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    The door slammed shut with a finality that echoed in the room, and the tension that had gripped the air since the wealthy boy’s arrival seemed to dissipate instantly. The other scholarship students, still caught in the wake of the bidding war, began to murmur among themselves. Some looked at Kim with curiosity, others with disdain, but for the most part, the chaos had ended.


    Kim’s chest heaved as he tried to steady his breath. He had been prepared for a confrontation, but the weight of the moment had taken more out of him than he expected. His hands, still clenched into fists, slowly relaxed as the adrenaline began to wear off.


    The staff member who had been caught between the wealthy boy’s demands and the students’ confusion cleared his throat awkwardly. He shot a glance toward the door where the boy had stormed out and then back at the remaining students. “Well, that’s that,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Everything is settled. No one is required to give up their seat. You’ll continue with the program as planned.”


    Kim didn’t even look at him. He was still trying to process everything that had just happened, the rush of emotion, the clash between dignity and desperation. The wealthy boy had come in expecting to buy his way into whatever he wanted, but Kim had refused. And for now, that felt like a small victory.


    He felt a tap on his shoulder, and when he turned, Seo-joon was standing beside him. The quiet boy who had said nothing during the commotion now offered a faint smile. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. It was the first time Kim had seen a true expression of understanding from someone else who had witnessed what just transpired.


    Seo-joon’s voice was low, almost a whisper. “That was bold,” he said, his eyes watching the door. “I thought you were going to give in for a moment there, but you didn’t.”


    Kim shook his head, his voice quiet but resolute. “I couldn’t. Not for anything.”


    Seo-joon’s smile widened a little, but there was no judgment in his eyes, only respect. “I get that. It’s hard, you know? The temptation of money… it changes everything.”


    Kim nodded, his mind still processing the exchange. The wealthy boy’s anger, the pressure from the others to sell his seat—everything had felt so overwhelming. But standing here now, Kim could see that what he had done was right. At least, he hoped it was.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    “We should get out of here,” Seo-joon suggested after a beat, breaking Kim out of his thoughts. “Before someone else tries to start something.”


    Kim agreed, nodding in silent appreciation. The room felt oppressive now, the whispers growing louder. It wasn’t just about the wealthy boy anymore—it was about something much bigger. The power that money had over everyone in this room, the way it could change the course of someone’s life in an instant. But it wasn’t going to change him. Not today.


    As they left the room together, Kim couldn’t help but feel a small sense of clarity. This world, a world of privilege and power, wasn’t one that could be easily navigated. But he had just taken a small step in asserting that he wouldn’t be another pawn in it. No matter what happened next, he wasn’t going to give in to the temptation.


    He glanced at Seo-joon, who had fallen into step beside him as they walked down the hallway. Despite the heavy tension of the morning, there was something comforting about having someone with him. Someone who had, in a way, shared the same experience, someone who understood the gravity of what it meant to stand firm in a world where everything could be bought and sold.


    “You’re different from the rest of them,” Seo-joon said, his voice breaking the silence.


    Kim chuckled softly. “I don’t know about that.”


    “No, really,” Seo-joon insisted, his voice earnest. “You’re not like the others who just give in to money. You made a choice. And that’s rare.”


    Kim was silent for a moment, thinking about the day’s events. It hadn’t been easy, resisting the pressure. But he knew he had done the right thing, and for now, that was enough.


    “I don’t know how long I can keep this up,” Kim admitted quietly, his gaze focused on the floor ahead. “This place… it’s different. It’s not like anything I’ve ever known before.”


    Seo-joon’s expression softened, and he gave a small nod. “I get that. But we don’t have to do it alone. Let’s stick together. We’ll figure it out.”


    For the first time since entering the college, Kim felt a small sense of hope. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all. Maybe, with someone by his side, he could navigate this world without losing himself.


    The two of them continued walking, the silence comfortable between them, and Kim felt the weight of the world lighten just a little. He wasn’t alone. And that was enough for now.


    As they made their way outside into the bright afternoon sun, Kim’s thoughts began to settle. The world of money, power, and privilege was one he had no desire to be a part of, but there was something else here too. It wasn’t just about resistance. It was about survival, about carving out a space for himself where his values mattered more than the money in someone’s pocket. He couldn’t afford to forget who he was, no matter what.


    He was ready for whatever came next, knowing that he had found an ally in Seo-joon—and that together, they could face whatever this world of privilege and power had in store for them.