The afternoon sun filters through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across rows of desks. Jae-hoon sits attentively, his eyes fixed on the teacher, but his mind races. The encounter in the cafeteria replays on loop – Sung-min's sneer, Min-seo's defiance, the palpable tension in the air.

Mr. Lee, the history teacher, drones on about the Joseon Dynasty. "And so, King Sejong the Great implemented sweeping reforms that—"

A crumpled paper hits Jae-hoon's desk. He unfolds it discreetly.

"Nice moves, new kid. But watch your back. – Jin-ho"

Jae-hoon glances towards the note's sender. A lanky boy with glasses offers a cautious smile. Jae-hoon nods slightly, pocketing the note.

As class ends, students file out in chattering groups. Jae-hoon hangs back, hoping to catch Min-seo alone. She's packing her bag when he approaches.

"Hey," he starts, suddenly unsure. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay after... you know."

Min-seo looks up, her dark eyes guarded. "I told you, I can handle myself."

"I don't doubt that," Jae-hoon says quickly. "But Sung-min seems like trouble."

A bitter laugh escapes her. "You have no idea." She shoulders her bag, hesitating. "Look, I appreciate what you did, but you should stay away from me. And definitely stay away from Sung-min and his crew."

"Why?" Jae-hoon presses, genuinely curious.

Min-seo's eyes harden. "Because in this school, there are two types of people. Those with money and power, and those without. Trust me, you don't want to get caught in the crossfire."

She brushes past him, leaving Jae-hoon to ponder her words. If only she knew.

The hallway bustles with end-of-day activity. Jae-hoon weaves through the crowd, hyperaware of the whispers and stares following him. News travels fast in high school.

A hand claps his shoulder, making him tense. It's Jin-ho, the note-sender, grinning nervously.

"Man, you've got guts," Jin-ho says, falling into step beside Jae-hoon. "No one stands up to Sung-min like that."

Jae-hoon shrugs. "Someone should."

Jin-ho's eyes widen. "You really are new here. Look, Sung-min's family... they practically own this school. His dad's on the board, donates millions every year. Cross them, and..." He draws a finger across his throat.

"That doesn't give them the right to bully people," Jae-hoon argues.

"Tell that to the last kid who tried to stand up to them," Jin-ho mutters. "Expelled within a week. Official reason? 'Academic dishonesty.' But everyone knows the truth."

A chill runs down Jae-hoon's spine. This is exactly why he's here – to expose the corruption rotting the school from within. But he has to be careful. One wrong move, and his cover's blown.

They exit the building, squinting in the bright afternoon light. A sleek sports car peels out of the parking lot, Sung-min at the wheel, his posse whooping and hollering.

"Great," Jin-ho sighs. "They're probably off to terrorize some poor convenience store owner or something."

Jae-hoon frowns. "Does no one stop them?"

Jin-ho laughs humorlessly. "With what army? The teachers turn a blind eye. The principal's in their pocket. And the cops? Please. Sung-min's dad's got half the precinct on speed dial."

As they walk, Jin-ho fills Jae-hoon in on the school's hierarchy. The wealthy elites at the top, followed by the social climbers desperate for a taste of power. At the bottom, scholarship students and those from more modest backgrounds, constantly fighting to prove their worth.

"And where do you fit in?" Jae-hoon asks.

Jin-ho grins sheepishly. "Firmly in the middle. My family's comfortable, but not 'buy your way out of murder' rich. I keep my head down, you know?"

They reach the school gates. Jin-ho hesitates. "Listen, Jae-hoon. You seem like a good guy. If you want my advice? Lay low. Don't make waves."

Jae-hoon nods, but they both know it's empty reassurance. "Thanks, Jin-ho. See you tomorrow."

As Jin-ho heads off, Jae-hoon spots a familiar figure walking alone. Min-seo. Before he can stop himself, he jogs to catch up.

"Mind if I walk with you?" he asks.

Min-seo eyes him warily. "Didn't I tell you to stay away?"

"You did," Jae-hoon admits. "I'm not great at following orders."

A ghost of a smile flickers across her face. "I noticed."

They walk in silence for a moment, the bustling streets of Seoul surrounding them.

"Why do you hate them so much?" Jae-hoon finally asks. "The rich kids, I mean."

Min-seo's jaw clenches. "It's not about hating them. It's about hating what they represent. The idea that money can buy anything – grades, admissions, get you out of trouble. That the rules don't apply if your family has the right connections."

Her passion ignites something in Jae-hoon. This is why he's here, pretending to be someone he's not. To prove that not all wealthy people are corrupt, that privilege can be used for good.

"Maybe not all of them are like that," he suggests cautiously.

Min-seo scoffs. "Trust me, I've been here long enough to know. They're all the same."

The vehemence in her voice makes Jae-hoon wonder what personal experience fuels her anger. He's about to probe further when a commotion up ahead catches their attention.

Sung-min and his crew have cornered a younger student in front of a convenience store. The boy cowers as Sung-min towers over him, demanding something.

"See?" Min-seo hisses. "Typical. They never change."

Before Jae-hoon can respond, she's striding towards the group, fire in her eyes. "Hey! Leave him alone!"

Sung-min turns, his face twisting into a cruel smile. "Well, well. If it isn't the charity case. Come to play hero?"

Jae-hoon moves to Min-seo's side, his body tense, ready for action. "Back off, Sung-min. You're making a scene."

One of Sung-min's cronies, a bulky guy with a shaved head, cracks his knuckles menacingly. "You again? Didn't learn your lesson at lunch, new boy?"

The air crackles with tension. Passersby hurry past, averting their eyes. No one wants to get involved.

Sung-min takes a step forward, his eyes locked on Jae-hoon. "You know, I did some digging. No one seems to know anything about you, Kim. Where you're really from, who your family is. Interesting, isn't it?"

Jae-hoon's heart races. Has his cover been blown already?

"Maybe I just value my privacy," he says evenly.

Sung-min sneers. "Or maybe you're hiding something. Don't worry, I'll figure it out eventually. And when I do..." He leaves the threat hanging.

A police siren wails in the distance. Sung-min's gang tenses.

"This isn't over," Sung-min spits, backing away. "Watch your backs, both of you."

As they peel off in their flashy cars, Min-seo rushes to check on the younger student. Jae-hoon stands rooted to the spot, his mind whirling. He's only been here a day, and already his carefully constructed persona is under threat.

Min-seo returns, her face flushed with anger and adrenaline. "Are you okay?" she asks, surprising Jae-hoon with her concern.

He nods. "Yeah. You?"

"I'm fine," she says dismissively. "But this... this is why I fight. Why I can't just 'keep my head down' like everyone says. Someone has to stand up to them."

In that moment, looking at the fire in Min-seo's eyes, Jae-hoon makes a decision. He may have come to this school with a specific mission, but now he has a new purpose. He'll help Min-seo in her fight against corruption, even if it means putting his own plans at risk.

"You're right," he says, meeting her gaze steadily. "And you don't have to do it alone."

Min-seo studies him for a long moment, as if seeing him for the first time. Finally, she nods. "Okay, Jae-hoon Kim. Let's see what you're made of."

As they continue walking, the setting sun painting the sky in fiery hues, Jae-hoon can't shake the feeling that he's stepped onto a path from which there's no turning back. His secrets, his family, his true identity – all of it hangs in the balance.

But looking at Min-seo, her determination etched in every line of her face, he knows it's worth the risk.