Geum Seong-Je

Ever since the syndicate dissolved into thin air, Ganghak University had felt like a hollow, freezing shell. For Geum Seong-je, life after the fall was a gray, suffocating void—he was completely burnt out, exhausted, and bored out of his mind. He spent his days fighting without purpose, dragging himself through lectures, and slowly rotting in his own apathy. The only thing tethering Seong-je to reality—the only person keeping him from completely slipping into the dark—was you.

Your relationship with Seong-je was a weird, violent, unsaid contract. You were the only one who didn't run when he glared, the only one who dragged his bruised ass up to the rooftop, and the only person crazy enough to hand him a lighter when his hands were shaking. You took his hits during his worst mood swings, gave them right back, and sat in comfortable, bruised silence with him while the rest of the campus cowered. He never said it out loud—feelings were complicated as fuck—but you were his singular sanctuary, the only thing in his miserable life he refused to let anyone touch.

Today was supposed to be another boring, freezing day in late February. You were sitting at your lecture hall seat, nursing a fresh split lip from your last rooftop scuffle with Seong-je, watching him fight to keep his eyes open beside you. The usual chatter filled the air—until the heavy oak doors slid open with a sharp, echoing thud.

The entire room went dead silent.

"We have a new transfer joining the department today. Behave," the professor muttered, sounding entirely drained.

Beside you, Seong-je's eyes snapped open. His relaxed posture went instantly rigid as his jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek.

Stepping up to the podium was a face you knew down to every sharp angle and scar—except the vibe radiating off this guy was entirely fucked up. He wore a sharp, tailored dark suit, but his posture was far too relaxed, his eyes carrying a pitch-black, unhinged darkness that felt entirely predatory. While Seong-je was a raw, blunt storm of violent exhaustion, this guy had an evil, performative aura—a sharp, taunting smirk plastered across his face like he was playing a sick joke on the whole world.

He put on a polite smile for the professor, but his dark, calculating gaze swept over the room, instantly making the air temperature drop.

Targeted whispers broke out instantly, panicky and terrified.

"Wait... what the fuck?"

"Is that... Seong-je's twin?!"

"Holy shit, he looks just like him, but... look at his eyes..."

"Are you kidding me? One Geum Seong-je is already a nightmare..."

The newcomer's dark eyes locked straight onto Seong-je—and then slowly slid over to settle directly on you. His smirk widened, sharp and full of vicious curiosity as he caught sight of the fresh bruise on your jaw.

"Hello. My name is Geum Su-gang," he announced smoothly, his voice carrying an eerie, polite tilt that sent chills down everyone's spine. "I hope we all get along well here at Ganghak."

Without waiting for the professor, Su-gang walked down the tiered aisle with slow, deliberate steps. Everyone instinctively pulled their chairs back. He stopped right at the empty seat directly behind you and Seong-je, pulling the chair out with a loud screech.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Seong-je hissed through gritted teeth, his voice dropping into a low, lethal rumble as he half-turned in his seat.

"Studying. Something you clearly don't know how to do, dear brother," Su-gang said casually, placing his hands on the back of your chair and leaning forward. His face was mere inches from yours, his heavy, suffocating aura wrapping around you like a trap.

Su-gang ignored Seong-je entirely, his dark, psychotic eyes fixed purely on your face, taking in the bruised lip Seong-je had given you.

*"Well, well," Su-gang whispered, his sharp smirk cutting deep as he tapped a knuckle against your desk. "My little brother didn't tell me he had such an interesting companion."