Undercover High School

Chapter 10: Sparks Before the Storm

The classroom grew quieter as the final bell rang, signaling the start of the lunch break. Some students had already left for the cafeteria, while others remained seated, opening lunch boxes or playing on their phones. Alister sat alone at his desk, staring at his phone screen without really focusing. His mind was still preoccupied with Yoona... and her connection to Reino.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the corridor, drawing the attention of the few students who remained in class. The sound of shoes pounding the floor was rhythmic and bold—like someone taking command of a stage.

A voice rang out, loud and full of challenge.

“Alister!”

Alister didn’t immediately turn. He recognized the voice—one he had ignored hundreds of times before. But this time felt different. The footsteps grew closer, and that familiar arrogant aura spread like poison in the air.

A large-built guy with cropped hair dyed partly blond stood right in front of Alister’s desk. Behind him, two equally muscular guys followed, though clearly lacking their leader's confidence.

Kelvin Club.

The school’s notorious delinquent, always looking for trouble, always causing chaos. Club wasn’t his real last name—it was a nickname born from his role as leader of an illegal motorcycle gang that often stirred trouble outside school hours. Normally, Kelvin wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Alister. Everyone knew Alister wasn’t someone you could mess with without consequences. But today, it seemed Kelvin wasn’t here for small talk.

The atmosphere in the classroom shifted instantly. Whispers broke out. Some students froze mid-bite, others paused their games. A few girls covered their mouths, torn between fear and curiosity. All eyes turned to Alister and Kelvin—including Yoona, who stood in the doorway with her arms crossed.

Alister slowly looked up, meeting Kelvin’s gaze without an ounce of fear.

“What do you want?” he asked flatly, his voice calm but razor-sharp.

Kelvin smirked, leaning on Alister’s desk. “My guys said they failed their job because of you. You interfered in something that wasn’t your business.”

Alister blinked once. “Maybe your guys are just weak.”

Kelvin’s grin vanished. One of his men stepped forward, but Kelvin raised a hand to stop him. His expression darkened, like a fire just waiting to explode.

“I’ve been tired of dealing with you, Alister. But now you’re messing with my club and my crew. You’re screwing up my business—and that means you’ll have to pay.”

Alister stood up slowly, locking eyes with Kelvin. His gaze was cold enough to slice through steel.

“If you’re looking for a fight, find another place. I’m not in the mood to teach street thugs a lesson today.”

Kelvin growled. One more step and this could spiral into chaos. But before that happened, a strong voice cut through the tension.

“Wait!”

The room fell deathly silent.

Everyone’s gaze shifted from Kelvin and Alister to Yoona, who stood tall in the doorway, arms still crossed, her face composed but eyes blazing. Her uniform skirt swayed lightly in the breeze from the open window, but her stance was unshaken.

“I’m the one who messed with your guys,” she declared boldly, stepping forward into the classroom. “Alister had nothing to do with it. He didn’t know anything.”

Kelvin rolled his eyes and let out a metallic laugh. “What’s this…? Hiding behind a girl now, Alister? Where’s your pride?”

Alister said nothing. He kept his eyes on Yoona, trying to figure out her motive. Was this part of a plan? Or was she really trying to protect him?

Yoona stood firm. “I’m telling the truth. I saw them harassing a student. I stepped in. Alister wasn’t involved. If you have a problem, take it up with me.”

The room’s tension reached a boiling point.

Kelvin stared at Yoona, jaw clenched. “Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re a girl!” he snarled, fists tightening, his cronies stepping into position.

Before he could make a move, Alister’s chair scraped harshly against the floor. All heads turned. He stood tall, moving forward to stand beside Yoona.

“You touch her,” Alister said in a low, threatening voice, “and you won’t walk out of here in one piece.”

His icy glare wasn’t just aimed at Kelvin—it pierced through his cronies too, who instinctively stepped back.

Kelvin hesitated, eyeing Alister and Yoona in turn. The tension between them was thick and suffocating.

Some students near the door started backing away, sensing a fight was about to erupt. No teacher was in sight. It could all explode in seconds.

Then Kelvin chuckled softly, like a restrained wolf.

“How sweet. You’re protecting each other,” he sneered.

The words sliced through the air like blades. Some students lowered their heads, others watched in silent dread, as if witnessing two people stepping onto a battlefield unarmed.

