" The Girl They Called Devil "

Episode 28: Homebound and New Goals

One week had passed since that unforgettable night under the stars at Green Valley Resort. The final morning of the trip arrived bright and fresh. After breakfast, everyone packed their bags, tidied up their rooms, and gathered on the lawn for one last group photo. Smiles were wide, eyes were happy, and memories were tucked safely into every heart. This picnic truly became the highlight of their senior year — the memory they promised to talk about years later.

Buses pulled out of the gates, carrying the whole academy back toward the city. Inside, the mood was calm but full of stories. Yujin sat by the window, resting her head against the glass, watching the green hills fade into the distance. Next to her, Dea was half-asleep, while across the aisle in the same bus, Woo-jin and Ji-hoon sat together, talking quietly about what lay ahead.

“Best trip ever,” Woo-jin said, stretching his arms. “But now comes the real challenge. The final exams are only two weeks away. This is what decides our future paths.”

Ji-hoon nodded, glancing toward Yujin. “Yes. We relaxed, we laughed, and we rested enough. Now it’s time to focus. We have to finish this year with the best results possible.”

By mid-afternoon, the buses rolled through the school gates, and parents were already waiting to pick them up. Mr. and Mrs. Choi welcomed Yujin and Woo-jin home with warm hugs, listening eagerly to every detail of the adventure. Dea went to his own home, promising to meet them soon to study together.

That evening, the lively excitement of the trip slowly settled into a quiet, determined mood in the Choi household. After dinner, Yujin placed her travel bag aside and took out her textbooks and notebooks from the shelf. She flipped through the pages, her mind clear and ready. She knew very well — as happy as the memories were, the senior final exams were the last big step before graduation. Doing well here would be the best way to complete her journey at St. Claire Academy.

The next morning, the routine changed completely. Gone were the days of planning fun outings or staying up late telling stories. Now, every hour was planned for study. Woo-jin, Ji-hoon, and Dea agreed to meet daily — sometimes at school, sometimes at Yujin’s house, and occasionally at Ji-hoon’s library-style study room. Even though they belonged to different sections, their subjects and syllabi were the same, so they studied together as one team.

One afternoon, they gathered around the large table in Yujin’s room. Books, pens, highlighters, and sheets of notes covered every inch of the surface. Sunlight streamed through the window, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

“Alright,” Woo-jin announced, tapping a pen on the table to get everyone’s attention. “We divide the topics, teach each other what we understand best, and solve past papers together. No one falls behind, and everyone scores high. We finish this year the way we started it — together.”

Yujin sat between Ji-hoon and Dea, writing down key points carefully. “I will work my hardest,” she said softly but confidently. “I want to make my family proud, and I want to graduate with great results alongside all of you. This is the last chapter of our school life, and I want it to be perfect.”

Ji-hoon looked at her with encouragement, pushing a notebook filled with neat notes toward her. “You are smart and focused, Yujin. You have caught up so quickly since you joined us. Just stay calm, revise regularly, and remember — whatever happens, we have prepared well. And if you get stuck on anything, we are right here.”

Dea laughed lightly, turning a page of his history textbook. “And don’t worry — even while studying, we still take short breaks to chat. We won’t let it get too boring. We survived the scary stories and the long journey; we will definitely survive these exams.”

Weeks passed quickly. The whole school seemed to be deep in preparation. During breaks, instead of games, students discussed formulas, dates, and essays. Kim Seo-ah was also studying hard, sitting quietly in class, but every time she looked at Yujin, her expression held a hidden determination. She wanted to prove she was the top student, and perhaps one day reveal Yujin’s secret in a way that would lower her reputation — but for now, she kept her focus on her grades, waiting for the right moment after the exams.

Yujin studied late into the night every day, supported by Mrs. Choi who always brought warm tea and healthy snacks to keep her energy up. Her past struggles had taught her the value of every opportunity she had now. She worked harder than anyone else, grateful for the education and support she had received.

Two days before the first exam, the group gathered one last time to review everything. The room was quiet, filled only with the sound of turning pages and scribbling pens. When the revision was finished, Woo-jin closed his book with a loud thud.

“We are ready,” he said firmly. “We have done everything we can. Now we just need to sleep well and keep our confidence high.”

Ji-hoon stood up and looked out the window at the clear sky. “The picnic gave us happy memories to carry, and these exams will give us achievements to be proud of. After this, we will be graduates, stepping into a new world — but always connected by the time we spent here.”

Yujin smiled, feeling her heart light and prepared. She thought back to when she first arrived at St. Claire — shy, unsure, and afraid. Now she sat here, surrounded by family, best friends, and knowledge. She had turned her life around completely.

“Whether it was the fun days or these hard-working days,” Yujin whispered to herself, “every moment was worth it. Soon, we will finish this journey and walk out of those gates holding our results, our memories, and our friendship close forever.”