it.
The Diamond Leaderboard.
The massive screen on the wall that displayed the social hierarchy of the school to everyone like it was religion everyone must follow.
And for the first time... my name wasn't sitting on top.
#1: Lim Yoona.
#2: Park Mirae.
I blinked. Shocking. Then smiled.
So this is the circus act she decided to pull? Cute.
I stared at the screen a second longer, not because I cared about losing that first place Diamond crown, but because I hated shortcuts. Nobody climbs that board without being "perfect," unless they cheat.
And if there's one thing I can't stand, it's fake people.
Apparently, Yoona thought faking her way to the top was a smart move. She'd spread some laughable rumor about me having an affair with the school's Director, even tossed in photoshopped pictures for extra drama. Almost impressive. Almost.
But the editing was sloppy. It was easy to track on my own. Amateur.
"Speak of the devil," I muttered under my breath.
Because right then, Yoona strutted up to me, dripping with sarcasm.
"Hello, number two."
Her wings were growing, apparently. That was...odd. I just looked at her, letting my disgust sit on my face.
She leaned closer, her voice gaining confidence because of what exactly? Her name on some anonymous projector?
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Guess who's on top now. Doesn't matter if you're the President's daughter... you don't scare me."
Still, I didn't speak. I just stared. A quiet stare can cut sharper than words can, and judging by the way her cheeks reddened, she felt it.
"What? Speechless? Lost your edge already?" she pressed.
And that was it.
She hit a nerve.
"You're more annoying than I thought. You know that, right?" I said flatly.
I leaned in just enough for only her to hear.
"Should I tell everyone what you really did to get up there?"
That should have done it. But she didn't flinch, didn't even look scared. That was new. And it means she's not bluffing alone.
"Hm? What'd I do?" She said, then slowly let out a small devilish smile.
"A lotta people got into DCS by doing all sort of things. You're just bad at hiding yours." I smirked.
Now that was the Yoona I knew—pretending like she could handle something bigger than herself. It seemed like that.
I tilted my head in a playful manner, meeting her teary eyes with a smile that wasn't really much of a smile.
"Enjoy your time for now... Lim Yoona."
Simple. Couldn't say much.
Her whole body froze. Good enough.
I straightened, turned on my heel, and walked away like nothing happened. Behind me, whispers arose through the crowd.
Yoona couldn't pull this off alone. Someone was feeding her with fake courage. And I will find that person.
I didn't look back. I didn't need to.
Rumors would spin themselves, and they always did. It's inevitable. A lot of things are.
"Someone's backing her and they're either brave... or stupid."