“I wouldn’t cause trouble here,” Kelvin added, licking his lips disgustingly. “But after school? Let’s find a proper place to settle this. I wouldn’t mind getting a taste of the new tough girl, either.”

Yoona’s expression darkened. Her eyes blazed.

“Repeat that,” she said quietly, voice trembling with fury.

Alister shifted slightly in front of her, shielding her from Kelvin’s escalating threats.

Kelvin laughed again, clearly pleased. “I’ll say it as many times as you want.”

Before he could say more, Alister’s desk flew sideways with a deafening CRASH! A few students screamed. Others backed up even farther. Alister stepped forward, face expressionless, but his eyes seethed with icy rage, like frozen daggers ready to stab.

Kelvin flinched slightly, then forced a laugh. “Oh, now you’re mad?”

Alister said nothing, his body rigid, jaw clenched.

“After school,” Alister said coldly. “Behind the gym. Come alone.”

Kelvin grinned wide. “Sure. Don’t run away, hero.”

He slapped his lackey’s shoulder and turned to leave, but cast one last look at Yoona. “And you, sweetheart—better brace yourself. We’re not done.”

Yoona clenched her fists, ready to lunge, but Alister touched her arm lightly. A silent signal—“Let me handle this.”

Kelvin and his gang left, leaving the classroom like a minefield, primed but not yet detonated. Students remained frozen, jaws slack in disbelief.

Alister turned to Yoona. His gaze was sharp, not angry—more confused and frustrated.

“Come with me!” he snapped, grabbing her hand and leading her out of the room, away from the crowd of onlookers.

Once they were behind the school building, Alister let go of her wrist.

“Why did you get involved?” he asked, voice tight.

Yoona met his gaze. “Because I can’t just stand by while someone like him threatens others. Maybe you can take it, Al. But I can’t.”

Alister exhaled slowly, trying to contain the storm within him.

“I don’t need your protection. And you should stop interfering in other people’s problems.”

The midday wind blew gently through the gaps in the buildings, carrying tension that still hung heavy. Behind the classroom, away from curious eyes, Alister and Yoona stood facing each other. The distance between them was only a few steps—but it felt like a vast chasm.

“I wasn’t protecting you, Al. I just told the truth. I’m the one who disrupted their plan,” Yoona said calmly, but her eyes were burning with conviction.

Alister turned away, jaw tightening. “You don’t even know who they are. You think this is just some schoolyard fight?”

Yoona stepped forward. “It’s because I know that I couldn’t stay silent.”

Alister looked at her. For the first time, he saw something in Yoona’s eyes—something beyond bravery. A weight. As if she wasn’t acting on impulse… but out of a hidden past.

“You’re hiding something,” he whispered.

Yoona didn’t reply. Her jaw clenched.

Alister raked his hands through his hair in frustration, stepping back before turning again. “You don’t understand, Yoona. Guys like Kelvin don’t play games. If you get involved, they won’t let you off easy.”

“I don’t care!” Yoona shouted, her voice rising. “I’ve lived with threats like that long enough. I don’t need you to protect me, and I don’t regret standing up for anyone who needs help.”

Alister stared at her, heart pounding—not from anger, but confusion. Yoona was breaking down his self-control, and he hated it.

“You’re not an ordinary student,” he murmured.

Yoona lifted her chin. “Maybe not.”

He said nothing. Questions swirled in his mind, but none came out. Instead, he turned again, voice cold and calm—too calm.

“After school, I’ll face Kelvin.”

Yoona stepped beside him. “I’m coming with you.”

Alister turned sharply. “No.”

“I’m coming,” she repeated, unwavering. “I won’t sit back while you handle everything alone.”

He stared at her. Neither of them spoke. Only the wind and the thunder of their racing hearts filled the silence.

“I’m not a coward. I’ll take responsibility for what I started,” Yoona declared, her voice fierce, eyes reddening with emotion.

Alister stayed silent. He could tell her words weren’t just about Kelvin—they were about something else entirely.

Finally, he nodded slowly. “Do what you want. But don’t get in my way when things go south.”

Yoona gave a faint smile. “I’ve never been the obstacle, Al. I’ll see this war through to the end.”

Once again, it felt like she wasn’t talking about Kelvin at all.

***