Minji isn’t the type who likes surprises. Her life is orderly, planned, and perfect—just like the songs she performs with so much emotion on stage. So, when the student council president suddenly asked her to perform at this year’s graduation ceremony, she wasn’t shocked. It made sense. I mean, who else would be more suitable?
But what made her want to smash her guitar was the little detail added afterward.
"You’re gonna duet with Hanni."
Minji frowned. "Who?"
"Hanni, from tenth grade. You must know her. The short, cute one—"
Minji doesn’t have time to remember everyone in school, let alone underclassmen.
Minji had already imagined her duet partner as someone sweet, obedient, and enthusiastic. A petite girl with a soft voice who would follow her lead without asking too many questions.
But expectations often clash with reality.
When Minji finally met Hanni in the music room, she didn’t find a sweet girl ready to practice with enthusiasm. Instead, Hanni showed up late, wearing an oversized sweater with sleeves so long they almost covered her hands, and a crooked smile that immediately put Minji on edge.
"So, I have to sing with you, huh?" Hanni leaned against the doorframe instead of sitting down and getting ready to practice.
Minji raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I hope you don’t mind."
Hanni chuckled. "Mind? Nah. But... can we just practice tomorrow? I’m so sleepy right now."
Minji blinked, trying to process what she just heard. "Tomorrow?"
Hanni nodded with an innocent expression. "Yeah, tomorrow. Or the day after. Just... later."
Minji stared at Hanni as if the girl had just insulted her entire work ethic and dedication. "The event is in two weeks. We need to start practicing now."
But Hanni just laughed softly, then pushed herself off the doorframe. "Relax, Minji. I’ll show up... someday."
Minji could only gape as Hanni casually waved and walked away.
In her life, no one had ever been so carefree about something she took so seriously.
And it was driving her insane.
==============
Minji thought Hanni was joking when she said she’d show up "someday." But turns out, that short girl really didn’t show up.
Day one? No show.
Day two? Nothing.
Day three? Minji almost threw the mic on the floor out of frustration.
"Seriously, is this girl messing with me or what?!" Minji grumbled while typing a message to the number the student council gave her.
Minji: Hanni, where are you?
Minji: Practice started two days ago, hello?
Minji: Don’t mess with me, I swear.
Two minutes.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Minji was ready to explode, until finally, a notification popped up.
Hanni: Chill, Minji. Patience is a virtue.
Minji almost coughed up blood.
Minji: Shut up. I’m giving you one hour to get to the music room. If you don’t show up, you’re dead.
Hanni didn’t reply. And of course, that little brat still didn’t show up.
"I REALLY WANNA BITE THIS GIRL!!" Minji screamed in her head, her fingers gripping her beloved guitar as tightly as possible.
I need to report this to the student council. I need to change my duet partner. I need to—
"Uh, Minji, are you okay?"
Minji turned quickly. A junior from the music club was staring at her nervously, probably because of the demonic aura radiating from her.
She took a deep breath. "I’m fine."
No. I’m not fine.
And it’s all because of one person: HANNI.
Day four.
Minji didn’t even have the energy to be angry anymore. All the curses she’d thrown out yesterday had drained her. Now, she just sat in the music room, staring at the guitar on her lap while tapping her fingers on its wooden body.
Hanni wasn’t going to show up. Again.
That short brat seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth. Messages left unanswered, calls ignored, and when Minji went to her class, all she got were confused looks from her classmates.
"Oh, Hanni? I think I saw her at the cafeteria."
"Yesterday she said she had a stomachache, maybe she’s still in the infirmary."
"I saw her leave early today. She probably had something to do."
Something to do? Like what? Like driving Minji insane, maybe!
Minji couldn’t hold back her frustration anymore. With long strides and a face as dark as a storm, she stormed out of the music room, searching for the target that had been missing all this time. If she had to, she’d tear the school apart to drag that girl to practice.
And finally, she found her.
Behind the school building, in a spot not many people knew about, Hanni was lounging on the emergency stairs, snacking on some bread. Her face was so relaxed, as if she wasn’t the most wanted person in Minji’s life right now.
Minji stopped in front of Hanni, her breath still uneven. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Hanni looked up, her eyes sparkling as if she’d just run into an old friend. "Oh, Minji! Finally found me, huh?"
Minji clenched her fists. "Damn it, this girl..."
"I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU EVERYWHERE, YOU IDIOT! DO YOU THINK PRACTICE IS A JOKE?! HANGING OUT AT THE CAFETERIA?! PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK?! WHY HAVEN’T YOU SHOWN UP, YOU MORON?!"
Hanni just laughed. Like, actually laughed. Instead of being scared or even slightly guilty, the girl looked amused.
"Wow, Minji’s so scary. I’m kinda nervous now."
Minji didn’t even know what to say anymore. Her hands itched to strangle Hanni right then and there. "I’M SERIOUS, HAN! I’M SICK OF YOU!"
Hanni pretended to think. "Hmmm... well, then just change partners? I’m sure there are plenty of people who’d want to duet with you."
Minji rubbed her face in frustration. "BUT THE STUDENT COUNCIL CHOSE ME TO DUET WITH YOU, YOU BRAT!"
Hanni was still smirking. "Yeah, but... if I don’t want to, you can just find someone else, right?"
Minji froze.
Now she realized. Hanni wasn’t just avoiding practice. She was deliberately messing with Minji.
Damn, this girl was really looking for trouble.
"Okay," Minji took a deep breath. "Listen carefully, Hanni."
Minji crouched down to be at eye level with Hanni and stared straight at her. "I don’t care how annoying you are. I don’t care if you think this is all a joke. But one thing you need to know... you’re not getting away from me."
Hanni’s expression finally shifted a little. Now, the girl wasn’t just smirking mischievously—she also looked slightly... challenged?
Minji continued, her voice quieter but full of pressure. "I’m going to make you practice, whether you like it or not. And if you keep messing around, I’ll make sure you regret ever making me angry."
Hanni blinked, then smiled faintly. "Wow, Minji’s kinda scary. I like it."
Minji stood up and took another deep breath. "Stay calm, Minji. You can’t go to jail just for killing a tenth-grader."
"Tomorrow, I want to see you in the music room at three. If you don’t show up—"
Hanni stuffed the rest of her bread into her mouth, then stood up casually. "Yeah, yeah, got it. I’ll be there."
Minji stared, disbelieving. "Seriously?"
Hanni shrugged. "Who knows?" Then she just walked away, leaving Minji standing there, fuming.
"This girl, I swear..."
Tomorrow, if Hanni still doesn’t show up, Minji’s really going to drag her in, dead or alive.