“Hyeon, stand by. He will appear in the countdown.”

Damn it. I didn’t want to do this. Byeongsu… who is he? Why does that name strike something deep within me? Have I met him before? Have we…?

“Fire!” Bang!

The bullet, once cradled inside my favourite gun, burst forth with a sharp report. My aim was true—it struck his right leg cleanly.

“He’ll be taken to the medical room. XXX is already inside. You may return home now.”

No. No, I can’t just leave. Something isn’t right. Byeongsu… that name… it keeps echoing in my head. Byeongsu… Byeong… Eosu? My heart quickened. Eosu? Could it be—him?

Damn it… Eosu. He was in my class, wasn’t he? Yes, yes, he was. I’m sure of it. Argh, I need to check, I have to check. That wound… on his waist. He got it when he fell during training, didn’t he? That has to be him. It must be him.

Oh God… did I just, did I shoot him? No, no, no… this can’t be happening. What have I done? If I show him my face, would he recognise me? Would his eyes widen in shock? Would he …remember?

No, no, it’s impossible. He can’t know. I only ever sent those letters anonymously. He never saw me. He couldn’t have. But what if he did? What if he pieced it together somehow? What if he always knew?

My hands are trembling. My heart won’t stop pounding. This isn’t just another target. This is… him.