free now ━ squid game - 15. purple wigs - Page 4 (2025)

Jun-hee stared down at her shoes, her expression thoughtful. After a long pause, she spoke quietly. "He's the father of my baby."

Seon-hwa's breath hitched. Though she had suspected it, hearing Jun-hee confirm it still shocked her.

"His name is Lee Myung-gi," Jun-hee continued, her voice steady but filled with old pain. "We were together for a while before I fell pregnant. When I did, he told me to get rid of it. Then he left. Never really saw him after that."

Anger burned in Seon-hwa's throat, but she swallowed it down, focusing instead on Jun-hee's trembling hands. Without hesitation, she reached over and clasped them in hers.

"You don't owe that man anything," Seon-hwa said firmly. "You're strong, Jun-hee. And I'm here, okay? Like an annoying sister who won't let anyone mess with you."

Jun-hee's eyes shimmered, and she gave a small, grateful nod.

They sat there in silence for a moment. Seon-hwa squeezed her hand one last time before standing up, helping Jun-hee to her feet.

"The guards will be in soon. We're getting out of here," she told the girl. "I'm voting to leave, and I think a few in my group will too."

Jun-hee nodded, "I should get back to my group and see what the plan is, just incase."

Seon-hwa nodded, her small smile carrying a warmth that softened the tension in Jun-hee's face. As she turned to make her way back to her group, her steps were steady, but her mind churned with unease. Her fingers brushed over the cool metal of her ring, spinning it once before letting her hand fall to her side.

Thanos noticed her approach immediately, his arrogant grin spreading across his face as he shuffled to the side and patted the space next to him.

She allowed herself a soft smile, ignoring the sharp glare Nam-gyu shot her way. Sitting down beside Thanos, she felt the subtle shift of his presence as he placed his arm behind her. It wasn't quite touching her, but the proximity made her skin hum with awareness. He leaned back slightly, a natural and almost unconscious movement.

Nam-gyu's glare burned into Seon-hwa, and she didn't have to look to know his expression was venomous. His sudden hatred for her was evident, an oppressive force she could feel pressing against her. He made no attempt to hide his distain, his lips curling slightly as if the very sight of her offended him.

She clenched her jaw and focused on Thanos' presence beside her instead, letting it ground her. She felt Min-su's eyes on her, and gave the man a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Se-mi told us about your bachelorette party," Thanos said suddenly with a wild smirk.

Seon-hwa snapped her eyes to the girl. "What?"

Se-mi cackled without a shred of remorse. Min-su fought a smile behind his hand, while Nam-gyu rolled his eyes dramatically.

"For the record, I think purple wigs are a great idea," Thanos grinned.

Seon-hwa huffed, "Of course you do."

BEEP

The doors opened abruptly and the pink soldiers marched in, ending their lighthearted chatter. The triangle guard, always at the front of the formation, strode in with an authoritative air that immediately commanded attention. The chatter among the players died down as all eyes turned towards him.

"Congratulations to all of you for making it through the third game," he announced. "Now, here are the results of the third game."

The lights dimmed, plunging the room into a shadowy haze, except for the golden glow pouring from the piggy bank. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as money began to fall into the pig. The sound of it dropping was hypnotic, almost taunting.

Seon-hwa tilted her head back to watch, her eyes fixed on the cascading wealth. Her mind spun, not with greed, but with relief. 356,000,000 won per person. That was more than enough to pay off her debts, to free herself from the suffocating weight that had pressed down on her chest for years.

"One more game," Nam-gyu said, his voice low and sharp, cutting through her thoughts.

Seon-hwa turned her head, startled, and met his eyes. He was already watching her. There was something dark there, something that made her stomach twist. His smirk was slow, a predator's grin. "Right, Seon-hwa?"

She gritted her teeth. He was trying to get under her skin, to threaten and scare her. Her chest tightened, but she refused to look away, matching his glare with a quiet, simmering look.

Satisfied, Nam-gyu turned back to the piggy bank, his smirk widening as if he'd already won some unspoken battle.

Thanos, sensing the tension radiating off her, leaned in close. The sudden warmth of his breath on her neck sent a jolt through her. "If you're done, I'm done," he whispered, his deep voice a low rumble that only she could hear. "It's you and me, señorita. We're getting out of here."

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, his face so close that she could see the faint dimple on his cheek from his smile. There was an ease to him, as if he was confident they'd get out.

Seon-hwa nodded silently. If Thanos was willing to risk voting no, maybe others would too. The thought was a small comfort, but it wasn't enough to loosen the tightness in her chest. She let herself lean back slightly, enough for his arm behind her to brush her shoulders. His touch was light, but it grounded her.

Thanos stared at the side of her face, his smirk fading into something quieter, more thoughtful. He wasn't a fool. The money wouldn't be enough to completely pay off his debts. It wouldn't fix everything that was broken in his life. And yet here he was, risking it all, ready to vote no.

For her.

His chest tightened as he watched her exhale softly, the faint tension in her shoulders easing as she leaned into him. The warmth of her against him settled something wild inside him, but it also sparked a dangerous craving.

He didn't want this connection to be fleeting, a moment lost in the insanity of the games. He wanted it to mean something, to be the start of something that lasted beyond all this madness.

He'd never committed to a girl before– never wanted to– but with Seon-hwa, it was different. He wanted all of her. Every guarded glance, every quiet smile, even the stubborn walls she kept firmly in place.

And he was willing to risk it all for even a chance of that.

･ﾟ‧₊˚